//------------------------------// // The Sole Regret // Story: A Small Drop // by Glitch Hooves //------------------------------// The air turned hot and dry as the mass of energy sped its way through the alley. It was a sphere, but it was cracked with glowing energy that looked volatile. Adrenaline can pump fast, but whatever this was, it was faster. It whizzes past Rarity; hair was now sizzling and black. It zooms past Shimmer, a bit to close to call safe. Fluttershy was already down so she gets no heed. But someone was still standing. Sonata. Staring as the black and orange mass that was racing towards her, she does the only thing she can do. Scream and run. Making a bee line in the opposite direction, she took off. Running as fast as her legs could move, she felt everything go numb, even her mind stopped thinking properly and said one thing in a constant panic. "RUN!" Wouldn't do much anyway; pace that thing was going, it would've caught up in no time. She felt her foot give way as she lost balance. Stumbling to her side, she felt something brush by her cheek. It left a pretty nasty burn in its place. She clutched tightly to the creature in her arms as she saw the swirling mass make contact with the building. It looked like it would've stopped right away. They thought it would dissipate once it made physical contact with something that wasn't flesh. Oh Mother, were they wrong The wall burst open like a rotting berry, a loud explosion was sound after the initial shock. Car alarms sounded from far off. The explosion created a mess, sending bits of metal and stone flying everywhere. Scraping and hitting anyone within the vicinity. Luckily nothing bigger that a brick was launched, so nothing short of ankle deep rubble. They all find each other as the dust settles. Yet something passed their minds. Why did the sound of rubble hitting the ground occur a good three seconds after the initial explosion? And why did they land in place instead of bouncing around a few feet? Five seconds that all took place. "*Cough, Cough* Is everyone okay!" a voice screamed from the debris. "Ah'm good!" "Right here!" "Fils de pute!" "I'm safe." "..." "Sonata?" Sunset said, Her face, slightly bruised and cut. She spotted a crouched outline near a large hole in the wall that used to be part of a building, she slowly moved towards it. Sonata was staring forward. Eyes wide with shock. Squirt was gently nuzzling her side, trying to comfort her. His own eyes looking worried. She wasn't moving a muscle. "Sonata, are you okay?" Sunset asked, reaching a hand forward. She still wasn't moving. "Rarity, help me get her up!" Sunset shouted. A dirty and disheveled Rarity came to her aid. "Right away!" both of them putting an arm underneath Sonata's they lifted her up on both feet. Squirt lifted up into the air and placed himself on top of her head. There was only silence as they walked out of the alley. Rainbow Dash was the first to speak up once on the sidewalk. "I'm sorry, it was an-" "Don't!" Sunset snapped. "I- I mean it, I didn't know that would happen," Rainbow Dash said. "Fluttershy could you help Sonata for a second, please?" "Sure," Fluttershy complied, taking Sunset Shimmers spot. Once free, Sunset Shimmer got right in Rainbow Dash's face "We told you to be careful, we told you! But you didn't listen!" Sunset continued. "Look I said I was sorry, lay off!" Rainbow Dash barked. "No, look here!" she put a finger on her shoulder. "If you had only decided to grow half a brain for a second, then none of this wou-!" "STOP!!" A voice screamed. They jumped at the sudden outburst. Turning around they saw who had said this. Sonata had broken out of Rarity and Fluttershy's grasp and was practically trembling; fury was burning behind her eyes. "Please..." The two slowly backed off from each other, more out of fear of what she can wrought if provoked. After Sonata calmed down she walked on her own back home. Rainbow Dash tailed behind the the group, refusing to get ahead of anyone. Applejack came to Sunset's side, not looking too different. "So what now?" she asked. "I'm gonna tell twilight about what just happened and hopefully we'll be able to get rid of those weapons," she explained. "And how long do ya reckon that'll take?" "I don't know," she answered, shrugging her shoulders. "Sunset, ah respect your decision and all, but we need to get rid of those thing now and lose the key, ya understand?" "I know, but what if one of us sets something off and gets hurt? Or worse," she explained. "I say we get rid of those things safely, before anyone else find those weapons." "Ah understand," Applejack agreed. "If we needed any more proof Sonata's pet wasn't from this world, that was it right there." #### The Dazzling's apartment. Things were unnaturally quiet. It was unnerving to some but it was welcome respite to Adagio. Sonata had said she going out for a few hours and she would be back soon. As much as she didn't think it was a good idea for her to go by herself , she said that she wouldn't be alone, and that she'd bring that thing she calls a pet now. After the... Incident with her hair, Adagio makes sure to keep one locked door between her and that thing. One of those doors was unlocking. She paid no mind at first; knowing it was Sonata just outside. The door clicked open and closed appropriately. That's it. Sonata didn't say hello or anything, just started trudging to her room. "You know it's considered rude to not greet the head household?" Adagio said, turning her head slightly. "Hey, Adagio," Sonata said glumly. "*sigh* Okay look, I know I'm going to regret asking but what's wrong?" Adagio stood up and waited for Sonata to turn to her. Once she did, Adagio got an eyeful. "Sweet Jesus, Sonata! What happened to you!?" Sonata had a mess of cuts and bruises on her face, and what looked like a serious burn on her left cheek. "I tripped and kinda slid on my face," Sonata lied, if Adagio found out it was a member of the Rainbooms who did this... she shuddered at the thought. She gave a long sigh. "Sonata, you gotta be more careful than that, okay? Just go clean yourself up and put on some bandages, okay?" "Okay." Aria came out of her room wearing a black tank top and boxers. "What happened this time? Holy crap! What happened to your face?!" "Is it that noticeable?" Sonata asked, moving a hand to cover her burn. Bad move. "Sonata?" Aria started. "I'm gonna put this in the nicest way possible. You look like you shoved your face in a belt sander." Sonata gave a light hearted chuckle before making her way to the bathroom where some clean water and burn cream took care of most of the scrapes and dirt on her face, the burn will stay for a bit but time will get rid of it soon enough. Coming outside again, she heard screaming coming from Aria's bedroom. Most likely playing. "Vital Warfare: Death-Match 4," "I'm going to sleep, okay?" she called out from the hall to the living room. "What? It's like seven o' clock. Why now?" Adagio asked turning around. "I'm just really tired right now," Sonata said dully. "Okay then...?" Once inside her own room, Squirt, following shortly behind. Sonata opened her backpack and put the medicine bottles on a shelf hanging above her bed with some of the stuffed animals she owned. She smiled again when she saw the little pictures of Squirt on them. She made a promise though, only if she knew for an absolute fact that Squirt is sick can she give them to him. She put on her pajamas and went to bed, wanting nothing more than to sleep off today, Squirt was underneath her arm as she pulled him close. The bed was nice and warm. She starts feeling her bruises though as she rustled. #### The Next day. The alarm didn't do much when it came to waking up, more or less it annoyed her. The window showed a clearing sky as the morning glow slowly came over the horizon. She knew that whether she gets up now or later she will eventually. Getting up and nearly hitting the alarm to the point it cracked, she got ready for Wednesday. Entering the bathroom she saw herself in the bathroom mirror. The burn got worse over night, looked like a wine spot that spread to the tip of her lip. The cuts were reduced to pink slits; still noticeable though. A purple bruise was forming on her chin, probably more on her back when she dived yesterday. She feels sorry for going hard on Rainbow Dash and Sunset Shimmer, but she felt... tense. Then again, nearly losing your life after a friend shot at you in a freak accident tends to have that effect on people. It was an accident she knew it, still though... she has every right to be mad. But she doesn't want to be. She shook her head away from those thought. Turning on the sink, she splashed her face. The burn stung with the water forcing her to wince. She took a shower, making special care to avoid her left cheek. Getting dressed, she noticed that Squirt was groggily opening his eyes and slowly floated upright. "How are you doing?" she asked, giving a happy smile. As always, he just gurgled. "You miss home, dont you?" she asked. He tilted his head as if trying to understand the term. "You know what that thing was, dont you?" she asked. "You were acting really strange when Rainbow Dash pulled that thing out, you knew it was bad... we didn't listen to you though." Squirt always had a knack for emotions, whether it was expressing or understanding them, he just knew. He sensed her melancholy, knowing it was different from her normal voice. He gave a sad stare at her. She picked him up from her bed and hugged him. "We're fine now though. I gotta go soon, but guess what?" her usual happy tone returned for a second. "You get to spend the day with your other mommy, Aria, isn't that exciting?" Squirt squelched in delight. Sonata went to the hall and stopped by Aria's door. It wasn't that hard to miss. It was adorned with cross bones and a sign that said "GO AWAY!" She knocked ferociously on the door. Kept knocking in a rapid motion until the door opened, revealing a tired and messy Aria, who was wearing the same clothes as yesterday. "What?" she asked in her normally moody tone. "Jeez, you know it could help to smile every once in a while? You're like always brooding!" Sonata complained. "I don't brood!" Aria snapped. "Try smiling, just once," Sonata asked of her sister. An unamused stare was plastered on her face. With that, Aria forced together a smile. Emphasis on the word "forced." Second she did so, Sonata recoiled backwards, eyes widened in shock. Even Squirt looked terrified beyond rational thought. "Jesus the Christ!" she cried out. "It's not that bad, is it?" Aria asked. "You look like the predator monster without its mask!" "Okay, I get it! What do you want anyway?" Aria asked, her grumpy tone of voice returning. Sonata outstretched her arms, holding up Squirt towards her. "Your turn to look after him, I have to go," she explained. "Why don't you just take him with you?" Aria asked in a bargaining tone, although she shared a rich history with Squirt, quite literally, depending on the definition of it, It's pretty Tiring keeping it entertained and calm. Only Sonata can do that somehow. "But pets aren't allowed in school," she said sadly. "Who's that "friend" of yours?" she put 'friend' in air quotes. "Blunderguy?" "Fluttershy," Sonata corrected. "Right, I knew that. Anyway, didn't she bring animals all the time to school?" "Yeah, but-" "But nothing! If she's allowed to do it, so are you. Got it?" Aria said in her 'preaching' voice. "Hey, yeah you're right," Sonata said. "Aren't I always?" she gave a curtsy bow. "Kay, bye Aria!" Sonata exclaimed before grabbing her backpack from her room and heading out the door; Squirt now in tow. Aria stared at the door. "Oh god, what have I unleashed?" she pondered to herself before closing the door. #### The plan went off without a hitch. She made an encounter with principle Celestial, but it went better than expected, leaving her to take Squirt around the school with her. Although people started to make nasty rumors about him, most likely still edgy about magical creatures. She remembered right away who she had lunch with on Wednesday once the bell rang. Rainbow Dash and Sunset Shimmer. Oh boy. She grabbed a plate of food, making sure to get her change in coins, and made way for the inevitably awkward a situation. She sat by the table, waiting for them to arrive, Squirt was pressing tightly against her. Obviously terrified by all the new faces. Sonata spotted Sunset Shimmer walking towards, plate in hand. She sat down and nothing else. Her face didn't look much different from Sonata's, cuts and bruises, but no burn. She was about to say something when she noticed Squirt sticking his head out from under the table. "Why is he here?" Sunset asked, looking in all direction, hoping a teacher hasn't spotted them yet. "Aria suggested that I bring him here since Fluttershy does it all the time," she answered. "Listen, don't take Aria's advise again, okay? Did you get caught?" she asked. Sonata nodded her head. "By who?" "Principle Celestial," she answered. "And what did she say?" "She told me animals weren't allowed in school, so I asked why Fluttershy was allowed to bring them in all the time, and then she put on this kind of face," Sonata converted her face to one you could only describe as 'angrefused' and stood motionless for a few seconds. She animated once more. "I assumed she meant 'okay, he's allowed,' so I just came to class," she finally finished. "And what did the other teachers think of him?" "I think they thought he was a stuffed animal." They didn't notice that Rainbow Dash was walking over to their table, same cuts and scrapes as the other two. Once seated she looked to Sunset Shimmer with bit of a guilty look. "Look, I'm really sorry about what happened yesterday, I was acting stupid and, and, I'm sorry..." Sunset sighed a little before giving her a warm smile. She put a hand o her shoulder. "It's alright, I know you didn't mean it, and I'm sorry for snapping at you yesterday, I was just angry and scared." "Yay! We're friends again!" Sonata exclaimed, shaking her hands. Squirt was attempting to mimic her as well. "Wait, how'd you get him in here?" Rainbow Dash asked, pointing at Squirt. "Long story, but you're still missing someone," Sunset Shimmer said. "Wha- oh yeah! Look Sonata, I'm sorry for shooting you with a device of mass destruction," she slumped her head down. "It's okay." "Wha-!" Wait! Just like that, you're going to forgive me?!" she questioned. "Yeah," Sonata answered. "But-but- I was horrible back there! I freaking shot you! I was a terrible friend, how could you just forgive me like that?" "It's because we're friends I forgive you," Sonata explained, giving a friendly smile. Rainbow Dash calmed down and returned the smile. "Thanks, Sonata... I needed that." "Okay, now that everyone is all buddy buddy again, I got good news!" Sunset Shimmer announced. "Yeah, what is it?" Rainbow Dash asked. "With the Cell Book, I told Twilight about our situation, and she said she was going to come and investigate with us," Sunset explained. "Sweet!" Sonata tried to force a smile, but it was toothy and strange. "Sonata, what's wrong?" Sunset asked. "She knows about us, right?" she asked, a nervous tint in her voice. "Yeah, but she knows you guys changed, I made sure to put that in," she explained. "Okay..." "Look, it'll be fine, you two will be good friends, I promise," Sunset assured her. "So does she know anything about... Squirt?" Rainbow asked. "Only what I told her, I even drew a picture of him, she said to stop kidding around when I told her that was it," Sunset answered. "So, we're blind here?" she asked. "Pretty much." "What about the alley? What happened after we left?" Sonata asked. "Well for starters, we're on the news now, luckily no one saw our faces; there's an investigation and everything, so no doubt they'll find the weapons," Sunset answered. "That doesn't sound good..." Rainbow Dash said. "Here's the worst part," Sunset began. "Twilight needs us to get them back." "What!? Why!?" Rainbow Dash exclaimed. Sunset shimmer motioned for Rainbow Dash to keep her voice down. "Keep it down! Look, Twilight said she can help dispose of them properly over at Equestria." "And let me guess? We gotta get those weapons back?" "We gotta get the weapons back," Sunset confirmed. "And she expects us to mess with official police business?" "That too." "No freaking way! Not our problem anymore anyway." Rainbow Dash said, crossing her arms. "I dont like it either, but we have to do this," "No!" "So you're okay with letting someone get seriously hurt, heck! Probably worse, just because you were too lazy to get up and help?" "I..." Rainbow Dash started, she couldn't find any words though and looked down guiltily. "I dont like it either, but I dont want anyone else getting hurt" Sunset said. "Fine... I'm in," Rainbow Dash said with a defeated tone. "Thanks Dash, what about you, Sonata? You dont have to do it if you don't want to," Sunset focused on Sonata. She was listening in on the conversation and was flapping Squirts arms up and down as she listened. "I'm in," she said without hesitation. "You sure?" She looked deeply into Sunset's eyes. "For realzies." "So what's the plan then?" Rainbow Dash asked. "I... don't know." Sunset slumped her arms to her side. "Why?" she asked. "I wasn't expecting you two to agree so easily, in all honesty," Sunset said. "Then lets think of one! Oh I have a great idea! Let's have a team name!" Sonata suggested. "We can be," she motioned to open air and was staring off as if looking at an invisible billboard. "SoRaSu!" "What, what, and what?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Okay, Sonata. We can be this 'SoRaSu," lets just think of plan, alright?" "Yay!"