Chapters A few months after the Battle of the Bands the three former sirens were sitting in their apartment and reconsidered their options. Or rather, Adagio did.
Aria and Sonata were too busy playing some first person shooter on their console and as far as Adagio was concerned, they could play it all damn day if it meant they weren't picking on each other so she could study a leaflet she recently picked up while she looked for a new school they could enroll.
But for all intents and purposes, the three would never go back to Canterlot High or things could take an ugly turn there.
She didn't worry about financial security, the former sirens got that covered while they still had their pendants.
“Fuck! Why, you little cheater...!” Aria said to Sonata and the latter giggled. That snapped Adagio out of her daydreaming pretty fast.
“Aria! Watch that filthy little mouth of yours!” she snapped at Aria and took a sip from her coffee.
“Sorry... I just can't control it sometimes!” Aria replied and covered the lower half of her face with the game controller and Adagio just gave her a disapproving glare. She got back to her leaflet and continued studying it.
'Hm... looks like that school has quite the reputation...' she thought and took another sip.
They paused the game they were playing and Aria looked like she expected to get another stern talking from Adagio for using foul language. This, however, wasn't the case.
“Now that I've got your attention, I have some news for you. We're enrolling at Crystal Prep Academy. It's a private school and I'm certain they'll take anyone if their wallet is big enough...” Aria looked annoyed.
“But why? We have everything we'll ever need. We're sitting on tons of cash. Literally! We'll never need to work in our entire lives.
“Need I remind you two that we're immortal? That we practically know next to nothing about this world and that some proper education is beneficial? We will enroll there, whether you two like it or not” Adagio said matter-of-factly and then Aria decided to take a look at the leaflet Adagio was still holding in her right hand. Adagio threw it to her and went to the kitchen to get herself a glass of wine.
“Wait... school uniforms? I won't wear that. You and Sonata can do whatever you want, but I won't wear this shit! Especially not in public!”
“Aria Blaze! For the last time, watch your language!” Aria groaned and decided to take Adagio head on.
“Oooh, whatcha gonna do 'bout it? Send me to my room and forbid me to use the Internet? It's always about what you want; never about what I or the worst there want. It's always about doing your bidding and I'm sick of it!” she nearly screamed at Adagio.
The latter listened calmly to what Aria had to say and put her glass of wine on the table.
“Oh, and whose fault is it that we lost our powers and that we still don't know how to get back to Equestria? Fuck this shit!”
“First, you will stop calling your sister 'the worst' and second, you will stop using language like you were raised in the gutter! And third, you will do as I say! I don't care about how old you are! You're a spoiled little brat and I'm sick of your sassy attitude all the time!
“I HATE YOU!” she yelled at Adagio and slammed her door before she locked it. The siren mother sighed and took a seat in front of the TV and turned off the game console. She couldn't care less about saving and progress. She wasn't interested in such games anyway.
About half an hour after Adagio slapped her firstborn daughter, Sonata came out of her room again and her mother noticed that she was afraid. Obviously of her. Sonata tried to make as little noise as possible while she made herself a sandwich.
“Come here, Sonata” Adagio said calmly.
“Sometimes I really don't know how to deal with her... I just lose control and I slapped her. Not that she didn't deserve it tough...” Adagio said and sighed. Sonata didn't know how to deal with this constant arguing between Adagio and Aria too, so she wished her mother a good night and retreated to her room.
*****
The next morning Adagio prepared breakfast because it was her turn and while at it, Aria stormed out of the apartment and slammed the front door behind her. Adagio rushed after her daughter.
“Aria! Get back in the house! I'm not preparing the damn breakfast for nothing!”
Adagio groaned and went back into their apartment, only to find that Sonata still didn't get out of bed.
Adagio opened the curtains to let the bright sunlight in and didn't exactly take a silent approach.
“Now, young lady! Get up and in the kitchen! The breakfast is getting cold!” she commanded and Sonata slowly woke up and groaned.
“Just... just five more minutes, mom...” she replied and pulled the blanket over her head.
“Five minutes. If you're not out of the bed by then, you'll get an ice cold shower” Adagio said and left the room. She sat down at the table and poured coffee into her mug.
She looked on her phone to ensure that Sonata wasn't expanding her five more minutes and just as Adagio wanted to stand up and drag her youngest daughter out of bed for good while pouring ice cold water over her head, she appeared at the table and looked like she was about to fall asleep again on the chair.
Adagio was certain that she spent her time on the Internet until 4 A.M. or so, but as long as she got up in the morning, Adagio didn't pay that any mind. She looked to her left and right and had a puzzled look.
“Where's Ari?” she asked.
“Well, your sister decided to leave. She didn't tell me where and I didn't want to chase after her like she's a seven year old girl throwing a tantrum” Adagio said while smearing some butter on a slice of toast.
“Oh, ok...” Sonata replied and yawned.
“Coffee, sweetheart?” Adagio asked her and Sonata nodded. At least Sonata was well behaved, or her mother would end up in the psych ward sooner or later. Probably sooner.
Dealing with Arias antics was more than enough. What Adagio just couldn't stand, was Arias extensive use of foul language.
“Sweetie, please text your sister that she better gets back here until 12 A.M. sharp because we have an appointment with the principal of Crystal Prep in the afternoon. I forgot to mention that yesterday because she made me so furious...”
“Sure, but can I finish eating first?” she asked. Adagio nodded and smiled gently. “Of course, sweetie...”
She took her mug on the balcony and lit up a cigarette. Sonata didn't smoke and Adagio was grateful for that. Aria, on the other hand though... Sometimes her room reminded her of a gas chamber used to execute murderers because Aria always forgot to open her window to let the smoke out.
At least she kept it tidy. Her mother argued with her many times over the clutter she always had and in the end after much arguing and slaps in Arias face she finally understood that Adagio would never tolerate it.
Adagio just couldn't stand untidiness, it outraged her like little else. She hated clutter with a burning passion.
“Just wait until you get home...!” Adagio said through gritted teeth and threw the phone on the table.
“I did as you asked. Though she didn't reply yet, but she read it already...”
“Thank you. If we miss that appointment, then Aria will be sorry that she was ever born, I can tell you that much. I'm really tired having to put up with her annoying attitude” she said and Sonata didn't comment on that. Her phone vibrated and it was a message from Aria.
“Mom? Aria wrote back. She said that she'll be back soon” Sonata informed her mother.
“Good... But I swear to god, this is the last time she blocked me. I hate that! She's in for it as soon as she moves her skinny butt through my door.”
She finished her cigarette, went back inside and booted up her laptop in order to look up the site of Crystal Prep Academy to refresh her knowledge about it. The leaflet she read yesterday didn't provide her with enough information.
'This Principal Cinch looks like she rules her school with an iron fist. I like that... Not like this Celestia from Canterlot High...' , Adagio thought and navigated further through the site. Then she found the section about some “Friendship Games”.
“Oh, you've gotta be kiddin' me!” Adagio said.
“Of all the schools in Canterlot, why do they have to compete every time with CHS? Is that some kind of cruel joke!?”
'I'm over 50 years old and yet I still cannot believe that I look like some girl who has barely reached her twenties... I suppose the decision to become immortal wasn't a bad one after all, even though it played a part that we got banished to this... Earth' she thought and stepped into the shower. Adagio liked to shower rather hot and soon the bathroom was filled with steam.
Back when she was with her daughters at CHS, nobody mentioned it to her or her daughters. But Adagio supposed their time there was too short to hear about all the things that had to do with Canterlot High, so she didn't pay it any further thoughs. She just hoped that she and her little family didn't have to participate in some silly competition between the two schools.
Just as she started to clean herself up, she heard that Aria must've been back home, because she argued with Sonata. Again.
She sighed and hurried up before the two started to attack each other physically.
“I tell ya, I don't want to stop by that fucking Taco Bell again! I can't tell you how much tacos disgust me by now! I should get one just to shove it up your cock-loving, filthy little cunt, you dumb bitch!” Aria yelled and Sonata stormed into her room while yelling back.
“I'm gonna tell mom what you just said! And I don't care if she beats you up with her belt again!”
“Did you... Fuck!” she said and tried to escape to her room like yesterday evening. Adagio chased after her and grabbed one of her pigtails.
“Oh yes, I heard everything you said to your sister. And you won't get away with this, you little...!” she said and dragged her no-good daughter back into the living room.
“No! You can't do this to me anymore! I'm an adult!” Aria protested.
“I don't care! And you certainly don't behave your age! Let's see how well you behave after I beat some sense in you again! It's long overdue! And when I'm finished, you're gonna apologize to your sister, or else...!” she said through gritted teeth while looking for something she could use as a tool of punishment. She chose a wooden cooking spoon and she never let go of Arias one twin ponytail.
Her mother was by far stronger than her and her fear as well as her desperation grew with every second.
“Mom, please! Don't do this! I promise to not doing this ever again, honest! Just don't beat me up again!”
“OW!” Aria yelled and began to cry.
“Mom! Please! I learned my lesson! Please stop!”
“Oh really? I don't think so. First things first...” she said and placed some more blows onto Arias ass.
“You will never again block me in WhatsApp or whatever! You will NEVER again say such awful things to Sonata. She's your sister, for gods sake! And you will stop the backtalking to me all the time! I can't tell you how sick of this I am!” Adagio said and blew some more strikes until the spoon broke in half.
She decided then that it was enough and Aria stood up, but didn't dare to run away to her room yet. She was shocked because it's been quite a while since the last time. Adagio remained seated and pointed to the couch on the other side of the coffee table and Aria sat down immediately.
“If you give me any reason to, I will beat you again and again until you finally understand to behave decently. Am I understood, young missy?” she asked Aria with a very stern voice. Aria nodded.
“I'm not hearing anything...” Adagio pressed.
“Yes mother, you are understood” Aria replied with a barely audible voice and suddenly decided that something on the floor was so fascinating that it required her immediate attention.
“Look at me when I'm talking to you, Aria Blaze!” Adagio commanded and Aria complied about the tenth of a second later.
“You will stop using foul language all the time. I raised you better than that! Is that clear?”
“Yes, mother” Aria said with a miserable voice.
“Good. Now that this has been taken care of, you'll go to your sister and apologize. After that you'll take a shower and make yourself look presentable. And don't get any ideas. You'll dress up decently and not like some stupid pop queen. You may go now” Adagio commanded and Aria couldn't get away fast enough from her mother.
Adagio heard Aria apologize to Sonata and was pleased with the results. Then she went into her own room to dry her rather voluminous and magnificent orange hair.
Adagio's hair took quite a while to dry, even with the help of a hair dryer. She didn't like doing this, but her hairstyle was worth it. It was a real eye catcher and Adagio liked people, male and female alike looking at her in astonishment. It made her feel good. It made her feel superior. Which she was.
With that taken care of, she got herself dressed in a rather fancy outfit that made her look like a mean lawyer. She admired herself and the tight skirt which made her hips look even better.
'Well then, I hope that little brat Aria and Sonata are finished too, or else...!' she thought and left for Arias room. She tried to enter it, but of course her wayward daughter locked the door. Adagio rolled her eyes and knocked at the door.
“Open up, or you're in for it when we're back again. I mean it!” she said calmly and a couple of seconds later Aria opened up.
“What?” she asked in an annoyed tone and her mother forced her way into Arias room.
“Well, at least you did as I asked. But how many times do I have to tell you to open your damn window? It smells in here like in some backwater bar. Are you stupid or something?” Adagio asked and Aria gritted her teeth, said nothing and opened up her window.
“Good, now grab your things and move your skinny butt into the car. And don't get any ideas again. No smoking in the car, is that clear?” Adagio asked.
“Yes, mother” Aria answered while filling her handbag with some necessities.
Adagio left and Sonata was ready for the appointment as well, she waited in the kitchen and drank orange juice.
“Mom, can we eat some tacos in the city when we're finished at this crystally school?”
Adagio rolled her eyes. Again. Sonata annoyed her with her love for tacos.
“Tacos? We're eating that at least three or four times a week. Even if Aria had the wrong approach with her words, she nevertheless does have a point. We're taking a break from Taco Bell for now... I want something else. I'll decide what we'll get...” she said matter-of-factly and Sonata wanted to protest.
“But mom...!”
“No! My decision is final. Get in the car!” she commanded and pointed towards the door which led to the garage. Sonata did as Adagio ordered, but mumbled some insults directed at her sister under her breath.
“What was that, Ms. Dusk?”
“Nothing! I was just thinking aloud!” Sonata defended herself. She certainly didn't also want to get punished by her mother like Aria.
“Thought so. What's taking Aria so long anyway!?” she asked herself and went back to Arias room. She found her sitting at her desk, texting someone and smoking.
“Aria! What did I tell you! The car! Now!” she yelled and really wanted to slap her, but didn't because it wouldn't look so good if Aria showed up at CPA with a slap mark across her cheek.
“Okok! No need to yell at me, Jesus!” Aria said and put out her half smoked cigarette.
“Apparently there is a need to” Adagio said while Aria walked past her and her mother gave her a slap on the butt.
“Ow! What was that for again?” Aria asked and finally started to move faster.
“Faster! We're already late if we don't hurry! Now move it!” she said and entered the car. It was a quite expensive Mercedes imported from Germany, black in color and with quite some horsepower under its hood.
She loved the sound. She loved how it felt. And she loved speeding so much even though she got pulled over a couple of times but never received at ticket back when she had her charming powers. She just sang a short tune to the police officers and that was it. No tickets, no questions asked.
But now she couldn't do that anymore. But that wouldn't stop her from speeding every now and then. The tickets were ridiculous compared to the vast fortune she and her daughters collected from some bank hundreds of miles away.
Adagio “rented” a car, which means that she and her daughters charmed the guy who was renting cars and he gave it away for free.
To say that it was worth it, would be the understatement of the century. After they got their loot safely home, Adagio drove the van alone far out of Canterlot and set it alight. Aria later picked her up and after they got home, Sonata already got all the cash into the living room and took a bath in it like Scrooge McDuck.
Even though Adagio found tacos rather annoying, she smiled nevertheless when she remembered Sonata asking herself how much tacos they could get with roughly $200,000,000.
She snapped out of her thoughts and drove the car out onto the streets and she couldn't resist making a fast and loud getaway from their neighborhood just to annoy their nosy neighbors. Adagio was certain of it that they were jealous of her expensive German car.
It didn't take them long to reach Crystal Prep Academy and when they got out of the car, Adagio didn't bother to take off her sunglasses.
Adagio took a closer look at the building of Crystal Prep Academy and it immediately reminded her of the Crystal Empire before King Sombra took over it. She wondered if he still was in power. If the Solar Empress still tolerated his reign over the crystal ponies or rather, his slaves. If they were at war with each other. She shrugged it off and focused at the task at hand.
“I hope that I don't need to remind you that I'm not your mother while we're here. And let me do the talking, is that understood?” she asked her daughters.
“Yes, we're not that stupid” they answered in unison and it made Adagio smile on the inside. Her beloved daughters were so different and yet, so alike at the same time. Adagio nodded in approval and they got on their way.
Adagio and her daughters walked over the front yard like a boss. Like they were going to be the new leaders of this school. Like they owned the place. They got peculiar looks from the students and they whispered. Adagio put on a wicked smile and they made a big entrance into the CPA building. Adagio looked around and an adult woman with pink skin and a kind looking face were approaching them.
“Ah, I was expecting you. You must be the new students” she said and stretched out her right hand. Adagio took it and finally took off her sunglasses.
“We are” she said in the exact same tone back at CHS when Sunset Shimmer was greeting them.
“Pleasure to meet you. I'm Dean Cadence. I will take you to Principal Cinch and when you three are finished with her, I'll show you around the school” she said and Adagio nodded.
“Of course. We're looking forward to it, Mrs. Cadence” Adagio answered and it made Dean Cadence laugh rather uncomfortably.
“Oh, I'm not married yet, Miss Dazzle” she said and tried to hide her reddening cheeks, but Adagio noticed them nevertheless and grinned.
“Is that so? Would've thought so because such a good looking woman like yourself sure must be already married. The men must be preying on you all the time” she pressed on and it made the Deans cheeks even redder.
“Oh no, not at all. You see, I am already engaged to someone very special” she answered and it was obvious to Adagio that this woman had something to hide.
'Probably with someone of her older students. I wonder who it is...' she thought and the awkward silence she caused didn't bother her in the slightest. In fact, it amused her.
After all, she was at least twenty years older than this Cadence even though she looked far from being over fifty years old.
“Mrs. Cinch, these girls are the new students. Or at least, so I think” she said and the former sirens approached the desk of the principal of Crystal Prep.
“Thank you, Cadence. Before you leave, I have a little favor to ask” she said without looking up from her paperwork.
“Of course, Mrs. Cinch” Cadence answered.
“Please check upon Ms. Sparkle. I'm actually a bit worried about her. She refuses to tell me in detail why she's researching this... Canterlot High. Not that I mind a bit of useful espionage that will help us win the Friendship Games” she said, always looking on her paperwork and Adagio panicked a little on the inside. Was it because the Battle of the Bands and the fight with these insufferable Rainbooms?
“Yes, Mrs. Cinch” Cadence said and left.
“Please, take a seat” she said and the little family sat down, with Adagio in the middle.
The principal continued for a few minutes her paperwork and took then a look at the applications Adagio sent her.
“You were at CHS? Why did you leave this school after not even two weeks, if I may ask?” Principal Cinch asked nobody in particular while she continued reviewing the applications.
“Well, we didn't like it there and that's all you need to know” Adagio said and started to get annoyed. She hated such interviews, especially if there were questions involved that could lead to an unpleasant situation. She opened up her handbag and pulled out an envelope she prepared in advance for the Principal to avoid a long and tiring interview. She threw it rather disrespectfully onto the desk of Abacus Cinch.
“What is this?”
“$25,000 in cash for you and you alone if you grant us a place at this fine school of yours” Adagio answered.
“I just want to skip these... pleasantries and I'd like to get straight to the point. You get this money, we enroll at your school. End of story. What happened at CHS is of no concern to you. And you'll get tomorrow an additional $25,000 if we can stay out of the Friendship Games” Adagio concluded and looked at Mrs. Cinch like someone who knew she'd already won. Mrs. Cinch took the envelope and put it into a drawer of her desk.
“Of course, Ms. Dazzle. You and your sisters may enroll at my reputable school. You'll get your school uniforms from the Dean. You may leave” she said and continued on her paperwork.
The Dazzlings left and Adagio was relieved that this was over so quick. Even though they lost their siren powers, they were far from being powerless. Money indeed was power and in some cases a lot more useful than their magic powers.
Dean Cadence apparently was finished checking upon some girl named Sparkle and was waiting for them in the hallway.
“Finished so soon?” she asked in genuine surprise.
“Yes, so soon. Now, show us around first please and when we're finished, we'd like to receive the fine school uniforms of your school” Adagio almost said like it was an order.
“Uhm... Of course. This way, please” the Dean answered and Adagio noticed that she made this woman uncomfortable. She grinned wickedly and was looking forward to some fun times at this school. Dean Cadence showed them around and it was obvious to Adagio from the very beginning that the Crystal Prep Academy had a lot more to offer than Canterlot High. Because its students had wealthy parents.
Adagio and her daughters then received their new uniforms in fancy bags that looked like they were from some expensive boutique.
“Thank you, Ms. Cadence. We're really looking forward to be students of your school” Adagio said while she took on her sunglasses which made her look like a pilot if she wouldn't wear some fancy lawyers outfit.
The three Dazzlings left the school exactly like they entered it and Adagio looked like she just bought the whole damn place. Students were starting to point at them and some girl with blue hair cut off their way.
“Who do you think you are?” she asked and she reminded Adagio immediately of that annoying Rainbow Crash or whatever her name was back at CHS.
“We're your worst nightmare” Adagio answered nonchalantly and shoved the blue haired pain in the ass aside and continued walking towards her Mercedes. But the girl decided she'd take Adagio right on and cut off their way once again.
“Oh yeah? Well, obviously you have no idea who I am, or else you wouldn't...” she began and didn't get any further, because Adagio lost her patience and punched the girl right into the solar plexus. She immediately lost all her strength, fell onto the ground and tried to remember how to breathe.
“Listen up, you little brat. You obviously have no idea of who I am, or else you wouldn't be stupid enough to get in my way. You better keep your head low from now on so the bullets don't hit you, is that understood?” Adagio said and unlocked her car.
“Indigo!” some green haired girl with headphones yelled and ran to her friend to look if she'd survive Adagios punch. Adagio and her daughters laughed and entered her black Mercedes. She lowered the window, started the engine and let it roar up for three times.
“Next time I won't let your dumb friend get away so easily!” Adagio yelled over to her and laughed again. Her daughters laughed as well and Adagio drove away with squealing tires.
“Gotta say, that was really awesome, mom! No one will dare to bother us there!” Sonata gleamed.
“I know. But thanks anyway...” Adagio said and lit up a cigarette.
“Hey! I thought no smoking in the car!?” Aria protested and pulled out a cigarette as well.
“That does not count for me. After all, it's MY car. And don't even think about it to smoke in here!” Adagio said and glared at her oldest daughter via the mirror. Aria put the cigarette back in the package and looked annoyed, while Sonata giggled.
“Anyway, I think I want something Italian to eat, how does that sound, girls?” she asked Aria and Sonata.
“Whatever” Aria answered and Sonata just shrugged.
“I want tacos” she said while staring at her smartphone.
“I already told you, no tacos for the next weeks. If you want some, go get them yourself” Adagio said in annoyance and put her cigarette in the ashtray.
“Sonata, would you please look for a decent Italian restaurant? I'm want something fancy and expensive.
Sonata sighed and opened up Google Maps.
“Yes, mom...”
The next few days Adagio took an easy-going approach and procrastinated until they would start going to Crystal Prep. She wondered if that stupid Indigo learned her lesson and wouldn't bother her or her daughters again.
Aria was grumpy as always and spent most of her time on the Internet. Sonata left every day for Taco Bell. Apparently she thought she would defy her mother if she went out for Taco Bell so often. Adagio had enough of this and would put an end to Sonatas excessive taco consumption when she returned home.
She sat in front of the TV and painted her nails while watching some soap opera. She didn't pay much attention to the silly love life of the characters and instead focused on her nails and was grateful that she had some peace and quiet for a change.
The fumes of the nail paint started to give her a very minor headache but Adagio liked the smell of it anyway. She stood up and swallowed a pain pill and continued to take care of her nails.
“Are you really that stupid? How can you blind idiot fail to see that she's in love with you?” Adagio said to herself and wondered why she was watching that crap in the first place. She sighed and started to switch channels but didn't find anything interesting. After her nails dried, she turned off the TV and stepped out for a smoke. While doing so, Sonata returned with a ton of tacos.
Adagio watched her stuffing some in the fridge and shook her head.
'That stupid girl would eat tacos only if I let her...' she thought and finished her cigarette.
Sonata was sitting down in front of the TV and watched some strange movie she obviously pirated and was, of course, eating a taco.
“Mom, you smell like an ashtray! That's not very appetizing!” she complained and Adagio rolled her eyes.
'Not this again...' she thought and turned to Sonata.
“Really...? Well, I for one could vomit when I see tacos. I've had enough of them for the rest of my life. And that means for all eternity.
Sonatas expression was dumbfounded and for quite a while, she didn't know what to say. Adagio went into her room, got dressed and grabbed the car keys.
“When I come back home again, the house better still stands...” she said sarcastically to Sonata who still didn't know what to say. She just sat there and looked liked she'd just seen a ghost.
“I'm glad you agree on everything I'm saying” Adagio added in quite a cynical tone and went in the garage.
She started her beloved Mercedes and first she didn't have any particular destination in mind. Adagio enjoyed driving her car so much that she often just drove it for drivings sake. And she did so very often on the highway which led out of Canterlot but today she didn't feel like speeding.
Adagio decided to drink a coffee and just as she wanted to type in Starbucks into her phone, which Aria liked to call “Starfucks”, much to Adagios annoyance and anger, she saw a purple haired, bun headed girl in a CPA uniform run by and closely after her, some other students from Crystal Prep. The purple girl had a look of pure terror on her face and the other students clearly chased her. Adagio turned around the car and drove after them.
As soon as she was a bit ahead of them, she got out of the Mercedes and that just in time because the purple girl was out of energy and couldn't run anymore. Adagio blocked the way of the other students. The leader of the lot was a pink haired, white skinned, tall and slender girl.She stopped to run and with a gesture she ordered her fellow students to stop as well.
Adagio looked at them in curiosity and crossed her arms.
“Why are you chasing this girl down?” she asked the tall girl.
“That's none of your business, poof-hair. Now get outta my way, I've got some things to... discuss with the bun headed nerdface over there.”
Adagio found this a very odd situation. She was standing up for a girl that clearly looked like one of her worst enemies, that stupid Twilight Sparkle and her insufferable friends that were always with her. But her friends weren't with her and Adagio somehow doubted that Twilight transferred to Crystal Prep.
She was very curious about that peculiar girl. And that's why she was protecting this poor thing now.
“To discuss, you say? Oh yes, that girl there has obviously a great interest in discussing everything you want to with the likes of you...” she said in a sweet, yet sarcastic tone and put on an amused grin.
“I'm getting tired of this! Get out of my way, or I'll set your stupid hair on fire, you got that!?”
Adagio started to laugh exactly like she concluded “Under Our Spell” back at Canterlot High.
“Is that so? You're quite welcome to try” she said and didn't stop to grin like some lunatic on a killing spree. That finally pissed off the girl so much that she wanted to attack Adagio but the latter just pulled pepper spray out of her pocket and sprayed a good dose of that stuff right into her eyes and that made her scream like someone was stabbing her with a blunt knife over and over again.
She fell onto the ground, screamed in pain and Adagio turned her attention to the other students who were just watching in awe of what just happened.
“Anyone else interested in a free sample of this nice spice?” Adagio asked them nonchalantly and they were turning around and fled the scene.
“Thought so...” Adagio said to herself and the girl who got a free sample was temporarily blinded and still lying on the ground and screaming like she was about to get murdered. The purple girl was also still there and looked at Adagio with a mixed expression of fear and gratitude. Her eyes were filled with tears sof removed her glasses and wiped them off her face.
Adagio paid attention to the bully girl and with her foot she turned her around so she could see her face. She also stepped onto the crotch of her and applied quite some pressure.
“How does it feel to be on the receiving end, you little coward? Chasing with some friends after a poor girl who's clearly terrified of you” she said and the girl just screamed some more. Adagio yanked her up and back on her feet and slapped her with the back of her hand.
“Tell you what. I'm enrolling to Crystal Prep next week and if I ever see you again doing something I don't like, I'll make you wish you were never born, is that clear?” Adagio said with contempt in her voice. Then she let go of her.
“Now get lost before I decide to teach you some more manners” she said and the girl ran away like she was the one who was being chased around by some bullies. Not very good, that is. She still was practically blind and Adagio watched her in satisfaction until she disappeared around a corner. After she was gone Adagio looked at the purple girl in curiosity.
“I presume your name is Twilight Sparkle?” she asked her and Twilight nodded.
“Uhm... Yes. How did you know that...?” she asked in surprise.
“Not important” Adagio responded, sat down on a bench and lit up a cigarette.
“Come, have a seat” she said and Twilight obliged.
“Cigarette?” Adagio asked and Twilight declined.
“No, thanks. I don't smoke. It's bad for the lungs, you know... It can cause cancer and many other diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart diseases as well as heart attacks because the tar in cigarettes clogs your coronary vessels and...”
“Yeah, I think I get your point” she said rolled her eyes.
'She reminds me of Sonata a bit, but she obviously isn't as bright as this girl is...' Adagio thought.
“Anyway, who were these... people?”
“Well, the one who got a taste of your pepper spray is Fleur De Lis and she hates me with a burning passion. I don't know why, I never did anything to her. I guess because I'm not wealthy. They look down upon everyone who don't have a lot of money. My brother used to be bullied as well but at some point he started to stand up for himself as well as me. But he isn't a student anymore at CPA, he's engaged to Dean Cadence and after he left, things started to get ugly for me again...” Twilight explained and Adagio started to fume on the inside.
If there was one thing on gods green Earth she hated with all her heart, it was bullying. She knew herself what it was like to get bullied back in the Equestrian Empire until she started to learn some combat magic at a dojo for unicorns only.
But Adagio didn't bully them in return, she was better than that. And she clearly had better things to do.
'And I was right. Even though this Dean isn't engaged to a student, I bet she already went to bed with him when he still was a student. I love it when I'm right. Which is always' Adagio thought.
Adagio decided to protect Twilight Sparkle from now on because she obviously wasn't the one from Canterlot High and this Twilight seemed like quite the fragile personality.
“Tell you what, Twilight. If these cowards bother you ever again, tell me. I'll take care of them then” she offered her and smiled kindly, which was rare for her. Twilight turned her head and looked at Adagio with genuine surprise.
“You... you would do that for me? But why? You don't even know me and...”
Adagio just shrugged.
“So what? You're an innocent girl and you don't deserve this. And I'd suggest you'd take lessons in some martial art. Bullies are cowards and as soon as they see that you stand up for yourself, they piss their pants and run away, as you just witnessed” Adagio said and Twilight nodded.
“That was amazing, to tell the truth. And I have a request. Would you please call me Midnight instead of Twilight? I never really liked that name to be honest and my friends call me that. I mean, not at Crystal Prep, I don't have any friends there but I always call myself Midnight on the Internet and well... I got used to be called that by now” she said.
“Sure thing, Midnight. I also think that Midnight is a better name. I like names with a dark meaning” Adagio said and giggled.
“Also, you have friends now at Crystal Prep, Midnight. My sisters and I will start to attend to CPA next week” Adagio explained and Midnight didn't believe what she just heard. Adagio could tell, she obviously only had online friends and that was rather sad.
“And believe me, I won't tolerate any bullying if I see it. If it's you who gets bullied or not, doesn't matter to me. I just hate bullying with a burning passion...” Adagio explained and Midnight struggled to find the right words.
“I... Well... That sounds too good to be true. I... Uhm... Thank you. Thank you so much...” she said and her eyes started to water again.
“By the way, my name is Adagio. Adagio Dazzle. Pleasure to make your acquaintance” she said and Midnight started to cry as if she just heard that a loved one of her has died. She sobbed and it took a few minutes until she calmed down again.
“Tissue?” Adagio asked and handed it over to Midnight.
“Thanks...” she said and blew her nose.
“Anyway, I don't wanna sit here anymore. Want some coffee? I wanted to go to a Starbucks until you and these cowards showed up and you know the rest...” Adagio offered. Midnight nodded and finally started to put on a smile. Adagio opened the car remotely and Midnight looked like her eyes were about to fall out of her head.
“Is that your car?”
“But of course, dear. What did you expect?”
“Well, maybe it's your parents car?”
Adagio and Midnight got into the Mercedes and the latter looked in amazement at the interiors of the car.
“No, it's mine. And yes, I paid quite a fortune for it” she said and Midnight fastened her belt.
Adagio did that as well and started the engine. She typed in the adress of some Starbucks far out of town which would lead them over the highway. Adagio thought it was appropriate to take off Midnights mind from rather unpleasant thoughts and decided to punch the Mercedes to its maximum velocity as soon as they were on the highway.
“Uhm... Adagio, right?”
“Yes, my dear? What is it?”
“Why are we going to a Starbucks in Ponyville?" she asked as soon as got to take a look on Adagios smartphone.
“Because I want to show you something fun. Something I really enjoy...” she said and grinned wickedly and picked a song she always loved to hear while driving with a fourth of the speed of sound. It was Adagio For Strings by DJ Tiësto .
It didn't take long until they were on the highway and as soon as they were, Adagio beat down the gas pedal. She also changed the gears like a pro. Like she was doing that already for years. Actually, she did. And she had a talent for driving. Midnight watched the speedometer needle climb up. It did so very fast.
“Are you CRAZY? 200 kilometers per hour!? That's 125 miles per hour! Do you want to KILL us!?” she yelled in fear and Adagio laughed.
“The more you yell, the faster I drive. Actually, I'll punch this baby up to it's maximum speed anyway, 300 kilometers per hour. I like that number” she said in joy and the car accelerated so fast that the two women were pressed in their seats. Adagio was used to that. Midnight was not. She looked like she was to pass out and the engine roared like a demon straight from hell out to get them.
“That's almost 190 miles per hour! There's no way you can...!” Midnight yelled and she didn't believe that Adagio actually made true what she just said.
“I can and I just did!” Adagio said.
"But..." Midnight began.
"Shut up and enjoy the ride!” she yelled over the music and roaring engine.
“I am NOT enjoying it! Please drive slower! I'm begging you!” Midnight yelled in fear and she started to grapple at her hair.
Adagio laughed some more and dodged a few cars just before they'd crash into them. After a few minutes she slowed down the car again because they were approaching their destination, Ponyville. Midnight breathed heavily and didn't believe she survived this hellish ride.
“Please don't do that again when we drive back. I'd rather WALK!” she said and Adagio giggled.
“Do you feel it?”
“Feel what?”
“Yes and I rather don't feel that ever again! I thought I'd die of fear!”
Adagio giggled some more and was driving the car onto a parking lot.
“Relax, I won't do it again, alright?” she said and they got out of the Mercedes.
“I'd be very grateful for that” Midnight said and Adagio noticed her wobbling knees.
“Seems like that left quite the impression on you. Coffees on me, of course” she said and they entered the Starbucks.
Adagio and Midnight stood before the Starbucks counter and at first Adagio couldn't make up her mind.
“Hm... It's really an agony of choice... What shall I take, what shall I take...”
The salesgirl started to look annoyed but Adagio couldn't care less. She took her sweet time.
“Oh yeah. I'll have the big latte, thanks. And you, Midnight?”
Adagio noticed that Midnight was a bit uncomfortable and started to play with a strand of hair.
“Uhm... I guess I'll take the same...”
“Alright. And a second big latte for my friend here” Adagio ordered and the salesgirl sighed of relief because the other customers started to get annoyed as well.
“Well, finally! I thought you were gonna take forever!” a young boy commented who stood behind Adagio and Midnight in line.
Adagio turned around and said nothing but instead gave him her best death glare. That shut him up for good and he had a look on his face as if Adagio was about to rip his head off.
Adagio and Midnight took their two lattes and sat down at a table with a fantastic view of the asphalt desert called parking lot. Depressing.
“Thank you again for saving me from those stupid assholes” Midnight spoke up and Adagio almost choked on her latte. She was used to Aria talking like some ghetto rat from the outskirts of Canterlot, but she would've never expected an obviously well educated girl like Midnight to use foul language.
“You're welcome. And please... do me a favor and stop using such language. My sister is talking like that all the time and frankly, it infuriates me. We were not raised in the gutter but she talks like some wannabe gangsta from the west coast.”
“Oh uhm... I'm sorry. But I couldn't find any other proper words for those... persons. And it's not like I'm talking that way all the time as your sister does...”
Adagio wasn't mad. Somehow, she couldn't be angry at this innocent, fragile little girl.
“It's alright. Just don't talk like that anymore. At least when I'm around, would that be ok? I just can't stand it...” Adagio asked Midnight with a warm, almost maternal sounding voice.
“Sure thing, Adagio” Midnight said before her cell phone rang.
“Oh hey Mom... No, I'm studying with a friend at the Crystal Prep Library... Yes, you heard right. A friend... Yes, I'll be home soon. See you.”
“I'm glad she didn't ask where I am. She would freak out and ground me until I graduate if she found out that I'm with a stranger in Ponyville” Midnight said and rolled her eyes.
“She's a bit paranoid about me since I'm a nerdy girl and not big and strong like my brother.
Adagio took a sip from her latte and sighed too.
“Well, I wouldn't blame her for that. You're not exactly the most assertive type and if you ask me, you can't really defend yourself. Honestly, some martial art training would prove quite useful. Or do you wanna be a pushover for the rest of your time at Crystal Prep? I mean, I already said that I'd protect you, but I can't watch over you all the time, so it would be logical to take up some martial art. I'd suggest Krav Maga. That's what I do. It's easy to learn, efficient and brutal. You really learn fast how to take out an opponent without all that philosophical nonsense about inner peace you also get shoved down your throat if you learn some martial art from the far east...”
Midnight looked a bit uncomfortable.
“I know what Krav Maga is. And my mother would get suspicious if I wanted to learn a martial art all of a sudden. I mean, she doesn't know that I get bullied at CPA and I'd like to keep it that way. She's paranoid enough about my safety as it is...”
Adagio rolled her eyes and pointed her drinking straw at Midnight.
“What if one day you come home and look like you ran into a truck? Wouldn't that be worse than just telling her that you need to be able to defend yourself?”
Midnight started to play with her hair nervously.
“I know... But I don't wanna make her worry about me. And I always managed to hide it from her...”
“Yeah, up until now. Tomorrow could be a whole different story” Adagio pointed out.
“And what then? I don't know your mother, but I think she wouldn't be amused at all if you had to tell her about the bullying. And if I were your mother, I'd drag you to a martial art training if I had to. It would be unacceptable for me that my loved ones are bullied or even worse” she said and finished her latte.
Midnight sighed in defeat and stopped playing with her hair.
“You're right, Adagio. But I already know how this will go. 'Why didn't you tell me earlier?' Why why and why... I just don't want her to worry about me. She has to work all day long and I don't want to bother her with silly school problems of mine” Midnight said.
“Silly? This is a serious issue. I thought you were smarter than that. Bullying can lead to serious mental health problems and from time to time it even leads to death and destruction like at Columbine High. Although I don't think that you would ever do such a thing...” Adagio explained and Midnight giggled for the first time.
“Well, you see, I'd really like to sometimes. But you're right, I would never do something like that. And girls don't do school shootings anyway... At least as far as I know” she said and finished her latte as well.
“Anyway, let's get you home” Adagio said and stood up. Midnight followed her and the former siren groaned in annoyance because some young boys admired her car. That wasn't what angered her. They were touching it with their filthy little hands and Adagio hated handprints on her beloved car. She shooed them away and wiped off the prints.
“All the time I have to do that because apparently people don't know how a German car looks like. And it's not enough to just look at it, no! They have to touch it! I hate that!”
Adagio groaned and lit up a cigarette. Midnight stood next to her and looked at some pictures on her phone.
“Well, it's not a really common brand of cars here in the States. I can't blame people for curiosity” Midnight said.
“Yes, but that doesn't give them the right to make it dirty!” Adagio said and was still annoyed. It was her goddamn car, so only she had the right to touch it!
“I think you're overreacting, Adagio. It's not like they scratched it...”
“But they could have! And that's why I don't like anyone touching my car but me!”
Adagio smoked up and they got in the car.
“Please don't drive in such a suicidal way again, ok?” Midnight asked.
“Yeah, I already said that I'll drive decently. Shall I drop you off at your place?”
Midnight nodded.
“Yes, please. But drop me off somewhere where my mother can't see me getting out of your car. Like I said, she's a bit paranoid and I don't want her to ask me a billion silly questions...”
Adagio started the engine and drove back on the highway.
“Seems like your mother is quite the protective type” Adagio said.
“You have no idea. It took me forever to make her stop driving me to Crystal Prep and picking me up from there again. It was really annoying and it didn't help with the bullying. I got called names like mommy girl and the like. And she won't let me drive cars. As in, no drivers licence for me in the foreseeable future. I'm... I'm so sick of it” Midnight complained and Adagio thought about it. Being a mother herself she could understand Midnights mother to a certain degree.
“Well, she only wants to protect you but I think she goes a bit overboard with it. I can't really tell you more since I don't know your mother, though” Adagio said.
“Exactly. But she won't listen to me. She's only happy when she can care for me like some super mom and I'm really starting to hate that” Midnight complained even further and groaned.
“It's like she thinks that I'm still eight years old or so...” she began. Then her phone rang.
“Oh, speak of the devil. It's my mom. She'll definitely notice that I'm in a car and if I ignore her call then she won't stop annoying me the whole evening about where the hell I've been and why I didn't pick up the phone...”
Adagio thought about it for a moment and then left the highway, so Midnight could call her mother back as soon as possible.
“Don't pick up now if you want her to think that you're still in Canterlot and not in a car. Call her back when we're someplace quieter”
Adagio said and a few minutes later she drove onto a parking lot.
“Thanks” Midnight said and called her mother back.
“Hi mom” she began and Adagio could tell that Midnight was rather uncomfortable with the situation.
“No, I'm still at the CPA library... No, I just turned my phone to be silent so the other students aren't disturbed by any calls... Yes, I'm still studying... Yes, mom, I'll be home soon... Sounds delicious... Love you too, bye” Midnight concluded her call and hung up.
“Phew, she took it. Now I have to get home as soon as possible or else she might discover that I lied to her. It's not so far from CPA to my home” she said and Adagio pulled out her own smartphone and started a navigation app.
“Tell me your address, then I'll drop you off somewhere near your home” Adagio offered and looked expectantly at Midnight.
She told her the address and Adagio mounted her smartphone on the windshield.
“Very well then, let's get you finally home” Adagio commented and started the engine.
The rest of the drive was quite uneventful and Midnight didn't talk much. She was preoccupied with something on her cell phone and Adagio thought about how she was gonna tell her daughters that a second Twilight Sparkle was attending Crystal Prep.
“You can drop me off at the end of that street” she said and Adagio nodded.
“Thank you for everything, Adagio. I won't forget it” Midnight thanked her and Adagio put on a warm smile.
“You're welcome. I guess we see each other tomorrow at school then?”
“I think so. Take care” Midnight said and got out of the car. After a few seconds she came back and knocked at the window.
“Do you have WhatsApp? I'd like to exchange numbers with you” Midnight said and Adagio didn't see why they shouldn't.
“Sure” she said, they exchanged their numbers and Midnight looked quite happy.
They waved good bye to each other and Adagio drove off in the opposite direction. It wouldn't take her long anymore too until she got home and she half expected to find the house burning. It didn't burn and Adagio parked her beloved car in the garage.
“I'm home!” she called out and found her daughters sitting in front of the TV playing games. She was grateful that they weren't on each others throats again and dropped her keys into a bowl.
“Hi mom” Aria and Sonata said in unison and Adagio raised an eyebrow. This was most unusual. The two sisters normally didn't do things together that often. Then she noticed their bloodshot eyes. They smoked pot. Again.
“What did I tell you two about smoking that stuff on my property!?” Adagio asked and Sonata paused the game.
“Well, I...” she began.
“Well what?” Adagio asked.
“We didn't smoke it here on your precious property” Aria said.
“Actually, she's right. We went to a nearby playground to smoke” Sonata explained.
“Is that so? Well, I hope nobody saw you” Adagio said and sat down.
“Mom, this is a big city. Nobody cares about two teenagers smoking some pot” Aria said and Sonata nodded.
“Yes, Ari was grumpy again, so I decided that it would do her good to calm down a bit. So, we smoked some and here we are. Getting along and not destroying the house!” Sonata said and giggled. Adagio rolled her eyes and shook her head.
“If you say so. At least I won't have to put up with your antics today. But I don't want you two to smoke more pot today, got it? When it wears off, I have to tell you something rather surprising...” Adagio said and stood up again to step out for a smoke. Aria and Sonata continued their game and Adagio thought about this peculiar development.
Apparently everypony in Equestria had a counterpart on Earth. But why? Maybe she could find that out when she and her daughters were back home in Equestria. Then her phone buzzed. It was a WhatsApp message from Midnight.
'Hey there. I wanted to thank you again for everything. If you need any help with math or something, I'd be glad to help'.
Adagio smiled in a maternal way. She really liked this Midnight and replied right away.
'Like I said, you're welcome. And I'll take your word for it :)' she wrote and sent it.
Then it hit her like a bombshell. Of course! Why didn't she think of this earlier? Celestia and Luna, the principals of Canterlot High. And they clearly were the human counterparts of the Solar and Lunar Empresses back in Equestria! But Adagio reckoned that she and her daughters were too caught up with taking over this stupid school to notice. So she had three confirmed counterparts now. Celestia, Luna and Midnight.
She finished her cigarette and went back in to take a shower. She needed to think about this some more and a hot shower always helped her thinking things through. When she was finished, she sat down at the couch and Aria and Sonata were still playing their game. Adagio looked at them expectantly and they paused their game.
“Now that I've got your attention, I have to tell you something rather... strange. I've made a new friend today. Her name is Twilight Sparkle” Adagio said bluntly and her daughters looked at her as if she just told them to join Scientology.
“What! But why!? Are you crazy!?” Aria yelled. Sonata looked like she'd just seen a ghost.
“It's not like you think it is. She's not THAT Twilight Sparkle and the one I mean likes to be called Midnight” Adagio said and explained to them what happened earlier and that they have gained a new ally at Crystal Prep.
“But how can that be? I don't think our enemy Twilight has a twin sister” Sonata said.
“No, she doesn't” Adagio began.
“Think about it, back at Canterlot High. Recall the names of the Principal and Vice Principal? Exactly, Celestia and Luna. And with this new Twilight Sparkle around, I've found us a third human counterpart of somepony from Equestria” Adagio explained.
“In any case, she is, like I already said, a bullying victim and we'll look out for her for as long as she can't defend herself properly. I already advised her to take up some martial art and I hope she takes my advice to heart...” Adagio said and Sonata scratched her head.
“Uhm... sure” she said. Then Aria spoke up.
“I don't really know... What if this is just a decoy to get us? I mean, they didn't banish us or something like that. Maybe they want to finish us off for good” Aria pointed out.
“I've been thinking about something like that too but I don't think that this is the case. I know a liar when I see one and this Princess Twilight and her friends aren't the type for this kind of dirty work. From what I've heard about Sunset Shimmer is that they redeemed her and they'd rather try that on us too, if you ask me” Adagio explained.
“Hmm... I'm still a bit skeptical” Aria said.
“I can tell you more when I'm meeting this Midnight myself” she said.
“I'm with Ari on this one. I want to get to know her first before I can tell you for sure what I think about all this” Sonata said.
“Very well then” Adagio began.
“You'll meet her tomorrow. And don't forget, we're sisters” she said.
“We know” Aria and Sonata said in unison.
“You don't have to tell us that all the time” Aria said and rolled her eyes.
“Good good. Get yourselves ready for tomorrow” Adagio commanded and her daughters did right away as they were told.
