Adagio Dazzle shifted gears, and the red sportscar accelerated along the long, lonely, two-lane road to Lake Piebald. The Palomino’s engine purred loudly as she sped towards her destination. Adagio reached over and tuned the satellite radio to a station that featured music from about seventy years ago. She recognized the song and loudly sang the mezzo-soprano part of a three-woman harmony, just as the song reached its climax:
Go forth into battle, though you may fall
Punish the enemy and heed the Sirens’ call
So, come back to me with a medal
Or don’t come back at all
Adagio was pleased that her performance was only a little off-key. “I’m glad my voice is healing after a week, but why now?” she asked the windshield.
Her thoughts wandered back to the confrontation in the aquarium a few hours ago. Sonata threw an axe at me! Sonata Dusk, who has only three modes – scared, seductive and spacy – attacked me. Why? Was this really about her father?
Adagio came to a realization and banged a hand on the steering wheel. “Oh, by the Master’s dark tentacles, she truly loved both her father and that farmer! Sonata, how could you?” She shook her head as she drove. “Nothing good ever comes from falling in love with any male, and this entire situation proves why my mother, my grandmother and every Aquastrian Queen enforced He Who Swims in Darkness’ laws.”
She pursed her lips with worry and let brooding thoughts cross her mind. But what if Sonata was right? What if I fail? Is a slow death to old age preferable over a quick death? Even in my banishment, I have known adventures and seen places that these humans – and most Equestrians – will never experience. All of those memories will be lost to the void if I fail.
The sun, low in the sky, dazzled Adagio’s eyes as she came around a curve. “Or will they?” She took a hand away from the steering wheel and ran her fingers through her thick orange curls. She sighed, and then asked herself, “What has happened to me during the past few days?”
You’ve had your foundation rocked by the Power of Harmony, that’s what’s happened. The first time you truly stood and fought after the Battle of the Crystal Glacier, you were soundly defeated by five girls, an exiled unicorn and a fledgling alicorn princess. Any other mermare would be permitted to curl up into a ball in despair, but I can’t neglect my duty to Aquastria, thought Adagio. She determinedly clenched her jaw and tightened her grip on the steering wheel.
The Palomino’s instrument panel beeped at Adagio. A yellow light activated, indicating that the car was running low on fuel. The navigation system indicated that a small town was only a couple miles away.
Adagio drove the sportscar over a bridge spanning a small river. She glanced out at the sun sinking below the horizon. The sparkling motes of light dancing on the water spurred her to thought again. I just want to go home. I want to feel water all around me again, and the coolness playing on my scales. My people are lost without me, and though I’d never say it to Aria or Sonata, I’m lost without them. I’m so tired of scurrying from one hiding spot to another.
After crossing the river, the two-lane road intersected with a major highway. A truck stop sat alongside the road, and the parking lot was crowded with tractor-trailers. Adagio pulled up to the gasoline pumps, got out of the car and began filling the Palomino’s gas tank. She was dressed simply, wearing a bright purple polo shirt, jeans and comfortable boots, but attracted an incredible amount of attention from the gawking truck drivers.
Adagio smirked and shook her head. She sarcastically said to herself, “If it wouldn’t result in a police chase, I’d just drive off. But, I suppose I should pay, visit the restroom, grab a snack and deal with those insufferable men inside.” She locked the sports car with the key ring, causing the horn to honk and the lights to flash once, and walked across the parking lot to the truck stop.
The ring of a cheap aluminum bell signaled Adagio Dazzle’s entrance. About a dozen men were seated around a diner counter and at a pair of tables in a small restaurant adjoining a convenience store. One trucker gave an admiring whistle as she strode back towards the restroom, earning disapproval from his peers.
“She’s just trying to get some gas, man! Leave her alone,” said a second trucker.
The first trucker, who was a large man in his mid-thirties wearing a green mesh ballcap, shook his head in amazement and said, “I’ve seen many things on the road between Fillydelphia and Vanhoover, but haven’t ever seen anything like that!”
Adagio finished washing her hands in the restroom and returned to the convenience store. The green-hatted trucker stood up from his spot at the counter and approached her.
The waitress rolled her eyes in exasperation. “Have a seat, Casanova. Your dinner’s just about ready!”
“Hey there, darling. How far down the road are you going tonight?” asked Green Hat, feebly attempting to start a conversation with Adagio.
She curtly responded, “Sadly, I’m not going far enough to escape your particular aroma. When’s the last time you took a bath or brushed your teeth, anyway?” She grabbed two bottles of soda and an energy bar.
The cashier, a bespectacled young woman in her twenties, covered her face in amusement and called out to Adagio, “Over here, sugar. I can help you.”
“Don’t you want to see my equipment?” asked Green Hat in a final attempt to engage the beautiful Siren in conversation.
Adagio rolled her eyes. A subtly menacing tone crept into her voice as she replied, “Based on what I see, there’s no way you have a big rig. If you’d like to keep your equipment working properly, I suggest you go eat your dinner and don’t bother me anymore.”
The sarcasm was too much for both the waitress and the cashier, who exploded in laughter, along with half of the restaurant’s patrons. Green Hat silently slunk back to his stool in humiliation, and absently stuffed a Prench-fried potato into his mouth.
“How much do I owe you?” Adagio asked the cashier.
The young woman smiled and flipped her green hair back over her shoulder. Her hazel eyes glittered with amusement. “The gas will be sixty dollars, but the snacks are on the house, sugar.”
“I haven’t seen a young lady put a man in his place like that in years,” said the waitress, who left the restaurant area and approached Adagio. “Thanks for making me smile!”
Adagio’s eyes darted nervously between the two smiling women. “I just wanted to be about my business and get back on the road.”
The cashier gave Adagio her receipt and said, “But the way you did it, well, I don’t think he’ll be bothering any women for a long time. Thanks for that, kid.”
“Oh, don’t go calling this young lady a kid!” said the waitress, playfully elbowing the other woman. “I’ll certainly give that guy in the green hat one thing; you certainly are a sight, if you don’t mind me saying. Like a princess out of a storybook or something!”
The cashier threw her head back and laughed. “Ha! This lassie’s definitely no damsel in distress locked up in a tower.”
“Maybe, but who says a princess can’t stand up for what’s right?” asked the waitress, adjusting her apron. “Oh well, maybe I’ve been watching too many of my daughter’s movies!”
Adagio shifted her weight uncomfortably from one foot to the other, loosely holding the bag containing her snacks. She hesitantly said, “Um, thank you both for the compliment.”
“We’ll stop bugging you, ma’am. Have a safe trip and please swing through the next time you come this way,” said the cashier with a warm smile.
The cheap aluminum bell rang again, signaling Adagio’s departure. She unlocked the car, set a soda in the cup holder and put the bag on the passenger seat. She opened the trunk to ensure that the items hadn’t been disturbed.
The Palomino’s trunk was filled with Adagio’s possessions. She thought, I brought it all, because no matter what happens tomorrow night, this is a one way trip. As this continent’s settlers would have said, Aquastria or bust.
A small chest hidden in the spare tire compartment held Raven’s mundane and magical supplies, including zip-ties, ropes, candles, enchanted items and Adagio’s instructions. She lifted a blanket and revealed Sonata’s full seabag.
Adagio closed the trunk and wistfully thought, In the end, she’s my subject. My responsibility. I can’t let her go.
She started the Palomino and returned to the road. As she neared Lake Piebald, Adagio’s thoughts returned to Sonata and the grim task ahead of her. Aria’s mother and I should have done something to save Sonata’s father. Death is so final! Why does the Master insist upon it time and again?
Adagio’s melancholy thoughts mirrored the dark jazz music on the radio. As night fell, she said to herself, “We made those rules to never harm children, because we were changed into Sirens while we were so young. I led Sonata and Aria to break our rules, for the first time in a thousand years, at Canterlot High School. Now, I must break them again to return home. Those three girls would better serve Aquastria as slaves, or better yet, turned to our cause. They’re talented young women. They would rule their own clan!”
She caught a glimpse of her own glowing magenta eyes in the rearview mirror. The navigation system insisted upon turning onto a remote gravel road.
All this death… and even undeath. It grows tiresome. I have to see this plan through for all mermares, but this sacrifice for the Master will haunt my songs forever more. I’m not sure I can endure it alone. Regretful tears formed at the corner of her eyes, which were quickly wiped away as she turned towards the cabin’s driveway.
Adagio parked the Palomino and looked up at a “cabin” that in any other place would be a large, two-story house. Before starting the long unpacking process, she pulled out her phone and texted Aria:
Come to Lake Piebald to help me restore the Master and return home. Text me again when you get to the park Headquarters on the southern shore, and I’ll tell you where to go. Arrive no later than 11 on Saturday night. Be ready for battle.
Adagio concentrated on the disposable cell phone’s “contacts” listing. The name “Sonata” was highlighted. Her face illuminated by the tiny screen’s glow, Adagio was surrounded by darkness with her thumb hovering over the “select” button.
-----
“Daddy!” Sonata Dusk swam quickly towards her father as he entered the hovel.
Dusky Defense swept her up in his fins and happily said, “I’m home, Nata! Never for long and always in secret, my dear, but these stolen moments make it all worthwhile. Where are your mother and brother?”
“Mama’s putting some salve on Coral’s scales. We were playing outside and I told him to get a jewel for my pretend crown. It was only a pretty rock, but he got caught in a current and scraped himself badly on the reef,” said Sonata. Her lilac eyes widened in fear. “I was so scared! I didn’t mean for him to get hurt, Daddy!”
The merstallion held his daughter close, the matching pairs of lilac eyes gazing into each other. “He’ll be all right, I’m sure. It’ll just take a little time and a lot of love.”
Trapped in her thousand-year-old memories, Sonata Dusk stared blankly out of a sixth-floor window of Zodiac University Hospital. She absently watched the sun dip below Canterlot’s skyline. In the distance, the sunset’s orange light reflected brilliantly off of the Apollo Tower’s windows. After several hours of sitting in Big Macintosh’s room, she no longer paid much attention to the scurrying nurses and beeping equipment.
“Still all right, young lady?” asked a nurse after he had finished changing the dressings on Big Mac’s wounds. “For the third time, that cut on your head should have some stitches.”
Sonata shook her head and pulled the thin blanket around herself even more tightly. The nurse pursed his lips disapprovingly and was about to speak again when a petite, energetic woman with fiery red hair approached Sonata.
She opened the chart handed to her by the nurse, then earnestly said, “Miss, I’m Doctor Dawn Scales and I’ve been supervising Big Macintosh’s care. Can you tell me who you are to the patient?”
“I’m his fr...” Sonata trailed off and wiped a tear from her eye. Like a child being punished, she sat up straight in her chair and looked at the floor. “I’m Sonata. I brought him here.”
The doctor crouched down and squeezed Sonata’s shoulder compassionately through the blanket. “Look, I shouldn’t tell you this since you’re not a family member, but he’s going to be fine. It will be a full recovery after he heals. I know you’ve been here for hours, both in the emergency room and up here. Great work, by the way. You got him here so quickly after he was hurt that I was able to get the burns treated, the wounds closed and repair the damage to his left bicep.”
Sonata nodded, and guilty, relieved tears spilled out of her eyes. “Thank you, Doctor.”
“It was very brave of you to help him, but now you need to get some help yourself.” Doctor Scales brushed a lock of red hair out of one eye and frowned. “Half of the hospital staff has noticed that bloody shirt and those torn jeans. Don’t pretend like we can’t see them. Can I take you someplace safe?”
She shook her head and the flow of tears stopped. Determined, Sonata steadily replied, “I don’t want to leave him. I screwed up so badly that I have to watch over him now.”
“Well, at least I’ll know where you’ll be,” said Dawn Scales. She placed the medical chart on a hook at the foot of Big Mac’s bed and resumed her rounds. In the doorway, she turned and looked back at Sonata one last time before departing. “It was nice meeting you, Sonata.”
Soon after the doctor’s departure, Sonata was jolted to awareness by heavy footfalls that were unlike the soft impacts of the nurses’ tennis shoes. The blood drained from her face when the door opened and Sunset Shimmer entered the room, followed by Aria, Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Discord. Sunset adjusted the collar of her leather jacket and approached Sonata.
“Thank Celestia! We’ve found them at last!” said Sunset, exuding relief.
In a flash of white light, Discord transformed his clothing into canary-yellow medical scrubs. He grabbed Pinkie by the elbow and her outfit changed into an archaic red-and-white striped jumper representing a hospital volunteer. Discord, his red eyes focused with concern, began a gentle examination of Big Mac’s sleeping form, assisted by a watchful Pinkie Pie.
Sunset glared at Sonata and pointed a threatening finger at her. “It’s taken us hours to find you! Explain this, all of this, right now!” A sweep of her arm took in Big Mac and the entire hospital room.
The Siren shrank into her chair. “I’m so sorry, Sunset. It’s my fault he’s hurt,” she said meekly, with tears welling at the corners of her eyes.
Sonata’s pathetic reaction struck a nerve. In a loud whisper, Sunset seethed, “We were worried that Adagio or something worse had gotten a hold on you. After frantically searching half the city, we learn that you ran off from school, wearing this, no less!” She pinched the fabric of Big Mac’s shirt.
“You told that friendly girl with the tennis outfit that you tripped in Chemistry. You weren’t taking a Chemistry class,” added Aria. She clutched her oversize gym bag in both hands and clenched her jaw.
Discord paused his examination of Big Mac. He wryly said, “Chemistry? You have the wrong subject, my mace-twirling friend. I am reasonably confident that Sonata was attempting a practicum in Biology.”
Rarity shushed Discord, and then removed her backpack. She looked uncertainly at both Sunset and Aria. “We really should get her out of those blood-stained clothes. Isn’t there somewhere else we can discuss this where we won’t be overheard?”
“I have a diagnosis,” said Discord, interrupting the others. “This man has been burned, blasted and has a particularly nasty wound through his arm.” He counted off the maladies on his fingers.
Aria turned her disapproving gaze from Sonata to the Spirit of Chaos and said, “Great work, Doctor Obvious.” Pinkie Pie suppressed a giggle.
“But, there are worse things that could have happened. Right, Sunset?” asked Discord. He raised an eyebrow and stroked his beard.
Sunset paced from Sonata’s chair to the foot of Big Mac’s bed and back again. She folded her arms across her chest and nodded. “You didn’t sense a trace of dark magic, and neither do I. That’s a relief.”
“So he’ll heal completely?” asked Pinkie, inclining her head towards Big Macintosh’s sleeping form.
Discord nodded. “He’s too stubborn and too healthy to stay hurt for very long. If he follows directions, eats his vegetables and rests for about a month, he’ll be good as new. Well, except for the hair on his chest. That’s done for.” He smirked and winked at Pinkie.
Sonata let out a huge breath that she had been holding. “I’d never even thought about magic! At least he’ll be all right. Thank you for giving me a straight answer.”
Five stunned pairs of eyes locked on to Sonata. Sunset Shimmer was the first to speak, her eyes flashing with anger. “You have a lot of guts to say anything to me about straight answers!”
Rarity whispered to Aria, “She should have kept her mouth shut.”
Aria frowned and crossed her arms. “Silence isn’t Sonata’s strong suit.”
Sunset gritted her teeth and angrily pointed a finger at Sonata. “You had better thank whatever higher power you serve at this particular moment that I got here ahead of Applejack and Cheerilee. If I hadn’t, the intensive care unit would have had a new patient!”
Sonata’s mouth dropped open and she covered it with a bruised hand. “They’re coming here?” she asked fearfully.
“Pinkie, stay here with Big Mac and stall Applejack and Cheerilee. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy will be a big help to you. Everyone else, come with me,” ordered Sunset. “I saw an empty conference room on this floor.”
Discord snapped his fingers and Pinkie’s candy-striped jumper was replaced with her normal clothing. As he followed Sunset into the hallway he called back to Pinkie, “They’ll all need fifty grams of peppermint chocolate, stat!”
“Are you alright?” asked Aria as she helped Sonata to her feet.
Sonata sniffed and her lilac eyes were mirror-like with fear. “Not really,” she answered.
“Darling, in case you haven’t noticed, Sunset’s not in a particularly pleasant mood right now,” cautioned Rarity, who was the last to leave Big Mac’s hospital room. “I do recommend you assist us.”
The group stealthily entered a room with a couch, a round table with four chairs, warm decorations and potted plants. The tiny window in the door had blinds to ensure privacy if necessary.
Aria closed the door behind them, secured the lock and pulled the blinds to reduce the chances of intrusion. She set the gym bag containing Chainbreaker on the floor. “This looks like the sort of room made for delivering bad news.”
“That suits me just fine!” growled Sunset. She pulled out the chair farthest from the door. “Sonata, sit down.”
Silently, with her shoulders slumped in defeat, Sonata moved towards the chair. Rarity stepped forward. “Darling, we can’t have you covered in blood, wearing Big Mac’s shirt and exposing one of your legs to the world. Please put these on.”
Rarity pulled a white scoop-necked shirt out of her backpack and a gray pair of sweatpants, then handed them to Sonata.
“Turn around and face the wall, Discord,” said Aria, who guided the Spirit of Chaos to the wall by the shoulders.
Discord protested, “But, I’m a doctor!” Sunset raised an eyebrow in warning, and Discord said, “Fine. Go ahead and protect her modesty, but after thousands of years, there isn’t much I haven’t seen.”
Sonata quickly changed clothes and fixed her long ponytail before sitting. Rarity and Aria exchanged glances when they saw the extent of Sonata’s injuries. For one brief moment, as she was pulling the shirt over her head, Sonata’s face caught the light. Rarity noticed the Siren’s lilac eyes reflecting warmth and her body sparkling with a sky blue glow, which disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.
Rarity nudged Aria with an elbow and whispered, “Something has changed with Sonata. She’s suddenly so graceful, despite those nasty cuts and bruises. And, there’s something else, like a light deep inside of her, but it seems so far away.”
“I don’t know about all that, Rarity. I’d like to think you’re right,” whispered Aria in reply.
Sunset Shimmer finished moving the table and the rest of the chairs. Sonata was sitting alone, in the open, along the room’s back wall. She picked at her cuticles and chewed her bottom lip, the nervousness contrasting starkly with her injuries. Discord and Rarity watched expectantly.
Aria stepped forward and broke the uneasy silence. “It’s time to tell them everything, Nata.”
“Ari, I don’t want to,” said Sonata fearfully.
Slamming a palm on the table, Aria angrily said, “It’s time to stop this word game nonsense. Tell them everything, and by Luna, it had better be the truth!” She motioned Sunset forward to join her.
Sunset Shimmer folded her hands and pointed both index fingers, like a miniature sword, at Sonata. She took a deep breath and began calmly. “Sonata, tell me what happened after we arrived at school today.”
Creditably, Sonata met the green-blue eyes interrogating her. Her voice shook as she said, “I sneaked away from the music room right away and went to the library. I returned a book and made sure that Cheerilee saw me wearing Mac’s shirt.”
“How did you get one of his shirts?” asked Aria. She balled her fists with such force that her purple-tinted knuckles turned white.
Sonata sighed with resignation and folded her hands in her lap. “I stole it from his room last night after we finished singing. But, that’s not all that happened down there.” Her lip quivered.
Discord stroked his beard thoughtfully. Rarity leapt up from the couch, pressed both palms against her cheeks and cried, “Did you and Big Macintosh…?”
“No!” Sonata interrupted. “I wanted to. I tried to. We kissed and we were about to take the next step when Pinkie called us up to see Aria use Chainbreaker for the first time.” Her resolve crumbled and tears spilled down her face as she buried her face in her hands. “I’m so sorry.”
Aria stepped forward, her visage twisted with fury and disappointment. She watched in apparent disgust as Sonata wept. After a long moment, she drew her arm back and brought her open palm streaking toward Sonata’s bruised face.
At the last moment, Aria stopped. She lifted Sonata’s chin with her index finger and said, “No, I won’t hit you. Adagio would have. I probably still would have hit you a week ago, but I won’t now, not after what I’ve learned.” Her violet eyes continued to blaze with fury.
“Aria, I’m very pleased with the way you’ve proven yourself loyal and trustworthy this past week,” said Sunset. Her green-blue eyes never left Sonata. “I must hear your explanation... Continue.”
Sonata gulped and composed herself. “Sunset, I went to your old hideout in the maintenance room. I needed to give Big Mac a reason to be really angry at Adagio. I heard about how he beat the stuffing out of the man who hurt Cheerilee and figured I could make him mad enough to do the same to Adagio.”
“Sonata, you didn’t!” cried Aria. “Like what we did to get past those knights and into the castle in Prance? How could you do that to Big Mac? He’s little more than a boy!”
Suddenly, Sonata’s sadness was replaced with anger at Aria. “By all the rules the three of us made together so long ago, he’s a man, fully grown, and fair game for our plans!” She turned to Sunset. “I used the tools in your hideout to make marks on myself that look terrible but don’t hurt that badly. Well, that’s not entirely true. The one on my head is really painful.”
Rarity gripped Discord’s sleeve. She looked up at him with imploring blue eyes and whispered, “I’ve known Big Mac and Applejack for years! There’s no way he could have resisted her.”
Discord put his index finger to his lips and whispered back, “Sunset and Aria must make Sonata see the truth of things with a minimum of interference from me, Rarity. It’s very important. More important than I could possibly describe.” For a moment, his crimson eyes conveyed a combination of sadness and desperation.
The indignation left Sonata’s eyes and she flatly continued, like she was describing someone else’s actions. “I lied to the tennis girl to use her phone, called Big Mac, slipped away and kept him angry during the whole trip to our old lair at the aquarium. But Adagio was already there waiting for us.”
“So, how did Big Mac get hurt?” asked Sunset. A vein thrummed in her neck from the strain of keeping her temper in check.
Sonata sniffed loudly, wiped her eye and took a deep breath. “Adagio told him the truth about us as Sirens and the awful things I did to feed us. She said it all in the worst possible way in front of Big Mac, and then told me to join her again, to help her trick a banshee called Shrieking Raven, so we could all go home. I got scared and ran off.”
“Oh, come on, Sonata! Not again!” howled Aria in frustration. She rolled her eyes and punched the tabletop. “It was two against one. You and Big Mac probably could have stopped her!”
Her lilac eyes narrowed, but Sonata thought better of it, shook her head and resumed her factual account. “No way, Aria. He was scared of the dark passageways, and, well, I was just a total wreck. I grabbed a fire axe near the exit from the tunnels. I was so scared that I still don’t know why I did that. Anyway, Big Mac and Adagio got to me at about the same time. Adagio called me a coward. I threw the axe at her, but missed. Instead, it blew up some machinery,” she began to cry, “...and Big Mac caught most of the blast.”
Sunset Shimmer had reached her limit. She knifed her hand through the empty air impatiently. “Enough with the tears!” she barked. “It’s time for the most important questions, and all of them start with the word ‘why.’ Sweet Celestia, you don’t even know what we’re up against now, aside from the name ‘Shrieking Raven,’ or why we had to make Chainbreaker! Why did you repeatedly lie to all of us, mislead Aria and try to take out Adagio yourself?”
Discord whispered to Rarity, “I think it’s alright to give them a hint on where to go next.” He snapped his fingers and was suddenly dressed in drag, wearing a poorly-fitting pink evening gown and a butterfly-shaped tiara. He fluttered fake eyelashes and said loudly, using an unnerving falsetto, “Sonata, you’d best start with what you wanted.”
His antics caused a brief fracture in Sonata’s fragile self-control. She leapt to her feet and gestured angrily at the Spirit of Chaos. “How in Tartarus do you know about what I want?”
“I’m Discord. That’s my job,” he replied enigmatically as the gown morphed back into canary-yellow medical scrubs, complete with the ever-present butterfly pin.
Sonata remained standing and turned towards Sunset Shimmer. She twisted her fingers and nervously said, “Have you ever wanted to be a princess, Sunset? I’ve wanted to be a princess since I was a little filly. Mama would read me stories about the kings and queens of old - even a few from the surface world - and I would make crowns out of things I found and sing made-up songs. My twin brother always had to be the prince, even though mercolts and merfillies weren’t supposed to play together.”
“I think I understand, Sonata,” replied Sunset, a small smile finally tugging at the corners of her mouth.
Sonata sadly returned the smile and continued. “I’m sure Aria has told you that after your rainbow destroyed our heart-pendants, our magic has been leaking away. It scares me and I knew once it was all gone, we’d turn into something else or just disappear.”
“Which is why Adagio beat you up last weekend, right?” asked Sunset. She crossed her arms over her chest and raised an eyebrow in curiosity.
Sonata nodded. “Yes, because there’s no way she could ever see herself as a human and no way she could ever admit she had been defeated.”
Aria urged her on. “They need to know our secret, Nata. It’s important that they know what you kept buried.”
Sonata nodded sadly at Aria. “There’s so much more to this story than I can tell now, but the Queen, Adagio’s mother, killed my father in the throne room when he tried to prevent my being given to He-Who-Swims-in-Darkness. Adagio and Aria’s mother saw it all happen.”
“That’s horrible! I… I don’t know what to say,” said Sunset compassionately.
Aria unzipped the gym bag and gestured with the mace. “Sonata, I told Sunset and Discord about our magic bleeding away. When I did, I made peace with that fact in my own way.”
Sonata nodded at Aria. “You helped make Chainbreaker. You chose to destroy your shards.” She looked at Sunset. “I gave mine to you the moment I decided to take the crown from Adagio to avenge my father. I knew the Master would give me a new heart if I were his princess.”
All sympathy vanished from Sunset and Aria’s faces. Aria recovered first, set down Chainbreaker and pointed at Sonata angrily. “I warned you to make the right choices! I tried to tell you that we couldn’t slip into our old ways ever again!”
“But, I’d make everything better. I’d have the Master’s favor, Aria! You’d protect me and I’d make Big Macintosh my prince. Adagio might scare me, but I knew from the moment I met him at Monday night’s dinner that he’d never be scared of her. Applejack and Apple Bloom would be the best sisters I could ever have. Think about how wonderful it would be, Aria! The Apples and I would be a royal family all together!” pleaded Sonata. Her arms were spread wide as she attempted to explain herself.
Aria, completely exasperated, made a frustrated gesture. “No! The Master’s gifts are poison and his promises are lies! That becomes clearer to me every day. I could never have gone along with this plan!”
Sunset reached into her jacket pocket with her right hand and gently pushed Aria back towards an empty chair with her left arm. Her green-blue eyes glittered dangerously as her voice increased in volume. “Do you have any idea what your lies and your selfishness have done? You’re certainly not as clueless as I once thought you were, so the only possible explanation is that you don’t give a damn for anyone but yourself!”
“That’s not true! You’re my friend, Sunset. Most of all, I care for the Apples! I love them!” protested Sonata.
Discord elbowed a horrified Rarity. He snapped his fingers and a bucket of popcorn appeared in his lap. He offered her a bite and waggled his eyebrows.
Sunset’s fragile restraint gave way. She took out the magical necklace and fastened it around her neck. The air tingled with eldritch energy as Sunset angrily continued upbraiding Sonata. “Let’s just leave out the fact that Big Mac and Cheerilee are in love with one another and that you terrorized her and tried to steal him, which is pretty horrible on its own. You ate the Apples’ food. You slept in their beds. You sat at their table, smiling and laughing with them.”
“But, Sunset…” Sonata futilely attempted to break in.
She steamrolled over Sonata’s protestation. Sparks of aqua light periodically flew into the air, punctuating Sunset’s diatribe. “They’re the hardest-working, most honest people I have ever heard of - on both sides of the portal! You’ve even been to their church, Sonata! In what possible world would they be grateful to someone who misled and manipulated them? Do you honestly believe they would let you rule them? We knew that you were up to something, but you fooled the hell out of me. I had no idea your plan, even as hare-brained as it ended up being, was this terrible!”
“Aren’t you going to stop this?” Rarity asked Discord. Her blue eyes were wide with fear.
Discord chewed another handful of popcorn and wiped his hands off on his pants. He shook his head. “Certainly not! Considering what she’s done, they’re going easy on her. I was expecting a blowtorch and a pair of pilers!”
“Apple Bloom showed you pictures of her dead parents, for Celestia’s sake, and you still tried to seduce Big Mac and deceive us all!” Sunset removed her jacket and put her hands on her hips. Haughtily, she said, “Sonata Dusk, you have been a spider that hides in the shadows and a chameleon that has blended in to fool us time and again. You have betrayed my kindness and trust. Do you have anything else to say for yourself?”
Sonata had endured most of Sunset’s rebuke stoically, but cringed when Sunset removed her jacket. With arms protectively wrapped around her body, her voice quavered. “I’m so sorry, Sunset! I’m so sorry to all of you! This isn’t what I thought would happen and I accept responsibility for getting Big Mac hurt. I still think I could have done some good. Just give me another chance, please!”
“Words, Sonata! All I ever get from you are words!” Sunset kicked a nearby chair in her anger, tipping it over. “You sought power, but did so for all the wrong selfish reasons. Let me show you what came from my seeking power through lies and cruelty!”
The necklace around Sunset’s neck began to glow, mimicking her magical unicorn aura. Her flamelike hair began to smoke, but instead of going upwards, the illusory smoke collected near Sunset’s back and spread outwards, like a pair of huge wings.
Rarity realized what Sunset was doing and shouted, “Don’t! I can’t bear to see you like that again!”
“Telling her hasn’t worked, Rarity. I’m sorry, but I have to show her, so nobody else ever goes down that road again!” said Sunset regally as the aqua aura enveloped her and filled the room.
When the magical brilliance dissipated, the entire group gasped with fear. Sunset Shimmer’s skin had taken on a reddish hue, her head brushed the ten-foot tall ceiling, and leathery wings spread from her back, filling the room.
Her humanlike green-blue eyes contrasted with the fangs and serpentine forked tongue that jutted forth from Sunset’s mouth. She hissed at Sonata, and the foul stench of rotting meat escaped her mouth. “Thissss is the monster that I became when I placed Twilight Sparkle’s crown on my head in my lust for power! The same rainbow that struck you punished me, too. But, the crown let me see what I had done to myself through my own choices, and was exactly what I needed.”
Sonata gibbered in terror. She retreated from the chair into the room’s corner and curled into a ball. “Sunset, stop! I beg you!”
“There’s no escape from your own choices, Sonata!” snarled Sunset, gesturing with a demonic claw.
Suddenly, the illusion winked out. Sunset, back to her normal size and appearance, helped Sonata to her feet and grasped her by both shoulders. She implored, “The best part about a fresh start is that you get to make new choices! You get to decide who you want to be!”
Sonata, still trembling, collapsed against Sunset Shimmer and wrapped her arms around her, tears from a hundred disparate emotions exploding forth. “Forgive me! I’m so afraid, Sunset! I’m not like you. You’re so brave and perfect, even more now that you have Equestrian magic. Help me understand!”
Sunset coldly returned the embrace and opened her mouth to speak. Before words escaped, she cocked her head, as if listening to a faraway voice. The fury leeched out of her, like air out of a balloon.
Discord platonically patted Rarity’s knee and said, “That was a bit over the top, but completely necessary. Redemption is a tricky business. The mixture between fury and compassion is very difficult to get right. Trust me, I know.”
Rarity pursed her lips and scooted away from the Spirit of Chaos. “I wanted to forget all about that awful demon, Discord.”
“Darling,” said Discord in an exaggerated attempt to mimic Rarity’s speech patterns, “we can’t forget. We can bury it or we can leave it behind. I suggest the latter option for you. Recent experiences have reminded me that buried things have an awful tendency to rise from their graves.” The pair returned to the drama playing out before them.
The former unicorn unclasped the amulet and held it up for Sonata to examine closely. As she beheld its supernatural beauty, Sunset said, “This necklace is a powerful magic focus. More importantly, it contains a part of you and a part of me. I’m certain it will help us understand one another. May I put it on you? I don’t know what will happen, but something tells me that if we’re going to stop Adagio and Raven, I have to do it.”
Sonata nodded in agreement. Sunset fastened the necklace around Sonata’s neck. Without warning, a wave of magic crashed over the Siren and her mind was overcome by a surge of brilliant, prismatic energy. An enormous crystalline tree flashed across her vision.
An enigmatic voice in Sonata’s mind intoned, “Behold the consequences of a victory steeped in betrayal.”
-----
Sonata Dusk opened her eyes and watched her hand place an empty teacup on the counter. The servants had kept the Apple Family kitchen - her kitchen - very tidy lately. She felt a broad smile across her face as she walked into the entryway and saw bright sunlight streaming through the front door’s small windows. She opened the door and gazed upon a legion of male workers in purple jumpsuits scurrying obediently between Sweet Apple Acres’ barns and outbuildings.
Stepping onto her farmhouse’s porch, she grasped the chain of the porch swing. Sonata remembered the tranquility of the place where she had first sat with Apple Bloom so long ago, which violently contrasted with the hive of activity and the multitude of her people presently working in and around Sweet Apple Acres. Despite the bustle, Sonata reveled in the springtime beauty of the orchard, with the apple trees in full bloom once again.
Sonata’s confused consciousness asked silently, I’m just watching this? But, I feel the wind on my face and smell the dust and flowers of the orchard. I don’t know what I’m going to say! Am I still at the hospital?
Powerless as a spectator, Sonata inhaled deeply and savored the scent of the blossoms. “Applejack, isn’t this a beautiful spring day?”
“As you say, Your High… I mean, Sonata,” said Applejack. Her smile was strained and her puffy eyes were rimmed with red. Applejack’s dull blonde hair limply hung about her shoulders as she moved slowly back and forth on the porch swing. Avoiding Sonata’s gaze, she absently picked at her exquisitely-made silk gown.
What happened to the strong, independent farmgirl? Applejack’s a mess! wondered Sonata’s present self.
Giddy with pleasure, Sonata looked down at her left hand and marveled at the brilliant, two-carat diamond engagement ring paired with a wedding band that was studded with alternating white and black diamonds.
Gliding back into the farmhouse’s entryway, she called, “My prince? I’m going down to the construction site. Would you like to come?”
Big Macintosh exited the family room and approached his wife. “No thanks, Sonata. I’d like to stay here and feed Pearl.” He held a tiny, blue-haired baby over his shoulder, tenderly supporting the infant’s head.
He’s so handsome, and he looks amazing in a suit! And the best part is that he’s given me a child! she thought happily. As she looked closely at Big Mac’s face, her thoughts changed. Something’s wrong with him, too.
“Awww, I think it’s so cute when you call her that, but we must remember to use her full name outside the house: Princess Pearlescent Apple,” she said, kissing first the baby and then Big Mac on their cheeks. “I do wish that you’d let our servants help you more.”
The former farmer carefully laid the infant in the nearby bassinet. He loosened his expensive tie and straightened the obsidian coronet encircling his head. He frowned sadly and said, “There are still some things I need to do for myself, and caring for our child is at the top of that list. Along with that, Granny didn’t have a good night. I need to go downstairs and see if she’s feeling any better.”
Wait, wouldn’t Granny have trouble with the stairs? Why is she in Big Mac’s old room? Sonata thought.
“Of course, dearest! I’ll be back in a little while to spend time with you and Pearlescent,” she said. Sonata ran her left hand through her blue-streaked hair and accidentally poked a finger on one of the spikes of her tiara. While the tip was reddened, the white gold and obsidian protrusion hadn’t broken the skin.
Big Mac clenched the muscles in his jaw and opened the door to the basement. The sunlight reflected off a lock of his light orange hair that had turned gray.
I’m so happy, but why does everyone look so sad? What am I holding that’s so heavy in my right hand? Sontata thought. Hearing a noise outside, her focus shifted and she said, “Oh, look! The banners have arrived!”
As Sonata threw open the front door to the farmhouse, Applejack immediately straightened herself on the porch swing. She chewed her bottom lip and stared blankly at the handkerchief in her hand. Sonata ignored her and walked across the courtyard towards what was once the livestock barn.
“Major, would you be so kind as to let me watch you assemble the first banner?” Sonata asked a young woman, with gray skin and white hair styled in a Prench braid underneath an elaborate hat. The Major wore a blue uniform with fringed black epaulettes.
The woman’s face drained of blood and she immediately dropped to one knee. “Absolutely, Your Highness! How may I serve you?”
Sonata’s present consciousness grew uneasy. She’s so afraid. Why? she thought.
The Princess gestured with something in her right hand. “Just show me the banner, Major.”
Under the stern oversight of the women wearing the blue uniforms, the men in the plain purple jumpsuits quickly assembled a twenty-foot tall frame and secured it to the ground next to the hastily-constructed road leading deeper into the orchard. A rope hung from a roll of blue fabric and reached all the way down to the courtyard.
“Your Highness, would you like to do the honors?” asked the Major, her voice quivering. She nervously adjusted her blue-framed spectacles.
Sonata heard herself answer, “The Prince is indisposed, as is Lady Applejack. But, I simply can’t wait any longer! Major, unfurl the banner,” she ordered.
The nervous young woman yanked on the rope. A twenty-foot long and four-foot wide banner rolled towards the ground and fluttered in the light breeze. A black squid with watchful purple eyes was superimposed atop the background streaked in two shades of blue, with four of the squid’s tentacles wrapped around a bright red apple.
Sonata’s consciousness wanted to look away, but she was trapped in the vision. Are the Master’s arms caressing the apple or crushing it? What is this?
She felt herself rush over to the uniformed woman and excitedly embrace her with her left arm. The Major tensed but was unresisting. Sonata heard her voice say, “It’s magnificent! Are there enough to properly decorate Sweet Apple Acres?”
“Colonel Trixie didn’t say, Your Highness. She is quite busy with the defensive effort,” answered the Major nervously.
Sonata heard the woman sigh in relief as she breezily said, “No matter. This is a great start! I’ll return to the house shortly after I view my new home.”
The simple path through the apple trees had become a gravel road that had seen heavy use in the past year. As she walked, the men in purple jumpsuits dropped to their knees, watched sternly by bowing women in blue. The Princess made way for a truck that was carrying construction debris. A battered couch lay atop the pile of rubbish.
I have so many questions. What are they tearing down and what are they building? What am I gripping in my right hand? wondered Sonata’s disembodied mind once again.
She topped the small rise and looked down into the clearing just in time to see construction equipment topple the brick chimney of what was once the Apple Family smithy. The workers were laying the foundation of an enormous building. Purple-clad men carried huge slabs of stone and black marble, supervised by other men wearing blue sashes and a huge number of the uniform-clad women. Roughly four hundred people crowded the clearing.
Another senior officer, with hawk-like eyes and a mix of brown and blonde hair, left her vehicle, approached Sonata and knelt. She adjusted an elaborate aiguillette and said, “Your Highness, with that building’s removal, we can now start raising your palace.”
A palace at Sweet Apple Acres?! Sonata’s consciousness was stunned.
“On your feet, please, Colonel Gilda. I’m eager to complete my new home and move the court to a more natural setting. It was unfortunate but necessary to knock down that unsightly little shack. How long do you…”
Sonata was interrupted when a young, blue-haired man in a purple jumpsuit broke away from the work party and ran towards the Princess and the Colonel.
Gilda was cruel and sharp in her tone. “Flash Sentry, return to the trucks immediately or face the consequences!”
“No! Sonata, this isn’t you! Stop this madness before it’s too late!” shouted Flash Sentry. Before the guards reached him, he turned back towards the construction site and shouted to the other men wearing purple.
“You’re never going to bring me down!”
The crowd answered, “You’re never going to break this part of me!”
They’re shouting the words to Sunset’s song. Oh, no! What’s going to happen? If Sonata’s consciousness had a stomach, it would have been swimming with nausea.
Pandemonium broke loose at the palace construction site. The men in purple fought to get out of the ring of people wearing blue. Women wearing protective gear and weapon belts sprinted to the scene.
Colonel Gilda and another officer whisked Sonata back to the farmhouse in the command jeep. During the hasty extraction effort, Sonata heard the sharp report of firearms from the clearing. As they approached the farmhouse, she noticed a small billboard with two images placed on it.
By the Maelstrom! No! Sonata’s mind was reeling.
Two wanted posters were displayed side by side. On the left was a picture of a determined Sunset Shimmer, glimmering dangerously and surrounded by a luminous aura. On the right, Cheerilee’s visage snarled furiously, her pale green eyes ablaze with rage. Sonata quickly read that they were “Wanted for Treason.” Among other details, the poster instructed the populace to “assume the fugitives are armed and extremely dangerous. Contact your local Storm Unit if you see either traitor. Monetary reward and patent of nobility offered for information leading to apprehension.”
Sunset Shimmer, what happened to you? I thought you were my friend, thought Sonata.
As they reached the farmhouse, the Major rushed to assist her superior. “Colonel Gilda, that’s the third time this month!”
“Silver Spoon, see to Her Highness, but yes, it’s getting worse. I don’t even want to think about the slaughter that would have happened if Her Highness fell into one of her moods. We got her away from the mob just in time. We are going to have to convince her of the need to take more proactive measures, especially with the younger men who knew the traitors personally,” whispered Gilda, removing her uniform hat and wiping her brow.
Major Silver Spoon fidgeted with the elaborate gold buttons on her jacket. “Is Trixie holding the barrier?”
“Barely. Barring the portal isn’t going to work much longer. The six-pointed stars nearly burst through the shadow shield this morning. Her Highness will have to fight again very soon, so let’s give her some family time before that happens,” she said softly.
“Yes, ma’am!” she saluted Gilda and turned to her liege. “Your Highness, until the men are calmed, it would be best if you remained indoors.”
A battle? I’m fighting in a battle? There’s something familiar about the six-pointed stars, but I can’t focus, thought Sonata.
She felt her shoulders shrug and her lips curve upwards in a pleasant smile. “I’m glad you’re so concerned for my safety. I’m very pleased with the banners, so I’ll celebrate with my family.” Sonata walked past the now-empty porch swing and entered the farmhouse.
The Princess ascended the stairs and heard the all-too-familiar sounds of Applejack sobbing in her bedroom. She went to the next door, which was decorated with a large red bow, opened it and entered the room.
The bedroom was perfectly maintained, with a mix of toys, knick-knacks and books precisely arranged on the shelves. On the unused bed, two pictures were on display. The first was a large photograph of Granny Smith, Big Macintosh, Applejack and Apple Bloom sitting together on the steps of the farmhouse.
The second picture was contained in a hand-made frame that was coated with glitter and had a black ribbon tied around one corner. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo smiled and laughed with one another amid the ruins of their first attempt to build a stage near their clubhouse.
Sonata’s detached spirit was immersed in sadness and dissonance so severe it bordered on madness. The body she didn’t control turned towards the mirror and her disembodied consciousness beheld her beautiful, terrifying reflection.
Princess Sonata Dusk of Imperial Canterlot wore Adagio Dazzle’s tiara, as well as a resplendent deep blue gown, accented with gold that left her shoulders bare. Only the barest trace of baby weight remained on her slender figure. The dim light caused the rings on her left hand to sparkle. A pendant with a huge crimson stone hung around her throat.
In Sonata’s right hand, the item she clutched dangled ten black strands that represented He Who Swims in Darkness’ ten tentacles. She recognized the weapon from Aquastria, and remembered it only in her worst nightmares: a well-used, blood-stained leather whip.
No! Nooooooooo!
Sonata’s mind screamed in horror. As awareness slipped away from her, she heard a rebuke from the mysterious voice. “Be glad that you failed. Cast away the dark mask of fear that shrouds your spirit, or countless lights will be extinguished forever.”
-----
“Help her up!” ordered Sunset Shimmer. Her face was suddenly creased with worry.
Sonata felt strong arms grab her and lower her into a comfortable chair.
Aria Blaze pointed at Sonata’s throat and worriedly asked, “Why is the necklace glowing red? Get it off of her!”
The instant that Sunset unclasped the necklace, Sonata’s unfocused and wild eyes popped open. Her chest heaved and her heart raced as she desperately clutched Aria in her terror.
“Ow! It’s hot!” Sunset exclaimed, fumbling to quickly place the necklace on the side table; as soon as she did, the metal quickly returned to its normal silver-gold appearance.
Discord put his stethoscope around his neck and adjusted his scrubs. “I think you waited too long, my furious friend. She’s been injured.” He pointed at Sonata’s upper chest. The necklace had left a circular burn between Sonata’s collarbones.
Aria relaxed her grip on Sonata and followed Discord’s finger. “It’s not bad. It just looks like she’d been out in the sun too long, but I bet it hurts like hell. We just need some ice and maybe some ointment,” she said.
“I’m on my way,” declared Rarity, unlocking the door to the hallway.
Aria gestured toward Rarity, shaking her head. “No! Not yet, Rarity. We have to get our act together first.”
“It was only on her for a few seconds! How was I supposed to know what was going to happen?” Sunset asked in frustration.
Sonata’s eyes regained focus but didn’t lose their terror. “I saw, Aria! The necklace showed me the future that would have happened if I’d won, and I couldn’t stop or change any of it!” Her intense gaze transfixed Aria. “Sunset and Cheerilee were wanted criminals, Big Mac and I were married and had a baby, and all Applejack did was cry.”
“But that wasn’t the worst part, was it, Sonata?” asked Sunset cautiously. She furrowed her brow and concealed the necklace within the inside pocket of her leather jacket. Rarity returned to the couch and sat next to Discord, who leaned forward expectantly and raised a bushy eyebrow.
Sonata gripped both of Aria’s shoulders, and the crazed look returned to her eyes. She was on the verge of hyperventilating. “I went to Apple Bloom’s empty room. She, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle were all dead, I could tell. I turned and looked in the mirror, and… I can’t...”
Rarity gripped Discord’s hand with such strength that he winced in pain.
Sunset edged past Aria and squatted down to put herself at Sonata’s eye level. She said, “Please, Sonata. We must know. Someone I care about very much once told me that getting it all out in the sunlight will help. I didn’t believe her then, but I believe her with all my heart now.”
Sonata bit her lip, nodded and looked at Aria. “I was wearing Adagio’s tiara, and my heart-pendant was back, even larger than before.” She paused, squeezed her eyes shut tightly once, then opened them and said, “And, worst of all, I held the Master’s Whip of Dominion.” Sonata’s body went limp, and she nearly tumbled from the chair.
“Sonata, do you finally understand what I have been trying to tell you about He Who Swims in Darkness?” asked Aria desperately. “He won’t help you, and his crown will make you worse instead of better. He’ll change you into something you hate and help only himself, while leaving you trapped!”
Sonata slipped off her brother’s gift gently, and handed it carefully to Sunset Shimmer. As soon as the homemade keepsake was safe, she tore the spiked leather bracelets from her wrists, and hurled them across the room. Sonata put the brass bracelet back on, ignoring the fact that it was still stained with Big Mac’s blood.
Sunset picked up the discarded bracelets and handed them to Discord. Before Sonata and Aria could protest, she held her index finger to her lips and said, “We’ll dispose of these properly later. Sonata, let’s get you to a place of safety, clean you up and piece together all that we know. It’s all a jumble right now.”
Discord placed the bracelets in what appeared to be a medical waste bag. He carried the package far in front of himself, pinched between his forefinger and thumb. His face was twisted as though the bracelets emitted a foul odor. He said, “I think this is the perfect opportunity for you to practice some fire spells, Baconhair!”
“Now’s not the time, Discord!” barked Sunset.
Sonata ignored Discord’s antics and clutched at Sunset’s jacket as Aria helped her to her feet. Sonata said, “I have to make things right, Sunset! I have to! The doctor said Big Mac would be all right, but I didn’t even think about Applejack and Apple Bloom!” Her pupils were dilated and her breathing was still ragged.
Aria pulled up the blinds on the door’s window and peered down the hall. She smirked and said, “Go figure. There’s quite a crowd in Big Mac’s room now. I see about a half-dozen shadows and Sonata’s in no shape to deal with Applejack.”
“I believe that I can be of assistance,” said Rarity. She nervously smoothed the front of her skirt and fixed her hair in the window’s reflection. “Applejack calmed me down yesterday. It’s only fair that I return the favor, though I admit that this situation is somewhat more severe than my, um, issue.”
Aria shouldered her gym bag that concealed the magic mace. Wrapping her free arm around Sonata, she shrugged her shoulders and said, “It’s your call, Sunset.”
Sunset Shimmer looked at each of them in turn as she weighed her options. Sonata’s eyes were wide and she trembled against Aria, who looked at Sunset expectantly. Discord poorly feigned apathy, because his eyes kept darting to Big Mac’s room while he stroked his beard. Rarity kept her right hand on the door handle and nervously played with her left earring.
“Okay, here’s what we’ll do to get us through the next few hours,” Sunset said confidently. She pointed at the pair of Sirens. “Aria and Sonata, you’ll come with me to my old apartment. I didn’t ever want to go back there, but it’s mine and it’s reasonably safe. We need to let Sonata calm down so she and Aria can piece together Adagio’s plan with Shrieking Raven.”
Rarity threw Sunset Shimmer the keys to her car. “Take the convertible, darling. Please don’t let Sonata bleed all over the seats,” she said, and punctuated her comment with a wink. “What about me? Do you like my plan?”
“I like it very much. Rarity, you and Discord need to calm down Applejack, Cheerilee and Apple Bloom. Applejack has to be with us whenever we make our move,” Sunset answered.
Discord swept his hands across his chest, magically changing out of the medical scrubs and restoring his normally outlandish suit. He was obviously distracted, as his red eyes kept looking at the shadows dancing inside Big Mac’s room. “So, when and where will we reconvene?” he asked.
“Provided you can get the Apples back on an even keel, let’s meet at the Carousel Boutique later tonight,” said Sunset. She groaned as she looked at the clock. “It’s already getting late and I think we’re running out of time. I’m glad I had that nap.”
The entire group nodded their agreement in differing levels of enthusiasm. Sunset Shimmer took charge and said, “Okay, let’s open the door. Discord, give us a distraction and we’ll see you later!”
“With pleasure! Oh, but you’re going to need this,” Discord handed Sunset Shimmer the thick Aquastrian history book, and was then the first to leave the conference room. He produced a collection of balloons and flowers that nearly blocked the hallway. Rarity followed close behind.
As Sonata, Sunset and Aria scurried by, they caught a glimpse of the scene in Big Mac’s hospital room. Cheerilee, still dressed for school, had thrown herself over her boyfriend’s legs, and her shoulders convulsed with powerful sobs. Fluttershy comforted her, and her face lit up when she saw Discord coming through the door. Rainbow Dash’s eyes went wide with surprise as she hugged a crying Applejack. Pinkie Pie was smiling at a tall man in a black suit, who turned around when he heard the commotion in the hallway.
Scorpan smiled and laughed loudly. He stepped into the hallway and parted the cloud of balloons with his hands. “Discord! In all my years, I never thought I’d see you in this city. You certainly must have changed to be seen with…” He trailed off as he watched the trio retreating to the elevator. Scorpan shook his head sadly, his brown eyes transfixing Sonata with a look of profound, abiding disappointment. She cringed and turned away.
As Sonata, Aria and Sunset reached the elevator, they heard Applejack’s furious shout. “Where is she? Where is that lying varmint?” There was a pause. “No, Rarity, I sure as shooting won’t sit down! Father Scorpan, I know it’s not the right answer, but it’s her fault my brother’s in that bed! If she ever comes back to Sweet Apple Acres again, she’ll leave in an ambulance!”
Sonata wailed in guilt as the elevator doors closed. Aria did her best to comfort her while Sunset led the way out of the hospital. They walked briskly across the parking lot and located Rarity’s white convertible. As she started the engine, Sunset’s phone beeped loudly as a result of receiving two text messages from Rarity:
The older message read: Big Mac saved me lots of trouble. He heard AJ shouting and groaned “Not Sonata’s fault. My fault.” AJ’s still angry but not as bad as before. Seems Discord and Scorpan know each other.
The newest message read: We have a problem. AB, Sweetie and Scootaloo haven’t been answering their phones. AJ’s been calling for ages. Yes, the reception’s terrible out there, but still, 1 of 3 should be picking up. Sunset, we have to find them!
-----
“We’ve made a good start, but there’s not enough light to keep going tonight,” declared Apple Bloom. She tossed a carpentry hammer into the nearby toolbox.
Scootaloo chuckled, and made air quotes as she teased Sweetie Belle. “Hey, be glad that our ‘fearless leader’ gave you a break so you don’t hit your thumb with the hammer any more!”
Sweetie Belle pouted and shone a flashlight on her left thumb, illuminating the ruined nail polish and a couple of tiny bruises. “I just want to hurry up and finish the stage so we can work on the scenes and the songs!”
“Hurrying up is what caused this whole thing to come down around our ears in the fall!” said Scootaloo. She helped Apple Bloom fix the oversized bow holding her red hair back. “Besides, Apple Bloom made better blueprints this time!”
As she continued to make use of the gray twilight to put tools away, Apple Bloom proudly said, “Hey, we’re almost all the way through our first year of high school. I’m just glad that one of my classes was good for something useful!”
Sweetie Belle wrapped her arms around herself and shivered. “How about we make a fire? That would be useful! Besides, I’m hungry and could use some dinner.”
“Sweetie Belle, let’s go get some wood while Apple Bloom finishes up,” said Scootaloo as she flicked on a flashlight. “Wow, the weather cooled off a lot more quickly than I thought it would after the sun went down!”
The two girls walked together out into the woods, singing and laughing. In the gathering darkness, the bright light from the flashlight eerily danced off of the tree trunks in the forest near the clubhouse and stage.
Apple Bloom closed and latched the toolbox and carried it towards the clubhouse. As she neared the door, she saw a dark silhouette deftly scoop up three cell phones and drop them into a purse.
“Hey, what are you doing?” shouted Apple Bloom
Raven turned around and faked a worried facial expression. She shouldered her designer handbag and stepped out of the clubhouse into the clearing. The literature teacher was dressed for a walk in the woods, wearing jeans, hiking boots and a light sweater.
Her black eyes twinkled as she grasped Apple Bloom’s upper arm. With a sigh of relief, she said, “I’m so glad I’ve found you! Apple Bloom, where are Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo? There’s been a terrible accident! All three of you must come with me.”
Hearing the conversation, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo dropped their harvested firewood, and jogged back to the clubhouse.
“Ms. Raven, what are you doing here?” asked Sweetie Belle, nervously flipping her two-toned curls with a hand. “We don’t even have a stage yet, let alone a draft for a play.”
Scootaloo elbowed Sweetie Belle in the ribs. “Quiet! You heard what she said. This isn’t a social call.”
“Girls, this is going to be quite a shock. Are you ready?” Raven paused for dramatic effect and theatrically placed a hand on Apple Bloom’s shoulder. The three girls nodded at the teacher. “I need you to come with me right now. Big Macintosh was badly injured chasing after Adagio Dazzle earlier today. Everyone’s at the hospital.”
“Is he going to be all right?” asked Apple Bloom. Her face became pale and her bottom lip quivered. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo put their arms around their friend.
Raven motioned for the three girls to follow her and started walking across the clearing to the path. “I don’t know! Cheerilee stopped me at work and told me to find you and bring you back with me.” She stopped and turned back towards the clubhouse. She tapped her purse. “Listen, I found your cell phones on the floor in your little clubhouse and put them in my handbag. We can come back for the rest of your things later.”
The three girls looked at one another uncertainly. Apple Bloom broke the silence and ran towards Shrieking Raven. She cried, “I have to get to my brother! Come on!”
Raven stifled a smile as the three girls followed her along the path, through the gap in the fence and back to where Raven’s luxury sedan was parked along the side of the road. A pile of schoolwork topped by an overcoat strategically blocked the passenger seat. The car’s lights blinked twice and the door locks clicked open.
Scootaloo was the first to reach the back seat, where she made a discovery. “Cupcakes!” she exclaimed. “Don’t sit on them, Sweetie Belle.”
Raven slid into the driver’s seat and started the car’s powerful engine. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were settled in the back seat. Scootaloo leered greedily at the half-dozen homemade cupcakes she held in her lap.
“Please, don’t let them go to waste, girls!” Shrieking Raven invited the girls to eat. “I was going to a party, but that’s been overtaken by more important concerns. I know that it’s past dinnertime, so enjoy them during the drive. Please don’t get frosting on the upholstery. There are napkins on the plate.”
Sweetie Belle rapidly devoured a towering chocolate cupcake. Between bites, she said, “Thank you, Ms. Raven! You thought of everything.”
The teacher chuckled. “Indeed I have, Sweetie Belle.”
“Hey, you need to turn back towards town if you want to get to the hospital!” said Scootaloo, wiping the frosting off of her face with a napkin.
Apple Bloom carefully folded the empty cupcake paper into her napkin, and then jumped into the conversation. “Could you hand me my phone, Ms. Raven? I want to call my sister and let her know we’re on our way.”
“It’s all right. I texted Applejack before getting out of the car. Just relax, Apple Bloom. I’d love to hear more about what you were building out there.”
She yawned, adjusted the bow in her hair and replied, “Well, if you remember, our first try to build a stage didn’t go well, but I finished a good set of blueprints in shop class. We’ll do better this time!”
“Sweetie Belle, how about your scriptwriting?” asked the banshee, looking at the girls in the rearview mirror.
Her chin bobbing towards her chest, Sweetie Belle jerked upright and said, “Oh, I’m sorry, Ms. Raven! I just wanted to get to the songs, but there has to be stuff and a story and something else first…” she trailed off, leaning her head against Scootaloo’s shoulder.
All three girls quickly succumbed to Shrieking Raven’s potent sleeping draught, which had been baked into the delicious cupcakes.
Raven verified that the girls were slumbering and smiled wickedly. She reached over to her purse and silenced each of the girls’ phones, all of which indicated a large number of missed calls and text messages.
She turned on the radio and tuned it to a classical music station. The banshee immersed herself in the music and gloated. “Tomorrow portends to be a perfect mixture of vengeance and victory. Enjoy your dreams, girls, for they will be your last!”
*****