"Hey! Wake up! Hey! Wake up! Hey-"
Sunset Shimmer responded to the alarm clock by slapping it off the night stand onto the floor. Why did she even keep that stupid clock? Supposedly a custom made gem by the Flim Flam Bros. of an annoying pink pony constantly nagging you to get up, instead of bells the sound of horns came out. But it was old and sometimes would activate on it's own, even when it wasn't supposed to.
Still, it was one of the few gifts she had ever gotten from someone, so she picked it up and put it on the nightstand. She almost dropped it hearing her mom barge in.
Charcoal Smog was a husky woman, appearing more of a man than a woman with pale grey skin and reddish orange eyes. Her hair was a similar style to her own, just shorter and a bit spikier. Not to forget it was a deep dark crimson hair with orange highlights here and there. She remembered she used to be one of the best royal guards Celestia had to offer, but took up engineering once they had been sort of banished to this human world.
"I heard horns! Is the princess here? Did I forget the summer solstice?" She slurred, clearing still sleepy but eyes puffy and wide from the sudden wake up call. Her mom was also a bit eccentric too. She had always been a hot head, determined that she and her daughter would be the best they could be but not to show off. She never went overboard with teachings, at least with Sunset she didn't. But that stupid alarm clock always made her seem a little more gruff and stubborn with each morning, reminding her of the trumpets that her fellow guards would play at special events or holidays with Princess Celestia participating.
"No mom, go back to bed, just the alarm clock," Sunset Shimmer sighed, pushing her mom down the hall and back to her room. She let her fall on the bed, closing the door behind her as she went back to her room to prepare for the day.
Sunset Shimmer hummed softly to herself as she walked towards the school, seeing her friends off by the portal lounging around it. She could make out Rainbow Dash bouncing her soccer ball on her head trying to break a new record, Pinkie making a balloon animal hat taller than even herself, Rarity applying some make up, and Applejack and Fluttershy talking about something, she couldn't hear all too well. As she began making her way over to them, she tumbled with a girl running in her direction.
Both ended up on the concrete, a scrape here and there but nothing too serious. She looked up to see a somewhat familiar looking girl, her face and hair hidden by a dirty very ratty looking hoodie. Rarity certainly would consider it a travesty of fashion. Seeing the deep impression she made taking her hand off of her stomach she appeared very thin and frail, and her fingers were covered in Scooby-Doo bandaids.
"Oops! Super sorry, Bacon-Lady-" A cheery but weak voice came from behind the hood, soon followed by a high pitched gasp as she looked up into her face. A similar gasp came from Sunset, watching the hood fall over her shoulders along with long cyan hair.
It was Sonata Dusk, one of those sirens, they had defeated quite a while ago. She looked so weak, straining to smile and keep her magenta eyes open. Her chubby cheeks weren't as rosy, covered in dirt and cuts, along with her chin. Poor thing was shaking as she stood up, knees almost buckling underneath her. Sonata's arms had found their way around her waist, hugging herself tightly. It was easy to hear her stomach grumble and groan, as if a wild animal.
"S-S-Sorry, I'll j-just go-" She moved quickly towards the school, breaking into a sprint before Sunset could even ask her what was wrong. Raising a brow, she simply told herself not too worry to much as she approached her friends, putting on a smile for the five.
Later that day during lunch, Sunset couldn't stop thinking about this morning. She didn't realize they hurt the Sirens that bad, at least from what she had seen bumping into Sonata Dusk. Were the other two like that or worse? Oh she didn't wanna think about what torture the cute blue girl must've been through to have her stomach roaring like a manticore. She crinkled her nose and shook her head. She didn't just think she was cute did she? No no no, of course not! She didn't swing that way- did she?
As she mentally questioned herself, she grabbed a tray and got in line at the kitchen. It was taco Tuesday, which did have some of the more bearable foods the school had to offer. "I'll just have whatever you got," She sighed, not looking up at Granny Smith or whatever lunch lady was here today.
"Coming right up," She instead got a sullen gravelly response instead of the usual 'Sure thing sugarcube!' she'd get from Granny Smith. But it wasn't Granny Smith, it was Aria Blaze.
She certainly looked no better than Sonata, but had less bruises and cuts on her arms, and her hair was as tangled and dulled by grease as her fellow Siren. Her eyes were glazed over and emotionless, lacking the glint it usual had. Sunset was speechless, simply staring at Aria as she placed a large crispy taco on her tray. She didn't even blink hearing Rainbow Dash come up next to her.
"Yo, Sunset, what's- woah!" Rainbow jumped back, a look of anger and rage coming over her face as she got in a fighting pose. Though after a moment, much to her surprise, she's calmed and appeared concerned. "Hey, what happened to ya Barney Glaze?"
Aria scowled, hissing at them. "It's Aria Blaze..."
"Oops- right, Aria..." Sunset never seen Dash look so apologetic, noticing a pale blush coating her cheeks. Why was she so nervous? "...so what happened to you? Are ya alright?"
She nodded, not giving a response as she just put food on the plates. She seemed slow, arms shaking as she slathered the goopy sour cream or plopped the spicy meat into the shell.
Rainbow growled, "Answer me, Aria,"
"Please move up the line."
"I said answer me!"
"Please...move up-"
"Listen you sexy siren-" The guitarist, clearly at her boiling point, was cut off by others next to them.
"Move it!"
"Yeah, we want food!"
She simply muttered under her breath as she followed Sunset Shimmer down the line, looking pretty grumpy.
"What is going on around here? Since when did the sirens start working here- how come I never noticed?!" Sunset questioned herself beginning to worry. She walked beside Pinkie, Rarity, Fluttershy and some grey girl- Ditzy Doo- she never really talked to much other than when she was making fun of her before her reformation. It made her feel kind of awkward, how a girl she used to make fun of for getting pregnant as a teenager and for her weird yellow eyes was now walking beside here all smiley and cool as if they had been friends for years. She was only around to help Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy babysit the Cakes' kids after school, maybe cause she was a bit more of an expert with little kids than most of the others.
"So I said to her- 'Chicken? I don't eat people Scootaloo!' and she said-" Pinkie giggled, but was cut off by Fluttershy. Soon the yellow girl was hiding behind them shaking, much to everyone's confusion. Till they saw Adagio.
She looked even worse than Aria and Sonata, her wrists covered with so much old bandaging it was hard to tell if it was stained with dirt or infected puss. She wore a baggy blue uniform, an held a wet soggy mop close like some sort of shield. "S-Stay away from me!" She yelled at them, taking a step back as they got closer. None of them saw her put it deep into the soap water, tripping back sending dirty mop water everywhere on her and the floor.
Ditzy gasped loudly, clumsily kneeling down to the Siren's aid. "You okay lady?" She asked in her usual odd drawl.
Adagio looked up at her wide eyed, eyeing Fluttershy coming up from behind the blonde looking scared. Dear god she was beautiful, like an angel fallen from heaven. She stammered, staring directly at her unable to make eye contact with Ditzy, who waved a hand in front of her face trying to catch her attention. "Hello~ Ginger head, you okay?"
"U-Uh, yes, I-I'm quite alright..." She finally looked at her, sneering at the girl only getting a wide grin in return.
Ditzy helped the siren up slowly, pulling a hanker chief from her pocket and holding it out to her. Adagio looked from the fabric to the cock eyed girl and stepped back, hissing at her and the other two as she suddenly ran off. Sunset was so confused, but Fluttershy didn't seem to care much, she was busy hiding behind Pinkie Pie, who surprisingly didn't seem very forward or talkative during their encounter during the encounter. She seemed pretty nonchalant in fact.
"What'cha acting so surprised guys? She's been working here for three weeks now!" Pinkie said, smiling brightly.
Sunset's eyes went wide, "W-What?! How didn't we notice?"
"Well I guess becoming harmless everyday girls includes becoming super ninjas!" Ditzy exclaimed, saying something that usually would make anyone groan and roll their eyes. But no one could right now.
"At least we know where the Dazzlings are, somewhat safe and sound..." Sunset Shimmer sighed, a hint of relief showing but not much as she began walking ahead, leaving Pinkie, Fluttershy and Ditzy behind as she head out the school.
The three looked at each other confused, "What's up with her?" The blonde rose a brow.
Fluttershy simple shrugged, while Pinkie stood there rubbing her chin in thought; either trying to figure out what was wrong with her friend or coming up with some crazy excuses in her head.
Sunset found herself wasting the hours walking around town, even as the sky turned black, rain clouds beginning to build up hiding the moon and the stars. Today filled her with some emotions she really didn't wanna feel. How she felt so guilty, so confused, so torn up seeing them all weak, grim, defeated. They had been so alluring and colorful when in power at Canterlot High, but no they were pitiful and colorless, almost like a kicked puppy or those abused animals you see at the Animal Shelters.
Speaking of which she happened to be walking past the one Fluttershy worked at. It was hard to see through the blinds but she could still see it was lit brightly. Even when closed there was a glow to it, hearing mews and barks and hoots making it quite the lively place. Though something about the noises was off, she could heard a horrible noise coming from inside. It was like something screeching in pain, like a dying cat. But then mixed in were hiccups and sobbing. It wasn't a cat, sounded more like a girl. And it was coming from the alley right next to the shelter. Curious, she walked towards the dark area and towards the noise.
"Can't be Fluttershy, she doesn't cry like that..." She murmured, approaching the dumpster the crying was coming from. Hearing it slow down Sunset stopped, merely inches away from the opening. Taking a deep breath, she got on her toes and looked into the trash.
Laying there was Sonata, whimpering and hugging herself tightly as she used the trash as some sort of blanket. She looked so small and cute laying there sniveling and blubbering like some runt of a puppy litter. Seeing Sunset she squealed in fear, burying into the trash trying to hide.
"D-Don't blast me with another rainbow alicorn, Bacon-Lady! I-I'll be g-good..." She begged for her life, cowering under the girl's aqua gaze.
Sunset Shimmer smiled sadly, showing some pity as she slowly pulled the Siren out, who showed no resistance. She continued to cry, though it stopped once Sonata found herself being wrapped in a warm embrace.
"What are you doing out here, Sonata?" She asked gently.
The cyan girl sniveled, wiping her eyes, "I-I went out for groceries a while ago, a-and I tried going home w-when F-Flash Gordan- or was it Brad Sentry? I can't remember- but he and h-his band came out of no where and...attacked me! I-I was just trying to get food for my best buddies in the world- then they started calling me a monster and chased me all the way out here. N-Now...I don't k-k-know how to get home!" Sonata broke into tears again.
Sunset's smile turned in a smirk. She was just a lost little kid, trying to find her way home. "Look, how bout I take you to my place to stay the night and tomorrow I'll help you get home?" She asked as she began guiding Sonata Dusk out of the alley.
"F-For realzies?"
"Yeah, for realzies,"
Adagio grumbled softly to herself as she wandered the school halls that night, holding her mop close as she with ease picked through the lockers. She did this every Tuesday, looking through the students belongings in hopes that they left some money or anything valuable. So far, she found five dollars and eight cents. Good enough for a cab home. She approached a locker slightly rustier and more beat up than the others. It was easier to get through the lock, but a lot of her strength went into just prying it open. She was disappointed with her results. Just some books and a muffin.
She picked it up, inspecting it. Taking a quick whiff, she shrugged and took a bite. "Hmm, lemon...?" She muttered, identifying what she supposed the flavor was meant to be. But it was much to bland.
"Whatcha eatin'?"
Adagio shrieked, almost choking on the treat from the surprise. She turned, shaking and very clearly startled. There before her was that grey girl Ditzy Doo, she remembered running into earlier that day with a half of the rainbooms.
The siren simply responded by sneering, until she noticed the change in Ditzy's expression once she saw what was in her hand and who's locker she was in front of. Adagio gulped. This must've been her locker.
"Eh...a muffin?" She smiled nervously, hiding behind her mop.
Ditzy growled at her, grinding her teeth almost foaming at the mouth, somewhat reminding her of a rabid dog. "Oh come on! That was my experimental Tuscan Lemon muffin, I've been aging it for three weeks now! It was almost perfect!"
Adagio's eyes went wide, quickly dropping the muffin and turned a little green. "T-Three weeks...?"
She stood there shaking, watching the grey girl grab her muffin off the floor, "Yeah, just a few days more and it wouldn't been a master piece..." She sighed, calming down.
"O-Oh, I'm...sorry...about the muffin," Adagio said gently, tightening her grip on the mop as she tried not looking too apologetic.
"It's okay, it was the only reason I came this late, but I guess it was all for nothing..." She looked up at her, perking up a bit, "What're you doing here anyways?"
"Oh uh...stealing from the lockers," She admitted quickly, blush spreading across her cheeks and a bubbly feeling in her stomach. What was this? Shame? Embarrassment? She felt it before during The Dazzlings' defeat.
Ditzy nodded, looking around at all the locks on the floor. "Have you tried the junior's wing yet? They got some rich kids who always leave cash behind," She said, much to Dagi's surprise.
"W-What?"
"Yeah, these two brats, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, they got the sparkly glitter posters of Trenderhoof- well not literally more like cut out magazine clippings pasted together into a poster," The cock eyed girl shrugged.
"Oh uh..." Adagio bit her lip, closing the locker slowly, beginning to walk away. Then she stopped. How could she forget how nice this rather odd girl was to her. Even Fluttershy, perhaps one of the kindest people in the universe, wasn't nice enough to help her up when she slipped. She turned silently towards Ditzy. For someone so kind she was rather homely, but in her own cute way.
"Thanks..." She murmured, before turning around fully and headed in the direction of the junior's wing.
"-I mean, why are they even called soft shelled tacos? Aren't they just burritos under a different name? Taste the same, look the same, they are the same! And don't get me started on Nacos-" Sonata went on, giggling softly till she found herself and Sunset at her front door. She awed at the sight of it. It was small and simple sure, but she lived in a little run down apartment with her sisters so she couldn't complain.
"Ooh, very pretty," She smiled brightly, watching Sunset Shimmer pull a little brass key from her pocket and unlock the door.
In response she got a chuckle and gentle grin from the bacon haired girl, "Thanks, it's not much but it's good enough for my mom and me,"
"Ooh, you have a mom?" Sonata asked curiously.
She nodded, "Um yeah, why'd ya ask?"
"Well it's just me and the girls' don't have a mom, we did, but I don't remember what happened all too well..." Sunset frowned noticing the girl looked a bit blue.
"I'm so sorry about that..." She said gently, placing a hand on her shoulder.
Sonata quickly perked up if only a little, flashing a cute grin, "Don't worry about it Bacon-Lady, I'm alright,"
She chuckled softly, "Actually, my name's Sunset Shimmer, but you can call me Sunset for short," She said.
"Alright, Sunny!" She bounced into the living room, though ended up stumbling and face planting into the floor. Sunset quickly came to her side, sitting next to her and helping her onto her knees, "You okay Sonata?"
The siren nodded, her smile a bit strained, till she saw blood dripping from her nostrils drop onto the plush white carpet. She gasped, unable to scream. She pouted, feeling a bit light headed. "N-No...it hurts Sunny..." She whined.
"Alright, let's get you some ice and then a nice warm dinner," Sunset said gently, guiding her onto the couch and laid her down on the couch.
"O-Okay, Sunny..." Sonata tried to smile, but it didn't last long as she passed out, the pain in her head becoming too much for her to handle.
Adagio sighed as she kicked open the front door, entering the little run down apartment. She could hear the pipes rattle and the small pitter patter of water dripping out of the sink. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Aria stand up, running over expecting Sonata. The scared look on her face turned grim and irritated, "Oh, it's you Adagio," She crossed her arms.
"Nice to see you too Aria," She growled, through her bag aside kicking off her heels.
"Find Sonata yet?"
All she got was a sigh and a slow shake of the head.
"Oh...we'll find her soon, though..."
Adagio shrugged, "Or she'll find us..."
Aria sniffled, turning away not to show she was about to cry, "I-I can't believe I'm saying this but I'm worried about her...she's our little sister...and after the Battle of The Bands knowing anyone could shoot us just for staying in town..." She wiped her eyes, "...She's worrying me sick, that big idiot..."
Her sister watched her cry for a moment silent, before wrapping her arms around Aria's brittle frame pulling her into a hug.
"She's worrying me too, but...I doubt she's in too much trouble, those Rainbooms could have found her-" Adagio was suddenly cut off by a low growl.
"Don't mention those idiots, I don't trust them. Specially not that Raindrop Prancer or whatever her name is, she looks like she could break bones like ours' in a second," She murmured, pulling her face closer to Adagio's chest.
Adagio sighed, smirking as she heard this, "Now you're complimenting our enemy?"
"Shut up."
Charcoal groaned, hearing a commotion coming from the living room. Dragging herself out of bed and grabbing her trusty base ball bat, she approached the noise. "Sunset? Sunny that better be you, if not," She smirked to herself, "Whoever it is will get a major beating~"
She paused, out of the corner of her eye seeing blue hair. Vision going red with rage, she ran in, ready to swing.
"FLASH SENTRY HOW DARE YOU SHOW YOUR DUMB LITTLE FACE AT MY HOME AGAIN!?" She screamed, ready to beat whom she thought was the young guitarist to death. She quickly stopped, seeing her daughter block her target.
"Mom, are you crazy! It's not Flash," Sunset scolded her mom, kneeling down beside Sonata placing a bag of ice on her face. She responded by burying herself deep into the couch, shivering and whining in pain.
"Sunny...i-it's too cold..."
"Oh shit, uh..." Charcoal smiled nervously, dropping the bat backing away, "Sorry..."
Sunset turned to her, growling like an old dog, "Go to your room right now missy,"
"B-But-"
"Now!" She pointed to the hallway.
Sighing, she obeyed sulking her way back to her room, "I swear, sometimes I think she's my mother..." She murmured to herself.
