Chapters View Online
Shown Lyrics Would Likely be Imagined Wrong.
Aria Blaze stomped off the stage as quickly as she could, her eyes just starting to tear up with anger.
“She ruined everything,” said Aria Blaze to herself, “I still feel the urge.”
Aria Blaze began the long journey back to where she had been staying. It wasn't much, but it was a roof. Somewhere around halfway to her destination, however, she was stopped by a small group of people dressed in flashy clothing.
“Are these really the sorts of gimmicks street gangs have nowadays?” said Aria, her eyes narrowed, “I don’t have any money, so you might as well just bug off.”
“You got us all wrong, honey,” said the person at the front of the group, the one dressed in the most fabulous clothing, “I’m Sapphire Shores and this here is my entourage.” She swiped her hand across all the people around her to point at them as she did a quick and dance like 360 degree turn.
“That doesn't really make it sound like you’re not a gang to me,” said Aria, grumpily.
Sapphire’s entire entourage gasped in shock. The all had bemused conversations about how unfeasible it was for Aria to not know who the sensational Sapphire Shores was. Listening to the chatter among the people she brought with her, Sapphire Shores let a smile slowly spread across her face.
“I’m likin' this gal more and more!” said Sapphire Shores.
Everyone became silent in confusion, including Aria. Sapphire Shores walked up very close to her.
“You got spunk, girl. Let me offer you the deal of your life,” said Sapphire Shores.
“What would I want from you?” said Aria as she glared at the arm Sapphire had wrapped around her when she got close enough.
“I gonna make you a star, a proper star,” said Sapphire Shores, free hand reaching for them, “I’m gonna teach you how to SING!”
Aria ground her teeth. Then she slapped Sapphire’s arm off of herself as she swiftly turned around to face her. Aria’s eyes were starting to tear up again with rage. She pushed her hands back behind her to accentuate what she was about to yell.
“NO!” said Aria Blaze, “I can’t sing! I won’t sing! I don’t want to sing EVER again!”
“What’s with the negativity, girl?” said Sapphire Shores.
“Ugh, none of your business,” said Aria thru her teeth as she glared at Sapphire Shores.
“The Person of Pop has taken interest in you, kid,” said one of the people in Sapphire Shores’s entourage, “You oughta show a bit more respect.”
“Ease it, guy,” said Sapphire Shores, “This is no way to treat a potential student.”
“What do you want from me anyway?” said Aria Blaze.
“I already said,” said Sapphire Shores, “I want to teach you how to sing.”
“Have you heard my singing?” said Aria.
“Yeah, and now I want to teach you how you’re supposed to do it,” said Sapphire Shores.
Aria tried to sing a little bit under her breathe, she felt like if she just tried hard enough she could cause everyone else to argue with each other thus allowing her to escape her situation.
No such luck.
‘Looks like I’ll have to resort to talking my way out of this,’ thought Aria Blaze.
“Look, miss Shores, I really have to get home right now my uh… parents need me or whatever,” said Aria Blaze.
‘Ugh… note to self: slap face hard later,’ thought Aria Blaze.
Sapphire Shores suddenly got a newly determined look upon her face.
“You leave me with no choice,” said Sapphire Shores as removed something from her pocket, “You’ll change your mind when you see this!”
Sapphire Shores had pulled out a hefty wad of cash. It was thick and at least the outermost bill was a hundred.
Aria then remembered what exactly her living conditions were at the moment.
“This is yours,” said Sapphire Shores, “but only if you follow me to my studio.”
Aria tried to pounce on her for the cash.
Sapphire Shores was fortunate enough to be quicker and rushed off in the direction of her studio, Aria and Sapphire’s entourage trailing behind.
By the time Aria had reached Sapphire, Sapphire had already been at the studio for quite a while. Aria knocked on the door… with her head by accident.
“Wow, someone hasn't been eating all their Wheaties,” said Sapphire Shores.
Aria tried to say something, but couldn't find a place in all the heavy breathing she needed to do.
“You alright?” said Sapphire Shores, “Uh, why don’t you come on in and lie down on the couch?”
Before she could answer, Aria passed out in front of her.
Sapphire grabbed Aria, tried to carry her inside and laid her onto the couch.
Aria eventually came to, she was a bit confused as to why she was on a couch but decided to think about that after the hurting stopped. She was in a relatively small room, at the doorway stood a guard. Sapphire Shores was crouching right beside her.
“Here,” said Sapphire Shores as she handed Aria a glass of water.
Aria just stared at it for a moment.
“It’s for drinking, kid,” said Sapphire Shores, “I’m sure you've done it before.”
There was a drawn out pause before either of them said anything.
“...Right,” said Aria, eventually.
Aria took the glass and brought it up to her face. She tried to drink, but she accidentally got some to start going down to the path of her lungs. A frantic bout of coughing ensued, Aria instinctively needed to ensure her airway was clear. The coughing went on until she had gotten all of the water, and some of her inner throat fluids, outside of her.
“Oh dang, you okay?” said Sapphire Shores, eyes wide.
“Blerg... It’s fine,” said Aria, “I’m used to breathing water.”
Sapphire Shores only raised an eyebrow at that.
It was then that Aria noticed that the glass was on the floor.
“What?” said Sapphire Shores, casually.
Aria didn't say anything to that. She had a look of disapproval on her face, but that was nothing out of the ordinary.
“Oh,” said Sapphire Shores when she looked down and saw what happened to the glass, “Watch your step when you get off the couch then.”
Aria looked at her questioningly but decided to think nothing of it. She carefully got up, more carefully when she noticed something.
“Where are my boots?” said Aria Blaze.
“Pff,” said Sapphire Shores, “Hey, it’s a really nice couch that I have here. Don’t want anyone to lay down on it with their shoes on.”
Aria looked at the couch. It seemed nice and all, but it didn't look like anything special to her.
“They’re over there,” said Sapphire Shores.
As Aria was retrieving and putting back on her boots, something occurred to her.
“When did you hear me sing?” said Aria Blaze.
“I was in the audience for that community fundraiser. I clapped for you, first one to do that even,” said Sapphire Shores.
Aria scowled.
“It was you!” said Aria, “You’re the one ruined my plan!”
Aria tried to jump Sapphire, but she was quickly stopped by the doorway guard’s intimidation.
“...Plan?” said Sapphire Shores.
“I never want to sing again,” said Aria Blaze, “but I keep feeling the urge to use it.”
Sapphire Shores was confused by how she phrased it, but decided to pay it no mind.
“I was going to finally be free of it, having to sing with my horrible singing voice, but you had to make the audience cheer for me. Make them pity me, I don’t want that. I wanted them to hate me so I’d never have to feel the need to sing. Ever. Again,” said Aria Blaze.
Sapphire Shores looked at her, eyes looked at her sadly and mouth forming a small smile.
“That wouldn't have stopped your urges,” said Sapphire Shores, “Trust me on that one.”
Her eyes glared at Sapphire while she bit the bottom of her lip.
“I can help you get over your issue though,” said Sapphire Shores.
“How could you possibly do that?” said Aria.
“Dang it, I keep telling you,” said Sapphire Shores, “Girl, I am gonna teach you how to sing.”
Author's Note
This won't be a very long story.
Aria Blaze was in a recording booth, across from her sat Sapphire Shores: The Person of Pop. Aria was doing her best to sing, there was a transcription of ‘Serves her Right’ right in front of her that she was reading off of.
“No no no!” said Sapphire Shores, “Ya gotta be louder! And ya gotta ENUNCIATE.”
“Ugh! Why are we recording this anyway?” said Aria, “My singing blows.”
“Aside from annoying you,” said Sapphire Shores, cheeky grin on her face, “It’ll really help me pinpoint what exactly your problem is.”
“And why am I doing this again?”
“‘Cause you’re one of the lucky few students to get paid for their studies,” said Sapphire Shores.
“Yeah,” said Aria Blaze, “In food.” Sapphire’s tactics had been changed after Aria bit the first bait.
Sapphire Shores leaned in closer to Aria, grin still plastered on her face, “What, you don’t like the food or something?”
Aria could only scowl at that, she couldn't exactly let go of this meal ticket.
“By the way,” said Sapphire Shores, “Try not to let your voice crack when you’re changing notes.”
Aria grumbled and started the song over again from the top.
No matter how delicious the food was, Aria didn't think she’d ever be comfortable eating at a restaurant. Yet she found herself at one, one that Sapphire Shores had dragged her to.
Aria kept the hood of her hoodie up, she didn't see anyone from Canterlot High School here but she didn't want to take any chances. Sapphire Shores was also donning her own disguise. She was wearing normal looking clothing, a big hat, and wore sunglasses.
“That look still pisses me off,” said Aria Blaze, who knew she couldn't do anything about this hate of hers at this point.
It was the same disguise as the one she donned when she had first applauded for Aria.
“Really now?” said Sapphire Shores.
“I hate you so much,” said Aria, “You’re the worst.”
“What did you hate me for again?” said Sapphire Shores.
“You know what you did!” said Aria Blaze.
Sapphire Shores merely smiled smugly at that.
Aria crossed her arms and slumped back in her chair. Shortly thereafter, their food arrived. Sapphire ate like someone who only paid the minimum amount of attention to table manners. Aria meanwhile ate like someone who didn't know how to eat food.
"Ya got a little something on your face, " said Sapphire Shores.
"Huh?" said Aria Blaze.
"Well more like a lot. Who the heck taught you how to eat?" said Sapphire Shores.
"Shut up..." said Aria Blaze as she took a napkin to her face and wiped.
Sapphire leaned in closer, "So what exactly do your parents think of those eating skills?"
"I don't have parents," said Aria.
'Dang it!' thought Aria, remembering that she was planning on not revealing that particular piece of information.
"Didn't you say ya had parents earlier?" said Sapphire Shores.
Aria responded only with silence.
Aria was in the recording booth again. She kept in mind all the advice she had gotten so far. Once more she was reading off of a sheet of paper showing the lyrics to ‘Serves her Right’.
“Yeah!” said Sapphire Shores, “You’re doin’ great, Foxxy’s ears don’t bleed anymore.”
“I don’t know why I keep watching you do this,” said Foxxy, whose ears had thankfully been spared earlier thanks to use of hyperbole.
Aria didn't respond with enthusiasm. It still pained her to hear herself sing. It seemed like she would never be able to match what her voice had been able to do before, even discounting her former ability to hypnotize.
“Ears not bleeding isn't exactly the most encouraging thing to say,” said Aria with a glare.
“Well I have to tell you something,” said Sapphire Shores, “Got to work with what ya give me.”
That only made Aria scrunch up her face and glare harder.
Aria and Sapphire ate at the restaurant regularly. Sapphire had decided on it as the usual ~~bribe~~ payment for keeping Aria as her student.
“Ya know, I thought you’d get better at eating by now,” said Sapphire Shores, “And you've really surprised me.”
Aria took her attention away from her food and raised her eyebrow at Sapphire.
“‘Cause ya haven’t,” said Sapphire Shores, “In fact, I think ya might have gotten worse.”
Aria narrowed her eyes and said, “Shut up… I hate you.” Though she said it under her breath.
Sapphire Shores only smirked at her remark.
Aria Blaze was once again in Sapphire’s recording booth. She was reading off of a different song. She had been practicing under Sapphire’s guidance for months at this point.
“Wow, Aria, you've gotten a lot better,” said Foxxy.
Aria still didn't feel confident in her ability. While it didn't seem like a pain for others to hear, it was still a pain for her to hear.
‘It used to be such a beautiful voice,’ thought Aria Blaze.
Sapphire Shores knew for certain she could drag Aria to the top.
“What do want me to do now?” said Aria Blaze, who had just arrived at the studio.
“Oh you’re in for a treat today!” said Sapphire Shores, “We’re going to my place!”
“Huh?” said Aria Blaze.
“My house,” said Sapphire Shores.
“Right,” said Aria Blaze, “Duh.”
The car ride took a bit longer than Aria had anticipated, but it wasn’t anything ridiculous. Aria stepped out of the vehicle and her eyes opened as much as they could.
Sapphire’s house was HUGE.
“How ya like it?” said Sapphire Shores, “Nice, huh?”
Aria settled down from her initial shock and surprise.
“Sure… I guess,” said Aria, trying to sound completely disinterested.
“It’s better on the inside,” said Sapphire Shores.
Aria couldn’t believe her eyes; the room she found herself in was twice as big or more than her current place of residence, not that that’d be really hard.
“What do you think of the foyer?” said Sapphire Shores.
“Foyer?” said Aria Blaze.
“Hallway entrance, whatever,” said Sapphire Shores, “Heck, to be honest, I’m not even sure foyer’s right word!”
“Right…” said Aria Blaze.
Sapphire Shores showed Aria around all the rooms of the mansion. From the outdoor games ‘room’ to the indoor games room.
=“You’re supposed to get the Eight Ball in last,” said Sapphire Shores.
“Then why’s it got the number eight on it, huh?” angrily said Aria Blaze.=
To the dining hall to the kitchen.
=“Fish eggs?” said Aria.
“Dang it, Fill, did you order caviar again?” said Sapphire Shores.
“It’s a sign of wealth!” protested Filling Frosting, Sapphire’s current head chef.
“That doesn’t make it taste good!” said Sapphire Shores.=
To the gym and to the ferris wheel.
=“Why do you own a ferris wheel?” said Aria Blaze.
“Seemed like a good investment at the time,” said Sapphire Shores, “Though I’m not entirely convinced that a hobo or stalker fan doesn’t live in it.”
“That sounds kind of stupid,” said Aria Blaze.
Sapphire just shrugged at that.=
Until finally they made it to the enormous pool.
“So wh-”
*SPLASH!*
“-at do you think of the pool?” said Sapphire Shores, soaking wet.
As soon as Aria saw the large body of water she jumped in. It felt right. She realized that it was another thing she had lost, even if it hadn’t been as important as her siren song was. However she made sure not to actually breathe the water this time.
Sapphire Shores crouched down to better look at Aria.
“Ya know, most people change into swimsuits first,” said Sapphire Shores.
Aria ignored her, content to just relax in the water.
“Suit yourself,” said Sapphire Shores.
After receiving a new set of clothes to replace her wet ones, Aria set off for her residence. Little did she know that certain celebrity would be following her.
‘She was able to get all that stuff using nothing but her voice,’ thought Aria Blaze, ‘Her voice practically has the power of a siren in and of itself.’
An evil grin spread across her face.
‘It’s a good thing she’s teaching me,’ thought Aria Blaze.
Sapphire Shores tailed Aria as stealthily as she could. It wasn’t all that hard, she just had to wear dark green and comfortable shoes.
Aria had almost made it to her house.
‘Hm, not a very good neighborhood this,’ thought Sapphire Shores.
Aria entered a house, Sapphire Shores followed close behind.
“You are aware that there’s no running water here, right?” said Adagio Dazzle.
“But water’s supposed to come out of sinks, Adagio,” said Sonata Dusk.
Adagio let out an exasperated sigh.
Aria Blaze came thru the door.
“And where do you keep going to anyway?” said Adagio, pointing at Aria.
“And what’s with the shiny new duds?” said Sonata Dusk.
“None of your business,” said Aria Blaze.
Sapphire Shores was close by, right outside the house.
‘Dang, it’s dark in there,’ thought Sapphire Shores, ‘Wait… that sink looks like it’s on, but nothing’s comin’ out.
Hours passed. Or maybe it was only one hour, but the point is that it was later.
“Dang it, nothings gonna pour out of that sink!” said Sapphire Shores, bursting in.
“I keep telling her tha- GAH!” said Adagio Dazzle, “Who the heck are you?”
“I’m-”
“OH MY GOSH! It’s Sapphire Shores!” said Sonata Dusk, “I shoplifted all of your albums! And a CD player! An-”
Aria Blaze placed a hand over Sonata’s mouth.
“What have we talked about saying too much, Sonata?” said Aria Blaze.
“Uh… that I shouldn’t do it?” said Sonata Dusk.
“And yet somehow you do it all the time anyway,” said Aria.
“Oops, my bad!” cheerfully said Sonata Dusk.
“Ugh,” Aria rolled her eyes.
Sapphire Shores ran her view along the lot of them. Aria and the blue haired girl looked healthy enough, she guessed, but the orange haired girl looked a bit thinner than she should.
“I ain’t against two gals in a relationship, but you two seem kind of young to be her parents,” said Sapphire Shores.
Adagio just glared at her.
“What do you want, Shores?”
“Well, seeing that my apprentice and her two… associates live in such a squalor,” said Sapphire Shores, “I’m gonna take y’all home.”
“Apprentice?” said Adagio Dazzle, “So that’s where she’s been going.”
“Shut up Adagio,” said Aria Blaze.
Adagio looked ticked, but she made no real move to harm Aria.
“Why are you here, Sapphire Shores?” asked Aria Blaze, “How did you get here.”
“Well…” said Sapphire Shores, “I decided to visit your place. Hey, are you sure this place ain’t condemned?”
“I didn’t exactly invite you,” said Aria Blaze.
“Hey, anytime I asked, you kind of avoided the question,” said Sapphire Shores.
“Does this look like something I want people finding out about?” said Aria Blaze.
“Y’all are lucky I did find out,” said Sapphire Shores, “Now come on!”
Sapphire Shores grabbed Aria by the upper arm and dragged her back to her mansion. Aria made an effort to fight against her, but she wasn’t exactly the strongest person in the world.
“We’re going home,” said Sapphire Shores, “You two can come too if you want.”
Sapphire and Aria sat facing each other alone in the dining place. Adagio and Sonata had followed them, but they basically decided to live in the pool.
“So, what are you planning on doing with us?” said Aria Blaze.
Sapphire leaned in with one forearm and her opposite arm’s hand rested on the table.
“Well I ain’t gonna stop teachin’ ya if that’s what you’re asking,” said Sapphire Shores, “And I also have a few other plans in mind.”
“What sort of plans?” said Aria Blaze, eyes narrowed.
“Only one part is real important,” said Sapphire Shores, “You, you all, you live with me now.”
“Can you really support that?” said Aria Blaze.
Sapphire Shores raised her eyebrow and gave Aria an incredulous look.
“I guess that’s not really the right question…” said Aria Blaze, deflating and looking away from Sapphire. Her chin lowered to the table.
Aria turned her eyes back towards her teacher, “Do you really want to deal with three teenagers?” Aria kept the fact that the sirens weren’t exactly teenagers to herself.
“Pff, I got more than one house,” said Sapphire Shores, “I can just go to one o’ them if any of ya start botherin’ me.”
Aria then turned her head to face Sapphire.
“Don’t you keep precious items here?” said Aria Blaze.
“Aria… the only precious thing here,” said Sapphire Shores, “is you.”
“Ugh,” said Aria Blaze, “Don’t get all sappy on me, Shores.”
“Heh, I admit that that might be a little much for how our relationship is right now, but still…” said Sapphire Shores.
Aria and Sapphire sat in silence. They looked at one another. Aria appeared bothered and agitated, a bit angry too. Aria basically looked like how she usually did. Sapphire sat while slouching down, cheek resting upon hand with her elbow on the table. She used her other arm to adjust something on her back.
“Stop looking so bored!” said Aria Blaze.
“Well, the conversation just sort of petered out…” said Sapphire Shores.
“I’m leaving,” said Aria Blaze as she got up.
“Wait!” said Sapphire Shores.
Aria looked at her.
“Your room should be on the upper floor, third door on the left,” said Sapphire Shores.
Aria continued to leave.
Author's Note
The other two Dazzlings cameo here, but won't be added to the character tags because they do jack squat in this story. Really they're just here to show that Aria's still living with them. (Also: Originally the chapter ended when Adagio said “So that’s where she’s been going.”, but I found that it definitely needed a bit more than that.)
Aria reflected back on what she had experienced with her mentor: Sapphire Shores. She couldn’t believe that she had gotten completely used to living in Sapphire’s mansion, though certain comforts helped aid that. Adagio and Sonata stuck around, but she didn’t pay much attention to what they were ever up to.
Aria’s practicing schedule had seen a massive upswing now that she lived in the same place as Sapphire Shores. She could no longer avoid her if she didn’t feel like accepting the bribe that day. She was practically practicing everyday, though she found that that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. Thanks to all that practice, Sapphire Shores thought that Aria was ready for the ultimate test.
Aria Blaze was chosen to be the opening act for one of the Person of Pop’s shows. It wasn’t the most prestigious position, but that just meant that she didn’t have to worry about the pressure of being good as much.
Aria sang.
The audience was mesmerized. Her voice was not hypnotic anymore, but once again it was beautiful.
Aria looked over all she sang to, to all the people she had left in awe.
She smiled.
‘This is my new way,’ thought Aria Blaze.
Author's Note
Just a little epilogue, not much of one though. Unfortunately (Unless you hated this story in which case I guess it would be fortunate for you), I can't really come up for more material for this story. I made this story when I found that Aria wasn't getting as much story-making attention as the other sirens, (especially Sonata), but I came up with the idea when I thought about how Sapphire Shores has her own tag and how I haven't seen much from it really (recently anyways). Then I realized something, both characters had the shared element of singing: One a "master" of the art and the other one who knows what it's like to sing well but no longer can. This story was also influenced by images of a Sapphire Shores Equestria Girls doll I had seen. Occasionally I have tried to get a fanfic of the ground without much success in starting it, but I had to write what I could for this one.
Aria Blaze was anxiously waiting for her turn to come up. She had entered a contest to prove something to herself.
It was a small contest she entered, a local singing competition small time fundraiser sort of deal. She hadn’t really paid attention to what the contest’s purpose was, but it couldn’t have been too important. They had let her enter the competition without checking for whether she could actually sing after all. That was a good thing for Aria, she wanted hear their disapproval, she wanted to hear the crowd boo her, she wanted to be sure that she would never sing again.
Aria had often tried to use her powers after she had lost them, but failure there was inevitable. Aria always felt weak when that happened; Aria hated feeling weak. So she decided that just one more angry crowd would be the catalyst for her new way, she didn’t quite know what that would be, but she knew that it didn’t involve any singing.
All those who went on and sang before she did were all at the very least passable with maybe one or two stand outs, but then came Aria Blaze’s turn and she knew that the audience would be disappointed.
That was what she wanted.
She sang her song as loud as she could, her voice was unsuitable, it cracked constantly, and she was sure that not even one part of the song was sung remotely right. Aria finished and awaited the audience’s response.
She heard a small amount of laughter, but that was to be expected. No one really jeered her either, but that was fine, she could still use that for her internal purpose. But something happened that caused her plans to go disarray: someone in the audience clapped for her.
Eventually a few other people started to clap for her too. The enthusiasm wasn’t really there or it didn’t feel like it was at least, it felt like they were pitying Aria to her. Aria scowled at them and scanned the small crowd for the first person who started clapping. When she found her it was someone who was obviously hiding their face, similarly to the way celebrity would. The only distinguishing thing Aria could pick up was that she was female, but that didn’t exactly narrow it down.
Aria would have trouble finding the person who clapped first, but she would. That person had robbed of the one thing she needed. She robbed her of what she needed to make herself finally stop trying to sing.
Aria would make that woman pay.
Sapphire Shores had been searching for something for a while. She had been putting on disguises and going to small time singing competitions all over to find it.
She going to teach that voice how to sing, how to REALLY sing.
Sapphire Shores was going to prove to all just how truly SENSATIONAL she really was.
