"Hm? Oh hi there, Sunny! Didn't expect to see you here!"
"...you seem awfully cheery to see me."
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"Well... for one thing, we... broke your pendants..."
"Yeah?"
"And we ruined your ability to use your Siren magic..."
"Mhm?"
"And we've essentially reduced you to little more than harmless teenage girls."
"And your point being...?"
"You're not even the slightest-- ugh, never mind. Can I sit down?"
"Sure, sure, go on ahead! This is a public place, after all, and I'm certainly not the boss."
...
"Comfy?"
"As comfy as one can get while sitting in the seat of a public restaurant..."
"Yeah... I knew I should've brought some pillows. Sitting like this for long periods of time is so not good for my caboose."
"...right. Listen--"
"Wait, before you say anything, I've been meaning to ask you something."
"R-really? What?"
"Cat or dog?"
"...excuse me?"
"Well, I was thinking of having a pet to keep me company when Aria and Adagio are doing something without me. Those were the only two pets I could keep in my head. See, if I choose a dog, he'd be all hyper and knock over stuff and make Adagio yell at me for not looking after it properly. I'm also suspecting Aria's a little afraid of them, too."
"Well, I, uh--"
"And if I get a cat, I could so use the opportunity to prank Adagio. I'd have to get it at night, though, just to show it the litterbox as soon as possible. And by "litterbox", I mean Adagio's hair. I'd put the cat on Adagio's head while she's sleeping and let it do its thing. From that point onward, it'd try and drop a deuce in her hair! It'd be so funny, but then it'd get sad because she'd get mad and throw the cat out. And I'm also sure Aria would try to eat it out of spite."
"...would she really do that?"
"Don't know, and I might not want to find out."
"Maybe you should get a ferret-- okay, wait, no. This isn't what I wanted to talk to you about."
"Well, it's what I was talking about. And a ferret sounds cool to have! I'd have to figure out what it eats and all that. Maybe if I teach it to like tacos..."
"Look... um...."
"Sonata."
"Sonata, listen to me for a minute. This is really important, and if you would just let me get it out, I'll... I'll leave you alone forever."
"All right, Sunny. But I thought we were starting to bond a little. I was even going to talk about how I was gonna name the ferret after my boob!"
"I-- wait, what? You... named your boobs?"
"Yeah! The left one's named Tweety and the right one's named Steve. I think they fit, don't you?"
"...okay, look, I'm just going to put this out here before this gets any weirder."
"Uh huh?"
"First off, where are the other two Sirens? How come you're by yourself?"
"Oh, Adagio and Aria? They're back at home... moping as usual."
"Moping?"
"Yeah! Ever since our pendant's broke, all they've been going on about is how they've lost their places as Sirens and how much they hate you and the other Rainbooms. Couldn't stand it, had to come here for some quiet. And then you came along! Yay."
"I suppose there's no way to get you to help me talk to them too, is there?"
"You could try. But I don't think you'd have better luck than I did. Every time I tried to cheer 'em up, all they did was say "Shut up, Sonata!" and "You're the worst!" Of course, they didn't say that exactly. Sometimes they mixed it up with some insults and some angry ranting. But still, you get the idea, don't ya? I mean, it ain't surprising for them to be killjoys, but today was just a bit much for me. Why do you ask, Sunny?"
"Well... I've been thinking."
"Yeah?"
"You said before that you knew all about me, right?"
"Yup-yup! And let me tell you. When I first heard it, my mind was blown in front of my face! Right now, you barely even look it. You're hesitant, kinda on the quiet side, don't seem like you're sure what you're doing is the "right" thing to do. And yet, when you were in charge of this place, you were queen. You were confident, you were sure of yourself and before the Rainbooms came into the picture, you were untouchable. You knew everyone's deepest, darkest secrets, knew the right way to make people do what you wanted them to. Oooh! It makes me all giddy just thinking about it."
"I-- that's not--"
"Now that I think about it, why did you do it? Why did you willingly give that all away? I just don't get it."
"It's not what I wanted."
"I can't imagine why not."
"It wasn't right."
"And just what "right"'s supposed to be to you?"
"I--... I don't..."
"I can tell you what it was to me. Right was absorbing the negative energy off of other people so we could sustain ourselves. Right was causing conflict and strive just so we could continue to keep our identities as one of the most threatening creatures in Equestria, and eventually, right was whatever Adagio told me and Aria to do. Wrong was Starswirl the Bearded banishing us to this place, and wrong was you girls destroying what little chance we had to keep ourselves. But what's wrong to us is right to you, and what's wrong to you is right to us. But all in all, things such as right and wrong are decided by the ones in control. Simple, right?"
...
"Which leads me to my next question. If you didn't face the big rainbow like we did... if you were only challenged with offers of redemption instead of being pushed to the ground and given a choice of either being assimilated or getting crushed by your own failure, would you have still turned? Would you have still eventually become a good girl, trying to suck up to everyone just so you could get off their bad side? Or would you still be the tyrant of this school, the living nightmare of Canterlot High?"
"L-listen, you--!"
"Ah-ah-ah! Might be a little too much to scarf down on your plate at once, Sunny. We've only got the rest of our lives to think that over, right? Enough about that. What did you wanna ask me?"
"...I was going to say that until they came along, I didn't know another way. I thought the only way was power and control. But when I was hit by that rainbow... it was as if a hole was being filled. I don't - shut it - I don't know a good way to describe it. It was like an epiphany of empathy, like I looked back on everything I did just to get my hands on that crown... and saw nothing but bad memories. I looked at it all, and found myself asking "Was that really me?". When I was in that crater, I felt so disgusted and so ashamed at myself. I was willing to destroy everything and everyone for the sake of a prize that wasn't even worth it."
"It wasn't?"
"In exchange for all that power, I was nearly corrupted by it. If it weren't for them, I would've lost myself."
"Eeek. All right, that's... you may just have a point there. I wouldn't want to lose myself-- oh, wait I did. And it was your fault."
"I--"
"Ha ha! Lighten up, Sunny, I'm just joking with you. So no offense or anything, but what was the point of that little story?"
"The point... is that I changed. And since you're still here, maybe I can help you and your friends. We took your powers. We broke your hands. Now, I want to lend mine, just like Twilight lent me hers. I want to help give you a push in the right direction, get you to see that maybe the magic of friendship isn't a bad thing after all. But I can only do that if you accept it."
"...you want us to follow in your footsteps? Become good little girls who see the best in the world and try to get what they can out of it? Live peaceful lives and not hurt anybody anymore?"
"Well...yes. If that's how you want to put it."
......
"...Sonata?"
"...oh, Sunny. If it were only that simple."
"What do you mean?"
"You've become such a white knight in shining armor, haven't you? Gone from running rough shot over people to trying to save 'em from themselves. Gotta admit, you've got some nerve asking me that. After all we did to you, you decide to hand over a dove and an olive branch. Can't say what Dagi and Ari'd think about it, but I have to say I'm pretty touched. If I had a choice in it, you would've been one of my best friends. As it is, that's not going to happen."
"I... I don't understand. Was Adagio forcing you to cooperate with her? I don't see how she could do that anymore without your--"
"Oh, no no no no no! It's not because of her. Heck, I'm kinda insulted that you said that, Sunny. Because if you ask me, and I don't wanna say this to be mean, because I love 'em both to death - but I think Dagi and Ari are kinda on the stupid side."
"...really?"
"Mhm! Dagi's always been a control freak. Trying to make sure everything goes her way in the most perfect order possible, always acting like she's on top of the world... kind of hypocritical for a creature of chaos and disharmony to have an attitude like that, right? And then there's Ari, going around and following her like a lost dog! She's the first one to complain about any possible problems Dagi might have in her plans, but she's also always the last one to actually think of one herself. It's always been that way up until the point where we were brought down from our clouds and sent headfirst into the ground, and now... they're upset because they didn't see it coming. They're upset because they didn't think we'd lose our powers a second time. I can't really say it's their fault, though. They don't see things like I do... like you and I do."
......
"Like I said, you were in our shoes once upon a time. You were cruel, arrogant, sadistic and ruthless to everyone but yourself--"
"That's not me anymore. I've changed now!"
"And that's very good and all. But does it mean that that side of you never existed to begin with? I mean, that'd be like saying there were no Founding Fathers just because they're all dead and gone. It'd be like saying the wars that this place has gone through were just a byproduct of our violent imaginations! No, it's never going to go away... and thanks to that, you have the ability to see both sides of the spectrum. You have an idea on how "evil" works, and you're in the process of learning just how "good" works. You don't have that worry of being chained down by code or morale or anything like that. It's what makes you special, a cut above the rest. And I absolutely adore it."
"...what about you? You said it yourself. You're a creature of chaos and disharmony. What would you understand about "good"?"
"Understand? I've been in the business for a thousand years, Sunny. I've had a lot of time to learn about the world I was banished in and the people who lived in it. The other girls kept themselves closed off, holding themselves high above the crowd as if they were already goddesses to be worshiped. But I opened up my heart. I allowed myself to meet and listen to the stories humanity had to tell me. There were tales of tragedy, sorrow and loss. There were tales of progression, happiness and comfort. But above all, there were the stories of resolve and determination. Despite everything I've come to hate about this place, the one thing I've grown to like is your ability to struggle through anything, even when the odds are stacked against you. Growing from sticks and stones to cars and phones, discovering how to use nature to your own advantage... I could go on and on about it, but the point is that I've seen enough from you all to understand both sides of the spectrum myself. Adagio and Aria can't do that and the rest of your pals can't do it. But you and I can... and that's why us being friends just can't happen. You're too good of an enemy to go to waste!"
"Excuse me?"
"It goes like this, Sunny. When you were a baby and figured out how to walk your first steps, you were excited, weren't you? Your parents were so happy for you, happy to the point where it seemed like you did a really awesome thing. But as you kept walking, kept growing up... it didn't seem so special anymore, did it? As far as feeding off negative energy goes, that was what it was for me. At first, I was so excited at starting that first squabble between that young couple. I was so thrilled when I made those group of children beat each other to death."
"Wait a minute, what?!"
"But then, after months and months of the same routine, it got old. Adagio and Aria never got tired of it, always whooping it up just because they just didn't like anyone. I grew tired of it, playing the same fiddle each and every day. At the same time, there really wasn't much I could do about it. At that point in time, even if I didn't need to do it to sustain myself, Adagio and Aria would've forced me anyway. All in all, it was just in our nature, just like a lion killing a gazelle. You might say it's wrong, but it's just what we did - even if it was becoming a repetitive dance. But then, it happened. Adagio decided it was time to hit the top of the pyramid and staged a plan to take over Equestria. You could probably tell at this point that I wasn't the most enthused, as it just seemed like a bigger version of what we were doing before. Boy, was I wrong! When we got it all under way... it was just... so awesome! Ponies clashing weapons against one another, striking each other down cluster by cluster, buildings blowing up and collapsing... oh, I can still hear the screams when the ones still inside them saw that their roof was falling down on their heads! Classic."
............
"It wasn't the best part, though. No, the best part was the confrontation we had with Star Swirl the Bearded! Adagio was all like "Old fart, go back home before your arthritis starts acting up" and Aria was all like "We can totally take some old geezer" and truth be told, I didn't really expect much from him, either. But when he started fighting... oh my God, it had finally happened! For once in my life, I finally got to put my power to good use, against someone who wouldn't just die right off the bat! He was so strong and so unmovable, just like a stone wall! I think that was the greatest moment of my life, taking on that old stallion. Sure, we might have lost and got ourselves banished here as a result. But, hey! The best things in life are fleeting!"
"I...I can't believe what I'm hearing. How can you talk like that?"
"Like what?"
"How can you speak about killing and war like you're talking about the weather?! And you... you were happy to make kids beat each other to death?! I-- you know, I was starting to get the impression that you were a bit more innocent than they were. But I see now I was wrong. You're a monster."
"Hey, now. Don't start talking like one of them, you're not! Even if you'd like to be. You may not have Star Swirl's power, nor do you have the amount of wisdom that he did. But you have potential. You have the ability. You have the opportunity to become like he was - a worthy adversary. Right now, you're in a deep sleep and trying to pretend that what you were never happened. But that's okay. Like I said, I have as long as I've got breath in me to wake you up. It's going to be a challenge, I'm going to admit. This world isn't exactly a gold mine for magic, and even if it was, neither of us can access it. At this stage, we're just two harmless teenage girls. But I'm sure I can get through to you just before either of our bodies stop. And once I do, I'm going to pull out all the stops. I'm going to hunt you down. I'm going to haunt you, make sure that you won't get past a day without thinking of little old me. And when I've had my fun, I'll kill you. Or, maybe I won't. Maybe when our hands clash for the last time, you'll be the one to kill me. It would be a nice way to go out, dying at your feet..."
"You'd... you'd really do that? Just put everything into... killing me?"
"It's what I do best. But for now, consider this an eye opener."
"Wait, what are you--"
"I really enjoyed this talk, Sunny. And I really hope that you think about what was said here. I'm certainly going to be thinking about it once I get back home. It'll be a great brain-filler along with those dreams of watching the light leave those beautiful eyes of yours."
"No, stay back! Get away from me-- ack!!"
"Thank you... for everything. I'll catch you later, okay?"
.....
.....
.....
.....
So... Sonata killed the other one?
wow. Cool.. story I guess.
5466028 Thank you!
That was a chilling confession. *shudders*
5466028 No. She just stole a kiss.
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/DatingCatwoman
I really like this Sonata. People have a tendency to regard Sonata as less evil than her compadres because she seems cheerful and stupid but there wasn't any indication that she had a conscience.
That was...
GLORIOUS!!!
5466111 Happy to hear it! I've read plenty of stories in where Sonata is protrayed as the one who gets the most sympathy, the childish and innocent one. As heartwarming as they are, it also gets a bit tiring reading the same old stuff over and over. There are some stories where Sonata is portrayed than a "less-than-pure" individual, but most of them seem so over the top it's not even funny.
5466111 oh wow i did not no thank you for telling me i was blind but you oepend my eyes thank you so much
That was interesting, to say the least. And that ending.... that was chilling...
I think my favorite aspect of this story is how it started innocent enough, talking about pets and stuff, and slowly warped into something much more sinister, with the reader (and Sunset) dragged along for the ride. Great job!
5466339 Mission accomplished! Glad you noticed that part.
5466361
It really made the story for me, that combined with a truly sinister Sonata.
5466480 The Black Jesus has noticed me. I am saved!
Why so serious, Sunset?
Huh. Interesting experimental piece, what with it being purely dialogue.
5467108 Thank you! Yes, it was an experimental piece and probably a bit risky to do just dialogue only. But I wanted to stimulate the imagination, leave actions and expressions up to the readers. In addition, I was feeling a bit lazy
What did Sonata do at the end there?
5467853 That, my dear friend, is left up to interpretation. Hope you've got a good imagination.
5467857 I have an excellent imagination.
Given their previous discussion and how Sonata plans to kill Sunset, I think she did something physical to cause her pain. But due to her monstrous nature it was something really bad, like a knife in her leg or something like that.
5467950 Heh. A simple theory, yet a very interesting one. Here, have a cookie!
5467958 Thanks! Have a moustache
5466119
A lot of fanon seems to miss or forget that Sonata is a villain and has committed villainous acts.
She is a bit of an earnest ditz and expresses an innocent sort of joy in simple things, but that doesn't mean she is not without cruelty or hate.
img0.derpicdn.net/img/2015/1/5/800316/large.png
Look at that malice! ^
vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/3/37/The_Dazzlings_put_their_hands_down_EG2.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width/640?cb=20141029093244
I am very pleased to see a story that addresses this while also maintaining what we've actually seen of Sonata's character in so plausible a way.
I am so happy to see a story with a different take on Sonata. It's gotten pretty boring having her immediately become a good guy with almost no build up in most other fics.
5469467 Glad you liked the new perspective.
Did she knock her out at the end? Hard to be a worthy adversary when you're dead, but easy to get the fix when you see the spark of life leave their eyes.
Niiiiiice.
I still ship it. Like, this only makes me ship it even more.
Interesting how the color scheme relates to the trope so well, too...
5471723 What Sonata did at the end is open to interpretation. Work that mind, reader!
5466111
Well, I do agree that there's not really an indication in the film she's got a conscience or anything (then again, up until the end of the first film, the same is true for Sunset Shimmer). The impression I got was that Sonata was just as evil as the other two, she was just so dumb and easily distracted that she was, by herself, utterly harmless. The Sonata in this story is a bit too calculating compared to her presentation in the film.
Not that that's a criticism, I just don't think it's necessarily more consistent than all of the "quick redemption" stories you see for her.
5473442 I can agree with that.
Truth be told, this is more or less my headcanon expansion of Sonata's character. I doubt anyone would expect her to be this Hannibal Lecter-style villain in the actual show because, hey, it's a kids' show and something like this would be way over the line.
5472089 Oh come on, I work my mind enough for my own stories
I think, and this is just me, that she did something to incapacitate her. Possibly stab her non-lethally, or something of that sort. Something vicious, but not deadly.
THAT.......... Is just all part of the act that sonata has in store. I wouldn't be surprised if she acts "normally" around aria and adagio all because she wants to rise above them someday.
5473859 That's certainly a theory to be worked with.
5473442 Oh agreed, but as alternate character interpretations Sonata as crouching moron hidden psycho-killer has the virtue of not going where just about everyone else is going with her.
Yes! Yes! Yes! The world needs more psychopathic Sonata!
...well this was different.
5477908 ...different in a good way, or bad?
5477916 Not a bad way. It's a valid interpretation of Sonata based on her behavior in the film, and certainly different from what I've seen. That said, it feels like you've reacted to the recent Draco in Leather Pants effect that's hit Sonata and rocketed in the opposite direction.
I have my own headcanon with Sonata, and seeing this unsettles me. But how you presented her, purely through dialogue, is very good, and I approve of that. You've taken the evil ditz and presented her as - and forgive me a cheap comparison - the Heath Ledger take on the Joker, where most people see her as the DCAU Harley Quinn. It's different, and not something I'd do myself, but equally valid to other viewpoints and perspectives. I don't hate it, but I'm not crazy about it.
For all the fandom fluffs her up, Sonata Dusk is a Siren. In the movie she was laughing along with them and grinning wickedly while she channeled her avatar. She willingly went for killing force on the enemy. For all that she is air-headed, she is over a thousand years old, and that's just going by NMM; we don't know how long before NMM they were banished.
You really did well, reminding us just what sirens do.
5509571 Thank you so much! I had those very thoughts in mind when making this story. Nice to see I haven't strayed out of touch.
Insufficient favorite buttons.
So, in other words....
Sonata: I am not in danger, Sunset. I am the danger.
Also, heads up; this particular style of writing intrigued me a bit.. in fact you might say in inspired how I went about with a current oneshot I had an idea for...
(Only writing wise. The story itself is not based on this, although kudos for your own unique interpretation on the character. )
This was really fun to read. Short, simple, scintillating. Dialogue-only stories can run the gamut for quality, but this was exquisitely done: there was no confusion over who spoke, but moreover it didn't clutter the conversation with overbearing amounts of fluffy details.
It's too bad they can't be friends! I'm surprised that Sonata would say such a thing - does she think emotionally bonding as friends would impede her ability to destroy Sunset when the game started in full swing?
This was sweet.
5509571
For wanting to kill them they stoped their attack when they saw them on their knees. That's not how killers behave.
10281464
Heya. It's the author of this story. I kinda lost the keys to this account and it's been awhile. Had to make a new one.
I dig this response to Sonata. I donno if you were trying to roleplay or not, but I dig it a bunch.