> Outlast Dazzling > by Darkness Moon > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Opportunity > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- It's been months since the Dazzlings were defeated by the Rainbooms and their lives have not gone well. They had to sell some of their clothes and valuables; still, it was not enough. They looked to their last resort: Get a job. After all, in Cloudsdale, apartments were not cheap. In that sad apartment, sitting on a small sofa, were Sonata Dusk and Aria Blaze. Sonata was watching her cartoons, eating her last taco. Aria stood beside her, playing with a pocket knife. "Ari?" said Sonata. "What?" Aria said still playing with her knife. "It's late. I thought Dagi was supposed to be home," Sonata said. "Yes" said Aria, setting her knife aside to look at the watch on her wrist. Sonata stared at the small arm of her friend. "I thought you had asked Dagi to sell it?" asked Sonata. "Dazzle is no longer anyone to give me orders," Aria said. "B-but Aria ... we have no money," said Sonata. "Really?" Aria said sarcastically. Sonata put on an angry face with bloated and red cheeks when Aria turned to her. It seemed silly, but cute. "You're the worst!" said Sonata upset. "You are" said Aria with a bitter humor. "I do not want to live on the street because of you!" Sonata said. "Don't you dare blame me! Aria cried with a death glare. "The only culprit here is Adagio. Because of her, we have no powers! " "If you hate both me and Adagio, why are you still here?" asked a confused Sonata. That question was a surprise to Aria. But she recovered. "That's none of your business," Aria said crossing her arms and turning her gaze. "Tell me!" Sonata said, pulling Aria. "I don't care," Aria said, pushing Sonata. At that moment, the door opened, it was none other than Adagio Dazzle, who was returning from work. She saw just as Aria pushed Sonata. "Ugh! I can not leave them alone without them killing each other," said Adagio, upset. "She started it!" Aria and Sonata simultaneously said. "Anyway, if you're done, I have something to say," said Adagio. "What?" Aria asked. "We're moving again Dagi?" asked Sonata. "No ... for now," Adagio said. "Why now?" Aria said. "Let's say," Adagio smiled, "I got an opportunity at work," she said. "An idea they liked." "Really?" Sonata said excitedly. "I doubt it's better than the last idea you had," Aria said sarcastically recalling past events in the battle of the bands. Adagio death glared at Aria. "This plan will be different from that plan," Adagio said. "In what way," Aria answered. "This will work," Adagio said. "But what is your plan?" asked Sonata. "Well it all started in my office ..." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Adagio sat typing on her computer, and when she finished her documents she got up and went to print. Since the battle of the bands, Adagio had no choice but to take a job as a secretary in a newspaper company. It was not a bad job, but not so good; not enough to support herself and her friends. Worst of all was her boss. He was a fucking pervert, always calling for no good reason. When she got to the printer, she saw one of her co-workers, a journalist who was leaning next to the coffee machine. When the man realized her presence, he smiled politely. "Good morning," the man said. "Umm..." Adagio said reluctantly. "Problems with the boss?" He asked. "It would be new?" Adagio said. "I'm not surprised," he said "Mr. Magnus sucks." Adagio did not answer, she just wanted to finish her work. "Indeed," said the young man, "Here's the coffee you came for," leaving the drink. "Thanks," said Adagio indifferent sipping the coffee. "It seems the boss is not the only on cranky these days" he said. "Maybe I can help you," he said gently. "No thanks," Adagio said. "Oh come on Adagio," said the young man a bit annoyed, "I just want to help." "I appreciate that you do ... but I'm fine," Adagio said. "If that say so," said the young man starting to walk out. "It does you good to think so. There is always someone who care about us," and with that he left the room. "Pff, bullshit," whisper Adagio When she finished, she took her coffee and went to her office. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 20 minutes left, her shift was about to end, she only had to deliver some papers to someone before the following morning. But before reaching his office, she saw the man was in a hurry to leave. "Wait Mil-!" "Now I can not Adagio! I must go, but I will see you tomorrow! Take care!" he said, out of sight of Adagio. "Ugh! Men," Adagio tiredly said. She would not give in so easily, so she just walked into the office and threw it on the desktop. But having done so, the files slightly moved the computer mouse. The monitor light caught the attention of Adagio, and even more, mail he had received from his companion. "What is this? Why did Miles receive this?" Adagio wondered, starting to read the message: "September 17, 2013 From: 10260110756@mutemail.com To: milesupshur@gmail.com Subject: TIP / Illegal Activity at Murkoff Psychiatric Systems You don't know me. Have to make this quick. They might be monitoring. I did 2 weeks of software consult at MURKOFF Psychiatric Systems' facilities in Mount Massive. All sorts of NDA's I am very much breaking right now but seriously, fuck those guys. Terrible things happening there. Don't understand it. Don't believe half the things I saw. Doctors talking about dream therapy going too deep, finding something that had been waiting for them in the mountain. People are being hurt and Murkoff is making money. It needs to be exposed." "What the hell is Murkoff?" Adagio said. She left the office and went to hers, willing to investigate. "Let's see ...." Adagio said. "Here it is: Murkoff Corporation is a company, and current owner of the Psychiatric Hospital of Mount Massive." Thousands of thoughts went through her head; Murkoff was a very powerful company. Then she had an idea, if she could expose Murkoff first then Miles would reward her greatly, she thought of a life of luxury for her and her friends. "I can not do this alone. I must tell the girls," thought Adagio. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "And then I left the building" Adagio said finishing her story. "I still do not understand your plan," Aria answered. "Isn't it obvious? replied Adagio. "Let's go to the hospital." "But Dagi... The hospital is not far from the city?" Asked Sonata. "Hmm," Adagio said. "Prepare your things, we'll go to the psychiatric hospital in Mount Massive," she said smiling. "Did you forget that the holiday arrives tomorrow?" Aria asked. "Doesn't matters! We no longer live here, "Adagio said. "Now let's go" Each prepared her own backpack with the few belongings they had left. All were wearing their old jeans and hooded sweaters. "Ready?" asked Adagio. Aria and Sonata nodded. "Well let's go," said Adagio walking out of the door, followed by her friends. They left the apartment to take the bus to their destination. Not knowing what to expect. > The Hospital > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Dazzlings were headed to the madhouse of the massive mountain. "Traveling by bus is disgusting" Aria said. "It's the only way to get there, stop whining," Adagio said. "Luckily, no traffic" nervous Sonata said. Aria was a seat behind Adagio and Sonata, who were sitting together. There were other people taking the bus with them, but it was relatively empty, with empty seats everywhere. Adagio pulled from her pocket the letter that Miles had received. She did not understand why the 'client' did not write his name, but did not think much of it; she could find out later. If she could return Murkoff to its glory, then the only thing she lacked was her magic but she knew that would not be possible. Although Aria suggested taking the train, Adagio wanted to get there a few hours earlier, hoping she could come soon as the letter had asked. She had to admit she had not heard much on the asylum. Luckily she brought with her the letter from the informant and the information she had gathered. The madhouse of Mount Massive closed its doors in 1971 due to scandals and government secrecy, but the Murkoff Corporation open them again in 2009 under the guise of charity. The Murkoff Corporation had a long history of profitability disguised as charity, but never on US soil. She did not know what she thought she would find in this place, but it must be something important. The anonymous whistleblower seemed to indicate that there was more than it seems, no matter who would not let this opportunity pass. The bus slowly was left completely empty until only three mermaids remained. Suddenly, it stopped. "Sorry ladies, I can not take you any further" said the driver. No choice, they got out the back door. "Great" Aria said sarcastically. "And now that?" "Let's walk" said Adagio, starting to walk. "Awww, I don't like walking" Sonata said. "Ari, carry me?" "No. You have legs, use them" Aria said. "I do not want to!" said Sonata upset. "Carry me!" She jumped up onto the back of Aria. "What-?! Sonata! Get off me!" shouted Aria upset. "Quit it, you two!" Adagio cried, furious. "We're here," she said. On the other side of the mountain was the Psychiatric Hospital of Mount Massive. "That's the ugliest building I've ever seen" Aria said. It looked like a castle, but it was much more sinister. It had four watchtowers at each corner, a fence of barbed wire and concrete walls. It seemed that if they entered, they never would come out. "Girls?" Sonata call. "What is it?" Adagio said. "My phone has no signal" Sonata said. "What?" said Adagio confused. "Mine too" Aria said trying to find a signal. Adagio check her phone but had no coverage. "But the bus had signal" she said. "This is not normal" a nervous Sonata said. "Besides, I remember the radio the driver had on was failing" Aria said. "Perhaps mobile coverage suddenly gets lost a kilometer and a half from the hospital, and it's not a signal inhibitor thing" Aria said assuming. "You're both overreacting, we're far from an antenna is all" Adagio said. They stopped right in front of the entrance. "Now what?" Aria said. "Did you bring it?" Adagio said. "Here" Aria said pulling out a video camera and three batteries. "Perfect" Adagio said smiling. "But what are you going to record?" asked Sonata. "If we get in, that is" Aria said, looking at the gate. "Simply jump" Adagio shrug said. "What?!" said Aria and Sonata, surprised. "Are you crazy? It's got to be at least three meters high" said Aria upset. "You have a better idea?" asked Adagio. Aria's only response was to sit idly by. "I thought so, now help me up" Adagio said. No other remedy, they had to jump the fence. First Aria helped Adagio, who had to climb up on her shoulders. "You're heavier than you look" Aria said with effort. "Shut up and push me" said Adagio upset. Once Adagio could cross to the other side, Aria could help Sonata. When all three made it through to the other side, they saw a red car parked. "Whose car is that?" Sonata asked curiously. "That doesn't matter" Adagio said. Aria approached the vehicle. "Hey Adagio, isn't he from the place where you work?" Aria said. "What?!" said Adagio surprised. She ran to see in the rearview mirror of the car had a press card. "Miles" Adagio growled angrily. "that idiot is here!" "What now?" asked Sonata. "Let's go" Adagio said. Aria pulled out her camera bag and took a picture of the building. "This is the ugliest building I've ever seen" Aria repeated, grossed out. Sonata entered the control room and glanced at the assembled computer showing the many security cameras covering the building. Adagio look at the building, everything seemed deserted, except an open window. "I wonder if there is a guard here?" asked a confused Sonata. "It is" Adagio said looking around. "Come on" she said. They walked to the bottom of it. "It seems that also is closed" Sonata said. "There is a door" Aria said. Once entered, they felt a horrible chill. "We have to do this? This place scares me" Sonata said, hugging Aria's arm. "There is no turning back" Adagio said walking to the entrance. They walked in silence to the main entrance, the breeze of the night was so cold that made them tremble, despite wearing sweaters it was not enough to avoid the cold. They could see that there were numerous army trucks parked at the entrance. Adagio went to the door, while Aria and Sonata waited by the cars. "Aria?" Sonata call. "What?" Aria said recording everything around her. "Why are there are military cars here?" Asked Sonata. "How should I know?" Aria said. "Besides, I don't care." "If you are not interested, why did you come?" whispered Sonata. "I'm tired of living in misery, if what Dazzle said is true, and there is a chance to live in glory once again then I'm coming with" Aria said. "Damn!" Adagio said. "What happened?" Sonata said. "The damn door is closed, look for another way in" Adagio said. The three inspected the place, looking for an alternative entrance, Adagio check on the right side and Aria the left. And Sonata, she stayed with Aria. "You want to stop following me like a dog Sonata?" Aria said annoyed. "But... I'm afraid" Sonata said shaking. "Ugh!"Aria said. It seemed that the place was completely sealed, but... "Hey, I think I found an entry" Sonata said. "Where?" Aria said. "There!" Sonata said pointing to a window. "That's the window I saw before" Adagio said. "Well the door is closed" Aria said. "If we can even get through that hole"Adagio said seeing the only small entrance available. Below was a door with a hole. They had to stoop to enter, inside there was a marble fountain with some dry flowers around, there was also a door on their right. And a scaffold, right next to the window. Adagio went to investigate the other door, but it was also closed. "Closed for a change" said Adagio, upset and sarcastic. "It seems that the only entrance is through that window" Aria said. Then they climbed the stairs to the right, then left, jumped, then climbed the scaffolding, turned and followed the road more, left, and right, carefully and quietly walked along the edge of the window. "I see nothing," whispered Sonata. "It's really dark!" "Sonata, shut up!" Adagio scolded. "Aria, what do you see?" Aria lights up the night vision to see in the dark room. What she saw left her surprised. The room was in chaos, the overturned chairs, broken TV, and blood... blood?... "What the hell?! Why is there blood spattered on the floor? "Aria thought, feeling her heart speed up and her muscles stiffened at the sight. "Aria?" Sonata call. "Hey? What?" said Aria awakening from her trance. "What do you see?" Adagio said. "Dunked chairs, broken glass, and blood..." Aria said. "B-blood?" nervous Sonata said. "Stop joking" Adagio said, annoyed. "I'm serious," she said. "Look" showing the camera. Adagio approached to see if what Aria said was true, and it was. "Maybe it's better if we go?" said a scared and nervous Sonata. "I can't believe I'm saying this, really, but I'm with Sonata" Aria said. "No. We have been in this world for centuries, don't tell me you're scared of a little blood?" Adagio said mockingly. "I'm not afraid of anything" angry Aria said. "Prove it, since you have the camera, you will go first" said Adagio smiling. "Now? Where?" Aria examine every inch with her camera, peered around the overturned chair and saw a light source, which actually was light coming through a door left ajar. "Over here" Aria said, inching open the door. One after another, they moved toward the door, to the left was a grated door blocked by a few shelves of fallen books and files, and to the right there was a door, only some furniture and office equipment obstructing the aisle. They continued. The next room was free of blood and was lit, but no one was there. "At least this is not as scary as the other" Sonata said. Returning her attention to the room in front of them, they moved inside, Adagio closed the door behind her. The room was almost a replica of the other, but the difference is that this was completely clean. In a strange way, that only made it all even more creepy. Aria recorded everything with the camera, even captured an old painting of a robust but creepy man. She looked for a moment and, seriously, for a moment his eyes moved. Trembling, she moved away from her. Sonata, on the other hand, found something very interesting on the shelf. None of the books had titles on the outside, but she did not give much importance, and moved on. Adagio looked along the other wall, which had two windows with the curtains torn apart. And also the sound distortion of television caught her attention. Static emitting seemed standard, and honestly, she did not know. On the other side, there was a door on the right. "Walking" Adagio said opening the door. Going through the door as quietly as possible, they stepped out. Adagio look through the other side of the room, To her right was the previous shelf, and left more shelves and furniture. Although it seemed they could pass through the narrow, so they did and then they followed forward. In the corridor, they saw blood splattered. Not only on the floor, also on the wall. "What the hell is this place?" said Aria surprised. "Let's not waste time" Adagio said. They investigated other rooms that were different from the previous ones. They were very small. They had a office chair and the equipment was much more interesting. Adagio checked for information, under the table, on the computer, on open shelves. Nothing. She sighed in frustration that she could not find anything in this room. Aria and Sonata investigating the rest. "Aria, look what I found" said Sonata, holding up a battery "Hmm... seems to fit with the camera" Aria said taking the battery. "Nothing interesting, Let's move forward" Adagio said. She walked slowly, down the hall was a door directly in front of glass, Adagio tried to open it, but it was locked. Continuing, they had three options for progress. Sonata tried to open the door to her left without success. So… "Oh shit..." Aria said. The door to her right made a loud screeching noise like metal as soon as they entered. The vent above the room swayed from side to side ... and there was blood dripping from the ceiling... Of course. There wasn't much to see, only two soda machines, and a sign cleaning. "Now what?" Aria said. "There is no choice, we have to climb" Adagio said. "But... the blood..." said nervous Sonata. "We'll be fine, just help me up" Adagio said. No choice, they entered by ventilation. One side was blocked, and the other was to another room. One after another, they crawled through the duct. When they came out, they found another door that was blocked by debris. In front, a glass that made everything look blurry, but she could distinguish the downstairs lobby, or part of it. On the right, another door, which was her only option. The sign beside the door said "library". As Aria had the camera, she stood in front; she opened the door carefully, when she had it half open, she saw the body of a man lying on the floor "AAAHH!!!" they shouted terrified. They ran as fast as they could to take refuge in a corner. Aria looked out the door again, the bloodied, mutilated body of the man seared into her vision. Her camera's night vision freaked her out and she turned, trying not to get sick. "Aria! ... No fences!" whispered Sonata as she clutched Adagio. "There's nobody here!" Ari whispered in return. Adagio and Sonata followed behind since Aria was the only one who could see where they were going. She had to make a supreme effort not to cry out to discover the decapitated bodies. She stopped looking at the bodies on the ground, to go through piles of books on the floor. They saw another dead man the exact same way, the head had been split. The blood had accumulated on the floor as they found another man without head hanging from the ceiling! This seemed like the work of a butcher. The place looked like a maze of shelves, then... "Agh..!" Aria said breathlessly. "What happened?" Adagio whisper. But Aria did not answer, Adagio decided to take a look through the camera, what she saw left her petrified. A man had been nailed from the bottom to the top of an iron pole. From her neck to her back. Adagio turned and found Sonata's face of astonishment, even without seeing the camera she could see the silhouette of the man by window light. "D-Dagi...Can we go...?" Sonata said. "For the first time... I wholeheartedly agree with Sonata..." Aria said. "All right. Let's go. But we can not return the way we came, we do not know if those who did this are still here" Adagio said. "Ari... Find us a way out... please?" scared Sonata said. Looking around trying to find an alternative route, all she saw were heads on the shelves. The view of the camera began to fail, quickly changed the battery. Her vision came back, just in front of a door. "Over here" Aria said, trying to sound as calm as she could. Keeping her eye on the camera, she silently opened the door. The door led back to the glass room and she threw herself against the wall. Leaning against the door, Aria made sure the place was safe. To the left was the same pile of debris that had blocked the other side. To the right was an open area. "It seems to be is safe" Aria whispered turning off the night vision. They walked slowly, began searching. Sonata was next to Aria, holding her arm, and staying to one side watching the place. "As much as I want to solve this sinister mystery... I will not risk my life to find out. Although that money would have been nice"Adagio thought, a little upset. On the way there was not much to see, just as before, desks, chairs, a potted plant, and a few boxes containing documents that appeared damaged. And a double door they thought about trying to see if they were open. But they decided not to. Surely the doors were also blocked or locked. Which left them only one possible path, another pile of rubble, fortunately it did not completely blocked their way. One by one they entered, first Sonata, then Aria, then... "Little piggies!" A subject grabbed Adagio by the neck, pulling her back. Adagio cried out surprise ... What was this thing. Hers body was swollen and he had massive muscles, surpassing even that Bulk Biceps boy from Canterlot High. He pulled her body screaming behind them, and then tossed her back behind. "Adagio!" shouted Aria and Sonata frightened. "I'm fine! Get to the exit! I see you outsaide!" shouted Adagio running back behind. "Fuck! Let go Sonata! "Aria said grabbing her hand. "Y-yes" Sonata shaking said. They entered the nearest door. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Persued now by a deformed mastodon, Adagio ran back the way they came from and used the darkness to prevented him from seeing where she was going, even he faced with everything. Closing the door to take advantage, she arrived to the exit of the duct where they entered. She tried to reach the entrance, jumping even, the sounds of the door being battered in made her more nervous. Just as the door gave a big sound, she climbed up to the duct, all she heard were the sounds of the snarling monster's fury. She tried to get to the room where the soda machines were, but the sound of the door slamming stopped her. She panicked, following the canal, but she had nowhere to go, desperately hitting the fence, the sounds were getting louder. "Please..." Adagio whispered crying. Hitting the gate with her fists, she somehow opened the gate, but as it support her entire body she ended up falling. "Aaahh!!" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- On another side of the building, a hooded figure entered the asylum. "Let's see what hide those fucking sicks of Murkoff" whisper. > Whistleblower > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was the last day of school, all of Canterlot High had plans for the summer. In the corridors there were a lot of students talking about what they would do on their vacation. Even the Mane 6. "At last! I thought this day would never come" Rainbow said. "Don't overdo it, Dash" Applejack said. "I'm not exaggerating, who puts tests on the last day?!" Rainbow said. "I agree with Rainbow on that," Rarity said. "T-the good news is that we can now go," Fluttershy said. "And it's time for the super farewell party holiday!" Pinkie said out of the Rainbow locker. "What are your plans for vacation?" asked Sunset. "I'll go visit my family in Appaloosa," said Applejack adjusting her hat. "I'm going with my parents to a place called Mexico," said Pinkie Pie jumping. "I'll go with my father to a camp of extreme sports," said Rainbow excited. "I'll go with my family to Paris, which will give me a lot of inspiration for my designs," Rarity said. "And I'm going on a safari with my parents," Fluttershy said. "That sounds very exciting" said a happy Sunset. "Are you sure you do not want to go with one of us, dear?" asked Rarity worried. "Yeah, why not come with me and Dad? We got a place to practice motocross," Rainbow said. "Sounds great, but no thanks" said Sunset. "Are you going to stay here ALL summer?!" Pinkie said plunking down to Sunset. "Eh... yes" Sunset said. "Do not you get bored?" Applejack asked worried. "I'll be fine girls, anyway I have work" Sunset said. "Sounds boring" Rainbow said "A little, but seeketh how to entertain" Sunset said smiling. But her friends showed worried faces. "Girls seriously. I'll be fine," Sunset said. "Okay, if you say," Rainbow said. "If Sunny is okay, then let's go party!" Pinkie said happily. After leaving school, they went to the house of Pinkie to celebrate. Pinkie had everything ready, there were streamers and balloons everywhere, also pizzas, soda and cupcakes. And it was all set up in the living room. Rainbow and Applejack played video games and ate pizza. Rarity, Fluttershy talked of their plans. Pinkie ate the rest of the cupcakes. And Sunset ate the rest of the pizza. Honestly she wanted to go with one of her friends, but her boss asked her to stay this summer. She had never spoken to her work with her friends, she wanted to tell, but her boss asked her not to tell anyone. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Once the party ended, each went to her house. Sunset and Fluttershy went together to their homes, as they were in the same direction. "Were you serious?" Fluttershy whispered. "Eh?" said Sunset confused. "About not w-wanting to go with one of us" Fluttershy said. "Oh. Yes, but don’t worry, I'll be fine" Sunset said smiling. "B-but you might get lonely," Fluttershy said. "Since I've been with you girls, I don't feel like that anymore, Fluttershy" said Sunset happy. Along the way, they crossed over a bridge, and followed the river. As they continued, the river grew more and more, until it became a lake. "Well, here we part" Sunset said. "Take care of yourself Sunset, be careful" Fluttershy said hugging her. "I will, you too" Sunset said returning the hug. Fluttershy followed the path by the river, while Sunset followed by the bridge. Sunset Shimmer was on her way home, but her mind was elsewhere. Although her life has improved since the battle of the bands, she really wanted to go with one of her friends, but needed to work this summer to have enough money to stay, living alone was not easy. Sunset sigh with annoyance. "I suppose it's the most boring summer I've had, maybe I can visit Twilight. Oh right, she also went with her family. Since she transferred to Canterlot High, she's been adapting better than me, I'm glad it did not bother at school"Sunset said. And arrive, after crossing the river, she came to some nice houses around, there were freshly mown grass, in general, a very nice neighborhood; Simple but very spacious. In a small two-story house, of light black color, and with a small porch, lived the girl pony. His lawn was cut and the bushes too. She climbed the stairs to the porch, while looking for your keys in your pocket. "Home Sweet Home" Sunset said. She opened the front door, and closed it upon entering. The walls were painted a mint color, and the furniture was yellowish. She had a couch that faced the wall where a TV set with a game that Rainbow had given her; she also had some pictures hanging on the walls of her and her friends doing things together and a wooden coffee table in front of the couch with a red carpet laid under it. She left her backpack on the couch and up the stairs straight to her room, then opened the door. Like all the other rooms, the walls were colored mint. A white wardrobe with a mirror, pictures of her and her friends on the walls, a wooden bedside table with a laptop, a table lamp, and some books. The bed was colored wood, the pillows were purple, the quilt was red, and there was a small animal who was sleeping peacefully. "Hey buddy, wake up, I'm back" said Sunset approaching the animal. It was a little male ferret black with gray, pink ears and nose, with an orange collar with mint color gems. He awoke to hear the voice of its owner. "How are you? You hungry?" asked Sunset petting the animal. In response, the ferret gently bit her fingers. "I'll take that as a yes" Sunset said smiling, raising the animal on her shoulder. "Come on" leaving the room. Later that night Sunset was in the kitchen, making a good dinner. Spaghetti with vegetarian meatballs. For a while, when she first came to this world, had problems with the feeding this, because here ate meat. Of course, she did not know what it was at first, but when she found out, had difficulty eating, then she preferred to stay with his vegetarian food. When the spaghetti was ready, she took a plate of the cupboard and put it on the table, also took out a plate and a box of food for ferrets, when each dish was full, she walked toward the kitchen door and knocked. "C'mon Onix! Dinner's ready," with hand cupped around her mouth. The little ferret up on the table and began to eat his plate, Sunset sat and did the same. People think it's strange dinner with an animal on the table, but not Sunset. Onix has been her pet since the fall of formal dance. It was a gift that Fluttershy. Since Sunset was reformed, she help each of her new friends. One day at the animal shelter, Sunset goes with Fluttershy helps animals. Suddenly Sunset see a group of ferrets playing together, but one of them was away from the group, all were white, except one, who was black. Fluttershy told Sunset that ferret is special and unique. The ferret grew fond of Sunset and Sunset him; Fluttershy saw that connection, and decided to give him to Sunset. Since then, Sunset and Onix live together. Always with Sunset, either in a backpack or on her shoulder when she is sad, he gently bites her fingers playfully. Keeping him company at all times. When they finished eating, she picked all, keep the food in the refrigerator, took his plate and glass, and washed in the kitchen sink. She then made her way to her room again, with her pet on her shoulder. Then she sat in her chair and turned on her computer. "Let's see ... that's from my work," Sunset said reading an email. September 17, 2013 From: 10260110756@mutemail.com To: sunsetshimmer@gmail.com Subject: Work Dear Sunset Shimmer I regret to inform you that we will no longer work together. You've helped me a lot as my "assistant" software engineer at the Psychiatric Hospital of Mount Massive. But things I've seen are not of this world or any other. It is dangerous that you continue helping me. I do not want you to get hurt. I decided to reveal the truth. Just I wanted you to know, and do not worry, I've put a huge sum of money to your bank account, and will spend no economic problems. Forgive me for having to do this. It was an honor to have met you... Sunset Shimmer. Sunset did not know whether to be shocked or angry. She was completely in shock, she could not believe it. Suddenly, a lick on her cheek roused her. "Eh? Oh, sorry Onix," said Sunset stroking the animal on her shoulder. "It's just... I can't believe it." In response, Onix stroked her cheek with his nose. "Thank you buddy," said Sunset smiling. "But now I'm going to do?" she said. It was very strange that her boss would fire his right hand, when he told her would he would promote her. She opened a drawer of her desk, pulled out a USB memory stick which belonged to her boss, she had forgotten to give it back the last time they met. That contained all the information about their work. She knew this was wrong, did not want to invade her boss's privacy. But her curiosity won, she connected the USB and entered private files. She found a lot of documents, opened them one by one, and read. The Murkoff Corporation is a corporation, owns several asylums, where torture and secret scientific experiments make patients and sick. Founded by Dr. Rudolf Wernicke and Alan Turing, as a company that experimented with nanotechnology. But big investors and senior government officials bought the company, to host cruel experiments. "What ...?" said Sunset surprised, continuing to read. The years passed and the Murkoff Corporation was forgotten, continuing to work in secret under the madhouse of Mount Massive. Sunset could not believe it, the place where she worked, was a place of torture. "Now I understand everything, your boss probably could not hide it anymore and decided to confess. But these guys are true psychopaths, and would do whatever they were to keep the secret, even if.... "Oh no! They will kill him!" Sunset said nervous and scared. Shutting off her computer, she calmly got up, opened the closet and changed her clothes as fast as she could. Now her outfit was totally different, she was wearing blue jeans, black shoes, and a mint color sweatshirt. The little ferret looked worried. She took her old backpack, and watcher her pet. "Come on, I can not leave you alone," Sunset said. Onix jump with happiness to the backpack. She left the room and went to the kitchen to pack food for herself and Onix. Just in case. Also a video camera, and left the apartment. Sunset ran to his garage. She could not call her friends, it was too late, and they had their own plans. Came to the garage, and entered his car, a sporty bright red, once inside, she went out. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Two hours later she looked upon the Hospital Psychiatric of Mount Massive. It was definitely the scariest place she had seen, including in Equestria. She entered a private parking area, the place was completely deserted, hiding her car with two larger vehicles. "You better stay here Onix, I be back soon," Sunset said out of the car. She approached the barbed wire and from her pocket pulled out her knife and cut the wire. Once inside, she put on the hood of her sweater and stood a few meters from a door. "Let's see what those damned hide Murkoff" whispered Sunset serious. "Hold on, Mr. Waylon Park, I'm coming for you" going forward. > What are you doing here? > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sunset attempted to enter through a door that led inside. But it was locked, so she took her knife and tried to force the lock. Luckily she succeeded; when she entered, she froze in horror. There were five bodies everywhere. They seemed weak and malnourished, their clothes were dirty and torn, they looked like prisoners. Some of the bodies were fresh, one looked like he broke his neck, another had his intestines taken out. Sunset contained her urge to vomit, but it was hard, with great effort, she explored the place. "What the hell happened here?" Sunset said. Apart from the bodies, the place was a mess: thrown chairs, an overturned desk, and some papers. There were also some strange metal tanks which were perhaps some kind of gas. Examining behind them, she found another body, but this one was different, it was a security guard, and right in front of him was a battery. Carefully, Sunset bent down and took it. "Useable" Sunset said. "Now where?" She moved forward and found a corridor, on the one hand, there was a closed door, and on the other, another identical door, but it seemed broken. It was one of those automatic doors, but for some reason, next to it was a green light with an open padlock. Sunset took a deep breath and entered, not knowing where it would take her. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Having fallen through a duct, Adagio kept trying to find a way out, but the darkness of the place did not help, few red lights illuminating her path. She had fallen into a completely different place than where she was before. The corridors appeared to be an underground laboratory. Suddenly she heard screams of agony and the sound of an electric saw, which made her increasingly nervous. She had to find a way out, Aria and Sonata are exploring this horrible place full of psychopaths. After much walking, she found a room, or rather it was a cafeteria. Everything about it seemed like the other rooms, there was blood, guts, bodies, as usual. Suddenly she hears strange noises. She went to check and found a semi naked man, killing a patient with a saw. Now she understood the noises from before, seeing the man appear to get a piece of skin and devour it. Trying not to vomit, Adagio slowly backs away from the kitchen. If that guy found her, it would not be good. She crossed a bathroom that was next, at the end there was a corridor with rooms. There was no visible light, Adagio did not know where to go. Suddenly, she hears the sound of a saw. Followed by a voice. "I have to feed..." She quickly ducked and hid behind a desk. He peered over the edge. There was that cannibal. "I know you're close..." The cannibal had her surrounded, there was no place to go, Adagio began to mourn, closing her eyes tightly to wait for the end. She hears the steps again but does not hear the power saw. She opened his eyes and froze, a dark hooded figure was right in front of her. She could not see who it was, but she noticed a little light, looking at her with a camera in hand. "Aria...?" Adagio whispered. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "This place is suck!" Sunset thought, uneasy. After touring several rooms, Sunset began to discover more of her work. Murkoff was actually a corporation founded by Dr. Rudolf Wernicke and Alan Turing as a company that experimented with nanotechnology, but owning several asylums where torture and secret scientific experiments made patients sick. But big investors and senior government officials bought the company, to host cruel experiments. She found some files of an experiment called "Project Walrider". She didn't know what it was, but more she advanced, more she discovered, and also about her boss and friend, Waylon Park. When she came to this world did not know anything about it, one of the first people she met was Waylon Park. He helped her survive, have a home, and learn their human customs. Sunset never confessed she was otherworldly. Park began working for the Murkoff Corporation as a software engineer at the Psychiatric Hospital of Mount Massive. Sunset helped him with menial jobs for some reason, he did not give much information. "Now I understand everything Waylon" Sunset whispered. "You could not stand to see all these tortured people, so you decided to tell the truth, even knowing the price" Sunset thought. Suddenly she heard the sound of a power saw. "Shit! It's that guy again! "Sunset thought, hiding behind a door. "I have to feed..." Sunset did her best to remain silent. When she looked out into the hall, she saw someone hiding behind a desk. It was too dark to see who it was, but she used the camera and could see that figure had seemed to spot her, also seemed to be hiding from the subject with the saw. Sunset walked slowly toward her and saw that her eyes were closed and she was crying. Those eyes suddenly opened, Sunset could see her face but could not believe it. It was Adagio Dazzle! Leader of the sirens! They had not heard anything about them since the battle of the bands. "Aria..?" Adagio whispered. Sunset was shocked. Her friends are also here? "I know you're close..." The cannibal's voice was closer than before. Without thinking, Sunset grabbed her hand and ran away, followed by man. "MINE...! YOU'RE MINE...!" They ran as fast as they could, until they reach a door blocked by furniture, but with an opening on top. Adagio rose first, then Sunset. "I'll find another way..." Once safe.... "Aria! Where is Sonata?" Adagio said, catching her breath. There was no answer. "Why aren't you talking to me?" Adagio said, watching her. But she realized it was not as she expected. "W-Who are you?" Adagio nervously said. Sunset removed her hood and revealed her face. "SUNSET SHIMMER?!" said Adagio, voice full of hatred. "Keep your voice down!" whispered Sunset. An awkward silence drench, Sunset felt uncomfortable under the glare of Adagio. Until Sunset broke the silence. "What are you doing here?" asked Sunset. "What are YOU doing here?" Adagio said with venom in his voice. "I came to find someone" Sunset said. "And you?" "How is that any of your business?" Adagio said. "Look, I know you hate me, but there's a man out there who is eating human flesh, I propose a truce until we get out of here" Sunset said. "Truce? With you? I don't think so" said Adagio crossing her arms. "You want to stay here and face that cannibal?" Sunset said. "I do not need you" Adagio said. "I think you do, I have a camera so I can see where I'm going. A moment ago, you said Aria's name, you separated from your friends? "Sunset said. Adagio did not answer, only looked annoyed. "Both of us can look for your friends. Let me help you" Sunset said sincerely. Adagio thought. As much as she hated to admit it, she could not go out there alone. "All right. But once we get out of here, I do not want to see you again. Got it ?!" Adagio said. Sunset nodded nervously. "Okay, where do we start?" said Adagio serious. "Over here" Sunset said. To her right was a door. The sign said "crematorium" and Sunset opened the gate and entered, followed by Adagio. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aria and Sonata had escaped the ugly fat man. Now they were in the lobby of the asylum. "Aria? What do we do now?" Sonata said crying. "Let's find Adagio and then leave this place" Aria said. "Are you sure? What if that guy found-" "Hey, calm down" said Aria, kneeling beside her. "We are talking about Adagio, surely she ran to another part of the building. We will find her. But I need you to calm down, okay?" "Okay, where do we go now?" Sonata said a little quieter. "Let me see" Aria said, looking around. "Over here" she started walking. The lobby did not seem quite as messy as the rest of the place. It was a room filled with computers and papers on the floor, as they go they discover a lift to the upper floors. A wheelchair lying next to a large pool of blood, and footsteps leading into the basement. Next door had a map of different parts of the first floor: Security room, electrical room, library, recreation hall, cafeteria, and chapel. The only one who could go, would be to the electrical room. "C'mon Sonata" Aria said. "I-I'm scared to walk" said Sonata nervous. "Calm down, nothing can be worse" Aria said. Suddenly, the power goes out. Sonata hugged Aria's arm, who turn on the night vision, and behind them came a damn big guy. Fast but silent, they hid behind nearby furniture. Once the misshapened, fat man left, Aria leaned over. "Be careful" whispered Sonata. "I know" Aria whispered. She wait for a few minutes. "I think it's safe" Aria whispered. But she heard other footsteps coming. "Do not move" Aria whispered hiding. She watches as a man came up from the basement, but there was something different about him. He did not look like the rest of the patients. He seemed "normal" although it was hard to tell. She remember that the electrical room was downstairs, maybe this man was trying to turn the lights on again. "Ari?" whisper Sonata. "Wait a moment Sonata" Aria whispered. After about 10 minutes the lights came back. The man climbed back up and turned to the right, toward the security room. "I didn't think, I was right" Aria said. "That thing?" Asked Sonata. "Did you see that guy and that thing from down in the basement?" Aria said. "No?" replied Sonata. "I think he's like us, a sane person who is trying to get out of here" Aria said. "But, what is he doing here?" asked Sonata. "I do not know" Aria said. "You think it's the guy Adagio works with?" Sonata said. "I doubt it, but maybe it is" Aria said. "And we do now?" asked Sonata. "We will follow him, and get out of here" Aria said. "But what about Dagi?" Sonata said. "She is also heading for the exit, we'll all be fine" Aria said. "Okay" Sonata said. They came out of hiding, and on the right, they saw an intern had located the mystery man. "That bald man took him" Sonata said. "What we do?" she asked, taking Aria's hand. "Follow him. Come on" Aria said walking behind them. > Stop Blaming me! > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sunset and Adagio came to the crematorium. Some of the crematorium ovens were open, and a few were on. Sunset found a hole in the back wall of an oven. "Over here," Sunset said. "Are you crazy? You're kidding, right? "Adagio said. "You just have to turn it off and go," said Sunset, turning off the oven. Once the oven was cool enough, they followed the path until they reached the other side. They parted trying to find a way. On the one side, Adagio entered an area where they kept the bodies. And Sunset entered a kind of chapel. But there was no way out. "Now what?" Adagio said, annoyed. Sunset looked around trying to find another way. Luckily, she found one and started climbing up a pipe that had broken loose, possibly to a gas leak. "Over here," said Sunset, up the stairs. Adagio had no choice but to follow. As they climbed over pipes and boxes, Adagio kept looking at Sunset in disgust. Of all people, why her!? Being with the cause of her loss of magic sickened her. Because of Sunset, they had fallen into total poverty. It was her fault they could not feed on magic. If it was not because I needed to leave, surely she had struck her. Her thoughts were cut upon seeing Sunset stop. "Now what?" Adagio said. "It's impossible to keep going," Sunset said trying to find another way. "There," she said pointing to a conduit. "I will not go there," Adagio said. "You have a better idea?" asked Sunset with an annoyed tone. Adagio did not respond. "That's what I thought, I'll go first," said Sunset entering the canal. Adagio followed. The conduit was not very long, the only option was to go down. Now they were in a dark corridor. Sunset lit the night vision and advanced. They passed through corridors and rooms, hoping to find a way to find a room with a few shelves of books. While trying Sunset sought a way out, but breathing and grunts Adagio, not the left. "You want to stop making so much noise?" whispered Sunset, upset. Adagio did not realize that her anger was so intense that she had made loud noises. "What do you care what I do?" Adagio said angrily. "If you make noise, we'll be found by that cannibal," Sunset whispered. "Well, let him come and eat you. I would call it a favor "Adagio said, deeply annoyed. "What the hell is wrong with you?" Sunset was upset. "I know I'm the last person you want to be around, but it should not bother you much," she whispered. "It shouldn't bother me so much?!" said a furious Adagio. "Shhh!! Shut up!! "Sunset whispered frantically. "Because of you, I lost everything. My magic, my voice, my life! "Adagio cried. "You can't blame me. You did this to yourself, "said Sunset. "You're saying this was my fault?!" Adagio said. "Yes! Your fault! I'm sure you're the one who decided to go to Canterlot, who wanted to steal all the magic. Only you wrecked you! "whispered Sunset, upset. "NOT! If you had not intervened! If you had not helped your stupid friends..." Adagio trailed off. "And what did you expect me to do?! Stand idly by while your friends take over the school and destroy my friends?!" Sunset asked furiously. "Yes!" Adagio said. "If it were not for you, w-" Sunset did not resist anymore and slapped Adagio. "Shut up now! I was not the one that banished you here! Your hunger for power is what ruined you! And by yourself, you condemned you and dragged to your friends too! The fault is yours! So stop blaming me!" shouted a fuming Sunset. Adagio was silent, replaying the scene of their fight and Sunset's involvement. "You…" Suddenly the sound of a power saw was heard. It was getting closer. "Move," whispered Sunset, darting forward. But she stopped when she saw that Adagio did not follow. "Adagio?" called Sunset. "Fuck yo-" "Hello, meat!" The cannibal appeared before them and pounced on Adagio. With the faint light of a window, she could only see the eyes and mouth of the cannibal. "You are mine. Forever…" Adagio was too paralyzed by fear to do anything. She could not believe this was the end. And all she could think was what Sunset said to her. She was right, it was all Adagio's fault. She felt the power saw get increasingly close, about to touch her... But Sunset intervened, pushing the cannibal down and knocking over a bookcase in the process. She took Adagio by the hand and ran. "Feed me! Feed me! Feed me..." The large man threw his saw at Sunset and grazed her arm. Even through the pain, Sunset ran. They ran as fast as they could, jumping by dodging desks and office furniture. They managed to reach a narrow hall and fortunately the cannibal could no longer follow. "Agh!" Sunset said, holding her arm. Adagio saw Sunset's arm was bleeding. "Why?" asked Adagio. "Eh?" said Sunset. "You could have let me die," Adagio said. "Yes. I could have done that. But I didn't," Sunset said. "Why?" asked Adagio seriously. "Out of pity??" "No. because I'm better now" said Sunset, serious. "What the fuck do you mean?" Adagio was confused. "I will not just let you die. Not when there are people who need you," Sunset said. Adagio said nothing, she still did not truly understand what Sunset meant. "Right now there are two girls trapped here also looking for you, you can't die when they need you as much or maybe even more than you need them," Sunset said. "Stop fooling stupi-" "Maybe you want me dead, but I'm not you. Like it or not you survived and I plan to get you out with your friends," Sunset said. "And then what? We forgive you for what you did?! "Adagio said. "Don't care. You just have to live with that," Sunset said solemnly. "Live with your past mistakes. Now, if you do not want to die pathetically in this fucking insane place, follow me," she said, heading forward into a bright room. Adagio only clenched her fists and followed Sunset, her words in her head. They entered the room: another room where everything was broken. They went ahead through yet another door. They found another series of hallways, but the walls seemed to be some kind of plastic. On one side, there was a glass door to the exit. They walked through it. Now they were on the outside. They went down some steps. Outside was no better than inside, everything was covered in fog, even with the camera's light, Sunset could not see anything. They walked down the outdoor patio with fog to reach that part of the building. Again they heard the power saw. "No. No! You were mine!" Both watched as the cannibal peeked out from one of the upper windows. "One less problem," Adagio said, noticing that he could not follow. "We must continue," said Sunset, walking. "You coming?" Adagio stared at Sunset a while before catching up with her. "Yes," Adagio said. "Good" said Sunset, moving forward. Avoiding more encounters with the man-eater, they faced their next road: it was a striped door. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aria and Sonata took two hours touring the asylum, trying to find the man they saw before, or to find Adagio. "Aria, I'm tired," Sonata said. "Don't stop, not yet, keep going," Aria said. Along the way they found some batteries for the camera. They also toured the cellblock, avoiding any encounter with others. One of the cells had a hole overlooking the next floor below. They went down, but did not have many options to go. The stairs took them to an empty room with some lockers, but what was in the fourth was blood. The floor was full of red liquid and on the walls strange symbols and confusing words. "Walrider? What's that mean?" said Sonata, confused. "I don't know, and I'm not sure I want to find out," Aria said. "Come on." They moved farther and ended up in the prison showers, there was not much to see, only scattered broken floors and lockers. They also found another hole in the ground that led somewhere. "I don't know if I want to go there," a scared Sonata said. "We have to go, we must find Adagio, and also we can not stay stranded in one place for so long, do not want more encounters with that damn big fat" Aria said. They entered the space with no alternative. Unlike the other hole, it was very tight to move. Still down they went without knowing where it would end. At last, they came to a collapsed brick wall, passed, and ended up in sewers. "I don't like it here, it smells really bad," Sonata said with disgust. "Yeah, I know, also I do not see anything," said Aria, night vision lighting. They walked through different tunnels, some were blocked by rocks and others with corpses. Sonata could not see anything, and tightly gripped the arm of Aria. It looked like a maze that had no end. Until finally they reached a light part. It seemed distant and some boxes were in the way. "This does not end," a tired Sonata said. "Calm down, nothing can be worse than this," Aria said. Suddenly the sound of a knock was heard as if something heavy had fallen. "What was that?" Sonata said nervously. Aria adjusted the camera and looked for their stalker. "SHIT!" Aria said. "What?" Sonata said. "It's the fucking fat!" Aria said. "WHAT?!" Sonata said. The fat man was running toward them, but they were struck by fear. "Aria! What we do?!" scared Sonata said. Aria kept going, trying to find a way out until she saw a hand was pointing to some stairs down. "Who's there? Come out!" "Come on!" shouted Aria. First under Sonata and then Aria, they continued to fall away from the ugly fat thing. > The Sewerage > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- After escaping from big, fat man, Aria and Sonata were now in yet another completely dark sewer, with only the night vision from Aria's camera for orientation. There were bodies hanging from the pipes, but they managed to find another ladder, only this time it went up. They climbed carefully, the place now was light and could see better, but were still in the sewer tunnels. "We must find a way out of the sewer," Aria said. "O-okay," said Sonata nervous. "Shut up. We'll be fine," Aria said, taking her hand. On one side was a striped door leading to another culvert, but this was closed. "Over here," Aria said, pulling Sonata and going in the opposite direction. It was a large hall, but luckily it was lit up. They moved forward. "I hope Dagi is okay," Sonata said. "She'll be fine," Aria said. "How are you so sure?" asked Sonata. "I just am," Aria said. "But she's out there alone. And if she's..." "Don't say it," Aria said in a firm tone. "But it's true... she is alone," Sonata said mournfully. Aria did not want to admit that Adagio could be dead. She was trying to stay positive, for Sonata. "Maybe she is not alone," Aria said. "Eh?" said Sonata confused. "Maybe she met her co-worker, he'll protect her," Aria said. "R-Really, you think that?" asked Sonata. She didn't, but if she could reassure Sonata even a little, it would suffice. "Of course. But we have to look for them. Okay?" Aria said. "Okay. Where do we go?" Sonata said more quietly. After walking for a few moments, they came to another large pipe, but this was blocked by huge rocks. There was also a gray door on their left. "Over here" Aria said. They investigated and found what looked like a storage room, there was a gap in front with a mattress, as if someone lived here. Luckily, there were stairs that lead the ladies down. "C'mon, Sonata," Aria said. "I don't want to get lost" scared Sonata said. "We have to try, we-" Aria said pulling her arm. No choice, they fell again to another culvert. The water had a reddish color, it surely blood. In front of them, a pair of signs pointed in different directions. Male Ward and Female Ward. "We should go to the girl's side" said Sonata. "Fine" Aria said. But unfortunately, it was closed, so they went on the other side. As they went, bodies were hanging from the pipes. Some of the intestines looked like they had been irrigated with water mixed with blood. They moved past as swiftly as they could, even if it meant they had to swim through some of the water mixture; finally, they found some stairs leading up. Luckily, there was no more sewage, now they were in a room with boxes and broken furniture, they walked up to a series of tunnels. But the more they advanced, more they were lost. "Where are we?" asked Sonata. "I think we're close" Aria said. The termal tunnel stairs and in the end .... More sewage. "Oh shit" angry Aria said. "I don't want to be here, it smells really bad" Sonata said, covering her nose. Aria inched to see that there was only one way to go, thankfully there was light, they followed the road until they ran out of light. The cries of suffering men could be heard, as if they were being dismembered. Aria lit up the night vision and followed the cries. They came to another path, much like the previous one. "Haven't we been here before?" asked Sonata. "It seems like it. But this one is a little different from the before," Aria said. They climbed the stairs together, meeting other tunnel's hall. "Now what we do?" "The Male Ward must come out to the main floor somewhere," Aria said. The next path went right, down another corridor. This lead to some metal tables and overturned beds that blocked the path ahead. "We're stuck again," Sonata said. "There must be another way out," Aria said. Examining the place, Aria found a small entrance behind a piece of iron furniture. "Come, help me," Aria said pushing the cabinet. "Okay," Sonata said. Between the two of them, they managed to move the object, unblocking the door. They entered and saw a prisoner whose head had been shaved with his arms bound and his eyes and mouth bandaged. He seemed unaware of their presence. Since Sonata was scared, Aria took her, leaving through a door. They ended up in another hallway, they moved, entering another room, finding nothing; they went another way, a corridor with stairs going up, locked by a door. They were walking for hours, from room to room, aisle by aisle. Until they found a vent to another room. It was a huge hospital room with beds surrounded by curtains. There were bodies and blood everywhere, the place was infested with bugs and rats; it was sickening. Aria luckily found a vent to yet another room; They climbed and ended up in a room where there was a sleeping security guard. They ignored him and moved on. Walking between rooms and corridors, they find a laundry area and an elevator that could go up. "We have to get in," Aria said. "But Ari..." Sonata said. "It's the only way Sonata," Aria said. "Okay," Sonata said. Once inside the lift, they went up to a kitchen, but could not get out. The door would not open. "But what...?" Aria said. The elevator rose again, at least one floor above. When the gate opened, they found themselves in one of the many rooms like where they had been before. But this looked different. "Where are we?" asked Sonata. "I do not know, and I do not plan to stay," Aria said. At the end of the room she saw a door. "Let's get out of here," Aria said. Sonata rushed to her side, taking her hand; Aria did not seem to be bothered by this. She knew Sonata frightened easily, and now be in a place like this, she was probably scared to death. She opened the door slightly to make sure the coast was clear. It was completely dark, and right when they were about to leave.... "Here we are, then..." They quickly retreated. The lights came on and they could see two people, one of them looked stranger, obviously another sick person, bare from the waist up, but the other one looked different. "Thanks so much for coming by. We'll begin your consultation in a moment, I'll just need a second to wash up and... Oh ... home movies! ... And it'll give us a chance to talk. " As the sick looking man washed his hands, they saw another man in a wheelchair, a man with normal clothes. Aria managed to see the wheelchair man carrying a camera like hers. Could he be the coworker Adagio was looking for? "You know... I'm a bit worried how much time you've been spending with Father Martin, I know..." the sick man walked away from the wheelchair man a little before he continued talking. "I hope you haven't been letting him confuse you with his holier-than-thou bible thumping." They watched the man with the normal clothes look around while the sick man walk toward him with a long object. "No offense to the man, but I sometimes worry he might just be a little bit... crazy," he said and walked away again. "It's understandable, people get scared, they're as like to turn to God as anything else." Aria and Sonata now recognize the objects as instruments of torture were more for threatening than for test. "God died with the gold standard. We're on to more concrete faith now. You have to rob Paul to pay Peter, there is no other way. Murder in it's simplest form, but what happens when all the money is gone?" He walks away again. Sonata thinks she can hear the wheelchair man breathing hard. "Well, money becomes a matter of faith. And that's what I'm here for. To make you believe... " They watch in horror as the sick man puts short pliers to one of the wheelchair man's fingers. Aria and Sonata turn to avoid seeing the man cry out. "You paying attention?! Don't pass out on me, there's still a lot for you to absorb." Sonata covered her ears to avoid hearing the poor man suffer. "There. Better now, right? Do you understand what we achieved here? We made the consumer into the means of production. This thing is going to sell itself!" In the end, the patient was leaving the man alone. They watched the poor man leave the chair, hurry to the sink, and fill it with blood and vomit. After taking his camera, he left the room. "A-Aria..." scared Sonata said. "What is it Sonata? Shut up, we will get out of here," Aria said, stroking her hair. "We must continue, but do not get away from me, understand?" Aria said. "I don't know if I can…" "I know you can. Nata, you can do it, please..." Aria said pleadingly. "It's been a long time since you called me that" Sonata said, smiling a little. "I know," Aria said, smiling a bit too. "Stay with me. Okay?" she asked. "I will," Sonata said. And with that said, they left the room. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sunset and Adagio roamed outside the prison yard, the fog did not allow them to see well even with the camera it was unfortunately difficult, but there seemed to be no alternative nearby. They continued to finish in the prison block. They had been walking for hours; Sunset was looking for a way out, but was concerned that Adagio did not say a word since they escaped the cannibal. They ended up in a confined space, there were some stairs up. "You have to climb," Sunset said. Adagio did so but said nothing. They climbed to end up in another courtyard, surrounded by a maze of gates, full of fog, they continued to advance until finally reaching a basketball court. "At least they can work out," Sunset said. Again, Adagio said nothing. Sunset began to worry about how far they had walked when she saw a ladder into a control tower. "Come on," said Sunset, followed by Adagio. They walked around the court until they could reach the staircase leading to one of the control towers. They walked through another maze, ending in another tower. Again they went, and found a back door inward. "We must go back," said Sunset about to open the door, but stopped when she saw that Adagio did not follow. "Adagio?" called Sunset. Adagio was on the railing of the tower, gripping the tube with a deadpan look to the horizon. For Sunset, it had been too much distance traveled since they last spoke, but the siren had not said a word. "Listen, I..." "Don't say it," Adagio said. "Don't do it." "But…" "You were right. It's my fault. I myself was condemned to this world and I dragged my friends into it," Adagio said. "And now I brought them to this hell," she said. "They will be fine," said Sunset, moving a little closer. "How do you know? There is no way they have survived," Adagio said. "I just know. Plus, they're your friends, I'm sure they're out there looking for you," Sunset said. "I do not see why they would," Adagio said. "Because you need are their leader. I can see that you are like a big sister to them," Sunset said. "You really think they're looking for me?" asked a doubtful Adagio. "Of course," said Sunset smiling. "Thank you, Sunset," Adagio said with a small smile. "If you do not mind me asking again, why did you come here?" said Sunset. "To get into what I do not care for: another stupid plan," Adagio said. "What do you mean?" asked Sunset. "I read an email from a colleague, a stranger us sent to investigate here. I thought I could get good money for exposing this company," Adagio said. "I know," Sunset said quietly. "What?" Adagio said. "The person who sent you that email was my friend. Waylon Park," Sunset said. "Are you sure?" Adagio said. "Very sure. And now he's out there trying to survive. Like your partner. What's their name? "Asked Sunset. "Uphsur. Miles Upshur," Adagio said. "Then you have to find him. And your friends too. Everything will be fine," Sunset said smiling. "And your friend too," Adagio said, smiling back. Suddenly, Adagio looked at Sunset's injured arm, she tore a piece of cloth and approached. "What are you-?" "Don't talk" said Adagio, bandaging her arm. "Better?" "Better. Thank you," said Sunset happily. "Yeah, whatever" said Adagio, looking away, blushing. Sunset smiled at her reaction. "We have to go" Sunset said. "Okay," Adagio said. When they manage to enter the prison tower, they advanced to find a control room with a broken radio. "What we do?" Adagio said. "Let's get out of here," Sunset said. Both went, continuing to advance until they reach a striped door. They entered and found some letters written on the wall that said, "Down the drain." "We must go down," Sunset said. "You ready?" she asked. "I am," said Adagio sure this time. They went down, but this time, prepared for what would come. > Outside of the prison > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aria and Sonata hid under a bed, waiting for a chance to advance. But the doctor kept walking. After waiting for an hour, finally no noise is heard. "I think he’s already gone" Aria whispered. "I do not want to leave" came Sonata’s frightened whisper. "If we stay here, he’ll catch us. We must follow" Aria whispered. "Do it for Adagio." "F-Fine" whisper Sonata. Both got up and went up to a ventilation duct by the door. "I hope that this subject will not find us" whisper Sonata. "I hope so too, but he seems to be more interested in that companion of Adagio." "What was his name?" asked Sonata. "I don't know, Adagio never said. I think it was Upshur, or something like" Aria said. Once they reached the end of the duct. They ended up in another dark hallway and to her right was an unlocked door. "Come on" Aria said. Suddenly they heard steps and hid behind a wall. Then there were voices "Aw, buddy. What are you trying to do? I gave you a chance, didn’t I? Didn’t old Rick try to give you a hand? Well, I can’t help someone who doesn’t want to be helped. You’re fired." Once it passed... "Let's go...!" Sonata whispered slowly. They moved through the rooms of the place, being very careful not meet the doctor, Trager. They found another duct and went up. Aria climbed first. Sonata was missing. "Oh, come on, we're not safe yet..." Quickly, Sonata pulled herself up, before he saw her. "Don't stop" Aria whispered. They followed the canal, ending up in a bathroom. They found a destroyed door with something sharp. They went on a little longer, not knowing where to go now. "Aria?" Sonata called. "Stop bugging me Sonata, let me think" Aria said. "Am not. And it’s not that. There is an elevator," Sonata said. "Where?" asked Aria. "Out there" Sonata said, pointing to a dark hallway. They went to the elevator and tried to turn it on when they found it. "It doesn’t work" Aria said. "But the lights say that it does" Sonata said. "It must be stuck on something" Aria said. "What shall we do?" asked Sonata. "We have to go down" Aria said. "But how? No stairs here" Sonata said. "Then here" Aria said looking at the elevator cable. "WHAT ?!" said Sonata surprised. "It is the only way Sonata, we must go, we can not stop here" Aria said. "Okay" Sonata said. Both went down the elevator cable. When they got to the end, they saw what stopped the elevator. The body of Richard Trager. "At least we can breathe calm, a little" Aria said They entered another room, taking the only possible path, following corridors to rooms to walk down stairs Then they found another narrow path, just wide enough to enter. Once inside, they were in another of the thousands of offices and out another corridor, went ahead a door blocked by wood obstructing his path. "Over here" Aria said. After two hours of walking, they ended in a dining room. "What smells so bad?" Sonata said. "It smells like wet wood" Aria said. "But this wood is black as if it had a fire" she said. They went straight on to end up in a kitchen. On one of the tables were fingers and mutilated bodies. They left the kitchen, the hallway was dark, could distinguish only light at the end, they followed until finishing up a huge corridor, the main entrance to the elevator. "Ari? Look" Sonata said, pointing to her back. Aria looked in that direction to see a huge gate with a red sign that read "Exit". "This is the end!" said a happy Sonata. "It is" said Aria, surprised. "Come on! Dagi should be waiting" Sonata said, pulling Aria's arm. "I don't know Sonata, but yes, we must leave" Aria said. They left the building in the dark, cold night. Suddenly it began to rain. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sunset and Adagio were down the drain, visiting rooms and offices. "This place is making me sick" Adagio said. "Me too," Sunset said. "I can not believe what they do to these people" she said. "Don’t you find it strange that we have not seen any women?" asked Adagio. "You're right. There are only men here" Sunset said. "Mad Men and sickness" Adagio said with disgust in her voice. "Listen. Perhaps they were not when they arrived; maybe some of them worked here" Sunset said. "I'm surprised that you work here" Adagio said. "I told you I was not working here! I work at home, for a person who worked here. They never wanted to bring me here, and now I understand why" Sunset said. "What kind of work did you do?" asked Adagio. "It was his assistant, kind of, like a software repairman" said Sunset. "I did not know you were fond of computers" Adagio said. "A bit. I like them. I must seem like some kind of nerd" Sunset said. "I don’t think you look like a nerd" Adagio said sincerely. "Thank you," said Sunset smiling. Then she saw…. "Look!" she said, pointing out front. Both saw a door that said “Exit”. "Is it possible...?" Adagio said in shock. "Come on. Maybe your friends are waiting for you" Sunset said. "But..." said Adagio. "What’s up?" Sunset asked worriedly. "What about your friend...?" asked Adagio. "Maybe he is already out" Sunset said. "Come on" she took her hand. They ran to the door to get to the next room, a reception area. On the right was a corridor with the same sign, but the door was blocked by a locker. "Damn!" Adagio said. "I thought we had it" Sunset said. "Now what?" Adagio said angrily. Luckily, there was an alternative way. It was very dark, but it was the only option since the other side was blocked by chairs and lockers. "Over here" said Sunset, motioning forward. They walked down the hall, everything was very dark, their only guide was Sunset's camera. At first the hall was filled with open and empty lockers. Later, another passage with a single path to the left. "Follow me" whispered Sunset. "I hope this time we can get out" Adagio whispered. Suddenly pungent gust blew and they heard what sounded of steps. "What was that?" whispered Sunset, looking back. Then she heard a roar. "Oh no..." said Adagio in a panic. Recoiling back, she looked at the camera Sunset held. It was the same monster that separated her from her friends. Who was walking toward them. Annoyed. "What is that...?" said Sunset, confused. "RUN!!!!" Adagio cried pulling Sunset by the arm. They fled the huge variant, jumping and bumping some objects, but soon they were down the road all the same. "Now what?" said Sunset exhausted. Adagio try to find an alternative. Bingo! "This way!" she said, jumping from a window and pulling Sunset with her. They avoided another encounter with the patient called Walker, they left the building, reaching the roof of another. Then they fell to the floor of the inner courtyard. "What was that?" said Sunset in shock. "The same eyesore that separated me from Aria and Sonata" Adagio said. "That fat thing separated you from your friends?" asked Sunset surprised. "Yes. I thought that was following them. I think I'm wrong" Adagio said. "Well, we're at least outside" Sunset said looking around. "Where are we?" asked Adagio. "We are in the inner courtyard of the building. This place is quite large, finding the exit will not be easy" Sunset said. "Thanks for the encouragement" Adagio said sarcastically. "Sorry" said Sunset with a wince. "We can't argue about it here, we must continue" she said moving forward. The darkness of the night was horrible. The place left them shivering, not only for the climate but the environment around them. They walked forward, avoiding any sound they heard. They continued until a grid covering an entire power plant. There was an entrance to the building to their right, but the door was locked. "Is everything locked in this cursed place?" Adagio whispered in annoyance. Sunset stared at the door when she saw someone move. A man, two meters tall, black hair, and wore fingerless gloves on his hands. She focused on him more, it seemed that the subject was wearing a wedding suit. "Sunset?" called Adagio. "Eh?. Oh. It's nothing. Let's keep going" Sunset said, walking. They continued around the courtyard, but there was nowhere to go. Or so they thought until an electrical control tower came into view. Once inside, they closed the door. This time, they had two halls to choose from. "Where now?" Adagio said. "I don't know... Adagio. I do not know" Sunset said, turning off the camera. > Ghosts and The Groom > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- After leaving the outdoor patio, Aria and Sonata roamed the land in the rain. "it is good that the camera be antiwater" Aria said. "I can't see anything" Sonata said, taking Aria by the arm. "Me neither, the thunders barely lets me see a thing" said Aria. The rain was terrible. Luckily, they found a small hut which had many tools. It was perfect to take a break, and to avoid the worst of the cold. "Ari, I'm cold" Sonata said shaking. "I know, but there's nothing here to warm us up" Aria said. "But-" "We must continue, there is no time to stop" Aria said. Before Aria could continue, she felt something heavy on her. "What the…?" Sonata was the something holding her. "Hey! Let me go!" Aria said. "Please..." whispered Sonata. "What?" Aria said. She looked up at Aria's eyes with her pleading. "Please… Just a second..." She was about to cry. "Uh..." Aria said blushing. "Fine, it's fine" she replied. And so they were for a while, silent for approximately 10 minutes. "Sonata" called Aria. "Sorry" she said. "I'm sorry too, sorry to be a nuisance to you" Sonata said. "You are not a nuisance to me. Without you, I would have gone crazy in this place" Aria said. "Why are you being so nice to me?" Sonata asked curiously. "You're always picking on me and hitting me" she said. "Sometimes you make me angry, and your stupidity bothers me" Aria said. "But... that does not mean I don't need to worry about you... you and Adagio are the only things left that I... I do not want to lose" Aria said blushing. "That's the nicest thing you've ever said to me!" Sonata said, happily bearhugging the stronger Aria. "Y-Yeah," Aria said, still blushing. "You ready to go back outside?" she asked. "No. But we have no other options" Sonata said. "True. Are you okay?" Aria asked. "Better when I'm with you" Sonata said happy and innocent. Those words put more red on Aria's face. "All right. Let's keep going" Aria said, separating from Sonata. Sonata took her hand, which did not seem to bother Aria. They opened the door and continued on their way. They continued until a wall. On the wall was written in blood: "How alive are you?" Thunder echoed through the night, and for a moment Aria saw in her camera the black silhouette of a person, but it seemed to be floating. "Aria..." called Sonata nervously. "I know, I saw it too" Aria replied. "Do not fall behind" said. They advanced, following the figure for 20 minutes. They tried to find a way back inside, but every door was sealed. They continued walking, jumping, and climbing objects for an entry. They came to end in the administration unit. "We're close" Aria said. "I hope so, I can not stand anymore rain, I'm sick" Sonata said rubbing her nose. "Me neither, but okay, at least no sick haunts us" Aria said walking. They walked around the building trying to find a door or window, being very careful indeed not to be seen by some patient-variant. If that happened, it would not be good; they could kill them... or worse. The bright side is that Aria found many batteries for her camera; they wouldn't know what to do without it. They followed and they wandered around without success. They jumped a gate to the main courtyard, the thunder was her only illumination. They found a passage that appeared to lead them inside. "Here it is, we just have to find a way to get there" said Aria relieved. "Ari? You hear that?" called a nervous Sonata. Suddenly, a strange sound was heard, they seemed to be steps, but there was something heavier, as if it were dragging a chain. "I do not want to find out" said Aria, her hand pulling Sonata. Once on the other hand, saw a straight path, with steps at the end, they moved forward ... but a thunderbolt fell close, illuminating the stage in front of them. There was the big fat variant. Chris Walker. "RUN!!!!!" Aria yelled, retreating. Now they ran back down the same path as before, until a kind of stage. Aria thought if she could go around, they could return to where they wanted to go. They made it and went down to a rock wall with a hole at the bottom they could crawl through. First Sonata, and just when the fat varient neared, Aria came out. They go and... Thanks to Celestia!...they got rid of the fat. "We... We did it?" asked Sonata, exhausted. "For now, luckily the monster is too potbellied to get us" Aria said, equally exhausted. That caused a little laughter in Sonata. Aria smiled. "What do we do now?" Sonata asked a little quieter. "Search for Miles in the women's pavilion" Aria said, rising from the ground. "I thought you did not want to look?" said Sonata confused. "Yes, but as you said earlier, maybe he can help us. Besides..." Aria trailed off. "You also have faith that Adagio will be with him?" asked Sonata. "Yes..." Aria answered seriously. "We'll find her, but we must continue" Sonata said. "Okay" Aria said, her arm taking Sonata. "Let's move" They reached the women's pavilion, tried to enter the door without success. Then they went through the yard: in it, there was a fountain outside the madhouse full of blood. Five bodies laid on it. "Damn... There's so much blood in the water that I can smell it," thought Aria nervously. "I think I'm gonna puke" Sonata said, lightheaded. "Calm down, calm down, hold on a little more" Aria said, moving away from the fountain. They surrounded the source to find an open window with some boxes on the floor to help them climb. Once they were inside a room in the administration block, they walked a little to see that, right in the middle of the room, there was a blockage of wood debris. "Oh no. I'm getting tired of this place" Sonata said. "Me too, but we have no other options" said Aria recharging her camera. "Now, we will go for the upper floors to find Miles" she said, looking up from the rubble at the door. "How long will it take us?" asked Sonata. "One hour. Maybe two" Aria said, unsure. "Rats..." said Sonata, annoyed. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- After hours of walking through the huge maze of a hospital, and escaping from several variants, they finally they came to a staircase, but even these were broken halfway. They had to jump. "Are you okay?" Aria asked, tired. "Just... give me a break..." Sonata said between breaths. Aria took advantage of Sonata's rest to check the place out. As usual, it was not very different from the other places, all dirty and messy, but there was something that caught her attention: on a desktop there were some candles illuminating the wall for her. On it were some words written with blood, saying: "Follow the blood" "What's the plan now Ari?" Sonata asked, standing up from the ground. "Follow the blood. Come on" Aria said. They continued walking until they found themselves in a dark hallway. They found an alternative "road" that turned a corner, but the only way to get to unbroken planks was to slide along a small wooden ledge covered in blood and jump across a wide stretch of missing boards. "It's a painful looking fall" Sonata said, peering down. "Stay close" said Aria, moving forward. They walked down the narrow path, taking care not to fall. Next they had to jump from the ledge, a clear way. First it was Aria, who managed to do it without problems, and then Sonata, with some help from Aria to climb across. Judging by the beds everywhere, they were in a room for the sick. There was a big hole that looked out onto the level below, as if something or someone had fallen through. They toured several similar rooms, looking for the way forward. For a moment, Sonata thought she saw a black cloud in the halls. They followed these corridors to find a door. Another room. "I feel like we're walking in circles" whispered Sonata. "Me too" Aria whispered. "But I think now we can find a way" she said, walking towards a door. They were in another room, or what was left of it. The place was torn apart, literally. It was a challenge to cross it without falling to the floor below. They were more careful in this place. They jumped, slid along the wall, and the door led to another. It was a difficult jump, but anyone who might fall could scale the structure without any problems. "Ready to jump?" asked Aria. "Nope. But we better go" Sonata said. "I'll go first, then I can help you" Aria said. She was prepared, and took a big jump, but she made it. "Your turn Sonata, and take care, this is slippery" Aria said. Sonata pulled back a little, to get a little speed going, she ran and jumped... but her foot slipped. "A-Aria!" shouted Sonata as she began to fall. There was no time, Aria reacted quickly, both hands grabbing Sonata by the arm. She dropped the camera. "No!" Aria and Sonata shouted together. Sonata attempted to catch it, but it fell through a hole to the lower floor. Aria hurried to pull her up, seeing that someone wanted to enter, but the body only stood at the door before left. "A-Aria. I- I'm sorry. I did not mean…" "That doesn't matter. What matters is you're okay" Aria said, rubbing the shoulder of the younger girl. There was a problem: the way they should go was too dark to continue without the camera. "We have to recover the camcorder, we need it to move through the darkness" Aria said. "I will go. It's my fault. I'll get it" Sonata said firmly. "No" Aria said. "Don't try to sto-" "We'll go together" she replied with a slight smile. Sonata nodded happily. They went downstairs and went through the nearest door. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Outside the prison in a tower, Sunset and Adagio decided to travel the corridor in front of them. "But what-?" "Shhh!" whispered Sunset, stopping. They stopped, seeing a dark mass at the end of the corridor, its shadow passing just below their feet. Only a few floor tiles separated them from the door. "What is that?" Adagio asked nervously. "Whatever it is, it didn't attack us. Why not?" replied Sunset. "Doesn't matters! Can we move on? Please?" Adagio said. "Sure. Let go" Sunset said, moving forward. The hall ended in a door, luckily it was not locked. They continue down the dark corridor, the only way was to the left, another door open to the outside. "Great, outside again" Adagio said sarcastically. "Relax, there's always another way" said Sunset. This place was not as dangerous as the last. Her only option was to go through the drain of water. "Over here" said Sunset stepping into the water, which reached her knees. "Are you crazy?!" Adagio said, disgusted. "It's tap water! I will not go in there" she said. "First, it's not drain water, it is dirty rain water; and secondly, it's not a big deal" Sunset said. "Even so, I will not go into it" Adagio said. "Oh, come on! Will you not start again? Or will you?" said Sunset, upset. "Easy for you to say, you have clothes at home but I do not!" said Adagio upset, and a little hurt. Sunset felt a little bad, wearily sighed and headed back to Adagio. "Okay, look, I'll take you" Sunset said, extending her hand. "How do you plan to do that?" asked Adagio. "I'll carry you above the water" Sunset said. "Now, come on" "If you try to take me, rest assured that we will both fall" Adagio said turning around "Besides, no offense, but you're not so strong." Suddenly, Adagio felt something tugging at her arm. "AAAHHHH!!" she screamed, scared. "You want to keep quiet?" said Sunset. "You want those crazy men to come for us?" she asked. Adagio stopped when she saw that Sunset was carrying her bridal style. "Hey! What do you think you're doing?! Put me down!" said Adagio, upset and flustered. "You didn't want to ruin the only clothes you have left? Then I'll take you to the edge" Sunset said. "I said no-" "No. You listen to me," Sunset said firmly. "I understand. You do not want to get dirty. Seriously, do not worry, I will not let you down" she said, starting to walk. Adagio was surprised at that, no one had ever been so kind to her before. "By the way, take care of the camera" Sunset said with a smile. "Heh, don't worry, I'll got it" Adagio said taking the camera. Sunset led Adagio to the other side, surrounded by some security fences. "Which way now?" asked Adagio. "There are stairs out there, let's go" Sunset said, setting Adagio down carefully. They climbed those stairs, and ran into one of the towers of the prison, having decided to enter. They passed through a gate to get in front of the tower, but had to go through another locked door. Luckily, there was a big hole below, they entered crouching and found themselves facing what was a body of one of the inmates. "Why is it that every place we go there are bodies?" asked Adagio. "Better we find them dead than alive" Sunset said. Ignoring the body, they entered the tower. There was not much to see, only pipes and chains. On the other hand, there were more stairs, many more stairs. They started walking. "Sunset?" called Adagio. "Yeah" said Sunset. "You know where to go?" she asked. "Honestly no, but we can not stay in one place for long" Sunset answered. The stairs ended by a gap that prevented them from advancing. So they had to jump. Sunset went first and she did it smoothly, then went Adagio, who struggled to land, but Sunset helped her up. They continued their way down the very long set of stairs until they continued on a straight path, which led to more stairs. These went up and continued a little longer, finally finding a window that led outside. In spite of being in a very high place, the fog prevented them from seeing much. "I did not think it was very big, this place" Adagio said. "Me either" said Sunset, who used the camera to see better. Things that could see clearly was the main building of asylum, where the entrance was. "That's where we have to go" Adagio said. "We will... but how?" Sunset said. There was no path to follow. "We could jump" suggested Adagio. "You're kidding right?" Sunset said. "Look at that, we are like 5 meters away, not to mention the fall," she said looking at the missing metal space. "I listened your suggestions, yet you can't listen to mine?" Adagio said, a little annoyed. "But this could kill us!" Sunset said. "We could have also been killed in your ideas" Adagio said. "I trusted you, why you can not trust me?" she asked. "It's not that, I-" "As you wish, I'll go" she said, preparing herself. "What? No! Wait!" shouted Sunset. But Adagio had jumped. She managed to grab hold of a table, trying to climb but could not as the table broke away. "AAAAHHHH!!" Adagio screamed as she fell. "ADAGIO!" Sunset screamed. Impulsively, Sunset jumped, quickly grabbin Adagio and covered her with her own body, and fell together through a roof. Fortunately, the splintered wood cushioned their fall. "Ugh!" said an achy Adagio. "But what-" Her words stopped when she realized she was on top of Sunset. "I'm sorry! I did not mean... "Adagio blushing said, turning away. But Sunset was knocked out. "Sunset? Sunset, wake up" Adagio trying to wake said girl. And she succeeded. "Ugh! Ouch! "Sunset said, sitting and holding her ribs. "Sunset, I-" "Are you okay?" asked Sunset. "I am, but you-" "No matter Adagio, I'm fine, it was just a scratch" Sunset said, trying to smile. "I'm sorry. It was a bad idea" said Adagio guiltily. "There it was, had to risk it" Sunset said. "Look at the bright side, we are closer to the exit" she said trying to encourage the siren. It was not so easy. "Hey, I'm fine, really" said Sunset rising. "You see?" "You... sure?" asked Adagio, uncertain. "Very sure. Here" Sunset said, offering her hand to the siren, to help her up. Which Adagio accepted with a genuine smile on her face. After getting up and shaking the dust off their clothes, they examined the place. They were in a warehouse, there were wooden boxes everywhere, not to mention dirt. After looking at the place, Sunset examined the hole where they had fallen. It seemed strange, it were bigger than the two of them together, maybe someone had fallen too? "We keep going?" Adagio call. "Sure, let's go" Sunset said, walking. They came to a maze of boxes and storages. They also heard voices, different voices, footsteps. Soon they realized that the voices were not from individuals but of a single man, a variant. He was talking to himself. "That's crazy" Adagio whispered. "Not so much, many people hide second personalities, some have three or even four" whispered Sunset. "Besides, I do not think what he says are lies" They continued through the maze, listening to footsteps and strange sounds. They ended up against a man who watched them. "Oh no..." said Adagio. "Wait, is he dead... or rather hanging?" Sunset asked in a whisper. Indeed, the body hung in the maze of boxes and warehouses. He must have believed the best way to leave that hell was suicide, as other asylum inmates have shown. "The more we try to escape, the more it seems we get closer to the bottom" Adagio said. "Yes. Dead men aren't surprises to me. Suicides seem a wise choice" Sunset said. "I hope we do not get that far" Adagio said. "We can't let this place eat us, we have to get out of here" said Sunset, moving forward. They continued through the maze, while still hearing more voices from the same variant. "Does he never shut up?" said Adagio annoyed. "I think that Dennis feels alone" answered Sunset. "Wait, you know his name?" asked a confused Adagio. "Are you paying attention to what he says?" asked Sunset. "No" replied Adagio. "He said something about being safe. Also mentioned a kind of bride, and a name... Mr. Gluskin?" Sunset said. "And who's that?" asked Adagio. "I do not know, and I do not want to know" replied Sunset. They kept walking, jumping, and climbing the maze of boxes and warehouses, up some stairs, which even led to an underground floor. They went with caution. The building itself hid many secrets. The place looked like a factory and there were sewing machines on the tables. "Surely this is where uniforms were made for the variants" Sunset said. "It seems so" Adagio said. This time, they did not advance much, her steps were interrupted by a melody. "What's that music?" asked Sunset. "Music of the 30's" Adagio responded. They followed the melody to a white curtain. Adagio went through first, but after 2 minutes, she did not come back. "Adagio? Are you okay?" called Sunset. But she not responding, Sunset advanced to the curtain, and when she did, her eyes could not believe what they saw. The body of a man bent into the fetal position. His genitals had been mutilated. It was the kind of thing that one can not see without suffering irreparable change. "How is it possible the things I've seen here can exist?" Sunset thought petrified. "Why would anyone do this to people?" But her thoughts were interrupted by a girl puking in a corner. "Adagio? You okay?" asked Sunset, stroking her back. "I'm... I'm... good..." Adagio said between breaths. Sunset wished to have something to help her, a towel or a bottle of water, but all that had been left in her car. "Should we stop for a moment?" Sunset said. "If you want, we can-" "No, please. We can rest when we leave here, but not now, much less here" Adagio said. "As you wish, come on, let me help you" Sunset said taking her hand, shielding her from seeing the body. They continued on their way without problems, but... "Darling, where are you?" They hid under the nearest table, Sunset lit night vision to see clearly. He was a man, two meters, black hair, and wore fingerless gloves on his hands. What called for more attention was the fact that the subject seemed to wear a wedding suit. It was the same man she saw before. They managed to escape in silence, into a room that had a wedding dress, and a drawing of the dress. They continued but not by much when they heard him again. He was singing. (Sing) "When I was a boy my mother often said to me, get married son and see how happy you will be..." The gruesome melody man kept was heard, they were moving as quickly, but as quiet as they could, from door to door, room to room. (Sing) "I have looked all over, but no girlie can I find, who seems to be just like the little girl I have in mind..." They never stopped, nerves did not allow them to think clearly, crossed the main room, where they create all uniforms of patients. But… "Darling…" They went through the next door, and ran away from the man. "You don't have to be alone anymore..." They continued until a elevator shaft ladder. "You could make me whole. I could fill that emptiness inside of you... " They could not go those stairs, they could only climb into the lift tube. Sunset jumped and clung tightly, Adagio jumped too, but her arm was caught. "Did I frighten you? I'm awfully sorry, I didn't mean to... " The groom took the hood, revealing her face. The finely dressed man was surprised to see it was a woman, a real one. "Darling? Oh Darling... you're so real..." Adagio tried to pull away, but the man's grip was very strong. "Don't worry darling, I think there's no surgery needed to correct you... right darling?" Adagio could not do anything. She wanted to turn to see Sunset, but the groom stopped her. "Darling... Let me fill you up... Let me love you..." The man turned slowly to face Adagio dead on, centimeters from her lips. Adagio was trembling and distressed. But her nightmare ended when the man stumbled. It was Sunset, who had hit him in the skull with a pipe. She took Adagio and jumped for the end of the elevator. The fall was painful, Sunset hit her head against the wooden siding of the elevator, Adagio hurt her leg, crossed a little wooden platform, a piece of wood pierced into her leg. She immediately tried to withdraw it, but it hurt too much. The groom looked down from the other end of the elevator. "Oh god. Oh god, are you okay? Tell me you're okay. I hate to think of you suffering without me. Why would you do something like that to yourself? You'd rather..." The man stopped when he saw the body of Sunset. "Rather be with 'him' than with me? Then die..." The elevator started up, just above where the man had been. This time Adagio grabbed Sunset and got off at the next corridor. "Sunset? Sunset wake up! Please!" screamed Adagio. "Argh! My head!" Sunset said, holding her bleeding head. "What happened? That guy made you do something?" she asked. "No. Thanks to you" Adagio said, leaning on Sunset. "Thank you Sunset" said. "No problem, you okay? You hurt?" asked Sunset worried. "I hurt my leg after falling, I can not run fast" Adagio said. "At least now..." "What have you...? Ha. Then we continue... " "Forget it" Sunset said. "We have to go" she said, advancing while helping Adagio. They reached a room with no exit. Preferring to not die, Adagio wanted to hide in a locker, but Sunset stopped her. "What?" asked Adagio in a hurry. "Not there, he'll find us" Sunset said. Sunset tried to find another option. And she found it! An open ventilation unit. She helped Adagio up, then Adagio helped her. Once inside, they closed the ventilation again. At that time the groom entered. "Hmmm. Close. I can... the smell of my love's arbor. Darling, you can't hide from me..." While the groom was looking for them, Sunset beckoned Adagio away from the room, now wandered aimlessly through the pipes. > Ever Closer > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Once down, Aria and Sonata tried to find the camera, but everything was dark. Aside from the few lights that allowed them to see, the storm outside was their only illumination. They went room by room, or at least where there was light, found a broken bathroom, scattered lockers, pieces of wood, even some open showers - in one of them, there was a hole at the bottom, overlooking the floor below to where the camera could have fallen. They went carefully and entered through the dark corridors. "I'm scared" Sonata whispered. "It’s very dark here" "Calm down. We just have to find the camera and we'll be right back on track" Aria whispered. They quietly, lest some variant saw them... they found one stuck to the window, one sitting in a corner, and another gagged on a bed. It was difficult walking in the darkness as the lightning lit only enough to see what was directly in front. They continued carefully until they were in a completely dark room. There was a table in front of them, but there was no sign of the camera. Aria made signals to Sonata to search: Aria reviewed the table because it was all she could see; Sonata crouched to the floor. Nothing, there was nothing until... They found it! Sonata found the camera on the floor, turning it on and activating the night vision. "Bingo!" Sonata whispered rising. "What did you say?" asked Aria. Sonata turned, facing Aria. But also three men with sticks and pipes in their hands. She took Aria by the hand and ran, followed by the inmates. "RUN!" screamed Sonata. "I'M DOING THAT!" answered Aria. They returned along the road where they came from, finishing in the bathroom and going back upstairs. "That... was... close," Aria said, exhausted. "We can not take any more of this" Sonata said. "Let me see the camera" Aria said, approaching Sonata. "Sure, here" Sonata said, handing over the device. Aria examined the camcorder. It looked fine, not taking any fall damage. The most important thing was the night vision, which still functioned, but as she continued, she saw the top corner of the lens was broken as it left a crack across the screen. "Ready to go?" Aria asked. "I have a choice?" replied Sonata. "No." "Alright" Sonata said. "Let's go" They returned to where they started, the room where the lost the camera, Aria climbed up Sonata, then she helped the other girl up. "What's the plan now?" asked Sonata. "Finding Miles in the administration block" Aria said. Now they could move on from where they had been stuck. "How do you know the names of that places?" asked Sonata curiously. "We went through a map showing the names of some places, I think accidentally paid attention” Aria said. The road did not go far before they came back to a place they had already been. At first, it seemed like more of the same, then they saw a familiar wall, with familiar letters: Follow the blood. "Why don't we go through this door instead of walking to another room?" asked Sonata. "I don't know, let's get out of here" Aria said. They moved a bit until they reached another splinted room overlooking the floor below, and a little of the floor beneath even that one. They slipped along carefully, until a striped door. Luckily, it was lit and they were alone, no one in the corner waiting for them. They walked through the door and came into an area, different and at the same time familiar. To the left, more shelves and furniture; in front, a bookcase that blocked their way, although it seemed they could pass through a narrow space if they bent down and crawled. Continuing down the hallway... Someone was at the end. "What's the problem with this fucking fat?" Aria said. "What do we do?" Sonata asked, worried. "This way" Aria said, entering a room. They hid under a desk, hoping the oversized inmate would not come in, but it was not the case as the monster entered and examined the place. After a few minutes, it still did not seem to leave. They had to move. Aria signaled Sonata to run. "Now!" they shouted and together ran out the door, closing it. They ran to another room, closing that door too. They heard footsteps approaching, Sonata searched for another door or a window, but nothing. "Ari, the ventilation" said Sonata, pointing. "Good work, Sonata. Let's go" she said, climbing onto a long table. First Aria, then Sonata, they crawled through the duct without knowing which way to go. It didn't matter, almost every path was blocked. "What's this here?" Aria said as she left the vent. "What did you find?" asked Sonata. She jumped down to the floor and saw where they were. It was the same place where they were separated from Adagio. The only difference is that on the floor there was a body with a broken neck. "This is where we all started. We can leave" said Aria. "B-but, we can't leave, what about Dagi?" said Sonata, a little scared. "Sonata. Adagio mayb-" "No! You told me we could not stop! You said you had faith we would find her!" Sonata said, upset. "I said that, but look where we are... Maybe she d-" "Don't say it! Please... Don't," Sonata said, crying and covering her ears. Aria felt bad, and that was rare. She didn't usually care about anything or anyone, but to see Sonata in that state, she couldn't ignore it. "Sorry, I didn't mean that. Sorry" Aria said, removing Sonata's hands from her ears and hugging her. "She has to be okay, she promised us" Sonata said, crying on the shoulder of Aria. Although Aria had accepted the possibility that Adagio could be dead, Sonata could not. They could reach and leave through the front door. But that was not their way. "Fine. We'll continue, for Adagio. But stop mourning, okay?" Aria said, trying to be cheerful. That put Sonata in a better mood, smiling with her typical goofy smile, but it was sweet. "Thanks. Can I choose the way this time?" asked Sonata, happy. "After all we've been through, I do not think it could be any worse. Go ahead" Aria said. Sonata smiled and took the door that they went through the first time. They were where they started. There were corridors heading to the left and the right, but both were closed off. There was also a door surrounded by a fence, which lead up to a higher floor. "It's around here" Sonata said. "What is? Are you sure?" "It said we had to follow the blood, and there's an arrow" Sonata said, pointing to the wall. Where there was an arrow drawn in blood. "Right. Come on then" Aria said. They went through the gate, luckily it was open. It seemed it was closed before, perhaps someone unlocked it. They went to the other room, it was like the first but this one was decorated and more modern, and there were so many iron bars. An elevator was in the center of everything. "Take the elevator" Aria said. "We're going downstairs." "What? But you said-" "Not to leave. Try to search for her in the reception" Aria said. "If she is not-" "If she's not there, we will wait for her" said Sonata, upset and pouting. "Sure, we'll wait for her" Aria said, smiling a little to see Sonata's face. Then they entered the elevator. It worked with a key, which fortunately was left in the slot. They activated it, the gate door closed, and the elevator descended down to the reception area, but the door would not move. "What the hell?" said Aria, trying to force the door. "What happened?" asked Sonata, confused. "I don't know, it doesn't open" Aria said. The elevator descended again until the walls became dark. They went too far, several meters below their destination. There was a slight light that illuminated a little. After about 5 minutes, they came to another place. It was completely different, even looking like they were in the madhouse. It was as if they had changed buildings. "What's going on? Where are we now?" asked Sonata. I'm not sure, but I don't think we can go back the way we came" Aria said. "But we have to return. We have to look for Adagio" Sonata said. "We can't Sonata, at least not up there" said Aria, pointing to the elevator. "So what shall we do?" asked Sonata. "Find another way out" Aria said, leaving the elevator. Sonata followed. They stood in front of a blue door, unaware what was behind it. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Meanwhile, Sunset and Adagio were chased by the variant Eddie Gluskin to a room with no exit. To not die, they entered a ventilation shaft. For fear of being seen, they in the vents for nearly two hours. "Agh! My legs hurt. I can't feel my knees" Adagio said, crawling through the duct. "Same here. I don't even feel my hands" said Sunset, crawling for the air duct. "We've been here for hours" Adagio complained. "Better here than outside with the crazy man desperate for a woman," Sunset said. They kept crawling, trying to find a way out. "Did you heard that?" Adagio called out. "What?" asked Sunset Beyond the walls of the shaft, they heard some cries. "This is bad" said Sunset. Now a voice was heard. "Darling, I need you to try to bleed less. I know the fairer sex often endure the same wounds with more suffering, but you really need to make an effort..." After that, the screams of agony and the sounds of a metal blade sliding through something was heard. Or through someone. "No. I'm so sorry, darling. Love isn't for everybody..." "Go on ahead" Sunset whispered. "I'm behind you" whispered Adagio. The sounds became worse. "Hold still now, darling. All these unsightly hairs. Oh! Silky smooth. Like a little girl again. Now the more delicate bits..." Again, there were cries of pain and the same metal sounds of a blade slicing and then a dull sound, as if the blade cut a piece of meat in two. "Why are you going so slow?" said Adagio nervously. "I'm going as fast as I can" Sunset said, moving a little faster. "You've given up. You're ugly and you've given up on love. You're not even worth stringing up. Bleed here and die..." Now, instead of a knife blade, the sound of a power saw started up. A faint cry of a man was heard but it did not last long. The saw must have sliced clear through his head. Adagio and Sunset came to an alternate path, away from those voices and cries of agony. They reached the end of the vent, which took longer than they thought. "Now where are we?" asked Adagio. "It's a room like the others, there's no one here" said Sunset, coming down from the duct. Another of the many rooms for patients, nothing special. After Sunset was firmly on the floor, she helped Adagio down because the siren could not do it alone with her ankle. "Can we stop for a moment?" asked Adagio. "I can’t stand on this foot" she said, sitting on the bed. "Yeah, I think we'll be safe here" said Sunset, checking that the door was as closed as it appeared. Turning, she saw Adagio massaging her foot. "Can I see it?" asked Sunset. "What?" Adagio said, confused. "Your ankle, you let me see it?" asked Sunset again. Adagio was surprised by what the pony girl wanted, but it didn't seem to bother her. "If you want" said Adagio, sounding a little indifferent. Sunset approached, bent down, and examined Adagio's foot. It did not look very serious, a slight twist. A little ice would help, but they had nothing useful. "Fortunately, it is not broken. Once we get out, we can fix you" said Sunset. The siren did not answer. "Are you okay?" asked Sunset, worried. "Did I hurt you?" "No. I just thought of something else" Adagio said. "What thing?" asked Sunset. "About... Aria and Sonata..." Adagio said. "What about them?" Sunset said. "Surely they left without me and let me die here" Adagio said. "I don't think so, I don't think they're gone" Sunset said. "You don't know that" Adagio said. "You either" said Sunset. "What?" Adagio said. "You don't know if they did," said Sunset, tearing off the sleeve of her sweater. "I think they are looking for you. After spending so much time together, I would not be surprised," she said, tying the cloth around the foot of Adagio. The siren looked at the girl who was bandaging her foot as she spoke. It made her feel a strange sensation. "Why are you so sure?" asked Adagio. "I just am. You really think they left you?" said Sunset. "Sonata? No, I don't think she would. She would look for me. But Aria... I think she would if she had no other choice" Adagio said. "If those two are together, they won't abandon you. We will see them eventually, I'm sure, just have some confidence" Sunset said, smiling. "I hope so" said Adagio after she saw that Sunset had finished wrapping her ankle. "Better?" said Sunset, rising. "Much better. Thank you Sunset Shimmer. For everything" Adagio said. "You're welcome. Ready to continue?" she asked. "I don't think I can run, so I hope you don't use me for bait" said Adagio with a laugh. "I would never do that, let's go" Sunset said, offering her hand. "Pfff, whatever" Adagio said, accepting the hand. "Well I think we can go out the window" Sunset said. They looked out the window, making sure there was no one outside. Once it was clear, they opened it and climbed out. "Where are we now?" asked Adagio. "It seems to be a courtyard, but this one is much smaller than the others" said Sunset. Indeed, the yard was not so unpleasant. In fact, if not for being so full of crazies, it might have been a good place to relax. It had some bushes, some benches, and at the center was a fountain with a little water. Although it was a bit dirty, it was not so unpleasant. "Finally, a decent place" said Adagio. Sunset looked around, there was not much to see and their only path was to follow a lit area to the right with a door. She glanced at her camera, the battery was almost used up. She checked her pockets to see if she had any more, unfortunately there were only two left. But what caught her attention was that there was no way to get to the garden, only that door in front of them. Unless someone wanted to jump out a window. "You coming Sunset?" called Adagio, going to open the door. "Eh? Oh! sure, sure" said Sunset, trailing along behind Adagio. They opened the door and entered. The corridor had bars everywhere, every door and exit was covered by thick stripes of iron. There was an elevator shaft before them, but they could not use it since the elevator itself was another floor. "Now where?" asked Adagio. "We must find a way, follow me" Sunset said. They toured the place in search of an exit. They went on to end up in front of two doors. Neither was open. "Damn!" said Sunset, tired. "There's another way" said Adagio. On the other side was the entrance to a kitchen, but it was very dark. "Alright, let-" "You belong with the others!" They quickly entered the kitchen, looking for a hiding place. They hid in one of the cabinets as they that were large enough for two. "See anything?" whispered Adagio, nervous. Sunset opened the door slightly to peek out with the night vision, but didn't see anything. Slowly they opened the door and a moment later heard footsteps. Rather, the sound of bare feet. The sound quickly retreated. "I think it's safe to leave now" whispered Sunset. Slowly they came out, they were about to leave. "One more. I try and I try. And you all betray me..." They quickly hid behind the door, bumps and steps were heard, and coming closer. "And you can hang like the rest of them..." They could not move forward. They tried to find another way. "There!" Adagio whispered, pointing. Behind them was an open ventilation, but when they were about to rise, loud sounds were heard, like wood breaking. "Hurry up!" Sunset whispered, leaning against the wall, bracing her hands together. The siren allowed herself to be hoisted up by the hands of the girl, managing to enter the pipeline just as the sounds were getting louder. Now it was Sunset's turn, Adagio extended her arm and helped her up. At just the moment Sunset was in, there was a loud sound just a few meters from them. They had a choice. They did not know whether to advance or stay there. They decided to wait a few minutes to ensure that there would be no one around. It was only 5 minutes before they followed the line. On one side of the pipeline, there was a man with his head stuck between the grates. It was a security guard, judging by the flashlight in his hand that was still on and his clean uniform. They reached the other side of the room and could not believe what they saw. The room was full of hanging bodies. The number was impresssive, corpses covering the entire ceiling. Mutilated men, hunted and murdered. Everything reeked of death and fear. Piss and coppery blood and decomposing meat. "I think I'm gonna throw up again" said Adagio, disgusted. "Adagio?" called Sunset, looking at the ceiling. "What?" replied Adagio, staring up also. Right in the middle of all the hung corpses was the variant that chased them earlier. The groom, Eddie Gluskin, dead. He was impaled on a metal beam fixed on the ceiling. "He's dead" said Adagio, trying not to laugh. "Finally." "Looks like someone killed him" said Sunset, looking at the broken ropes and wood. "Why do you think that?" Adagio said, "Maybe the idiot tangled himself up all on his own" "No, I think he was trying to hang someone else, but one of the wooden beams broke and the change of force caused the victim to plummet down while he went up" said Sunset, examining the place. "If you're finished playing detective, can we go?" said Adagio, rolling her eyes. "Yeah, let's go" said Sunset, motioning forward. They were at the gates where they wanted to go to at the very beginning. They continued until they reached an open door. It had a sign above it: Exit. "It is really possible...?" Adagio said. "There's only one way to find out" said Sunset, entering. At the end of the hall was another sign: Male Ward. There were two doors, one right in front and one to the left. They tried the one straight ahead but it was locked. No choice, they went through the left door. Overlooking a small hallway, the floor was covered with rubble, but they could not avoid walking on it. There was another door open by chance and down that dark hallway, the only light was a window. From that window, they could see in the distance a chapel on fire, flames climbing up from the ceiling. "A chapel? I had no idea there was a church" said Sunset in surprise. "Curious. Where is God when you need him?" Adagio said. "I think we have to keep going" said Sunset, motioning at the dark corridor. "I guess so" Adagio said. "After you" she said, smiling. "How kind" Sunset said, grinning. "Here we go" Now their way was in the dark. > See You Never > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- After finding what looks like an exit, Adagio and Sunset advanced down the dark corridor. They continued until they ended up at a door striped with wireframing. The room it led to seemed to overlook the bottom of an elevator shaft and in the middle was also a corpse. The body looked like a scientist or a doctor. "Well?" called Adagio. "This way" Sunset said, walking to the right. There were open doors. They passed through them and went down another hall, this one a little brighter than the previous one. Desks blocked their passage, but they could jump on them without problems. The next pair of doors were blocked by a stretcher; their only way was to the left. There was a small office: the windows were broken and, as always, everything was in chaos. "I hope we can get out of here alive" said Sunset. "I just hope Aria and Sonata have left" Adagio said. "I'm sure they got out. Come one, let's find another way out" Sunset said. They found, once again, a corridor, longer and darker than the other two. They noticed that the corridor ended in an open mesh-striped door where they had seen the corpse of the doctor-scientist. "Now where?" asked Adagio. "There's nowhere to go from here, we'll have to go back" Sunset said. Turning around in the corridor, behind the intersection they had just come from, they spotted a light in the background coming through an open wood door. They were finally back where they started. "Did you notice the sun is rising?" Adagio asked. "Yeah, that's good" said Sunset. "Now, I think we can continue without problems" she said, pointing to a stretcher blocking the path. They jumped over it and followed the passageway. But they were too tired to walk, they had been running and jumping all night. They just wanted a moment to rest. The hall seemed to never end when... "That's new" Sunset said. "What?" said Adagio. In front of them now was a long corridor, but the atmosphere of this one was different than the others. The floor was carpeted, the walls were made of wood, and the windows showed the dawn lights. "It's like being somewhere else" Sunset said. But the siren did not answer, she just moved forward. "Adagio?" Sunset said confusedly after her. Adagio walked very fast despite the injured foot; she did not stop until arriving at a very familiar place. Sunset saw Adagio enter a room. It was a normal room. It was clean, she noticed, and Adagio was watching distortion static on a television screen. "Adagio?" Sunset called again. "Are you okay? What's wrong?" "This... this place... here was where we came in" said Adagio. "You came in here?" asked Sunset, surprised. "Well, not here, rather, in the back room" Adagio said. "Adagio, do you know what this means?" said Sunset. "In the other room, there in an exit." "I know... but... my friends..." said Adagio. "Look, you can leave if you want, but I'll stay and look for them" she said seriously. "I will not leave you alone, I told you I would help look for them. What was the last thing you said to them? To your friends?" asked Sunset. "I... I told them to get out" Adagio replied. "I told them to get to the exit" "When I found you, you told me that a huge, fat variant separated you and you ran back, right?" asked Sunset. "Yes, I did" Adagio said, folding her arms. "They could not go back where they came in because the fat one would block them," said Sunset, rubbing her chin. "Maybe they're looking for another way out, they might be outside," Sunset said, smiling. "How are you so sure? What if you're wrong?" asked Adagio. "I could be, but we should find out. Come on" said Sunset, extending her hand to the siren. "One more time, follow me" she said. Adagio stared at the pony girl's hand. "Mmmm... Well, one last time," said Adagio, accepting her hand. They went out and they were in front of another door. "It's locked" Sunset said, turning the knob. "What?" said Adagio, confused. "The door, it's screwed so no one could come in" Sunset said. "Now what do we do?" "Maybe we can break it with something," Adagio said, looking around. Luckily, she found something: a pipe with a sharp point at one end. Between the two, they managed to break through the door, creating a gap to slip through. Once inside, they went to the window, opened it, and went out onto the scaffold. But a part was broken and the could not pass. "Great! And now what?" said Adagio. "The wall, we press ourselves up against the wall and get to the other side," said Sunset. "It's a bad idea Sunset, it's really far" said Adagio. "I know, but it's the only option we have" Sunset said. "Follow me, we'll be fine." She moved down the wall and crawled against it. "I guess we have no choice" Adagio said, following. Now they were against the wall of the building, finding a way to get down. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Under the building, Aria and Sonata ended up in an underground facility of the asylum. Now they were in search of an exit. Some doors were their next road. Once they crossed them, they were in front of a corridor. Or rather, a tunnel. And at the end of it, other doors. The walls were like rock, white rock. Luckily there was light. "Well, I don't think we'll need to use the camera here anymore" Sonata said. "Good" Aria said, turning off the camera. "Because I ran out of batteries" she said, walking beside Sonata. Then they went through the other doors and on the other side was the reception area. There were symbols on the windows. Blood splattered on the floor and wall. "Looks like it's not safe here" Aria said, readying her camera. "Oh rats!" said Sonata in annoyance. Why?" They entered the reception, noting that there was not only blood but body parts, internal and external. Also their only way: an electric door with a pool of blood beside it and a darkness. "Ready?" Aria asked, turning on the night vision. "I guess" Sonata said, gripping Aria's shoulder. They continued down another tunnel. Although it was a little long, the darkness did not last. As light returned to the path, it was followed by other doors. They peeked and saw rooms full of chemicals. "So, this is the place where it all started?" asked Sonata, walking. "I guess, the lab where it all started. This looks like a horror movie" said Aria, walking. As they walked, they saw all kinds of things related to the corporation. They got back to the other doors; now the place was different. Pipes for a roof, gas tanks along the way, and all kinds of cables on the walls. They continued walking through the obstacles in front. "Aria, I don't think we should go any further" Sonata said, stopping. "Why?" said Aria. "I don't think we will find Dagi here, we should go back" Sonata said. "We can't and you know it" said Aria. "We should try, Dagi needs us" Sonata said. Aria was getting fed up. She knew that Adagio might have been dead for some time. But Sonata kept insisting on looking and Aria just wanted to get out of this hell. Then she came up with an idea. "Remember what Adagio told us when we parted?" Aria said. "Eh?" said Sonata, confused. "N-No?" "She said: 'Get to the exit, I'll see you there" Aria replied. "She returned to where we entered, so we must continue and find the exit." She smiled, "Come on, trust me." "Well, okay, I've always trusted you" Sonata said, smiling. This time Aria would not let those words sway her, even if she felt bad for lying. As soon as she found the exit, she planned on hitting Sonata and taking her unconscious body out of here. "Aria! Look!" said Sonata, stopping. She saw what Sonata was pointing at. It was a transparent window that showed a kind of parking lot for large vehicles. But more than that, the door was open! The light of day illuminated the mountains in the distance and also a military car. "It's the exit! Ari was right!" said Sonata, hugging Aria and crying with happiness. "We can-" "We can get out! Adagio is waiting for us! Come on!" Sonata said happily, pulling Aria's arm. Aria looked at the room. It seems that the only way there was a door. The hallway before them connected to that door. They just had to go and turn left. "Yes. At last. Let's get out of here Sonata" said Aria. Now they both ran down the hall to the door. That was quick, Aria didn't think they would find the exit so fast. As they ran, Aria was thinking what she would do when Sonata saw that Adagio wasn't waiting for them. Once they reached the door, they crossed it and stood in front of the open gate. "Let's get out of here Nata" Aria said. "Yes Ari, with Dagi" she said, taking Aria's hand. They walked outside. To the exit. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- After a while of being dangerously pressed against the wall of a building and being about ten feet high, Sunset and Adagio found a way to get down. Then they were in front of a stone wall that was too high to climb. "We have to jump, but how?" Sunset thought aloud. "With that" Adagio said, pointing to a military car. "It could work" Sunset said. Then they climbed on top of the vehicle, but even with its added height, the wall was too tall for them. "You're first" Sunset said, clasping her hands together. "And why do you not go first?" Adagio asked, crisscrossing her arms. "First of all, you can't blame me for your foot. And secondly, if I go before you, it will be difficult for you to jump" said Sunset, pointing at the foot. "Don't think I'm useless Shimmer. You have strong arms to pull me up, you've done it before, remember?" said Adagio. "Fine, fine, whatever you want, put your hands together" Sunset said. Adagio did as she was asked and Sunset managed to climb. Now it was the siren's turn. She jumped a little to get to Sunset's hand. As Adagio had said, Sunset managed to get her up the wall. She was stronger than she looked. Luckily there was a way down. And once down, they looked for the way to leave the place. "Finally, some fresh air" said Adagio, relieved. "We need to get to the parking lot, I left my car there" said Sunset. "Aren't you forgetting something? How are we going to find my friends?" said Adagio, starting to get annoyed. "Or did you change your mind and want to leave?" "What?! No! I just said-" "Finally! We are out!" said a voice. A voice that Adagio recognized. She ran across the place to see two beings she had not seen all night. "Yeah, I thought we wouldn't get out alive" said Aria, guarding her camera. "Now let's go where Adagio told us!" said Sonata happily. "Yeah whatever, but stop sounding like a crazy" Aria said. "I'm not crazy!" Sonata said, annoyed. "Yes, you are, being in this place affected your brain" Aria said sulkily. "I'm not! You are!" said Sonata, pouting. "Have you been fighting all night?" said a familiar voice. They both turned to see where the voice came from. Seeing who it was, they were frozen in astonishment. "I can't leave them alone for one night, right?" said Adagio, smiling as she approached. Aria could not believe it. Adagio was here. And alive. "DAGI!!" Sonata screamed, running to hug Adagio. "Jeez, calm down Sonata" Adagio said, trying to breathe. "I knew you'd be fine! I knew it!" said Sonata, weeping on Adagio's shoulder. Then Aria joined the hug. Just at that moment, Sunset came to see that act of love and kinship. Watching the three sirens cry with happiness and relief to finally be together, she couldn't avoid smiling. "How did you survive?" Sonata asked, moving away from the hug. "Yes, I had the camera, how could you see through the darkness?" Aria asked, moving away from the hug too. "Well... I... someone helped me... and saved me too" Adagio said, looking at the hooded girl in the mint-colored sweater. Who approached the three sirens slowly. "Who is it?" Aria looked the girl up and down. Sunset was surprised, but remember that she had her hood on. She took off her cap and revealed her face. "You?!" said Aria, filled with hatred. "What the hell are you doing here?!" she said, dangerously approaching Sunset. An awkward silence flooded the situation. Sunset felt uncomfortable by Aria's murderous look while Sonata looked scared hiding being Adagio. "I...I came to find a friend" said Sunset. "But I found Adagio and she explained to me what you were doing here" she replied. "I worked-" "Wait! You work here?!" said Aria with venom in her voice. "What kind of sick are you?!" she said, grabbing Sunset's shirt. "Back off Aria" Adagio said, approaching. "Are you defending her?!" said Aria, shocked and annoyed. "The cause of our misery?!" She was furious. "Without her, I would have died, so calm down and let her explain" said Adagio. "Grrr!... Fine!" said Aria, abruptly dropping Sunset. "But first, we have to go. Where did you say you were parked?" Adagio asked Sunset. "Well, if this is a parking lot, then I think I'm parked very close" Sunset said. "Well, take us there" said Adagio. Then Sunset went first, followed by the dazzlings. "What the hell Dazzle?" Aria whispered angrily. "Look, I know you hate her, but without her, I would not have survived" Adagio whispered. "She's right Aria" Sonata whispered. "Are you on her side?!" whispered Aria, annoyed. "Because of her, we have no magic!" "This is our only chance to escape and whether you like it or not, we need her" Adagio said, hastening to stand by Sunset. "Aria, I know you're very upset, but we don't have a choice" Sonata whispered. "If it were up to me, I would leave her here with all these demented variants" Aria whispered, frowning. "I know, but she has a way out. Please Ari, calm down a bit" Sonata whispered, pleading. "Grr..." Aria growled. "All right. But I want to know why she's here" she said. Aria and Sonata approached Sunset and Adagio. "Well Shimmer, why did you 'come' to this place?" Aria asked "Well, like I said before, I came here to find a friend. He worked here as a software engineer. I was his assistant but I never came here" Sunset explained. "How can you work in a place you don't know?" Aria asked. "He never told me what the job is about, I only helped him to create and repair some of the systems that he sent me" explained Sunset. "I wanted to know what I was working on, but he always told me the same thing: I'll tell you later" she said. "So you didn't know anything about this? Now what they did to these humans?" Sonata asked. "No, I had no idea. I decided to look for information on the asylum. I was surprised to find that I was working for a place of torture, full of cruel experiments" said Sunset. "Nice story" Aria said sarcastically. "But what brought you here?" she asked seriously. "That's what I was going to do" said Sunset, serious. "These people would do anything to keep the secret; they would even resort to murder. That's why I came, I knew that they would kill him. I wanted to help him, but I think it's too late" she said. "Did you even look for him?" said Aria. "I did, but I found Adagio first. I told her I'd help to find you two" said Sunset. "I thought he'd be fine, he's very slippery" she said. "And what did you do?" asked Adagio. "We were following your partner" Sonata replied. "What? Miles?" Adagio said in surprise. "Where is he?" "We lost sight of him" Sonata said. Suddenly, the sky turned black. "What the...?" said Adagio. "What is that?" Sunset said, confused. "Oh no!" said Sonata, hiding behind Aria. "It's the ghost!" she said, frightened. "Ghost?" said Adagio. "He's a variant who looks like a ghost!" said Aria. "It's like a spectrum and has a tumultuous fog form that gets clear by letting you see its features?" Sunset asked. "Exactly! How did you know?" asked Sonata. "I found some archives that said what it was, it's-" The cloud grew bigger. "Leave your nerd classes for later!" said Aria, annoyed. "We need to get out of here! NOW!" said Adagio. They ran until they reached the right parking lot. Sunset got into her own red car and started the engine, Aria and Sonata climbed into the back and Adagio jumped in the passenger seat. Sunset was about to go when she saw it in the distance, a red all-terrain vehicle. What more drew her attention was the driver. Even though it happened very quickly, she recognized him. "But if it's-" "WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?! DRIVE!" shouted Aria furiously. That woke her from her trance and she put her car in gear, leaving the parking lot, leaving the asylum. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- An awkward silence seized the car. Sunset wanted to try to talk, but she did not know how to start. "So you saw Miles?" Adagio asked seriously. "Yes, we followed his steps" Aria answered just as serious. "We thought he'd be with you" Sonata said. "Yeah, we did not expect you to be with her" said Aria, annoyed. "Yes it was a surprise to me too, but after saving me from a cannibal, a fall of 10 meters, and a guy who castrated men, we made a deal" said Adagio. "And what happened to that Miles? Did he get out?" Sunset asked. "We don't know" Sonata replied. "Sorry Dagi." "It's okay, I didn't know him very well" Adagio said. "And you Shimmer? Did you forget about your friend for us?" Aria said, looking down at Sunset. "Ha! I didn't forget him" Sunset said, smiling. "He escaped" "How do you know?" said Aria. "I know because I saw him" Sunset said. "Then why didn’t you follow him?" Sonata asked in confusion. "He had told me that is was better for us to not see each other again. He will tell the truth, ruin the company. Once he does, they will ruin his life - kill his wife, his children, to hurt him" said Sunset. "And you too?" said Aria. "I don't know. I never worked in that company. He told me he eliminated all connection that he had to me" replied Sunset. "So... are you okay?" Adagio asked. "I hope so" replied Sunset. "Why the hell do you care?" said Aria, annoyed. "Hey!" Sonata said. "I'm a little hungry, do you have something to eat Sunset?" she asked, trying to change the subject. "I have something in my backpack" said Sunset. "Thank you" Sonata said. Sonata tried to take the backpack from Sunset, but it moved. "Ahh! Something moved!" Sonata said in a frightened voice. "What?" said Adagio, confused. "I'll take care of it" said Aria, taking the pack. "No! Wait!" said Sunset. As soon as Aria opened the bag, she got a bite on the nose. "Argg! What the fuck?!" Aria said, trying to get the animal out. Sunset stretched out her hand and took the ferret off of Aria's face. "That is not good behavior, Onix! Bad boy!" Sunset said, annoyed. "But, I'm glad to see you're fine" she said, stroking the animal. "That rat is yours?!" Aria said angrily. "It's not a rat, it's a ferret and he's my pet" said Sunset. "Well, that thing almost took my nose off!" Aria said. "Sorry, he's usually well behaved" Sunset said. "Let me see" said Sonata, taking Aria's face. I'm fine" Aria said, a little flushed. As Sonata tended to Aria, Sunset decided to speak with Adagio. "So where do you live?" asked Sunset. "We have no house, not since yesterday" said Adagio. "Oh... well, if you want, you can stay in my house. It's pretty big" said Sunset. "Mmmm... Fine, I'll accept your offer" Adagio replied. "I know you said that, once outside, you didn't want to see me again, but I... Wait, you said yes?!" Sunset said, looking at the siren in surprise. "Yes. Honestly, I forgot I even told you that in the moment, now I feel bad for it" said Adagio. "You saved my life more than once... when I tried to jump from that tower... when I couldn't get to the other side. You... jumped, on impulse, to save me. So thank you Sunset Shimmer" said Adagio. "Oh... I ... it was nothing," said Sunset, a little flushed. "Then let's go" she said with a sincere smile. Now they were on their way back to the city. Sunset was driving, she saw in the rearview mirror the sirens were talking to each other like sisters. And with her pet sleeping on her legs, she smiled. She watched the sun rising in the distance, now she was thinking about how to help the dazzlings. "This summer will not be so boring after all" said Sunset, stepping on the gas. > Epilogue > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- After hours on the road, they finally reached the city and they finally reached Sunset's neighborhood. It was 12 o'clock when they arrived; Sunset made sure none of the neighbors saw them. They could get the wrong idea, four girls hurt and with blood on their clothes were not good signs. Pulling into her garage, she turns off the engine and closes the gate. "We're here" said Sunset, taking off her belt. "Girls?" But she was surprised to see that they all slept peacefully. Sonata was leaning on Aria's shoulder and Adagio was sleeping with her arms crossed and Onix on her legs. Sunset did not want to wake them up; they looked so calm; who knew how long they could sleep without worries? But she had to get them up. "Come here Onix" Sunset said, carrying the ferret. She put the animal in its backpack and looked at Adagio. "Adagio... wake up" called Sunset, shaking the siren's shoulder gently. "Hmm..." Adagio complained. "What is it?" she said. "We're here" said Sunset. Then she remembered they were going to Sunset's house. "How long have we been asleep?" Adagio asked. "A couple hours, let's go" said Sunset, getting out of the car. "Aria! Sonata! Get up! We arrived!" Adagio called. They both woke up. "It's about time" said Aria, yawning. Once they left the care, they were surprised to see Sunset's garage. It was broader than it appeared; the walls and ceiling were painted white; there was a laundry area with an old fashion washer. It had furniture and drawers and even a mini desk with tools. Finally, there was an object that was covered by a sheet, but they could tell it was a motorcycle. "If you have a motorcycle, why do you want a car?" Aria asked. "I got the motorcycle recently and I was repairing it so while I do, I use the car" They left the garage to go into the main house. "Wow, this is your house?" Sonata asked, looking up at it from the driveway. "Yes. Why?" asked Sunset. "It's very big!" Sonata said in surprise. "Thank you" said Sunset, smiling. "How can you afford such a big house?" Adagio asked. "Well, it was a gift from work. From Waylon actually, even the car was a gift from him and his wife" Sunset said. Before getting to the door, they noticed that the garage had two floors. "And in that room? What are you hiding there?" Aria asked. "Nothing, it's just an empty room. I still have not decided what to do with it" said Sunset. They went up the stairs and stood on the porch as Sunset looked for her keys in her pocket. "Here it is" said Sunset, opening the front door and letting the Dazzlings in. "Good place" Adagio said, looking around at the decor. "Thanks, my friends helped me with most of the decoration" Sunset said, dropping her backpack on the couch. "Speaking of your friends, why did you take them with you to the hospital?" Aria asked. "They went on vacation, I was going to stay for work, but now I guess I'll look for another job" said Sunset, taking her pet out of her bag. "Yeah, me too" Adagio said thoughtfully. "Well, would like something to eat? Or drink?" asked Sunset. "I do!" said Sonata. "All I want is to take a shower" Aria said, looking at her clothes. "Yes, me too" said Adagio with disgust. "Oh, sure. I have two bathrooms, one upstairs, and other right here. You can use whatever you want" Sunset said. "Me first!" said Aria, going to the bathroom next door. "Then the one upstairs is mine" said Adagio. "There are towels inside, but I'll get you some clothes" Sunset said. "Sure, whatever" said Aria, closing the door. "Thank you" Adagio answered, climbing the stairs. "You don't mind waiting, right?" Sunset asked. "No, but can I watch TV?" Sonata happily said. "Sure" Sunset said. As soon as she said it, Sonata sat on the floor and started on some cartoons. While Sunset went upstairs to get some clothes for Adagio and Aria, she went into her room and took the opportunity to remove her own dirty sweater, drawing a mint-colored blouse from the closet. Once dressed, she left the room with a several pairs of jeans and purple, black, and pink shirts. First was Adagio. "Adagio? Can I open the door? I just came to leave you some clothes" said Sunset, knocking on the door. "Yes, you can come in" Adagio replied, her voice trembling. Sunset came in and left the jeans and the purple shirt by the sink; she saw Adagio lying in the bath, the curtain left little to the imagination. She ignored it and picked up Adagio's dirty clothes from the basket. She left, but not before she saw the siren rubbing her eyes. "Was she crying?" Sunset thought. She preferred not to ask, thinking it would be better to give her a moment. She descended the stairs to give clothes to Aria. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Later, Sunset was in the kitchen preparing something to eat. She decided to make meatloaf with mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese. She had wanted to try eating meat, but she knew she wouldn't be able to stomach it after the night she had. For herself, she prepared her spaghetti with vegetarian meatballs. She imagined that the Dazzlings ate meat by their nature as sirens, though there is not much research in Equestria on their culture. She took four plates from the cupboard and set them on the table, an equal amount of food on each. When the dishes were full, she brought out ferret food as well, but this time Onix would eat on the ground. She walked to the kitchen door and knocked. "Food is ready!" called Sunset. Then she saw Aria and Sonata racing, struggling to get through the door. Sunset narrowly avoided the two as they ran around her as they quickly took seats and the table. She only shook her head as Adagio calmly walked past her. "Are they always like this?" asked Sunset. "More or less, more when it comes time to eat" said Adagio, smiling. Sunset shared the smile as she headed for one of the empty chairs, seeing that Aria and Sonata had already begun eating. "Dis eh eally ood!" Sonata said with her mouth full. "Thank you? I think" said Sunset. "Oh, Onata!" Aria agreed, with her mouth also full. "Don alk wih our mough ull!" "Can we all stop talking with our mouths full?" Adagio asked in a serious tone. In a record time, Aria and Sonata finished their plate, while Sunset and Adagio had hardly tasted the food. "Can we go watch TV, Sunny?" asked Sonata. "Okay, but do not fight over the remote" Sunset said. She nodded happily as she ran to the sofa and quickly found herself in control. Aria sat down beside her and Sunset and Adagio continued with their food. When she finished her fodd, Sunset got up and went to put her plate in the sink. After Adagio finished, she helped Sunset clean. As Sunset washed the dishes, she thought about their situation and began to feel pity for the sirens. She could see that the dazzlings were not pure evil as she thought, they obviously cared about each other, the things they did, they had done because just wanted to go home. Although she did not know much about the magic of friendship, she knew that if Princess Twilight were here, she would tell her to befriend the three sirens. "Maybe I can reform them. Maybe I can change them as my friends changed me" thought Sunset. She knew she could not do it alone. Her other friends would have to help as well. If she could convince them. "I'll focus on helping them while my friends are out" Sunset thought. With a plan in hand, Sunset finished the dishes and headed to the living room. She approached the three girls, Sonata was playing with Onix on the rug, Aria and Adagio were watching an extreme game show. Then Sunset made her way up and into her room to pull out a couple of sheets and pillows and went to the next room. Comparing this room to her own room, the walls and ceilings were white; no one had occupied that room before. It did not have many things, just a bed and a couch. And she could share her room with someone else. Once everything was ready, she headed back to the living room. She walked over to the couch where Sonata was watching cartoons with Onix and Aria had fallen asleep. Sonata was so fascinated by the characters doing magic tricks that Sunset couldn't help smiling at the innocent delight on her face as she sat in the armchair next to Adagio. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sunset spent the next few hours texting her friends, as she normally did when she was not watching TV, the difference this time was that she was not alone. Aria was asleep on the sofa, Sonata watched more cartoons, and Adagio spent most of her time listening to Sunset's music player. She saw all the photos her friends had sent from their travels. A part of her wanted to be with them, but she kept thinking about the three girls who were now staying at her house. She checked the time on her phone, noting that it was getting late. She said goodbye to her friends and slipped the phone into her pocket. "Okay, everybody" Sunset said, standing up and stretching. "It's dinner time and after that you can go to bed" When she did not get an answer, she looked at the sirens and saw that no one was paying attention. She turned to Adagio sitting next to her, waving her hand in front of Adagio's face to get her attention. Adagio took off her headphones. "Hmm? Yes?" she said. "It's getting late" said Sunset. "Is that anything you would like for dinner?" "You're letting us choose?" Adagio said with a smile. "You're my guests after all" Sunset said with a smile. "How kind" said Adagio, unable to stop smiling. Then she got up, woke Aria, and turned off the TV. "What happened to the cartoons?!" Sonata asked out loud. "Uh, what the hell?!" Aria asked, stirring from her sleep. "It's dinner time, what do you want?" Adagio asked. "TACOS!" shouted Sonata excitedly. "Forget it, that's all we've eaten for the last week" said Aria disgustedly. "So what woul you like?" asked Sunset. "Pizza?" Aria said. "But I wanted tacos!" Sonata said, pouting. "They can make the pizza any way you want" said Sunset. "Sounds fair" Adagio said. Sunset picked up the phone and dialed the pizzeria. She ordered three pizzas with two toppings on each: ham and pepperoni, sausage and bacon, and pepper and mushroom. Now they just had to wait 30 minutes. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Once the pizzas arrived, they ate together at the table, talking about different topics. Despite the problems that Sunset had had with Aria, she could get along with her. Although she still thought how she would solve the Dazzlings' problem. But she already had an idea of how to help them. Once they finished dinner.... "Well, it's bedtime" Sunset said as she stood up. "But I wanted to keep watching my show!" Sonata said. "There will be a replay tomorrow" Sunset said. "But for now, you need sleep" "But I'm not even-" Sonata yawned "-tired." "Speaking of which, where shall we sleep?" asked Adagio. "Yeah, the three of us won't fit on the couch" said Aria. "I'll go with Ari!" Sonata said happily. "Yes, yes" Aria said, standing up. "Besides, I could not stand Adagio's snoring" "I do not snore!" Adagio said angrily, blushing. "Calm down" Sunset said, diffusing the situation. "I left some pajamas on the furniture, once you're ready, just please go to sleep" she said, walking up the stairs. "Fine!" said the three girls. Satisfied, Sunset made her way to the upstairs bathroom to take a bath and forget about the bad experience. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- She threw her dirty clothes into the basket and put on her pajamas. She left the bathroom just in time to see Sonata and Aria in pajamas exactly like Sunset's. "Did they brush their teeth?" Sunset asked, drying her hair with her towel. "Yep!" said Sonata happily. "Okay, good night" said Sunset, smiling. "Bye! Bye!" Sonata jumped into the room. "Whatever" Aria said after her. When they entered the room, Sunset went to her room. And Adagio's room too. Ready to go to sleep, but instead of seeing the siren in bed, she was outside on the balcony; Sunset walked out, Adagio was leaning aginst the railing, dressed in pajamas like her own. Then she thought of what happened in the bathroom when she thought she saw her crying. "How are you feeling?" Sunset asked. "I'm fine" said Adagio seriously. Sure?" Sunset said. "Yes" said Adagio. There was silence among the girls, but it was not an awkward silence. "Nice night, eh?" said Adagio. "Yes" Sunset said, looking at the siren. "Adagio, there's something I wanted to ask you" said. "Go ahead" Adagio said. "I would like to know, if you... if you would like to stay here for more than a while, and if you would live with me" Sunset said with a smile. Adagio turned to Sunset, mouth open in surprise. "Why do you want us to live with you?" said Adagio, confused. "Look, I used to be in your position a long time ago. You know about my past... right?" Sunset asked. "More or less" Adagio said. "Well, I know what it's like to have nothing. Maybe it has not been as bad as yours, but I know how it feels, and I want to help you. And I want to help them" Sunset said, rubbing her shoulders. "Really?" said Adagio. "Yes. We can live together, if you agree to this, you can get a home, food, and... a friend" explained Sunset. Adagio thought for a moment, she looked at the girl trying to find signs of duplicity but could not. "Okay, I only have two conditions," Adagio said, folding her arms. Sunset nodded. "One, you have to help us sing again. We are sirens, we have to sing well" said Adagio. "Sounds reasonable" Sunset agreed. "And two... we accept your help, but only yours" said Adagio. "Huh?" said Sunset, confused. "Look, you and your friends beat us. Yes, we did something wrong, but you took away something important in our lives" said Adagio. "Without our pendants, we had to do things we never did before, like eating and surviving on our own, and Aria is very angry with you, well, she seems to be tolerating you. And Sonata, she's scared to get close to your friends. "We do not want to interact with your friends, besides, they would not understand" said Adagio. Sunset did not like the idea of ​​excluding her friends, but what Adagio said was true, they would not understand exactly this feeling, but if she wanted to reach the sirens, she had to accept the request. "Okay, although I do not agree with that, I'll respect your decision" said Sunset, extending her hand to Adagio. "Thank you" Adagio said, shaking Sunset's hand. Once the deal was done, they smiled at each other. "What do you think happened to your boss?" Adagio asked. "I don't know, I'm very sure he would tell the truth, but that would ruin his life" Sunset said, folding her arms. "How are you so sure? maybe he not say anything" said Adagio. "I know him, he will tell the truth, but once he does, his life is over, Murkoff will not care about his wife or his children. And the worst thing is that I can not do anything for them" said Sunset, a little sad. "I'm... sorry" said Adagio. "It's okay, I just hope they're okay" Sunset said. "And, what do you think happened to Miles?" she asked. "I don't know, he's probably going to die" Adagio said. "I did not know him much, but I feel sorry for him" she said. "And what do you think will happen to you?" "What do you mean?" asked Sunset. "Maybe they saw us on the cameras, they could go for you, for us" said Adagio, a little worried. "Don't worry, you can hack a computer when you go in and alter the cameras. Fortunately, I tried to turn off the cameras wherever we went" Sunset said. "What?! You never told me anything! When did you do that?!" Adagio said, surprised and a little annoyed. "When we got to that room that had that destroyed radio. I got into the system and turned off some cameras. I'm sorry I did not tell you" said Sunset, a little distressed. Adagio sighed, but she smiled a little. "And... what will happen tomorrow?" Adagio asked a little uneasily. "We'll see, but now we must rest" said Sunset opening the door back inside. "After you" As an answer, Adagio tapped Sunset on the arm playfully. Despite what Sunset expected, Adagio was not 'restless' that night. She respected Sunset's personal space. She did not hear any fuss coming from the Sonata and Aria's room either, so that was a good sign. Not that she expected them to do anything. One thing is for sure, now she had plans for this summer. She slept quietly, knowing now... what would happen... the next morning.