Sonata Dusk
Sonata touched the pendant that wrapped around her neck with her hoof. “It’s like you never had that thing around your neck before?” Adagio retorted.
Sonata’s hoof left the red stone. The red pendant has always been there before. The beauty of it was remarkable. She couldn’t remember the last time she did not have on. The thought only was enough to frighten the Siren.
The time has finally come, the thought has lingered around her head since yesterday and continued to linger. “It has been so long,” Sonata said sincerely. Her words gained glares from Adagio and Aria, the two Sirens that traveled along with her. The three Sirens had always used their pendants for petty gain. Manipulating other ponies for food, shelter and other necessities, nothing more. Sonata was happy with that. She had second thoughts on this situation.
Aria turned away from Sonata and continued through the Macintosh Hills. “I really do wonder about Sonata. You use that thing all the time.” Adagio joined Aria up the hills. Sonata hesitantly followed her the other Sirens.
Nothing else was said about Sonata’s comment. The three Sirens became very familiar with the land of Equestria and Equestria was very familiar with them. Ponies rumored about three Sirens, appearing to be ponies, causing troublesome mischief. However, none of them have ever had the pleasure of meeting one much less knowing the name of just one of the Sirens. Their deeds and actions were folklore but their image was anything but. Common travelers most had mistaken them for. As Sonata observed, nopony actually knows what a Siren looked like. They could only speculate it was some hideous creature. Sonata was comfortable with that idea.
Adagio and Aria continued to lead Sonata forward. Aria sighed heavily. “Do you know how far this place is?” she asked lazily. “Out of all the years we spend wreaking havoc among Equestria and we never bothered to even step a hoof in the Badlands.”
“It’s called the Badlands for a reason,” Adagio deadpanned.
“So why go there now?” Sonata asked out of sweet ignorance. Sonata was met with an all too familiar set of glares from Adagio and Aria. She knew why, she was not that dense in the head. She just did not want to believe that is where they had to go. Sonata wished there was no future to worry about and that she was just a normal pony. This was wishful thinking. Sonata was always a wishful thinker. It was better than what Adagio and Aria thought went around her head, nothing.
Sonata knew they could never fight against the Orb. It was too powerful. Adagio would have never agreed to serve anyone, but this was a special case. Sonata gave her leader credit, she rather join the side that will inevitable win, than lose an inevitable fight. Not even the Sirens could manipulate the power the Orb contained. The Orb would simply use them for its own will until it was reconnected with its master, King Sombra. Sonata never thought they would actually one day have to serve him. After his woeful defeat at the Crystal Empire, his physical body was never seen again, or the Orb for that matter. The naïve Siren always thought they would continue their old Siren ways and continue to get want they want by singing. It was an easy lifestyle.
Somewhere far north, the Orb was being called. The Sirens were being called. The stage was being set and two of the three Sirens knew they had to act or be a part of the destruction. The ponies of Equestria were clueless what great trouble they were in. The stage was being set. In the end, all Adagio wanted a piece of Equestria, and that was a promise that was made. Parts of Equestria would be the Sirens to rule, serving under King Sombra of course. Better to serve him than to be killed by him.
Sonata was confused.
Then again, Sonata would sometimes think about the day they would rule Equestria. Everything would be nice for them. No more wandering, no more going into hiding, and no more hiding what she truly was. What she truly was had become trivial for her. Sonata became too familiar with her pony form and it no longer bothered her. Sonata would most likely keep her pony body. But everything else would be a dream. She would be a graceful ruler and everypony would love and adore her. Some would even die for her. That is how it always played out in her head. It was a nice picture that would every now and then give her a smile.
Adagio stopped and glanced around the surroundings of the Macintosh Hills. Red rocks and steep hills were the images that came to ponies’ minds when thinking about the Macintosh Hills and such images were very accurate. Ponies normally did not wander in the Hills because of the dangerous nature of it. Rock falls were common and fatalities were usually a result of the disaster. The changelings’ hives in the Badlands were also a reason for ponies steering clear of the Hills. However, it was the changelings were the only reason why they were in the Badlands in the first place.
“We are almost there,” Adagio said. Her glance fell on Sonata. “When we get there, do not talk. We do not want to screw this up.”
“Yeah, Sonata,” Aria began but her expression was soft. She slowly came to Sonata’s side and put a hoof around Sonata’s neck. Aria signed heavily and looked up to Sonata. “We’ve been wandering accomplishing nothing for too long. This is our chance to finally become the rightful rulers of Equestria and we need to be careful with this situation.”
“But he will be the true ruler, not us,” Sonata said.
Aria grimaced. She took her hoof off of Sonata and slowly stepped closer to Adagio. “We have already discussed this. This is what we have to do. It is the only option we have.” The two Sirens turned away from Sonata and continued their walk. Sonata reluctantly followed, a few feet behind them.
Adagio and Aria eyed each other. “She is going to screw this up for us,” Adagio had said multiple times and again was bringing up the conversation. “I just know it. She has become soft over the years. She is too afraid of King Sombra. She does not want to serve him, I can tell. This will not end well for her.”
“I suppose you might be right,” Aria said doubtfully. “She is still Siren, though. Sonata might be dumb, but she is not that dumb. She will doom us.”
“You better be right,” Adagio said.
“I am. You just got to have faith,” Aria assured. Adagio took a quick glance at the other Siren behind them. The sulking Siren stumbled behind them as she looked down at the ground, giving an impression that she was contemplating something.
Adagio did not like this. “I never did like that word, faith.”
Applejack
The Cutie Mark Crusaders rushed through the orchards of Sweet Apple Acres. Scootaloo was pulling Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle on a wagon with her scooter. They were reckless going up and down the hills.
The antics that the Crusaders would be pull usually gave Applejack a chuckle. Even if it was troublesome. She couldn’t help but to be happy at the little fillies’ enthusiasm of discovering who they really were and such thoughts would take Applejack back to the days she was a filly herself. Then again, those Crusaders sometimes gave Applejack grief. She loved those three fillies but if wasn’t for the occasional monster attack, the Cutie Mark Crusaders would be the main destructors of Ponyville. Even if it was all accidental.
Applejack continued her apple bucking. She noticed, from a distance, that Scootaloo was losing control of her scooter. The wagon got closer and was coming her way. The screams of the fillies that were riding on the wagon became audible. “Oh horse apples,” Applejack said to herself. Before she knew it, the scooter was a mere few feet in front of her. She quickly jumped out of the way and the Cutie Mark Crusaders hit a nearby tree.
The Crusaders laid on top each of each, dazed. Scootaloo impatiently pushed Apple Bloom and Scootaloo off of her. The fillies quickly got on their hooves and looked over to Applejack with sheepish grins.
Apple Bloom was the first to speak, “Oh, uh, hey Applejack,” she said with the least confidence.
Applejack held a stern look. She really did not want to know what they were up to, but that was the formalities of being an older sibling. “What in the hay are you fillies doing?”
By then, Apple Bloom got over the stupor of the stunt that she and her friends had pulled. Sweetie Belle was about the answer. Apple Bloom raised her hoof to cut her off, implying that it should be her to explain, since it was her sister. The younger sister took a deep breathe, “We were trying to get our cutie marks in racing.”
“Racing? Who exactly were you racing against?”
“We thought we should train before we actually-“
“Eh!” Applejack stopped her explanation. “I don’t want to hear it. As long as nopony got hurt, then it is all okay. Just don’t do something like that again.”
Apple Bloom loved that about her. Always concerned about other ponies, in the end, that what really mattered the most for Applejack. Especially if it involved her little sister. Applejack suggested the Cutie Mark Crusaders take a break from crusading and take a lunch break back at the farmhouse. The three fillies that the idea was great, and quickly followed Applejack through the orchards.
“Why can’t you guys try to get a cutie mark in something safer? Like knitting or something,” Applejack asked.
Scootaloo gagged in the thought of knitting as her cutie mark. Apple Bloom spoke for her distraught friend. “Because that is boring. Who wants that as their cutie mark? Not me.”
“Or me,” Scootaloo added.
They continued down the orchard together. Applejack caught the Cutie Mark Crusaders watching her with curious eyes. The older mare tried to ignore them but the fillies were persistent. “Okay. What do you want?”
“Well we were just wondering,” Apple Bloom said nonchalant, “you know, the reason why Twilight is going to Canterlot.” Apple Bloom finished the sentence in a hurry, with her eyes pleading.
Applejack snorted. “Why would I know that, sugarcube? Remember what she said back at Sugarcube Corner? She can’t tell us why.”
“Likely story Applejack,” Apple Bloom jested. She looked at her friends with confidence, confidence that she will tell them. The little filly did not notice Applejack’s stare.
“Likely story? You think I’m lying? I’m the Element of Honesty. I’m the worst liar in all of Equestria. You would know if I was lying. You know that, sugarcube.”
Sweetie Belle jumped in. “Well we know why she is going is Canterlot,” she said filled with pride that she knew information that one of her sister’s friends did not.
Applejack chortled. “And what would that be? And where did you hear this. If it’s from Pinkie Pie then I already don’t believe it.”
The mention of Pinkie’s name made the Crusaders glance at each other, questioning the credibility of their sources. Nevertheless, they heard more stories from other ponies other than Pinkie.
“Well?” Applejack asked with a smile, as she already won.
Scootaloo spoke up. “We heard there were strange things in White Tail Woods. Changelings, I think. Not a lot of ponies go around White Tail Woods anymore. And it is because of those changelings. That’s why Twilight went to Canterlot, to think of a plan to stop them,” she said happily.
“That’s not what I heard,” Sweetie Belle disagreed with Scootaloo. “I heard something was found in way of north of Equestria.”
“Nuh-uh,” Apple Bloom said.
“Yup. Somewhere around the Crystal Empire.”
“What did they find?” Apple Bloom challenged.
“Well, I’m not sure. Maybe some kind of monster or something like that.”
“It’s all filly talk,” Applejack stopped them. “You guys shouldn’t be believing everything you hear, you know. It is just rumors.”
“There is always some sort of truth to rumors,” Sweetie Belle said defiantly. Applejack gave her a countering look. Sweetie Belle backed down. “Or at least that is what Rarity says,” she said sheepishly.
“What do you think?” Apple Bloom asked carefully. Applejack knew she would be asked that sooner or later and did not want to engage in such tomfoolery. However, she did wonder want could be the possible reason Twilight was to be so hush-hush about the situation. She contemplate whether she should answer or not, and Apple Bloom caught her. “You do have an opinion,” she said with a smirk.
“I think that it is just a normal visit,” Applejack said nervously.
“Remember that thing you were saying about not being able to lie,” Apple Bloom joked.
Applejack glared at her younger sister. “The one thing that isn’t a lie is the fact that you shouldn’t be sticking your head in other ponies’ businesses.”
With that, Applejack ended the conversation as they approached their farmhouse.
Rarity
Rarity marveled the fact that she was a bearer of one of the Elements of Harmony: generosity out of all of them nonetheless. A sense of pride would arise from her every time she reminded herself about it but did keep a sense of humility as well.
Even though she had often fantasized about a stallion sweeping her off her hooves, but her heart would always remain loyal to fashion. Born a fashionista, most of her time was spent in Carousel Boutique, experimenting with different fabrics and colors. The place was also her home. Sometimes the Carousel Boutique also served as a safe haven for her friends, a place to relax. This was seldom though
It had been a few hours since the assembly at the square. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash had been at the boutique, waiting for Twilight and Pinkie Pie. They were meeting each other again for lunch. Applejack had couldn’t be there because she was busy at Sweet Apple Acres. Rarity was sitting quietly across from Rainbow and Fluttershy as she enjoyed Rainbow retold stories from their past adventures: befriending a sea serpent in the Everfree Forest, defeating a hydra in Froggy Bottom Bogg and Rainbow accomplishing the Sonic Rainboom. Rarity loved the company of her friends and when they retold their stories. It comforted her. It was bliss.
Now this is what true friendship is, she thought to herself.
A knock came from the door. Rarity simply used her magic to open the door to reveal Twilight and Pinkie Pie. “Rarity!” Pinkie said as she gave Rarity a bear hug. Rarity gasped in the lack of breathe caused by Pinkie which caused Pinkie to giggle. She zipped pass Rarity to talk to Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash.
Rarity looked up to see a giggling Twilight. Rarity grinned and wrapped her forelegs around Twilight neck. “There is really nopony quite like Pinkie is there,” Twilight said.
“I really do not think so, darling. I guess that what makes her so unique,” she said with a smirk.
Rarity let go of Twilight’s neck and motioned for both ponies to enter the boutique. Twilight received the hint as she made her way into Rarity’s home.
“So we leave tomorrow morning, correct?” Rarity asked.
“Yes,” Twilight simply said. The two ponies realized that the others were in another room. Twilight smiled in her observation and she quickly turned to Rarity. “So, are you excited to visit Canterlot?” Twilight asked, as she had a hidden agenda.
Rarity was confused at Twilight’s question. She was very familiar with Canterlot and has been there many times because of clients that lived there. “Yes, I am,” Rarity said with a hint of confusion. “Are you excited to visit Canterlot?” Rarity asked out of curiosity. She felt silly asking for Twilight grew up in Canterlot, but she asked anyway.
Twilight double checked to see if the other ponies were still out of the room. “Do you know why Celestia has called me to Canterlot?”
“I think we have our theories, darling. This is probably your first assignment as Princess Twilight Sparkle,” Rarity said with pride.
The mention of being called Princess Twilight Sparkle caught her off guard. She quickly regained her composure. She smiled. “Yes. This is my first assignment and I’m so excited. I’m little nervous for this observation I’m going to do, but,” Twilight quickly cut herself off with her eyes growing big.
“Observing what?”
Twilight had given too much information than she intended to. “Well, I really shouldn’t tell you.”
“Don’t be like that, tell me,” Rarity protested.
“You don’t know what you are asking for, Rarity. This is very important.”
“The way I see it, I’m going with you to Canterlot, so you might as well just tell me,” Rarity countered.
Twilight gave Rarity a careful look. She then swelled with pride. “Okay. But you cannot tell any other pony.”
“My lips are sealed,” Rarity promised.
“Great!” Twilight began. “I wasn’t told much but there was something found in the Frozen North!” she said with excitement. “It some sort of new magic that ponies haven’t discovered yet. Princess Cadence and I have been called to Canterlot to study it to see what we can make of it. The way Celestia sounded in her letter, anypony has never encountered with this magic before. Isn’t that exciting! Just imagine the possibilities.”
Knowledge about magic was not Rarity’s expertise but even she knew the importance of such a discovery. “Wow that is amazing! New magic,” Rarity said in wonder.
“But nopony can know,” Twilight warned. “Just because it is new doesn’t exactly mean we understand it. That is what we are going to try to accomplish tomorrow."
"So you have no idea what exactly this might be?" Rarity asked. Twilight shook her head with disappointment. Rarity gave Twilight a reassuring smile. "Well, I'm sure you will be able to figure it out, you always do."
"Thank Rarity."
"And don't worry about me slipping your secret. And I won't be in your way while we are in Canterlot. I'll be too busy with my own business," she giggled.
"I'm not worried that you will be in the way," Twilight said with a smile. "I think we should get back to the other ponies." And with that, Twilight turned and trotted towards her other friends. Rarity stood behind her and admired the mare. She couldn't stop thinking how one pony could be so deserving to be a princess. And that pony was Twilight.