> Sirens of the Night
>  by The Crazed Werewolf
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Battle of the Bands (revised 12.27.2018)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

If there were one thing the night was, "silent" wasn't it. "Normal" had gone out the window around the time the Dazzlings had sprouted seahorse-like features similar to how the Rainbooms had started sprouting equine features during their music. In a distant, analytical corner of her mind, Sunset Shimmer pondered the notion that the nature of the Siren's magic just proved that "Harmony" wasn't automatically synonymous with "Good," but the rest of her being was sweapt up in the thrill of once again feeling the coursing of magic through her thaumatory system, a hum of life that ran along side the blood in her veins and arteries that she only realized was there when it suddenly wasn't after the first time she passed through the portal from Equestria.

Her introspection was interrupted by the horrid screeching coming from the stage, somehow formed into something resembling lyrics to a song...that couldn't be the Dazzlings, could it? No...it is the Dazzlings! Sweet Celestia, what happened to their voices? She started running toward the stage, her only thought to apprehend the trio before they could pull off any other magical stunts. Given how Adagio had outplayed Sunset, Twilight, and the Rainbooms so effectively, it wouldn't have surprised the former Equestrian if the Siren had a plan B...and a plan C, D, E, and F. She heard the others follow her lead, Rainbow Dash swooping in to catch up to her just before the magical wings and ears dissipated.

To Sunset's surprise, rather than enact some other tactic to put the Rainbooms back on the defence, the three Sirens grabbed around their necks in a panic, then turned tail and ran.

Rather than split up their newly re-harmonized team, the group slowed to a stop at the place on the stage where the Dazzlings had been standing just moments before. What Sunset at first thought were sequins she realized were shards from the ruby pendants the Sirens had been wearing. She bent down and scooped up some of the shards, tilting her hand back and forth to catch the light on the broken facets of the gemstones. "Guess that explains why these were so special to them."

Twilight reached up to tilt Sunset's hand back and forth, doing her own visual examination of the gems. "Without those pendants and the magic you brought here from Equestria, they're just three harmless teenage girls."

Further conjecture was halted as the crowd's booing was interrupted by a familiar voice, "Rainbooms rule!" The band and Sunset broke out into giggles, some at Flash's shout, some at Twilight's sudden smiling blush.

As though waiting on her cue to sour the mood, Trixie stomped in from where she'd been waiting in the stage wings. 

"You may have vanquished the Dazzlings, but you will never have the amazing, show stopping ability of the Great and Powerful Trixie!" To punctuate her pronouncement, she slammed a smoke bomb onto the stage, causing everyone to instinctively close their eyes and start coughing to clear their lungs.

Pinkie was the first to recover. She looked around, gasped, and proclaimed, "She's gone!" After a pause she pointed off to a fence behind where Trixie had been standing, "Oh, wait. There she is."

Trixie abruptly disappeared from sight, not due to magical ability on her part, but due only to the magic of gravity as she fell off the fence and hit the ground with a 'thud' loud enough for everyone on stage to flinch in sympathy.

"Trixie's...okay..." fluttered weakly on the wind from over the fence.

Rainbow Dash chuckled and nudged Sunset. "You know, Twilight's going back to Equestria soon. The Rainbooms could really use someone to help Fluttershy on backup vocals."

An excited, mischievous gleam lit Sunset's eyes as she snagged a nearby electric guitar left behind by one of the previous acts and slung the strap over her shoulder, the remnants of the Siren's jewels clattering to the stage. Without pausing, she let her fingers fly over the frets as she used the fingernails of her right hand as improvised picks to play a nicely crunchy, distorted riff. At the shocked expressions of her friends, she said, "I also play guitar."

Rainbow did her best to cover her surprise, "We'll see..."

As the Rainbooms giggled at Dash's attempted nonchalance, Vice-Principal Luna took a microphone off it's stand and began the process of MC-ing the closing "ceremony," doing her best to keep the crowd upbeat and distracting them from the fact that, yet again, their minds had been magically manipulated. Sunset felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see Principal Celestia, almost hiding off-stage and taking advantage of her long limbs to remain concealed while she got the former unicorn's attention. Sunset stepped closer to Celestia, allowing the two to move into the backstage and away from the prying eyes of the rest of the school populous.

"Sunset..." began the principal. When she didn't continue, the younger woman looked the older in the eyes and saw a pain that Sunset knew far too intimately. "...my little Sunshine...I'm so sorry."

Pushing the guitar around her torso so it hung off her back, Sunset leaned in and hugged Celestia. "It's OK, mom. You had even less control over your actions than I did back at the Fall Formal, and you forgave me. The least I can do is forgive you."

The otherwise tender private moment was interrupted by what sounded like a cat choking on a hairball. The two turned as one to see Twilight, knees slightly wobbly, eyes practically popping out of their sockets, one arm limp and the other extended more like a zombie than a person pointing, "...'Mom?!' 'My little Sunshine?!' When did this happen?"

Sunset and Celestia giggled, only just loud enough to be heard over the sound of the audience cheering as Luna announced the Rainbooms the winners of the competition. "Celestia adopted me about a month after the Fall Formal." Any further explanation would have to wait, as Luna joined them in the hug, having apparently handed the microphone off to Rainbow Dash, who was milking the crowd for all she could. The Vice-Principal threw all her strength into the hug, causing Celestia and Sunset to gurgle and gasp. "...air, Auntie!"

"Luna," grunted Celestia, "Please, a little less force."

As Luna's hug slackened a bit, Sunset caught her breath, "Love you, too, Auntie Luna."

They could see tears threatening to escape Luna's eyes, "I am so very sorry, Sunset. Please know I would never have said those things if I...please forgive me!"

Sunset managed to free an arm enough to pat Luna on the back. "It's OK. I figured out you were being mind-manipulated pretty quick. It did hurt, but one of the first lessons at CSGU when it came to mind spells was that the person under control was as much a victim of the caster as anyone they may hurt while under the spell. There's nothing to forgive."

Any further tenderness was put on hold as a blast of noise emitted from the speakers, the tones of a blown-out power-chord from Rainbow Dash's guitar causing a renewed roar from the crowd. "THANK YOU CANTERLOT HIGH, GOOD NIGHT!" Shouted Dash into the microphone in a classic rock'n'roll send-off. Whoever was on the control board was on top of their game, as the stage lights and spots cut out almost simultaneously and the last of the fireworks from Trixie's act were lit. The Rainbooms practically leaped off the stage (except, of course, for Fluttershy, who skittered off attempting to hide from the crowd behind her band-mates) riding the wave of the roar of the crowd. "That was so...AWESOME!" whooped Dash.

Pinkie Pie bounced around her chromatically-haired friend "From now on, I'm gonna keep DJs all around town, just in case of DJ emergencies!"

Twilight giggled, "I don't think the DJs would be happy with being stashed away like that."

Applejack chuckled at Pinkie's antics, "Well, I dunno about y'all, but I aint had nuthin' to eat since Trixie dropped us under the stage."

"She did WHAT?!" exclaimed Luna.

Sunset giggled, "Mind control, auntie."

Luna sighed and nodded, and Celestia spoke up. "Well I think we could all use a bite to eat. How does pizza sound?"
Cheering was the natural response, and the gaggle of teenagers started herding themselves out the back door of the stage. As they were shuffling about (Applejack and Rainbow Dash forming a traffic jam as they tried to shove their way through the door at the same time), Luna spotted a gleam of red out of corner of her eye. Turning, she realized that the Siren's gem shards had been left behind. Knealing down, she began carefully picking up all the pieces she could find.

"Luna, you coming?" came her sister's voice from the door. Luna turned to see that she was the only one still in the building, Celestia propping the door open with a hip.

"I'm going to make sure Raven gets some students to clean up. I'm sure the Dazzlings didn't think to prepare for any after-event logistics, given how sure they were that they would win."

Celestia nodded, "Don't take too long," she giggled, "I'm not sure I can keep this starving pack of wolves at bay."

Luna grinned as the door closed, then stood, her fist closing over the shards in her palm.


*****


"Twilight Sparkle," began Luna.

The teenage girl who wasn't a teenager nor a human girl inelegantly replied, "Glrk?" around a bite of cheese pizza.

The corner of Luna's mouth quirked up, "May I ask you a question?"

Twilight rapidly chewed and took a sip of water before replying, "Of course, Princess...I mean Vice-Principal Luna."

"Just 'Luna' is fine," she commented, "The Dazzlings...where did they come from, and what is going to happen to them now?"

Twilight imediatly settled into 'lecture' mode, "Well, as you probably figured out, the Dazzlings are really magical creatures from Equestria; a sub-species of sea pony called a siren. They were exiled from Equestria over one-thousand years ago by the most powerful unicorn sorcerer that has ever lived, Starswirl the Bearded. According to our legends, those three caused all sorts of strife before they were exiled."

"One thousand years ago," Luna said in astonishment, "why have they only turned up now?"

"I'm not sure." replied Twilight after a moment of thought. "Starswirl could have used a time displacement spell on them, he is the only pony to have ever mastered time spells. Of course, it was an uncontrolled time-space vortex, so it could simply have been a quirk of inter-universal physics. Sunset and I came over by magic mirror, which even without knowing exactly how it was built I can tell you it would by design create more stable wormholes than a spell cast in the midst of combat like Starswirl did."

"So what's going to happen to them now," Fluttershy asked quietly from across the table. Twilight looked at Fluttershy and then back at Luna.

"I don't know," Twilight said, "If I knew where they were I would take them back to Equestria, but as it stands I don't know where they are or what, if any, authority I have over them."

"Do they present any threat to our world?" Luna inquired.

"I don't think so, those crystal pendants were the source of their powers," Twilight said, "so they shouldn't be any more dangerous than normal teenage girls."

Celestia and Luna both exchanged looks with each other after Twilght's last comment. As happens with siblings and long-married couples, they were able to convey entire conversations with a mere glance. Three teenagers, girls no less, powerless and alone in the city? Not on our watch! was the unspoke conclusion.

The younger girls at the table continued, oblivious to the unspoken conversation. "Should I contact you if they turn up," Sunset asked her fellow Equestrian.

"I'll leave that up to you," Twilight said, "Since you live here, you'll be in a better position to make the judgment call."

"I just hope that this is the last time we have to deal magical creatures and artifacts from Equestria," Rarity said.

"Well now that I've found a way to keep the portal open and we have the journal to keep in touch, I'm just a quick note away. Frankly, I'm going to have my hands full keeping my world's Pinkie Pie from crossing over," Twilight said.

All eyes on the table turned and looked at the pink haired party girl. "What?" Pinkie said as she looked at everyone and pulled a can of whipped cream out of her hair and sprayed some into her soda.

After dinner, Luna helped drive the everyone to Celestia's house where the girls were having a sleepover. Once everyone was settled, Luna returned to her own home. She placed her keys on the counter before she sat down on her couch and took the crystal fragments out of her pocket. She picked one of the larger pieces up and studied it. Luna wasn't sure why but she found herself fascinated by the pendent fragments.


*****


"What are we going to do now Adagio," Aria asked her sister. Sonata was sleeping peacefully on the sole mattress in the room they had decided was suitable for sleeping.

The silence following the question was pregnant with pain and fear. "I don't know," Adagio finally answered. She wanted to scream, but she didn't want to wake Sonata.

"Could...we go home?" Aria asked.

"The pony princess would likely have us put in chains the moment we set foot back in Equestria," Adagio answered, "It looks like we will have to learn to live in this world."

"But we don't have any skills to help us survive in this world." Aria pointed out.

"Then we'll have to learn!" Adagio snapped. Stung by the verbal slap, Aria sunk back into a slump against the wall.
Adagio considered their options. She had always been a flirt, maybe she could use her skills to her and her sisters advantage...the more she thought about it, the more the idea disgusted her. Such a move was barely one step above doing things that Adagio had hoped that she would never have to do. She promised herself that she wouldn't force her two sisters into that lifestyle.

"We'll find a way Aria." Adagio said at last.
> Investigations (revised 12.28.2018)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Luna sat at her desk in her office. It was the Monday after the Battle of the Bands, and inter-dimensional magical threats or no, there was always paperwork to be done. She was looking over the morning attendance reports and she wasn't surprised to find three names listed as absent. With a sigh, she leaned back in her chair and deliberated on her next course of action. In the darkness of her office, the single desk lamp she allowed for illuminating her work area caught the facets of the remnants of the Dazzling's gemstones. Every survival tool those girls have was destroyed Friday night...have they even been able to get themselves food? What if the only way they had to get shelter was to use mind control, and now they're homeless? Her thoughts crystalized, recalling when she'd followed a similar (though admittedly far less magical) path as a rebellious teen herself. Shaking her head to clear the thoughts of her own past out, she keyed the button on her desk phone to page the secretary she shared with her sister.

"Raven," Luna said after a moment, "could you please bring me the files for Adagio Dazzle, Aria Blaze, and Sonata Dusk."

The silence that greeted the request spoke volumes, but rather than voice her concerns, Raven just said, "Very well," and disconnected the line.

Enough time had passed for her to resume the next task on her daily to-do list (attendance reports for the previous afternoon's detention) when she heard a knock on her office door. "It's open Raven," Luna called not looking up.

"Raven asked me to give you these," Luna heard her sister say, "Why the interest in the Dazzlings?"

Luna looked up at her sister and reached for the files. "They are enrolled as our students," Luna said, "It is our duty to look out for them, is it not?"

As Luna spread the files out on her desk, Celestia started to speak, but reconsidered and sat in an open chair while Luna read.

"Hmm...interesting."

"What?" Celestia said out of curiosity as she leaned forward and looked at the files over Luna's desk.

"All three of them have a different mailing address listed," Luna said, "However the home phone numbers they provide are identical."

Celestia pulled her cell phone out of her pocket and entered the address listed for Adagio, then set it down so the screen showed the map, allowing her to pinch and scroll around, dropping pins at each of the listed addresses. "Notice that the addresses are all in the same block," she said, "They are close enough that we wouldn't have caught it at a quick glance."

"We didn't." Luna replied chastisingly, "Is Sunset busy?"

"No, she has Study Hall in the library this period," Celestia said, "Why?"

"I want to ask her a few questions," Luna responded.


*****


Luna found Sunset in the school library. She was busy helping a freshman with her history homework. It took Luna a moment to remember the freshman's name.

"Silver Spoon, could you give me a moment of Sunset's time?" While Luna phrased it as a question, it was intended as an order.

"Sure Ms. Luna," Silver Spoon said as she started to gather her things.

"Please stay seated Ms. Spoon," Luna motioned for Sunset to follow her, "Sunset and I will take this out to the hall so as not to disturb the library any more than necessary. Please return to your studies." Silver meekly set her belongings back down and re-opened her book to the place she had been studying out of with Sunset.

The vice-principal and her adopted niece stepped into the hall. It was blessedly quiet, as all the students who were not in a class were in practice rooms, the library, or enjoying the cool of the morning outside. Luna pondered how to approach the question for a moment, then spoke, "Sunset, you gave the Dazzlings a tour of the campus did you not?"

"Yeah," Sunset answered, "why?"

"Did you girls talk about anything other than the school," Luna asked.

"I tried, they really didn't seem that interested in making any friends. They only told me that they were sisters," Sunset paused to recall the events of the week prior, "I did ask them about their pendants but looking back now, I understand why they were so tight-lipped."

"So you didn't learn anything about them," Luna asked her niece.

"Not really, sorry," Sunset answered, "why are you so interested in them?"

Luna's gaze held Sunset's, and for a moment the mask of the school administrator fell. Sunset recognized the emotion on Luna's face as the one she saw far too frequently in the mirror; the distant scarred echo of regret. "Everyone deserves a second chance." she answered.


*****


"What do you mean we can't go to school tomorrow," Sonata cried, "it's Taco Tuesday!"

"C.H.S. isn't safe for us anymore," Adagio answered, "Without our powers of manipulation we would be defenseless there!"

"BUTIWANTATACO!" Sonata cried even louder, "Please 'Dagi, I'm hungry."

"Sonata, knock it off! We're all hungry!" Aria said from the corner she was sitting in glaring at them over the top of the book she was reading.

"And what would you have us do," Adagio asked sarcastically, "Go beg on the streets like a common earth pony?"

Aria didn't answer, instead she stood up and grabbing her book and vest she headed out the door.

While this was far from the first time she had taken some time to break away from the other two, this was the first time that she could recall since coming to this world that she had no plans for the future whatsoever. Being a Siren, she was completely unfamiliar with how the human world operated, so had little idea what options might be open to her and her sisters. Adagio had always been the manipulative one of the three, was accustomed to getting her way, and had a stubborn streak as deep as an ocean trench. Sonata, on the other hand, was more innocent, she only had gone along with their plans because she had believed that Adagio had their best interests at heart. Now they had no plan, and no means to support themselves. Aria wondered how long it would be before Adagio tried to stab both Sonata and herself in the back.

"It's only a matter of time if our lot doesn't improve," Aria muttered to herself as she entered Sugarcube Corner. She reached into her pocket and found a few dollar bills there.

"One large tea and a brownie please," Aria said when she stepped up to the counter.

"Here you go dearie," Mrs. Cake said as she handed Aria her order. Aria nodded her thanks and went and sat at one the tables outside the bakery and coffeehouse. She sat reading her book for a while, not really paying attention to the passage of time.

Her reading was abruptly interrupted by the sound of a ringing phone. With a start, she looked around to see who's phone was disrupting her quiet time when she realized it was a payphone. In fact, it was the payphone, the only means of contact the Dazzlings had with anyone who wanted to call them. Given their rather sound defeat at the hands of the Rainbooms the previous Friday, she had a strong suspicion who the call was from, and after careful consideration decided not to answer it. Adagio had already made it clear they weren't going back to the school.

Her train of thought was derailed when she noticed a navy blue Camaro driving slowly down the street. Aria watched as it drove past. "Bitchin' ride," Aria thought to herself. Then she noticed another navy-blue Camaro drive by. Now Aria was getting suspicious. "Don't panic Aria, there is a perfectly logical explanation for this," Aria said to herself. "...Great, now I'm talking to myself."

Aria watched as a blue Camaro drove by for the third time. Now she was certain that something was up. Camaros may have been a more frequent sight closer to Crystal Prep, but on this end of town, even one was slightly unusual. Given that she was pretty sure it was the same vehicle all three times, Aria got up quickly, abandoning her food, and began to walk down the sidewalk. She made up her mind to take a long way home; she figured that would give her the best chance at evading anyone that might be following her. She saw the Camaro turn onto the street she was walking down and start driving in her direction. Aria began to run, but she stopped when the Camaro cut her off. She was surprised when the driver's door opened and Vice-Principal Luna climbed out.

"Aria, wait!" the educator said, "I just want to talk."
> Parley
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"What." Aria said trying to make herself sound intimidating, "come for payback for what my sisters and I did to your school?"

"No," Luna answered, "I've come to ask you to come back."

Aria was stunned, being asked to return to CHS was the last thing she thought of when she had seen the Vice-Principal.

"You're going to invite us back in," Aria asked suspiciously, "after everything we did?"

"Yes," Luna answered simply. She hoped that she was making headway. Of the three sirens, Aria was likely the hardest to read. 

"Why," Aria asked.

"Every child deserves the opportunity to succeed," Luna answered, "I'm merely offering you and your sisters that opportunity."

Aria was silent.

"Look, I'm not going to force you or your sisters to come back," Luna said, "but if you do, I know some girls who would be willing to give you a chance."

"What's in it for you," Aria asked.

"Nothing. This is solely for your benefit," Luna answered honestly.

"I won't promise you anything, particularly where Adagio is concerned," Aria said, "but I will pass this along to my sisters."

"That's the most I could hope for," Luna said, "hopefully I will see you at school tomorrow."

Aria watched as Luna got back in her car and drove away. She watched as Luna turned down another street. The she looked down at the book in her hands before looking up to the heavens. Maybe it was time to stop following Adagio and maybe it was time to reach for a goal she wanted.


*****


Sunset opened the door to the apartment she lived in with Celestia.

"Hey Aunt Luna," Sunset said, "did you find the Dazzlings?"

"I found one of them," Luna said as she entered the apartment, "hopefully Aria will be able to convince her sisters to return to CHS. That reminds me, Sunset, if they do come back, could you and your friends extend that friendship to them?"

Luna could see that Sunset was thinking over what she had just asked.

"Sure," Sunset said finally, "I was given a second chance, why shouldn't they?"

"Good answer," Luna said.

"Luna," Celestia said as she stepped out of the kitchen and handed her sister a beer and a sheet of paper, "Printing Press called and left you this message."

"Why does he call here," Sunset asked, "you moved out a month ago, doesn't that make it hard for him to get in touch with you?"

"There's your answer," Luna said as she popped open her beer and read the message, "I've told him the answer is not only NO, but HELL NO!"


*****


"What's wrong with going back to CHS Adagio," Aria screamed back at her older sister, "how else are we going to survive in this world?"

"With out our pendants we lack the power we need to succeed," Adagio reasoned, "do you really want to set yourselves up for failure?"

"Guess what," Aria responded, "that's a part of life! Do you think that mother would be proud of us hiding out like this?"

"How dare you bring her into this," Adagio exclaimed.

"Ohhh, please stop fighting," Sonata cried. Adagio looked from Aria to her oldest sister, upon locking eyes with Sonata, Adagio spun around and stormed out of the abandoned strip mall that they called home.

"Aria, what's going to happen to us," Sonata asked.

"We do the best we can and learn how to survive here in this world," Aria answered as she handed Sonata a bottle of water and their last packet of ramen noodles.

Sonata looked at the package of freeze dried noodles.

"What are you going to eat," 

"You need this more than I do," Aria said softly' "go ahead and eat, I'll be fine."

"We'll share it." Sonata exclaimed as she cracked the brick of pasta in half and handed one chunk to Aria. Aria took the half that Sonata had handed her and looked out the window.

"The sun is going down," Sonata said.


*****


Adagio knew that she was breaking her own rule about being out after dark. She wished that she had brought her hoodie with her since there was a slight chill in the air.

"Why did Aria have to bring up mom," Adagio said aloud, "she forged us into the weapons we became."

Despite how hard she tried to push them out, memories of happier times growing up as young Sea Pony princesses In the palace of Seaquestria flooded her mind. Their mother had been kind and loving. Then their father had died. They had been told that he had been killed by the pony inhabitants of Equestria. On that day, mother had changed. Gone were the happy days of singing for the Imperial Court. They were taught how to use their voices as a weapon. The day she died, their mother unleashed them on  an unexpecting Equestria.

"WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO," Adagio screamed at the moon.

"You always were the most dedicated," Adagio heard the voice of her mother say.

"Mother," Adagio cried in a whisper.

"I'm here," her mother said, "look to your sisters."

Adagio sank to her knees and wept.
> Taco Tuesday
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Wake up Sonata," Aria said, "we'll be late to school."

"Ok," Sonata answered with out opening her eyes, "fifteen more minutes."

"I didn't want to have to do this," Aria said, "it's Taco Tuesday."

Sonata shot up like a rocket. She had gone from fully asleep to fully away in less than a second. She looked at Aria with expectant eyes.

"Tacos," Sonata exclaimed as she began to push Aria out the door, "what are we waiting for, lets go!"

"Whoa, slow down Sonata," Aria laughed, "you're still wearing your pajamas."

Sonata stopped pushing Aria and looked down.

"Oh, I knew that," Sonata blushed.

"Uh-huh," Aria smirked.

"Where's Dagi," Sonata asked as she looked around.

"I'm not sure," Aria shrugged, "she wasn't here when I woke up."

Sonata got dressed and grabbed her backpack and her jacket.

"Ready to go," Sonata told Aria, "though, shouldn't we wait for Dagi?"

"She'll catch up," Aria said, "lets get going."

The walk to CHS took Aria a little longer than she had planned, Sonata was so excited that she was shaking, she also stopped several times to look for Adagio.

When the two girls arrived at CHS, they weren't surprised to find all the hostile glares that they had received.

Sunset Shimmer waved at the two girls as she approached them.

"I'm really glad that you decided to come back," Sunset said, "if any one deserves a second chance it's you thr- where's Adagio?"

"No clue," Aria said a bit defensively, "are you our warden?"

"No, i-," Sunset started to say, as she gestured towards the fresh mound of dirt where the crater had been and the new masonry work that made up the school enterance, "I just want to be your friend, I know how hard it can be coming back here after you've done something."

Aria looked Sunset over.

"So everything that they said about you was true," Aria said with a smirk, "I guess that Dagi was wrong about you."

"Uh, thanks," Sunset said, "I think." 

"Hey Sunny," Rainbow Dash called out, "quit flirting with her and introduce us to your new friends!"

"Come on, meet the girls," Sunset said as she felt her cheeks blush.

Aria looked at the other five members of the Rainbooms, the first thing that she noticed was that they were the only students who had friendly faces.

"Girls," Sunset said as they approached, "you remember Aria and Sonata."

Aria and Sonata were greeted by a chorus of "hello", one "howdy", and one barely audible "hi".

"Hi," Aria said.

"Hello! Are you girls gonna be our friends?" Sonata asked excitedly.

"Undoubtedly," Pinkie answered with equal enthusiasm as she materialized next to Sonata, "you smell like tacos!"

"So what happens now," Aria said, "I can't imagine that everyone is excited to have us back."

"Let me ask ya question," Applejack said, "are ya truly sorry fer what ya did?"

"Yes," Aria and Sonata both cried.

"We were only doing what we had to do to survive," Sonata said.

"Wait," Fluttershy said as a look of equal parts terror and sadness crept on to her face, "if you needed those pendents to survive, what's going to happen to you now?"

"I'm not sure how exactly," Aria said, "but whatever magic you hit us with, uh, cured us I guess for lack of a better word."

"The magic of friendship," Sunset smiled.

"Yeah, so any way," Rainbow said, "we figure that most of the other students here won't actually trouble you, in fact we might be able to win them over."

"Trixie on the other hand," Rarity said, "is going to prove difficult."

"Who is Trixie," Sonata asked. 

"Don't worry," Sunset said, "if I know Trixie, and I do, she is already planning some form of vengeance." 

"Ooh, what classes do you have for first period," Pinkie asked.

"Chemistry," Aria answered.

"PE," Sonata answered.

"Oh, Aria, you have Chem with both Fluttershy and myself," Sunset said.

"I get to play dodgeball with Nata," Pinkie exclaimed.


*****


Across town Adagio watched as students walked into another high school. She had let her mind wander as she though about her sisters. That is, until she saw a familiar face among the crowd.

"What is she doing here," Adagio thought, "and since when does she wear glasses?"

Then Adagio knew what was happening, and a new plan began to form in her mind.


*****


Most of the students at CHS had ignored them. A few, like Flash Sentry and a girl named Derpy, reached out to them to become friends. And while their reception hadn't been as ice cold as Aria thought it could of been, it did have it's moments.

"They actually think that they can just show up here and be forgiven," Trixie had said to Photo Finish. Sunset had overheard her, and some one, most believed it to be Sweetie Belle, had started a rumor that she had stuffed Trixie into a locker.

Sonata sat looking at the taco on her lunch tray.

"What's wrong Sugarcube," Applejack asked as she and Aria sat down at the table, "don't ya like Granny's tacos?"

"No I love them," Sonata sighed, "I'm just worried about Dagi."

"I'm sure she's alright," Aria said, "where's Sunset, didn't the two of you have art before lunch?"

"Ms. Luna called her to her office after last period," Sonata explained.

Applejack looked at Aria.

"Ah I hope Sunset ain't in trouble," Applejack said.

"I didn't put Trixie in a locker," Sunset said quickly as she stepped into Luna's office.

"I didn't think you did," Luna said, "wait, what did you say?"

"Nothing," Sunset answered, "so why did you want to see me?"

"How are things going with Aria and Sonata," Luna asked.

"So far, things are going ok," Sunset said, " I'll admit that there have been some rough patches, but we're getting there."

"I'm glad," Luna said, "I'll keep an eye on Trixie, you just help Aria and Sonata feel that they are welcome here."

"I can do that," Sunset said, "what's going to happen to Adagio?"

"I'm not giving up on her," Luna said, "I've got two out three, but I want the entire set."
> The Day's End
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Luna stood by the entrance and exit of CHS watching the students leave for the day. She saw a familiar group of girls approaching. She called out to them.

"Aria, may I speak to you for a moment," Luna asked. Aria hesitated a moment and looked at Sunset and her other friends.

"Don't worry sis," Sonata said cheerfully as she draped an arm around Pinkie Pie, "we'll be right outside."

Aria watched as the seven girls walked out onto the CHS front lawn. She then turned and faced Vice-Principal Luna.

"How did your day go," Luna asked, smiling, "any problems?"

"Not really," Aria answered, "Sunset and her friends are really nice, I don't understand why they want to be our friends after everything we did."

"Sunset has a history quite similar to yours," Luna answered, "I'm positive that she would tell you about it if you asked."

"That was true," Aria said incredulously, "I thought those stories about the Fall Formal were just rumors."

"Aria, everyone has secrets," Luna said, "even myself."

Aria was curious what the Vice-Principal's secret could be. If she still had access to her magic she could have easily found out. Aria banished that thought from her mind, she didn't want to return to the evil Siren she had once been. Luna reached inter her pocket and handed Aria a slip of paper. There was a phone number scrawled on it.

"I know, my hand writing isn't the best," Luna joked, "but that is my number, if you or your sisters need anything don't hesitate to call me."

"Uh, thank you," Aria said.

"Your sister and friends are waiting for you," Luna said, "better go catch up."

Aria looked at Luna for a moment before exiting through the same door that her friends had only moments earlier.

"What are you up to Luna," a voice said. Luna looked up and saw Raven Inkwell standing nearby.

"Aren't I allowed to be concerned about my students," Luna asked her oldest friend and secretary.

"Sure," Raven laughed, "but I know you, am I going to need to do for you what I did for your sister?"

"Maybe it won't come to that," Luna answered.

"Look at how happy having Sunset in her life has made Celestia," Raven said, "don't you deserve the same thing? I know that you get lonely in that large house by yourself."

"Let's give them some time Raven," Luna said, "let's get out of here."


*****


Aria looked nervously at the clock mounted on the wall behind the counter in Sugarcube Corner.

"Sunset, may I use your phone," she said, "I want to call Adagio."

"Sure, but don't you have a phone," Sunset asked as she pulled out her phone.

"No only Dagi has a phone." Sonata answered from across the table "and it isn't even a smart phone."

Aria dialed a number from memory.

"Hey Adagio, don't hang up, it's me." Aria said into the phone, "this is Sunset Shimmer's phone... No I didn't steal it."

"HEY DAGI," Sonata said excitedly.

"Yeah, that was Nata," Aria said, "OK, see you when we get home."

Aria handed Sunset back her phone.

"We should be getting home," Aria said, "I want to see what Adagio has been up to."


*****


Aria and Sonata made sure that they weren't followed. They weren't ready for their new friends to know about their living situation. When they entered to abandoned storefront, they found Adagio filling out a stack of forms.

"Whatcha doin Dagi," Sonata asked as she bounced over and gave her eldest sister a huge hug.

"Nothing," Adagio said quickly. That got Aria's attention and she walked over and picked up one of the forms.

"Adagio," Aria said, "this is an application for Crystal Prep. Why do you want to go there?"

"I'm not going back to CHS," Adagio answered, "they may not have turned on you today, but it's only a matter of time."

"That won't happen," Aria countered, "the Principals and Sunset and her friends won't let it."

"You are so naive," Adagio said, "you sound just like Sonata. Now I need you to sign these forms so that I can get enrolled. I'm headed out for the evening."

With that Adagio got up and went into the back room to get changed. She came back out wearing a tank top and running shorts.

Aria studied Adagio's enrollment application, then an idea came to her. She pulled a small slip of paper out of her pocket.

"Nata," Aria said, "hand me that pen."

"Ok," Sonata said, "wait you're actually going to go through with this, how long do you think Dagi can stay out of trouble with out us?"

"Exactly," Aria said as she signed the application and filled in the contact information slot. She then held out the application for Sonata to read.

"Ooh, devious," Sonata said, "I like it."

"I thought that you would," Aria said, "I need to go make a call, want to come?"

Sonata looked around the place she and her sisters called home. She didn't mind being there when one or both of her sisters was with her, but she didn't enjoy being left there alone.

"Sure." she answered.


*****


Aria and Sonata found themselves sitting in a corner booth in the Coinky-Dink Dinner. They both had glasses of water sitting in front of them when the person they had been waiting on slid into the booth with them.

"You didn't tell me that we were meeting Vice-Principal Luna," Sonata whispered to Aria.

"Good evening girls," Luna said, noticing the surprised look on Sonata's face, "have you ordered yet?"

"No," Aria replied, "we don't have enough money to eat here."

"Go ahead and order what you want," Luna said with a smile, "and don't worry about paying me back."

Luna ordered a Monster Patty Melt, while Aria ordered a bacon cheeseburger, and Sonata ordered a bowl of mac and cheese.

After taking a few bites of her sandwich Luna looked at Aria.

"What's the reason you asked to see me," Luna asked.

"This," Aria said as she slid a form over to Luna. Luna picked it up and read it.

"This is an application to Crystal Prep," Luna said, " the principal there is a good friend of my sister, and the dean is our niece. I see that my phone number and my signature are on here."

"I panicked," Aria said, "I thought I should let you know."

"I don't object Aria," Luna said, "but I would have liked to know about this before you signed my name on the application."

"Sorry," Aria said.
> Things Get Fishy at Crystal Prep
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Adagio didn't want to admit it to herself, but she was nervous. She found Principal Cinch to be very intimidating. Dean Cadence on the other hand was on the opposite end of the spectrum, she was so friendly that it made Adagio feel a little sick. She sat quietly while Principal Cinch looked over the application.

"Ms Dazzle," Principal Cinch said finally, "could you please wait outside while I discuss your application with Dean Cadence."

"Yes ma'am," Adagio said. She knew that if she was forced into a battle of wills against Cinch, she would lose in her current weakened state.

After Adagio set foot out of the room and the heavy oak door had closed behind her, Cinch turned to Cadence.

"Tell me about her," Cinch demanded.

"I don't know anything about her," Cadence said, caught off guard by Cinch's question.

"She put your aunt down as her contact information," Cinch responded, "and your aunt signed the application."

"Really, I know that Aunty Tia recently adopted a girl by the name of Sunset Shimmer," Cadence said, "but this is the first that I've heard of an Adagio Dazzle."

"It's not Celestia's name on the application," Cinch replied, "Luna signed it."

"Luna signed that girls application," Cadence said in disbelief. Cinch reached for her phone and dialed a number. Cadence began to move toward the exit.

"Stay here Cadence," Cinch said as she activated the speaker phone function, "let's get to the bottom of this."

"Hello," Luna said over the phone's speaker.

"Good morning Vice-Principal Luna," Cinch said, "this is Abicus Cinch over at Crystal Prep."

"This is about Adagio's application isn't it," Luna asked.

"Yes it is," Cinch said, "what can you tell us about her?"

"Us," Luna asked.

"Hello Luna," Cadence answered, "what can you tell us about her?"

"Morning Cadence," Luna sighed, "Adagio is smart and calculating, I don't think that she would find the curriculum here at CHS  challenging enough."

"What is her home life like," Cinch asked.

"She and her sisters recently went through a traumatic experience," Luna said, "I promised that I'd look after them."

"Any history of abuse," Cinch asked, "you know that I must ask,"

"None that I'm aware of," Luna said.

"Luna you mentioned sisters," Cadence said, "where are they?"

"They both attend CHS," Luna answered.

"Thank you Vice-Principal Luna, that will be all," Cinch said before hanging go the phone, "Cadence, could you bring Ms. Dazzle back in here so that we may complete her enrollment here at Crystal Prep."


*****


Luna hung up the phone and rubbed her temples. She had been expecting a call from Crystal Prep, but that hadn't prevented the headache that calls from the prep school across town inevitably caused. Luna looked at the clock mounted on her office wall. Sighing she stood up and made her way out of her office and into the school's hallway. Shortly afterward the bell rang signifying the end of morning classes and the start of lunch.

She caught site of Aria and Sunset making their toward the lunch room, she decided to flag them down.

"Girls, after you get your lunches would you mind joining me in my office," Luna said.

Luna waited patiently for the two girls to join her in her office.

"Aria, what were things like for you and your sisters back where you are from," Luna asked after they had both sat down. She noticed a moment of hesitation creep across Aria's face.

"Back home our mother is Queen Soprano Harmony of Seaquestria," Aria answered, "and yes that makes the three of us princesses."

Aria waited for this to sink in before continuing.

"Our mother was afraid that the Ponies of Equestria and the Hippogriffs of Mount Aris were going to invade," Aria continued, "so she developed a weapon. My sisters and I were that weapon."

Sunset reached out and put her hand on Aria's shoulder, giving it a light squeeze.

"She used her magic to transform us into a weapon she could unleash on Equestria," Aria continued, "Sirens get and use our magic through song, our mother changed our magic into dark magic. Then she set us loose on Equestria."

"The Pillars are what stopped us," Aria said as she reminisced, "Starswirl banished us to this world, you everything that happened after that."

The bell signifying then end of lunch rang and both Aria and Sunset stood up to head to class.

"Aria I'll catch up," Sunset said, "I need to take something to the lunch room on my way to class."

Sunset waited for Aria to leave before she turned to Luna with a worried look on her face.

"What's wrong," Luna said.

"The events that she just told us about," Sunset said, "they happened over one-thousand years ago in my  world's past. Queen Harmony has been dead for nearly nine hundred years."

Luna was speechless at Sunset's statement. Not only had these three girls been exiled to a new world, they weren't even aware that they were orphans.

"Don't tell them Sunset," Luna said finally, "allow me to do that.,

"Thanks," Sunset said, "I really didn't want to be the one to tell them that."

After Sunset had left Luna called both Raven and Celestia into her office. She told them the condensed version of the Story that Aria had told her and Sunset and she told them what Sunset had told her.

"Raven, could you do for me what you did for Celestia and Sunset," Luna said, "and could you backdate the appropriate paperwork.?"

"No problem," Raven nodded, "I can have it all ready by the end of next week."

"It only took you two days to get Sunsets paperwork ready," Celestia observed.

"This time I have three girls to do," Raven replied, "one of whom doesn't even go to this school."

"Thank you Raven," Luna said, "you have no idea how much this means to me."

"Yeah, well you can pay me back with an expensive dinner and a romantic movie," Raven said.
> Not only no, BUT HELL NO
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Luna had decided to take Raven out to a Japanese Steakhouse. The two women were enjoying their sushi, when Luna's phone began to ring. Looking at the screen she saw that it was Printing Press.

"Sorry Raven," Luna sighed, "I have to take this call."

She hit the accept call button and answered.

"Printing Press, you have the most annoying habit of calling at the most inopportune times," Luna said into her phone, "apologies only get you so far."

Luna listened to what Printing Press had to tell her before she spoke.

"Look I don't care if it's 1138 Studios, Griffinsgate Films or some other Hollywood studio, right now my answer is no," Luna said, "I won't have those vultures butchering my work."

Luna then turned off her phone and looked at Raven.

"Sorry about that," Luna said, "I keep telling him no and he keeps insisting."

"Well, that's what I get with you being world famous," Raven answered, "as long as at the end of the day I get you all to myself."

"Nightmare Moon is famous," Luna countered switching to a southern accent, "Ah'm just ah simple high school Vice-Principal."

"Are you sure you aren't an actress," Raven laughed.

"Tia was the drama queen when we were kids, remember," Luna laughed.


*****


Aria and Sonata were both staring at Adagio when she entered the place they called home.

"What," Adagio asked.

"Dagi," Sonata said, "you look cute."

"What are you wearing," Aria laughed, "you look like you just walked off the set of a Japanese anime!"

"It's my uniform," Adagio growled, "all the girls at Crystal Prep dress this way."

"Please put your hair in ponytails," Aria said trying and failing to keep a straight face, "I want a picture of this!"

"I am going to kill you," Adagio answered.

Sonata soon joined Aria in fits of laughter.

"Both of you are dead to me," Adagio growled.

Later that evening, after Adagio had changed out of her uniform, she and her sisters went for a walk. They found themselves sitting in the park next to the bandshell. Adagio looked over at the stage.

"We were so close," Adagio said.

"Drop it Adagio," Aria answered, "I feel more alive now than I have felt I years."

"Don't you ever wonder how things could have been," Adagio said, "we could have ruled Equestria by mother's side."

"Mother used us Adagio," Aria said, "we were nothing but disposable pawns to her, she used us and then discarded us like yesterday's trash."

"I never want to go back to her or Equestria," Sonata said.

"You girls don't really mean that do you?" Adagio said shocked by what her sisters were saying.

"I absolutely mean it," Aria said.

"Equestria doesn't have tacos," Sonata answered. Both Adagio and Aria couldn't help but face palm at Sonata's comment.

"Sonata do me a favor," Adagio said after moment, "never grow up."

The three sisters enjoyed the rest of their evening and when they returned to their home Sonata went straight to sleep. Aria pulled out her sketch pad and a pencil.

"Aria," Adagio said quietly so that she would wake their sleeping sister, "did you mean what you said earlier about mom?"

Aria looked at Adagio for a moment before closing her sketch pad and then resting her chin on her knees.

"Yeah," Aria said, "I didn't realize it until today, but she was just using us."

"Why," Adagio said, "why would she treat her own daughters that way."

"She was sick Adagio," Aria said, "she saw enemies where none existed."

"I guess you're right," Adagio said.

"At least we have each other," Aria said.


*****


Adagio had trouble sleeping that night. She saw herself standing victorious over the Rainbooms. Even her sisters bowed before her. Mother would be so proud! She had proven herself worthy of being...

"QUEEN,"  voice echoed, "YOU WILL NEVER BE QUEEN ADAGIO!"

"Mother," Adagio gasped, "I have beaten our enemies, surely I am worthy of being your successor."

"ONLY I WILL EVER RULE," the voice of Queen Harmony said, "YOU AND YOUR SISTERS ARE NOTHING! HEAR ME YOU ARE NOTHING! HAHAHAHAHA!"

Adagio bolted upright and looked around the room. Sonata was sprawled out in one corner snoring softly. Aria was asleep leaning with her back against the wall. Adagio silently wept into her hands.


*****


Adagio was beginning to hate her decision  to attend a separate school away from her sisters. She realized that she was the new girl, but someone should have At least said hi to her. Instead she sat alone at a table in the corner of the cafeteria not enjoying her lunch.

"Um, would it be ok with you if I sat here," Adagio heard a voice say, "if that's ok with you I guess."

Adagio looked up and found herself looking at the semi-familiar form of Twilight Sparkle. 

"It's just that this is where I normally sit," Twilight said nervously, "no one else ever does."

"Go ahead," Adagio said, "my name is Adagio and I'm new here, what's your name?"

"I'm Twilight," Twilight answered, as she fumbled with her hair, "Twilight Sparkle."

"Are things at Crystal Prep always this tense," Adagio asked, waving her arm around indicating the  student filled cafeteria.

"Yes," Twilight answered, "were things different at your old school?"

"Lets just say that people had a habit of breaking out into spontaneous musical numbers during lunch," Adagio smiled.

"Weird," Twilight said.

"Yes it was," Adagio replied, "my sisters still go there."

Adagio spent the rest of her lunch talking Twilight, she felt like she had made a connection with somebody other than her sisters. All too quickly the bell signifying the end of lunch rang.

"Hey Twilight," Adagio said, "would you like to hang out sometime, you know, outside of lunch?"

"Yes," Twilight answered, I'd like that."

Adagio smiled and headed off towards her next class. She was stopped by a group of three girls, she recognized one of them as being in her trigonometry class. Adagio thought her name was Sugarcube or Sugarbowl, something like that.

"Let's get something straight new girl," the girl with long straight hair said as she pointed over Adagio's shoulder, "if you want to get anywhere in this school, stay away from her!"

Adagio looked over her should and saw that she was pointing at Twilight. Adagio couldn't help but smirk.

"Really, and who is going stop me," Adagio asked, "you and your pathetic little group of friends? As if!"
> Advanced Warp Theory
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

School was over the day. Adagio began to walk back to the abandoned store that she shared with her sisters.

"Hey Adagio," Adagio heard Twilight say from behind her, "if you aren't busy, would you like to hang out?"

Adagio smiled and turned to Twilight.

"I would love too," Adagio said, "lead the way."

"Follow me," Twilight said as she took Adagio's hand.


*****


Spike opened an eye and his tail began to wag. Twilight was coming! 

Who is that with Twilight? he thought, it isn't Not-Twilight-Cadence, or Not-Twilight-Principal-Finch. Spike shuddered and suppressed a growl. He could sense that who ever was with Twilight made her happy, which made him happy. Spike pushed his doggy bed into the perfect position before he ran up to the door and began to paw at it.

The door suddenly swung open and Spike went flying across the room, unfortunately for him he missed the doggy bed and instead landed in his food bowl.

"SPIKE," Twilight called, "SPIIIIIKE! Oh there you are,"

Spike jumped into Twilight's outstretched arms and began to lick her face.

"Spike, this is Adagio," Twilight said with a laugh, "she is our new friend!"

Spike looked at Adagio, while Twilight smelled like burnt electronics and strawberries, and Not-Twilight-Cadence smelled like fresh rain on the first day of spring, Adagio smelled like the beach.

Adagio began to suspect that she was Twilight's only friend as she looked around the room that the two girls were standing in.

"Um, Twilight," Adagio asked as she looked around, "is this a broom closet?"

"No, well it used to be," Twilight answered, "now its my lab. Though it's nothing like my lab back home."

Adagio's eyes fell upon an old newspaper clipping. She laughed when she read the headline.

"Skunk-Ape? Really," Adagio said.

"Skunk-Apes exist," Twilight said boldly, "I'm going to be the first person to make contact."

Adagio laughed, she was glad that she had met this girl.

"So," Twilight asked finally, "what's it like having sisters? The closet I have is Dean Cadence, she's betrothed to my brother."

"Sisters," Adagio began, "Sisters can be a handful, especially when you have a pair like mine, but there isn't anything I wouldn't do for them."

Twilight listened to what Adagio had said and was about to speak when there was a sudden knock on the door. Twilight went to open the door and she was surprised to see her brother standing there.

"Shining Armor," Twilight said, "What are you doing here?"

"Mom and Dad made dinner plans for us tonight remember," Shining Armor said, "Cadence is waiting for us in the rotunda. Who's your friend?"

"Oh, Shining Armor, meet Adagio," Twilight said, "Adagio, this is my brother, Shining Armor."

Shining Armor nodded at Adagio before he bent over to pick up Spike.

"Come on little guy," He said before looking back at his sister, "lock up here Twily, Cadence and I are waiting on you."

"Ok," Twilight said, "guess it's time to go,"

"Don't worry I'll see you tomorrow," Adagio said.


*****


"Why are we here again," Luna asked. Both she and Celestia were dressed in identical black dresses and were waiting on the rest of their dinner party to arrive.

"Because, this is the last get together before Cadence's wedding, and we are her only living relatives." Celestia answered.

"And why isn't Sunset here," Luna asked.

"Band practice," Celestia deadpanned.

"Tia, when are we going to meet the newest addition to your family," Twilight Velvet asked as she walked up to her two oldest friends. She was flanked by her husband, who, even Celestia had to admit was extremely attractive for his age.

"Velvet, Nightlight," Celestia said, "how wonderful to see you! And to answer your question she will be at the wedding."

"Aunt Tia! Luna" Cadence cried out as she embraced her two aunts. She had always called Celestia Aunt Tia, but both her and Luna were of similar ages and had grown up together.

"Luna, I have to say, Adagio really impressed me today," Cadence said.

"Oh what did she do," Luna asked, hoping that the wayward siren wasn't stirring up trouble.

"She stuck up for Twilight today at lunch against a group of students who aren't the nicest bunch." Cadence answered.

"Really," Luna said, hoping that the surprise she felt hadn't seeped into her voice, "I'm glad, Twilight could be a good influence on her."

"I like her," Twilight said, her cheeks beginning to blush.


*****


Adagio walked into the abandoned store that she and her sisters called home.  She was surprised to only find Aria present.

"Where is Sonata," Adagio asked.

"Spending the night at Pinkie Pie's," Aria answered, "I was invited along, but I can only take so much of the chaotic duo. How'd your day go?"

"Great,"Adagio said, "You'll never guess who I met today."

"Who," Aria said, she wasn't a fan if guessing games.

"Twilight Sparkle," Adagio said, "or at least this world's version of her."

"I hope you aren't planning something," Aria said.

"What, me," Adagio said placing a hand over her heart and batting her eyes at Aria, "I would never dream of it."

Aria just rolled her eyes and sighed.

"Her brother is really cute though," Adagio said after a moment, "it's a shame that he is engaged."

"Dagi," Aria said, using the nickname that Sonata had given Adagio when they were really young, "you know I'm not into that sort of thing."

"Yes, well," Adagio said, "you can't stop a girl from dreaming."

Aria looked at Adagio, who just smiled at her. Aria would never admit it, particularly in front of Adagio, but there were times that Adagio frightened her. Now was one of those times.

"So what are the classes like at Crystal Prep," Aria said, changing the subject.

Adagio reached into her backpack and pulled out one of her textbooks.

"Applied Experimental Physics," Adagio said with a smile as she handed Aria her textbook, "it might as well be Advanced Warp Theory."

Aria couldn't help but laugh.

"But you aced Advanced Warp Theory."
> Sonata Spends the Night with Pinkie
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Wow Pinkie, your sister is so nice," Sonata said with a smile.

"Which one, I may be biased but I love them all," Pinkie said

"Um, how many sisters do you have," Sonata asked confused.

"Well there is Maude, you just met her," Pinkie exclaimed, " Limey is the oldest followed by Maude, then my twin sister Marble and myself."

Sonata looked around Pinkie's room. It was so different from the abandoned store that she shared with her sisters. Pinkie had an actual bed! No a worn out mattress that sat on the floor. She also had her own TV with a GameSphere360 connected to it.

"You have such a nice house Pinkie," Sonata commented.

"I'm sure that the house you and your sisters live in is just as nice," Pinkie replied.

"My sisters and I don't live in a house," Sonata replied.

"An apartment," Pinkie asked

"No we live in an old abandoned store on 23rd Avenue," Sonata said. Pinkie's hair immediately lost all it curls and deflated and went straight. Pinkie's left eye twitched involuntarily.

"SNACKS," Pinkie cried out awkwardly, "I forgot our snacks in the kitchen I'll be right back!"

"Need any help," Sonata asked.

"NO! I mean why don't you wait here I won't be long." Pinkie said.

"Ok," Sonata said as Pinkie left the room.

Pinkie was relieved that her kitchen was empty when she walked in. She reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone. She scrolled through her contacts list until she found the number she was looking for.

SOS! I need to talk to you ASAP @ School tomorrow! Pinkie franticly typed.

<BUZZ! BUZZ!> 

What's up Pinkie, is everything alright? Sunset Shimmer texted back.

Can't text right now. Tell ya tomorrow. I'm not in any trouble. Pinkie replied.

Pinkie grabbed a bag of chips and poured them into a bowl and grabbed a couple of juice boxes and marched back up to her room.

When she entered her bedroom she found Sonata looking at the games she had for her console. Pinkie felt her hair reinflate as she thought of all the fun she could have with the bubbly siren.

After nearly an hour Pinkie sat stunned. Not only had Sonata beat Pinkie's high score on most of her games, but she had beaten both Applejack's and Sunset's, and she had completely destroyed Rainbow's best score.

"W-wow Sonata," Pinkie said at last, " you're really good!"

"Thanks," Sonata answered, "I've always been good at computers and games."

"Really," Pinkie said.

"How do you think my sisters and I got into CHS," Sonata replied, "I was able to get into the school's computer system and fudge our information."

The only other people that Pinkie knew who was really good with computers were Sunset and Applejack's little sister, Applebloom.

"So, Sonata, how are you enjoying CHS," Pinkie asked.

"Oh, its great," Sonata said, "its nice having other people to talk to besides my sisters."

"I guess that can get rather dull, huh," Pinkie said. The girls continued to play video games until Pinkie's console began to get really hot. 

"There is only one thing we can do now," Pinkie said as she gave Sonata a sly grin.

"What's that," Sonata asked. She genuinely surprised when one of Pinkie's pillows suddenly came sailing across the room and hit Sonata in the face.

"PILLOW FIGHT," Pinkie yelled between fits of giggles.

"It. Is. On," Sonata exclaimed as she 
began to return fire.

The next morning after arriving at CHS, Sonata went to go wait for Aria. Pinkie, however, went looking for Sunset. She found her fiery haired friend in the mostly empty art room.

"Sunset," Pinkie exclaimed, "good, I found you!"

"Hey Pinks," Sunset said cheerfully, she was glad that her friend was alright, the cryptic text from the previous evening had worried Sunset.

"I need to talk to you," Pinkie said seriously, "in private."

"Ok," Sunset said, "give me a moment to finish up here."

Pinkie waited patiently, for once, while Sunset put the art supplies she had been using away. She started to follow Pinkie when the bubblegum haired party planner grabbed her wrist and dragged her to the music room used by the Rainbooms. Pinkie looked around inside to make sure that none of her other friends were present. She wanted to talk to Sunset about this before she brought the rest of her friends in on it. Sunset was starting to get worried, especially when she noticed Pinkie's hair start to deflate with an audible hiss.

"I learned where Nata and her sisters live," Pinkie said as tears began to form in her eyes, "they're homeless!"

"What," Sunset said stunned.

"Nata told me last night that she and her sisters live in that abandoned strip mall over on 23rd," Pinkie said. Sunset sighed, she herself was familiar with that old shopping center and that side of town. She had lived there for about a week when she had arrived in the human world. It wasn't a place that you wanted to be caught at after dark. Particularly if you were an attractive young woman. Sunset shuddered as she thought back to the six years that she had lived on the streets before Principal Celestia had adopted her.  She was determined to help get the three sisters off the streets, hopefully, they'd be able to stay together.

"Pinkie," Sunset said after a long pause, "let's keep this just between the two of us while I think of a solution."

"Keep what between you," Rarity asked as she, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Aria, and lastly Sonata filed into the music room.

"Nothing," both Sunset and pinkie said simultaneously.

"Y'all seem a might nervous," Applejack said, "are ya sure that ya don't want ta talk about it?"

"We're positive AJ," Sunset said, filling her voice with confidence. Both Rainbow and Applejack looked exchanged looks.

"If ya say so," Applejack said.

"Um, Sonata, Pinkie," Fluttershy said, "why do you both have down feathers in your hair?"

"Yes," Rarity asked, "is there some new fashion trend that I haven't been made aware of?"

"Pillow fight," both Sonata and Pinkie said simultaneously.
> The Moon Rises Over the Avenue
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sunset knew that Vice-Principal Luna had an open door policy with her students, but she still hesitated outside the woman's office. After a moment she knocked on the door frame. Luna, who happened to be on the phone, waved Sunset inside.

"AK, you know that you are welcome to crash on my couch," Luna said into her phone, "isn't this the first convention you've attended, well ever?"

There was a pause as whomever the Vice-Principal was talking to answered.

"Ok, ok," Luna laughed, "it will be nice to see you."

Luna hung up her phone and looked at Sunset.

"To what do I owe this visit Miss Shimmer," Luna asked her niece.

"Um," Sunset started to say, "Sonata spent the night with Pinkie Pie last night,"

"I'm glad that both Sonata and Aria are making friends," Luna said.

"Sonata inadvertently told Pinkie where she and her sisters live," Sunset continued, "Pinkie told me first thing this morning."

Luna frowned, she had suspected that the three Sirens weren't living in the best conditions, but she hadn't been able to pursue her suspicions. Now Sunset had her complete attention.

"Sunset," Luna said, in her Vice-Principal voice as Sunset thought of it, "close the door."

Sunset did as she was asked.

"Tell me everything," Luna ordered.

"Pinkie said that they're living in that old shopping center on 23rd," Sunset said, "that's all I know, I would have gone and checked it out right then."

"But you know I would have killed you," Luna answered, "and after I was done, your mother would've killed you."

"Yes," Sunset squeaked.

"Sunset, I want you to know that you did the right thing," Luna said, "get to class, I'll handle it now."

Sunset nodded as she stepped out of Luna's office she paused and looked at the older woman.

"Thank you Aunt Luna," Sunset said before continuing to her next class, "I know how hard it can be in their situation."

So do i, Luna thought to herself. She thought about what she should do. She decided to call both Sonata and Aria to her office and ask them both outright about where they lived.

"Raven," Luna paused, "is Celestia in her office?"

"Yes," Raven answered. Raven was a little confused. She had known the two sisters a long time, and she had never heard Luna call Celestia anything other than "Tia".

"Thanks," Luna said before leaving her office and entering her sister's.

"Hey, LuLu," Celestia said cheerfully, "what's up?"

"I need to take the rest of the afternoon off," Luna said, "I have a matter that just came up that I I have to look into."

"Does it involve any of our students," Celestia said as a wave of seriousness washed over her.

"Two," Luna answered, "and a student at Crystal Prep."

"Keep me informed," Celestia told her younger sister. Luna nodded and quickly exited the school. She didn't run, but it was obvious to everyone who saw leave the school that she was moving with haste. Luna climbed into her Camaro. Am I doing the right thing, Luna asked herself. As she looked up she caught sight of Aria, Sunset, and Rainbow Dash on the soccer field for their P.E. class. As Luna drove out of the faculty parking lot she didn't noticed as Sunset watched her leave.

It took Luna approximately fifteen minutes to drive from Canterlot High to the empty shopping center. The first thing that Luna noticed was that state of the neighborhood. She saw at least one woman standing on the the sidewalk that Luna was positive was working in the world's oldest profession. The next thing that she noticed was the state of the shopping center. Most of the windows and storefronts were boarded up. The plywood covering one of the old stores had been ripped down and the glass in the windows long shattered.

"Looking for a good time sweetie," a voice asked as Luna got out of her car, "or maybe some employment?"

Luna turned and looked at the woman addressing her with a look that would have caused hell to freeze over for an eternity.

"Get lost," Luna said in an equally cold voice. She put her keys in her pocket and took some comfort from the handgun that she carried. She was thankful that Celestia had convinced her to attend a concealed weapons class with her.

Luna began to check the different stores as she looked to the one that the Dazzlings called home. On her fourth attempt she found that one of the doors could be opened if she lifted up on the door's frame. Entering the store, the first thing Luna noticed was the smell of mildew, then she saw was a mattress in the corner. Sitting on the floor next to the mattress was a case of ramen noodles. Looking around the room she found evidence that she was in the right place. There in one corner was three clothes racks, two of them held clothes that Luna recognized as belonging to Aria and Sonata, the third held several Crystal Prep uniforms. Luna sighed, no child shouldn't live like this, and while she knew that she couldn't help every child, she could do something for these three. She reached into her pocket for her phone.

"Tia," Luna said after her sister answered, "meet me at the old Canterlot Market on 23rd after school,"

Luna decided that waiting in this neighborhood was a bad idea, so she gathered up as much of the Dazzlings belongings that she could find, except for the old mattress, and carried the items out to her car. She then drove to Sugarcube Corner to wait for her sister. As she sat sipping her coffee, Luna realized that she needed to make another call.

"Raven," Luna asked, "is there any way you can expedite that paperwork I asked for?... Thanks dear, and I'll tell you everything tomorrow."

Luna glanced at her watch and saw that it was time to meet her sister. Before she left the bakery, she stopped and purchased two-dozen chocolate chip cookies from Mrs. Cake.

She returned to the old market and had just taken her keys out of the ignition when Celestia pulled up in her van. Bothe Celestia and Sunset got out.

"What's going on Luna," Celestia asked.

"Wow," Sunset cringed, "this place is worse than I remember. I hope we can get them away from here."

Celestia looked at her daughter and was about to speak when Luna interrupted her.

"So do I Sunset," Luna answered, "I saw where those girls were living, it's no surprise why Miss Dusk is such a fan of Taco Tuesday."

"Ok, would someone please explain to me what is going on," Celestia demanded.

"Tia," Luna answered, "welcome to the Dazzling home."

Celestia was speechless. Before she could recollect her thought she heard a familiar voice.

"What are you doing here," Aria Blaze cried out.

"Hi Sunset," Sonata said happily.

"Girls," Luna said, "pack your things and give them to Sunset and my sister, you're coming with me."

"What about Dagi," Sonata asked.

"Yeah, what about me," Adagio asked as she walked up.

"You three are coming with me," Luna said, "at least for tonight, that way you girls can each have a hot shower and a real meal."

The three teenage sisters looked at each other with apprehension. They couldn't believe what was being offered to them. While the three of them thought about what to do, Sunset saw a familiar looking mop of pink hair.

"Come on out Pinkie," Sunset said.

"I'm sorry, but I had to see it for myself," Pinkie said as she rushed to give the three sirens a hug. 

After disentangling themselves from Pinkie Pie, the three girls nodded at each other.

"Ok Miss Luna, we'll come with you," Adagio said, "at least for tonight. But what is in it for us?"

"Um, I have cookies," Luna answered.
> Trip to the Moon
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Welcome to my home, sorry about the mess," Luna said as she led the three sisters into her house. Celestia and Sunset followed them in carrying the Dazzlings few belongings.

"Wow," Sonata said with wide eyes as she looked around, "this place is huge."

"It belonged to our parents," Celestia said, "Luna moved in here when I adopted Sunset."

There were several unopened boxes stacked neatly in one corner. Most of them were labeled "BOOKS" . Luna led the girls to the kitchen, where she placed the two dozen chocolate chip cookies that she had bought earlier that afternoon. She took one for herself and then motioned for the girls to help themselves. Sonata dove right in. Aria and Adagio both looked around.

"Feel free to look around," Luna said, "there are guest rooms upstairs, you girls may take your pick."

"Weeashgetourownrooms," Sonata asked with a mouthful of cookies.

"Yes," Luna asked.

"Someone mentioned a hot shower," Aria said.

"Bathroom is upstairs at the end of the hall," Luna said, "I can get you a fresh towel."

"We'll see you tomorrow Luna," Celestia said to her sister, "if you need anything just let us know, either Sunset or I will be here."

"Does that mean I get to ride my bike," Sunset asked with a smile on her face.

"Not on your life," Celestia answered as she pushed Sunset out the door. 

Luna watched the door close. Now she was alone with the Dazzlings. Aria went to take a shower. Sonata was busy stuffing herself with cookies, and Adagio was just staring at her.

"Something on your mind Miss Dazzle," Luna asked.

"I want to know what your angle is," Adagio answered.

"My only concern is the well being of you and your sisters," Luna replied, "as far as I know you are trapped in this world."

"That is only a minor setback," Adagio answered, "that matter will be resolved."

Luna rolled her eyes and looked over at Sonata.

"Sonata, if you are hungry I can order pizza," Luna said, "how does taco pizza sound?"

Sonata's eyes nearly popped out of her head at Luna's suggestion. She took a moment to swallow.

"They have combined TACOS AND PIZZA," Sonata exclaimed, "forget Equestria, I'm staying here."

"Adagio, what would you and Aria want on your pizzas," Luna laughed as she reached for her phone and the pizza coupon that was stuck to her refrigerator.

"Cheese for Aria," both Sonata and Adagio answered.

"Pepperoni is fine by me," Adagio said. She decided that she would take advantage of this new development until she was able to return to Equestria, either with or without her two sisters.


*****


Aria had helped Luna carry Sonata to a bed after the girl had eaten herself into a food coma. Adagio had decided to take a hot bath. Luna now found herself alone in her kitchen with Aria. Aria was eating her pizza while she was drawing in her sketch book.

"What are you working on," Luna asked, breaking the silence. Aria slid her sketchbook across the counter to the older woman.

Luna looked down at the open page. It was a sketch of Adagio in her Crystal Prep uniforms holding a ninja sword in each hand. 

"May I," Luna asked, indicating that she would like to look through the sketchbook.

"Go ahead," Aria answered. 

Luna leaded through the sketchbook. On one page was a golden yellow unicorn with red and yellow hair, on it's flank was a sun symbol similar to the one that Sunset wore. On another was a sketch of Sonata dressed as a cowgirl with a revolver in one hand and a shotgun in another. The last page was a drawing of Aria piloting a mech suit that resembled a knight. In each drawing the girls, and the unicorn, were fighting a what looked like a giant nightmarish black and gold seahorse wearing a crown. 

"That mech suit that you're piloting," Luna asked, "I recognize it."

"It's from book one of The Lunar Cycle by M.A. Lunacy," Aria said, "its from the chapter where the heroine, Nightmare Moon is exiled by her sister Day Breaker, are you familiar with it?"

Luna got up and went to one of the boxes labeled "BOOKS" and rummaged through it for a moment. After a moment she returned with a book in her hands.

"Intimately," Luna said as she placed the book on the counter, "I wrote it."

"You're M.A. Lunacy," Aria asked, dumbfounded.

"It's a penname," Luna answered, "and I would appreciate it if you didn't spread it around the school or town."

"Of course," Aria said. She was still trying to wrap her head around this new revelation.

"So, Aria," Luna asked after a moment, " what are your plans for the future? Are you planning to return to Equestria with Adagio?"

"Why would I want to go back," Aria answered, "all Equestria ever brought me was heartache, can't say much has changed here though."

"Give it time," Luna said with a smile, "I'm sure that if you look hard enough you'll find that this world has a place for you."

"And don't worry about Adagio, her bark is much worse than her bite," Aria told Luna.


*****


When Aria awoke the next morning she realized that the previous evening hadn't been a dream. When she went downstairs she found Luna helping Sonata finish her homework, and Adagio was already wearing her school uniform and sipping a cup of hot tea. From the smell coming from Sonata's cup she guessed that she was drinking hot cocoa. Luna gestured towards the kitchen.

"There is tea, cocoa or coffee," Luna said, "we'll stop and get something to eat on the way to Crystal Prep."

"Why are we going to Crystal Prep," Aria asked, she wasn't yet fully awake.

"We have to drop Adagio off," Sonata answered.
> Magical Correspondence
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Princess Twilight sighed as she looked at her schedule for the day, both Princess Luna and Rarity were going to tell her about their experiences when they were under the influence of the Nightmare. After lunch, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Discord were going to join her for afternoon tea and teach Twilight about Chaos magic. Pinkie was still upset over how short her reign as the Princess of Chaos had been. Twilight's concentration was broken by a familiar buzzing.

"Where's that book," Twilight said, "SPIIIKE! Have you seen my journal?"

"You left it in your bedroom," Spike answered.

"Who," Owloliscious hooted.

"Twilight did," Spike replied, "wait, let's not go through this routine again."

"Who," the Owl hooted in response.

"You and me," Spike said, "that's who!"

Twilight laughed to herself as she went and retrieved her journal. She knew that Spike and Owloliscious could be at it for hours.

Twilight opened her journal to the latest entry.

Dear Princess Twilight,
You wanted to be kept up to date on the situation with the Dazzlings. Well, we found them, or more accurately, Vice-Principal Luna found them. I won't go into all the details, but they were living in an abandoned shopping center. I say that they were because Luna convinced them to come stay with her. Aria and Sonata are attending classes here at CHS, and my friends and I have done our best to befriend them. It's scary home similar both Pinke and Sonata are. Adagio on the other hand has transferred to a rival school.

The other day during lunch, Aria told Luna and myself how they were exiled from Equestria in the first place. She claimed that she and her sisters are Queen Soprano Harmony's long lost daughters. If that's true then their return to Equestria could be, well to put it bluntly, problematic.

They have only been residing in the human world for just over a month! They have no clue about how much time has passed back home. I'm looking for some guidance here. How do you want me to proceed? How much can I tell  them? Any help from you would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely, your friend,
Sunset Shimmer

P.S. While I am thinking about, is there any other monsters or evil power crazed unicorns that were exiled to this world from Equestria?

After reading Sunset's letter for a second time a smile worked it's way across Twilight's face.

"Time for a RESEARCH PAPER," Twilight shouted with joy.

"What was that Twilight," Spike asked.

"Oh, Spike," Twilight said, "could you bring me my copy of Blueberry the Bard's book on ancient Equestrian history?"

"Your number one assistant is on the job!" Spike exclaimed.

"Who," Owloliscious hooted.

"Me, her number one assistant," Spike deadpanned.

Twilight couldn't suppress her laughter if she had wanted too.


*****


Sunset had just put her guitar back on it's stand when she noticed that her backpack was buzzing. She pulled out her magical journal that allowed her to communicate with Equestria.

"You still write to the Princess," Fluttershy asked.

"Yeah, lately I've been writing her about the Dazzlings," Sunset replied as she opened the book to the latest entry, 

"I've gotta go," Sunset blurted after reading Twilight's message.

"What's wrong Sugarcube," Applejack asked.

"Nothing," Sunset answered as she slipped out the door of the music room, "its just that Twilight wants to see me and tell me what she learned."

Sunset met Twilight by the Wondercolt statue. The both exchanged hugs before Sunset looked around.

"Where's Spike," Sunset asked.

"Oh he stayed behind," Twilight said, "he is baking a gem cake and trying to convince an owl that he is my number one assistant."

Sunset cocked an eyebrow as she waited for further explanation.

"Don't ask," Twilight said, "is there somewhere private where we could go talk, and it would be great if Princess, I mean Vice-Principal Luna could join us."

"I think she is still in her office," Sunset said, "follow me."

Sunset led Twilight through the school, being careful to avoid the music room.

"Miss Inkwell," Sunset asked as she and Twilight entered the administration office, "is my aunt still here?"

"Yes, she and your mother just completed a meeting," Raven answered, "would you like me to tell your mother that you're here?"

"Can it wait a moment," Sunset said, "I really need to talk to Luna."

"Go on in." Raven said.

Luna looked up from her desk when both Sunset and Twilight entered her office.

"Please tell me that there isn't a power crazed unicorn on the loose," Luna said, "I can only deal with so much crazy in one day."

"What happened," Sunset asked.

"The Friendship Games Planning Committee just finalized the events for this years games," Luna said, "so what brings you here?"

"Well I wrote the Princess about Adagio, Aria and Sonata," Sunset said.

"I have some answers for you," Twilight said. Luna waved her hand signaling for Twilight to continue.

"According to Blueberry the Bard, Starswirl the Bearded realized how huge of a threat to Equestria that the sirens were. So he banished them from Equestria. Blueberry doesn't say where they were banished to, just that Starswirl opened a portal that led to a black void."

"That portal must have led here," Sunset said, "but that doesn't explain the time displacement."

"I'm still looking into that," Twilight answered, "I did find Blueberry's account of Queen Harmony's death. She didn't go peacefully."

"What happened," Luna asked.

"She was found on an abandoned stretch of beach in Horseshoe Bay," Twilight said as she pulled a massive book from her backpack, "there were signs of an intense magic battle between the Queen and three other sea-ponies, there were also signs of two ponies also being present, but Blueberry doesn't identify them."

Twilight flipped the book open to a marked page. On the page was an artist's rendition of the battle between Queen Soprano Harmony, and who ever had killed her. Sunset went pale as she studied it.

"Those are the Dazzlings," she said, "that's not possible."
> Saturday Morning Hijinks
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was the first Saturday since the three Dazzlings had moved in with Vice-Principal Luna. With the exception of Luna, everyone in the house was still asleep. Luna sighed as she quietly sipped at her morning coffee. The morning sun was just beginning to peek in through the windows.

The morning quiet was broken by a blood curdling scream the originated from the bedroom that was inhabited by Adagio.

Luna ran up the stairs to find the other residents of the house crowded around the door. Pushing her way through she found Adagio standing on a chair in the corner and the cause of her anguish looking at her from the bed.

"What is that thing," Adagio cried.

"Tiberius, that's where you've been hiding," Luna said looking at her pet Opossum, "you need to apologize to Adagio." 

The opossum looked at Line questionably before turning to Adagio and chittering excitedly at her.

"You have a pet rat," Adagio stated, it was easy to see that she was both afraid and disgusted by animal.

"He isn't a rat," Luna explained "he is an opossum, there is a big difference."

"Just keep him away from me," Adagio responded. Sonata walked into Adagio's room and scooped Tiberius into her arms.

"He is so precious," she cooed as she rubbed his belly. Tiberius smiled and released a soft sigh.

"I'm going back to bed," Raven said from the doorway as she stomped back towards Luna's room.

Luna sighed, so much for peace and quiet. when she returned to the kitchen she found Aria pouring herself a cup of coffee. Aria gestured towards Luna's cup as if to ask if the older woman wanted a refill. Luna nodded. There was a sudden burst of laughter from the living room. Luna found Sonata lying on the floor watching cartoons. Tiberius was curled up on top of her.

"So, do you girls have any plans for today," Luna asked aria as she reentered the kitchen.

"Sonata and Pinkie are going to go see a movie," Aria answered, "and Adagio mentioned something about meeting Twilight and some other girls from her school at the park."

"What about you," Luna asked, "any plans?"

"Not really, I was just going sit on the porch and read," Aria answered.

"Ok, I'll be in the basement if you need anything," Luna said.

"Oh no," Sonata cried suddenly.

"What's wrong Sonata," Luna asked.

"I don't have anything to wear on my date with Pinkie," Sonata said.

"I think we can find something for you to wear," Luna said, "wait, what did you say?"

"I have a date with Pinkie Pie," Sonata said, "is that a problem?"

"Not at all," Luna said, as she gestured towards the stairs where Raven was standing, "but I thought you two were just friends."

"They are," Aria sighed, "but we noticed that there is a lot more going on between them that they don't seem aware of, so Rainbow suggested that they go on a date."

"Oh," Luna said, "I'm still not following, but have fun."

Adagio pushed her way past Raven and grabbed a cup and poured herself some coffee.

"Need coffee," Adagio said, "must have coffee,"

"She is worse than you Lu," Raven laughed as she gave Luna a peck on the cheek.

"What are your plans," Luna asked.

"I have to go home and put the finishing touches on that paperwork you asked for," Raven answered.

"Sonata! Get that rat away from me," Adagio hissed angrily. Luna looked over at the eldest sister and saw that Sonata had poured herself a bowl of cereal and that Tiberius was on the table between Adagio and Sonata.

"Awe, Dagi, he likes you," Sonata said, " and he is an Opossum, not a a rat!"

"Tiberius off the table," Luna said, "and leave Adagio alone!"

Tiberius looked at Luna, the he jumped off the table before chittering an apology and running up the stairs.

"Stay out of my room," Adagio called as she chased Tiberius up the stairs.

"How did you end up with a pet opossum anyways?" Aria asked.

"I found him abandoned by his mother when he was just a Jack," Luna answered.

"I thought his name was Tiberius," Sonata said with a mouthful of cereal.

"Baby opossums are called Joeys like baby kangaroos, the males are called Jacks and the girls are called Jills. Opossums are also the only marsupial found in North America."

"Its Saturday," Raven laughed, "and you are still teaching."

"Sorry," Luna said.

The rest of the morning passed quietly. Raven, Adagio, and Sonata all left the house, and Luna eventually retired to the basement. Aria took a position on the front porch swing with a book and a tall glass of iced tea. She completely lost herself into the book and wasn't sure how much time had passed. 

"Ahem," a voice said. Aria blinked. Looking up she found a woman who looked to be Luna's age. She had  two-time gray hair that was up in a bun and she wore glasses, a large overcoat and was carrying two suitcases, Aria would have called her "homely".

"Yes," Aria said, "may I help you?"

"I know that this is where my friend Luna lives," the mystery woman said, "who are you?"

"I'm Aria Blaze," Aria answered, "I live here."

"Impossible, Luna doesn't have any kids," the woman said as she walked past Aria into the house.

"Miss Luna," Aria called as she followed the woman inside, "we have a visitor!"

Luna's head appeared from around the corner. Her eyes lit up when she saw her visitor.

"Luna," the woman said, "it's great to see you, but who is this?"

"Oh knock it off," Luna said, "Aria, say hello to an old friend mine, the world knows her as A.K. Yearling, but I know her by a different name."

Aria watched as the woman undid the bun in her hair, and took offer glasses. Next she removed her overcoat, revealing that she was wearing an OD green polo shirt and khaki shorts. She was also quite athletic looking. Finally she opened one of her suitcases and took a white pith helmet out and placed it on her head.

"Sweet Celestia," Aria exclaimed, "you're Daring Do!"
> "You're Daring Do!"
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"You're Daring Do," Aria repeated.

"Yeah," Daring Do replied, "I've been myself all my life."

"But you're here," Aria said, "in Miss Luna's house!"

"Aren't I allowed to visit one of my oldest and dearest friends," Daring Do asked.

"Yes," Aria said, "but you're Daring Do!"

"You said that already," Daring said.

"Okay, Aria," Luna said as she guided the teen back towards her book, "why don't you finish your book and we let Daring get settled in."

"Okay, but how do you know her," Aria asked.

"I'll tell you tonight at dinner," Luna said with a laugh, "now why don't you go back to your book and let me and Daring  catch up."

Aria started to say something but stopped when she felt something small and furry rub against her leg. She looked down and saw that Tiberius had left Adagio's room, where he had been sleeping, and was now craving attention from Aria. She picked up the marsupial and carried him into the living room.

Daring watched Aria leave then she turned to Luna.

"Tell me about the kid Lu," she said, "I never imagined you to be the child raising type."

Luna sighed and looked at Daring for a long moment before answering.

"Aria and her sisters got into some trouble," Luna said, "and they don't have any one to help them."

"I can see your sister taking on that role," Daring replied, "not you."

"You do know that Celestia has a daughter now, right." Luna said.

"Yeah, she told me in her last letter," Daring said, "don't change the subject."

"Honestly they remind me of myself when I was that age." Luna said after a moment of thought. Daring flashed a smile at her friend. Luna had always had a large heart.

"You said she has sisters," Daring said looking around for another girl to pounce on her, "how many brats are we talking about?"

"There is Aria, plus Adagio and Sonata," Luna replied, "they aren't brats, and the other two are out with friends."

The phone on the kitchen counter started to ring. Luna reached over and answered it.

"Hello... Rainbow Dash? Hold on let me hand you to Aria." she said into the phone before covering the mic with her hand. "Aria, Rainbow Dash is on the phone for you."

Aria came and took the phone from Luna. Tiberius followed her.

"Hey Dash, what's up," Aria said, "yeah, I can meet you there in ten minutes."

Aria put the phone back in it's cradle and turned to Luna.

"Rainbow wants me to join her for a game of soccer over at the park."

"Ok, just be home by ten," Luna said.

Aria started to head up to her room to change into better clothes for playing soccer but stopped when she noticed that Tiberius was following her.

"Sorry Tiberius, but you've got to stay here," Aria said. The opossum shuttered angrily.

"Don't use that tone with me," Aria said. Tiberius looked at Luna.

"You heard her," Luna said as Aria continued up to her room. Tiberius grunted and saddled off.

"He's getting fat," Daring laughed.

"I know." Luna said as Aria came bounding down the stairs.

"Be back in a while," she called out as she headed out the door. Luna waited to make sure that Aria wasn't coming back before she continued.

"Aria and her sisters stirred up a pot of trouble at my school," Luna said, "they turned most of the student body and the faculty against each other."

"What are we talking about," Daring asked, "did they use cyber-bullying or something."

"No," Luna answered, "in the end it took a magical group of girls to stop them."

"We're talking magical as in a figure of speech right," Daring said, "or do you mean Magical?"

Luna turned and went into her home office, she returned carrying a small bowl. Inside the bowl were three clear Ziploc bag, each one held tiny red shards inside. She handed one to Daring.

"They wore these pendents around their necks," Luna said, "they were able to control the whole school with them, well everyone except Sunset Shimmer and her friends."

"Hypnosis," Daring said as she closely studied the contents of the bag, "and who is Sunset Shimmer?"

"I wouldn't describe it as hypnosis, I was fully aware of my actions," Luna explained, "it was like they took away our empathy."

"Ok," Daring said, "who is Sunset Shimmer?"

"Sunset is the girl that Tia adopted," Luna answered, "she isn't exactly from here."

"How did Aria and her sisters end up in your care," Daring asked.

"Well after their defeat in the Battle of the Bands, they disappeared," Luna answered, "I spent the most of the weekend thinking about them. I became worried when they didn't show up for school on Monday. I found Aria at a local cafê, I was able to convince her and the eldest, Sonata, to return to CHS, Adagio decided to transfer to Crystal Prep."

"I found out about their living situation later from Sunset, who had learned of it from another one of her friends," Luna continued, "they were living by themselves in an abandoned building on the rough side of town,"

Both Daring and Luna turned and looked at the door as it opened, they watched as Raven entered the house. Raven walked into the kitchen and set three large envelopes on the counter and then turned to Daring and Luna.

"Daring, it's great to see you," Raven cried as she gave the adventurer an overdue hug. She then turned to Luna and gave her a small peck on the cheek, "there is the paperwork that you wanted,"

"Everything is there," Luna asked.

"They now have SSNs, birth certificates, parental records," Raven said, "even the forms from Children Services naming you their legal guardian. All it needs is your signature. Give me a few more days and I can get you the adoption paperwork."

"Let's hold off on that," Luna said, "this is a big adjustment for them and myself, I don't want to push them into something they aren't ready for or that they don't want."
> First Date
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sonata waited nervously by the entrance to the movie theater. She had never been on a date before and she had asked both of her sisters for advice. The advice that Adagio had given her had been, well, scary. She had spoken about turning her self into the hunter and being the aggressive one, and how to be seductive. Aria had quietly told Sonata to just be herself.

As she sat waiting for Pinkie Pie to arrive, her thoughts drifted to Miss Luna and how she had opened her home to the three sisters. She couldn't understand why, after everything that Sonata and her sisters had done, would the Vice-Principal open her home to the three teens. The previous evening, Miss Luna ha helped her get her homework done. Afterwards, Miss Raven had helped her pick out the outfit to wear on her date with Pinkie.

Sonata was brought out of her thoughts when she felt herself being tackled.

"Oh Sonata, sorry I'm late," Pinkie said excitedly, "my parents didn't want to let me use their car at first, but Maude and Marble were able to convince them to let me use it. I was afraid that you had left, but both my sister Maude and Gummy told me not to worry. Isn't that right Gummy?"

Pinkie held up her gator plushie, Sonata giggled and stroked the top of Gummy's head.

"I knew I liked Gummy for a reason," Sonata said.

"Well should we get our tickets," Pinkie asked.

Sonata held up two tickets.

"I already did," she said with a smile.

"Okie dokie loki," Pinkie replied, "let me get our snacks."

Sonata nodded and watched as Pinkie entered the line for the popcorn counter. After a moment Pinkie came back holding a bucket of popcorn and two drinks. She handed Sonata one of the drinks and waited while Sonata took a sip.

"Mhmm grape soda, my favorite," Sonata said with a contented sigh, "how did you know?"

"Eh, it's a gift," Pinkie shrugged, "ready to go see the movie?"

Sonata had enjoyed the movie, it was about a family of superheroes that were trying to live a normal life.

"Hey Sonata," Pinkie said as they were leaving the theater, "wanna go get a scoop of ice cream?"

Sonata saw that Pinkie was pointing to a nearby ice cream shop. Sonata felt her mouth begin to water. She nodded, she didn't want to drool on herself In front of Pinkie.

Pinkie ordered a bowl of Strawberry cheesecake ice cream with a scoop of chocolate ice cream and proceeded to smother the bowl in hot fudge and Rainbow sprinkles. Sonata had trouble deciding what she wanted, she had never seen so many different flavors of ice cream in one place! And there were so many toppings to choose from! In the end she settled for a bowl of vanilla ice cream with hot fudge and cookie crumbs.

"This is so yummy," Pinkie said as she held the spoon towards Sonata, "want a bite?"

"Sure," Sonata said as she opened her mouth. Pinkie's aim was little off and some ice cream managed to get on Sonata's nose. Both girls couldn't contain their laughter.

The sun was just starting to set when Pinkie pulled up into Luna's driveway. Pinkie walked Sonata up to the front door. Sonata started to open the door when she felt Pinkie take her hand and stop her.

"Sonata, I had a wonderful afternoon, and I don't want to ruin it bu-," Pinkie was cut off when she felt Sonata's lips on hers.

"Get a room you two," they heard Aria Blaze say. They both turned to look and saw Aria walking up to the door, she looked battered and bruised, but the smile on her face told them a different story as she slid past them and into the house.


*****


"DISCORD," Spike said, "you just can't pop in here when ever you feel like it!"

"And why not," Discord said, "Fluttershy told me that Twilight has locked her self into her castle and I am here to rescue the fair maiden."

"Who," Owlowicious said from his perch. Both Discord and Spike looked at the owl and sighed.

"Just point me towards the Princess my little draconian friend," Discord said.

"Twilight is studying in the throne room," Spike said, "and she doesn't want to be disturbed. HEY GET BACK HERE!"

Discord had started to saunter off in the direction of the throne room and Spike chased after him as fast as his short legs would carry him.

"I wish I had wings," Spike said to himself.

Discord threw open the double crystal doors that led into the throne room. He observed that Princess Twilight Sparkle was casting a spell on both a book and on the map table that dominated the throne room.

"Sorry Twilight," Spike said as he ran around Discord, "I tried to stop him, but he never listens."

Twilight looked up at the two intruders, and blinked several times.

"It's OK Spike," Twilight said, "I need to take a break anyway. What can I do for you Discord?"

"You can take a break from.... This," Discord said as he waved his hand around the Throne Room, "and join Fluttershy and I for an evening tea party."

"I'd love to, but what I am studying is important," Twilight answered. Discord summoned a pair of bifocals from nothing and leaned over to study the map table.

"And just what are you studying," Discord asked.

"A mysterious piece of Equestrian history," Twilight answered. Now Discord picked up the book that Twilight had been casting a spell on.

"Hmm, 'Early Equestrian History Volume 31: Seaponies, Shadows and Sirens, By Blueberry the Bard'," Discord read aloud, "I remember Soprano Harmony, she was a riot at parties."

"You knew Queen Harmony," Twilight asked, "do you know what happened to her?"

"I was a pigeon roost in the royal gardens when she met her untimely end remember," Discord answered, "but I did feed her paranoia before that."

"Why?"

"I wanted to rule Equestria," Discord said, "turning the Seaponies against the rest of you seemed like a good idea at the time. Why this sudden interest in Queen Harmony?"

"Sunset Shimmer is trying to help her daughters in the human world," Twilight answered, "I'm trying to help her."

The throne room was suddenly filled with a roar. Discord and Spike both looked at Twilight with concern. Twilight blushed a deep shade of crimson.

"I guess I could take a break to eat something," Twilight said meekly. Spike followed her out of the throne room. Discord took one last look at the map table and smiled.

"This is going to be fun," he said to himself as he rubbed his claws together.
> Adagio's Discovery
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

When Sonata entered the house she found Aria standing over the kitchen sink with cottonballs and and a bottle of hydrogen-peroxide. Luna was standing nearby with a stern look on her face. Raven and another woman stood behind Luna with concerned looks on their faces.

"Aria, what happened, I thought you were going to play soccer with Rainbow Dash," Luna said crossly

"We did play soccer, " Aria answered, "you should see Rainbow Dash's cousin, Rainbow Blaze."

"Aria, what did you do," Raven asked.

"Hey, he shouldn't have said that girls can't play soccer," Aria said, "he got off easy, all I did was prove him wrong."

"I find that hard to believe," Luna said.

"Aria has always been very competitive," Sonata explained, "I doubt she only proved him wrong."

"He started it, all I did was finish it," Aria said. Luna's palm found her face and she just shook her head. Raven and the other woman both laughed.

"Girls, go get changed, we're going out for dinner," Luna said with a sigh.

"What about Dagi, isn't she going with us," Sonata asked, "we can't eat without Dagi!"

"She and my niece Cadence will be joining us," Luna looked at the woman standing behind Raven, "you may want to change as well Daring, I know that Tia would love to see you."

"Where are going," Sonata asked.

"We're going to Donatello's Pizza," Luna answered, "any more questions?"

"Just one," Sonata said looking at Daring Do, "who are you?"

The drive to the restaurant was not as quiet as Luna had thought it would be. Sonata had kept asking Daring about her adventures, and Daring had obliged the girl. Aria seemed to have recovered from her earlier bout of astonishment and listened to Daring's every word.

When they arrived at the restaurant, Luna was pleasantly surprised to see that both Celestia and Cadence had already arrived. Adagio didn't seem impressed by Daring Do, Sunset however at first seemed enamored by the adventurous author, but she quickly found herself talking to the three Dazzlings.

"Aria, did you really kiss Rainbow's cousin," Sunset asked. The table immediately fell quiet as all eyes turned to Aria.

"What! No I didn't," Aria said quickly, "who told you that I did?"

"Rarity told me that she heard it from her sister," Sunset answered, "who heard it from Trixie, who claims that she witnessed the soccer match and the post-game kiss."

"My, my," Adagio said, "who knew that my sister could be so... scandalous!"

"There is no scandal," Aria said, "because there was no kiss!"

"I think you protest too much little sister," Adagio said with a wink.

"Adagio, can I see your phone for a minute," Sonata asked. Adagio handed Sonata her phone.

"Look, just because I kicked RB's ass at soccer doesn't mean I kissed him," Aria said, "I don't even like him!"

"Keep telling your self that," Adagio said as she took her phone back from Sonata.

"SONATA! What did you do to my phone," Adagio said angrily, "I can't get into it."

"That's what you get for teasing Aria," Sonata said as she stuck out her tongue. Everyone at the table except Adagio laughed.

"So Adagio, how are things at Crystal Prep," Celestia asked.

"Well, I do miss having classes with my sisters, but I enjoy the curriculum," Adagio said, "and some of the students aren't so bad either."

"I'm glad that you have found a place to fit in," Celestia replied.

After dinner Daring decided to return home with Celestia so that they could do some catching up. Raven returned to her apartment for the evening. Luna found herself alone with the three Dazzlings. 

"TIBERIUS YOU BETTER BE OUT OF MY ROOM WHEN I GET OUT OF THE SHOWER!" Adagio screamed. Luna went to remove the plump opossum from the girl's room, but she found that Sonata had beat her to it.

"You girls have any plans for tomorrow," Luna asked.

"Nope," Sonata answered as she played a game of tug-o-war with Tiberius.

"Negative," replied Aria as she flipped through the T.V. channels.

"Do you plan on joining the soccer team Aria," Luna asked, "I'm always looking for new players."

"I dunno," Aria said, "wait, you're the coach?"

"Yep," Luna answered.

Sonata yawned and looked at her sister and Luna.

"I'm going to bed," Sonata said, "come on Tiberius."

"Goodnight Sonata," Luna and Aria said.

An hour later everything was quiet in the house. Luna decided to check on the girl's. She found both Aria and Sonata sound asleep in their rooms. When Luna checked on Sonata, Tiberius lifted his head as if to tell Luna to be quiet. Luna found Adagio's room empty. She found Adagio sitting quietly in the living room. On the coffee table in front of her sat three envelopes.

"Want to explain these to me," Adagio ordered.
> Luna! You've Got Some Explaining To Do
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Luna sighed. Adagio was holding up the three envelopes that Raven had brought by earlier in the day.

I should have put those in my room, Luna thought to herself.

"Do you think that you can just take us off the street and swoop in to replace our mother," Adagio demanded.

"Adagio, I'm not trying to replace your mother," Luna said, "all that those envelopes contain are birth certificates, social security cards and they other paperwork that you and your sisters will need as you get older."

Adagio reached into one of the envelopes and pulled out one form.

"It says here that you are named our legal guardian." Adagio replied.

"You need an adult to watch after you." Luna said, "this world can be a cruel place especially for a child."

"I. AM. NOT. A. CHILD," Adagio said through clenched teeth.

"And you aren't an adult yet either," Luna countered. 

Adagio glowered at Luna. Luna stared back as a silent battle of willpower played out between them. Adagio turned and stormed up to the room that she had claimed as her own.

Luna sighed again as she picked up the envelopes and carried them to her room. I really screwed things up this time.

As she walked past she didn't notice that the doors to both Asia's and Sonata's rooms were slightly ajar.


*****


Luna found herself walking along a moonlit beach. She noticed that the Moon was.... Wrong! The silhouette of a unicorn was visible on it's crater scarred surface.

"Where am i," Luna said aloud.

"You're in Equestria my dear," a voice snarled from behind. Luna turned and found herself looking at a large black and gold seahorses wearing an obsidian crown.

"You are the creature that wants to steal my daughters from me," the seahorse said.

"Your daughters," Luna asked confused, the realization dawned on her, "you're Soprano Harmony!"

"THAT IS QUEEN HARMONY OR YOUR MAJESTY TO YOU," Soprano screamed.

"I'm not trying to take your daughters away from you," Luna tried to explain, "I'm only trying to give them the opportunity to succeed."

"LIAR," Soprano screamed, "you are just like those foolish ponies who think that they can take what is mine. Not that it will matter much longer."

Luna noticed that the tide suddenly began to rise and she found herself being washed out to sea. She tried desperately to keep her head above water, but found it to be impossible in the  sudden maelstrom. Luna took one final breath before she felt herself get sucked beneath the waves.

Luna sat up. She found herself in her own bed, the morning sun shining through her windows. She went to brush her hair out of her face. Her hand came back wet. Luna stared at her hand. It was only a dream wasn't it?

After getting dressed Luna made her way downstairs. She found Aria and Sonata watching T.V. in the living room. Aria got up and made Luna a cup of coffee when she saw the older woman.

"You look like hell," Aria commented, "rough night?"

"You have no idea," Luna replied, "where is Adagio?"

"She left this morning," Sonata said, "Aria and I heard you two fighting last night."

"You heard that," Luna asked.

"You two weren't exactly quiet," Aria said.

"And now Adagio has left," Luna said, I really screwed things up this time.

"She left her stuff," Sonata said, "she'll be back, she just needs to blow off some steam."

"So," Luna said as she sat down on the couch with her legs tucked beneath her, "you two heard our discussion last night."

"Yeah," Aria said, "we realize that you aren't our mother. And a we appreciate what you are trying to do for us."

"Why would you go through so much trouble for us," Sonata asked, "after everything we did?"

"Sure, you girls screwed up," Luna explained, "but you are teenagers, your are bound to screw things up, it's human nature."

"But we aren't human," Sonata said, "we're Sirens."

"Back in Equestria you may be Sirens," Luna countered.

"But we aren't in Equestria," Aria said, "are we."

None of them heard the from door open and noticed Adagio enter the house. She heard their conversation and decided to stay just out of sight around the corner.

"No, and I realize that you three are most likely lost and feel alone," Luna said, "you three will always have a place to stay here."

"For realsies," Sonata asked.

She is lying, Adagio thought, she will abandon us the first chance she get when she realizes how different we really are.

"For realsies," Luna laughed, "Could you tell me about your mother, if you don't mind my asking."


Aria and Sonata looked at each for a moment before answering.

"What do you want to know," Aria said finally.

"What was she like?" Luna asked.

"She could be the most loving and caring mother in Equestria," Aria said, "but her mood could change in an instant. Once during a singing lesson, Adagio was having trouble hitting a particularly high note, and our mother got so mad that she summoned a flurry of hurricanes that ravaged the Equestrian coast for weeks."

"When we were little," Sonata said, "she took us on a picnic in Horseshoe Bay, we spent the day with her, playing and frolicking in the waves."

Sonata felt a tear fall down her cheek at the memory.

We had such happy times when we we were younger, Adagio thought, what happened to you mom that caused you to change?

Do you really want to know, a voice said in the back of Adagio's mind. Adagio was startled by the thought. The voice had sounded just like her mothers!

Does she have the power to bring us home, Adagio wondered, is she even looking for us?

Adagio felt something brush up against her leg. Looking down she saw that Tiberius had left Sonata and had found her. Adagio bent over and picked up the plump opossum and held him in her arms.

"Your experience with your mother has shaped the three of you into the strong young women that you are today, and I wouldn't want to take that away from you," Luna said, "but that said, the three of you are still vulnerable and lost, I want to help you if you'll let me."

Adagio rounded the corner carrying Tiberius in her arms. She tried to hide her tears. She looked at her sisters and then at Luna.

"Okay, we'll try it your way," Adagio said, "but I am not calling you mom."
> Harmony and Hand Grenades: Part One
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It had been a quiet day at school. During lunch, Vice-Principal Luna had come up to Aria and told her that she had a meeting after school and that she and Sonata would need to find a way home. Aria had asked if it was alright if Sunset and Pinkie could come so that they could work on their homework after school. Luna consented. Rainbow had wanted to come over to meet A.K. Yearling, but Sunset and Aria were able to dissuade their polychromatic haired friend.

"She isn't there Rainbow," Aria sighed, "she had errands to run today."

"Yeah," Sunset added, "afterwards she was going to meet with her agent before the convention this weekend."

"But I wanted to get my copy of the latest Daring Do book signed," Rainbow said.

"Well," Sunset replied, "mom did ask her to come speak at an assembly later this week."

That had ended Rainbow's constant pestering, but she had spent the rest of the day with a pout on her face that put Rarity to shame.

After school, Pinkie had insisted on stopping at Sugarcube Corner to get what she called "Study Snacks", cookies and cupcakes.

When they arrived at Luna's home they were surprised to find that Adagio was already there hard at work on her homework.

"Adagio," Aria said, "I thought you were studying with Twilight this afternoon."

"She had a sudden meeting with Principal Cinch this afternoon," Adagio said as she watched both Sunset and Pinkie enter the house, "where are the rest of your friends?"

"Flutters and Dashie are working on a new song," Sonata said, "A.J. and her brother are volunteering at the local homeless shelter, and Rares had to work."

"Right," Adagio said, "wait, Applejack volunteers at the homeless shelter?"

"Yep indeedy," Pinkie answered, "that's how we learned that Sunset was homeless."

"Sunset was homeless," Adagio said with a grin, "spill!"

"I hoped that I had put my past behind me," Sunset grumbled to herself.

"C'mon, spill," Adagio repeated before looking at her sisters, "have you two heard this already?"

"No," Aria said as she crossed her arms and cocked one eyebrow. Sonata simply shook her head no.

"Thanks Pinkie," Sunset deadpanned, "are you girls really sure that you want to hear this?"

"Yes," the three Dazzlings chorused simultaneously.

"Okay," Sunset sighed, "I had been living on my own since I first arrived in this world six years ago. I thought that I had done a great job in looking out for myself, but the night of the fall formal my life came crashing down."

"Ooh, I need popcorn," Pinkie said suddenly, "anyone else want some?"

"Shhhh," Sonata told her girlfriend, "let her finish."

"Awww," Pinkie said, "I was gonna share with the audience."

Sunset sighed before continuing. She turned around and lifted up the back of shirt, displaying the two prominent scars on her shoulder blades.

"Transforming into a literal demon and then getting blasted by weaponized friendship left me both physically and mentally drained."

Sunset turned around and faced her friends.

"I spent that weekend hiding from the angry mob that I was certain was after me," Sunset continued, "I was terrified to go back to school that following week."

"I stayed put, I refused to leave my hiding spot, even for food," Sunset explained, "eventually the need to eat over powered me, but I was too weak to scavenge anything and I found myself at the shelter."

"That's where A.J. found me," Sunset said as a smile crept upon her face, "she demanded that I go home with her. That night was the first night that I had slept on a real bed in years."

"Granny Smith informed Principal Celestia about my situation," Sunset said, "she told my friends. It was clear that I couldn't stay with the Apples, they simply didn't have the room."

"So I went to stay with Celestia," Sunset finished, "eventually she adopted me and now I call her Mom."

Pinkie wiped a few years from her eyes.

"That story is so sad, and happy at the same time," Sonata said.

Sunset looked at the three sirens, Sonata looked like she was about to cry, Aria looked, well, like Aria. Adagio however was harder to read.

<POP!>

"I guess we do have something in common Shimmer," Adagio said with a laugh.

"I guess we do," Sunset replied with a smile of her own.

"Um, what just happened," Sonata asked.

"They're....," Aria said with a touch of horror in her voice, "bonding?!?"

"Hey," Pinkie said suddenly, "I didn't know that you guys had a pet ferret!"

"Ferret," Adagio asked, "Luna has a pet opossum, not a ferret."

Pinkie pointed to a small creature standing on the couch. It had a serpentine body, mismatched wings and horns, the paw of a lion, a goat's hoof, a dragon's claw and a talon. Recognition dawned in Sunset's eyes.

"Weasel is more like it," Sunset said with a sigh, "what do you want Discord."

"Twilight said that you are a sharp one," the creature said, "I guess I won't pull the wool over your eyes."

Sunset suddenly found herself wearing a blind fold that was made out of tiny sheep. She pulled the blindfold off and looked at Discord.

"Twilight has told me about you," Sunset said angrily, "and I've read Princess Celestia's notes about you."

"And what sweet nothings has Celestia written about me," Discord said.

Sunset rolled her eyes in disgust.

"What. Do. You. WANT," Sunset repeated clearly frustrated.

"Calm down Sunny," Sonata said, "I'm sure he'll tell us."

"Ah if it isn't the eldest of Harmony's daughters," Discord said as he looked at Sonata, "my, my, how you've grown since the last time I saw you."

"You know our mother," Adagio said.

Discord smiled and his eyes narrowed.

"Yes I know her," he said, "in fact I'm here to take you to her."

"Discord don't," Sunset screamed as Discord raised his talon and snapped his fingers. Everything went white. When her vision returned she found herself standing on a beach. Looking to her left she saw a familiar head of pink hair. 

"Pinkie, oh thank Celestia," Sunset said in relief. Then she noticed something odd.

"Pinkie," Sunset said in surprise, "you're a pony!"
> Harmony and Hand Grenades Part Two
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"So are you," Pinkie exclaimed excitedly, "no wait, you're a unicorn!"

Sunset reached up and felt her horn with her hoof.

"That was fun," Sonata said

"Ow, my head, is that how it feels when I punch someone," Aria said, "where are we?"

Sunset looked out to sea and watched as the sun set and a familiar looking moon began to rise.

"We're in Equestria," Sunset said.

"What," Sonata cried, "tomorrow is Taco Tuesday, I want tacos!"

Adagio was to busy looking around to listen to the others. The first thing she noticed was that she was no longer human. She had hooves and fins. Most importantly to her was the red jewel embedded in her throat.

"WE'RE HOME," Adagio cried out excitedly.

"Discord what are you up to," Sunset said.

"I just gave the Dazzlings a chance to reconcile with their mother," a disembodied voice said, "that's all."

"Where are you," Sunset asked furiously.

"You know as well as i," Discord said, "that at this point in Equestrian history I am a pigeon roost in the Royal Gardens."

Aria looked at Sunset.

"What does he mean by this point in Equestrian history," she asked.

Sunset sighed, then she looked at her four friends.

"In my time, you three are a nearly forgotten legend," Sunset sighed, "your mother died nine hundred years before I was born."

"How is that possible," Aria asked.

"My only theory is Starswirl used some sort of time displacement spell on you," Sunset said. She looked around and felt like she was forgetting something. Then it dawned on her.

"This is the night your mother died," Sunset said in a near whisper. Adagio's head snapped around at Sunset's statement.

"How do you know that," Adagio asked, the bright red glow of her jewel matching the anger in her eyes.

"According to the chronicler Blueberry the Bard," Sunset said, "Queen Harmony was killed by three Seaponies and two ponies."

She pointed to the three sirens and the Pinkie and herself to prove her point.

Adagio was about to speak when they all heard a mournful song coming from the sea.

"Oh, she cries for her lost daughters," Discord said in Sunset's head.

"Pinkie, we need to hide," Sunset said, "NOW!"

"Why do we need to hide you silly filly," Pinkie said, "I want to meet Nata's mommy!"

"No you don't," Aria and Sunset said simultaneously.

"Queen Harmony really hates ponies," Sunset said, "on a genocidal level."

"But I'm not a pony," Pinkie said as she looked at her hooves, "ohhhhhhh."

Sunset and Aria found a large log that had washed up onto shore, and Sunset pushed Pinkie behind it before joining her.

"My, my, my, isn't this a surprise," a new voice said, "my wayward daughters have returned to me? Tell me, where have you been keeping yourselves?"

"Mother," Adagio started to say.

"DON'T 'MOTHER' ME," Harmony screamed before returning to a softer tone, "I gave you three one simple mission, rid Equestria of Ponies. Instead you vanish for a century."

You'll never defeat Equestria, Sunset thought, you psychopath! I need to warn the Princess!

Ah, Ah, Discord replied, you know the rules of time travel, no interference. And before you ask, I'm not interfering, i am helping time continue it's natural course.

Sunset gasped. A little to loudly. When she looked up she found herself staring directly into Queen Harmony's lavender eyes.

"It is all so clear to me now," Harmony said sweetly as her eyes darted between Sunset and Pinkie, "Discord was right all along. You three abandoned me for the Ponies."

"We didn't abandon you," Adagio cried, "we were-!"

"YOU ABANDONED US," Aria screamed, "YOU ABANDONED US THE MOMENT YOU MADE US INTO YOUR PERFECT WEAPON!"

"You always were the fiery one," Harmony said softly, "you would have made a perfect queen."

Adagio looked at her mother and then at her sister. She knew that she was angry, but she didn't know who she was angrier at, her mother, Aria, or Sunset. I deserve to be queen, she thought.

Aria felt her anger rising as well, and she did the first thing that came to mind, she lashed out and slapped her mother with her tail.

"So is that your plan," Harmony said, "kill me, steal my crown and rule together? Now you DIE!"

Queen Harmony's own jewel began to glow a bright purple that slowly turned crimson. Her eyes also changed colors to match. With a deep breath she unleashed a note that knocked the three Dazzlings, Sunset and Pinkie to the ground, and shattered the log like glass. Sunset looked at the three Dazzlings. They had taken the brunt of the blast and weren't moving. She wouldn't allow her friends to be hurt. She jumped up and felt her horn ignite.

"Stay away from them," Sunset said defiantly.

"And what are you going to do about it my little pony," Harmony said mockingly.

<TING!>

Sunset watched as a small green cylinder the size of a soda can went flying through the air and exploded in the air above the Queen. Sunset tackled Pinkie to the ground.

<POP!>

Confetti rained down.

"Pinkie, why did you have a grenade," Sunset asked.

"For hand grenade emergencies," Pinkie said, "besides it was only confetti."

"Thhhbt! That is it," Harmony said as she angrily spit out confetti, "I am done playing with you ponies!"

Her jewel began to glow again. Sunset knew that she and Pinkie wouldn't survive getting a full blast from the Queen so she tried to conjure a shield spell. She winced as Queen Harmony opened her mouth to unleash her deadly song.

Queen Harmony went flying as she was hit broadside by a musical blast from Sonata.

"DON'T. HURT. MY. GIRLFRIEND," Sonata screamed as she unleashed another note.

The Queen focused her attention away from Sunset and Pinkie and turned back to her daughters.

"So you three aren't dead yet," Harmony said, "you have sealed your fate Sonata."

Harmony unleashed a blast of her own focused solely on the furious Dazzling. 

"SONATA," four voices screamed at once as Sonata's limp form went flying and bounced along the water's edge.

"You killed her," Aria said quietly, "you killed the only thing that was pure in our lives."

Adagio stood up and stood before her mother.

"You don't deserve that crown," Adagio said, "if it means my own death, I will see that crown removed from your brow!"

Aria stood next to her sister and they were soon joined by both Sunset and Pinkie. Both Sunset and Pinkie began to glow. Booth of their names grew longer, Pinkie's mane and tail had rainbow highlights running through it, but the most amazing thing was Sunset's horn, it grew longer. As one the four of them unleashed the magic of friendship upon Queen Harmony. In her final moments Harmony realized what her actions had wrought.

"My daughters," she said as she faded away to nothing, "I give you one last parting gift."

The four friends found themselves alone on the beach. They immediately ran over to Sonata.

"Sonata," Pinkie cried, "speak to me!"

"COUGH! Did we- COUGH- win," Sonata asked weakly, "why can't I feel anything? I want to go to sleep now."

"Shhh don't say anything," Pinkie whispered, "we'll get you help."

"Nata," Adagio said, as Aria cried into her older sister's shoulder.

Sunset felt a magic surge run through her.

You have the power you need my lost student, Sunset heard Celestia say in her mind.

"Stand back," Sunset told her friends as she focused on Sonata's injuries. Her horn began to glow as she enveloped Sonata in a magical aura. Soon the aura engulfed the five of them.

"So relaxing," Pinkie said.

"Hahaha- Stop that tickles," Sonata said as she stood up.

<POP!>

The five girls found them selves standing back in Luna's kitchen.

"Sonata," Pinkie said as she jumped into her girlfriend's arms and started planting kisses all over Sonata's face.

"What did she mean by one last parting gift," Aria wondered aloud.

"OMYGOODNESS," Adagio exclaimed, she was standing by the kitchen counter. She was holding up a small red pendant on a black silk choker. Two more sat on the counter.

I'll be back, Sunset heard Discord laugh.
> Rooftops
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sonata looked up at the stars. In her hands she held her new pendant. She occasionally looked at as she leaned against the rooftop of Luna's house.

"I understand that you had quite the day," Luna said as she climbed out of Sonata's bed room window and took a seat next to the young teen, "want to tell me about it?"

"I think I died," Sonata said quietly. She felt Luna's arms wrap around her and hold her in a hug.

"She didn't even care if she hurt us," Sonata started to cry, "she was our mother and yet she had no problem throwing us aside like yesterday's trash if it got her what she wanted."

"It's okay Sonata," Luna said calmly, "I will never toss you or your sisters aside,"

"But-<sniff>," Sonata said, "you barely know us."

"Sonata, when I look at you and your sisters I don't see the three girls who tried to take over school," Luna said.

"There was a bit more to it than that," Sonata said sheepishly.

"When I look at Adagio," Luna continued, choosing to ignore Sonata's comment, "I see a very smart young woman who could accomplish anything if she focused her ambition instead of focusing on revenge. Aria is a brilliant artist, I honestly want her to do the cover art for my next book."

"They have talents," Sonata sniffled, "all I am is a klutz with an inhuman love for tacos."

"Sonata," Luna said as she looked into the young teens eyes,"you reprogrammed Adagio's phone when she was teasing Aria. I wouldn't know how to do something like that."

"Really," Sonata asked, "it was quite simple."

"I'm still mad at you," Adagio called out from her room.

"She'll get over it," Sonata laughed.

"The point is, each of you have something that sets you apart," Luna said, "it's how you use your talent that defines you."

Sonata nodded. She and her sister had only had each other for so long, she wasn't sure how to react to Luna's words. There was a comfortable moment of silence between the two.

"So," Luna said after a moment, "Tell me about you new pendant, what does it do?"

"Dunno," Sonata answered, "Adagio tried hers out on Sunset and Pinkie earlier, nothing happened, maybe they don't do anything."

"Or,"Luna said with a smile, "maybe you haven't discovered their true purpose yet."

"Lame," Adagio called out.

"UHG! Some of us are trying to sleep," Aria yelled in reply.

Luna chuckled.

"Come on," she said, "let's go back inside, we have school tomorrow and it's-"

"TACO TUESDAY," Sonata screamed with pure joy. After they both went back inside,  Luna was about to turn off the light in Sonata's room when she felt the tension that had been surrounding Sonata they evening dissipate.

"Miss Luna," Sonata asked sleepily, "can I call you Mom?"

"Sonata," Luna replied with a gentle smile as she turned out the light, "you can call me what ever you like."


*****


It was lunch time in the Crystal Prep cafeteria. Adagio sat at her normal table. She was so lost in her thought that she didn't notice Twilight join her.

Why, Adagio thought to herself,why would she want to be our mother after everything that we did, do we really deserve another chance?

"Dagi," Twilight said, "penny for your thoughts."

Adagio didn't answer, she continued to look at the blank notebook that was open before her.

"DAGI," Twilight said a little louder. When she still got no response she decided to do something drastic. She licked Adagio's ear.

"Ahhhh!" Adagio said, "Twilight, what was that for?"

"You were just sitting there," Twilight answered, "I've been trying to get your attention for five minutes."

"Oh," Adagio said, "I had a rough evening,"

"What happened," Twilight asked, "if you don't mind my asking."

Adagio sighed.

"You don't need to tell me if you don't want to," Twilight said.

"No it's alright," Adagio said as she thought about how she could explain the events of the previous evening with out sounding like she was nuts.

"My sisters and I had it out with our mom," Adagio said, "our real mom, not Miss Luna. She made it pretty clear that she wants nothing to do with us."

"I'm sorry Dagi," Twilight said nervously. She couldn't imagine a mother abandoning their child, but she realised that that was a product of how she had been raised. Adagio kept much of her past secret, but she did know that until recently she and her sisters had been homeless.

"I know that Miss Luna cares for us," Adagio said, "but I can't help but think that she will abandon us when she finds out how much trouble we can be."

"Do you honestly think that," Adagio heard Dean Cadence say. She looked up and saw that the school administrator had taken a seat across from her.

"I'm sure my Aunt knows how much trouble you are," Cadence replied, "trust me, she wouldn't reach out to you if you weren't trouble."

"But we're so different from everyone else," Adagio said.

"And that doesn't make a difference to our family," Cadence countered, "Adagio, talk to Luna, let her know your misgivings and your concerns. I'll be there if you want me."

Adagio nodded and then looked at Twilight, "would you be there as well, I could use a friend."

"Of course."
> Thoughts and Promises
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aria sat down next to her sister and her friends. It seemed to be a typical Taco Tuesday at CHS. Sonata and Pinkie were having an impromptu taco eating contest, and from the horrified look on Rarity's face it was tied as both girls tried to stuff more tacos than other into their mouths. Fluttershy sat at the end of the table trying to clandestinely brush her pet bunny's coat. Applejack and Rainbow were arguing about the ending of some video game, and lastly Sunset sat with her magical journal, busily writing away to the Princess. Aria sighed absentmindedly as her hand went to play with the pendent around her neck.

As was her daily custom, Luna walked through the school cafeteria, speaking to various students and whichever teachers were watching the cafeteria that day. Aria watched as the Vice-Principal made herself busy stopping an argument between Derpy's  younger sister Ditzy, and Diamond Tiara.

"It can't be easy," Aria heard Rarity say.

"What was that Rares," Aria asked.

"I said that it can't be easy," Rarity explained, "you and your sisters live with Miss Luna and at home she treats you like her own family, but here you and Sonata are just two more students."

"Sunset has to deal with the same thing," Aria said.

"Not really," Sunset said, "mom doesn't tend to leave her office unless there is a problem."

"Sunset where is your mom now," Aria asked.

"Should be in her office," Sunset said, "she has a meeting with the Holiday Formal and New Years Formal planning commitees after school today."

Aria got up from the table and gathered her stuff.

"See you in class," she called out as she walked out of the cafeteria.

"Wherissegoingsh," Sonata asked with a mouthful of taco.

Aria walked into the school's administration office. For the first time that Aria could remember, Raven wasn't seated at her desk outside Celestia's and Luna's offices. She found Celestia's door open, but the woman was reading a novel and eating a salad. Aria knocked on the door frame.

"Aria," Celestia said after swallowing and wiping her mouth with a napkin, "come on in."

As she entered, she took the time to look around the office. The last time she had been here had been before the Battle of the Bands, and the three sisters had been so focused on causing disharmony, that Aria hadn't taken in her surroundings. The first thing Aria noticed was the number of photographs. Some showed both Celestia and Luna as children. In one Celestia was wearing a CHS cheerleading outfit, and Luna was wearing a CHS soccer jersey. There were also many pictures of Sunset. In one Sunset appeared to be cuddling a leopard gecko. Another one looked like a family portrait, showing Celestia, Luna Cadence and Sunset. In all the pictures everyone looked so happy. She picked up one of the family pictures.

"I want that," Aria said, not realizing that she had said it aloud.

"The photograph?" Celestia asked confused.

"Huh, oh, no a family," Aria said as she snapped out of her trance like state and put the photo back down.

"Aria are you ok," Celestia asked with growing concern.

"Um yes," Aria said, "I just wanted to apologize to you for what my sisters and I did before the Battle of the Bands. While our actions affected everybody at the this school, we tore your family apart with our actions, and for that I am sorry."

"Aria," Celestia said as she embraced the girl, "Sunset Luna, and I have already forgiven you, that's what family does."

"But I'm not a member of your family," Aria said.

"Aria, sweetie, you are a member of my family, I haven't seen my sister this happy in a long time," Celestia explained, "and it is because of you and your sisters. Luna loves you three so much, she wants to make it permanent."

Aria stood back and looked at Celestia. 

"Does this mean I get to call you Aunt Celestia," Aria asked after a moment.

Celestia could help but laugh.


*****


"Ah Miss Dazzle," Principal Cinch said, "do you have a moment."

"Sure," Adagio said, she looked at Cadence, the older woman signaled that she would wait.

After following Cinch to her office she patiently waited for the principal to take a seat before she did.

"Miss Dazzle, you have two sisters over at CHS do you not," Cinch asked.

"Yes," Adagio answered, she was curious where this line of questioning was headed.

"And you live with Vice-Principal Luna," Cinch asked.

"She is my guardian," Adagio answered, "why do you ask?"

"You are aware that the Friendship Games are coming up after the break," Cinch said, "you are a brilliant student, and had you been here at the start of the year you would have made the team,"

Adagio sat quietly and listened. She wasn't yet sure what Cinch wanted.

"Unfortunately, by the time you had enrolled, the roster had been finalized," Cinch went on, "but there is still a way you can help guarantee Crystal Prep's victory in the upcoming games." 

"How," Adagio asked.

"You see my dear, Crystal Prep has a reputation. We will win because we are expected to win," Cinch said, "all I need you to do is spy on CHS."

"Spy on them," Adagio asked, "how?"

"Find out who is on their team, I want names and any other information that you can provide. Do this for me, and I can guarantee that your time here a Crystal Prep will be a pleasant one."

Adagio gulped.


*****


Celestia closed the door to her office after she ushered Pinkie and the rest of the dance committees out, she then looked at Luna who stood there leaning against Celestia's desk.

"Pinkie is going all out this year," Luna said with a laugh, "it's like she knows something that we don't."

"Aria came by to see today," Celestia said calmly as she took a seat on the sofa in her office.

"She didn't say anything to me," Luna said, what did she want?" 

"That," Celestia answered as she pointed to a picture on her book shelf.

"I remember that night," Luna said as she looked at the picture, "that was the night that Cadence told us that she was engaged. Why does Aria want that picture?"

"She doesn't want the picture," Celestia said, "she wants what the picture represents, a family."

"Oh," Luna said. Now she knew what she had to do.
> What Was Once Missing
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"I'll be back later," Aria called out as she bounded down the stairs, pausing only when she saw Luna.

"Hold on," Luna said, "where are you going?"

"Sunset and I are going to help Flash pick out a new guitar," Aria said.

Luna looked at Aria for a moment.

"I didn't know that you could play," Luna said.

"Oh, I can't," Aria answered, "but Flash and Sunset said that they would teach me if I wanted to."

"Where are your sister," Luna asked.

"Sonata is with Pinkie and her family today," Aria said, "Adagio was up in her room just a moment ago."

"I'm right here," Adagio said.

"Any plans today," Luna asked.

"Going shopping with Cadence." Adagio said. 

Luna nodded. Cadence had recently asked the three Dazzlings and Sunset to be her Maids of Honor at her upcoming wedding. She watched as Adagio and Aria both left to house. Luna sighed.

"You really care for them don't you," Raven asked as she came down the stairs. She was wearing one of Luna's t-shirts and a pair of sweat pants. Her hair, which was normally in a well kept bun, was an absolute mess. Luna couldn't keep from laughing.

"Yes I do," Luna said after giving Raven a quick kiss on her cheek.

"Well do something about it," Raven said. Luna pulled out three familiar looking envelopes. And took a form out of each of them.

"I already did," Luna answered, "I just need to get the girls signatures."

Raven studied the forms carefully. Luna noticed that her eyes went wide.

"Um, Luna," Raven said, "the girls already signed them." She handed one of the forms to Luna and pointed out Adagio's signature at the bottom of the form she then repeated the process for both Aria and Sonata.

Luna felt like she was going to cry. She blinked once and felt the tears fall down her cheek.

"Luna," Adagio said said from the front door, "what's wrong?"

"Nothing," Luna said as she scooped Adagio up in a hug.

"Um," Adagio said, her voice dripping with worry, "are you sure that you're OK? You've got me worried."

Luna wiped her eyes and then looked at the youngest Dazzling.

"You girls signed the adoption papers," Luna answered, "when did that happen?"

"Last night after you and Raven went to bed, Aria and I snuck into Sonata's room and we talked about it." Adagio said.

"You're a much better mom than our real mother was," Sonata said from the doorway, "besides, where else can I get taco pizza?"

Pinkie, who was standing next to Sonata, looked at Sonata and then at Luna. Her eyes grew to the size saucers.

"Stand to one side Pinkie," Aria said as she and the rest of her friends filed into the house.

"ADOPTION PARTY!" Pinkie cried out.

"It's 'bout dang time," Applejack said.

"Congratulations darlings," Rarity added.

"Way to go," Rainbow said.

"I'm so happy for you Aunty Luna," Sunset said excitedly, "I have cousins now!"

"Yay!" Fluttershy said quietly.

"I still have to file that paperwork," Raven said calmly.

"And this is what you three really want," Luna asked as her eyes darted between the three girls. Aria answered for them.

"Of course it is," she said as she hugged Luna, "no backing out now, you're stuck with us."

Both Sonata and Adagio joined the hug.

"I'm still not calling you mom," Adagio said much to everyone's amusement.


*****


Later that week, Luna was surprised to find both Sonata and Aria waiting for her after school, they usually left with their friends.

"Aren't you girls going to Pinkie's for her pre-Holiday sleep over," Luna asked.

"Nope, we're going with you to Adagio's Mathlete competition," Sonata said showing Luna the shirt she was wearing, which had an artist's rendition of Adagio in her Crystal Prep uniform solving a math problem.

"Oh," Luna said with surprise, "you made shirts."

"We have one for you as well," Aria said with a smile.

"Yay," Luna said meekly.


*****


Aria began entering the combination for her locker when Applejack began to open the locker next to her.

"Oh, Hey A.J.," Aria said, "how did last night's sleep over go?"

"It was a blast," Applejack answered, "shame that you and yer sisters had to miss it."

"There'll be other sleep overs," Aria said as she nodded toward Sonata and Pinkie, "besides I can only take so much Pienata in my life."

Applejack laughed.

"Piggly Wiggly!" some one said.


To be continued...