Sonata’s Songby Milliardo5ChaptersI. HomeII. Finding The SongIII. A New SongI. HomeSunset was turning in for the night when she heard a knock on her door. She opened it, and there stood Pinkie Pie and Sonata Dusk. She was surprised when she saw them. “So what are you two doing here?” she asked them. She looked more closely and saw that Sonata had a bag with her—two bags, in fact. “She needs a place to stay”, Pinkie said while a sheepish Sonata just looked down. “I thought she has a home to go to?” Sunset asked. “Well…that’s not really true..” Sonata said, almost in a whisper. Sunset realized they’re still in front of her house, so she let them in. She seated them on the sofa while she took a chair and sat down almost in from of them. “So what is this about?” she asked them. “Well, since we came here, I have lived with Adagio and Aria…” Sonata began. Sunset nodded. She recalled very well her story about Adagio kicking her out of the Dazzlings. Since she wasn’t part of the group anymore, she has lost a place to stay. “She did live with us for a week”, Pinkie added. ‘I know that”, Sunset said. “Well, looks like you do need a place to stay, so this can be your place”, she said. Sonata looked up. “Realsis?" she said with that trademark word of hers. Sunset nodded. “Thanksie!” she said, getting up and hugging her. Pinkie smiled also. “Thanks for looking after my ‘sis’”, Pinkie said as she got up. “Hey, we’re friends here”, Sunset replied. Pinkie said her farewell then, and once she left Sunset took one of Sonata’s bag as she led her upstairs. “I do need someone with me”, confided Sunset as they went up. “It’s been lonely here, and I guess it wouldn’t be so bad to have someone around.” They walked a little bit more, through a quite wide corridor until they stopped in front of a door. “You can stay here”, Sunset announced as she opened the room. “It’s a guest room, just in case, and since you’re my guest, you might as well have it.” Sonata peaked in as Sunset turned on the light. It was tastefully decorated, if a bit bare. It had a bed, actually wide. It had a night stand and drawer as well. On top of the night stand was a lamp. “Guess there’s no entertainment here”, Sunset said apologetically. “I’ve got a TV downstairs, if you noticed, and an mp3 player dock plus speakers. I also have one in my room.” “I think I’ll like it here”, Sonata said happily. “It’s better than nothing!” “Great! Then we’re all set up”, Sunset said. She placed the bad in the room while Sonata brought in the other. After making sure she’s okay, Sunset left her to go into her room. She sighed when she closed the door. Guess I’ll need to get a job, she told herself. She kept putting it off, but she realized she can no longer afford to live the way she’s doing now, especially not when she has someone with her. I’ll look for one online first thing tomorrow, she promised to herself. She also meant to ask Sonata if she’d like to help out, but it will have to wait until morning. Before she tucked herself in, she wrote on her notebook. Sunset Shimmer. Coming in from Equestria, she has now found a home in Canterlot City. After meeting Twilight Sparkle and befriending the Rainbooms, she decided to change her ways for the better. It wasn’t easy, and there were still struggles, but she had managed to turn her life around, and also vowed to help others who wanted to. Recently she had helped Sonata Dusk to do just that. Like her, Sonata came from Equestria as well, though she had been in the human world far longer than she was. Plus she had been with a group called the Dazzlings, led by Adagio Dazzle. The Dazzlings had enchanted pendants on them that they used to get others to do their bidding. The Rainbooms, of which Sunset was part of, confronted them in Canterlot High’s Battle of the Bands. The Dazzlings were defeated, and their pendants shattered. After those events Adagio and the others had some arguments, and it was at that point that Aria Blaze, the other member of the group, who found the excuse she needed to get Sonata out. Aria had had enough of Sonata, thinking her not fit for their group. She convinced Adagio to get Sonata out, and she agreed. The events then led to Sonata going over to them, and even though she had just been with them for a week, she had greatly adjusted to how they do things. More or less. There was still much work to be done, and every now and then she might backslide, but she had made great progress through that time. Sunset woke up. It was early in the morning, and she looked around for her clock. Since it was a Saturday, she didn’t have to worry about getting up late. She took out her laptop and set it up. While waiting for it to turn on, she went out of her room to check on Sonata. She saw her room open, and there Sonata was seated on her bed. She had just got dressed then. “Good morning”, she greeted Sonata, still a bit sleepy. “Hi there!” she chirped. She bounded out of the bed. “I got something to show you”, she told her, beckoning for her to follow. They went to her room, and she showed her the laptop. “We need to have a job so we can have something to support ourselves”, she told Sonata. She nodded. “I figured that online jobs are the best these days, so we’ll find one without having to go out there”, she explained. “Yeah, I was thinking of that”, Sonata admitted. “I do need to help out here.” “That’s right”, agreed Sunset. Well at least she’s sensible, she added as a thought. They spent the morning looking for a job, carrying their breakfast with them to her room and eating there. When they found something they found suitable, they sent emails. “I guess that should do”, Sunset said. She sat back to think. She realized that the house needed wi-fi. She asked then Sonata if she had a laptop, but she shook her head. She sighed. “We really need to have things here like another laptop, if we’ll have a job, even if it’s here at home”, she remarked. She thought of having a small office set-up. They could do some work after classes, maybe do research or write for someone, she figured. Later that day they went to the grocery store to buy some food. She texted anyone who would like to join them, and not surprisingly Pinkie came. Sonata was excited to see her. The rest of the day was spent back at their house. Sunset checked on her email while Sonata and Pinkie helped out in cleaning the house. “Hey, I got an email”, Sunset called out to both of them, peaking by the stairs as she did so. The two climbed up the stairs, running while they did so. They read excitedly and celebrated when Sunset got a job. Sonata too got hers. Both of them applied as writers for an online magazine, and the job didn’t require them to write a lot, so it was perfect for them. At least one problem solved, Sunset thought with relief. The email said that they can start Monday, so Sunset and Sonata made their schedule so that they could do their work and their studies as well as soon as they got home. Since the work load said that they only need to do 3 articles per week, they had enough time to go about their school work as well. That night, Sunset thought of some things before going to sleep. Definitely they needed another laptop, so they planned to get one on their first pay, even if meant getting a used one. Much better than just having one, that way we can get more work done, she decided. She also thought to have wi-fi, so Sonata can do her work in her room. Things were slowly looking up, even if they weren’t as fast as she hoped it would be. It was a start, and she knew that it is a new beginning for her and for her friends. II. Finding The SongSonata had always loved to sing. As a Siren back in Equestria, singing was part of her life. She still carried that in the human world. Ever since her pendant, together with that of Adagio’s and Aria’s, was shattered though, she had lost that ability to sing. Or so she thought. It was a rather dreary Wednesday, having rain outside. The Rainbooms normally would have been outside after classes, but they instead cooped up inside Canterlot High’s music room, waiting for the rain to at least die down a bit, if not completely cease. They took out their instruments and began to rehearse. Pinkie made some impressive drum rolls, practicing it. Sunset and Rainbow Dash had just tuned their guitar. At Pinkie’s signal, they began a song. It was perfect, lazy afternoon to jam. Sonata sat on a chair listening to them. Ever since she moved in to Sunset’s house, they went home together. Pinkie often joined them, in part to be close to what she sees as her “sister”. Sonata as well felt the same way, for they shared so much the same things. On that particular day she was just happily listening to them, She nodded a bit to the sound. After a few minutes the band had a break. “I’ll go outside and check on the weather”, Applejack said. The others milled about while she was gone. Rarity approached Sonata.' “Dear, why don’t you join us?” she invited her. Sonata was startled. “Me? Thankies! I’d love to, but I can’t sing”, she said, a little bit disappointed. “It must have been so hard to lose that pendant”, Fluttershy said sympathetically, but Sonata just smiled. “I got used to it by now”, she merely said. Rarity was a bit skeptical though. “Well dear, you can talk, can’t you now?” she said. “I think we can work out something.” She grabbed Sonata’s hand and led her to the piano nearby. Sunset observed them as she stood with her guitar. Rarity seated herself on the piano chair and motioned for Sonata to stand near the piano. “We’ll first try some warm-up vocalizations”, she instructed. She began to press C major, and asked Sonata to try the note. They slowly worked their way to one octave, though at just E Sonata stopped. “What is it, dear?” Rarity asked, a bit concerned. Sonata motioned to her throat, and Rarity gave out a soft laugh, though it’s not to make fun of her. “I see what’s wrong. You are using your throat for singing”, she observed. Fluttershy couldn’t help hearing them. She approached them both and talked to Sonata in her quiet way. “Maybe I can help”, she said quietly. She then looked at Sonata and said, “Try to press on your stomach like this”, she said, indicating how to do it. Sonata followed her. “Do you feel that?” she asked her. “That’s your diaphragm, and that’s where you should be singing from.” She said it so demurely Sonata could hardly hear her, but she understood it in any case. “Thanks”, Sonata said gratefully as Fluttershy returned to her seat. Rarity and Sonata went through it again, and this time it was much easier for Sonata. Applejack returned just then to announce that the rain has stopped. Everyone began to pack their instruments and put it back to their places. On their way home, Sonata still practiced every now and then. Pinkie would give her some tips while Sunset walked a little bit ahead of them. “I think I’m getting my voice back”, Sonata observed. Later, in their house and after Pinkie had left, Sunset talked to her. “I don’t think you really lost your voice”, she said to Sonata. “It might be that you just thought you lost it, but it’s there all along.” “Maybe so”, agreed Sonata. She kept practicing in the house, and Sunset had set aside some time for her to practice. She can see that Sonata had a good voice. Even without the pendant, she felt that Sonata could actually sing. She thought about that, since the Rainbooms do need a secondary singer, and since she’s with them she might as well have a part in their band, too. “So, what do you think?” Sunset asked Rarity the next day about her idea of letting Sonata prepare as the Rainbooms’ secondary vocalist at their rehearsal after school. “I think it would be marvelous!” she replied with delight. “How long do you think she needs coaching?” Sunset wanted to know. Rarity thought for a moment, figuring out the days needed for her to teach proper technique. “If we can do this daily, I believe by next week she’s good enough”, she finally said, “…for practice at least”, she added hastily. “Sounds good enough for me”, Sunset said. Later, when the others came in, she brought up the issue and they also didn’t object. “I think it would be wonderful to have her with the band”, Fluttershy said. “I’m sure she’ll be excited when she finds out!” Pinkie bounced up and down happily. At that moment Sonata walked in from her class. Pinkie ran over to her and told her the news. She screamed with delight, and the two of them bounced up and down with joy. The group were all smiles, watching the two girls’ reaction. “Welcome to the band, Sonata”, Sunset said to her. The others did the same. Sonata was so happy, though of course there was still the matter of giving her vocal coaching. They did that over a week, with additional practice for Sonata at home. Sunset oversaw her practice there, though occasionally Rarity would also drop by to help and chat. Finally, a week passed and they got together for another rehearsal. It was a special one since it would be the first time Sonata would join them as secondary vocals, and they’d like to hear how she’d perform. For two days prior to it, Sunset and Rarity went over the song she’d be singing with them to see how she would blend in. “Well, this is it”, Applejack said to her. Sonata was both nervous and excited, as she had always sung with the pendant. But Rarity assured her that she did well in their practices. Pinkie gave the signal and the band started playing. When her part came, Sonata sang. It was a feeling she hadn’t felt since the time she was with the Dazzlings. She felt happy, her eyes shining. “What do you think?” Sunset asked them after the number. “Still needs a little bit work, but good enough”, Rainbow Dash gave assessment. “We’ll work on it, darling”, Rarity assured her. Sonata though didn’t mind—she was just happy she found her voice back. She and Pinkie excitedly talked in one corner while the group relaxed. That night, as she was about to sleep, Sunset reflected on it. Sonata still can’t get over it when they got home. She had never been so happy in her whole life. Sunset was just glad to see her like that. All of us have our voices, she thought. And all of us just need to find that right voice, that right tune. It is out there, and once one finds it, it can be the most beautiful thing in the world. Sonata found hers, and that can never be taken away from her. III. A New SongThey had been practicing daily, spending an hour in the music room before heading home. On Fridays though Rainbow Dash stayed behind for another hour for soccer practice. Most of the time they would go home together. That afternoon they had played two songs, and were taking a break when Applejack spoke up. “You know, I’m wondering what happened to Adagio”, she said. The others looked at her. “I haven’t seen her since the time Sunset faced her.” Sunset frowned. She did wonder where she went off to. They had seen Aria and Crescenda every now and then, but there had been no sign of Adagio. “It is strange”, she reflected. “Aria wouldn’t be without her, so this is unusual.” “Especially since it’s been weeks since that happened”, Rainbow Dash added. Sonata was also worried, but she didn’t say anything just yet. On the way home, Sunset and Sonata walked quietly. Sunset noticed she was unusually quiet. “You’re worried about her”, she observed. Sonata nodded. “I tried texting Aria, but she’s not giving a reply”, she sadly stated. “Hhmm…that is troubling”, Sunset said, quite concerned. “But I hope that she is all right somewhere”, she added, trying to cheer Sonata up. Sonata smiled a bit. “Thanks for saying that”, she said, grateful for what Sunset had done for her. “We’re friends, whatever your concern is would be our concern”, she said to Sonata. That night, before going to bed, Sunset decided to check on Sonata. She saw her in her room, watching something on her smart phone. She recognized the song. “That’s what you sang with them on the audition”, she said by the door, and Sonata was a bit startled. But she recovered and nodded. “I couldn’t believe that we were so bad”, she said. “I know the feeling”, Sunset said. “It takes time before you totally get it out of yourself”, she said as she went in the room and sat on the bed. “I didn’t realize I was doing something wrong then”, remarked Sonata. “We usually don’t, until others get hurt”, Sunset replied. ‘I just thought we were having fun”, Sonata continued on. “But it’s not fun when other people get hurt”, Sunset said gently. Sonata looked at her. “I’m glad you’re here, all of you, to help me out”, she said. “It’s not going to be easy”, Sunset said. “It was just as hard for me, but with friends things somehow become easier.” She smiled at Sonata. She smiled back, took one look at the video, then began to delete it. Sunset was puzzled why she did that. “You keep saying to me”, Sonata said, “to move forward, and I’m moving forward.” Sunset smiled at what she said. “We have a long day tomorrow”, was all she replied. “And it’s taco Tuesday, you’re favorite day!” Afternoon, after classes, they were back in the music room. They’ve decided to do one or two songs before heading home. As they rehearsed, two figures outside the room were listening. Even though the door was closed, they could hear the music quite well, since it was quite loud, even though it was muffled. “They’re good”, one of them said. “And they seem to be having fun”, the other replied. Inside, they were just finishing up on the last song. “Well, I’m going on out to get something”, Applejack said as they took a break. The two figures were still at the door when she opened it. The two were taken by surprise and weren’t able to get out of the way before it opened, causing them to be knocked down as the door swung out. “What are you two doing here?” Applejack declared. The others inside heard her and went to look. There sprawled were Aria and Crescenda. Sonata saw them. She went past Applejack and went to where Aria was. She bent down and slowly stretched out her hand to her. Aria looked up. At first she looked at Sonata in anger, but that changed slowly, and to everyone’s surprise she took her hand. Sonata helped her up. “Are you okay?” she asked Aria. Sunset came over to them. Aria was still patting her head, as she tried to get back to her feet. “I think it’s better if we get back inside”, Sunset said as she invited the two over. They were all silent as Aria and Crescenda went in. “So why are you two sneaking up like that?” Applejack finally broke the silence. “We just need to talk to you—about Adagio”, Aria said as she sat on a chair. “Why, what happened to her?” Sonata asked with concern. “After you confronted her, she went back to our quarters”, related Aria. “We followed her, but when we got to the place we were terrified by what we heard.” “She was all different”, Crescenda joined in, “as if she’s gone crazy.” “We ran away when we heard her like that”, continued Aria, “but decided to check up on her early in the morning, but she was gone by then.” “And you haven’t heard from her, ever since”, Sunset concluded. They both nodded. “Why didn’t you tell us in the first place?” Rarity asked. “Because we didn’t know how to”, Aria said. Sonata then spoke up. “They’ve been good to me”, she attested. “Please join us.” Aria looked at her, then at the others. Then she shook her head. “We can’t join you”, she said to them. “We’d be better off on our own. But”, she said, pausing, “maybe we can be friends?” She looked to them. They were silent for a moment before Sunset spoke up. “Agreed”, she said as she went over to shake her hand. The others cheered as well, and Sonata and Aria hugged. When they parted, Aria looked at her. “Why don’t you join us? We could go look for Adagio”, she said to her. Sonata stopped, considered, and looked around. At the people around her. Her friends. And at Pinkie, whom she now considered her sister. She then looked back at Aria…and shook her head. “Thanks, but I have my family here”, she said. “It’s what I’ve always wanted, where I belong.” Aria considered as well, then just smiled as she shook her head. “You were always the ‘dim’ one”, she said, “but I don’t blame you. You seem more happy here now.” She finally said to them that they’ll take their leave, and everyone said their farewell to the two. On the way home, Sunset saw Sonata had more spring in her step. She looked happy. It was as if life had gone back in her. She knew that she had gone a long way, and also she hoped that Aria and Crescenda would take that same journey she took.
I. HomeSunset was turning in for the night when she heard a knock on her door. She opened it, and there stood Pinkie Pie and Sonata Dusk. She was surprised when she saw them. “So what are you two doing here?” she asked them. She looked more closely and saw that Sonata had a bag with her—two bags, in fact. “She needs a place to stay”, Pinkie said while a sheepish Sonata just looked down. “I thought she has a home to go to?” Sunset asked. “Well…that’s not really true..” Sonata said, almost in a whisper. Sunset realized they’re still in front of her house, so she let them in. She seated them on the sofa while she took a chair and sat down almost in from of them. “So what is this about?” she asked them. “Well, since we came here, I have lived with Adagio and Aria…” Sonata began. Sunset nodded. She recalled very well her story about Adagio kicking her out of the Dazzlings. Since she wasn’t part of the group anymore, she has lost a place to stay. “She did live with us for a week”, Pinkie added. ‘I know that”, Sunset said. “Well, looks like you do need a place to stay, so this can be your place”, she said. Sonata looked up. “Realsis?" she said with that trademark word of hers. Sunset nodded. “Thanksie!” she said, getting up and hugging her. Pinkie smiled also. “Thanks for looking after my ‘sis’”, Pinkie said as she got up. “Hey, we’re friends here”, Sunset replied. Pinkie said her farewell then, and once she left Sunset took one of Sonata’s bag as she led her upstairs. “I do need someone with me”, confided Sunset as they went up. “It’s been lonely here, and I guess it wouldn’t be so bad to have someone around.” They walked a little bit more, through a quite wide corridor until they stopped in front of a door. “You can stay here”, Sunset announced as she opened the room. “It’s a guest room, just in case, and since you’re my guest, you might as well have it.” Sonata peaked in as Sunset turned on the light. It was tastefully decorated, if a bit bare. It had a bed, actually wide. It had a night stand and drawer as well. On top of the night stand was a lamp. “Guess there’s no entertainment here”, Sunset said apologetically. “I’ve got a TV downstairs, if you noticed, and an mp3 player dock plus speakers. I also have one in my room.” “I think I’ll like it here”, Sonata said happily. “It’s better than nothing!” “Great! Then we’re all set up”, Sunset said. She placed the bad in the room while Sonata brought in the other. After making sure she’s okay, Sunset left her to go into her room. She sighed when she closed the door. Guess I’ll need to get a job, she told herself. She kept putting it off, but she realized she can no longer afford to live the way she’s doing now, especially not when she has someone with her. I’ll look for one online first thing tomorrow, she promised to herself. She also meant to ask Sonata if she’d like to help out, but it will have to wait until morning. Before she tucked herself in, she wrote on her notebook. Sunset Shimmer. Coming in from Equestria, she has now found a home in Canterlot City. After meeting Twilight Sparkle and befriending the Rainbooms, she decided to change her ways for the better. It wasn’t easy, and there were still struggles, but she had managed to turn her life around, and also vowed to help others who wanted to. Recently she had helped Sonata Dusk to do just that. Like her, Sonata came from Equestria as well, though she had been in the human world far longer than she was. Plus she had been with a group called the Dazzlings, led by Adagio Dazzle. The Dazzlings had enchanted pendants on them that they used to get others to do their bidding. The Rainbooms, of which Sunset was part of, confronted them in Canterlot High’s Battle of the Bands. The Dazzlings were defeated, and their pendants shattered. After those events Adagio and the others had some arguments, and it was at that point that Aria Blaze, the other member of the group, who found the excuse she needed to get Sonata out. Aria had had enough of Sonata, thinking her not fit for their group. She convinced Adagio to get Sonata out, and she agreed. The events then led to Sonata going over to them, and even though she had just been with them for a week, she had greatly adjusted to how they do things. More or less. There was still much work to be done, and every now and then she might backslide, but she had made great progress through that time. Sunset woke up. It was early in the morning, and she looked around for her clock. Since it was a Saturday, she didn’t have to worry about getting up late. She took out her laptop and set it up. While waiting for it to turn on, she went out of her room to check on Sonata. She saw her room open, and there Sonata was seated on her bed. She had just got dressed then. “Good morning”, she greeted Sonata, still a bit sleepy. “Hi there!” she chirped. She bounded out of the bed. “I got something to show you”, she told her, beckoning for her to follow. They went to her room, and she showed her the laptop. “We need to have a job so we can have something to support ourselves”, she told Sonata. She nodded. “I figured that online jobs are the best these days, so we’ll find one without having to go out there”, she explained. “Yeah, I was thinking of that”, Sonata admitted. “I do need to help out here.” “That’s right”, agreed Sunset. Well at least she’s sensible, she added as a thought. They spent the morning looking for a job, carrying their breakfast with them to her room and eating there. When they found something they found suitable, they sent emails. “I guess that should do”, Sunset said. She sat back to think. She realized that the house needed wi-fi. She asked then Sonata if she had a laptop, but she shook her head. She sighed. “We really need to have things here like another laptop, if we’ll have a job, even if it’s here at home”, she remarked. She thought of having a small office set-up. They could do some work after classes, maybe do research or write for someone, she figured. Later that day they went to the grocery store to buy some food. She texted anyone who would like to join them, and not surprisingly Pinkie came. Sonata was excited to see her. The rest of the day was spent back at their house. Sunset checked on her email while Sonata and Pinkie helped out in cleaning the house. “Hey, I got an email”, Sunset called out to both of them, peaking by the stairs as she did so. The two climbed up the stairs, running while they did so. They read excitedly and celebrated when Sunset got a job. Sonata too got hers. Both of them applied as writers for an online magazine, and the job didn’t require them to write a lot, so it was perfect for them. At least one problem solved, Sunset thought with relief. The email said that they can start Monday, so Sunset and Sonata made their schedule so that they could do their work and their studies as well as soon as they got home. Since the work load said that they only need to do 3 articles per week, they had enough time to go about their school work as well. That night, Sunset thought of some things before going to sleep. Definitely they needed another laptop, so they planned to get one on their first pay, even if meant getting a used one. Much better than just having one, that way we can get more work done, she decided. She also thought to have wi-fi, so Sonata can do her work in her room. Things were slowly looking up, even if they weren’t as fast as she hoped it would be. It was a start, and she knew that it is a new beginning for her and for her friends.
II. Finding The SongSonata had always loved to sing. As a Siren back in Equestria, singing was part of her life. She still carried that in the human world. Ever since her pendant, together with that of Adagio’s and Aria’s, was shattered though, she had lost that ability to sing. Or so she thought. It was a rather dreary Wednesday, having rain outside. The Rainbooms normally would have been outside after classes, but they instead cooped up inside Canterlot High’s music room, waiting for the rain to at least die down a bit, if not completely cease. They took out their instruments and began to rehearse. Pinkie made some impressive drum rolls, practicing it. Sunset and Rainbow Dash had just tuned their guitar. At Pinkie’s signal, they began a song. It was perfect, lazy afternoon to jam. Sonata sat on a chair listening to them. Ever since she moved in to Sunset’s house, they went home together. Pinkie often joined them, in part to be close to what she sees as her “sister”. Sonata as well felt the same way, for they shared so much the same things. On that particular day she was just happily listening to them, She nodded a bit to the sound. After a few minutes the band had a break. “I’ll go outside and check on the weather”, Applejack said. The others milled about while she was gone. Rarity approached Sonata.' “Dear, why don’t you join us?” she invited her. Sonata was startled. “Me? Thankies! I’d love to, but I can’t sing”, she said, a little bit disappointed. “It must have been so hard to lose that pendant”, Fluttershy said sympathetically, but Sonata just smiled. “I got used to it by now”, she merely said. Rarity was a bit skeptical though. “Well dear, you can talk, can’t you now?” she said. “I think we can work out something.” She grabbed Sonata’s hand and led her to the piano nearby. Sunset observed them as she stood with her guitar. Rarity seated herself on the piano chair and motioned for Sonata to stand near the piano. “We’ll first try some warm-up vocalizations”, she instructed. She began to press C major, and asked Sonata to try the note. They slowly worked their way to one octave, though at just E Sonata stopped. “What is it, dear?” Rarity asked, a bit concerned. Sonata motioned to her throat, and Rarity gave out a soft laugh, though it’s not to make fun of her. “I see what’s wrong. You are using your throat for singing”, she observed. Fluttershy couldn’t help hearing them. She approached them both and talked to Sonata in her quiet way. “Maybe I can help”, she said quietly. She then looked at Sonata and said, “Try to press on your stomach like this”, she said, indicating how to do it. Sonata followed her. “Do you feel that?” she asked her. “That’s your diaphragm, and that’s where you should be singing from.” She said it so demurely Sonata could hardly hear her, but she understood it in any case. “Thanks”, Sonata said gratefully as Fluttershy returned to her seat. Rarity and Sonata went through it again, and this time it was much easier for Sonata. Applejack returned just then to announce that the rain has stopped. Everyone began to pack their instruments and put it back to their places. On their way home, Sonata still practiced every now and then. Pinkie would give her some tips while Sunset walked a little bit ahead of them. “I think I’m getting my voice back”, Sonata observed. Later, in their house and after Pinkie had left, Sunset talked to her. “I don’t think you really lost your voice”, she said to Sonata. “It might be that you just thought you lost it, but it’s there all along.” “Maybe so”, agreed Sonata. She kept practicing in the house, and Sunset had set aside some time for her to practice. She can see that Sonata had a good voice. Even without the pendant, she felt that Sonata could actually sing. She thought about that, since the Rainbooms do need a secondary singer, and since she’s with them she might as well have a part in their band, too. “So, what do you think?” Sunset asked Rarity the next day about her idea of letting Sonata prepare as the Rainbooms’ secondary vocalist at their rehearsal after school. “I think it would be marvelous!” she replied with delight. “How long do you think she needs coaching?” Sunset wanted to know. Rarity thought for a moment, figuring out the days needed for her to teach proper technique. “If we can do this daily, I believe by next week she’s good enough”, she finally said, “…for practice at least”, she added hastily. “Sounds good enough for me”, Sunset said. Later, when the others came in, she brought up the issue and they also didn’t object. “I think it would be wonderful to have her with the band”, Fluttershy said. “I’m sure she’ll be excited when she finds out!” Pinkie bounced up and down happily. At that moment Sonata walked in from her class. Pinkie ran over to her and told her the news. She screamed with delight, and the two of them bounced up and down with joy. The group were all smiles, watching the two girls’ reaction. “Welcome to the band, Sonata”, Sunset said to her. The others did the same. Sonata was so happy, though of course there was still the matter of giving her vocal coaching. They did that over a week, with additional practice for Sonata at home. Sunset oversaw her practice there, though occasionally Rarity would also drop by to help and chat. Finally, a week passed and they got together for another rehearsal. It was a special one since it would be the first time Sonata would join them as secondary vocals, and they’d like to hear how she’d perform. For two days prior to it, Sunset and Rarity went over the song she’d be singing with them to see how she would blend in. “Well, this is it”, Applejack said to her. Sonata was both nervous and excited, as she had always sung with the pendant. But Rarity assured her that she did well in their practices. Pinkie gave the signal and the band started playing. When her part came, Sonata sang. It was a feeling she hadn’t felt since the time she was with the Dazzlings. She felt happy, her eyes shining. “What do you think?” Sunset asked them after the number. “Still needs a little bit work, but good enough”, Rainbow Dash gave assessment. “We’ll work on it, darling”, Rarity assured her. Sonata though didn’t mind—she was just happy she found her voice back. She and Pinkie excitedly talked in one corner while the group relaxed. That night, as she was about to sleep, Sunset reflected on it. Sonata still can’t get over it when they got home. She had never been so happy in her whole life. Sunset was just glad to see her like that. All of us have our voices, she thought. And all of us just need to find that right voice, that right tune. It is out there, and once one finds it, it can be the most beautiful thing in the world. Sonata found hers, and that can never be taken away from her.
III. A New SongThey had been practicing daily, spending an hour in the music room before heading home. On Fridays though Rainbow Dash stayed behind for another hour for soccer practice. Most of the time they would go home together. That afternoon they had played two songs, and were taking a break when Applejack spoke up. “You know, I’m wondering what happened to Adagio”, she said. The others looked at her. “I haven’t seen her since the time Sunset faced her.” Sunset frowned. She did wonder where she went off to. They had seen Aria and Crescenda every now and then, but there had been no sign of Adagio. “It is strange”, she reflected. “Aria wouldn’t be without her, so this is unusual.” “Especially since it’s been weeks since that happened”, Rainbow Dash added. Sonata was also worried, but she didn’t say anything just yet. On the way home, Sunset and Sonata walked quietly. Sunset noticed she was unusually quiet. “You’re worried about her”, she observed. Sonata nodded. “I tried texting Aria, but she’s not giving a reply”, she sadly stated. “Hhmm…that is troubling”, Sunset said, quite concerned. “But I hope that she is all right somewhere”, she added, trying to cheer Sonata up. Sonata smiled a bit. “Thanks for saying that”, she said, grateful for what Sunset had done for her. “We’re friends, whatever your concern is would be our concern”, she said to Sonata. That night, before going to bed, Sunset decided to check on Sonata. She saw her in her room, watching something on her smart phone. She recognized the song. “That’s what you sang with them on the audition”, she said by the door, and Sonata was a bit startled. But she recovered and nodded. “I couldn’t believe that we were so bad”, she said. “I know the feeling”, Sunset said. “It takes time before you totally get it out of yourself”, she said as she went in the room and sat on the bed. “I didn’t realize I was doing something wrong then”, remarked Sonata. “We usually don’t, until others get hurt”, Sunset replied. ‘I just thought we were having fun”, Sonata continued on. “But it’s not fun when other people get hurt”, Sunset said gently. Sonata looked at her. “I’m glad you’re here, all of you, to help me out”, she said. “It’s not going to be easy”, Sunset said. “It was just as hard for me, but with friends things somehow become easier.” She smiled at Sonata. She smiled back, took one look at the video, then began to delete it. Sunset was puzzled why she did that. “You keep saying to me”, Sonata said, “to move forward, and I’m moving forward.” Sunset smiled at what she said. “We have a long day tomorrow”, was all she replied. “And it’s taco Tuesday, you’re favorite day!” Afternoon, after classes, they were back in the music room. They’ve decided to do one or two songs before heading home. As they rehearsed, two figures outside the room were listening. Even though the door was closed, they could hear the music quite well, since it was quite loud, even though it was muffled. “They’re good”, one of them said. “And they seem to be having fun”, the other replied. Inside, they were just finishing up on the last song. “Well, I’m going on out to get something”, Applejack said as they took a break. The two figures were still at the door when she opened it. The two were taken by surprise and weren’t able to get out of the way before it opened, causing them to be knocked down as the door swung out. “What are you two doing here?” Applejack declared. The others inside heard her and went to look. There sprawled were Aria and Crescenda. Sonata saw them. She went past Applejack and went to where Aria was. She bent down and slowly stretched out her hand to her. Aria looked up. At first she looked at Sonata in anger, but that changed slowly, and to everyone’s surprise she took her hand. Sonata helped her up. “Are you okay?” she asked Aria. Sunset came over to them. Aria was still patting her head, as she tried to get back to her feet. “I think it’s better if we get back inside”, Sunset said as she invited the two over. They were all silent as Aria and Crescenda went in. “So why are you two sneaking up like that?” Applejack finally broke the silence. “We just need to talk to you—about Adagio”, Aria said as she sat on a chair. “Why, what happened to her?” Sonata asked with concern. “After you confronted her, she went back to our quarters”, related Aria. “We followed her, but when we got to the place we were terrified by what we heard.” “She was all different”, Crescenda joined in, “as if she’s gone crazy.” “We ran away when we heard her like that”, continued Aria, “but decided to check up on her early in the morning, but she was gone by then.” “And you haven’t heard from her, ever since”, Sunset concluded. They both nodded. “Why didn’t you tell us in the first place?” Rarity asked. “Because we didn’t know how to”, Aria said. Sonata then spoke up. “They’ve been good to me”, she attested. “Please join us.” Aria looked at her, then at the others. Then she shook her head. “We can’t join you”, she said to them. “We’d be better off on our own. But”, she said, pausing, “maybe we can be friends?” She looked to them. They were silent for a moment before Sunset spoke up. “Agreed”, she said as she went over to shake her hand. The others cheered as well, and Sonata and Aria hugged. When they parted, Aria looked at her. “Why don’t you join us? We could go look for Adagio”, she said to her. Sonata stopped, considered, and looked around. At the people around her. Her friends. And at Pinkie, whom she now considered her sister. She then looked back at Aria…and shook her head. “Thanks, but I have my family here”, she said. “It’s what I’ve always wanted, where I belong.” Aria considered as well, then just smiled as she shook her head. “You were always the ‘dim’ one”, she said, “but I don’t blame you. You seem more happy here now.” She finally said to them that they’ll take their leave, and everyone said their farewell to the two. On the way home, Sunset saw Sonata had more spring in her step. She looked happy. It was as if life had gone back in her. She knew that she had gone a long way, and also she hoped that Aria and Crescenda would take that same journey she took.
