Adagio had agreed to talking. Talking was completely fine by her standards, and she was ready for anything the Rainbooms would throw at her: Accusations, questions, but not the uncomfortable silence the two groups were currently sitting in.
They had found a much quieter place than the mall, a small sweets shop named “Sugar Cube Corner.” It was only a few blocks away, so the awkward walk over wasn’t unbearable.
The girls were tucked in the back corner of Sugar Cube Corner, the Sirens seated on the couch against the wall, and the Rainbooms had pulled chairs over to seat opposite them.
Nearly ten minutes had passed, with the girls looking awkwardly between each other, while Adagio looked at each of them expectantly. They appeared to be nervous, save for Pinkie Pie, who was currently guzzling her milkshake as fast as humanely possible.
She wasn’t sure if she should be the first to speak, or to wait for Sunset Shimmer, the organizer of this event, who was currently playing with her thumbs, eyes darting left to right. Obviously, she was thinking, but what, Adagio couldn’t tell.
Suddenly, the sound of a cup slamming on the table caught everyone’s attention, to see Pinkie Pie placing her glass down just a second before Sonata, who had also been downing her drink swiftly. “Ha! I knew I’d win,” Pinkie exclaimed triumphantly.
Sonata was about to make a comment, but she froze stiff for a moment, her eyes shot wide open, and she gripped her head with both hands. “Brainfreeze!"
Pinkie Pie snorted, before showing a similar set of symptoms as Sonata, crying out in pain. The two whined for a moment, until the unsettling feeling disappeared, then shared a laugh before looking back to their friends.
Both sides looked at them, dumbfounded, before Adagio spoke up.
“Look, we have already spent most of our day sitting in silence. If you wanted to talk, Sunset Shimmer, we’re here,” she said bluntly, wanting to get this little event over and done.
Taking a moment to breathe, Sunset sat up straight. “Well, I thought by the time we got here, the talking would start right away. So... How are you?”
She chose small talk. “Good,” Adagio replied.
“That’s good.”
“Indeed.”
It was quiet again for a few moments, before Sunset continued. “I hope you girls have been doing alright.”
Adagio raised a brow and crossed her arms. “We’ve been here for over a thousand years. We know how to take care of ourselves.”
“That’s not what I mean by ‘alright,’” she sighed.
“Oh, you mean, how are we doing after being blasted with your big rainbow of friendship,” Aria cut in, folding her arms to match Adagio.
Sunset rolled her eyes softly. “Yes, that’s right. How are you girls, after the Battle?”
“Well, losing our power is a concept that is rather hard to grasp, Sunset Shimmer,” Adagio stated. “We’re immortal creatures blessed with a power that symbolizes what we are. Having lost what makes you special can really turn life on it’s head for you.”
“Yeah, I don’t think I could understand that feeling,” Sunset admitted. “I guess it would be like being a blank flank all over again.” She laughed a little to herself.
“A what-what, now?” Rainbow Dash inquired, confused. Sunset just assured her it was something from Equestria.
“Hey, Sunset Shimmer?” Sonata piped up, “Why did you really want to talk with us?”
Everyone looked at her, and then at Sunset in sudden awareness. She stuttered a bit, realizing the attention was back on her. “What do you mean?"
“Well, we’re your enemies,” she stated nonchalantly. “We tried to take over your school, tore the students apart, made your friends mad at each other, trashed talked you in the hallway, and even hip bumped you for dramatic effect. There has to be some underlying reason for you to want to see us after everything we did.” Her tone and expression were unusually calm, and she stared at Sunset with a gentle curiosity.
“And for those reasons, we would like to know why,” Adagio finished, her tone matching Sonata’s, to make it sound as if she was continuing her statement.
“Well, when you’re that determined...” She took a moment to collect herself. “I don’t really know, to be honest. A part of me just wants to, for lack of better words, reach out to you? Seeing you in the mall didn’t make me think: ‘Oh, they are still horrible monsters.’ It was more like worry.”
“Worry,” Aria said, doubtful. “What would a girl like you have to worry about girls like us?”
“I can tell you girls are in pain. I’ve been there, and you know all about that. When I saw you three, standing over the food court, I was afraid you still had magic. When you said otherwise, though, I realized that you might just be...lost.” She nearly whispered the last word.
Adagio took in a shaky breath, her eyes wide for a moment after hearing Sunset say that. Lost. Her morale crumpled suddenly, and the retort she was going to give escaped her, leaving her speechless for a few seconds.
Noticing her sister pause, Aria decided to speak up for her. “We aren’t ‘lost,’ Sunset. You’d be surprised how hard it is to come up with a plan of action after what we went through.” She leaned back, crossing a leg over her lap.
“I get that, I do. That’s what I really want to talk about. We,” she paused, correcting herself, “I want you girls to hang out with us. The rest of my friends may have disagreements, but I sincerely think we can help you figure out a path for yourselves to follow.”
Sonata hummed, putting a hand on her chin. “So, when you were defeated and stripped of your magic, you were accepted into the group and shown how great friendship is. Now that you know the power of friendship, you feel that anyone deserves the chance, especially since you got one, and want to extend it to us, because we were beaten.”
“Hey, I was gonna say that!” Pinkie Pie complained, standing up and stomping away in frustration. Everyone took a moment to watch her.
“Well, yeah!” Sunset replied, cheerily. “I mean, if I didn’t offer you guys an opportunity, then I didn’t deserve one myself.”
“That idea sounds like it came from a child’s cartoon show,” Aria dryly stated.
“Don’t dis on cartoon shows,” Pinkie Pie warned, standing suddenly behind Aria, holding a second milkshake. “You might learn some magical lessons from one someday.” She jumped forward, doing a front flip over the table, and turned around to land neatly back in her seat. Sonata applauded in amusement.
“And Sunset has a point,” Rainbow Dash chimed in, after being quiet for a while. “I mean, we probably would not have even done that for her if Princess Twilight didn’t ask us to.” Her expression switched immediately to one of panic, as if saying something wrong. Dash turned quickly to Sunset, and opened her mouth before Sunset Shimmer waved to her.
“Yeah, yeah, I get it. No offense,” she sighed. This was clearly not the first time this talk came up.
Adagio, having lost herself for a moment, snapped back to reality, and tried to comprehend everything that was just said. Sunset wanted them to be friends? After everything they had done to her, she was just willing to let it all go and be friends.
She felt a pain deep in her chest, telling her that actually sounded like a good idea. The thought of having others around to be there was tempting, and they had not had any companions in this world for years.
But, these were the Rainbooms. These were the girls who ruined them forever, putting them in this situation that left her so uncomfortable. She couldn’t do that, her pride wouldn’t allow her.
That aside, what would her sisters think about her if she went crawling for help? She heard them say it many times over the years: “We need you, Adagio.” They held such high respect for her, even though they have had their disputes. Adagio didn’t want to imagine their reaction if they found out she was as clueless and scared as she was.
This was her burden, and her problem to solve.
She inhaled softly before raising her head again, putting on her face of confidence, and smiling lightly. “Well, Sunset, coming from you, that offer is really generous. I do appreciate the help, but being friends is a big leap from where we currently stand. As for our situation, though, we are fine as we are. We don’t need ‘friends’ to help us,” Adagio finished with a gentle humph.
“Are you sure?” Pinkie Pie queried, leaning over the table with her head at a 90* angle. “We have tons of fun all the time! And I’m certain the only person you’d have to convince is Rainbow Dash.” She turned to wink at her friend. “The others will understand.”
“Eh, let it go, Pinkie,” Rainbow said, standing up to stretch. “We don’t have to force ‘em to do anything they don’t want to do.” Looking at Adagio, she continued. “It’s just an offer, and we’ll get over it if you say no,” she assured.
Nodding, Adagio turned to Aria and Sonata, gesturing them to stand. Sunset Shimmer looked like she wanted to stop them, but grit her teeth, unsure of what to say. “Well, Rainbooms, it was great catching up with you. Maybe we’ll see you around, someday,” she said with distaste.
As they walked away, Sunset slumped in her chair, letting out a sigh. “So much for my big plan.”
The three then donned their sweatshirts again, grabbing their bags before leaving the store. The downpour had only worsened, it seemed, and the sun had gone past the horizon, leaving the city lit up by street signs and car headlights.
Tucking their hair masterfully into their hoods, the Sirens made their way back home. Half a block later, Aria spoke up.
“Alright, ‘Dag, what’s up?” she asked, curious.
“What do you mean, Aria?” Adagio replied, aware what she was referring to.
“That whole little moment you had there? You just shut down randomly, and stopped talking.”
“Yeah,” Sonata agreed, “I was having fun, and thought we were getting along. Then you got all quiet, and stared like this.” She made an odd expression, with a thousand yard stare and slightly open mouth.
“If you girls hadn’t noticed, I’ve been a little stressed out as of late,” she snapped, not wanting to have this conversation.
“Yeah, but that doesn’t explain-” Aria tried to press.
“Wait up!” A voice called out from behind them, making them all stop abruptly. They looked to each other in confusion before looking back to see Sunset Shimmer, under a bright yellow umbrella, running towards them.
“What do you want, Sunset Shimmer?” Adagio asked, irritated. “I think I made it clear that we don’t need help to get ourselves back on our feet.”
She scratched the back of her head, embarrassed, and chuckled a little. “That’s how I sounded, didn’t I? You’re right, and it was rude of me to assume that you did, just because I did. Friendship is a big thing to accept so suddenly. So I thought, how about we start off on a level a bit less intimate?”
The Sirens looked between each other curiously, unsure of what she was speaking of. “What do you mean?”
“Instead of trying to be friends, how about we just start out as allies? We help you out when you need it.” She held a hand out to them, trying to seem gentle. “We don’t have to hang out all the time, or tell each other secrets, just be there for you when you call.”
An ally. Someone to call on when needed, but you wouldn’t need to worry about being around them until then. That was a possibility, she mused. Accepting that offer was a lot less risky than her previous one, and could be understood by her sisters. Adagio wouldn’t allow herself to be friends, but allies were useful, even if you didn’t like each other.
Seeing her pause, Sunset waved a hand to get her attention again. “Look, I know that’s still asking a lot from you girls, after what we have done to you, so you don’t need to answer now.” She reached into her jacket pocket, pulling out a folded slip of paper, and handed it to them. “We figured you would decide on your own time, so that’s a list of all of our numbers in case you come around.”
The girls leaned close to Adagio as she unfolded it, showing a list of hastily written phone numbers, with the corresponding names written beside. They looked at each other, all wondering the same thing. “But, why, Sunset Shimmer?” Adagio asked, speaking for the three of them. She still couldn’t fully understand her motives.
Sunset thought for a moment, before shrugging. “My first thought was what to do with you, and I was reminded of when Princess Twilight stood over me, after defeating me. She spoke first with scorn, talking down on my actions, but then showed me compassion, and left me in the care of her friends. Princess Twilight gave me a second chance, even after knowing all the horrible things I had done. I guess since even I was given that chance, anyone deserves it,” she finished with a big smile.
Adagio looked curiously now at the paper, then tucked it into her pocket so it would not get ruined by the rain.
“Well, I’ll let you girls get home now,” said Sunset, waving her hand in farewell. Sonata gave a wave back as she turned away, walking back to the Sugar Cube Corner.
Assuming that was all, Adagio turned, signaling to her sisters to follow behind. They began making their way back home a little faster than they originally planned, the rain starting to pour a little harder than earlier. Adagio hoped that they would walk in silence this time, now that she was pondering what Sunset Shimmer was actually offering her.
Sadly, Sonata spoiled the quiet moment in the rain by jumping in front of Adagio and Aria, a look of excitement on her face. “So, what are you gonna do, Adagio?” she asked, eager to hear the answer.
She scoffed, turning her eyes away from Sonata. “What do mean, what am I going to do? Sunset Shimmer has already confirmed she is going to leave us alone.”
“Yeah? But she totally gave you her number,” she whispered mischievously, an evil grin on her face. Aria involuntarily snorted from her comment, trying to hide a smile by putting a hand over her face.
Adagio rolled her eyes, and could feel her face burn a little from Sonata’s suggestion. “That’s not what this means, Sonata,” she replied sternly.
“Aw, come on, Adagio,” Aria added playfully. “We won’t judge your taste in girls.” She and Sonata started giggling together.
“Look,” she snapped, stopping the teasing for a moment, “I don’t know what I’m going to do with this yet,” referring to Sunset’s offer. Adagio couldn’t believe how far off the rails this topic had gone. She could feel her cheeks turning red, and she forced her anger to overtake the embarrassment.
“You, not knowing? I don’t hear you say that, often.”
“Believe me,” she thought to herself, “I wish I could say it more.”