//------------------------------// // Ch. 1 Override // Story: Of Sirens and Feathered Serpents // by TheronSniper //------------------------------// The sound of passing vehicles rumbling with their loud tires scraping the course street surface occasionally stirred the quiet landscape. A few pedestrians were walking their pets or exercising before twilight set in and the night claimed the sky. Street lamps flickered on and began to warm up their bulbs, casting illumination upon the darkening roadway with store display lights. By now, people were filtering out of restaurants and shops to head home for rest and sleep in time for a grueling Monday. Though not all were fortunate to have such a routine or a home for that matter, the less desirables often trudged the sidewalks with little to nothing else left in life to do beyond walking and talking to themselves. It was Sunday, and the new week ahead and few were ever energetic enough to comprehend the start after such a relaxing weekend. Mesmerized before a huge window of a classy cafe who showcased their food and sweets at the front window, the infamous Dazzlings pressed their faces against the glass as their stomachs rumbled and churned painfully. The wafting scent of cooking grills and wood smoked cuisine had attracted them once again to the entertainment district of the city, lacking the bits to get even a sample of the goods that taunted them on the other side of the barrier. Wearing their last remaining hoodies and jeans worn and stained from their homelessness, they were rather unkempt since their last job floored when it was bought out and new management decided to flush out every roster for new staff. Simple packaging and mailing for a small business had been their prior employment, and even Sonata could handle that rather well. They were on the verge of actually saving bits when the rug had pulled from under them. Now they were on their second day broke, dirty, and hungry to which none of the trio enjoyed in the slightest. They had already been a bit peckish before they were laid off, saving bits was Adagio's plan and that put them with eating cheap canned meals before that and their rent depleted it. Considering they had one can per girl for two meals of the day, they were already stretching their resources thin. That luxury seemed heavenly compared to their current situation. "Ohhhh! My tummy hurts." Sonata whined as she smudged the glass with hungry eyes and salivating lips. "By the gods what I'd do for that sandwich about now..." Aria's stomach gurgled by the temptation two feet away. Adagio maintained her demeanor and simply looked longingly at the attraction before them, she was still a proud siren even now that their gems were shattered. She couldn't bring herself to the same level as the other two, even if they were now technically human down to a fault. "Aaarrghhh!! I can't believe those pencil pushers got rid of all of us! We knew how to run our tasks and we weren't even being paid all that much either. What bright idea was it to do away for kids who'd need training!" the frustration in Blaze could only simmer as weak as she were from lacking real food for a few days. "Such is the way of humanity, inefficient and greedy that exceeds even the dragons. At least they burned you to ashes before leaving to their horde of gold and gems." Adagio answered at the one way they wished to have gone. "Mrs Frazzle Gleam always use to say I was the best taper upper she'd ever seen. No one could tape up boxes better than me... I miss her." the cerulean girl pouted as she slid down the glass to her knees with fatigue setting in. "I was impressed with how well we were doing, but like everything else it all comes to an end. In our current state, we'd have to probably get jobs as janitors as low paying as that is. Cleaning up after human waste and toilets... but it's all we have left to do with no bits left to leave this miserable city." Adagio growled for a moment before turning away from the glass. "Without our gems, we actually need food the humans eat to survive. Heck I'm tempted to eat my own fingers if this goes on any longer!" Aria shouted out as she departed from the window in fury and stood close to the black road. Dazzle frowned at the notion, knowing full well that the agitated siren would likely attempt that unless they resorted to crime. That last ditch way to make a living was appalling to her, but the hunger made her resilience weak and prone to such consideration. If it came down to it, they could attempt a couple vehicular thefts and steal a radio or two, but the threat of authorities on their backs was the hurdle that solely kept her from agreeing with that method to attain bits. In their fermenting mood, they hadn't notice a group of three young men chatting up their day's adventure heading their way from down the road. It was Flash Sentry with his band mates flanking him, Ringo and Brawley Beats who seemed to be enjoying the enthusiasm of the latest sport to come to the city just outside the city limits. They were freshly clothed from the day's exercise and rigors, bags under their arms containing paint stained clothing from the battles. "Man, who would have thought paintball would have been so freak'n awesome dude! Way ta go Flash! I've never felt so pumped to make some new tunes in my life until now!!" Beats jeered and pumped a fist in the air. "True man, I would have never thought such an intense experience could make the fingers ache to play the bass as if the notes flowed off the very tips." the prime dressed boy with ice blue gunners added as he played his favorite instrument in the air. "See guys! I told you Sunset was right to try new things, I mean sure the sports teams at school are nice. You can't really connect the sport to those ones, its just too much of a rush. We ought to thank her tomorrow when we show up, I'm sure she'll enjoy the kindness." Sentry chuckled as the few welts underneath his jacket and jeans still stung the nerves from the impacts. Brawley winced as a particularly swollen mark on his back flared up, "Gotta admit, the battle scars are worth it. I bet those Crystal Prep snobs wouldn't even step foot on a paintball field and we'd win without even... trying." the strap of his duffle bag scrapped over a reddened area. As Flash soon added to the remark, his eyes came across three familiar figures that were just finishing their admiration of Tito's Cafe. While the two boys that flanked him still continued the conversation, the hair styles and faces of the pedestrians soon pin pointed who exactly they were. He could not be any more sure of himself, they were the evil sirens who nearly enslaved the school to be their personal feeding ground. No one had seen them since that competition though no one really cared about them to consider keeping tabs anyways. Flash had a few pieces of his mind to say to them, even though the words were cold by now. They lacked the emotional backing they once had as the last few weeks numbed them. Each step closer, his heart beat harder as adrenaline pumped back into his system, they had hurt Twilight and her friends during the showdown that he remembered well. The fight between two magical entities and he no longer cared to shout at them anymore, the thought he tried to shake away and draw upon the grievances he had upon them kept failing him. More less the state the three singers were in denied the righteous justice, they were essentially bums who inhabited the drainage tunnels in the south side by the way they looked. 'I must be too tired from today to do anything, heck we played since ten in the morning and its already night. Though why do I feel so deflated? Shouldn't I have something still left to shove into their faces? After what they did?' he thought to himself as they drew ever closer to the girls. As his band mates slapped together for a high five after recanting the moment the three of them performed a base capture with the odds against them. Sentry still found himself placated and dull, the liveliness sapped away for an odd reason he couldn't pin point behind its occurrence. Their steady pace soon put them a few feet away from the singers, and their presence did not go unnoticed. Adagio being the first to caste her gaze upon them, though he was the only one to catch it being focused on the environment around them. He felt compelled to at least acknowledge them to an extent, maybe force the words he desired to say. Those entrancing magenta eyes locked onto his and he stopped mid step before turning to the once proud conquerors of Equestria. The other two stopped abruptly as Flash answered her wordless inquiry, "You three... your the ones that tried to cause trouble at the competition of the bands right? At Canterlot High?" he narrowed his eyes upon her. Instantly, all three sets of eyes were upon him with their still unworldly intimidation, "I'm tempted to say your the Flash Sentry, am I right?" the thick curly haired one asked with a stern grimy face showing no emotion other than her eyes studying him and his friends. "That's right, your... Adagio... Aria... and Sonata? Would have thought you three would have left the town by now." he answered with suppressed enthusiasm. He took note of their unclean and rather distraught state which meant they were under hard times by the looks of it, "Yes, but what we do is none of anyone's business, so be on your way boy... not like we're wanted anywhere anyways." "Whoa dude, ain't those the magical singing mermaids?" Brawley blurted out which earned a snarl from Aria that shut his mouth from further speaking and backed a step away. "What happened to you three? You look like your sleeping on the streets for the last week?" Ringo asked tilting his head as he examined them while still playing the air bass with his hands. Sonata rose to her feet and pouted in the most innocent way possible, "We lost our jobs, we have no home... and worst of all... we haven't even eaten for the last few days!" the defeat in her became palpable as well as the smell from their worn attires when she took a step towards them before her leader pulled her back. "Wow...." Brawley muttered. Ringo ceased his little act and brought himself to Flash's ear, "Dude, that's totally harsh even after what they've done. Starving man can you believe it?" Sentry whispered back, "I'd say they're lying but... I think we can all see and smell that they're telling the truth. What do I do?" Ringo shrugged with no offer to give, Beats however placed a hand on his shoulder as if he too knew exactly what he knew. He tipped his head to the cafe and padded the wallet in his pants pockets before pointing to his. The three boys had grown up together in rather peaceful homes, good morals and very intelligent parents who ensured they would know what to do for the less fortunate no matter who they were. For Flash, his mother had been the kind who vowed to haunt him in the afterlife if he ever left a woman in the rain without an umbrella so much as go without the basics of life. Though were there not places the three could go and seek shelter or had they truly been so vain as to not take the help? As much as he hated the notion, there was only one thing he had to do and he hated it. He just hoped it would be the only thing they did for the witches, and then be done with it so their lives would go on like normal. Just as the Dazzlings were trying to leave he spoke up with an offer, "Look Adagio! We may be at... odds here but no matter what someone does they don't deserve to go without food or water. Let us buy you guys some food at least, no strings attached and if I have to I'll recite to the manager that we're paying with no take backs." The girls froze on the step and snapped to the band as if they were a deer in a headlight, "Really!? Just like that? You humans are so predictable, you just..." Adagio nearly shouted before Brawley intervened. Using himself to stand in front of Flash, "Look, I have family in other states and just like you, they've done some stuff they regret. But does it seem so wrong to I don't know, give you guys some help at least? Its just not right man! Just not right..." The three girls looked to each other with hunger overriding their logical thought, making it hard to rally against the humans who were likely trying to deceive them in their disgrace. If the circumstances hadn't drained them of resistance, they'd have walked away and never looked back. They needed to eat soon or they'd suffer sickness with the accumulated mess that made them nothing more than mere beggars. "We have no other choice, we run and go on to steal for bits. Or get some food and let us think of what next to do. Its a long shot, but there are three of us and this world tends to trust the words of their females over males. I say we do it." Dazzle mumbled quietly to the others. A heavy fuel truck passed by as Aria wore the most surprised face she'd ever had since they had their gems destroyed, "Your kidding right..." her stare of disbelief stoned any emotion she once had. "I'm hungry! Come one!" Dusk complained holding her closed fists close to her face as she bounced in place. "No no no no... we don't and we can't trust them! They're Canterlot losers for crying out loud! Now all of the sudden they forgive us and want to buy our food for the night!" the ponytails she had were frayed and in disarray, the once brilliant stars that held them were tarnished and barely shimmered under the restaurant lights. "I lead this pod first off, but I'm being gracious enough to see what you two think. Worst comes to worse we take the bait and turn it upon them. Simple as that." the frizzy haired dominator weakly grabbed the collar of Aria's hoodie and did as much as she could to impress her rank upon her. For a moment, the reluctant siren seemed to resist before giving way and brushing off the clenched hand on her jacket. It was her way of casting a neutral vote as she turned away the a sour face of hate. That was all Adagio needed to stand and persevere what was to come, sauntering up to Flash and Brawley in as much of a sultry way as possible. Flipping her hair, "The generosity won't be taken at face value, remember that boy. We'll take you up on your offer and no more. So if we're done here, go ahead and take the lead. I'm curious as to what you'll allow for us to eat on your... budget." she held the air of superiority as they watched the boys nod and head out. "This is a big mistake I just know it." Aria mentioned before going into a silent mode. "We'll find out then won't we, but we need to eat because we don't have the bits for doctors visit so keep that in mind. With a little bit of food I can think clearly and find us a way to get some bits." the trio soon fell in tow at a relatively safe distance away. The Canterlot students journeyed to a place with a weird name that seemed appear as a mechanics shop, but the scent of fresh bread and spices was unmistakable. Gear and cog motifs decorated the western style exterior, rustic wood framed windows and doors gave the vanilla colored stone surface a pleasing contrast. The Dazzlings could see inside the warmly lit interior filled with clean tables and chairs hosting common condiments with adverts of specials. Black uniformed servers were busily cleaning up the slightly empty establishment as they neared closing time. "We'll get the food if you have no preferences, I'm not sure the owner would accept you three inside unless you... wash up first." Flash noted at the homeless girls to which Dazzle took no offense. "We're aware, now go and procure the meals. I'd like to still be alive and awake before you bring it out." she kept up her sassy attitude even though it could have caused the boys to cancel their charity. As they stepped inside, the sirens took the moment to sit in the outside tables the eatery provided. Their stomachs were at an all time ruckus and began to pull at the body to push the topic of hunger. Sonata rocked in her seat, licking her lips as she awaited patiently for the warm cooked meal they were promised. She cared not if it were tacos or a piece of bread, even a bag of chips would do for her. While Aria folded her arms across her chest still protesting Adagio's gambit, her right leg bouncing up and down as the heel of her shoe tapped annoyingly on the concrete. Adagio had been too exhausted to care anymore, though her brain was sluggish she still worked out where they'd try to apply for jobs. For the time being, they'd have to find a river and bath before any interview, use the land at the western side of the city where a popular place to frolic could serve their hygienic needs. Without their gems to give them their powers, their bodies were now flesh and blood that if left unattended essentially fermented. For a once illustrious creature of dark magic and talent, it was akin to being a rust proof aluminum ingot to an oxidized copper coin. How low they fell from taking over Equestria, then this human world, and now floundering in the mud like a mud cat. Her musings were taken away when the sound of the doors opening, and soon the scent of fresh sustenance still sizzling hazily passing over the girls. Each of them held a very large white plate of different dishes that ranged from artistic sandwiches to hearty burgers and a decent sized wrap, all served with a heaping portion of fried root vegetables and dipping sauces. It was everything their bodies needed and craved since they went on their forced fast, there was no hesitation as soon as the food had been placed before them. Though Sonata gave a very teary eyed gaze of unmitigated happiness and gratitude to Flash when he gave her the plump vegetable and chicken stuffed tortilla. In an instant before the forks and napkins could be given, the Dazzlings all dived into with savage eagerness. Fries and sauce flew through the air around the girls, "This place use to be a pretty popular mexican restaurant, but it suddenly closed and has been bought out twice since then. Old Bard here came here fresh out of college with a culinary degree and is trying to bring this place back to life, he knows how to price his food and portions pretty well." Flash explained. "Dude, I've never seen anyone eat like that..." Ringo commented quietly. The sirens ignored him as they feasted ravenously on the plates, seemingly inhaling the edibles without chewing much and drinking down the dips. Brawley carefully and meekly placed bottles of water for the three, earning a few snarls and hisses when he got to close to Aria or the others. It had been a rather interesting and disturbing scene to observe, Ringo could have sworn that the cerulean girl even bit her fingers a couple times in her haste through a few yelps mingling with sounds of ecstasy of eating. It left them speechless until not even two minutes later the girls were licking the plates clean, free of any food particles or smears of greasy juice. The girls sat back after placing the dinnerware suddenly and let out glorified moans of satisfaction, just in time for Bard to open the doors and inquire of the food. Seeing in such a short time the resturant specials were devoured, "Wow, you weren't joking... glad they liked the specials." "Ya, two days, guess they probably used public water fountains to drink. Thanks again for helping us, I'll make sure my parents send their friends over." The head chef chuckled, "Hey, I almost came close to where they are now so a little discount won't hurt this one time. Well you six have a good night, we'll be closing soon." With that Flash waved away man who soon disappeared back into the restaurant, leaving them to deal with the content sirens alone. "Dude, they need a place to stay. Doing this won't solve their problem. Don't you have that place in your backyard?" Ringo whispered to Flash as he insinuated the unused workshop shed his father built but never used after a horrible knee accident that left him wheelchair bound. If it were anyone else he'd agree and tell his parents to expect guests, though these were former tyrants of two worlds. Only now they were as vulnerable as he or a lone child with needs and care. Who was he to hold a grudge anyways, surely a few days couldn't hurt with powerless creatures of fables "Adagio, if you... if you guys need a place to stay. There's an air conditioned room back at my place in the back, you can stay there if you wish and leave when you want? I'm not sure where you guys were going to go after this, but just throwing it out there." the tragic case just seemed to yank at the three boys. With a loud unlady-like belch, "We were going to sleep under the highway again. But you humans tend to be predatory over defenseless females in isolated areas. Seems strange you'd be so nice to us all of the sudden, but we're not in any condition to refuse at the moment." she yawned as the meal began to kick in. Kicking himself at going this far for the former villains though something willed him to continue, "My fathers wood working shed in my backyard, use to make tables there and everything. There was an accident and it doesn't see any use since then, if it can get some use out of it then all the better right?" he chuckled nervously. The sirens relished in the warm afterglow of satiation, "Sounds lovely, we've slept in worse places for the last two nights anyways, certainly won't be assaulted while we sleep on your property will we?" Dazzle calmly stated as she reluctantly rose from the metal chair with the other two lazily following. "Then follow us, I'm going to be late for home anyways so I don't want to get grounded." he said with a sad tone as his crew rose as well. Both groups trekked for a time before they neared the familiar neighborhoods under the shining stars. For a moment, Flash found it nice to be out so late and not be distracted with upcoming tests and homework. The wide sky had its own little charm that he and the lads both appreciated, tiny white dots flickering and forming constellations he didn't know other than the more famously used ones in movies. Though his joy of stargazing had been thrown aside very rudely when a body pressed up against his speaking quiet words he couldn't understand. Though the smell of halitosis meant a certain someone took him for a convenient bed. Shortly the others soon found themselves as mobile carriages even as Aria simply fell softly to the concrete and tried to sleep. Though they were young men, it was an incredibly uncomfortably situation to handle even as they neared his backyard gate. They all kept their hands as far away from personal areas as humanly possible while supporting the knocked out girls. "Hey, over there quickly before my folks find us! I don't want to have to explain this to them just yet if I can help it" Flash whispered loudly as he quietly unlatched the lock. The two boys stumbled on the uncut grass which snagged their shoes occasionally, since his father had been incapable of walking properly Flash had been the designated lawn serviceman. Though the Friendship Games had distracted him from mowing and weed eating for the last week which he got off the hook for when Canterlot High had been declared the winner. Flash's home appeared as any quaint little family home with a second story for the bedrooms, only a few lights were one for security or where his parents were settling in for the night. The brick house still retained the clean freshly built exterior from proper care, and so far the front lawn was just as bad as the back. A tall wooden fence bordered their property having been recently built within the last year, obscuring the neighbors from watching the boys lug dozing women into a finely constructed workshop house. A dog or two heard them and began barking for a moment before giving up when nothing came towards their side of the fence to challenge their defensive nature. Sentry opened the lock and flipped on the lights, "Here, let me get the cloth out." as he gently set Adagio down. Ringo watched him withdraw a huge blue quilt from a large plastic bin, and than proceeded to lay the orange curled woman down onto the soft padding. The others were set down as well, all the while as the blue haired guitarist procured old rags to use as pillows and set them beneath the Dazzling's heads. Thankfully, his father never had the time to buy the machinery for his hobby or else the place would be crowded with potentially dangerous equipment which would land him in greater trouble if the girls were discovered. For now the rectangular shed hosted a long worktable mounted into the wall by the door that stood atop the storage bins his family had relegated the sheds new purpose for. Other than that, the place was rather barren with three windows and a work torch light over the table casting a dim yellow light for the three to see. "Man I'm going to need a wash after that, you sure you'll be fine? I didn't expect this to actually happen, kinda feel bad about it." Brawley asked subtly as their generosity became something all the more involved. "Ya, it was Ringo's idea." Flash answered annoyed. Shrugging his shoulders, "What kind of men would we be to leave such poor souls out on the streets as young as they are? You know that would follow us if we signed up with a record deal. I can see it now, 'Famous band left three young women found dead under I thirty five pass'." the British sounding student waved his hands in the air as if the headlines were above him. "The things we do for our future... well you guys can go on I'm heading inside for the scolding of a life time. Mom hates when I'm late and I can't just say, 'Oh I helped a group of girls down in the dumps, so they'll be staying in the shed for a while.'." "I'll help whenever I can, its the least I can do since my aunts who lead the same lives like them after their marriages gave out and their husbands took everything. Those pricks..." Brawley proclaimed as he firmly gripped Flash on the bicep to drive the point home. Shaking his head, "Guys look I'm tired from all this, we can discuss everything tomorrow that is if they're still here. Now lets go before we're even in more trouble than we are." Sentry walked out with the rest and turned off the lights for the snoring sirens. When the door closed, Adagio opened an eye and looked to the entrance which hadn't been locked. It was then that she wondered about who they had just trusted, people for the first time they were vulnerable without powers to defend themselves and no harm ever came. Here they were safe on someone's property and under surveillance likely, her pod actually bedding without worry of some stranger abducting them. The conundrum of the humans they gave in to were now something to analyze tomorrow when they awoke. Assuming the police were not called on them for trespassing, though such an idea seemed far too farfetched to believe. "What have I done..." she whispered softly before closing her eyes.