> Never Alone > by Rock Slide > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Chapter 1 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pinkie Pie bounced towards her window, her smile almost splitting her face. A flock of birds flew by as the street below bustled with unexpected foot traffic. People crowded the sidewalks some spilling off onto the street. Mrs Cake walked by not a moment later, struggling between pushing her stroller and keeping a brown puppy under control. Pound and Pumpkin Cake squealed as they waved their little arms towards the dog. That means Mr. Cake’s running the store on his own again, Pinkie thought with a soft hum, and probably making his famous carrot cake, heh, carrot cake, named after him, or was he named after it? Or maybe they came into existence at the same time? “Waaaait a minute, where's my mind going to? I have brooding to do. Wait, it’s more of a pondering, definitely more of a ponder then a saddy sad brooding.” Pinkie jumped slightly into the air, her hair frizzing just before a crackle of thunder boomed in the sky. A figure clad in a hooded sweatshirt and ripped jeans, with blue knee-length boots caught her attention out of the corner of her eye. The figure’s shoulders shaking visibly as Pinkie realized on further inspection that the figure was Sonata. She watched as Sonata started to climb the fire escape on the side of the apartment complex across the street. Is that one of those meanie sirens? Why does she look so sad? Waaaaait a minute, if she's sad, should I go try to cheer her up? She did seem to fit less with those other meanie sirens, but she was just as mean. Wait where are the other two, and why is she trying to climb to that building's roof? Maybe they left and she doesn't have friends anymore. That would be terrible! Pinkie gasped loudly, her hair slightly flattened at the thought of not having friends. She would not let anyone experience that horror, even if they were a meanie.”I’ll be right back, Gummy!” she called out to the giant stuffed alligator on her bed. Pinkie grabbed her coat from the front rack and pulled it on, the hood covering her mass of pink curly hair just right. Slamming the door behind her, Pinkie bolted down the stairs and out the back. She climbed over the chainlink fence, and ran across the tiny side street to the fire escape. Sonata clung on tight to the ladder of the fire escape, shaking slightly. "Sonata!" Pinkie cried. Startled, Sonata jerked, losing her footing. A short scream escaped her as she fell. Pinkie gasped; her eyes widened as she rushed towards the girl. Sonata’s body weight collided with her own and they both collapsed to the ground. The air was knocked from pinkie's lungs as sonata was draped over her stomach. She gasped weakly as she pushed at Sonata's shoulders. Pinkie closed her eyes, gasps less frantic as she felt the relief of Sonata‘s weight rolling off of her. Sonata got to her knees just as Pinkie grabbed her arm. “Are you okay?” Pinkie asked softly, letting fresh air into her lungs. “Oh I-I’m fine… I… I was just wanting to watch the… rain from the roof,” Sonata lied. At least, Pinkie was pretty sure she was lying, if she had to guess from the tears that trailed down Sonata's cheeks. “That's a pretty high building to watch from…” Pinkie raised an eyebrow as she continued, “are you sure you’re okay?” Sonata faltered for a second, not once had Adagio or Aria asked if she was okay. Yet, here someone she had faced against in the Battle of the Bands, here she was so concerned for her. “I-I… no I'm not okay… Aria kicked me out of the house today, telling me it had been all my fault that our plans hadn’t worked out, and that I was the sole reason Adagio had left us…” “I doubt you were at fault, she was quite the meanie mean pants to you… from what I saw in the background,” Pinkie Pie whispered as gave Sonata a smile. “You shouldn’t have stopped me…” Sonata whispered back, slightly trailing off as fresh tears glistened in her eyes and her lip quivered, “They wouldn’t have…” “They’re meanies if they leave a friend behind and maybe they’re not friends you need.” Pinkie gave her a soft smile. “Maybe you could find other friends?” “What other friends? All I ever did was cause trouble for Canterlot High students. Adagio and Aria were like sisters to me. But I was just a pawn for Adagio’s plans and then she left. Aria became my only friend and sister, but now I don't even have her…” Sonata muttered, and she yanked her arm away. Sonata brought her knees close to her chest and placed her head upon them. She tried to keep a respectful distance from Pinkie, but failed as she felt a hand on her shoulder. “You’re not going to try though? A lot of things have happened since the Battle of the Bands, and there's a girl who felt a little bit like you do right now, her names Twilight Sparkle. Our world’s Twilight is a lot different from the pony princess you faced against with your friends,” Pinkie spoke softly as she tried to coax Sonata outside of the walls she had built. “There’s no way they would forgive me…” Sonata trailed off, her eyes closed; her arms drawing her knees in tighter. “I know you think there’s no hope. But there is still plenty of reasons for hope though, I promise,” Pinkie assured her smiling softly as a soft silence cast itself over them. Minutes passed as Sonata thought on all that Pinkie had said to her. She hadn’t thought there was any reason Pinkie would be kind to her, but here she was being nice to Sonata like no one had in a long time. Her arms softened their hold on her legs and she slowly started to raise her head. “Is It really possible I-I could find new friends?” she asked hesitantly, her eyes holding a lot of uncertainty. “Yes, and you can start with me!” Pinkie said, her smile brightened at each metaphorical step Sonata took forward. “T-Thank you so much… Pinkie,” Sonata said as her hands went to wipe the tears from her eyes. “No one should be without a friend, that's horrifying!” Pinkie shuddered visibly for a moment, her hair flattened at the thought, before her hair bounced back up at an idea in the clutter that was her mind. “Come with me!” Pinkie stood up and held her hand out to Sonata, and she waited only a moment before Sonata took her offered hand. Once both girls were standing, Pinkie almost bolted towards Sugarcube Corner while her free hand tapped her phone vigorously. She nodded to herself as she sent the  group text. Once they were at the doors, Pinkie held one open for Sonata and let her go in first. She headed towards the kitchen the moment after they were both inside She giggled as the rain started pouring down outside of Sugarcube Corner. “Looks like we just missed the rain.” “Mr. Cake! I know it’s almost closing for your lunch with the missus but the girls and I needed a place to discuss a ‘friendship emergency’, so is it alright that I grab the table in back?” she called into the kitchen sticking her head through the door. “Of course Pinkie, you know we trust you and your friends won’t mess with the store!” Mr. Cake called back to her as she saw him locking up the back door, “Help yourselves to some treats from the fridge when they get here and just be sure to lock the doors when all of your friends show up, Okay?” “You know it Mr. Cake! I haven't let you down yet, so I’m not gonna start now!” Pinkie giggled and took Sonata’s hand back in hers as she brought her over to the back table. As Sonata found herself in the back of Sugarcube Corner, she smiled lightly and claimed a comfy lounge chair for her seat. “So… what are we doing here? All I heard was ‘friendship emergency’ in everything that you said…” Sonata trailed off when nervousness started to set in. “I want to show you the true meaning of friendship and what better way than to have a get together with the other girls. I want to turn that sad smile into a beaning grin!” Pinkie answered her happily. “You’ve been so nice to me, yet all I did was try and divide you and your friends…” Sonata muttered softly, her gaze wandering to the floor. “You were just following your sisters, and that meant you cared deeply about them. I admire that because I’d be the same way if one of my sisters needed my help.” Pinkie nodded, her smile still just as wide as she rubbed Sonata’s back. “But I bet they never would have been like Adagio and Aria…” Sonata closed her eyes, leaning her head back on the headrest. “Who knows? But still all the same I'd have followed my sisters, not because I had to, but because I truly care for them. Just as you did for yours. Do you really think you’d be this upset over their betrayal if you didn’t care about them?” Pinkie asked her, her gaze softened. “I-I don’t know... I guess.” Sonata nodded as she processed this new information. The bell above the front doors rang as a sign that one or more of the girls had arrived. “What’s up Pinkie? All you said was ‘Friendship emergency’? Is there something…” Sunset trailed off as she blinked and looked over at Sonata, who anxiously fidgeted with a smile in her seat. Sonata waved slightly at Sunset as she let out a nervous chuckle. “Hi Sunset... It's been awhile hasn’t it?” Sunset looked at Sonata, her mouth closed as she turned to Pinkie and asked cautiously, “She's the reason you called this ‘friendship emergency’, isn’t she?” Sonata squeaked and went to hide her eyes, but felt a hand on her shoulder as Pinkie whispered to her, “You wanna wait till everyone gets here so you don’t have to explain multiple times?” Sunset’s gaze softened as she noticed how nervous Sonata was around her. Something bad must have happened if she's this wary. There's no sign of the siren she was, just a lost girl in need of a friend, she thought to herself as she watched Pinkie and Sonata. The bell rang again as the sound of boots freshly coated from the rain rushed in. “We got here as soon as we could, darling, and Applejack will be here soon with Rainbow Dash.” Sunset turned to see Rarity and Fluttershy walking towards them. “Where’s Twilight?” Sunset asked as she looked behind two two girls. “I thought she’d be with you?” “We haven’t seen her at all, she hasn’t answered her cell phone either, Sunset…” Rarity confessed. Everyone turned when they began to hear laughter coming from the door. “Hello everyone! So, what's the emergency, Pinkie?” Twilight asked, nervously chuckling when she noticed some dropping their jaws, “W-What’s wrong, guys?” There standing beside her was Adagio dazzle, but that wasn’t what everyone was staring at. Their hands were intertwined. Sonata blinked rapidly as she looked at Adagio and whispered, “Why are you here?” > Chapter 2 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Why are you here? Sonata let those words sink in as she kept a gaze that bore into Adagio. She analyzed Adagio’s expression and tried to keep her tears at bay. Adagio’s jaw quiver and her hands tightly gripped themselves. Her shoulders shook as she lowered her head to avoid Sonata’s gaze. She had never meant to hurt Sonata, but Aria had pushed her too far. Silence shrouded over them and Adagio’s voice had seemingly left her as no words could form. “Was I so horrible to you? What did… I... Do to make you leave?” Sonata cried out to Adagio, her own shoulders shaking as she continued her questions, “A-And why did you leave me...so alone?” Adagio blinked, her jaw stiffened as her gaze jolted up to meet Sonata’s. “I… I… Never meant to leave you, I just couldn’t handle being the leader anymore… I had let you both down so many times, and Aria had pushed just too hard… I had to go!” Sonata’s jaw quivered as she let the words sink in and whispered, “Why didn’t you tell me? Why did you leave me with her, then?” “I never thought she’d abandon you too. I… I’m so sorry, Sonata,” Adagio said as she lowered her gaze once more. Sonata stood up swiftly, her boots echoed against the floor as she took strides to close the distance between her and Adagio. Adagio's body tensed as Sonata's arms wrapped around her in a tight, warm hug. "I-I'm sorry too, I never should have thought so poorly of you after you left. I should have known something was up," Sonata whispered as she rubbed Adagio's back. Adagio’s mind reeled as the fact that sonata had forgiven her began to sink in. Her arms grasped tightly around Sonata’s waist as she had begun to pull away. “Don’t go…” Adagio whispered to her as tears fell freely. “I won’t… But please, don’t leave me again,” Sonata responded as her own tears began to fall. “I… hate to break up this moment,” Sunset said as she looked between the two. “But quick question for Twilight and Adagio? Why were you two holding hands?” “Well…” Twilight started with a nervous smile, her free hand rubbing her arm as she looked over to Adagio. “She saved me from myself, and helped me heal… oh and we’re dating,” Adagio continued bluntly looking over Sonata’s shoulder. She noticed a nervous expression on Sonata’s face and whispered, “It’s a story for another time. Be happy, little sister.” Sonata smiled and nodded as she broke the hug and nudged Adagio back over to Twilight. “Gosh darnit, Rainbow! You really made us late! Everyone’s already here!” The group looked behind them and noticed Applejack and Rainbow Dash enter the building, their hair soaked from the rain. “It’s not my fault your truck can’t handle the back roads!” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. “Stop it you two, we have more important matters,” Rarity chastised them as she ushered them to their seats, although not before she handed them towels, given to her by Pinkie, “Dry your hair off, and sit down, darlings, I think we have a long story to hear.” As everyone took their seats Sonata stuck to Pinkie and Adagio, the semi-large crowd of girls around her that had once been on the other side made her slightly nervous. Pinkie noticed this easily, and rubbed a hand over Sonata’s shoulder. “I texted everyone here, so we could all give Sonata here some support, she's been feeling down and I can’t let her think she’s alone in my good conscious, so what do you say girls?” Pinkie asked with a genuine smile towards Sonata. Sonata looked around at each girl as they looked thoughtful, before letting out a sigh of relief as a chorus of agreement surrounded her. “Although, we must update your wardrobes, darlings, both of you,” Rarity commented a few seconds later. “If you would like to that is?” “I’d like that,” Sonata said softly, thankful for a change in her daily wardrobe. Adagio nodded, choosing to stay quiet but was eager for a change. Rarity smiled at her, taking one of Sonata’s hands in hers. “It is no problem, dear.” Rarity’s eyes lit up as a smile almost split her face and she sang out, “Idea! I must be off! I have designs in mind, I’ll text Pinkie or Twilight when their ready.” Since Rarity was her ride, Fluttershy followed her, but not before she gave the girls each a hug. She squeaked when she saw that Rarity was out the door already and ran after her. After that Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Sunset all bid their farewells. They wanted to give some time for Adagio and Sonata to catch up by themselves. Pinkie and Twilight looked at the girls as they asked, “Would you like us to leave you alone to catch up?” Adagio looked to Twilight and held her hand out. “You don’t have to leave, my dear. Neither does Pinkie. Sonata there seems kinda attached.” Adagio proceeded to point over to her sister, where Sonata pulled Pinkie down into a bigger seat. “It's ‘cause she was there for me… To put it bluntly. It feels better having her here…” Sonata trailed off into a grumble. “Don’t get yourself all in a twist, Sonata, I was teasing,” Adagio giggled as she pulled Twilight down into her lap. “Don’t be so shy, my dear.” Meanwhile as Adagio soothed a nervous Twilight, Pinkie rubbed Sonata’s shoulder, whispering softly, “You okay? You had me worried there for a second.” “I wanted to thank you, for stopping me,” Sonata whispered back as she took the hand that rubbed her shoulder and intertwined her own with it. “It’s no problem, Sonata, really, I’d never leave someone behind if I saw they were suffering.” Pinkie smiled warmly at Sonata, running her thumb over the top of Sonata’s hand. Sonata smiled back, and laid her head on Pinkie's shoulder. Her eyes closed and she breathed out a sigh of relief. “Thank you.”