Taken

Chapters

Stolen
Chained
Bargained
Bruised
Astranged
Caged
Broken
Delivered

Stolen

The sun enveloped the students on the front lawn like a nice warm blanket. It was a brilliant day outside, and even though it was only Thursday, the Wondercolts knew how to make any day a fun one. Twilight Sparkle smiled as she pushed up her thick rimmed glasses before accepting a cup of tea from Rarity. She and the rest of her new friends sat at the base of the crumbled horse statue for their usual picnic. At least the portal was still intact, that’s what really mattered.

“--And then their pendants got smashed into a million gazillion pieces!” Pinkie Pie finished before slurping the last bit of her chocolate milk through her bendy straw.

“Incredible,” Twilight murmured.

“I still can’t believe it myself,” Fluttershy admitted. “It seems so long ago now.”

A soccer ball sailed through the air and collided with Rarity’s cup, spilling tea all over the grass. Rarity shrieked as she rolled away. “Sorry!” Cloudkicker called from fifteen feet away. “Can you toss it back?”

Rarity huffed, grabbed the ball and handed it to Pinkie, who volleyed it to Rainbow Dash, who smirked and tossed it to Applejack. Applejack chuckled as she got to her feet. “Heads up!”

Cloudkicker pupils shrunk into pinpricks as the ball came speeding towards her. “Aah!” She ducked at the last second, making the ball hit the unfortunate person behind her.

The girls chortled as Diamond Tiara’s shrill voice rang throughout the quad.

“Nice!” Rainbow laughed.

“My bad!” Applejack yelled as Diamond snatched her fallen tiara off the ground.

Sunset Shimmer shook her head, but couldn’t help but grin. “A.J., sometimes I really do think you’re too strong for your own good.”

Applejack sat back down and criss crossed her legs. “Well, you know what they say about an apple a day!”

Unbeknownst to the girls, three hooded figures sat crouched behind a cluster of bushes a few feet away. “You know what they say about an apple a day!” Aria mimicked in a high pitched voice. She crossed her arms and growled in disgust.

Adagio bit down on the corner of her lip and swatted the purple Siren on the arm. “Quiet!” she hissed. “You want to blow our cover?”

“You sure about this?” Sonata asked uncertainly. “Now that we’re here, I’m not sure if--”

“Do you want to go home or not?” Adagio snapped irritably.

Sonata blinked and wrung her wrists. “Of course I do.”

Adagio peered over the bush, watching their enemies laugh and frolic in the sunlight. “You have to learn to understand, Sonata. This whole time, they knew about that portal. I can’t believe we wasted all that time when our ticket home was right there in front of us.”

“But why can’t we just come back when it’s night time?” Sonata whined. “No one’s gonna be around…”

“I tried that,” Adagio said with a sigh. “Apparently, they put some kind of magical barrier around it since their little Games. We can’t go through...no, they’d have to be willing...more than willing.”

Sonata frowned at the implication woven through her sister’s voice. She turned and watched Pinkie stuff two cupcakes in her mouth at once, smearing blue and purple colored icing on her cheeks. “But...why her?”

Adagio rolled her eyes. “You ask way too many questions, Sonata. When they get up to leave, just follow my lead, got it?”

“I’d better be going too,” they heard Fluttershy say. “I need to clean out the fish tanks at the shelter today.”

“And I need to finish my essay,” Rainbow said, zipping up her backpack.

Sunset looked over her shoulder and smiled knowingly. “The one that’s due tomorrow?”

“You know it!”

The Sirens watched silently as the group started to part ways. Pinkie leapt up and gave Applejack a hug, sending a small pang of guilt through Sonata. “Don’t forget about our movie night tomorrow!” Pinkie said with a big grin. “Our alphabet appetizers continue!”

“But the letter’s Z this time!” Applejack replied. “There ain’t no food on this planet that starts with Z that I’d want to eat.”

“What about Zuccini?”

“Allergic.”

Pinkie tapped her chin. “Hmmm. Pizza has two Zs.” She gasped in delight. “Wanna order Pizza?!”

Applejack laughed. “We ain’t cheatn’ no more, Pinkie! I’m sure we’ll figure out somethin’.” She pulled Pinkie in for a side hug before pulling away with two firm pats on the back. “See ya tomorrow.”

“Bye cuz!” Pinkie sang as she skipped off.

Adagio gave Aria a nudge. “Go go go!” The Sirens piled out of the bushes and carefully followed Pinkie, ducking behind trees as they did so. Pinkie had a noticeable spring in her step as she made her way home, swinging her arms and humming a tune to herself.

Every so often she would wave to anyone who crossed her path and greet them in her own cheerful way before continuing on. She was completely oblivious.

A part of Sonata wanted to warn Pinkie, to tell her to run, but another part of her really wanted to go home. She missed Equestria with every fiber of her being. She needed to get a grip. This would only be temporary. In just a few days, everything will go back to normal. Everyone will be happy by then...I need to do what’s best for us.

Pinkie came at an intersection and stopped. She seemed to ponder about something as she looked across the street, then at a path that lead to the local park to her left. With a smile, she turned and walked down the path.

“Get ready, girls,” Adagio whispered under her breath. They followed even more carefully as the Wondercolt bounced past the swings and seesaws. She paused to give a little boy a big push on the swings.

“She’s heading towards the jogging route,” Aria murmured before casting a glance towards her sisters. “Lots of trees.”

A smirk grew on Adagio’s face. “Perfect…”

Pinkie skipped merrily along the jogging trail, deeply inhaling the fresh smell of pine trees. Though energetic as she usually tended to be, Pinkie couldn't wait to go home and relax after a long day at school. Her nose wrinkled at the memory of algebra class still lingering in her mind. All that dividing and equating could really do a number on a girl's mind! Unless her name was Twilight Sparkle or Sunset Shimmer. She giggled to herself. Luckily she had great friends like them to help tutor her and the others.

Pinkie neared the end of the trail when she suddenly stopped short. Her hand went to her knee, and a look of puzzlement came over her normally bright features. "Pinchy knee? Well, that usually happens when..."

Her face visibly paled.

"When something scary's about to happen..."

snap!

Pinkie jumped and turned around in a circle, her eyes darting about. "Hello?" she called out timidly. "Is anybody--"

Two strong hands grabbed her from behind, making Pinkie give out a surprised yelp. A hand slapped a rag over her nose and mouth, forcing her to breathe in a strange scent. The smell wasn't unpleasant, but it was strong.

Pinkie gave a muffled squeal and started put up a fight, trying to elbow her assailant in the ribs, but kept missing her intended target. She frantically reached up and pulled on the hand that held the rag over her face, but a second figure moved in in front of her pried her hands off with ease and gripped her wrists tightly. Pinkie squirmed helplessly in their grasp, her frightened muffled screams barely audible. “Shush, sweetie,” a frighteningly familiar voice cooed. “Just breathe it in nice and slow, and it’ll all be over soon.”

Pinkie gasped and choked behind the rag, her senses blurring together in a jumbled mix. “Mmph! MMPH!” Pinkie shook her head vigorously, freeing herself from the rag for just a few moments. She coughed twice and yelled “HELP! HE--”

The first assailant slipped the rag over the pink girl’s face, silencing her. “Go to sleep, you little brat!” Pinkie struggled even more, kicking her legs and yanking her arms, but her attackers held fast. After a minute or two, Pinkie’s struggling started to cease, her movements growing more sluggish and uncoordinated by the second. Pinkie sighed softly as her legs gave out from under her; the two pairs of arms eased her to the ground while still keeping the rag over her face.

Pinkie’s eyes fluttered open and shut in a weak attempt to stay awake. She looked up at the two blurry figures, her eyes glazing over before finally drifting shut.

"That's a good girl," Adagio whispered.

Sonata emerged from a brush and briefly glanced at Pinkie's limp body before looking to Adagio. “I found us a car,” she announced, holding up a set of keys. “I swiped these from a lady when I bumped into her. It’s the dark car nearest to the feeding area.”

Adagio smiled as she stood up. “So you did pay attention during your lessons.” She took the keys from Sonata and gave them a jingle. “Impressive.” Sonata grinned at the compliment. “Now go and help Aria with Pinkie. I’ll bring the car around.”

She strode forward with an evil smirk. "We've got you now, Rainbooms."

Chained

“How long should we wait?” Sonata asked, casting a glance towards Pinkie. She was lying unconscious on the extra bed in the basement with her wrists and ankles bound with rope, a black blindfold covering her eyes, and a strip of duct tape across her mouth.

“I say we should wait a day or two,” Aria smirked, folding her arms. “Make ‘em squirm for a while.”

Adagio, however, shook her head. “While making them go into a state of panic does sound enjoyable, we can’t wait too long. They’d call her parents, which would lead to a police investigation. We can’t afford that kind of attention. Which means we need to think up our demands while we have the time.”

The lead Siren strolled over to a wooden table in the far corner and pulled up a foldable chair while Sonata sprinted upstairs to retrieve her notebook. “First things first,” Aria said pointedly as she sat down. “I want our pendants back. To hold us over for the next few days. We’ve been starving since the battle of the bands! I’m wasting away here!”

Sonata came bounding down the stairs with a poorly torn piece of paper and a pencil. Adagio nodded in agreement.

“Alright. Put that as our first demand.”

“What is?” Sonata panted, placing the paper in the middle of the table.

“Our pendants for our nourishment. And we should have them destroy their own instruments so they don’t try anything.”

“Good thinking,” Aria said with a nod. “What else?”

“I could go for a taco with nacho cheese and a drink!” Sonata piped up.

Aria rolled her eyes. “We’re demanding things that we absolutely need. They’re not supposed be be taking our order.”

“That’s the same as demanding. And I demand lunch.”

Adagio sighed and rubbed her temples. “Fine. But you know that’s not a filling meal. It’s not even worthy as a small snack!”

“It is for me,” Sonata said as she jotted it all down. “It keeps me from getting headaches all the time.”

Aria drummed her fingers on the table in thought. “Throw in some blankets too. Thick ones.” She paused reluctantly. “Our heating bill’s going to be late.”

Adagio sighed heavily. “Alright. We should at least consider…” She trailed off her sentence when a soft moan reached their ears. The Dazzlings turned and saw Pinkie shift her head to the side.

Adagio silently motioned the others to stay quiet as their captive began to stir.

Pinkie's head shifted again as she tried to move, but she eventually caught on to the fact that her wrists were tied behind her back. Pinkie mumbled confusedly as she attempted to move her legs, only to find them tightly secured. Pinkie’s breathing grew more shaken as she wriggled in her bonds. The drug from earlier still remained in her system, so her efforts were barely profitable. Knowing that she was in deep trouble, Pinkie tried to shout for help, but the duct tape kept her almost completely silent. The Dazzlings silently walked over to the bed and watched Pinkie Pie wriggle and squirm on the bed beneath them; it was admittedly fascinating to see such a joyful and cheerful individual in such distress.

As the minutes stretched on, Pinkie went into a state of panic, prompting Adagio to finally speak up. “Relax, Rainboom, you’re perfectly safe….for now.” She reached down and peeled the duct tape from Pinkie’s mouth, making the ladder yelp in unexpected pain.

“Wha...Wha What happened?....Where am I?” The Sirens cringed at the raspiness of Pinkie’s voice. Aria turned and went to go fetch some water. “I...I think there’s been a mistake,” Pinkie whimpered, tugging at her bound wrists.

With a slight smirk, Adagio gently rubbed Pinkie’s arm up and down. “It’s no mistake, Pinkie Pie. We brought you here for a reason.”

Pinkie’s expression shifted from fear to confusion. “How do you know my name? Who are you?”

“Just relax, dear. As long as you cooperate, this will be nothing more than an unpleasant dream to you.”

“Cooperate with what? And why do you sound so familiar?”

“That’s because we are!” Sonata piped up. “You know us and we know you! I bet you can't guess.” Adagio fixed her sister with an irritated glare.

“Is...Is this a prank?” Pinkie said with a frown. “Because if it is, it’s a really really mean one. I don't think it's funny at all! Now c'mon, somebody untie me!"

“This is not a joke, Pinkie,” Adagio said smoothly, sauntering to the other side of the bed. “I’m afraid for you, this is very...real.” Slowly, she leaned over Pinkie’s trembling form and brushed her wild magenta curls aside, lowering her mouth to the younger girl’s ear. “Do you really not know who we are Pinkie?" she whispered. "Do you wish to find out?”

Pinkie swallowed. “N-Not really…”

Adagio straightened up a little and reached behind Pinkie’s head. “Well, you’re about to find out. It’s only best if you get acquainted with your mistresses as soon as possible.” She untied the knot and removed the blindfold. Pinkie’s eyes looked bleary and milky as they blinked rapidly at the dirty light bulb in the ceiling.

Adagio and Sonata waited patiently for Pinkie’s vision to clear up. The party planner looked up and saw a mix of orange and blue. She closed her eyes and shook her head slightly before blinking a few more times, determined to find out who she was talking to. The grey clouds cleared away, and Pinkie’s eyes nearly popped out of her skull. A wave of shock and terror washed over her features. Adagio clamped her hand over Pinkie’s mouth before she could scream.

Adagio’s eyes flashed as she spoke through her teeth. “Not. A. Sound.” She squeezed painfully, causing tears to well up in Pinkie’s eyes. “Do you hear me? Don’t disobey me….don’t fight me….don’t test me. Understand?” Pinkie nodded as best she could under the pressure of the Siren’s hand. Adagio released her while Aria appeared above Pinkie with a small glass of water, her expression indifferent.

“We’re not monsters, Pinkie Pie,” Adagio said. She nodded in Aria’s direction. The purple Siren lifted Pinkie’s head and held the glass of water to her lips. Pinkie quickly gulped half of it down before Aria pulled away. “We’re only taking back what was stolen from us. And you’re just the girl to help us with that.”

Pinkie’s eyes widened. “What do you mean? Where did you guys even come from? Is this like a weird Siren interrogation?"

Aria rolled her eyes. “No. We’re going back to Equestria through the portal...the one hidden inside the Canterlot Statue.”

“How’d you know about the portal?” Pinkie gasped.

“Oh, we’ve been watching your little group for some time now,” Adagio said casually. “And as the weeks passed, we’ve come across some... interesting phenomenons.”

“No thanks to you do gooders,” Aria growled.

Pinkie lifted her chin and smiled bravely. “Well, of course we couldn’t tell you about the portal! You’d probably do something rash like take over Equestria! And we can’t have that! You still can’t get through--we put a barrier around it, and we spent a whole lotta time on it just to put it up.” She smirked triumphantly at the Dazzlings. “So no taking over the world for you three~!”

To her surprise, the Sirens were smiling right back at her. Adagio leaned in and purred, “And that’s where you come in, Pinkie Pie.”

Pinkie frowned slightly. “What are you talking about? What do I have to do with anything?”

“Sunset Shimmer and the rest of your pathetic little human brigade will open the portal for us...and they’ll do so to their own consent.”

“That's silly talk! No they won’t! They’d never give Equestria to you!”

Adagio smiled and caressed Pinkie’s cheek with the back of her hand, making the pink girl shiver in discomfort. “They will for their precious little party planner. Once they discover that you are in our clutches, they will do anything for your safe return.”

Pinkie jerked her head away from Adagio’s head, her mouth twisted into a scowl. “They wouldn’t do that..” Her tone was fierce, but her eyes grew uncertain. “I know they wouldn't.” She squirmed a little, tugging at her skin-cutting bonds. "If you..if you let me go now, I won't have to tell my friends, and they won't rainbow-nuke you to space!"

Adagio stood back and smirked, placing a hand on her hip. "I don't think we'll have to worry about that anymore."

Sonata suddenly appeared beside her and held a red colored bottle to her lips. “H-Hey, what--!” Aria pinched her nose while Sonata poured the nasty substance down Pinkie’s throat. Pinkie gagged and tried turning her head, but Aria held it still with her free hand. After what felt like an eternity, the Sirens released her as she coughed and sluttered. “C-C-Cough Syrup!” she wretched. “What kind of sick torture is this? YUCK! Blech!”

The Dazzlings merely cackled at Pinkie’s plight. “Get ready to make a call in an hour,” Adagio said to Aria.

Pinkie squinted at them through the fog forming behind her eyes. She saw Sonata move in again and watched as she ripped off a strip of duct tape from it’s roll. “Hey...hey, stop…” Sonata smoothed the tape over Pinkie’s mouth and draped a blanket over her before she could finish her sentence.

“Sweet dreams, Pinkie,” Sonata said as they crossed over to the stairs.

Pinkie blinked slowly as they turned out the light and locked the door behind them. “Mmph…” Her eyes trailed up to the ceiling with one thought in mind. So that’s why they gave me cough syrup...Her eyes closed. That wasn’t...very...nice...

Bargained

“We need to talk,” Sunset said earnestly. The sky grew darker on that Friday afternoon, and a gust of wind blew through their hair. The girls had met up on the Canterlot steps after school upon Sunset’s request, their faces as gloomy as the weather.

“I already know what you’re going to say,” Fluttershy sighed.

Rainbow Dash slammed her backpack on the concrete and crossed her arms. “Where was she today? If she was just sick or couldn’t make it to school she would’ve texted or called any of us. And she would’ve called the Vice Principal too! Since when is Pinkie truant?”

“This is pretty strange,” Twilight said slowly. “I’ve only known her for two months, but I’m pretty familiar with her habits. I don't mean to sound dramatic but...something isn’t right.”

Applejack started pacing nervously. “She’s supposed to come over to my house for our movie night. She would've texted me if she could come or not right about now.” She took off her Stetson and fiddled with it between her fingers as she looked up. “I’m worried, y’all.”

“I’m sure this is just all a misunderstanding,” Rarity assured. “She's probably too ill to contact anyone. This is Pinkie Pie we’re talking about.” Her eyes lowered as she cleared her throat. “Perhaps we should...pay her a visit?”

Sunset nodded. “I hope she isn’t too sick.” She started to stand up when her phone rang. She took it out of her pocket and glanced at the screen, her face lighting up. “It’s Pinkie!”

The girls sighed collectively as Sunset put it on speaker. “Hey, Pinkie, where were you today?”

A low chuckle answered her, sending chills up their spines. “Why...that’s an excellent question, Sunset Shimmer. Just where was dear Pinkie today?”

Fluttershy gasped and covered her mouth with her hands while Applejack's eyes widened.

Sunset’s lower lip trembled slightly as she struggled to reply. “What...what did you do?”

“Why, Sunset...haven’t you figured it out yet? And here I thought you were smart.”

Something in Rainbow Dash snapped. She gripped Sunset’s pale wrist and screamed at the phone. “WHAT DID YOU DO TO PINKIE!?”

Adagio seemed unfazed by Rainbow’s outburst. “Hmm, so the gang’s all here then? Even better. Listen up, all of you. We know what the Canterlot Statue really holds.”

The girls regarded each other in shock. Rarity’s head whipped from side to side, afraid they were being watched.

“The only problem is, we can’t get through it. Your magic protects the entrance.” Adagio chuckled. “You know where this is headed. Take down the barrier and we’ll let your little friend go.”

“How dare you!” Rarity seethed. “Why..I just--I ought to--”

"B-But her parents!" Twilight exclaimed. "Her family, they--"

"Think that their daughter is over at Sunset's house for a week long sleepover," Adagio finished smugly. "Don't worry. I already texted Mommy and Daddy on Pinkie's phone. They don't have to know a thing. After all, you've had one of those sleepovers before, haven't you, girls?"

A heavy weight settled over the group. They hadn't had that kind of sleepover since last Christmas. We've been watched, Rarity mouthed.

“And what will you do with Equestria?” Sunset said darkly. “And all who live there? What’s going to happen to them?”

“What we do doesn’t concern you,” Adagio growled.

“It’s my home!” Sunset snapped. “It does concern me! Canterlot, Baltimore, Manehattan; they’d be under your ruling. Even after 1,000 years, you still haven’t had enough.”

“You already stripped us of what little magical abilities we had,” Adagio said a matter of factly. “The least you could do is help send three harmless little teenagers back home...now does that sound so bad? Isn’t it what good guys do?”

“We want proof,” Rainbow cut in. “If you want us to listen to you, you give us proof that she’s okay!”

“...Very well,” the Siren said after a brief pause. Some rustling could be heard in the background. “You get one minute.”

A short gasp cut the air, followed by a small and shaky, “Hello?”

Everyone crowded around the phone, voices overlapping in concern. “Girls?” Pinkie asked hopefully. “I-Is that you?”

“Oh, Pinkie…” Fluttershy stopped briefly and blinked rapidly to keep her tears at bay. “Are you okay? Did they hurt you?”

“No, no I’m okay. It’s just...it’s really good to hear your voices.” Sunset and the others deflated at the strained happiness in Pinkie’s voice. It didn’t feel real, hearing her sound so tired and frightened.

“Don’t you fret now, Sugarcube,” Applejack soothed, breaking her silence. “Everything’s gonna be alright. We’re gonna do everything in our power to get you back home--you have my word. Alright?”

“We love you, Pinkie,” Rarity smiled. Her eyes started to sting and she turned away. “So much.”

“You're gonna be Okay. You're tougher than anyone else thinks. We’re gonna find you,” Rainbow said firmly. “We won’t stop until we do. Okay, Pinkie?”

“...Okay Dashie,” Pinkie said, her voice gaining a bit of confidence.

“Fifteen seconds,” they heard Aria say roughly.

“I love you guys too,” Pinkie said hurriedly. “And--and give my sisters a big hug for me, okay? And..and…” She drew in a sharp breath, as if it pained her. “Don’t do it! Don’t take it down! Don't let them--!”

A slapping sound followed by a cry of pain shook them to the core. Yells and threats exploded from Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Rarity in pure unadulterated rage. Twilight shook her head slowly, taking a step back. Fluttershy squeezed her eyes shut tight and shook her fists loosely as if she were about to punch someone, but covered her face instead.

Sunset was outside of herself. She didn’t feel...there. It was if she were watching them from above rather being right in the middle of it all. Adagio’s frustrated voice floated back into her ears, bringing her back to reality. “Do we have a deal or not?”

Rainbow cursed at her while Sunset shook her head. “We..we can’t just take it down whenever we want! We...had the help from Twilight and she’s--”

“Now, now, Sunset. I didn’t say you had to do it over night. Tell you what. Since we’re so generous, we’ll give you until next Friday at 4:30. But until then, we do require some things…” They heard the rustling of paper before Adagio cleared her throat. “Thick blankets, cold medicine, soap, jackets and coat, socks, warm food, and...oh yeah. We want our pendants back.”

“What!?” Sunset squeaked. “That’s impossible, we can’t--”

“I didn’t say all at once. Each day, we’ll give you a different location to drop off the items. You do something nice for us, we’ll do something nice for Pinkie. Sound fair?”

Looking around at her friends, Sunset knew that no one was satisfied with the idea at all. But they had no choice. “Yes…”

“Good!”

“I swear, Adagio,” Applejack said lowly. “If you hurt a hair on my cousin’s head...your life’s gonna be cut short.”

“Fair enough,” Adagio replied. “Keep your phones close, ladies. Be expecting a call tomorrow.”

And just like that, the line went dead.

Fluttershy slowly sat down on the steps and brought her knees to her chest. Rainbow’s mind spiraled, imagining what it must have felt like when Pinkie got taken away--the Dazzlings stalking her, watching her--then dragging her friend away, kicking and screaming--or maybe they slithered like snakes in the dark of night and snatched her out of bed…

Rainbow shook her head and ran a hand through her bushy hair. “How did this happen?”

Applejack’s hands shook. “I...I shoulda went with her. I shoulda walked her home...but I left her….left her all by herself…”

Rarity gently placed a hand on her shoulder. “This is not your fault,” she said firmly. “You couldn’t have possibly known. the only ones to blame here are the Dazzlings.”

“We’ve got to take it down,” Fluttershy said mournfully. “We haven’t got a choice!”

Sunset looked up apprehensively. “Wait. We should at least stop and think for a second--”

“What’s there to think about?” Rainbow interrupted. “They're gonna hurt Pinkie if we don’t take it down!”

“But the only reason it worked was because we had help from Princess Twilight. The spell book is only available from her world, and she may not even be--”

“Look, we’ve got a whole week!” She pointed an accusatory finger at Sunset. “The other Twilight wouldn’t think twice about helping us, I know it! It’s like you don’t even care about what happens to Pinkie!”

Sunset’s eyes flashed as she stormed down the steps. “Of course I care what happens to Pinkie! That’s the problem! The Sirens knew we care so much about her! They watched us, they listened to our conversations…” She started to tremble. “They saw an opportunity and they took it--and now...now we can’t say no…”

The reformed student rubbed at her temples. “And Equestria will fall because of it. I care about Pinkie, but...I care about my home too.”

The others shared sad looks before Twilight came up and rubbed her back. “I’m so sorry, Sunset. We’ll...figure this out. Right now, the only thing we can do is start gathering the items The Dazzlings are asking for. For Pinkie’s sake.”

Rarity sighed tiredly and started walking in the direction of her house. “Leave the blankets, sweaters and socks to me.”

Applejack replaced her stetson on top of her head and shoved her hands in her pockets. “I’ll take care of the food...chances are they’ll give some of it to Pinkie...Sakes. I hope she’s eatin’ well.”

"Don't worry, A.J.," Rainbow said. "If they try anything funny, I'll kill them myself."

One by one, the group dispersed with heavy hearts and busy minds. Sunset pushed her hair back and exhaled briefly. “I have to talk to Twilight.”

Bruised

Pinkie let her eyes travel across the tiny room she was being held in. Wooden walls, a small table and two chairs. A door leading to the connected bathroom, and the stairs that led up to...whatever was up there.

It was the only sight she knew ever since...well, she didn’t have a clue when she saw her friends last. Pinkie had no idea how long she had been asleep when the Dazzlings knocked her out, or how long it had been since then. There were no windows, so she didn’t know weather it was day or night. She looked up in frustration and tugged at her bonds as hard as she could, but just like all the times before, she didn’t benefit from it.

Sometime ago, Pinkie tried to escape with her hands tied behind her back, but ended up on the wood floor, where Aria found her, much to the pink haired girl’s embarrassment. Now they had tied her wrists to the headboard, and her feet to the other end, making sure that Pinkie stayed put.

She’d been lying on the bed for what it felt like an eternity, with nothing to do but stare at the ceiling, hoping for rescue. Pinkie had to admit, unless the Dazzlings were here, being kidnapped was rather boring. She’d normally sing to make herself feel better, but her mouth was constantly taped shut. All she could do was sleep. But I can’t even do that, she thought sadly. With a grunt, she tried to kick her way out of the ropes. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if these stupid ropes didn’t cut into my skin so much!

Her stomach rumbled for the fifth time, eliciting a muffled groan from the party planner. Just then, Pinkie heard door open and saw a pair of purple pants descending the stairs. Pinkie’s chest tightened. Adagio was creepy and dark; Sonata was rather helpful, sneaking her sips of water, although she barely said two words to the Rainboom.

But Aria...Pinkie was scared of Aria. She had a quick temper and a strong grip that could bend metal. If she did anything wrong, anything at all to step out of line, it meant another injury to the body. Pinkie managed to slow her breathing. She had to stay calm if she ever wanted to get out of this.

“Still secure,” Aria remarked with a nod. “Good.” She turned to walk back upstairs when Pinkie cried out to her.

“Mmmph! Mmph! Mmmmmph!”

Aria groaned and turned around before stomping over to Pinkie’s bedside. “What?” She peeled off the tape and Pinkie gratefully opened and closed her mouth, stretching it out. “Well?”

“I’m really really hungry,” Pinkie said meekly. “Please, can I have something to eat?”

“Sonata already gave you jellybeans,” Aria gruffed. “If we keep wasting our food on you, we’d be out!”

“B-But that was forever ago!” Pinkie whined. “I’ve been feeling kinda dizzy lately and--”

“Not my problem,” Aria said curtly, holding up the strip of tape.

“Wait!” Pinkie squeaked, reeling back.

“Ugh, what now?”

“Can I go to the bathroom?”

Aria face palmed and groaned. “Fine.” She smoothed the tape back over her captive’s mouth and untied her wrists and ankles. “I’m not going in there with you--this means I’m trusting you.”

She got Pinkie up from the bed and supported her when she stumbled. It felt strange walking again after so long. Aria gripped Pinkie’s arm tightly and opened the bathroom door, which contained only a toilet, a mirror cabinet, and sink. “Keep in mind that I’m timing you. So don’t try anything stupid.”

Pinkie nodded. Longing to talk again, she reached up to take off the tape covering her mouth when Aria stopped her. “You don’t need that off when you’re using the bathroom.”

Pinkie glared at her as she lowered her hand stepped inside.

“I’m setting my watch. Four minutes and I’m coming in to get you, weather you like or not.” Aria closed the door and spoke once more. “Go.”

Pinkie quickly did he business and flushed, feeling much better. After a quick scrub with her hands, she searched the bathroom. I’ve gotta get out of here! If I don’t do something soon, Equestria’s doomed! And it’ll be all my fault!

She caught her reflection in the cabinet mirror above the sink and sighed inwardly. Her eyes were red and had dark circles under them; her hair fell in limp messy curls around her paled face. Not to mention the stupid shiny piece of tape keeping her muted. Gosh...I look awful.

“Two minutes,” Aria warned.

Pinkie swallowed and opened the mirror, searching the contents. There’s gotta be something I can use. There was only a medicine bottle, a toothpick, a paperclip and a razor. She shrugged and took the razor, placing it inside her hair. It wasn’t much, but something was better than nothing.

Aria opened the door and promptly dragged Pinkie out. “Now come and lie back down.” Pinkie resisted and tapped Aria’s shoulder. The Siren was starting to get pissed off. “By the Moon. What?”

Pinkie pointed at the bathroom faucet and gestured at her throat with pleading eyes.

“Ugh. Tell you what. Lie back down and I’ll get you a small glass of water. Deal?”

Pinkie hesitated, but nodded. One thing she could never get used to was the lack of control she had over her own life. It frustrated the party girl to no end when she was constantly handled by someone else, being told when to eat and drink and how much, when to lie down, when to get up…

Pinkie wished she could be outside with the sun on her face and the wind in her hair, doing cartwheels and handsprings...or better yet, planning a party. Her fingers were just itching to bake delicious pastries.

Feeling very blue, Pinkie allowed Aria to put her back onto the bed and tie her up once more. “Good girl,” Aria chastised with a smirk. Pinkie barely paid attention to her, realizing how homesick she was.

“Never realized kidnapping someone would also mean taking care of them constantly,” Aria said with a sigh. After the Siren got her a drink, Pinkie was once again alone. But this time, she had a job to do. Pinkie glanced up at her arms spread wide across the headboard, thinking how she was going to pull this off.

After a minute of pondering, Pinkie Pie grunted and leaned her head towards her right hand as far as she possibly could. Straining, she reached her hand into her hair, but not deep enough. Nugh! Aria ties a mean knott, that’s for sure.

With a silent huff, Pinkie forced her hand sideways and thrusted her head forward until her fingers grasped the thin stick. Bingo! She eased the razor out of her wild curls and carefully, carefully, she slowly turned it upside down in her hand and rubbed the razor blades against the rope tied around her wrist. After ten or so passes, the rope finally snapped. Pinkie squealed internally as her right arm came free. Quickly, she worked her left arm free and sat up, ripping the duct tape from her mouth. Man this feels good! she thought happily, exercising her lips.

She leaned forward and tried to undo the knots that restrained her feet, but they wouldn’t budge. Geez, it’s like Aria joined the Navy! She gave up on it and used the razor to cut herself free, deciding that ain’t nobody got time for that.

Pinkie quietly slid off the bed and moved up the wooden stairs, wincing at every creek it made. She stopped at the door and tried turning the knob, but as expected, it was locked. “Pickles,” Pinkie cursed under her breath. Something suddenly resonated in Pinkie’s mind and she smiled wide.

She rushed back into the bathroom and opened the cabinet, grabbing the paper clip from before. After jimmying the knob for a solid two minutes, the lock clicked, and the door opened slightly. Taking a deep breath, she carefully pushed open the door, greeted by nothing but darkness.

Opening the door further, Pinkie surveyed her surroundings; it was a kitchen with an open doorway to the living room. A house. She looked outside and saw billions of bright stars twinkling in the night sky. It was a beautiful sight to behold. So beautiful, Pinkie wanted to stare at it forever.

But Pinkie couldn’t afford to be distracted. She had to get away, before the Sirens caught her. Heart pounding, Pinkie tip toed out of the kitchen and moved into the small living room, towards the door. She couldn’t help but grin, feeling very much like a spy. With every step, she could hear the sweet sweet laughter of her friends, see the smiles she could bring on people’s faces, and feel the warmth of her Ma’s special hugs.

“Hey!”

Pinkie jumped and whirled around, coming face to face with a wide eyed Sonata. “What are you doing!?”

Pinkie turned to make a break for it when Sonata lunged forward and grabbed hold of Pinkie’s arm. “You're not going anywhere!”

Pinkie desperately pulled back, trying to wrench her arm free. “Please! Let me go! Let me go!”

“No way!” Sonata grunted, using her other hand in attempt to pull Pinkie back. “Stop--Uh!--fighting!”

Pinkie was pulled forward and she dug her heels into the floor. “Ergh, No! Please, Sonata! I don’t want to go back down there! I want to go home!”

“...So do I.”

Pinkie blinked at Sonata’s forlorn expression when the sound of a door opening reawakened her fear.

“Sonata? What’s going on?”

Pinkie’s mind reeled. What would Limestone do? Knowing the answer, she offered a sad frown. “I’m sorry…”

Without warning, she bit Sonata’s hand, making the Siren cry out as she released her. Pinkie bolted for the window, knowing now that the door was probably locked. She pushed it upward and jumped out, thanking the heavens that the house didn’t have a second level.

Adagio and Aria’s screams pierced the night air as Pinkie took off running. Despite being underfed and immobile for days, Pinkie was able to retain her natural speed. The house seemed to be surrounded by tall trees and bushes; she was in a middle of a forest. Pinkie couldn’t care less, as long as she got as far away from the Dazzlings as possible. Feet, don’t fail me now!

Running on pure adrenaline, the pink girl charged into the forest with the Dazzlings desperately trying to catch up to her. “Pinkie, STOP!” Sonata shrieked from a distance.

"Adagio, stop poking around and come ON!"

For Equestria...For Equestria...For Equestria…

Pinkie huffed and puffed as she zig zagged through the trees to throw her captors off course. At one time, she tripped and fell over a log and fell into the dirt. She panted heavily as she forced herself back up. C’mon, Pinkie Pie. Your friends are counting on you! Equestria’s counting on you!She kept running, ignoring the filth on her dress, hands and knees. She moved deeper and deeper into the forest until she grew tired and slowed into a jog. She couldn’t hear the Dazzlings anymore, which was a good sign.

“Who goes there!?” a voice yelled out. Pinkie slowed down and stopped when she saw a boy, possibly eighteen or nineteen years old emerging from the trees. He had a cap over his scruffy blonde hair and he wore a red flannel shirt with blue jeans. His brown eyes regarded her in confusion. “Who the heck are you?”

Pinkie inhaled deeply.

“PleasesiryougottahelpmeIwaskidnappedbyevilsirensandifIdon’tgetawaysoonthey’regonnatakeoverEquestriaandIcan’tletthathappenIjustcan’t--”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, slow your roll, chick!” the boy said, stepping forward. “Geez, one at a time! If you just slow down a bit, I can help you.” Pinkie exhaled and breathed heavily while the boy’s tone grew softer, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Now, mind tellin’ me what you’re doing on my property?”

“I...was...kidnapped,” Pinkie explained between breaths.

“Kidnapped?”

“Uh huh...by...Sirens…” The boy cocked an eyebrow. “And...I just…*Gasp* got away, and--”

“Hold on a sec.” The boy turned Pinkie around.

“Huh? What’re you--”

The boy wrenched Pinkie’s arm behind her back with one hand and wrapped the other around her body. “W-What? H-Hey! Hey, what are you doing!?”

“Taking you back.”

Pinkie’s eyes widened in horrible realization. “You--I--Oh….Oh, no!” Pinkie struggled in the boy’s strong grasp as her lifted her up and started to carry her back, legs flailing uselessly in the air.

“You tricked me!” she wailed. “Please, I--what did I ever do to you?”

“I’m sorry, kid...It’s nothing personal. You..have no idea how much I need this money."

"You put me down right now! I mean it! Urgh! You don't understand! You don’t know what’ll happen if they catch me! And..” Pinkie groaned as she wriggled and squirmed to no avail. “Please let me go!”

“They’re only holding you for a little while,” he replied, trying and failing at being reassuring. He held her higher into the air against his chest as he continued carrying her off. Pinkie pleaded, moaned and whined, but his grip only got tighter. When he stepped over the log she had tripped over, Pinkie’s heart dropped into her stomach and she quaked with fear. Sickening, despairing, cold dark fear.

“HELP! Somebody help! Please help me!” The boy let go of the arm held behind her back and swiftly covered her mouth.

"Shhh, it’s okay, kid,” the boy said over her muffled screams. Pinkie used her free hand to hit and punch him in any way she could, but he proved to be too strong. “It’s all for the best. You’ll be back home with your family in no time. No one’s gonna hurt ya.”

Frustrated and angry voices could be heard behind a few bushes. Pinkie screamed behind his hand and thrashed around. “Easy, sweetie,” the boy whispered. “Adagio! Over here, I got her!”

After a few sounds of whispers and rustling, The Sirens emerged from the bushes one by one, each one looking royally pissed off with an edge of confusion and relief.

“Thank you, Chestnut,” Adagio said with a smile.

Aria turned to her sister. “Uh...might want to tell us who this guy is?”

“A friend,” the lead Siren said casually. “I suspected that Pinkie would try a stunt like this...so I hired Chestnut over here to watch over the perimeter and play as a kind and innocent property owner in case she ever escaped. Like I predicted, she was gullible enough to fall for it.”

Pinkie moaned in sorrow behind Chestnut’s hand, still desperately trying wriggle her way out of his grip. Though deep inside, she knew it would be useless.

“My money?” Chestnut grunted.

Adagio reached inside her pocket, and held out a wad of cash tied with a rubber band, making the two other Sirens gasp. “As promised.”

“Where’d you get that!?” Sonata exclaimed.

“Saved it from our singing days. Knew it would come in handy some day.”

Aria’s eyes flashed. “We could have used that!”

Adagio gave her a sideways look. “And then what? Then we’d really be broke. This is why I do the planning, girls. Now that we’re closer to getting what we want, we won’t need this money where we’re going, now will we?” She turned to Chestnut. “You can drop her now.”

Chestnut let go of Pinkie and she plopped onto the ground. “Please don’t leave me with them! You can have all my allowance if you want!”

Aria hoisted Pinkie up by her vest. “Shut up, brat!” She punched her in the face, sending Pinkie flat on her back. Chestnut instinctively moved forward, but Adagio held up a hand.

“You still want the money for your family, don’t you?”

Pinkie scrambled backwards, holding her cheek. “You’re...you’re evil,” she choked. “Just evil! All of you!” She siffed briefly and wiped her nose. “You’re all just a bunch of big meanies! More awful...more awful than Principal Cinch! I...I…”

With limp curls falling over her face, Pinkie lowered her head, her shoulders trembling with exhaustion and grief. “I hate you.”

Aria and Sonata lifted Pinkie by the arms while Adagio handed Chestnut the cash. “Pleasure doing business with you,” she said with a wink. “You’ve earned it.”

Chestnut glanced down at the heap of cash and then back at Pinkie’s terrified face as he three girls dragged her back to into the clearing. He closed his eyes.

Aria punched Pinkie in the stomach, making her slam backwards into the wall. The poor girl doubled over and sunk to her knees, clutching her stomach with gritted teeth.

“You almost cost us tonight,” Adagio said with a scary calmness.

Pinkie shook violently and looked up at the three sirens towering over her. “I...I just…” She couldn’t hold it in any longer. For the first time since her abduction, Pinkie finally broke down and cried. She sobbed loudly with fresh tears running down her cheeks. “I...I…” she hiccupped and hugged herself. “I wanna go hooome!”

A fire burned behind Aria’s eyes. “We almost never got a chance to go BACK because of you!”

In a blind rage, she lunged forward and attacked Pinkie with everything she had, delivering flying punches to the face and body. Pinkie made an attempt to fight her off, but could only grunt and squeak as she suffered blow after blow. Adagio and Sonata tackled Aria and pried her off. “Stop! Aria, stop, stop!” Adagio yelled.

“Enough! She’s had enough!” Sonata shouted. “Look at her, she can’t even stand!”

Aria struggled against them until she finally slowed. She blinked and looked down at Pinkie’s battered body before glancing at her sisters. “We were only supposed to rough her up a little bit!" Adagio whispered. "What’s wrong with you?”

“I...:”

Adagio sighed and released her with Sonata following suit. “Go for a walk. We’ll handle this.”

Aria swung her arms a little before grumbling and leaving the house.

“Sonata, get some rope..and tape.” The blue Siren nodded and left. Adagio kneeled over Pinkie, placing a hand on her shoulder when the latter tried to inch away.

She already had bruises forming in her cheek and both her arms with a bit of blood coming out of the corner of her mouth. “Don’t..I’m sorry. Don’t hit me…”

Adagio softly clicked her tongue and brushed Pinkie’s hair out of her eyes. “Aria shouldn’t have beaten you like she did,” she admitted. “That I’m sorry for. However, these are just bruises. Believe me, I’ve suffered much worse before. But you broke the number one rule, Pinkie Pie. You tested me. And for that, you’ll have to be punished.”

Pinkie near hyperventilated. “What...what are you gonna do to me?”

Sonata came over with the rope and tape while Adagio frowned grimly. “Pinkie, you just earned yourself two days locked inside a closet.”

Astranged

“This is serious,” Princess Twilight said grimly. This was her first time visiting Sunset’s apartment and it was quite homey. They sat together on Sunset’s leather couch with tea and sugar cookies. Despite the warmth of the place, the Princess of Friendship still felt like an icy spear just pierced her heart.

“I don’t know what to do,” Sunset sighed. “We’re at a stalemate. If it were anything else, I’d give it to them in a heartbeat, but…” She trailed off, suddenly feeling guilty.

Twilight touched her arm and offered a small but gentle smile. “I know what you mean. Believe it or not, I’ve had to make a decision like this before when I battled Tirek. My friends for Equestria.” She shrugged slightly. “It wasn’t the most rational decision, I guess. But I don’t regret it one bit. Even though everything worked out in the end...It was...one of those moments when I acted with my heart and not my brain.”

Sunset looked unsure. “So...are you saying that we should go through with it?”

“Well...I don’t know.” Twilight exhaled and rubbed the back on her neck. “This is...awfully difficult.” The young Princess frowned worriedly at the thought of one of her closest human friends in the hands of such dastardly creatures. Such a happy and upbeat individual like Pinkie Pie shouldn't be going through this at all. “When do you have to deliver supplies to the Dazzlings?”

“Tomorrow night. Behind our favorite Pizza place. The thing is though, they said that they wanted Fluttershy to deliver the items.” Twilight quirked an eyebrow at this. “We have blankets clothes and food. Even human Twilight is working on getting them substitute pendants...but we need to figure out how to handle this before next Friday.”

Twilight nodded curtly. “Alright then..” she paused and ran her finger through her bangs in deep thought. “This is bigger than us, Sunset. If the Sirens are released back into Equestria, it’ll be hard to put up resistance. You know how powerful and disorienting the Siren’s song is to ponies.” She stood up from the couch, her posture visibly slackened. “This is a matter for Princess Celestia.”

Sunset swallowed hard. “I...hoped it wouldn’t come to that.”

“I hoped it wouldn’t either.” After a pause, she smiled sweetly. “Hey, It’s going to be alright. Just focus on keeping her safe this week. I’ll take care of the rest.”

Sunset tried to return the smile, but it quickly faltered. Her heart skipped a beat at the thought of what might happen tonight. If anything went wrong, anything at all...they might not see their hyperactive friend ever again.

Night fell over the City of Canterlot. The drive to Gnocchi's was a quiet one each girl filled with apprehension and dread; despite Rarity’s attempts, no one was up for much conversation. Rain began to sprinkle across Sunset’s windshield, activating its wipers. Rainbow Dash sighed heavily and Applejack folded her arms across her chest with a grimace. “I don’t feel so good,” Fluttershy murmured.

Rarity smiled softly and rubbed Fluttershy’s shoulder blades in comfort. “It’ll be alright darling,” she soothed, the warmness of her voice in stark contrast to the harsh sound of rain outside. “Just do what they ask and it will be over before you know it.”

Fluttershy’s brow furrowed and bit her lip, her nerves slowly getting the better of her. “But what if I mess up? I…” She held her head in her arms and between her knees, her long pink locks falling to the floor. “I just don’t want anything bad to happen to Pinkie because of me. Why did they have to pick me!?”

“Because you’re least likely to try anything,” Rainbow said bitterly. She turned around in her seat and looked her friend in the eye. “But you gotta stand firm, Fluttershy. Don’t give them anything until we know Pinkie’s okay.” Fluttershy nodded.

Human Twilight turned the last screw driver and stashed it inside her pocket. “There. Done!”

“Care to mention what those are?” Applejack questioned grumpily.

“While we can’t get their pendants back, I reprogrammed the magical compact I used during the Friendship Games to absorb negative energy,” Twilight explained. “I also went ahead and made two duplicates. This should keep them all fed and satisfied until we can find out what my counterpart can figure out about the portal.” She stashed the three of them inside Fluttershy’s knapsack and gave it a pat. “You should be good to go, Fluttershy.”

“I hope you put a tracker in those things,” Rainbow said absently.

Twilight straightened her glasses. “Oh course I did! Don’t insult me.”

Everyone in the vehicle grinned, the mood lightning slightly. Rainbow let out a laugh and shook her head in wonder. “Twi, have I ever told you how awesome you are?”

****

Sunset drove behind Gnocchi's near the garbage bins, where the shadows were thickest. The girls piled out of the car while Rarity held up a dainty umbrella to shield herself from the rain. “I don’t see ‘em anywhere,” Applejack muttered, walking around with her hands on her hips. “Do y’all?”

“No,” Sunset sighed.

Rainbow Dash turned to her. “If they don’t show, that means something’s definitely wrong here.” Just then, a car drove out from behind the restaurant, it’s bright headlights shining bright through the dark and rainy night. “Here we go,” Sunset whispered.

The car came to a stop fifteen feet away from them and Adagio and Sonata stepped out. A biting chill went through the girls when they saw the Dazzling sinister smiles. “Hello again, Rainbooms,” Adagio called over the rain. “So delightful to see you all…” she glanced at Twilight and smirked. “And your new friend, too.”

“Cut the act, Adagio!” Rainbow shouted, raising her fist.“You’re gonna pay for what you did to Pinkie Pie!”

Applejack gently but firmly gripped her friend by the shoulders. “Easy, sugarcube. They ain’t worth pummeling...yet.”

“Where is Pinkie?” Sunset asked with narrowed eyes.

Adagio waved a hand gracefully. “Oh, I wouldn’t worry so much about the half brain. She’s tucked away safe and sound in an undisclosed location. She’s being watched over by Aria as we speak. And Aria’s right there with her cell phone to answer our call if anything went amiss with this meeting.”

Sunset nodded slowly, her expression darkening. “This is a new low, Adagio. Even for you.”

“And I’ll get lower,” Adagio snapped back. “Until we get what we desire. A simple trip home. Now... you send your wallflower halfway with the supplies while I send over Sonata here. She won’t try anything, you have my word on that.”

Fluttershy anxiously looked over her shoulder, and her friends gave her nods of encouragement. “You can do it, Fluttershy,” Applejack whispered.

“I’m right here if that Siren steps out of line,” Rainbow added, cracking her knuckles. “We got you.”

“And remember not to hand over anything until we know Pinkie’s condition,” Rarity said. Fluttershy nodded earnestly. Taking a deep breath, she walked forward with the supplies in her knapsack and met Sonata in the middle. The blue Siren said nothing as she gazed at Fluttershy with searching eyes.

The quiet girl fidgeted before clearing her throat. “I won’t give you anything until we know Pinkie’s safe.” Her eyebrows lifted slightly, surprised by how forceful she sounded. Sonata smiled in spite of this, and pulled out her phone.

“We figured you might say that,” she said brightly. “Here. You’ll be able talk to her in real time on Mirror Pool.”

As Fluttershy peered into the screen, she could see Pinkie Pie sitting in a chair from the chest up. Her skin was even paler than it was before, and the rosiness seemed to have drained from her cheeks. Her normally bright and sparkling blue eyes were now sunken and dull. Her hair fell in half-hearted curls around her slightly thinned face.

Squinting at the screen, Fluttershy could see that Pinkie’s shirt and vest had been replaced with a dark blue hoodie. But there was one thing that unsettled Fluttershy the most. Pinkie was...smiling. The pink girl beamed at the camera and even waved. “Hi, Fluttershy!” she chirped. Fluttershy frowned. She wasn’t fooled.

“Pinkie,” she said quietly. “What did they do to you? You...you know you can tell me..where are you hurt?”

A shocked expression came over Pinkie’s face. “Hurt? Pssh, that’s a silly question, Fluttershy! I’m not hurt at all! I'm right as rain. Heh, no pun intended.” She giggled and gave a cute little wink. “They’re taking good care of me here. Not to worry, Flutters. Your auntie Pinkie’s got it aaaall handled.”

Worry and fear blossomed inside of Fluttershy’s chest. She licked her lips and held up the knapsack. “We brought you some things...Rarity knitted you all nice warm socks, sweaters, and blankets, and...and Applejack made you some home cooked meals and put it inside separate containers...there’s even some candy apples in there for you…”

Pinkie’s grin slowly began to lose its vigor, but still held. “Thanks, Fluttershy. You guys are the bestest friends a girl could ever have!”

Fluttershy felt her eyes water and quickly blinked it away. “We just want to say that they love you, Pinkie. We're working every minute of every day to fix this.” She almost choked on her words. “I really miss you. We all do. Just...just know that it’s all going to be okay.”

Pinkie gave a lopsided smile. “I really miss you guys too. And Canterlot High. And my sisters…” Her shoulders slumped slightly. “And Ma and Pa…”

Fluttershy opened her mouth to comfort her friend when she heard Aria mutter something from behind the camera. The curly haired girl flinched a little before smiling thinly. “I gotta go now,” she said, her voice cheerfully hollow. “Try not to worry ‘bout ol’ Pinkie Pie, okay? I’ll see you real soon!”

Then it went black.

Sonata exited the app and shoved the phone in her back pocket. “You have your proof. Now give it here,” she said impatiently, holding out her hand. “It’s cold out here!”

A frown creased Fluttershy’s face as she gripped the bag tighter, holding it close to her chest. “She isn’t safe! I’m not stupid! What did you...you monsters do to her!?”

“H-Hey, keep it down!”

“No. Not until you tell me what’s going on!”

Sonata gritted her teeth nervously and waved her hands. “It’s not what you think! She’s just tired, that’s all! It’s been a long four days for her, and she’s just a little jittery--that’s all!”

Fluttershy’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t believe you.”

Sonata sighed and shifted on her knee, her voice dropping to a low whisper. “Look. I’ll level with you, okay?” She leaned in close, causing Fluttershy to tense. “Things...aren’t looking too good for Pinkie. Aria has a short temper and Adagio gets irritated with her a lot. I’m doing all I can to keep her protected and stuff, but you gotta do your part too. What do you think’s going to happen to her if you don’t give us the things you promised us?”

Fluttershy bit her lip uncertainly. “I..”

“You’d be helping us out a lot,” Sonata offered with a small smile. “With those supplies, we can take care of her better, and it’ll hold off Adagio and Aria...at least for now. Either way, we’re getting back through the portal anyways.” Her demeanor changed as she folded her arms and turned up her nose, “So you really have no choice.”

Fluttershy swallowed hard and glanced back at her friends, huddled together and shivering in the cold and rain, watching them intently. The young teenager let out a small breath and turned back to the Siren, holding out the knapsack. “Please don’t hurt Pinkie,” she murmured. “She doesn’t deserve any of this…”

Sonata grinned as she accepted the knap sack and slung it over her shoulder. “We’ll see what we can do,” she said a matter of factly. “Pinkie’s quite the handful, so I can’t speak for my sisters. I’ll watch over her as much as I can though.” She turned and walked back to Adagio, flashing a smile over her shoulder. “Thanks for your help, Flutterby!”

“Actually, it’s….” she sighed, her eyes trailing to the ground in resentment. “Nevermind.” She trudged back to her group of friends, sniffling lightly. Rarity and Twilight quickly draped a blanket around her shoulders.

“How’d it go? Is Pinkie okay?” Sunset asked urgently.

Fluttershy paused before nodding slowly. “She’s handling herself pretty well...considering.”

Far across the lot, Adagio and Sonata had already found the substitute pendants and put them around their necks. Almost immediately, six sparkly blue-green magic emanated from the Rainbooms and trailed back to the two Dazzlings. Sonata gasped deeply and let out a long sigh, exclaiming in relief. Adagio smiled wide and the magic coursed once more through her veins. “I can feel it,” she purred. “Your hatred and strife towards us...it gives us so much energy.”

She inhaled deeply and smirked. “Pleasure doing business with you, Rainbooms. You’ll get another call sometime this week. Don’t forget the portal now!”

Applejack muttered small curses as the Dazzlings got in their car. “Ain’t a bit of remorse from any of ‘em. Don’t make no sense!” The engine kickstarted and the Dazzlings backed up before driving off.

“The Sirens don’t have a conscience,” Rarity growled.

Sunset gave a Rainbow a pat on the back before racing to her car. “C’mon, let’s tail ‘em.” The Rainbooms sprang into action, piling back into the car and slamming the doors shut.Twilight pulled a calculator-like device out of her backpack and switched it on while seatbelts clicked closed. The patterns that appeared on the screen reflected off her glasses in a mix of colorful blobs.

“They’re heading up Witterworth street, just north of Gorge Grove!”

Sunset started up the car and drove out from behind Gnocchi's and onto the street. “It’s pouring, can’t see a thing!” Rarity said.

“I can barely drive in this weather--I don’t know how Adagio could ever get through this mess,” Sunset frowned.

Fluttershy turned to Twilight. “We’re still going the right way, aren’t we?”

Twilight smiled. “Don’t worry, Fluttershy. Despite the conditions, we’re on the right track. Turn left here, Sunset. As long as we stay the course, we’re good.”

“I can’t wait to get her out of whatever place she’s in,” Applejack said with a small shudder. “An experience like that can tear someone up plenty awful.” Her emerald eyes grew worrisome. “I pray that won’t happen to Pinkie.”

Rainbow gave her a hard look. “Applejack, look at me.”

Applejack’s eyes turned up.

“We’re going to find Pinkie. Alright? No ifs ands or buts about it.”

“Keep going straight, Sunset!”

“And we’re sure as heck are going to be there for her when this is all over. Once she’s out of this, she’ll be partying in no time!”

Suddenly, the device abruptly stopped beeping and Twilight gasped. She clicked some buttons and frantically tapped at the screen with wide eyes. “No...nonono…!”

Heads whirled around to face Twilight, who has practically beating the tracking device with the heel of her palm. “Twilight? Twilight, what’s wrong?” Rarity asked.

“T-They’re gone! The microchip bugs...all three of them--they just--vanished!” She flipped it around, showing its pitch black screen. Sunset immediately pulled over and turned all the way around in her seat.

“What!? But how--”

Suddenly, Rarity’s phone pinged. The fashion designer paused before picking it up. The six girls stared at the screen.

Nice tracking device, Rainbooms.

Pinkie’s sure to love it.

Emptiness. The school day was full of emptiness. The empty seats in class. The empty space at the lunch table. The empty atmosphere in the hallways. Applejack followed suit, blocking out all the anger, sadness and fear, leaving an empty hole in her heart. The last period is always the longest.

“Snips,” Mr. Doodle droned.

“Here!”

“Sweet leaf!”

“Yo!”

“Flash Sentry!”

“Present.”

“Pinkie Pie….” Mr. Doodle’s eyes lifted from his clipboard. “Pinkie Pie…”

“She’s not here, sir,” Applejack managed to croak out.

“Hmm.” The teacher scribbled something down, raising an eyebrow. “Strange. Silver Spoon?”

“Here, sir!”

Applejack pressed her face against the desk.

****

“It’s been quiet today,” Fluttershy said. Rarity had offered to drive everyone home after a long stressful day at school. They had just dropped off Twilight. “I never noticed how much noisier it was at Canterlot High with Pinkie around.” Applejack tore her eyes from the window and glanced at Fluttershy, whose eyes were tinted red.

“Nothing’s the same anymore,” Rainbow sighed from the passenger's seat, her usual spunkiness fizzling into but a spark. “Did Princess Twilight tell you anything, Sunset?”

“Not yet,” Sunset replied tiredly. She had dark circles under her eyes. “All we can do now is wait.”

Rainbow groaned and plopped her head against the dashboard. “I hate waiting.”

“Don’t despair, girls,” Rarity said pleadingly. “I hate seeing you all like this! We can’t throw in the towel now. This is not what Pinkie would want.” She peered into the rearview mirror at Applejack and sighed. The slender vehicle pulled up to the farmhouse and Applejack gave her friends a nod before sliding out.

“Thank you kindly for the ride, Rarity,” she said, tipping the brim of her stetson before walking up the driveway. Her friends watched her go and exchanged worried glances before Rarity backed the car away.

“How was yer day, Pumpkin?” Granny Smith asked when Applejack came through the door.

“It was fine, Granny,” Applejack replied. “Though I’m plenty tuckered out. I think I’ll hit the hay after I finish my chores.”

Granny’s brow creased. “You alright, hun? Y’ain’t gonna stay for dinner?”

“I’m fine.” She leaned forward and kissed her grandmother on the cheek. “Had a big lunch. You sure cooked up some good spaghetti today.”

****

“Applejack?” Applebloom knocked on the door once more, much to her elder sister’s annoyance.

“I said, go away,” Applejack called from her bed.

“I brought you some pie!”

“Eat it yourself, I don’t want it!”

“But I brought it for you! C’mon sis, what’s the matter? Was it somethin’ I said?”

“Ain’t nothin’ you said,” Applejack groaned. “I just wanna be alone, Applebloom! Now please respect my privacy!”

There was a long silence before Applebloom muttered something from behind the door. It wasn’t long before she heard the disappearing footsteps.The middle Apple sibling sighed and lay flat on her back. Finally.

****

Tap tap tap.

Applejack breathed in and opened one eye. She gasped a little and looked around. Her lamp was still on, but it was pitch black outside. “Must’ve fallen asleep,” she mumbled, rubbing her eyes.

Tap tap tap.

“What in tarnation?” She stumbled out of bed and went over to her bedroom window where the racket was coming from. She peered out and opened it with a grumpy frown. “Rainbow Dash, if this is one of your late night schemes again...!”

Down below was a shaggy young man in a flannel shirt. “Hey!” he whisper-shouted. “Are you Applejack?”

The farm girl’s eyes darted around, slightly dazed. “Uhh...yeah?”

The young man took a deep breath and scratched at his shoulder nervously. “My name’s Chestnut. I helped kidnap your friend.”

Caged

Sonata pulled the door open, revealing Pinkie Pie. Her body looking a bit thinner than usual, the young girl gasped and pressed her back against the corner, trying to make herself look smaller. Her breathing increased when Aria stepped inside and reached down. “N-No,” she whispered, shaking her head frantically. “No…!” Aria promptly jerked Pinkie into standing position and shoved her out of the closet.

“Alright, Pinkie,” Adagio said, crossing her arms. “Punishment’s over.” Adjusting her eyes to the light, Pinkie rubbed her sore arms. She stepped back a little, trying to put some space between her and the Sirens. Aria moved in behind her, causing Pinkie to squeak and freeze up when she bumped into her. “Now,” said Adagio, making Pinkie’s head to snap back towards her. “ Are you going to try to run away again?”

Pinkie quickly shook her head, trembling slightly. “N-No. I’m sorry! I won’t do it again, I promise!”

“Hmmm. Are you going to be a good girl from now on?”

Pinkie hesitated. But one look from Aria caused her to straighten up. “Y-Yes! I’l...I’ll be good.” She clasped her hands and fiddled her fingers together nervously. “It was really foolish of me to run. And I’m really sorry I bit your hand Sonata. I guess I wasn’t thinking straight...”

The Dazzlings smiled at one another, seemingly satisfied with her answer. The party planner internally wilted, immensely sore and exhausted. She had spent two days inside that dark and cramped closet with no food or water. The brief talk with Fluttershy was the only time she’d been allowed out before being forced back inside again.

Of course, Aria had her take a shower and tended to her injuries in order to cover everything up, but Pinkie doubted it did much of anything. Not even she could mask this much pain and fear with a smile. Her stomach rumbled and her body muscles screamed with pain. Her throat felt drier than sandpaper, and, perhaps worst of all, she was homesick. Oh, so very homesick. Everyday, she tried to hold on to the sound of music. The taste of cake. The warmth of everyone's smiles, and the thrill of throwing the next party.

Pinkie drew herself up. “Please,” she said quietly, attracting their full attention. “Please, you have to let me go. There’s gotta be something to make you all happier here…”

Her eyebrows knitted together. “I’ll do anything you want. I know lots of recipes for sweets, and I could throw you lots of parties...my friends and I, we won’t tell anybody.”

Adagio slowly clicked her tongue and placed a hand under Pinkie’s chin before lifting it up. “Oh, sweetheart,” she cooed, stroking her cheek. “You’ll do anything we want period.” Pinkie's shoulders drooped.“You’re in no place to negotiate anything. This process is between us and your friends. And until our demands are met, the only thing you can do...is obey. Understand?”

Pinkie swallowed hard, her eyes burning. “...yes.”

Adagio lifted an eyebrow. “Yes...what?”

Pinkie’s jaw clenched as she silently looked away.

Adagio grabbed Pinkie’s wrist and twisted it, making her gasp in pain. “Ahh! Ow! S-Stop! You’re hurting me!”

“Yes what?” Adagio repeated darkly.

Pinkie Pie let out a small, agonized whimper. “Yes...mistress.”

Adagio finally released Pinkie’s wrist and the party planner brought it to her chest, rubbing it tenderly.

She knew what the Sirens were trying to accomplish, tearing down whatever pride and confidence she had left. But it wouldn’t work, no matter what they did to her. She had to stay strong, for her friends, and herself.

“That’s a good slave,” Adagio smiled. Suddenly, a sparkly blue green smoke emanated from Pinkie and went straight into the strange objects hanging from the Dazzling’s necks. Each Siren seemed to gain even more strength as the smoke divided between them.

Pinkie Pie’s eyebrow quirked in confusion. “What..?”

“Just a little gift from your friends,” Aria said smugly, stroking her new ‘pendant’. “Your growing anger towards us is quite the filler-up."

"I...I, uh..."

"Save it. It's doing us a favor Though those Rainbooms thought they were pretty smart, putting trackers in these.”

For the first time in a long while, a genuine smile slowly adorned Pinkie’s face, brightening up her blue irises. “They did?”

“Too bad it failed,” Sonata laughed. “Too bad, so sad.” Her eyes flickered to Pinkie and coughed into her hand.

“But we do need to keep a closer eye on them,” Adagio cautioned. “With that brainiac on their team, they might have a thing or two up their filthy mortal sleeves.”

Sonata turned to Pinkie and smiled. “Why don’t you come with me and I’ll let you take a shower? Rarity made you a nice warm sweater to wear.”

“And I think I might have something for you to do after you’re done,” Adagio added sweetly.

Chestnut hit the grass, the wind suddenly knocked right out of him. One minute he was standing under Applejack’s window. The next, he found himself flat on his back, pinned by the girl herself. Chestnut gasped, his breathing coming out in short bursts while Applejack’s piercing green eyes burned into him. “Where is she!?” she barked. “What did you do to her?” The heel of her palms pressed harder into his neck, making him gag. “How could you hurt somebody so sweet n’ loving? She didn’t do anything to you! I could just--”

“Ahhhpple...J-Jackkk…!” Chestnut rasped desperately. “C-Can explain!” The southern girl breathed heavily for a few moments before releasing his neck with a grunt. The young man wheezed and choked as Applejack got off him and stood back, practically quivering.

Chestnut sat up, looking up at the window above before focusing back on Applejack. “You...did you just...jump from that window?” he heaved incredulously.

Applejack met him with a steel glance. “What...did you do...with my cousin.”

Chestnut blinked twice. “C...cousin? Ahhh, crap.” He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair.

“You got that right,” Applejack said in a low voice. “Now start talkin’ before you regret ever comin' to my house."

“...My Uncle’s sick,” he sighed. “He broke his arm falling from a ladder...tryin’ to clean the gutter, stubborn old man…”

Applejack’s eyes lost some of its hardness. Only by a little.

“We’re low middle class, me and my baby brother. Sure, we got plenty food in the fridge and enough clothes on our backs, but we just couldn’t pay enough to him to stay at the hospital! My job never pays enough...It’s just me, supporting my family all on my own. I needed that money.”

He heeved a shuddering sigh. “I’m not all proud of what I did. Thing is though...I don’t regret it.”

Applejack’s jaw clenched. “You used it, didn’t you?”

Chestnut’s eyes trained on the ground. “Like I said. With that cash, we can pay all the hospital bills and our rent. But then I remembered your friend…” his voice trailed off as he recalled the girl he had betrayed. “Curly pink hair, bright colored dress; talked a mile a minute before I could get a word in.”

“That’s her,” Applejack murmured.

“I messed up, Applejack. Big time. I know the money’s already spent, but...the least I can do is help you get her back.”

Applejack’s heart skipped a beat and her legs numbed. This guy knew where Pinkie Pie was. He knew where she was. She shook her head, breathing ragged breaths. “How do I know that I can trust you?”

“...Everton Hospital. My Uncle’s checked in there. His name’s Redwood.”

After a moment of staring at eachother, Applejack slowly pulled her phone out of her back pocket and dialed. Without taking her eyes off of Chestnut, she held it to her ear and waited. “Twilight? Sorry to wake ya. There’s somethin’ I need you to check out for me.”

Twilight turned around in her chair. “He’s the real thing alright.”

“You mean he’s actually telling the truth?” Rainbow said incredulously. Twilight looked over at the wary young man sitting on her bed and gave a nod. “I analyzed his thumbprint sample and ran it through the Everton Hospital database. His DNA matches a patient there named Redwood.”

“And I visited Everton myself,” Fluttershy added. “He said he had a grandson named Chestnut and another named Treenut. He had a broken leg too.” She smiled. “He’s such a nice old man, too.”

“Good,” Rainbow said, uncrossing her arms. She whirled around on Chestnut, and pulled back her fist. As the young man cried out, Applejack maneuvered between them and stopped Rainbow’s punch with one hand. “Hey, what gives!? He helped take Pinkie!”

“I know, Sugarcube,” Applejack said grimly. “But fight’n him ain’t gonna solve our problems. I figured we could use him for our benefit!”

Rainbow begrudgingly pulled her arm free and grunted. “You’re saying we actually trust this guy?”

“We don’t have much of a choice here, Rainbow,” Applejack told her. “This is the only lead we’ve got.”

“Kids at school are getting suspicious,” Fluttershy said. “Most keep asking if Pinkie Pie is coming back soon. I can’t think up of much more excuses!” Her pink forelock fell over her eyes. “I hate lying to everybody.”

“Mr. and Mrs. Cake are getting antsy too,” Sunset huffed. “I’m covering Pinkie’s shifts as much as I can, but it’s only a matter of time before…”

“I’ll make this right,” Chestnut said earnestly. “I know where the...Dazzlings are keeping Pinkie. They’re holding her deep in the Whitetail Woods, a little further past San Palomino Dessert.”

The girls gasped in shock. “San Palomino?” Rarity repeated. “That’s at least eleven hours from here!”

Applejack held a hand to her forehead. “They took her off farther than I thought…”

Rainbow shot up. “What are we waiting for! Let’s g--” Her sentence was cut off when she was suddenly pulled back by the collar of her shirt.

“Not so fast,” Sunset said. “We can’t just go in willy nilly. We need to think up a strategy.”

Rainbow moaned and wriggled free. “Every minute we hang around here is another minute Pinkie is trapped alone with those...those psychopaths!”

“Which is exactly why we need to plan this out carefully,” Sunset replied gently. “It’s a long drive out there, and we’d be leaving your family and friends behind...it’s not going to look good if we all disappear at once.”

“I don’t care..” Fluttershy murmured quietly. Her friends looked up at her. “I just want her back.”

“I...:could get Sweetie Belle and her friends to cover for us, Applejack,” Rarity said hesitantly.

Applejack pursed her lips and shifted onto one knee. “I really didn’t want to bring Apple Bloom into this.”

“You know how they are, darling. They’ve been pressing for answers all weekend. It’s only a matter of time before they found out.”

Applejack was silent a moment. “Fine. Go on.”

Rarity nodded. "Then it's settled. But first..." She marched over and gave Chestnut's cheek a resounding slap.

Rainbow threw up her hands. "Hey! How come she gets to hit him and I don't!?"

Pinkie grunted softly as she worked the scrub brush in her hand back and forth on the wooden floor. Her fingers and knuckles burned as water and soap sloshed over her hands. She turned slightly as she dumped the scrub brush in a bucket pale and shook it out. She hummed a soft tune, and croaked out, “Cause all I really need’s a smile, smile, smile...yes I do...it fills my heart with sunshine all the while...yes it does….’cause all I really need’s a sm--oof!”

Aria had kicked her shoe firmly against Pinkie’s behind, propelling her onto her stomach. “I don’t remember signing up for a canary.”

“I-I’m sorry,” Pinkie said, sitting up on her knees and turning around. “I just thought it’d be fun to...to pass the time…”

“I prefer not to hear it,” Aria said curtly, shoving a spoonful of mashed potatoes into her mouth. “I didn’t tell you to stop either.”

Pinkie’s mouth hung open slightly at the sight and smell of the home cooked meal Applejack had made her on the dining room table. Her stomach rumbled painfully, sending a fresh wave of dizziness through her. She slumped onto her side on the floor, her arm wrapping around her stomach. “Please,” she groaned. “I’m so hungry…”

“Who wouldn’t be?” Aria chuckled, taking another bite out of the mashed potatoes and licking her lips. “It’s nothing like negative energy, but your redneck friend sure can cook up a meal.” She reached over and and grabbed a tall bottle of apple cider before popping it open; bubbles floated up to the surface.

Pinkie swallowed hard.

She let go of the scrub brush and crawled forward in front of Aria’s chair. She once again sat up on her knees and clasped her hands in a pleading gesture. “Can I pretty please have a sip of that? I haven’t had anything to drink in so long! Just one little sip? Please?”

Aria looked annoyed. “Now you’re thirsty? What’s next, a back rub?”

Pinkie blinked back tears. “Applejack gave that to me! I’ve done everything you’ve asked me to do!”

“Not everything.”

“Yes, yes I have!”

“No, you haven’t.” Aria promptly put her boot on Pinkie’s shoulder, causing the latter to grimace.”What do we say when we want something, slave?”

“...Mistress…” Pinkie sighed, her cheeks growing warm. “Please let me have some of that cider, Mistress.”

Aria took her boot off Pinkie’s shoulder. “Since you asked so nicely.” She leaned forward and held the bottle of cider to Pinkie’s dry lips. Pinkie quickly took the bottle between her hands and guzzled it down while taking shaky breaths through her nose. Aria’s firm grip on the base of the bottle tightened, and she abruptly pulled it away. “Alright, that’s enough.”

Pinkie licked the last few drops of cider dripping off her chin and sighed contentedly. “Thank you!” She grinned from ear to ear, hugging Aria’s legs. “Thank you.” Aria’s eyes darted left and right before she grunted and pushed Pinkie off.

“Yeah. Whatever. Keep scrubbing, kid.”

Pinkie nodded and grabbed the scrub brush, but froze when Adagio came storming down the stairs. Aria raised her eyebrows. “What?”

Adagio growled and held up a small pink object. Pinkie’s eyes widened. My phone! As Adagio scrolled down its contents, Pinkie was silently thinking about how if she could just get a hold of it, she could contact her friends, her family, the police, anybody!

“Over 1,000 unread texts, and 50 missed calls!” Adagio exclaimed.

“For her?” Aria said incredulously, glaring down at Pinkie Pie.

The frizzy-haired girl gave a sheepish shrug and grinned nervously. “Heh...I like to socialize!”

Adagio sighed. “That’s not the main problem, but if this keeps up, people will start asking her parents, and the parents will contact the police. We’re not yet strong enough to conquer them.”

She looked down at the phone and raised a hand to her chin. “Here,” she said finally, marching over to Pinkie. “You received a call from a Marble Pie an hour ago. A relative of yours? One of your sisters, perhaps?”

Pinkie went stiff at the mention of Marble’s name. Adagio smirked. “Thought so. We’re going to call your dear sister back, and you’re going to tell her that everything’s just peachy-keen.”

Pinkie narrowed her eyes and glowered. “I’m not lying to Marble for you!”

Adagio grabbed a fist full of Pinkie’s curly hair and yanked backward, causing Pinkie to cry out. The young girl squirmed and uttered high pitched whines as she reached up and tried to pull at Adagio’s hand. Adagio leaned over and lowered her mouth to Pinkie’s ear. “If we can get to you, we could easily get to your sisters too, you know.”

Pinkie gasped. “You wouldn’t...erg...you leave my sisters alone!”

“Then make the call. Or your sisters pay for your mistake.” She pressed on Marble’s caller ID, relaxing her grip on the back of Pinkie’s head. “Remember. Happy and cheerful.” She flipped her hair over her shoulder and pressed the phone to Pinkie’s ear.

“You're a big meanie,” Pinkie whispered through clenched teeth.

“Oh, I’m much worse than that, cupcake,” Adagio whispered back.

“Mhm?”

Pinkie’s heart nearly exploded into tiny bits of confetti at the sound of her sibling’s voice. A tear trickled down her cheek and she smiled wide.

“Marble!”

“Pinkie Pie?” Marble exclaimed softly, sounding surprised. “Oh, I didn’t think you’d be calling me back so soon, since it’s a early in the week...you’re always so busy.” She paused. “In fact, it was pretty silly of me to call so early in the day. I won’t take up any more of your time.”

“Oh no no! Don’t hang up! I’m super glad you called me! How’ve ya been? What’s going on in the world of Marble Pie, huh? How’s homeschooling?”

“Nothing special,” Marble mumbled. “Are you..having a lot of fun at your sleepover?”

Pinkie raised an eyebrow. “Sleepov--aah…” Adagio yanked Pinkie’s head back again, forcing the party planner to look deep into Adagio’s piercing eyes. “Aahh, ah, sleepover! Yeah, of course! I’m having a blast!”

“...Are you alright?”

“W-What do you mean? Of course I’m alright!”

“It’s just that you sound…” A noise interrupted her, and the quiet and reserved voice was replaced by an irritated, gravelly one.

“I know what you’re trying to do, doofus!” Limestone growled. “Stick us with the chores while you party all week with your friends, huh? Well I hope you enjoy it while it lasts, because you’re doing my laundry for a whole MONTH when you get back!”

Pinkie couldn’t contain her laugh. In any other situation, she would’ve been slightly annoyed. “I’d be glad to do your laundry, Limestone,” she said lovingly.

There was an odd pause on the other end. “You...would?”

“Uh huh. Yessiree!"

Another pause. “Uh...great? Uh--here, Marble, have it back. I’m still pissed!”

“Marble? Marble, is Maud there with you?” Pinkie asked hopefully.

“Mm-mm. Maud is still away on her trip to the rocky canons,” Marble replied.

“...Oh.”

Pinkie deflated a bit. If she were ever to talk to Maud again, this could very well be her last chance. Adagio gripped her tighter and nodded her head. Pinkie’s heart thudded. No, please no...it's too soon...I don’t want to hang up… “Well...I just wanted to say hi….Hi.”

Marble giggled. “Well, I’m glad you’re having fun.”

“I love you so much, Marble Pie.”

Adagio ended the call before she could ever hear the reply, and finally released her hair. Tears brimmed Pinkie’s eyes. "Now get back to work," Adagio said curtly, walking away, but not before tracking dirt prints on the floor.

"You missed a spot," Aria said.

Broken

The three Freshman girls sat side by side on the curb as they watched the Rainbooms pile stuff into Sunset’s car.

“I still can’t believe it,” Apple Bloom said numbly. “Of all things that could happen...you’d never think it would happen to Pinkie Pie of all people.”

Sweetie Belle sniffed lightly, fumbling with her small tissue while Scootaloo leaned back, snarling. “Stupid Sirens and their stupid, stupid pendants. Their songs weren’t all that good anyway.”

They watched as Twilight engaged in a deep conversation with Sunset, making swift, yet jerky gestures with her hands. Sunset nodded all the while.

“I bet she’s got some weird sciency stuff that can help bust Pinkie out,” said Apple Bloom.

“They sure did mess with the wrong group friends,” Scootaloo agreed, watching Applejack place a long, thin object in the car trunk. Rarity walked up to them, clasping her hands.

“Alright, girls. It’s almost time for us to go.” She turned to Sweetie Belle. “Remember what to tell mother and father…” she handed all three of them slips of paper with their signatures on them. “Twilight made false permission slips from the school for a field trip. Don’t give them this unless they ask. Understand?”

Sweetie Belle nodded. “They probably won’t question it as long as it’s from school.”

“But what about the other students and teachers?” Scootaloo asked.

Rarity sighed. “Just...tell them we’ve all caught the same illness on one of our picnics. Not a great excuse, but it’ll have to do or the time being, I suppose. Just bring our homework assignments with you until we return...hopefully with Pinkie Pie.”

Sweetie Belle looked fearful. “Do...do you think she’s okay, Rarity? If it were me, I’d be so scared…” Rarity came forward and hugged her little sister.

“Thank heaven it’s not,” she murmured quietly. “Don’t worry. We’ll do our best to find her...I promise.”

Applejack came up from behind Rarity and knelt down to Apple Bloom’s level. “You know how I feel about lyin’,” she said in a low voice. “And I never wanted to force this upon you...but if Granny or Big Mac ask…”

The younger Apple sibling nodded and embraced her sister tightly. “Promise you’ll be careful,” she whispered. “I don’t wanna lose you too.”

Applejack allowed herself a small smile and squeezed. “You won’t.”

Scootaloo felt a hand on her shoulder, and she smiled when she looked up. “Any advice, Scoots?” Rainbow Dash asked lightly.

Scootaloo simply grinned. “Give ‘em heck.”

“Heh...Agreed.”

Pinkie Pie stacked the last clean dish on the dry rack and sighed. “I’m done,” she called out unenthusiastically. Aria jumped down from the counter and started to look over the stacks of plates, bowls, cups, pots, pans, and silverware.

Aria looked over all of the clean dishes on the rack with a critical eye. After a long moment of scrutinizing, Aria slowly nodded her head. “Alright. Now I want you to start wiping down all the counters and tables.”

Pinkie slumped against the kitchen counter and exhaled softly. “I can’t,” she whispered. “So hungry...I can’t even see straight. And my hands are too pruney to do anything else.” Aria seized Pinkie by the arm and yanked her closer. Pinkie’s heartbeat accelerated when she looked into Aria’s eyes.

“You think I give a damn about your hands?” she hissed. “When I tell you to do something--”

“Aria!” The two girls turned their heads to see Sonata walk into the kitchen. The blue siren looked between them. “I think maybe Pinkie deserves some food.”

“Deserves?” Aria said incredulously. “She--”

“We want her alive, Aria, remember?” Sonata said, taking Pinkie by the arm. “Look at her, she’s as frail as a feather. It’s not gonna do us any favors if we turn her in dead.”

Aria thought it over. “Well...okay. But not too much, alright? We don’t want her gaining her strength.”

Nodding, Sonata led Pinkie effortlessly over to the dining room table. She helped Pinkie into the chair, quickly catching her shoulder when she almost fell over. “Dizzy…” Pinkie gulped, cradling her head. “Don’t feel good…”

Sonata frowned. “I’ll get you something,” the Siren assured, rubbing her knee. She crossed over to the kitchen while Pinkie sat slumped in the chair, too weak and tired to even entertain the idea of escape.

What’s the use? said a little voice in her head. It’s been days, and your friends STILL hasn’t come for you. Maybe they don’t love you enough to come look for you. Who could blame them? You’re loud...pushy...childish...idiotic.

Pinkie winced.

They’re probably wishing that they could high five the Dazzlings right now. You’re the annoying headache that they relieved them of.

Pinkie hunched over and clutched her head. “It’s not true…” she whispered through gritted teeth. “Think positive, Pinkie. Think happy, happy thoughts. My friends do love me. They do…”

“Pinkie?”

The girl in question lifted her head. Sonata stood in front of her with a bowl in her hands. A faint steam rose from inside it. Sonata looked at her curiously. “Aaare you okay?”

“What’s that?” Pinkie asked, nodding toward the bowl. Sonata reached over and set the bowl on the table.

“A hot dog. Not too light, but not too heavy either.” Pinkie had already shoved the first half of the hot dog in her mouth halfway through Sonata’s sentence. She sighed and fell back in her chair at the wonderful taste of food, nice warm food in her mouth. She knew she ought to slow down and savor each bite, but her stomach promptly triumphed over her mind. All she wanted to do was eat.

“Thank you, Mistress,” she said in between bites. Though, seconds later, Pinkie suddenly realized that the word “Mistress” had slipped out of her mouth without a second thought. Guilt and shame clouded her mind as she reluctantly took the last bite of her meal.

“Whatevs,” Sonata sighed, examining her nails. “I just wish your friends would hurry up already. This whole thing is really starting to wear me out.”

Pinkie blinked tiredly.

“But I guess I should be more patient,” Sonata admitted, scuffing her shoe on the floor. “I’ve waited for this moment for more than a century...I should be able to wait a few more days…” She smiled at Pinkie. “Right?”

Pinkie nodded slowly. “Can...can I have some more food please?”

“Now Pinkie, you heard what Aria said. We can’t have you regaining your strength now, can we? Besides, more food will just make you throw up anyways. I’ll let you rest a bit, then you can get started on wiping the tables down. Oh, and I think Adagio wants you to clean the bathroom upstairs.”

Pinkie groaned and rested her head on the table. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying hard not to cry. She couldn’t let them see her cry. Think positive...just think positive...

“How far are we?” Rainbow Dash piped up from the back seat. It was early in the morning, and the sky had turned a pale blue-gray with a slight tint of purple lining the distant mountains. They had been driving for hours with only two restroom stops on the way. The car was crowded, especially now that Chestnut had tagged along.

“Not too long, I hope,” Applejack replied quietly, turning the steering wheel.

“You sound tired, A.J.,” Sunset said, resting a hand on the cowgirl’s shoulder. “I can switch with you if you want.”

“I’m fine. How’re we lookin’, Twilight?”

Twilight tapped her screen twice and nodded. “We’re almost there...about twenty minutes away.”

The vehicle filled with anticipated silence. “Just remember,” Sunset said quietly. “Don’t let up on them...because they sure as heck won’t let up on us.”

“I sure won’t,” Chestnut muttered. “I’ve seen how they operate. They...they’ll do anything to get to that portal of theirs. Normally, I wouldn’t believe in that stuff, but from what you’ve told me... n' that look in their eyes….”

Fluttershy nodded. “I’ve seen it too…” She shuddered. “What Pinkie must be going through…”

Twilight shifted uncomfortably. “I try not to think about it…”

Rainbow Dash cracked her knuckles. “I just can’t wait to take them down.”

“There it is,” Chestnut said as the car neared a bunch of tall, thick trees. “Whitetail Forest. The house is deep inside, near the middle. We’ll have to go in on foot if we wanna surprise ‘em.”

The girls nodded earnestly, and everyone piled out of the car. After a short period of stretching their legs and cracking their backs after the long drive, the group pulled out all the “Weapons” they retrieved from their houses from the trunk. Twilight pulled out a duffel bag full of equipment.

“What’s in there, darling?” Rarity asked, holding a bunch of golf clubs.

Twilight slung the bag over her shoulder and gave a mysterious grin. “You’ll see.”

“Okay, Chestnut,” Sunset said resolutely, looking around at her friends. “Lead the way.”

It was a long, cold trek. Sounds of crickets surrounded them, and the early morning mist grew thick. Sunlight was just beginning to peek in between the trees. The young teenagers were wary of possible creatures that could pop out at any moment, save one. Fluttershy looked thoughtful, especially when a snake caught her eye, slithering on a log near Rarity. She decided it was best if she didn’t say anything.

They continued to walk silently, until Chestnut held up a hand. Without uttering a word, he pointed past a few trees. The girls crept up behind him. Past those trees was a large clearing, with a little house in the middle of it.

The lights were on.

“You know the plan, girls,” Sunset murmured, narrowing her eyes. “Let’s do it.”

Pinkie yawned as she continued to rub Aria's shoulders on the living room couch. Aria flipped nonchalantly through a magazine with the occasional sound of approval. Sonata walked in, stretching her arms above her head. “Morning, Ari,” she yawned.

“Morning,” Aria replied without looking up from her magazine.

“We’re another day closer,” Sonata chirped as she skipped past. This time, Aria cracked a tiny smile.

“That we are.”

Suddenly, Adagio came running down the stairs, her expression both panicked and angered. All three girls regarded her with mixed expressions. “A-Adagio?” Sonata said, worried. “What--”

“They’re here!” Adagio rasped, her voice cracking. “I saw them through my window! The Rainbooms are here, they’re surrounding the house!”

“WHAT!?” Aria and Sonata cried.

Pinkie immediately stopped massaging, her eyes wide. She screamed with as much energy she could muster. “GIRLS! HELP, IT’S M--”

Aria clapped a hand over her mouth and pinned her to the couch. Terror filled Sonata’s eyes. “Wh-What do we do!?” she squeaked as Pinkie squirmed in Aria’s grasp.

After a few heart-pounding seconds, Adagio snapped her fingers. “The basement! Quick!”

Chestnut kicked the door open and barged in, with Applejack and Fluttershy at his heels. “Pinkie!” Fluttershy cried.

As they began to spread out through the living room, there was a loud bang, followed by multiple footsteps. “Pinkie Pie!” Rarity called as she and the rest of their party came in through the back door. “Sweetness, are you in here? Pinkie Pie!”

“SHOW YOURSELVES, SIRENS!” Rainbow screamed, tightening her grip on her baseball bat. The group combed the area, including the dining room, the kitchen, and all the closets. Nothing was found, other than a magazine, Applejack’s food, and a few socks lying about.

“There’s an upstairs,” Fluttershy said, already running up the steps.

“Hold up, Fluttershy, I’m going with you!” Rainbow said, jogging after her. Applejack followed. After a few minutes, the three girls came back down, looking defeated. Twilight looked at the dirty material in Fluttershy’s hands and pressed a fist against her mouth.

“Pinkie’s dress,” Rarity said faintly. She looked to Rainbow Dash, who had Pinkie’s backpack in her hand. “Oh my goodness…”

“...Gone,” Applejack murmured, plopping down on the last step. “She’s gone.”

Pinkie struggled against Aria and Sonata as Aria’s hand remained clamped over her mouth. She could hear her friends voices and footsteps above them. Freedom was so despairingly close. Adagio stood at the basement door, making sure the secret compartment remained securely locked.

“She’s gone,” they heard Applejack say in dismay.

Pinkie tried to scream to her cousin. “APPLMMMPH!” This only resulted in the hand tightening over her mouth.

“Keep her quiet!” Adagio hissed.

“Are you sure she’s really gone?” came a familiar rich baritone. The Siren’s mouths fell open.

“We checked everywhere,” Applejack said.

“They probably escaped somehow before we could get in,” Sunset suggested.

“How could they escape?” Rainbow Dash said incredulously. “We had ‘em surrounded!”

“Maybe if we hurry now, we can catch up to them!” Twilight said. Voices rose in agreement.

Pinkie tried to yell for help again as the multiple footsteps began to die out. She never felt so desperate in her entire life. Aria’s grip tightened, and her pleas became almost a whisper. The Dazzlings waited a long time in a period of silence. Only the sound of light breathing filled the air, accompanied by Pinkie’s tear-filled muffled cries.

Slowly, Adagio unlocked the door and peeked out. After a few seconds, she gave a small nod. Sonata and Aria promptly dragged Pinkie up the basement steps while Adagio whirled through the house, gathering a few items.

“That Chestnut is a traitor!” Sonata growled, still holding tightly to Pinkie’s arm. “How could he! We helped save his Uncle!”

“Humans are fickle, Sonata,” Aria gruffed as Pinkie tried to kick her. “The sooner you learn that, the better.”

Adagio came running back with the knapsack Fluttershy gave to them. “I refilled it,” she said hurriedly, quickly sliding the handle over Aria’s shoulder. She paused and whispered something into her sister’s ear.

Aria nodded and looked at Sonata over Pinkie’s hair. “To the car! We can’t stay here.” Pinkie grunted silently as the two Dazzlings dragged her out of the back door with Adagio staying behind.

As they charged through the clearing, Pinkie did all she could to get away, but her hunger and lack of hydration weakened her. She dug the back of her heels into the ground, but the Dazzlings managed to half drag, half carry her with little to no issue.

“Are you sure you remember where the car is?” Sonata asked as they went into the trees.

“Over that direction, behind the brush,” Aria grunted in reply. Pinkie whimpered as she was taken deeper into the forest, away from wherever her friends were. Eventually, she saw the top of the car Aria was talking about, partially hidden by the brush.

Heart pounding against her chest, Pinkie sucked in air through her nose. As soon as the Dazzlings slowed down, Pinkie steeled herself and stomped on Aria’s foot as hard as she could. The purple Siren screamed, involuntarily releasing her grip. With a high-pitched yell, Pinkie then punched Sonata in the shoulder, causing the Siren to shriek in pain. With the two girls briefly occupied, Pinkie stumbled forward. Her eyes frantically searched the ground before picking up a long, thick stick and whirling around.

As predicted, the Sirens were right there, about to pounce on her, but Pinkie held out the stick with both hands in a threatening gesture. Instantly, the world around her began to blur. She blinked rapidly and swallowed hard, her arms shaking. “S-Stay back,” she warned, slowly backing away. “Don’t make me hurt you!”

Sharing an odd glance, both Sonata and Aria inched towards her. “Stay away from me!” Pinkie cried, jerking her stick between the two of them. Pain stabbed at her stomach, and another wave of dizziness washed over her, but she managed to hold firm. “I won’t let you win, and I’m not gonna let you treat me like a…” She gulped, hesitant on saying the word. “Like a slave!”

“We’re not gonna hurt you…” Aria said in a low voice, sending horrible shivers up Pinkie’s spine. She was lying, without question.

Breathing heavily, she continued to back away with the occasional glance over her shoulder.

“It’s okay, Pinkie,” Sonata said with a soft smile. She and Aria began to spread apart from each other while still inching cautiously toward Pinkie. Pinkie’s complexion paled, realizing they were trying to circle around her.

“J-Just leave me alone,” she whimpered out, dread filling her heart. “Please, please just leave me alone…” Before either Siren could get too close, she turned and ran. Unfortunately, it wasn’t long before they caught up to her.

In a struggle, Pinkie tried to hit Sonata with the stick, but Aria caught her wrist in the air and squeezed painfully, forcing Pinkie to let go. “You really are pathetic,” Aria growled in her ear. Swiftly, she pinned Pinkie’s arms at her sides, finally getting a decent hold on her.

As they continued on their way to the car, Pinkie kicked out her legs. “Let me go, you bullies!” she hollered as Sonata picked up the knapsack Aria had dropped during the struggle. “You can’t do this! This isn’t right!”

They finally approached the car, and Sonata opened the backseat door. “That was exhausting,” Sonata sighed as Aria tried to force Pinkie inside the car. Pinkie wrenched one of her hands free and pushed against the top of the car to prevent her from being shoved inside. She did the same thing with her legs.

“Quit it!” Aria grunted, pushing harder. “Get in the car! Now!”

“No!” Pinkie yelled, straining.

“Yes, you--hey...hey, Sonata! Get in that knapsack and get it out!”

Sonata blinked in confusion. “Huh?”

Rolling her eyes, Aria exhaled sharply. “We need her relaxed,” she said pointedly.

Something sparked Sonata’s eyes, and she beamed. “Ohh, I get it!” She opened up the knapsack and dug around.

“I won’t let you do this!” Pinkie grunted, her muscles shaking, threatening to give out. To her surprise, Aria pulled her away from the car, and regained her firm grip over Pinkie’s arms.

Sonata poured some clear liquid from a small bottle onto a handkerchief before screwing the cap back on. She dropped the bottle back inside the knapsack and came closer. “Okay...hold her still,” Sonata said, descending the rag towards Pinkie’s face.

Pinkie’s eyes sparked with fear, and familiar images of her abduction came flooding back to her. She shook her head from side to side, her rosy hair whipping about. “N-No! Please! Please don’t! Help!” she gasped, terrified. Aria gripped her forehead and forced the girl’s face toward the rag.

“Applejack!” Pinkie wailed. “Girls! HELP!” Sonata promptly placed the rag over Pinkie’s face, covering her nose and mouth. Even Aria could smell the pungent fumes and turned her head away, gagging slightly. Pinkie screamed and cried behind the rag, her legs still kicking out.

“It’s alright, Pinkie Pie,” Sonata whispered. “Just relax...relax…”

Despite her desperate attempts, it didn’t take long for Pinkie’s head to start swimming. Colors started to blur together and the sights and sounds around her started to fade in and out, making it difficult for her to tell what was going on. Pinkie slowly stopped struggling, and her sense of dread began to melt into drowsiness, her panicked screams fading into soft muffled moans.

Pinkie’s blue eyes started to slide shut before popping back open in urgence. “Don’t fight it,” Aria said in Pinkie’s ear as her breathing slowed. “Don’t. Just go to sleep...that’s it…” After a few tense seconds, her eyes finally closed as she slipped into a deep sleep. Pinkie’s body sagged completely, but Aria continued to hold her body upright while Sonata held the rag over Pinkie’s face for another few minutes.

“We want her to sleep for a long time,” Aria told Sonata.

“I think it’s better that way,” Sonata agreed, studying the unconscious girl’s face. She removed the rag and helped Aria ease Pinkie’s limp body into the backseat of the car. “But where do we go now, Ari? Our plan’s practically ruined!”

Aria leaned against the car and crossed her arms, subtly catching her breath. “Well, I don’t know...I mean, as long as we have her, we still have a leg up in this. Adagio’s got a plan. Count on that.”

“Pinkiiie!” came a distant voice. “Pinkie!”

Both Sonata and Aria froze.

“Rainbow Dash, I just don’t think she’s out here...she and the Dazzlings are probably out in that other direction like Twilight said. We might be losing them right now!”

“I had to come back here, Rarity. I...I just wanted to make sure. This whole thing still seems funny to me. They were right there inside the house, and then poof! They disappear into thin air! They couldn’t have gotten that far with Pinkie Pie with them.” There was a pregnant pause. “You go over there and I’ll look over here. If we don’t find anything, we’ll go, okay?”

“Oh...oh, alright. Don’t go too far off, Darling.”

The sound of rustling grew nearer, and the Dazzlings tensed. One of them was getting too close. Aria shared a look with Sonata and pointed a finger at Pinkie. “Guard her,” she mouthed as she walked forward. As she peeked out from behind the brush, she could see the top of Rainbow’s bushy multi-colored hair.

“Pinkie!” she called, walking over to the left. “Pinks, can you hear me? It’s me! Pinkie!”

Aria jumped over the brush and decked Rainbow right in the jaw. The athlete was too stunned to even make a sound as she was sent to the ground. Aria drew in a sharp breath and kicked Rainbow’s side, earning a high-pitched grunt. As Rainbow Dash rolled to the side, Aria aimed for another kick, when her hair was pulled back.

Rarity yanked Aria’s pigtails with all her might with a yell. “THEY’RE HERE!” she screamed as Aria caught her by the arm. “GIRLS, THEY’RE HE--”

Aria immediately slapped Rarity across the face, but the fashionista kept at it. Aria slapped Rarity again, but was immediately tackled by Rainbow Dash, sending them both to the ground, knocking the wind out of the Dazzling. “Don’t you DARE hurt my friend!” She pinned the Siren’s arms to the ground and sat on her stomach, making sure she didn’t get away. “Find her!” she said to Rarity over her shoulder. “She can’t be far!”

Catching her breath, Rarity nodded. As soon as she turned around, she was face to face with Sonata Dusk. The blue Siren smiled sweetly. “Hello~!” she thrusted her fist, going for a punch, but Rarity had anticipated that. She grabbed Sonata’s wrist, pulled her forward, and headbutted her. Sonata instantly fell limp at Rarity’s feet.

“Alright!” Rainbow Dash grinned from the ground, still keeping hold to Aria.

Rarity smiled and dusted off her hands. “Thank you, darling,” she quipped. She looked around before going behind the brush. “There’s a car!” she exclaimed. She ran to it and peered inside the window. She gasped, horrified. “Pinkie Pie!”

“Is she okay!?” Rainbow called out anxiously.

“I-I don’t know! She’s not moving! I think she’s unconscious! Oh, don’t worry, sweetie, we’re he--”

Suddenly, Rainbow screamed.

“Rainbow!?” Rarity cried, whirling around. “What…” her voice trailed off when she saw Adagio standing before her, smirking. The Siren’s hair was singed, and her skin looked filthy with black soot on her arms and face.

“Hi there,” Adagio purred, though her voice had a rasp to it. Rarity leaned against the car and spread out her arms in a protecting gesture. With an unlady-like snarl, she glared at the leader of the Dazzlings.

“What did you do.”

Still smirking, Adagio slowly shook her head. “Not what I did, dear.” As soon as the words left her mouth, Chestnut stepped out from behind her, his eyes glowing green.

Rarity’s mouth fell. “Ch-Chestnut!? Chestnut!”

“He can’t hear you,” Adagio smiled as the young man moved toward Rarity. “Thanks to these new pendants, we’ve become stronger...though nothing groundbreaking. Just enough to put dear Chestnut under a simple, easy to do spell. Feeding on Pinkie's negativity has its perks. I could never do this without your friend’s help.”

Rarity breathed heavily as Chestnut drew closer. “What did you do to them!? Chestnut, wake up! You’re under her spe---” Chestnut had seized Rarity by the throat and hoisted her up. Her legs kicked and her nails scratched, but Chestnut seemed unfazed.

“You’ve been very naughty girls,” Adagio said, sauntering up to them. Rarity choked and gagged. “But...out of the goodness of my heart, I’m willing to give you all one last chance.” Upon Adagio’s command, Chestnut dropped Rarity, sending her flat on her stomach.

Rarity gasped and heaved, weakly touching her neck as Adagio knelt down to her level. “Be a good little messenger,” Adagio whispered, “And tell your friends...if you ever come after us again...Pinkie Pie dies.”

With that, she whacked the back of Rarity’s head and stood up.

The last thing Rarity saw was Aria and Adagio helping Sonata to the car.

Delivered

As Rarity awoke, the first thing she saw was the outlined figure of Chestnut towering over her in the bright sunlight. He knelt down and gripped her by the neck. Shocked, Rarity choked and kicked out. “C...Ches...nut….” Her pale fingers grasped at his hand, but his blank stare remained unchanged.

As Rarity struggled feebly, she heard a small thwack, followed by a grunt from Chestnut. Before Rarity could react, the grip on her neck released, and Chestnut fell over to the side.

The fashion designer gasped, feeling the oxygen flow back into her lungs. “Rarity!” Twilight cried, rushing over and kneeling next to her. “Rarity, are you alright?”

Rarity could only cough and splutter, but she managed a nod. Twilight rubbed her back gently. “Deep breaths. It’s alright.”

After a moment, Rarity swallowed hard and shook her head, a single tear rolling down her cheek. “No,” she rasped. “No, it’s not alright!”

As she spoke Sunset Shimmer and Applejack came running up. “Rarity, are you okay?” Sunset asked with concerned eyes.

Rarity beat her fist in the dirt. “No!” Her eyes burned with hot tears. “They got away with Pinkie Pie! S-She was right here in front of me and…”

Twilight quickly pulled her into a hug, her own eyes watering behind her glasses. “I know,” she said, her voice struggling to keep steady. “I know.” Rarity slumped into her embrace and buried her face in Twilight’s shoulder, sobbing mournfully.

Applejack covered her eyes with one hand and released a shuddering sigh.

“D...Don’t worry,” Sunset said desperately, looking around at her friends. “If we could find them once, we can find them agai--”

“No we can’t!” Rarity cried bitterly, lifting her head from Twilight’s shoulder. “Don’t you see? It’s hurting her more than it’s helping! The Dazzlings said if we ever try to come after her again…” Her lower lip trembled, and more tears bloomed in her eyes. “Sunset, they’ll kill her.”

Applejack turned on her heel and walked off while Twilight let out a barely-contained whimper. Sunset looked out into the distance with a look of despair. She didn’t know when the Dazzlings took off, but they were definitely long gone. “Oh, Pinkie.”

After a few moments of silence, Rarity looked at Chestnut’s body. A small pebble lay next to his head. “What happened to him?” She looked up at her friends, only now realizing how beat up and bruised they looked. "What happened to you?"

Sunet bit the inside of her cheek. “It...wasn’t pretty.”

“I don’t see ‘em,” Applejack panted. After an endless amount of time running in the forest, the small group finally came to a stop. “I don’t get it! They’re not anywhere!”

“They have to be somewhere,” Chestnut heaved, putting his hands on his hips. “They couldn’t have gone far.” They stood for a moment, catching their breath.

“Hey...hey where’s Rarity and Rainbow Dash?” Sunset asked, resting her hands on her knees.

Fluttershy leaned against a tree. “I think Rainbow Dash wanted to make sure of something and Rarity went with her.”

Twilight sighed and dropped to her knees before taking off her backpack. “I guess now’s the best time,” she mumbled, fishing her hand inside.

Suddenly, a voice floated through the trees. “Aaah, Aaaah….”

Heads snapped up. “Did you hear that!?” Fluttershy squeaked.

Sunset scowled. “I know that voice anywhere.”

Twilight felt a hand on her shoulder, causing her to look up. “Oh! Oh. What is it Chestnu--” The young girl yelped as she was roughly pushed down to the ground. “Ch-Chestnut!?” The girls whirled around, giving out gasps of shock. Chestnut’s eyes shone green as he pulled back his fist.

Sunset cried out and leapt onto Chestnut’s back and stayed his arm. “Chestnut, what’s gotten into you!?”

A figure appeared out of the trees with a low chuckle. Applejack jerked her head to the side and growled. “Adagio, you let him go right this instant!”

“Oh, I don’t know,” the Siren replied with a smirk. “I think I like him better this way.

Strong….willing...obidient...Just the way I like him.”

“He’s a person!” Fluttershy said loudly, surprising them all. “You can’t just go controlling innocent people into doing what you want! It’s not right!”

“Oh, but Chestnut’s no innocent,” Adagio said. “Anyone willing to put their hands on sweet Pinkie Pie is a person you wouldn’t want on your side. Why don’t I make things easier on you…” She caressed her green gem and smiled. “Chestnut...put the Rainbooms out of commission.”

Immediately, Sunset punched Chestnut’s ear, making him stumble. Applejack immedately kicked her boot in between Chestnut’s legs, making him grunt. And sink low. “Sorry, Chestnut.”

Fluttershy eyed Adagio’s pendant and inhaled deeply. With a not-so-dangerous cry, she charged at Adagio, only to be grabbed by the arm and flipped over to the ground. Fluttershy cried out in pain and opened her eyes. Adagio towered over her with a cruel grin. “Did you really think a weak little girl like you could ever hope to--AAAH~!”

Adagio dropped Fluttershy’s arm and convulsed violently, electric shocks coarsing through her body. Adagio yelled out again, catching Twilight with a device in her hand in her peripheral vision.

The bookworm lunged forward to grab at her pendant, but Adagio managed to deleiver a quick backhand, knocking Twilight’s glasses from her face. “Aah!” she yelled, stumbling back. “My glasses! Where are my glasses!?”

Adagio growled and seized Twilight by the ponytail beofore yanking it back. “You’re going to pay for that, Twilight Sparkle.”

“Too many of us were getting injured all at once,” Sunset sighed. “Eventually, Chestnut managed to take us all. I though for sure Adagio was going to make him kill us. But then she realized that two of us were missing.”

“Then she said that she had other pressing matters to attend to,” Twilight continued in a quiet voice. “She left us in a heap, taking Chestnut with her.” She gave a heavy sigh. “I...I’m so sorry, girls. If i didn’t make those stupid pendants in the first place, this never would have happened.”

“It’s not your fault,” Fluttershy soothed as she finished nursing Rainbow Dash’s head by wrapping spare bandages around her head, and swiftly moved on to Rarity’s injuries. “You only wanted help everyone out.” The girls were sitting near their car, resting from their recent injuries.

“Well…” Rarity said softly. “What do we do now?”

“Well first, we need to get away from Chestnut,” Sunset said grimly, retrieving her car keys. “When he wakes up, he’ll be coming after us. He’s completely under their spell.” She ran a hand through her hair. “I’ll try to think of something, but for now, there’s nothing we can do.”

“I think we should go back,” Fluttershy said quietly.

Rainbow’s head snapped up. “Go back!? No way! We can’t go back, Pinkie needs us!”

“We have to, Rainbow,” Applejack said firmly. “I’m with Fluttershy. There’s nothin’ else we can do right now.”

Rainbow shook her head incredulously. “I don’t believe this!”

She stood up abruptly and Fluttershy held up her hand. “Rainbow, you shouldn’t--”

“We miss our chance one time and now you’re ready to give up!? Applejack, she’s your family! You of all people--”

“WHY DO YOU THINK I WANT TO GO BACK!?” Applejack barked, making them all jump. “Don’t you get it!? If they so much as see the whites of our eyes again, they’ll end her life! D’ya understand that? I’m not gonna gamble with Pinkie’s life! And if you have any bit of common sense and compassion in you, you’ll do the same! Am I clear?”

There was a long, heavy silence. Rainbow Dash had shrunk back, her eyes filled with pain and remorse. She dropped her gaze to the ground and spoke in a surprisingly small voice. “I just...I just feel like we’re abandoning her.” After a few seconds, she met Applejack’s gaze. “Did we fail as friends?”

Before Applejack could open her mouth, a faint buzzing sound cut through the air. “What’s that?” Fluttershy asked, her eyes wide.

The buzzing continued and Sunset’s eyes suddenly lit up. “The Spell Book!” She rushed over to the back of the car and opened up the trunk. “Twilight’s writing back!” She reached into her backpack and pulled out the glowing book before flipping it open. “I brought it along with us in case she wanted to contact but I didn’t think…”

She opened the book to a page where shimmering letters were appearing before her eyes. Her friends crowded around her, looking over her shoulder. “What is she saying?” Rarity asked.

Sunset read out loud.

Dear Sunset Shimmer,

First, let me apologize for taking so long to get back to you. My friends and I, along with the rest of the Princesses and my brother Shining have been debating on what to do. We’ve been working on plans to capture the Dazzlings, but all of them either ended up being life-threatening to Pinkie Pie or the citizens of Equestria. The Sirens are powerful beings, Sunset. They’re not like anything else in this world. No matter how powerful we may be, at the end of the day, we’re still ponies. Ponies are the weakest endurance against the Siren’s song. If we let them through, the toxic power of their voices will be the downfall of us all. Starswirl the Bearded barely escaped with his life when he was forced to send all of the Sirens to another world.

But we haven’t given up just yet. Princess Luna has the ability to see through dreams, but it would prove quite difficult since Pinkie is a human in another world. However, the Pinkie Pie from my our world has volunteered to serve as a conduit to perhaps reach her counterpart through sleep. With Princess Luna’s abilities, we’re hoping that Pinkie could tell her counterpart where the Dazzlings took her. It’s a stab in the dark, but we think it’s worth a try.

I eagerly await your response.

“She doesn’t know what just happened,” Applejack said, shaking her head. “We can’t go through with this.”

“And the alternative is...what?” Rainbow Dash deadpanned. “Let the Sirens take over Equestria while we’re sitting in our classrooms twiddling our thumbs? This could be our last chance to save both their world and Pinkie!”

“But they’ll hurt her if they see us!” Fluttershy said, her eyebrows furrowing.

“Then we won’t be seen,” Twilight said. “We’ll go during the night if we have to.”

“You don’t think the Sirens will be keeping watch?” Rarity argued.

Rainbow Dash slapped the side of her leg. “It’s Sunset’s world! Let her decide!”

All eyes turned to Sunset, making her feel small. She looked down at the pages before her and closed her eyes. After a few moments of silence, her eyes reopened. “One more time,” she said in a low voice. "One more time."

An insane look of terror flashed across Applejack’s face. Fluttershy looked the same way.

“It won’t be like the last time,” Rainbow said softly. “No mistakes. Period.”

Applejack said nothing, but looked at Sunset before nodding slowly, her face still pale. Sunset drew in a sharp breath and quickly jotted down a reply. “Dear Princess Twilight...We’re ready when you are.”

“Where are we going?” Sonata asked from the backseat. Adagio gripped the steering wheel tightly, her eyes narrowed. They had been driving for almost a day, far off into the unknown. There was nothing but flat horizon ahead, filled with sand and dust. The sun was halfway in the air, indicating that the day was about to wind down.

“I’ll find us a place to hide,” she answered back curtly. She glanced into the rear view mirror. “How is she?”

Sonata looked down at Pinkie’s curly head, which was resting on her shoulder. Her body sat slumped next to her with a seat belt on, in case someone happened to glance inside the car. “Still out cold,” she said lightly, patting the pink girl’s cheek. She looked at the back of Adagio and Aria’s heads with intensity. “We’re gonna be okay, right?”

“Of course we are,” Aria answered quickly. “They might’ve ran us out, and they might have Chestnut on their side, but we have the one thing they don’t.” She twisted around in her seat and slapped Pinkie’s knee. “Her.”

A look of deep thought came over Adagio’s face, and a hand went immediately to her new pendant. “And these…” she murmured. Her eyes narrowed as she pushed down on the gas pedal with her foot. “I think I know a place where we could stay. But we’ll need to work together.”

****

A few hours later, Aria spotted a Motel just off the road. There was also a few boarded buildings and shops further down; other than that, it seemed like a ghost town. Adagio pulled into the parking lot, which seemed empty with the exception of a few cars. “Are you sure this’ll work?” Aria asked skeptically as they unbuckled their seat belts.

“We don’t have much of a choice here, Aria,” Adagio frowned, stepping out of the car and slamming the door shut. The rest of the Sirens piled out of the car and stretched their legs.

“Ooh, boy,” Sonata grunted, closing her eyes and stretching her arms above her head. “Mmm, I’m stiff. I think I need to go to the bathroom too!”

“You can go once we get a room,” Adagio told her. She took a bit of her singed hair between her fingers and wrinkled her nose. "And hopefully I can fix this mess." She suddenly stopped and glanced inside the car through the window. Pinkie’s hand moved, and her leg shifted. “Hold on,” she muttered.

She opened the car door and reached past Pinkie’s feet for the knapsack that sat on the floor. Pinkie inhaled quietly as her eyelashes flickered. A small sound emanated from her throat.

“....where am I?” she whispered faintly as she struggled to consciousness.

Adagio said nothing as she fished out the rag and gave it a careful sniff. It wasn’t much, but it would still do the job. In one swift movement, she placed one hand at the back of Pinkie’s head and covered her nose with the rag with the other hand.

Muffled protests escaped Pinkie as she lifted her hand and weakly slapped at Adagio’s arm.

“Shhh,” Adagio said simply. “Shhhh.”

In seconds, the slapping slowed to a stop, her hand falling to her lap. Adagio watched Pinkie’s half-opened eyes cloud over as she was put back under. After a few moments, Adagio removed the rag and gently positioned Pinkie’s head to the side before closing the door.

Adagio smoothed out her clothes and calmly rejoined her sisters. “I only have so much left since I put a lot of work into controlling Chestnut,” she said, fiddling with the small green pendant. “We need to put as much effort into it as possible.”

Her sisters nodded in earnest before they followed her into the main office. Warm air washed over them as the trio entered. The office was fairly small, the walls made out of wood. The cranberry carpet creaked below them with every step, pressing into the weak floorboards. “Oh! Well hello there!”

The girls looked up to see a thin, middle-aged man with a bushy purple mustache approach behind the main desk. His brown eyes twinkled as the Dazzlings stepped forward. “Welcome to the Last Chance Motel! What can I do for you lovely young ladies today?”

“We’re here for a room,” Adagio said, putting her hands on her hips.

“Of course...:” His gaze shifted from girl to girl. “Family vacation?”

“You could say that,” Aria said, folding her arms.

The man grabbed a nearby pen and scribbled something down. “Would you like a room upstairs or downstairs?”

Aria jerked her thumb towards Sonata. “She’s afraid of heights.”

“Downstairs it is then.”

Sonata’s mouth fell open “Hey, no I--”

“One more thing, ladies, before handing in your key,” the man said, walking around the desk with the paper in his hands. “Are your parents outside? I’d like to know if they prefer cash or credit!” His head lifted towards the open door and he suddenly squinted his eyes. “S’ that a girl sleeping in that car? Another sister perha--”

A hand was gently placed on his shoulder, and a pair of lips appeared near his ear.

“Ahh...Ahhh…”

Two more voices joined in as the Dazzlings began to circle around the man. “Ahhh….Ahhhh…”

As the Dazzlings vocalized, the older man’s features relaxed, and his eyes began to turn green. As Aria and Sonata continued singing, Adagio whispered in his ear. “We’re a bit short on cash,” she said softly. “That girl in the car, she’s awfully ill, and we’re taking care of her. It would mean so very much to us if you could help us out…”

After a moment’s pause, the man nodded, almost robotic. “Of course,” he said in a vacant tone. “I’d be happy to help.” Blinking his green eyes, he walked over to the counter and retrieved something. “Here is your key,” he said, holding out a small object made of silver. “Room 106. I hope it is to your liking.”

A large smirk crossed Adagio’s face as she grabbed the key. “You’re a treasure,” she said sweetly as she silenced her sisters’ singing with a hand. “And...just to clear things up, are we able to stay here as long as we’d like?”

The man nodded again with a smile. “As long as you would like.”

Aria leaned in and pressed a finger in his chest. “And make sure no room service comes to bother us.”

“Unless they deliver food,” Sonata smiled. Aria was quick to elbow her with a scowl. “Oww, what?”

The man nodded once more, smiling pleasantly. “Enjoy your stay, ladies.”

Pinkie? Hellooo, Pinkie! Are you there?

Through the thick, black fog, Pinkie perked up at the sound. ...Hello? W-Who’s that?

There you are! It took me forever to find you!

Find me?

Uh huh! Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. Silly me. Hi, I’m you!

You’re me?

Well, the other you! The you from Equestria!

You...mean you’re the pony version of me?

Yep! Pretty neat, huh?

Oh wow...I’ve always wanted to meet me...I mean you!

Can you say coincidence? So have I! Though...I hoped we would meet in better circumstances. Pony Pinkie’s voice sagged slightly. I’m really sorry this happened to you. But we’re gonna help get you out if it!

You are? How are you gonna do that?

Well right now, I’m asleep and so are you! Luna’s helping me link my dreams to yours. It was kinda hard to find you though, since you’re not really dreaming anything. But do you think you can you tell me where you are so I can tell the others where to find you?

I...I’m sorry. I don’t know. I don’t know where I am.

Pony Pinkie paused. Hmm. Maybe there’s a clue somewhere? Any detail you remember might be really helpful.

Human Pinkie was silent for a moment. Well...the last last thing I remember is a sign. I think it might have said ‘Motel’.

Motel, huh? Hey, that might help!

Human Pinkie sighed. I doubt it. I appreciate what you’re trying to do, me. But...It’s probably not gonna work out. I...don’t think I’ll be around for much longer anyway.

What? No! Don’t say that, Pinkie! Your friends are coming! They’re going to get you out, I know they will! Don’t lose faith now!

I tried, Pinkie. I really really tried. But I’m tired of trying. I’m tired of making everyone suffer because of me. I’m tired of being afraid. I don’t even care about going home so much anymore. I just want it all to end.

It broke Pony Pinkie’s heart to hear her counterpart sound so sad. Please don’t say that, Pinkie! We’re the element of laughter! We’ve got to face our fears, remember? You’ve gotta hang on!

These Ghosties are real, Pinkie Pie. I can’t laugh them away. Not this time. I’m sorry...

Pinkie--

If you really are able contact my friends...when I'm...well...just tell them I love them, okay?

But Pinkie--

Please?

There was a long pause before Pony Pinkie gave a small, sad sigh of defeat. Okay. But you’re gonna tell them yourself, alright? You’ll get out if this. I promise. Pinkie promise. As Pony Pinkie felt herself being pulled back into the light, Human Pinkie spoke once more.

I’m really glad I got to finally meet you.

“A Motel,” Sunset read out loud. She sat horizontally in the passenger seat as Rarity drove. “Pinkie said she remembered some kind of Motel.”

“Did she say which kind?” Rainbow asked from the backseat.

Sunset shook her head. “No, that’s all she knows.”

Twilight quickly whipped out her phone. “Hold on. I might be able to do a GPS scan on any nearby Motels. It should be relatively easy to find since we’re in a non-civilized area…”

After a few seconds, the phone pinged. “There's about two of those nearby. One's in Splint Village, and another's in a town called Thorn Barrel way out East. It’s 50 miles away!”

“Could be it,” Applejack said, nervously fiddling her fingers together.

Sunset slapped her hand on the dashboard. “Rarity, turn it around!"

“Sonata, shut those blinds!” Adagio hissed.

Sonata sighed in slight annoyance and drew the blinds shut, blocking out the view of the beautiful stars above. “But it looks so pretty out tonight!” she complained. “As much as I hate this place, I kind of want to get a last look at it before we go back.”

“Well now’s not the time for that,” Adagio replied gruffly. Her gaze shifted to Pinkie Pie, who was lying across the second bed on her side. She was awake, but barely. They had tied up her hands and feet just in case, but Pinkie barely had the strength to lift her head from one of the large pillows.

“We can’t risk anyone seeing her.”

A scoff came from the Motel sink across the room. “Like who?” she said as she washed her face while looking in the mirror. “There’s literally no one out here, if you don’t count the old fool that runs this place.”

“I’m taking extra caution this time,” Adagio scowled, moving one of the extra chairs in front of the door. She double checked the locks to make sure they were secure. “And so should you two. It may not seem like it, but we got lucky.” She sat down next to Sonata on the first bed and sighed. “We can’t stay here for long. We need to find out where we’re gonna stay.”

“But Adagio, we’ve already won,” Aria said, grabbing a nearby towel. “They have no other options. Soon, they’ll have the portal ready and we’ll be back in Equestria in no time!”

Sonata swung her feet at the side of the bed, looking thoughtful. “Are we really gonna let her go?” she asked. “Y’know when it’s all over.”

“That was the deal,” Adagio said a matter of factly. She propped her elbows on her knees and looked over at her sister. “Why, do you have something else in mind?”

Aria looked over her shoulder, looking equally curious.

“Well…” Sonata stood up and walked over to the second bed, standing over Pinkie’s drowsy form. “It does get kinda lonely sometimes when you’re ruling over everypony in Equestria. I mean, hanging out with you girls and watching ponies fight each other is great. But...I kind of always wanted to have...some sort of friend…”

She reached down and ruffled Pinkie’s curls. Her blue eyes slowly met Sonata’s before her eyelids grew heavy again. The Siren smiled. “I think I might keep her...as a pet!”

“No,” Pinkie cried out weakly.

Adagio and Aria shared a look of surprised amusement. “Well...I don’t see why not,” Adagio said with a light smirk. “Though...it would be awfully upsetting to the Rainbooms, don’t you think?”

“Since when did we owe the Rainbooms anything?” Aria said, walking up to them. “After the stunt they pulled, they’re lucky she’s even alive right now. Besides…” She placed her hands on her hips and lifted her chin. “We’re Sirens. And Sirens take what they want. They should know that by now.”

“Yeah,” Sonata agreed, still petting Pinkie’s head. “I mean...I’m still thinking about it, but...I dunno. They’d get over it someday, wouldn't they?Make another new friend maybe. They have no idea how stressful ruling can be sometimes!”

Aria gave her a playful punch on the arm. “Y’know, I’m really impressed Sonata. I always thought our years living here made you soft, but now...now you’re like your old self again!”

Adagio nodded. “You have grown up some, Sonata.”

Pinkie pushed her bound wrists against the bed and tried to hoist herself up, but instantly flopped back onto the bed. “Nooo,” she groaned in a faint voice.

Sonata rubbed her shoulder. “Shh, it’s alright. You’ll like Equestria. And since you belong to me, you’ll be the best treated pony in all the world! It’ll be fun!”

Pinkie could only whimper in response.

Just then, there was a knock on the door, making the Dazzlings freeze. “Room service,” a voice said. Sonata covered Pinkie’s mouth while Aria stood absolutely still.

“I thought we told that old fool no room service!” Adagio growled under her breath. “We don’t need any, thank you!” she called, walking toward the door.

“Lady, I’ve got a bunch ‘o fresh towels here,” the voice said a bit irritably. “It literally takes two seconds. Lemme do my job here!”

Adagio was ready to retort when she realized something. She glanced at the alarm clock on the dresser between the two beds and frowned.

“You’re delivering towels at 10:50 at night?”

There was a pause at the other end. “Yes ma'am. We'll be delivering something alright."

Crash!

The Sirens yelled out in shock as a large object broke through the window and tore through the blinds before landing on the floor. Adagio’s mouth dropped as it slowly rose up. It was Sunset.

All at once, more figures jumped in through the window, screaming.

Adagio and Aria quickly found themselves trying to fend them all off while Sonata tried to drag Pinkie to the back of the room. Twilight and Rarity, however, quickly sprung into action. Rarity grabbed Pinkie’s arms and pulled while Twilight wrapped her arms around Sonata’s waist.

“Let her go!” she yelled, straining. “Girls, get the pendants!”

Rainbow Dash and Sunset gripped Adagio’s arms while Fluttershy grabbed the green pendant and yanked it off the Siren’s neck, earning a sharp yelp. "That was for this morning," she said triumphantly.

“Fluttershy, over here!” Applejack yelled as she struggled with Aria.

Fluttershy rushed over and paused as both Applejack and Aria crashed on the floor and started rolling around, throwing punches. “Hold her still!” Fluttershy said nervously, almost tripping over them.

“I’m tryin’!” Applejack yelled back before suffering a blow to the face. Aria flipped her over and pinned her arms under her knees. The farm girl looked up at Aria’s enraged violet eyes and grunted. “Get off me!”

Aria smiled maliciously. “I don’t think so,” she panted, using her sharp fingernails to dig into Applejack’s skin. “Y’know, hick? I think I enjoy punching you almost as much as I enjoy punching her.” Her smile widened as she watch Applejack’s green eyes light up with fury. But that smile soon fell as she felt a harsh tugging at her neck. “Ech!”

Behind her, Fluttershy yanked the pendant string from Aria’s neck. Feeling the negative energy leave her, Aria gasped out and fell on top of Applejack. “Big meanie,” Fluttershy growled.

Applejack threw the Siren off, letting her roll of to the side. She stood up stiffly and leaned over the groaning heap beneath her. Aria’s eyes briefly flickered with fear as Applejack’s cold stare bore into her. “Now let’s see how you like it!” With a yell, Applejack kicked her boot into Aria’s face.

Meanwhile Fluttershy turned to Rarity and Twilight, still struggling with Sonata. Pinkie was now on the floor in a heap. Fluttershy gasped and rushed over to her friend before falling to her knees, setting the pendants aside. “Pinkie Pie!” She carefully brought her friend up to a sitting position against the wall and touched her cheek. “Pinkie…”

“No!” Sonata screamed as she struggled in Twilight and Rarity’s arms. “Don’t you dare go near her! She’s ours!”

“She doesn’t belong to anyone, you monster!” Rarity yelled. “Least of all you!”

Rainbow quickly ran up and delivered an uppercut to Sonata’s jaw, leaving her stunned. She snatched the pendant off and smashed it against the wall. “That’s for my friend!” Both Twilight and Rarity released the blue Siren and she fell back against the sink and slumped to the floor.

Fluttershy held up the other two pendants for Rainbow to take. With a nod, Rainbow Dash picked them up and promptly destroyed them both.

Sunset Shimmer looked over at Applejack, who was still punching Aria in a fit of rage. “Applejack!” she yelled, running. Said girl didn’t seem to hear her. Her knuckles became almost as bloodied as Aria’s nose. The Siren cried out for her to stop, but the punches kept coming. Sunset quickly blocked one of Applejack’s hits and pushed her against the bed’s base. “Applejack, stop! Stop.” Applejack’s face was damp with sweat. She panted and heaved as Sunset rubbed her shoulders. “It’s okay. Stop. It’s okay.”

Applejack’s breathing slowed gradually as she looked at her friend and then down at Aria’s swollen face. Sunset nodded at her. “It’s okay,” she repeated softly.

Applejack nodded slowly. She lay there panting softly before looking over. “Pinkie…” She started to crawl over, but Sunset was there to help stand the both of them up. “Thanks…”

They slowly moved past Adagio’s fallen form to where the rest of their friends had gathered around Pinkie. Rarity was untying Pinkie’s hands while Rainbow Dash worked on her ankles. Pinkie looked dazed as Fluttershy stroked her cheek lightly. “It’s going to be okay,” she whispered, smiling tearfully. “You’re safe now.”

Pinkie Pie blinked at the familiar faces crowded around her. “Is this...real?” she croaked, her eyes watering.

Rarity untied the last of the ropes, revealing the deep rope burns and scars on Pinkie’s skin. “Oh, sweetheart…”

Applejack knelt down in front of Pinkie, and pursed her lips to keep herself from crying. She had several bruises on her face and arms, and her hair was a tangled mess. She was much thinner than before and her eyes were weary and haunted.

This was Pinkie Pie.

“Pinkie?” she asked faintly.

Pinkie’s eyes widened as she realized what was happening. “Y-You’re really here,” she gasped out, a wobbly smile spreading across her face. “It’s really really you!” As Rainbow Dash finished untying her feet, Pinkie let out a weak laugh. “Ha..ha ha…”

Tears rolled down her face, and her entire body began to shake. “Haa…” Pinkie’s laughter turned into sobs as Applejack gently pulled her into a tight hug. Pinkie latched her arms around her cousin and openly cried into her shoulder.

The rest of the girls surrounded her with equally fierce hugs, whispering comforting words. Not one eye was dry. “I’m sorry, Sugarcube,” Applejack choked. “I’m so sorry…”

Pinkie cried harder, her chest heaving. “Thank you,” she sobbed quietly. Her trembling hands gripped onto her friends, as if they could float away at any moment. “Thank you…”

Sunset rubbed her back, nuzzling her cheek into Pinkie’s hair. “It’s over,” she whispered, causing Pinkie to cry even louder. “It’s all over.”

“Like Hell it is.”

The girl’s heads snapped up as they saw a very beaten up Adagio standing in the doorway. Sonata and Aria were behind her, limping into their car. The lead Siren pointed a finger at Pinkie Pie as she backed away. “This isn’t over,” she hissed. “You’ll all pay for this. Especially you, Pinkie Pie. When the time comes...when you least expect it...I’ll kill you.”

Pinkie eyes widened in sheer terror. Before any of the girls could react, Adagio bolted for the car and jumped inside. The car quickly backed up and sped off into the night, leaving them in silence.

Rainbow Dash ran over to the doorway and watched as the car kicked up dust further down the road. Growling, she punched the door frame in anger. “Ergh! I shouldv’e watched them! We had ‘em!”

Sunset appeared next her, her eyes narrowing at the dark road. “Forget them...for now. Our main priority now is getting Pinkie to a hospital.”

Pinkie perked up and shook her head wildly. “N-No, it’s okay! It’s fine, I…” she sniffed breifly. “I don’t need a hospital.”

Rarity gave her a concerned yet stern look. “Sweetheart, yes you do.” she clicked her tongue sadly as she ran her fingers over Pinkie’s scars, making the pink girl wince in pain. “Oh, look at what those monsters did to you.”

“I’m afraid you’ll have to go, Pinkie,” Twilight said gently, sitting down beside her. “It’s just to see if you’re all right.”

Pinkie shook her head again. “I’m fine, really! I just…” she attempted to stand up but let out a pained squeak when she tried to support herself on her hands. Fluttershy and Applejack gently held her still as she tried to move. “I just want to go home. Please...I just want to go home.”

The girls shared a look of deep concern. “We’ll do our best, Pinkie,” Applejack said, taking her hand. “You just rest now. We won’t let anyone hurt you. I promise.”

Pinkie’s features relaxed considerably. She nodded and rested her head against the wall, closing her eyes.

It could have been the drugs still in her system that was making her so tired. Or maybe perhaps it was the warmth of Applejack’s voice, or the fact that she was rapidly coming down from her constant adrenaline rush.

Either way, Pinkie passed out.