//------------------------------// // THE // Story: Aria Blaze: Throat Puncher // by Dubs Rewatcher //------------------------------// “That’s the science lab. Computer lab is in there.” Aria did her best to drone out… what was her name again? Sunset Shimmer? What a stupid name. Aria hated the sun. It was one of the few things that could cause her pain but couldn’t punch in the throat. She wrung her hands and walked a little faster. “Are you okay?” Sonata whispered, glancing down at Aria’s calloused fingers. Aria nearly stumbled when she looked at Sonata’s bruised throat. Sonata still sounded like her throat was coated with sand, and she winced whenever she swallowed. For the briefest of moments, Aria was tempted to tell Sonata about the burning and about the anger. Sonata had helped with these sorts of things before; maybe she could help now. Aria took a deep breath and opened her mouth to respond, but froze up. Nausea gripped her stomach. Looking into Sonata’s soft eyes, Aria felt a thick haze coating her brain, scrambling her thoughts. Sonata moved a step closer. “Ari?” “Shut up,” Aria spat, clenching her fists. “Oh.” Sonata looked down. “Okay.” Aria cursed under her breath, doing what she could to expend the burning in her knuckles. Maybe this tour guide will bore me to sleep, she thought, turning her attention back to Sunset Shimmer. She wore a ratty leather jacket and a gaudy purple shirt—she didn’t even deserve to have a real name. “We’re having a big musical showcase this weekend!” Sunburn Shooter exclaimed, pointing at a poster of a guitar on the wall. “The whole school is pretty much rallying around it.” ‘This is your chance,’ whispered the strange voice in Aria’s head. Her hunger came rushing back so quickly that Aria’s knees nearly buckled. It took a mountain of energy just to muster up a grin. She bit down hard on her tongue. What is wrong with this stupid body? Am I sick or something? “A musical showcase?” Adagio repeated, faking a gasp. “I’m sure since you’re new, Principal Celestia would let you sign up if you’re interested,” Sunrise Stepper said. She frowned and tapped her chin. “Er, Vice Principal Luna, actually. I think I heard that Celestia went home early today…” Aria forced back the hunger. They were so close to achieving their goals; she wasn’t going to let some imaginary voice take this away from her. She glanced at her unpolished nails—the most unassuming, ‘casual teenager’ pose she could think of—and said, “We have been known to sing from time to time.” “Hello?” Sonata said, rolling her eyes. She pushed her way into the conversation and continued, “We sing, like, all the time. It’s how we get people to do what we want!” ‘IDIOT!’ yelled the voice. Aria pulled back her fist to punch Sonata, but before she could swing Sonata jumped back, crashing into a locker. “What?” she asked, pressing herself into the steel. “What did I say?” “What you meant to say,” Adagio began, trying and failing to maintain her grin, “was that being in a musical showcase sounds like a great way to meet other students!” “Oh, yeah,” Sonata said, managing to nod and force a smile. “What she said I meant to say. That’s what I meant. To say.” Aria screamed and punched a locker, right next to Sonata’s head. It dented under her fist. Sun Spot gasped and took a step forward, but Adagio cut her off, stepping in front of Sonata and saying, “You'll have to excuse them. They're idiots.” In response, Aria scowled, while Sonata managed a smile. Silence overtook the group. As Aria massaged her hands, she watched Sonata cower and felt the slightest pang of… something ring through her chest. Was it hunger? Regret? She dismissed the thought—it was idiotic. There was no way that she felt bad for Sonata. If Aria hadn’t threatened her when she did, their entire plan would have been ruined. That girl deserved every bit of pain she got. She tuned back into reality just in time to hear Sunbeam Snorkle laugh and say, “Those are pretty!” before leaning in to touch Adagio’s amulet. Aria pushed Adagio out of the way and punched Sunlamp in the throat. She barely registered Adagio screaming her name as Sunset crashed to the ground, a pile of skinny limbs and fiery hair. Aria jumped on top of her. “What makes you think you can touch us?” Sunbeam’s words were lost in a coughing fit as she tried to comprehend what had just happened. Adagio grabbed Aria by the hair and threw her against a locker. “Aria, calm down!” “Let go of me!” Aria said, trying to wriggle free, both of her eyes locked on Sunset’s throat. “She nearly broke your amulet! She nearly ruined our plan!” “She didn’t do anything! The only one ruining our plan here is you!” Adagio tightened her grip on Aria’s shoulders until Aria squeaked out in pain. “I’m the leader here. You’re my pawn. When I tell you not to attack people, you listen.” Adagio’s words were like bullets, bouncing off the walls of Aria’s brain. 'No!' the voice screamed. Her breaths came out in growls, spittle flying from her lips. ‘Let go of me let go of me let go LET GO.’ Her eyes drifted from Sunset’s throat to Adagio’s and the strange voice roared over her own thoughts. ‘Punch her punch punch punch’ no STOP ‘YES PUNCH’ no no NO. Aria’s brain felt like it had cracked in half. Her thoughts screamed over one another—a riot of sound, scraping along her skull. It was as if an intruder had climbed into her head. She clenched her teeth, her eyes, and her fists. When a few moments had passed, silent but for Aria’s heavy panting, Adagio loosened her grip. Aria held back the torrent of curses pooling in her throat and banged her fist against a locker. The thoughts were fading, but slowly. Sunset had scrambled away at some point during Aria’s frenzy. Aria felt a burning heat in her knuckles—no one ever ran away from her. She wanted to beat that girl until she couldn't stand. “What’s wrong with you today?” Adagio asked, glowering. “Are you still upset because I woke you up?” Sonata managed to say. Her voice was barely a gasp. “No,” Aria said. “I’m fine. Just hungry.” “Yes, well…” Adagio murmured, pursing her lips. She sauntered away. “Keep acting out like this, and you can expect to stay hungry.” Tension flared through Aria’s arms. Her gaze fell on Adagio’s neck again—Stop! She forced her eyes down. She wasn’t going to do it, no matter what some weird thoughts told her. It was just a fever. She was sick, and her brain was freaking out on her. Nothing to panic about. And besides, It was like Adagio said: she was the leader. Adagio came up with all the plans. Adagio made sure they had somewhere to live. Adagio was the oldest. Adagio was the wisest. She had the best voice. They had all been raised and trained together, but the Elders had chosen Adagio for a reason. Without her, everything would fall apart. …Right? ‘She’s no leader,’ said the voice. ‘You’re better than her in every way.’ Aria shook the doubt away and forced her hands to go limp. She followed after Adagio. It took a few yards for her to realize that Sonata was walking next to her. “Aria,” Sonata said. “Talk to me.” Aria sped up, leaving Sonata behind. It’s just a fever, she thought. I don’t need help from an idiot like her.