Taken

“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.

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.”