Taken

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.”