“Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding”
The Sirens. Said to be the most beautiful and influential creatures in the world during the time of Starswirl’s period, and here I was about to read the very book that had all their history written down, Vendetta thought as he placed the book down on the table Rarity had presented to him. It had been a rather long day when they got back and Pinkie Pie had decided to give the unicorn a complete tour of Ponyville. By the time they got back to Twilight’s it was late, so he simply took the book and decided to wait till he woke up later the following afternoon to read it.
“I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this, Miss Rarity” Vendetta said smiling warmly at the unicorn, who merely returned his smile just as brilliant.
“Don’t mention it darling, it’s the least I could do for helping out Hailstorm back at Canterlot” she said her horn glowing as she began gathering the pieces of fabric laying all around her floor.
“It was nothing, really” Vendetta said running a hoof through his oiled back mane in slight embarrassment. “I only did what I believed was right.”
Rarity smiled. “Well I still must say my thanks so once again” she trotted over and gave the bronze unicorn a gentle peck on the cheek. “Thank you for helping my friend.”
Feeling a new warmth growing in his cheeks Vendetta coughed for a split second before waving his hoof dismissively. “It was nothing miss.”
Rarity only continued to smile at the bashfulness Vendetta seemed to now be showing, “Oh, yes what time is it?”
“Almost 2:30, why?”
A loud gasp escaped Rarity’s lips as her magic surrounded multiple objects hurling them into a nearby closet at insane speeds, Vendetta had to duck a few times in order to avoid getting hit.
“Is something wrong?” he managed to ask as Rarity shut the large wardrobe door and turned to the door.
“I’m late! I have to meet Twilight and the others at Sugarcube Corner. We have something to do pertaining to Hailstorm. It wouldn’t be too much of a bother if you kept watch till we returned, would it?” she asked as she kept glancing nervously over to the door.
“Not a problem” Vendetta reassured. “I will be here when you all return.”
“Thank you!” she said giving the bronze unicorn a quick hug before galloping out and shutting the door behind her.
Once she was gone Vendetta turned back to the book. Flipping through pages that contained other information on various creatures Vendetta finally stopped at the page for the sirens.
The Siren Sisters
The three siren sisters were born to-
“Don’t care about that” Vendetta muttered flipping through pages strangely having major holes and giant splotches of ink around it making it almost impossible to read. After flipping through a few more pages relating to their family, Vendetta finally stopped at where he wanted to go. Their magic.
Siren magic works with the dark arts. The sirens used music to help empower their magic and their voices. Since their magic was musical, the sisters had to rely on others in order for their voices to stay strong.
Adagio, the oldest of the siren sisters and the most cunning was the leader of the trio. Thanks to her guidance her sisters, Aria and Sonata followed their sister stalwartly throughout Equestria, stretching their influence almost reaching the Griffin Kingdom. Singing wherever they went.
Vendetta’s eyes narrowed. Not seeing the problem here so far...
The three sisters were able to manipulate others and bend them to their will. With their voices Aria, the sister who throughout part of Equestria like Manehattan was known as the Siren of Wrath. She used her voice to bring arguments, causing disputes between the people of Equestria.
Sonata the Siren of Lust, aided her sisters Adagio and Aria by using her songs to stir up feelings of envy and avarice. Her voice was said to cause many to turn against one another out of both desire and jealousy.
“Now I see the problem” Vendetta whispered. Staring at the images of Aria and Sonata on either side of their older sister. Adagio.
Adagio was described to be the Siren of Pride. Being the leader and most influential voice of the three sisters her voice brought rifts and schisms between others that were said to never be mended again for years and years to come. The three sisters sang songs that not only empowered their magic and voices but also powered their control over others, it was said they did it for both pleasure and to keep their voices as beautiful as they possibly could. Legends say that they took joy in watching other cities fall before them as they sang oratios and hymns that nearly drove countries to pure destruction.
The frown on Vendetta’s face had now increased. Though he wanted to learn about the legendary creatures, now that he knew their magic had caused them to do such horrible things he felt bad for them. In a way they were like Chrysalis. In order to keep going they had the bad luck of needing to use others to keep themselves up, it was sad really and in a way the unicorn felt he could understand them. Lifting his gold wristband to take a look at the stone firmly embedded within, Vendetta sighed. Old memories and feelings of anger and depression rising within.
“I could almost sympathize with them.”
His ears twitched as he saw a white filly rushed downstairs, her hair holding a pink and almost lavender like color in the mix. The young unicorn stopped to stare at Vendetta looking almost nervous that he was here.
“Uh...who are you?” she asked.
“Vendetta, I came here with Rarity after she offered to have me here as her host. Apparently she had something to do with the others involving Hailstorm” he said getting up to his hooves.
The young filly stared quietly, her suspicious eyes taking in the bronze unicorn before they softened. “Alright then. If you know my sister then it’s fine by me. I’ve got to meet Scootaloo and Applebloom for our meeting” she said taking a look of pride at her cutiemark.
Vendetta smiled. “I will make sure to hold down the fort till you arrive” he said with a slight bow, earning the young unicorn’s smile. “Thanks, by the way I’m Sweetie Bell. I’ll see you later Vendetta” she said opening the door and speeding out of the room.
Using his magic Vendetta shut the door after her and turned back to his book levitating it towards him as he trotted elsewhere to read.
“Now where was I?”
I was trapped.
I had been going on another one of my ‘I can’t sleep or I’m royally screwed’ challenges again, when Twilight came into my room and told me to meet her and the others at Sugarcube Corner by 2:30, that very morning once she’d woken up. It was now 2:30p.m. and I was trapped in Pinkie Pie’s room with the five mares blocking any exits I could use to escape.
A perverted joke popped into my head but I quickly discarded it, now was not the time to be making jokes when they were all giving me stern looks like I had just stolen something of huge importance to them.
“Well? Aren’t ya going to say anything?” Applejack asked as she stood guarding the door.
I didn’t know what to say. Because I frankly didn’t know why they were keeping me locked up in here, I heard a tap on the door followed by a who is it. Hearing the door open Rarity came in.
“I didn’t miss anything did I?” she asked staring rather abrasively at me.
“Not really we were just about to get started” Rainbow Dash replied.
“What exactly are we starting?” I asked fearing the very thought that my perverted brain popped in my head.
“It’s not whatever you’re thinking!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed a slight flush in her cheeks appearing, everyone else turned to give me a look, even Fluttershy wasn’t shying away from this one.
Oh my...their serious.
“Princess Celestia told us about Silver Caliber, Vindictive and how his son was cursed. We went to talk to Zecora about it...she gave us this” Twilight turned her attention to Pinkie Pie, who trotted over balancing a book on her curly mane. With a thud it dropped right next to my hooves.
“That’s the...”
“The Dark Arts book that was used on your ancestor,” Fluttershy finished.
I stared at it then back to the girls, my vision switching from them to the book. Clearing my throat I tried to muster up as much bravado as I could. “Then you know what that means right?” they didn’t need to respond their change of expression was answer enough.
“Why do you bother asking me to talk about it? What good would that do. There’s no cure so what’s the point?” my tone drawing near to a shout.
“We know talking will help” Applejack calmly responded.
“Oh really now? Please explain to me how talking will help?”
“If you must know it could help alleviate some of that stress you’ve been building up” Rarity said knowledgeably.
My brain stopped on me. Neither the inner version of myself nor I could think of a comeback to that. Stubbornness had other ideas though.
Scoffing I kicked the book away from me. “I don’t see how talking to you girls will help you understand what I’m going through. You’ve never had something like- like this before. How could you possibly hope to help me?”
“Maybe they can’t. But perhaps ol’ Discord could lend a claw” the voice echoed and with a loud poof Discord appeared, wearing a suit and tie he waved his paw and out came a card from his sleeve, he shoved it in my face.
“Discord your expert on weirdos and freaks of all kinds” the card said. I shot him a look, he merely smiled in return.
Rainbow Dash sighed. “What do you want Discord?”
“Is it so wrong that I offer a helping hand?” he asked.
She was about to reply till Twilight clapped her hoof over Rainbow Dash’s muzzle. “Go ahead. He could actually help us out here” she whispered to the rainbow maned pegasus’ muffled retorts.
Discord automatically snapped his claws and a stethoscope appeared. “Hmm yes. I see” he said placing i he scope on my forehead.
“Oh very strange” he said as he listened to the steady beating of my heart then sliding it elsewhere along my body.
“Dude...that’s my butt” I replied a stony expression on my face.
Looking up from his stethoscope he glanced down to see it was indeed on my flank. He smiled, sheepishly before disappearing. Suddenly feeling my mouth open, he popped out. “Everything seems fine in there” he called. I spat him out in response.
“Well I don’t see any problems with his teeth. He seems to be just fine” the draconequus said dusting himself off.
Thankfully Fluttershy flew up to him and whispered into his ear, before I lost what little sanity I had left. In a matter of seconds his face went from contemplation to a look of surprise, then slight embarrassment.
“Oh! I see well this is uh...embarrassing. It’s the curse you were talking about” he chuckled nervously at the rigid stare I was giving him. “Oh come on now I was just playing around. Now let’s take a look at what’s bugging you.”
When the sirens had came to Canterlot to spread their music, they participated in a musical competition. It was there they faced off against Starswirl the Bearded in a duel of instruments and harmonic music. Despite their intention being more of a musical battle the group ended up creating several different genres of music.
Ultimately though the siren sisters were banished, when Starswirl saw he could not best the three sisters in a duel of pure music. Sent away to another world where their magic would pose no harm the three siren’s were banished for their magic being too dangerous and destructive to the people of Equestria. They would remain forever trapped in that other world until they ever gained enough power to return.
Vendetta shut the book, anger slowly beginning to take over. At first he’d began to understand why they had been punished if they had truly enjoyed causing mayhem and ruining lives with their music. However as he continued reading something didn’t seem to fit right with what the book said and the way the three sisters seemed to him through the story.
Sure they might have enjoyed causing havoc here and there, but could we really blame them?
“It was a part of their magic” he reasoned. “It’s not like they had a choice in the matter.”
Kind of like me he thought, feeling another flash of anger rush through him. Taking another glance at the wrist band the unicorn frowned, then looked at the picture of the three sirens singing in the book.
...It’s not fair he thought. They shouldn’t have had to pay such a price when they could’ve been punished differently. From this it seems they were completely dependent on their voices, sending them to another world without their magic is just like....just like a “death sentence” his frown only increasing as he stared at the picture.
It seems like the people of this city often don’t care about those that are different. Chrysalis, Discord and Nightmare Moon are all great examples...and so are these three. Wrapping the book up in his magic the unicorn turned around.
“I’m going to get some more opinions.”
“Uh Discord” Applejack said. “Is this really necessary?”
“But of course Applejack, how else will I sense the disturbance within him?”
“I know but...” she tipped her hat up a bit and rubbed the back of her neck looking to the side slightly uncomfortable. “I don’t think he likes it”
“Well unless he wants Pinkie to knock him out I don’t see an easier way” he said the sound of stifled laughter now audibly heard. “Besides they seem to be enjoying it” he said flashing a toothy grin.
In the background Rarity, Fluttershy, Twilight, Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash were fighting for control of their composure as they watched me.
I was in Discord’s arms, being awkwardly cradled like a baby, a sucker in my mouth and a bib around my neck as the draconequus gently rocked me back and forth in his arms like I was a baby, despite the fact I was almost the same size as Big Mac himself.
“Kill me now” I said holding the sucker up with my teeth, my expression anything but amused.
“Don’t be like that, you’ll be asleep in no time” he said with a touch of gentleness that sent a shiver down my spine.
Knowing Discord this was obviously a lie, why I had agreed to it this idea was beyond me. Frankly I’d rather be unconscious than deal with this mess. Rainbow Dash looked ready to bust a gut and Pinkie Pie’s cheeks were turning red from strain. Anymore of this and I’d probably just reach into that deep pink mane of hers and knock myself out.
“Aww look at you so cute” I heard a voice say in the depths of my mind.
“Oh great” I said ou tloud. “What do you want?” my eyes directed towards the ceiling since it seemed more reasonable to look there than anywhere else. Although with my attention now drawn to Misery, I hadn’t noticed Discord had stopped rocking me and the others were no longer containing their merriment.
“Just enjoying the cute scenario you’ve put yourself in” the voice cooed.
Suddenly I felt myself hit the ground, looking up I saw Discord’s entire body was wiggling like a worm, as soon as the shaking stopped he looked at me. His eyes narrowed, his claw stroking his beard in venerable thought, brows furrowed like he had just uncovered something big.
“Looks like it’s time for me to go again. We’ll keep in touch” Misery said before her echos disappeared.
“Uh Hailstorm, who were you talking to?” Twilight asked, her eyes scanning the ceiling.
Before I could get a reply out Discord spoke, though the tone in his voice was...unnerving.
“I...uh...I’ll be back in a few days, something came up that requires my attention.” With a snap of his claw and a roar of what sounded like lightning he was gone.
“What was that all about?” Pinkie Pie asked. Everyone including myself gave her the confused look of being just as lost as she was. And just as I felt they were about to talk about who I had been ‘talking’ to, Mrs.Cake’s voice rang from downstairs.
“Would you girls mind coming down, there’s somepony here to see you” she said her tone seeming, slightly urgent. So we did, and as soon as I got to the bottom steps there was Vendetta, his chest heaving in and out as the book Twilight gave him “Ancient History” floated next to him in light blue magic.
“There’s something I want to talk to you all about” he said, his voice sounding austere no signs of that gentleness he’d had before. And for a split second I thought I saw anger in his eyes.
“Sure” Twilight said in response to the others. “What did you-”
“Not here, back at your castle. It’d be more appropriate.”
Glancing back at the others, Twilight nodded. “Well then, let’s go see what’s so important shall we?” Rarity said trotting ahead.
As we bid our goodbyes to the Cakes I had a feeling that this discussion wouldn’t be turning out so smoothly.
*** ***** ***
I hate being right.
The entire trip to Twilight’s had been nothing but strained. An awkward silence growing between us and Vendetta as he refused to answer any questions on what it was exactly he wanted to talk about, the entire time he kept the page on where the sirens were opened.
Once we’d finally gotten to the castle and the six mares assumed their designated seats I watched the bronze unicorn with the briefcase cutie mark and a picture of the globe on it slam the book down with a rather raucous thud, starling Twilight and the others and making me wince as it hit the map-like table.
“What do you think about the changelings?” I heard Vendetta suddenly ask, his gaze fixated on Twilight.
Almost immediately I could tell the question had completely surprised the young alicorn as she lifted a hoof up in surprise, her reaction going from utter bemusement then gradually switching to nothing but suspicion.
“Why do you ask?” Twilight said her voice grim.
“You’re avoiding the question Twilight” he intoned.
“Now hold on here what’s this all about Vendetta?” Applejack asked, from her seat.
“You’ll find out once the question has been answered” he said his gaze still directed on Twilight. “Well?”
Twilight hesitated, it’d been awhile since she thought about the changelings since her brother’s wedding, and the sudden interrogation wasn’t something she’d been expecting at all.
“Well they’re the monsters who tried to take over Canterlot, and make everypony a part of their buffet” she in a-matter-of-fact tone.
Vendetta stomped. “Why do you think they’re monsters?” he asked not trying to hide the rage in his voice this time.
“Well what else are they then? They attacked us and tried to make us all into their food” Rainbow Dash stated.
“But under the wrong approach!” Vendetta retorted.
“Vendetta, darling what’s this about? I know during Hailstorm’s situation you defended them as an influence but you’re not trying to say they’re innocent of what they’ve done are you?” Rarity asked.
“Of course not” he said with conviction. “They’re not innocent but they’re certainly not monsters!”
“Well what else would you call them?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“Misguided beings!” he said firmly, his voice almost reaching the pitch of a shout.
“Alright, alright fine. Change of topic” he said rubbing his temple, the book magically floated over and he flipped open to the page on the sirens.
“What about them?”
“What about them?” Fluttershy said speaking up for the first time since we got back.
“What do you guys think about them?” the five mares shrugged, all except for Twilight who was now staring at the page in silence, like she was trying to process the best solution to come up with.
“Twilight?” I said cautiously walking over to her. “What’s wrong?”
Snapping out of her stupor almost instantly the mare hopped off her seat and began trotting away from the book with a vague and high pitched “nothing.” This wasn’t lost on Vendetta, his eyes narrowing Vendetta went over to where Twilight was, as she made her way towards the library. I followed right behind.
“You know something” he said slowly once he’d caught up to her and opening the book widely so she could get a good look at the sirens. “Don’t you?” his aristocratic voice now sounding calculating and careful.
“Twilight?” I said. I had no idea what was making her so fidgety. If she’d met the sirens then it must’ve been in my world, because that was the only time I lost connection with her and the others, so if my assumptions were correct then. I froze, staring carefully as I observed her reaction. The quivering lips, sweaty look she got, averting gaze and tapping her front hooves together. Oh no.
Vendetta still hadn’t gotten a response yet and he was starting to get a little antsy.
“Twilight” he said again his voice now completely bereft of any gentleness, the only thing replacing it was that cold calculating feeling it now gave off as it accompanied his fancy accent.
“What. Do. You. Think?” he repeated as he took a step closer to the nervous alicorn, now showing signs of perspiration.
A tug on his tail by Applejack made him fall on his haunches. “What are you doing?” he asked surprised.
The orange earth pony did not look amused. “Whatever reason yer picking on Twilight for, she don’t want to answer. I suppose you should respect that.”
“But-”
“No butts mister!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed poking the stallion’s muzzle with her hoof.
Giving a mixed look of confusion and slight annoyance Vendetta snorted. Standing up with the book still floating in his magic, he turned around. “I’m sorry about that, I merely wished to understand your perspective on the issue. I suppose my curiosity got the better of me.
“I apologize Twilight, I didn’t mean to put you on the spot there...it’s just a personal issue” he said lifting his hoof up to look at the wristband. A few seconds of silence transpired before he got up. “I’ll be outside.”
Helping Twilight up, I watched as Vendetta turned around and began trotting off. Applejack’s cold demeanor didn’t fade till he was out of the room before she said “The hay was that all about?”
“You think he’s alright? He looked so sad” Fluttershy said as she watched the bronze unicorn trot out of the room his head hanging.
“His attitude sure did a 180” the rainbow maned pegasus commented.
Once I’d made sure Twilight was up on her feet again, I turned around heading towards the front door where I was sure to meet Vendetta, either sulking or doing something else as he waited to be called back in.
“Hailstorm”, I turned to look at Applejack, the others checking up on Twilight to see if she was still having one of her nervous fits.
“Be careful now ya hear... there’s something that fella ain’t telling us” she warned.
I nodded, before continuing towards the door. Whatever it was Vendetta was hiding, I intended on finding out.
Staring at the book of Ancient History was Vendetta when I came to the front door, sitting a couple feet away from it his tail laying still by his side as his ears drooped.
“Come to give me a scolding as well I presume?” his voice said, not lacking in annoyance but having a touch of gentleness to it.
“Of course not. I simply want to understand why you acted the way you did back there” I replied sitting next to him.
“You wouldn’t understand.”
I stifled a laugh, earning a glare from him.
“Sorry, I just find it funny you say I wouldn’t understand. You know considering I am from another world and all” I said a slight grin creasing my lips when he rolled his eyes.
“Course you are” he said sarcastically. “When I said you were special I didn’t mean that special” he said trying to hide the slight smile forcing its way on his face.
I merely chuckled. “Well then, now that you’re feeling better, what was that back there” I asked getting straight to the point.
His smile faltering for a second the unicorn turned to look back at the sky, it was still in the afternoon so the clear blue skies were a sight to look at. Vendetta didn’t respond for a few minutes, making me think that he really didn’t want to talk. After what felt like almost an hour (in my perspective) he finally spoke.
“I have...a condition” he said almost reluctantly. “If I tell you though. You can’t tell the others, it’s something I like to keep a secret” he said turning to look at me.
I hesitated, feeling the same weight I had felt at the meeting suddenly come crashing back down on my shoulders. He wouldn’t tell me this if he didn’t trust me...but we just met how could? Shaking my head and forcing the doubt that was creeping in the back of mind I nodded.
“Pinkie Promise.”
“I’m sorry?” he said slightly confused.
“It’s a promise that lasts forever” vaguely from within the castle I heard Pinkie’s voice echo the words “forever!!”
“I see...well then I’ll take you up to that” he said turning to look back at the clear blue sky. I did the same. Strangely this all felt, familiar. Like I’d seen this before. Almost like Poison Dart and Slingshot.
“You see...” he paused wondering whether or not he could tell me. Gently laying a hoof on his shoulder I smiled. “Don’t force yourself” I assured him with a tap on the back.
He nodded taking in a deep slightly shaky breath he continued.
“I have a condition where I can’t perform magic. It’s been with me ever since I was born. My parents never told me much about how I got it or if it’s in the family, and the doctors we checked said that it was a very rare disease that appeared in 1% amount of unicorns.”
Instantly my mind began telling me He’s Poison Dart’s descendant! He’s Poison Dart’s descendant! but I quickly shut the idea down, the fact that he said 1% had this kind of problem didn’t mean he was my ancestor’s rival’s descendant due to some very astounding coincidence.
“Wait” images of Vendetta using magic all those other times suddenly came to mind. “But you’ve been using magic ever since we met. Heck you used it to carry that book all the way over here and back” I pointed out.
“Yes well” he paused again, longer this time. “Let’s just say I have certain help that bypasses this problem” his sheepish smile, only making him look more guilty of hiding something.
“What kind of help?” I blurted out before realizing what I had said.
“Hailstorm” he said in a foreboding manner.
“Right, sorry” I said now smiling sheepishly.
“It’s alright. Anyway when I was a kid I used to get teased a lot. Got shunned by almost half of society, when I was at Canterlot. The school I went to was strict with magic users so being the only one that couldn’t use magic I got made fun of, for being different” the venom clear in the last word.
My ears wilted. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“It’s alright you didn’t do anything” he said with a smile. “Eventually though when my family and I figured out a way to solve this issue after a doctor tipped us off, well I decided I’d go into politics. Found I had a knack with using my words; never really jumped into any magic based careers. Got kind of turned off from magic after those few years of being a social reject, you know? I guess that’s why I’m so ready to defend those who are deemed monsters or otherwise just because their different” he finished looking back at me.
“I can understand that” I said, my heart went out to the guy. Having been through something like social rejection especially at such a young age, well that was just awful. If you didn’t have the right people standing by you during that time...it warped a person.
Seeming to sense what I was thinking Vendetta let out a small chuckle. “Don’t worry once we’d solved the issue we moved from Canterlot to Manehattan. Been there ever since. Made quite a few good friends that I’m still in touch with today” he said reassuringly.
I nodded that I understood, feeling some relief from that comment. A few seconds of silence ensued before Vendetta’s voice drew me back to the conversation.
“So Hailstorm. What do you think?” he asked, I could sense some anxiety in his voice.
“About?”
“You know what I mean. The sirens. What do you think?”
“Well I never personally met them, but I’d have to say they did deserve a second chance. Celestia was willing to give Discord one. Starswirl could’ve done the same.”
At my words the unicorn grinned wrapping me tightly in a hug. “Thanks,that’s just what I needed to hear!” he said.
A “awww” dragged our attention towards the front door. Fluttershy was smiling sweetly and Rarity looked rather smug as she watched Vendetta instinctively let go of me. “How cute” Rarity said flirtatiously.
“Rare... don’t go there.”
“Why whatever do you mean Stormy~Wormy?” I winced at the new nickname I’d just received. “Rare” I warned a grin more out of annoyance than compliance working it’s way on my face. “Fluttershy say something please.”
The yellow pegasus merely smiled and trotted back inside, from within I heard her say “Everything’s going to be alright.”
Rarity held her teasing stare for a few more seconds before she self-satisfyingly said “Stormy~Wormy will be a few more moments girls!” as she began trotting back in.
I looked at Vendetta who grinned. “Get her?” I asked.
He nodded. “Get her.” Galloping inside I looked at Rarity my smug grin increasing. “Hey Rare, why don’t you come here for a sec. We’ve got something you may want to hear.”
The rest of that afternoon was spent quite calmly. Vendetta had apologized to Twilight and the others for his behavior and they all accepted. I was content that things weren’t awkward or strained for once.
As soon as night struck though Vendetta took his leave, despite our offers to have him stay another night the stallion said he had business to attend to the next day.
“We’ll see you around?” I said as the Ponyville train pulled up.
Turning back and looking at me then the rest of the group he smiled. “Definitely.”
With a roar of the train engine and a large gust of steam, the train began pulling out. The others waving goodbye then turning back as soon as it left the docking area. I waited till it was merely a dot before turning back.
“I suppose we will” I muttered following the others back to Twilight’s.
*** ***** ***
Vendetta was back home. It was late at night as he trotted up to the mansion he called a house. Silently making his way up the stairs and into his study where a glass wall was directly to his opposite, he levitated the Ancient History book and placed it down on his desk.
Opening to the page on the sirens he stared at the picture like it was speaking to him. “To be banished based on your magic. Sad...yet just for their actions.”
Something in the back of his mind however said otherwise.
Their actions? his mind repeated.
What else would it be? They did use their magic to enslave nearly half of Equestria he thought
Ahh but what if it wasn’t their fault? What if they never meant to really harm Equestria but simply were misunderstood. What if-
“Rubbish” he said, pushing the thought out of his head. There’s no reason for me to feel this deep of a connection to creatures that were banished because of magic he reasoned, but froze at the realization.
“Why do I feel so much of a connection to them?” he asked himself. A creak in the boards behind him made the unicorn spin around in the sound’s direction.
“Master Detta?” Winston’s voice croaked as he stood in his slippers wearing what appeared to be a robe on his body. “Did you just return, Master? How was the trip to Canterlot?” he asked trotting towards the unicorn.
“It was fine” he said with a wave of his hoof, his mind still fixed on the sirens and why he felt he had such a connection with them.
“Are you alright Sir?” Winston asked, his brow raised at the book Vendetta was staring out. “What’s this now?”
Shutting the book with a bit more force than he intended Vendetta looked up at his butler. “It’s nothing, nothing at all. Say Winston” he added as a thought occurred to him. “Do you know of anything about the sirens?”
Winston’s grey brows furrowed. “And why would you ask me that now Sir?”
“Just out of curiosity” he replied calmly.
Winston didn’t reply, his brows remaining furrowed as he stared at his master and one he considered a son to him. Slowly his gaze softening but still holding that questioning air to it he responded “I do not know much aside that they caused much harm to our fair nation. The ruffians got what they deserved.”
A slight twitch in Vendetta’s ear as he felt a small spark of rage ignite within him at his butler’s last statement. “I see...thank you Winston that will be all” he ordered.
Nodding before turning around the butler paused at the door to look at Vendetta one more time before heading back to his own quarters to retire for the night. As Vendetta watched his butler leave, something lit up in him. Something that made him make the next decision he would carry out when he went back to Ponyville.
*** ****** ***
“Excuse me?” I said not bothering to hide the sheer amount of exasperation I felt at the question directed towards me.
Vendetta had made another appearance back at Ponyville. Twilight was upstairs with Spike and I had come to see what Vendetta wanted to talk about. I was not pleased to find his mind was still on the siren sisters.
“Is there a way to see where the Siren’s went?” he repeated his question.
Baffled, I wasn’t sure how to respond. With the way he was behaving I couldn’t just flat out tell him that there was a portal in here Twilight made that would allow him to go back to my world. The very same portal that I for reasons unknown to me and Twilight, was unable to pass through to get back home.
So instead of telling him there was a way I did the next best thing: lied.
“There’s no way to find the Siren’s” I said frankly.
“Are you sure” he asked, staring me in the eye, trying to pinpoint any sign of a lie. Unlike Applejack though I actually knew how to avoid eye contact without making it seem like I was lying. Suddenly grabbing my eye as I noticed him lean in to get a better stare I acted like something went in it.
“Hmmm...” Vendetta said obviously not fooled by my act, but wisely deciding to let it slide. “Alright then” he said slowly as his eyes scanned the room. “I’ll take your word for it” he stated turning to leave the library.
I followed only after I was sure I could get away with going back to being normal, without question. When I got out of the library, though Vendetta’s eyes were glued to a corner in Twilight’s meeting room.
“What’s that?” he asked his tone having every bit of curiosity as a young foal would in a cookie jar.
“What’s what?” I said my eyes following his gaze then freezing on the spot as I stared at what he was staring at.
The portal.
Damn it Twilight! I wanted to run up and break the thing since I it was virtually useless to me. But if there was ever a case that Twilight may need to go back to my world, well I couldn’t ruin her chances of getting there when she could go in and out whenever she pleased.
Slowly my mind began to crawl out of its daze as I realized Vendetta’s bright blue eyes were now fixed on me, waiting for a reply. And the more I waited to answer him, the more his suspicions would only increase.
“It’s a mirror what else would it be?” I said, doing my best not to show the signs of sweat that had started to form on my brow.
“I can tell that but what’s with all the other stuff surrounding it?” he said using his magic and drawing the contraption out of its hiding spot.
“It’s uh-”
“Hey you two” Twilight said as she made her way down upstairs. “What’s going on -” gasping in an extremely loud and rather unpleasant fashion Twilight disappeared in a burst of lavender magic.
Vendetta looked confused, his head tilted to the side. “Did I miss something?” he asked only for Twilight to reappear with a cloak as she covered up the interdimensional device wrapping it up in her magic and stuffing it back in it’s corner. Looking around frantically like the room was packed and she didn’t want anyone to hear what she was about to say the alicorn leaned in her eyes alert and rigid fixing Vendetta with a stare that almost made him uncomfortable I watched her wave a hoof over for him to get closer.
“You didn’t touch it did you?” she bit her lip as she finished her sentence her eyes showing signs of deep worry and possibly internal anguish from her major blunder.
Shaking his head, still looking quite confused Vendetta said “no” then added, “is there something that could happen if I did touch it?” he asked.
Twilight’s body went tense for a split second before quickly relaxing as she tried to come up with a good excuse. Luckily I had finally thought of my own.
“It’s a family heirloom of hers” I said jumping in between the two as I wrapped a hoof around Twilight’s neck in a comforting embrace, a slightly awkward smile on my face.
“She’s really um- sensitive about it her grandparents left it to her as their gift and it’s really really fragile” the nervous chuckle that escaped my lips didn’t help making me kind of cringe back with that anxious induced smile still placed firmly on my muzzle. Twilight had nodded her way through my entire excuse with her assent the entire time through, now it was just a matter of seeing if our friend here bought it.
It was almost impossible to tell. Vendetta’s reaction to the entire charade was probably best described by his prim lips as they formed a straight line of complete and utter indifference to what we were saying. However after five seconds of torture he nodded his eyes never leaving the corner of Twilight’s portal when he spoke.
“Right. Of course, my mistake. I won’t touch it again” he said his gaze slowly turning back to us.
“So...who’s ready for lunch?”
From upstairs I heard Spike yell “I am!”
Casting a quick glance at Twilight she nodded gingerly. “Lunch would be great right now. And um Hailstorm” she said tapping my forehoof.
I replied with a hm and a raised eyebrow.
“You can let go of me now” she said sheepishly. Instantly releasing her I let out a small cough my cheeks growing slightly warm as Spike ran down the steps and jumped on to Twilight’s back.
“What’s with your cheeks being so red?” he asked caustically poking his sister figure as the blood rushed to her face.
“Spike” she warned.
“What can’t a dragon ask a question?”
“Let’s just...go get something to eat” I said following Vendetta out. Today was just going to be full of surprises huh?
It was now eleven o’clock at night. Vendetta had returned to Manehattan and I had just got back home with Twilight, carrying the sleeping dragon on my back. We ended up meeting the girls half way on our way to grab lunch. The rest of the afternoon was spent either talking or going to see the private event the Wonderbolts were holding as a favor for Rainbow Dash helping them out for the stunt they did in replacement of whatever that pegasus’ name was, “Wind Ranter...Raider?...Something?...Rider maybe?”
I shrugged the thought away as Twilight called for my attention.
“Could you go put Spike in his bed. I’m going to write Princess Celestia a message and have him send it in the morning.” I nodded my head as she headed inside to the library. Climbing the steps I went into their room and reached for Spike so I could lay him in his straw made bed.
The baby dragon nearly clawed at my jaw as he turned with a stretch, luckily even in this form I had quick reflexes so I merely inched my head back staring with slight apprehension at having my jaw being clawed when I just wanted him to sleep on his bed. Taking a glance at the bed I trotted around it, lifting the covers up so the pillow was only exposed.
“Alright little buddy. Let’s get you in there” I whispered to myself as I slowly tilted my body into a squatting position so that he would slide slowly off my back and into his bed. Once safe inside I covered him and smiled as the dragon let out a small snort of smoke, nestling into his pillow.
Carefully closing the door with just a crack open I turned back downstairs and headed for the library. Twilight had just finished writing up the letter and rolled it up in her magic.
“Done?”
“Yup” she said stifling a yawn with her hoof. “I think I’ll head to bed now. Try not to stay up too late alright?” she said trotting past me.
I snorted with a chuckle. “Don’t need to ask me” a small smile appearing on my face. The small smile also disappearing as I saw Twilight fixing me with a stare. Sighing I nodded.
“Yeah yeah” I waved a dismissive hoof. “I’ll go to bed or at least try to” I muttered the last bit under my breath, either way though the young princess seemed content with the notion and headed upstairs to sleep.
“Night Hailstorm” she called from above.
“Night Twi” I said in return turning to the meeting room. My attention had now been drawn to the portal. I slowly trotted up to it, taking a quick glance upstairs to make sure Twilight was gone I looked at the covered device.
Home.
I guess it’s true what they say “You don’t know what you’ve got till you’ve lost” a sad smile forming on my face. Then again I didn’t really want to leave here, not with the new comrades I’ve made since my past two months here. But... I glanced back at the mirror, the mirror that separated me from my world and theirs.
I bit my lip Third time’s the charm the inner me coaxed. I shook my head. “What’s the point?” I said biting the sheet that covered the device and skillfully yanking it off revealing the mystical artifact.
The light gleaming off the mirror made me want it even more. Tentatively, I raised my right forehoof in an attempt to touch it and stopped, looking up at the book on the top to see if it was on. It was faintly glowing. I looked back at my reflection in the mirror, a small smile formed across my lips once more as I once again raised my hoof in an attempt to touch the bridge between Equestria and Earth.
“Having trouble?” a familiar voice said, I froze on the spot my hoof inches away from the mirror. I turned around to see, Vendetta.
“Ven?” I asked surprised and confused my hoof still adrift in the air. “What are you doing here so late? I thought you went back home?” I could feel something gnawing at me to move, but I ignored it.
“I had to come back” he replied his voice having lost all forms of pleasantness and was once again that cold calculating tone I had heard before.
“Why?” but I already knew why.
“For the mirror of course” he replied calmly his aristocratic tone only adding into uneasiness I had begun to feel. “I just entered when I saw you try to touch it” he said his stare being normal, reserved even, but radiating all kinds of mixed feelings from it.
“I thought you said it was a family heirloom” he said, no signs of anger hinted in his voice just pure and genuine curiosity as his eyes hungrily stared at the mirror..
I gulped. I had really screwed up now.
“Look it’s not what you think I just-”
“You just what?” he asked waiting, but I didn’t respond.
“I see...so that mirror behind you is the portal to your world?” he asked.
I winced, the small grin I got from him only gave off the feeling I had once again bucked up.
“Why haven’t you gone back then?” he intoned a few signs of surprise in his voice. “Did you not want to return home, be with your family, your friends there?”
“I have friends here as well. You’re one of them to” I responded.
He said nothing, merely looking between me and the mirror watching for any signs of...something. His eyes widened with realization.
“You can’t go through the portal can you?” he asked his tone sounding sympathetic. Looking away didn’t help, as my ears drooped to the side of my head.
“Oh Hailstorm...I’m so sorry. This just makes it even harder for what I’m about to do” he said the coldness still there but the sympathy was clear.
I looked up just in time to see a flash of light, then I fell to my side my consciousness slowly slipping.
“Vendetta--” I gasped my body suddenly starting to burn up like it was on fire. “What did you do to me?” I managed to say in a low tone so as not to awake Twilight or Spike upstairs.
“Anesthetic spell. Just like in Celestia’s castle” he said, matching the pitch in my voice. “Now. I won’t be needing this anymore” he said lifting the Ancient History book out of a saddle bag and his horn flickered blue again, the book instantly caught on fire. I watched in horror as the book slowly burned to nothing but ash which my ally now tossed in a nearby bin, leaving it to become cinders.
“I’m truly sorry Hailstorm” he said his voice once again returning to the gentleness I had heard the first time we had l met. “But I’ve decided to meet the sirens myself and determine their attitude on my own. If their good. I’ll bring them back. If their not I’ll come back and act like none of this ever happened” he replied standing over me and brushing his left fetlock across my cheek.
“Why? Vendetta why are you doing this?” I asked feeling everything darkening around me as my breath became more calm, my tense body and all the muscles within relaxing.
“What else would I do it for? I’m a diplomat, everypony here has a job. Mine is to make negotiations and make sure that things run smoothly between countries and as of this case worlds. And I’ going to fulfill that job, and make sure everything goes as I’ve planned.”
Feeling a sudden burst of energy through me, I felt enough strength to lift my head up and try to get on my forehoof only to slip and fall.
Vendetta watched me with what I was sure was amazement and interest. “Hm. I hit you with enough force to knock out an alicorn, you should be long out cold by now, but you’re still struggling. Perhaps the people in your world are stronger than I thought” he said unable to hide the interest in his voice
His horn glowing blue once again, another silent flash and I hit the ground.
“Well Hailstorm. I’ll be back later tonight, don’t wait up to long. Then again if everything goes as planned you won’t remember any of this” he said as he trotted towards the mirror.
Casting one last glance back at me he smiled. “ Au revoir mon amie.” The portal activated his horn glowed once again with what I could only assume was a soundproof spell he had cast around us. The mirror shook violently and then it glowed pink. Taking a step forward Vendetta looked back at me, his slicked-back mane slightly waving strands of hair in disrupted air. His mouth moved but those were words I couldn’t completely grasp as I faded into unconsciousness. The last thing I heard was him going through the portal.
I had failed, and this time the failure would be following me in my dreams.
*** ****** ***
It’s night at Canterlot High a guard is doing his nightly rounds as he stops with his hearing something from behind him. It was coming from the statue in front of the school grounds. It was glowing?
Almost instantly a boy shot out of the statue silver paned glass, landing on all fours in front of the statue his light brown hair slicked-back in what the guard could only assume to be a celebrity style cut. The guard watched in complete and utter confusion as the boy began, crawling along the ground before realizing something wasn’t right about his movement.
Slowly the guard left the front parameter of the school’s entrance to approach the boy, flashlight in hand. Switching it on he shined the light on the boy, who appeared to be extremely tan looking his complexion complementing his hair. The boy’s eyes went wide from the light as he raised a hand to block the blinding luminance from his vision, still on all fours.
“Um kid what are you doing out here?” the guard asked. “Don’t you know school doesn’t start till the next day, classes ended hours ago”, he said offering a hand to help the young boy up. In the back of the guards mind he wished he had never taken up this job offer after all the weird things that had been happening here.
The boy looked at the hand, hesitated but took it anyway practically offering all his weight on the new guard as he helped him up.
“Jeez kid this your first time walking on two feet or something” the guard joked. The boy said nothing in response.
“Kids these days, never getting a good joke from us old timers” he commented with a shake of his head as he helped the boy stand on his two feet, though weakly so he had to support him up.
“What’s your name kid?” the guard asked once he had been able to properly help the teen stand on his two legs.
A rich demure accent replied, “Vendetta.”
“Vendetta huh? Strange name” he said unaware of the grimace the boy now offered him.
“Billy the Guard” the man said brushing a finger over his moustache and nose. “Started here last week” he replied with a small smile. “So kid where you’re parents at? I’m sure they’re worried sick about you” he said his flashlight scanning Vendetta for anything that might indicate signs of graffiti or a prank. The only thing catching his attention was the shoulder pads that had a briefcase and the world on it decorated on both shoulders, and possibly the back of the teen’s coat.
Easing himself with an awkward stance Vendetta looked up at the guard. “My parents are...busy at the moment, but don’t worry I know my way back” he lied, keeping as straight a face as he possibly could while he tried to maintain his balance on these two sticks called “legs.”
“Hmm” the guard said skeptically. “Alright then well kid you hungry?” he asked, taking a quick glance at the school. “I’m almost done here for the night so we can head over to a restaurant right across a couple blocks and a street away from Sugarcube Corner, they make some pretty good sandwiches” he said rubbing his stomach.
Suddenly feeling an urge for food himself, Vendetta nodded his head in agreement. Might as well since I don’t know this place at all.
The guard seeming content with the idea he wouldn’t be leaving a teenager to roam the streets at night doing Lord knows what he turned around, doing one more revolution before using a device called a phone to clock out.
In a matter of seconds Vendetta entered what he was told to be a “car” almost like the taxi’s back at Equestria except there was no pony to pull it. The idea of ponies running within the vehicle to power it crossed his mind, but he was soon drawn out of his train of thought before it could reach darker depths as Billy the Guard stopped in front of a small, building. The painting used for it consisting of mainly a dark forest green and a sickly greenish-white color. The sign for it was “Salty Splatoon.”
Going inside, now slightly getting the hang of walking as a bipedal the guard and former unicorn walked to a table and waited, it was there they met their first waiter. A girl wearing an apron under her military style shirt and jeans. Her purple hair and aquamarine streaks flowing gently by her shoulders as she stopped rather grumpily by the table.
In a rather depressed, unhappy and disgruntled voice the girl spoke: “Welcome to the Salty Splatoon, How may I take your order” her eyes half lidded in anything but interest and in her hand she carried a pen and notepad.
From the counter the cashier who Vendetta assumed was the boss called “You remember the rule you have to say it.”
The girl sighed feeling more bored and frustrated than she seemed to be letting on. “Welcome to the Salty Splatoon, how tough are you?”
Billy the Guard shrugged when Vendetta gave him a confused look. “Rules are rules I guess. Pretty darn tough I’d say, you?”
Vendetta merely nodded in agreement, staring the girl who looked ready to just quit and go home. “Great,” she said sarcastically. “I’m Aria and I’ll be your waitress for the night. How may I take your order” she asked.
“Aria?” Vendetta asked his brows raising in surprise at the girl in front of him. “No wonder you looked so familiar” he said, a smile forming on his lips.
Aria merely stared at Vendetta in clear confusion, a loud crash, from across the room made all three heads turn in that direction. Sitting on the ground where a broken plate lay only a few feet away in her own combat style working outfit with an apron, was an arctic-bluish white girl, her hair a lighter arctic blue with persian blue stripes.
“Dang it Sonata!” Aria fumed. “Will you watch where you’re going!”
“I tripped on this plastic bottle” she said defensively holding up a flat water bottle. The boss jumped over the counter, broom and shovel in hand and swept up the shattered debris.
“Coming out of this week’s pay” he casually said as he rounded back to the corner. Both girls groaned.
“Your meal will be here in a few minutes” Aria replied in her bored, now angered tone after she quickly jotted down the orders..
“Wait!” Vendetta replied, grabbing her hand as his fingers carefully closed around her wrist. “I’ve got something I need to talk to you two about” he said looking between the two as Sonata got closer. “Both of you” he added, before glancing over at Billy the Guard. About to open his mouth to speak the guard merely said.
“It’s alright, no need to worry, go and talk to your friends” he replied with a smile. Vendetta nodded appreciative of this kind gesture, Aria had wrenched her hand free of his grip with a jerk and a slight scowl heading to the back of the room where it said EMPLOYEES ONLY, Sonata following behind her as she gave Vendetta a curious look when he slowly made his way to them, and went inside.
“You’re from where?” Sonata asked in complete shock.
“Equestria” Vendetta replied. “I came to meet you and bring you back.”
Aria stared, her scowl not leaving her face the entire time Vendetta had started speaking. “And you expect us to believe you because?” she quipped.
“Well I don’t see anyone else offering you a chance back home” quickly adding “and I don’t believe anyone aside from me knows who you are in this world.”
“Well that’s not really true. The people from Canterlot High know us” Sonata said rubbing the back of her neck.
“Huh? How? And what happened to those pendants you have? Also where is your older sister?” Vendetta asked.
Another scowl from Aria appeared as a frown from Sonata came in view.
“Did I miss something?” Vendetta asked brow raised quizzically. They didn’t respond.
“You said you can get us back home right?” Aria asked her gaze directed through the small window out the door.
“Most definitely” Vendetta responded the light slightly catching his wrist band.
Silence ensued for awhile, making the unicorn feel his journey here had all been for not, till Sonata spoke up.
“Let’s do it.”
“WHAT?” Aria yelled perplexed, her sister didn’t back down though.
“This is our only chance and I know you were thinking it Ari” she said gently touching her sister’s shoulder. Aria merely growled before huffing and looking back out the window as the boss served Billy the Guard his meal.
“Adagio’s going to love this” she said, with another huff before leaving the room and calling back “We’ll take you with us after work. You better not be messing with us.”
Vendetta merely smiled, “I wouldn’t dream of it.”