Taken

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.