“A Dance with the Devil”
“Alright you two, you’re shift’s over you both can go” the cashier said as he wiped the counter clean with a white rag.
“Right, later” Aria said as she exited the EMPLOYEES ONLY room wearing her normal clothes. Sonata followed out within a few minutes as well.
Waiting for them at the table now by himself was Vendetta, after thanking Billy the Guard and informing him he would be going with his friends to their place the old guard nodded with a smile, bidding his farewell and left once his meal was completed.
“Follow us if you want us to listen to what you have to say” Aria ordered walking out of the store her hands shoved deeply in her pockets, Sonata following behind her sister closely throwing a few glances at Vendetta every now and then.
The entire walk to the siren sister’s home was done in silence. Vendetta could feel the waves of doubt that came from the two sisters as they walked three steps ahead of him, Sonata once again casting him curious looks every once in awhile like she was making sure the unicorn hadn’t vanished behind them.
At this point Vendetta had gotten used to walking, he doubted running was much of an option yet but at his very best he could walk pretty darn fast if the occasion called for it. Now that he thought about it the buildings in this world seemed to be made of more firm material. No wood, just bricks and cement almost like Manehattan.
Vendetta’s eyes soon followed the metal vehicles that were known as cars. His mind once again began wandering on the thought that there were young foals forced to run on conveyor belts that would then propel the wheels forward or be used forced to use their rumps to stop the moving conveyor belts in order to bring the metallic beast to a halt. For a second he felt his stomach churn at the horrid thought, images of starving fillies and foals being forced to power those vehicles that Hailstorm’s species had made.
So caught up was Vendetta as his thoughts spiralled out of control that he didn’t even noticed he had crossed the street, and a car was heading straight for him.
“LOOK OUT!” Sonata shouted as she turned her attention to the honking sounds of a car.
Seeing a mercedes benz heading straight for the unicorn that had arrived with incredible news, she watched in utter shock as the vehicle slowly began nearing the shocked, extremely tanned teenager. His slick-back hair now standing on edge as he began shaking like a leaf. The driver had just came down a steep slope and his speed had increased by at least 5mph. Hitting the breaks Sonata heard the car’s brake locks roar and screech as the tires skid across the road making tracks as the driver desperately tried to stop his car from hitting the surprised boy.
The next thing that happened was beyond Sonata’s reasoning. Just as her body was about to force her to come to the rescue of their potential helper, she saw a purple blur rush from the sidewalk, where they had been standing a good couple of feet away from the street where the car was, and head straight towards Vendetta.
Aria had come to the rescue.
Tackling the frightened boy with much more force than Sonata had ever expected her sister to carry, she watched as the two flew a good few inches off the ground just barely making it to the other sidewalk and away from the street, the driver coming to a stop directly where Vendetta had been standing.
“Are you two alright?” the driver asked, the fear and concern clearly displayed on his face as beads of sweat went down the side of his face.
Sonata nodded, despite knowing the question wasn’t for her. Immediately making her way around the car she walked up to see her sister firmly wrapped in Vendetta’s arm’s as the two lay on the ground both their eyes firmly shut, that is until the driver repeated his earlier question his voice starting to tremble.
Slowly opening her eyes Aria, blinked. At first she wasn’t sure what had happened. She remembered hearing the sound of horns, Sonata’s warning then she just leapt into action. It came instinctively to her, to help someone that was trying to help her. Even if she didn’t completely believe him. When she noticed the arms that now had a tight grip on her the siren suddenly felt uncomfortable.
“Get off me!” she yelled shoving Vendetta in the chest as hard as she could once they had stood up. She watched him fall to the ground on his butt, with a scowl slowly forming on her face. She couldn’t believe she just risked her life for a total stranger. Turning to the driver she glared at him, causing him to take a step back.
“Get out of here before I call the police!” she ordered, turning her annoyance on him now.
“Ma’am please. I didn’t mean to-”
“NOW!” Aria yelled her voice amplifying in a manner that sent a chill down the man’s spine as he got back into his car and quickly sped off.
Sonata began checking her sister almost instantly to make sure she was alright, much to Aria’s chagrin. Her head up in a haughty hmph Aria told her “I’m fine, you should be checking on the screw up over there” she said jabbing her thumb in Vendetta’s direction as he slowly got up.
“Are you alright?” Sonata asked once she’d finished checking her sister much to her protests.
Vendetta merely nodded dusting himself, his mouth gone dry slightly from the sudden fright. “I- I apologize for freezing like that. There are no vehicles like that in Equestria so I was merely surprised I-”
“Save it” Aria said not bothering to hide the wry in her voice or expression. “You better not be lying to us. Because if you are, you’ll regret you ever came here” she stated her eyes glaring daggers at Vendetta who now retained his calm demeanor.
“I promise you. I am not lying” he said the shakiness leaving his voice. “I have thought all of this through. And if things are going to go according to plan, then we must hurry.”
Sonata glanced between her sister and the former unicorn who now stared back at her older sister with the same amount of seriousness as she glared flames into his being. For a while she felt awkward as the two merely stared at each other in cold silence.
“Hey guys, let’s just get home okay? Please don’t fight” she said in a pacifying and slightly nervous manner.
The two stared at each other for a few more seconds before Aria broke the glare with a toss of her head. Turning on heel, the siren continued to lead the way, “You coming or what?” she asked the two watching her leave.
Sonata took another glance at Vendetta, offered her hand to lift him up and once he was standing again continued to follow her sister. “On our way!” Sonata called, Vendetta following in tow.
The former unicorn was beginning to realize that this was going to be tougher than he thought.
Tick, Tick, Tick
Went the sound of the clock above the TV. It was midnight, and Adagio was sitting in her couch waiting for her sisters to arrive. It’s what she’d been doing since they lost. It’s what she’d always done, so she’d be ready to search for them in case they missed their arrival time.
As the brilliant gold girl sat on her couch, her legs crossed impatiently tapping her fingers against the armrest waiting, she felt a tense. Anxious almost.
Adagio didn’t know why but something didn’t feel right tonight. Well to be more practical every night didn’t feel right since they lost. They’d just come to swallow their internal anguish and deal with it till they could figure out a way to gain enough magic to return home. But this night, there was something eating at her subconsciousness that made the elder siren sister particularly antsy tonight.
Glancing at the three jewelry boxes they had gotten for the other fashionable jewels and gems (which they sold), that now contained the remains of their shattered pendants Adagio couldn’t help but feel that feeling of bitter rage crawl its way into her body.
Her tapping increased.
Tch she clicked. Where are those two?
Her raspberry eyes making another journey towards the clock. 12:05 a.m.
If in the next twenty-five minutes they’re not here there’s going to be hell to pay she thought restraining the scowl that was forming on her lips.
I have to work two jobs morning and afternoon to evening everyday, just to keep this cruddy apartment. I don’t need any more worries about my sisters that’ll end up causing me more trouble she thought not even noticing she’d begun clawing the armrest.
I wouldn’t have to work at all if those foolish Rainbooms...and her never interfered with my plan. It took a second for Adagio to realize that she could now feel small tear streaks in the arm chair, looking down at it her angered expression evaporated into a frown. Great, now I’ve got to fix this.
Another wave of anger came over the siren, that accompanied by her nerves being off the fritz gave he the urge to hit something, yell or take her anger out on something, anything to get rid of this pent up anger she’d been accumulating since she’d had to take more work hours to keep them surviving in this hell of a prison.
Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock, Tick-To-
With a snapping sound Adagio yanked the hung up clock off its pin. Throwing it to the ground the girl lifted up her boot and slammed it into the clocks surface, firmly smashing her heel against it over, and over, and over, and over again. Each time she could feel the anger slowly leaving her.
“This- ALL OF THIS. It’s your FAULT!” she said acerbically as she pictured the faces of all the Rainbooms under her foot. “All we wanted was to go home! But of course, you try to take over an entire school so you can get back home and suddenly” she said lifting up her foot again.
“You’re the bad guy!” slamming it down on the surface of the clock again a shattering sound occurred, with pieces of glass flying off, and the ticking coming to a slow stop.
Feeling a bit better the girl kicked the broken clock away into a corner before plopping down in her seat once again, with a sigh slouching over in her seat her hands holding her head.
Tick-Tick,Tick
Adagio’s eyes snapped open, both anger and pure frustration welling up once again in her. The clock was still working, despite the fact that she’d intentionally intended to destroy it somehow despite all those numerous stomps, it was still working. Much like this prison was still working its toll on her day in and day out.
Grinding her teeth images of Sonata crying after they’d lost suddenly came flooding back to mind. Thoughts of how much of a failure she was at being able to return them home had come flooding back. Ideas of payback of what she’d do if she could ever find a way back to Equestria were vivid.
Tick.
With a snort, her nostrils flaring Adagio stood up, calmly walked over to where the broken clock that miraculous worked was, carefully lifted it up, looked at a window, opened it, then tossed it outside. The faint sound of its ticking accompanied by a crack, was all she needed to make her feel at ease again.
With another sigh of relief she froze as she heard the door to her apartment opening.
“Dagi! We’re baaack!” Sonata said from the front door.
Adagio sighed, “Well at least their home” she muttered to herself, as she walked away from the window to see Aria making way for a third figure to enter.
“And we brought someone with us” Sonata said with a small smile.
Adagio stared at the bronze looking fellow that walked inside after Aria. Her surprised expression slowly becoming hostile, as she proceeded to touch the bridge of her nose.
And apparently we have a guest, she let out a sigh of regret.
“Who the hell are you?” she said not bothering to look up, at their new guest.
The bronze boy offered a smile, running a hand through his slick back light brown hair. With a slight bow as a sign of respect, he looked up towards her from his bowed position.
“My name is Vendetta and it is a pleasure to meet-”
“What do you want?” Adagio said tiredly not bothering to hide the annoyance in her voice.
Vendetta merely paused, taking into account that it was probably late and being extremely formal wasn’t a smart option right now. Standing up straight once again with as fluent a motion he possibly could he offered a smaller smile once again which Adagio only returned with a blank, sullen expression.
“I’m here to offer you a way back home” he replied cheerfully.
“Well?” the brilliant yellow girl asked her legs crossed in her seat. “I’m waiting, Vendetta.”
Sitting on either side of their older sister Aria and Sonata sat waiting to hear this supposed claim of freedom.
“If you’re lying, I swear to the gods I’ll call the cops on you” Aria said darkly, her arms crossed as she glowered at the bronze teen. Sonata however was waiting expectantly, no signs of hostility radiating from her like her sisters. “Go on” she said.
Vendetta took a deep breath, then sighed. Here goes.
“I’m here to bring you back to Equestria” he stated in-a-matter-of-fact tone.
“We know. Why?” Aria asked.
“Simple” Vendetta stated letting a grin form as he stared at the slightly confused reactions the girls were now giving him.
“I’ve read your history. I know what you’ve done and what you could’ve done, but didn’t. Initially my plan was to come here and simply observe you, see if you were worth bringing back home. But well after your sisters here saved me from a near death experience, I’ve thrown that idea out and simply decided to bring you back home to Equestria. You sirens aren’t as bad as history makes its claim” he finished.
Silence ensued. Vendetta took careful notice of the doubt and glare on Aria’s face. The small traces of confusion on Sonata’s mixed with hope and fear. And the almost cold expression Adagio was giving. Her impassive look made it almost impossible to read.
“Why?” Adagio asked after minutes of silence.
“I believed I already explained my reason why” Vendetta said calmly.
“No no no. Why are you doing this?” Adagio asked once again her voice cold, full of doubt and possible concern.
“Why would a unicorn come here, no doubt risking any chances of returning home. Trapped in this infernal prison, with no magic of any sort all in a useless attempt to bring us back home. When there is no portal back. Aside from a possible spell, but with no magic such attempts of returning are impossible. So I ask again, Why are you really here?”
Shock and confusion were the first expressions that took over Vendetta when he heard Adagio’s reasoning. Not because of the doubt that he had expected and much more, but it was the fact she didn’t know about the portal that surprised him more. Taking notice of Adagio’s questioning brow and Aria’s still defensive glare, the unicorn cautioned himself before speaking.
“To answer your question on why I’m here, as I’ve said. I’ve read your history, I’ve read what you’ve done, I know what you could have done, but didn’t do. And I’ve-” Vendetta was cut off by a stomp on the ground.
Adagio had uncrossed her leg and slammed it on the ground. “You’re lying” she said her eyes narrowed.
“I am not” Vendetta replied calmly.
“Prove it to us then” Aria said.
“If you really say you can get us back home then show us” Adagio stated her eyes still narrowed.
“Yeah! If you can get us back you must have thought of something right? I mean surely when you came to this world you would have known there’d be no magic or at least done research on it” Sonata quipped.
Aria and Adagio looked at their sister as if just remembering she’d been with them the entire time. Turning her attention back to Vendetta Adagio’s voice became austere once again.
“Like we said. Prove. It or else” she warned as Aria pulled out her cell phone. “There’ll be consequences.”
Feeling a slight bead of sweat Vendetta could now tell why these creatures had nearly overthrown all of Equestria. Despite them not having an ounce of magic with them at the moment the levels of anger and hostility that came off the three sirens or more of the two and a little from the third was enough to make him want to quit and leave. But that wouldn’t do. He’d made his decision when he let his curiosity take over, turning back now would prove detrimental if he didn’t see it through till the end.
“First I have a question” he said his voice clear as his faint accent enrichened his words. “I need to know what happened to those pendants you had. Did they become something else when you came here. If I have those then I can-”
“You can’t” Sonata said dourly.
“Pardon?”
“Our pendants were destroyed, shattered would be a better term” Adagio said touching her neck where the pendant would’ve layn.
Aria’s scowl only widened when she took note of her sisters morose expressions. “Get out.” she ordered.
“Wait! Wait!” Vendetta said holding his hands up in yielding so as to stop Aria from calling any authorities.
“What is it?” Aria snapped, as her thumb was only inches away from hitting ‘call’ for the police department.
“I can fix them. Promise” he added when they gave him a skeptic look.
“How? You said you needed them to get us back home, but what could you possibly have that could fix and give us the spell we need to get back?” Sonata asked.
“First of all. There is no spell necessary. There’s a portal at Canterlot High, a statue of sorts that leads directly to Equestria.”
“So that’s it” Adagio said thoughtfully oblivious to the surprised expressions of her sisters. “Go on” she said looking up at him her lips pursed, but her eyes now showing interest instead of animosity.
“Thank you” Vendetta said with a sigh of relief. Lifting his wristband clad arm Vendetta showed them the stone firmly embedded within the gold colored metallic band.
“What are we looking at here Vendetta?” Adagio asked with a raised brow.
The former unicorn smiled. “Look closely maybe you’ll see something that catches your attention” he advised. And that’s exactly what the sirens did.
Getting up and crowding around the arm presented to them the three sisters took a close and careful look at the faint insignia around the stone. It was hard to see and in some cases it took them holding their hands up over the band to block light so they could try and get a better view of what it was they were staring at. After several seconds of standing and trying to solve what it was this stranger wanted to see, Aria groaned in frustration and threw herself back onto the couch.
“I give up. Just tell us already” she said, her signature scowl making a return. Adagio had also left the wristband trying to think of what exactly it was that Vendetta wanted them to see until a gasp from the youngest siren brought their attention towards the light arctic blue girl standing above Vendetta’s arm mouth agape.
“What is it?” Adagio asked Sonata who was staring with a mixed look of glee and shock. Vendetta’s smile only widened.
“I-I-I-It’s” she stuttered, till a firm flick on the forehead from Aria made her stop.
“What? What is it?!” Aria asked.
“The Alicorn Amulet” Vendetta said before Sonata could get a word out.
*** ***** ***
The alicorn amulet. One of the most powerful gems second to the Elements in terms of raw power and one of the most deadly in terms of corruption.
“How did you get that?” Adagio asked stumbling before rushing over and grabbing at Vendetta’s wrist examining the gem carefully.
“Well about 2-3 years ago before I graduated I came across this pawn shop. That pawn shop though illegal had-”
“The Alicorn Amulet” Adagio said in pure amazement as she stared at the stone. Hearing Aria clear her throat the older siren immediately returned to her authoritative position, dismissing any previous signs of curiosity, Vendetta couldn’t help but chuckle at this but immediately stopped when he received a glare soon after.
“Anyway I didn’t have the money on me at the time till I came back the day after and found it gone. Some unicorn had purchased, that same unicorn I later found to be some showbusiness pony that used it for her own selfish reasons, not like mine are any better of course” Vendetta said looking at his wrist band.
“Eventually I had it tracked down and brought to me, payed a heavy price for it but it was all worth it in the end” he said smiling.
“Wait, but why would you by the Alicorn Amulet?” Sonata asked.
“What do you mean?”
“Well you said you were a unicorn, you know before coming here. Couldn’t you just you know stick with your own magic or something?” Sonata asked pressing the matter further.
“He’s probably power hungry, explains why he was crazy enough to attempt this gimmick in the first place” Aria said as she gave the wristband a thoughtful look her arms crossed and her stance radiating nothing but sass.
“I was NOT power hungry!” Vendetta exclaimed with a loud stomp, that slightly surprised the group. “I have a problem that prevents me from using magic! That is the only reason I need this. You have no idea what it’s like to be a unicorn, a creature based off magic, whose sole purpose is to use magic or at least use it at some point in its life and be in a world filled with magic and be the only one not capable of using it!” he finished, his breath heavy as he took his time to fill his lungs with air.
The three sirens were silent, Aria obviously taken aback by the sudden outburst.
“Alright then, that’s enough fighting. Apologize for that Vendetta, but if you don’t mind show us what you’ve got. I’m sure there’s time running we could to make use of” Adagio said changing topics.
“Right” he said after his breathing had relaxed. “Of course. Now, even if the pendants were shattered I’m sure you still kept them right?” he asked hopefully.
Adagio nodded, gaining a sigh of relief from Vendetta. “I’ll get them” she said getting up from her seat and walking over to the jewelry boxes. “Sonata, Aria” she called from the corner of the room. Instantly the two sisters got up and moved to where their sister was. Within a few seconds all three sisters had returned from the TV stand each carrying a jewelry box that Vendetta could only assume carried their pendants- or what was left of them.
“First” Adagio said sitting back down in her seat, both sisters sitting on the armrests as they stared at Vendetta who sat in the tiger skin couch adjacent to them.
“What do you plan to do with them?” Adagio asked her voice once again taking that strict and commanding tone.
“I’m going to fix them. It’s not as if they could get much worse than they already are right?” Vendetta asked lifting his arm up.
Before Adagio could reply Sonata had taken her older sister’s jewelry box and held it in front of Vendetta. “Dagi, let’s just see if he can fix it. He is right there’s not much worse that could happen” Sonata said with a sad smile.
Staring at her sister quietly Adagio bit her lip, Vendetta had his arm raised and was simply waiting for permission but the thought of something worse happening to their pendants even if they couldn’t get magic from it, they at least provided some form of comfort by just being there.
It wasn’t until Adagio felt a soothing pressure on her shoulder did she look up to see Aria staring at her with a warm expression. “What else have we go to lose?” Aria asked quietly.
Taking one more look at the jewelry boxes then at her sister’s Adagio sighed then nodded. “Do it.”
The three boxes had been placed on the couch that Vendetta had been sitting on, each having a bit of space between them so as nothing bad would happen. Standing above them was the extremely tanned teen his fist clenched as he stared at the boxes.
The pressure was on.
Vendetta had never done something like this before, but he’d studied enough magic during his time of incapability to know what he needed to do. Especially for what he wanted to do once he’d fixed the three pendants. He’d thought it all through the night before he went back to Ponyville and now that he was staring at the boxes, he could feel a slight feeling of pressure. It wasn’t unnerving it just felt slightly uncomfortable for the unicorn was all. Taking in a deep breath he performed his calming exercise, exhaling after a second. Once he didn’t feel the weight that had been suppressing him on his shoulders the bronze teen’s eyes became focused as he stared at the jewel boxes.
“Open them” he ordered his voice resuming that callous, calculating tone.
As he instructed all three sisters opened their respective pendant boxes and stood back, waiting, all feeling nervous by the sudden tension in the air.
“Alright” Vendetta said with his eyes closed. “I’m going to do it” he said looking up at them, when they nodded their consent the diplomat raised his left arm where the gold metallic wristband rest.
Focusing on the three separate boxes of amirant shattered pendants Vendetta opened his palm, placing it directly above the three boxes. Almost instantly he felt a small zap, a spark of light from his wristband then it started to glow a dark shade of red, illuminating the room as it increased.
Nothing happened save for the glow, that had started to pulse strong light then flicker weakly.
I’ve got to focus more, he thought concentrating harder, Vendetta could feel himself starting to sweat. The Alicorn Amulet glowed then several more sparks flew before it flashed the dark shade of red now encasing its glow on the three boxes.
“It’s working!” Sonata screeched a cheer of joy, but was silenced from saying any further by bother her sisters as they watched tentatively waiting to see the outcome.
The boxes shook, as the three separate fragments of ancient mystical siren crystal floated in the air, each pointing to their owners. At this point Vendetta’s slick-back hair had now started to flow freely as if there was a gust of wind playing with the unicorn’s hair, despite there being no such presence.
Just a bit more Vendetta thought, his arm growing tired having been up so long. The three fragments were each colliding, piece by piece as the pendants collided together they would reattach as if never broken, within two minutes the two pendants that belonged to Aria and Sonata were nearly done fixing themselves. Adagio’s however was taking much more time.
“What’s wrong with your pendant?” Aria whispered in her state of concern towards her older sister who was merely staring in both fear and amazement.
CLICK!
The two pendants were complete, instantly out of thin air straps forming a necklace appeared around the two pendants before they layed back down in their boxes. Adagio’s was still taking time to piece together.
“Hey what’s wrong?!” Aria shouted over the whirring sound that had now begun as the two pendants continued to glow not being released from the amulet’s magic.
“Why hasn’t Adagi-”
“Shut up!” the unicorn ordered his voice seething with venom, from the added pressure this was putting on him. “I am trying to concentrate” he stated.
Aria immediately kept quite having been surprised by the sudden demand and the ferocity in Vendetta’s voice.
Come ON! the alicorn amulet pulsed, growing brighter Adagio’s pendant immediately pieced together. But before Vendetta could return it back to it’s jewelry chest for the dazzlings to pick their pendants up, something happened.
All three of the siren’s pendants upon being fixed exploded in a force of light and power, knocking Vendetta into a seat a couple inches behind him which caused the entire chair to flip on it’s back. The siren sisters gasped as the blast hit them, knocking them back up against a wall and their pendants zapping themselves on their respective owners.
In that instant three glass windows shattered, the 60 inch plasma screen TV the dazzlings had gotten during their reign fell over and the door to their bedroom burst open, along with several cars outside automatically activating their alarms, and a few dogs had begun barking, all in one magical burst of power.
“It...is done” Vendetta said in a daze before passing out.
The dazzlings themselves were in a daze from the collision with the wall, but once things had died down and the magical presence was gone, everything went quiet.
Till the three sirens opened their eyes simultaneously, their eyes flashing a dark gold and their now fixed pendants flickering a faint glow, which faded within a matter of seconds.
The sirens, were back.
It took half an hour before Vendetta regained consciousness, his wristband no longer glowing and appearing just like a normal wristband as it had before. Turning his head he saw raspberry eyes staring at him, throwing him off guard the unicorn rolled off Sonata’s lap and fell on to the ground with a thud.
“You alright?” Sonata asked Vendetta with a slight giggle.
“Yeah, just dandy” he replied rubbing his head.
“That’s great” she said with a smile, getting up. “Now hurry up Dagi said she wants to talk to you” walking out to the front door.
It took Vendetta a few seconds to register what had happened to the place as it now looked a mess, broken glass was everywhere. Things looked like they had just been flipped for arbitrary whim, either way Vendetta didn’t stay in the destroyed living room much longer to figure it out. Getting up the unicorn walked out the front door, where he found the three siren sisters waiting for him downstairs near the building’s exit.
Climbing down the steps Vendetta watched Aria walk up to him, expecting a hit on the shoulder for launching them into the wall he reflexively put up his guard but it was in vain because all the purple siren wanted was a handshake.
“Thanks for uh...fixing our pendants. Sorry I gave you so much trouble also” the purple siren said her cheeks appearing slightly red by her previous actions. “I just uh...” she began muttering stuff looking away as her pendant gave off a small sparkle from the moonlight.
Vendetta merely smiled and took her handshake. “Don’t need to mention it” he said, much to Aria’s gratitude. Sonata had been hopping up and down with joy, simply overjoyed that her pendant was now working again.
“Alright girls” Adagio said having hung back in the corner long enough. “I believe we owe this unicorn our thanks” Adagio said with a smile.
“Ready girls?” she asked taking a step forward as Vendetta stood slightly confused.
Taking in a deep breath the three sirens sung a hum. Humming as softly as they could, but still having their voices resonate throughout the building. So melodic and soothing was the hymn that as it echoed many that were asleep in the same building heard the soft tune, allowing the siren sisters to sap some magic from almost the entire building. All except for Vendetta, who was smiling idiotically.
The three sisters looked at each other confused.
“Why didn’t it work” Aria whispered to Adagio. “Shouldn’t he have fallen under our spell?”
“I don’t know” Adagio whispered back.
“Oh but I do know” the same calculating voice of Vendetta replied. “You see” he said reaching to his ears taking out the earplugs he’d been wearing. “I haven’t heard a word you’ve been saying the entire time” he replied innocently.
Both siren sisters stared in shock, only Sonata stared in awe.
“Wow, you’re really good at reading lips” she said in both a smile and awe based expression.
“I try” the unicorn replied knowingly.
“Wait wait wait wait. You’re telling us that you’ve been holding these conversations this entire time by reading our lips” Aria asked in disbelief.
“Well no not really. Just till we got to your apartment. I’d reasoned that whatever reason you hadn’t returned was due to the curse or something bad had happened. So I decided to bring make precautions in case any of you tried singing. It’s as simple as that really, doesn’t take a genius to figure it out” Vendetta said his tone returning to normal.
The three sisters stared at the savior in shock. Sonata more out of amazement and Adagio simply because she’d been outwitted that simply baffled her.
Quickly regaining her composure, the elder siren stated. “Well now you’ve made a mistake, now that we know you no longer have earplugs in we can drain all the magic from you, especially since you have that stone” she said her irises changing color for a brief moment before returning to raspberry.
“No, no not really” Vendetta said calmly shaking his head.
“Yes yes- wait what?” Adagio asked, slightly bemused.
“You see I did some research and it seems that if you want to leave this world you’re going to need me since I’m the only one that can help you out of this mess.”
“And what’s that supposed to mean?” Aria said begrudgingly.
“I mean, I fixed those pendants. I can release the magic on them just as well as I fixed them” the sirens recoiled in horror.
“But of course I won’t do that. I don’t have the energy too. But” he stated upon seeing the confidence returning in Adagio.
“If you want to lose your pendants like you did before, whatever way that was. I suggest we do things in the manner I’m about to suggest” he replied calmly his smile returning.
Aria was about to argue but Adagio held her hand up for silence. “We’re listening.”
“Good” Vendetta said smiling. “The Alicorn Amulet doesn’t affect me like it affects others, I don’t know why it just doesn’t” he said in response to Sonata’s raised hand.
“But the amulet gives off negative energies in exchange for its power. Negative energies that don’t affect me, but they do affect you” he stated.
Adagio’s eyes widened upon this revelation. “Yes that’s perfect!” she said hitting her fist against her hand in success. Aria looked like she’d caught the drift of what Vendetta was trying to say but Sonata was still trying to grasp the situation.
Rolling her eyes Aria yanked her sister closer and whispered into her ear.
“OoooH” she said nodding in understanding, causing Aria to roll her eyes once again.
“Alright let’s do it” Adagio said her smile widening.
“On one condition. You three have to follow my advice when I offer it. Understood?” Vendetta asked, his own arms crossed.
Adagio took a second to think. But when she thought about this being her and her sisters only chance of freedom, she agreed.
“Excellent not here though let’s do it somewhere else. What time is it?” Vendetta asked.
Looking at her watch Sonata said, “2:40 a.m.”
Feeling suddenly alarmed Vendetta began speed walking towards the buildings exit. “We have to do this at the school. Now” he said pushing the girls out of the building.
“What’s the hurry?” Sonata asked as Vendetta shoved everyone out the door, picking up the pace.
“I placed a spell on my friend. If he wakes up before I can reach him and wipe out his memories of what I did and cover up any evidence of the device being used before Twilight finds out-”
“Twilight?” Adagio asked feeling her hatred returning.
“Then all of this will be ruined” he said ignoring Adagio’s rhetorical statement.
“Then what are we standing around here for. Get moving!” Aria stated, not desiring this once in a lifetime opportunity slip.
Now standing in front of the statue were four figures. Three of which wore glowing amarant pendants, the third wearing a gold wristband with a ruby colored stone embedded within it.
“Ready?” Vendetta asked.
The three sister nodded.
Plugging his ears with the earplugs once again he nodded towards them. Singing the three sisters let their voices resonate as best they could muster with the little magic they had attained from that apartment building. Vendetta in turn activated the Alicorn Amulet and let the magic do its work.
In a matter of seconds there was a flow of green mist poured out of the alicorn amulet, almost covering the entire front schoolyard till the three pendants began soaking it up with greedy desire.
Adagio could feel it. The magic, the sweet sweet negative emotions that the alicorn amulet was feeding them. It was so rich, and full of grief, suffering and pain that the feeling it gave her could almost be described as bliss. Adagio grinned as she could feel the same bloodlust radiating from her sisters as they soaked in their fill, eventually the flow was abruptly stopped. The mist fading after a few minutes giving them nothing else to suck up.
“What are you doing?” Aria asked with a growl. “It was working!”
“You don’t need that much power. Just enough to get you through the portal. Now go hurry before everything backfires” Vendetta stated approaching the statue.
“What are you-” but it was too late the unicorn had already gone through the statue and went to the other side where Equestria lay in wait.
With nothing but a deadpanned expression Aria, didn’t know whether to feel angry or surprised, before she could speak however Adagio had walked past her and entered the portal, also disappearing. With a shrug and disgruntled huff the purple siren followed after her sister. Along with an overexcited Sonata who jumped in as well.
*** ***** ***
Vendetta landed on the floor with a soft thud. The first rays of light starting to make it’s way up over the hill. Looking around carefully, the unicorn could see that it was still dark and that Twilight hadn’t been downstairs yet. Carefully getting onto all his hooves glad to be back in his body he moved forward, kicking something.
I grunted.
“Oh yes. Sorry my friend” he said apologetically.
My mind was swimming and I felt like a mess, if it hadn’t been for the kick I probably wouldn’t have woken up.
“Vendetta” I said blinking to clear my vision. As I did so the room became illuminated by the portal as three other figures shout out and fell.
“OW!”
“Hey! Watch it!”
“Silence!” a particularly demanding voice ordered and the other two voices hushed up instantly.
“You three get outside. I’ll explain things later” Vendetta said to the three figures.
One of them nodding I faintly caught the sight of orange hair, before the two others trotted towards the exit, down the steps and out the castle.
“So you did it huh?” I asked not bothering to hide my disappointment.
“You wouldn’t understand” Vendetta cooed trotting up to me and brushing his fetlock against my cheek, I knocked it aside as I slowly began adjusting myself to stand.
“I’m sorry about this Hailstorm” Vendetta said his voice cracking with slight emotion.
“...Yeah...same here” just as I was about to use what little energy I had left to attack a flash of light blinded me. Stumbling I tripped and fell on to my front hooves in a kneeling position.
“You won’t remember any of this my friend. This will all just be another bad dream to you” Vendetta said with a sad smile. “I can’t let you interfere with my plans” he said running a hoof through his hair to pat it back down he gave me one last sorrowful look before bowing his head and touching his horn against my forehead.
“I’m sorry.”
My head began to ache, everything went dark and the next thing I knew. I was out