Old Enemies and New Begnnings

Aria and Sunset sat in a booth at Sugarcube Corner, sharing a basket of fries and drinking milkshakes. It had been an eventful few hours and they were both just glad to be sitting down after their long walk to the small café.

Sunset looked at Aria who was staring out the window into the late afternoon sky. As she observed all the cuts and bruises that covered Aria’s arms and neck, she couldn’t help but feel guilty about everything that had happened. “Aria...” she said.

“What?” Aria responded, not turning her gaze away from the window.

“I know, you keep saying that this isn’t my fault but-”

Aria hit Sunset in the face with a fry. “If you apologize one more time, Sunset, I’m gonna beat your ass myself.” Aria threatened.

Sunset, who was caught completely off guard by the piece of food hitting her, shook her head. “What the hell?” she remarked.

“What, you've been saying sorry all day,” replied Aria. “So, unless you’d like some bruises to match mine, stop…apologizing.” She punctuated each word by throwing a finger full of fries at Sunset.

“Okay, okay, I'll stop, on one condition.” said Sunset, as she tried to block the onslaught of fries.

“Name it.” Aria said, throwing another fry.

Sunset scrunched up her face as the fry hit her. “Okay, make that two conditions. First, stop throwing food at me, and second, you have to answer something for me.”

Aria sat for a moment, pondering Sunset’s terms. “Fine,” she said, hitting Sunset with one last fry. "What's your question?”

“You and Adagio both said that taking over the school was something you had to do in order to survive,-”

“I also told you, Adagio explains it better than I do.” Aria interrupted.

“I know, but Adagio isn't here and I’m pretty sure she won't be answering any of my questions any time soon; so, please?” Sunset pleaded.

Aria let out a deep sigh, “Alright, but pay attention because I'm only explaining this once.”

Sunset nodded, “I'm all ears.”

“Okay so, think of the gems as like a parasite. Everyone knows that in order for a parasite to live, they need a host; but they also need something to feed off of.” Aria explained. “When Adagio, Sonata, and I fused with the gems, we became the host. But what we didn’t know at the time, was that the gems fed off of negativity.”

“Alright, but that doesn’t explain why you needed to take over the school.”

Aria huffed in frustration, “This is why I said Adagio should explain it, she’s just better at making things make sense.”

“Aria, you’re explaining it just fine,” Sunset reassured as she held Aria’s hand in her own and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I’m just trying to get a better understanding.”

“But I don’t know how else to help you better understand it.” Aria replied, shaking her head. “The best way I can explain it is like this, however much negativity the gems needed in order to survive, we needed it too; and in return we used its magic to take over people’s minds and got them to do whatever the hell we wanted.”

“So, you must’ve needed a lot of negative energy if you had to take over an entire school.”

“Well, Adagio would always say that energy in this world isn’t the same as in Equestria. So, the amount of negativity we needed in this world to survive was always way more than what needed in Equestria.” said Aria. “Anyways, I answered your question, so can we go now?”

“Yeah, of course.”

Sunset and Aria slid out of the booth and threw out their garbage.

“So, did you guys lose everything, like Adagio said you did?” Sunset asked as she and Aria walked out of the café.

“Not entirely.” Aria responded. “I mean, we lost our powers and the need to feed on negativity, but we’re still immortal and we have our voices, so it’s not all bad.”

“Wait,” Sunset asked as she put a hand on Aria’s shoulder to stop her from walking. “You guys can still sing?”

Aria shrugged off Sunset’s hand and continued to walk down the street, “Yeah, why wouldn’t we be able to?”

“Because we heard you sing after your gems were destroyed.” Sunset answered as she caught up with Aria. “So, how the hell is that possible?”

“We’re sirens, Sunset. We had the ability to sing way before we found those gems.” Aria clarified. "Our voices were simply the channel by which the magic was unleashed. When the gems were destroyed, we still retained our ability to sing, it just took a couple of days for our voices to come back.”

“I don’t believe you.” Sunset replied flatly, looking away from Aria.

“Okay,” Aria laughed. “That doesn’t make it untrue.”

“Prove it then.”

Aria stopped and looked around at her surroundings, “What, right here?” she asked.

“Yeah, right here.”

“No way.” Aria scoffed.

Sunset gave Aria a playful push, “C’mon, I wanna hear you sing.”

Aria blushed and rubbed the back of her neck. "I don't know..."

"Oh, don't tell me you’re shy." Sunset said with a devilish smile.

"I'm not, it's just...too open."

Sunset grabbed Aria by the arm and ran down the street. “Fine, let’s go.”

"Whoa, w-where are we going?"

"There's a small park up ahead that not many people go to, you can sing for me there."

The cool late afternoon air blew gently across Spring Meadows Park. Fluttershy and Rarity sat on a picnic blanket eating light snacks, watching Rainbow Dash and Applejack toss a football back and forth some distance away.

"You know, Fluttershy, I must say, this day hasn't turned out all that bad, given how it started out. Wouldn't you agree?" said Rarity.

"Oh yes, Rarity, it has been a rather nice afternoon." agreed Fluttershy. "But, it would be even nicer if Pinkie Pie and Sunset were here."

"Indeed, but don't worry darling, we'll see Pinkie Pie later on tonight after she’s done babysitting the Cake twins, and tomorrow, we'll visit Sunset first thing in morning to set everything straight."

"INCOMING!!!" yelled a voice from far away. "LOOK OUT!!!"

Rarity and Fluttershy had barely enough time to look up when the brown pigskin landed on a small cake that was right between them.

Applejack skidded to a stop upon seeing the cake splatter all over the two girls. "Uh-oh." she said as she felt Rainbow Dash run into her.

"What the hell, A.J.?" Rainbow Dash cursed, rubbing her nose. "Why’d you stop like that?"

Applejack pointed a shaky finger at Rarity who was covered in cake and staring at them intensely.

"Who...threw that?" Rarity hissed as she slowly rose from the blanket.

Rainbow Dash and Applejack both pointed at one another.

"You're dead, Rainbow Dash!" Rarity yelled.

"Me?!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed. "How do you know I did it?"

"Because Applejack doesn't lie." Rarity replied as she ran after Rainbow Dash.

"Right." Rainbow Dash chuckled nervously before taking off in a full sprint.

Applejack sighed in relief, as she sat down next Fluttershy, who was wiping cake off herself. "Sorry about that Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash put a little bit too much arm into that one."

"Oh it's quite alright, Applejack." Fluttershy said with a smile. "Besides, I think Rainbow Dash is the one who is going to be sorry."

Both girls laughed as they watched Rarity chase Rainbow Dash across the park. "Whoo-wee, look at Rarity go." said Applejack, shielding her eyes from the sun.

From her side view, Fluttershy saw two figures enter the park. She did a double take when she recognized one of them as Sunset. "Hey, Applejack, am I seeing things or is that Sunset?" she asked as she squinted her eyes and pointed towards the entrance of the park. "

Applejack slowly turned her attention away from Rarity and Rainbow Dash and looked to where Fluttershy was pointing. "Yeah it is, but who is she with?"

"I don't know, but whoever it is, Rainbow Dash is about to run into her." Fluttershy pointed out.

Rainbow Dash panted as she looked over her shoulder, Rarity was a considerable distance away, and for some reason, Rarity was waving her hands and calling out her name. "Ha," Rainbow Dash said triumphantly. As she turned her head back around, she immediately ran into Aria and Sunset.

The two girls collapsed on the ground as Rainbow Dash plowed into them. "What the hell was that?" Sunset groaned, holding her head.

Aria moaned and slowly opened her eyes, only to see Rainbow Dash on top of her, "You!" they said at the same time. Aria pushed Rainbow Dash off her and scrambled to her feet.

"SUNNY!" Applejack yelled as she, Fluttershy, and Rarity ran to meet up with Sunset, Rainbow, and Aria.

The three girls rushed to help Sunset to her feet. "Are you alright, Sunset?" Rarity asked. "Did you hit you head?"

"No, I'm fine." Sunset said groggily. "What are you guys doing here?"

"I think the more important question is, what are you doing with her?" said Rainbow Dash as she stared hatefully at Aria.

Aria growled and clenched her fists, "Do you really want to start that again, because Adagio isn't here this time to save your ass from getting the shit beat out of you." she said, returning the hateful glare.

"Aria stop," interjected Sunset as she stood, once again, in between both girls. "You're already hurt, don't make it worse."

Aria continued her staring contest with Rainbow Dash. She knew Sunset had a point but there was no way she was backing down, no matter how much pain she was in. That is, until she felt Sunset's hand on hers. The touch caused her to break her gaze with Rainbow Dash instantly.

"Aria, please..." Sunset said tenderly.

Aria looked at Sunset and then at everyone else. They were all waiting to see if this was going to be a repeat of what had happened earlier. She, once more, glanced at Sunset who gave her a half-smile. "Fine," Aria sighed. "I won't hit her...or you."

Sunset smiled brightly and chuckled, "Oh, gee, thanks." she said sarcastically, giving Aria a playful shove. “And just so you know, I would've hit you back.”

“Oh yeah, right.” said Aria as she pushed Sunset back.

The Rainbooms watched in bewilderment as Sunset and Aria bantered with one another.

“Soooo,” Applejack said loudly as to grab the attention of both girls. “What exactly are you two doing together?”

“Uhhhh, it's a long story.” Sunset said as she exchanged glances with Aria. “But let’s just say that I decided to take Principal Celestia up on her offer and become friends with the Dazzlings.”

“You’re joking, right?” Rainbow Dash said dryly. “Just this morning she was ready to punch you in the face, and now your friends with her.”

“Actually, I was ready to punch you in the face.” Aria cut in.

“Shut up!” Rainbow Dash snapped. “No one was talking to you.”

Much to her amusement, Aria could tell that she was getting under Rainbow Dash’s skin, and she decided to stoke the fire a bit more. “I think it’s kind of pathetic that Sunset had to save your ass twice today.” she taunted.

“Keep talking and it’ll be your ass that needs saving.” Rainbow Dash threatened, pointing at Aria.

“That’s enough, Rainbow Dash.” Applejack said. She pulled the irate girl a couple feet away from the rest of the group.

Rainbow Dash yanked her arm from Applejack’s grip. “Get off me!” she demanded.

“What is wrong with you, R.D.?” Applejack asked angrily.

“She is what’s wrong with me,” Rainbow Dash replied, pointing at Aria. “I can’t stand her, how can Sunset be friends with someone like that? She’s just….uggghhhh!”

“I know, but you need to calm down, before you do something you’re going to regret.”

“Yeah, I don’t think I’m going to regret hitting her.”

“Maybe not, but think about Sunset,” said Applejack while she placed her hand on Rainbow’s shoulder. “Her and Aria are friends now, whether we like it or not. If you hurt Aria, you’ll be hurting Sunset too…and let’s not forget that she’s already mad at us. We don’t want to make things worse.”

Rainbow Dash fought internally with herself. She knew that Applejack was right, if she got into a fight with Aria, Sunset might not ever forgive her. On the other hand, she really hated Aria and nothing would make her happier than to knock the purple siren out. Rainbow Dash put her hands on hips, looked up to the sky, and let out a deep sigh, “Fine.” she said reluctantly.

“Good, now let’s go try to make the best of this.”

Sunset sat next to Aria on the picnic blanket across from Rainbooms. She had absolutely no intention on staying at the park after her encounter with her friends but, after their persistent begging, she finally gave in.

Awkward silence filled the air as each girl shifted quick glances at one another. Rarity who was picking pieces of cake off her person, decided to speak up first, “Sunset, I know you’re still upset with us, but I - we just want you to know that we are truly sorry for how we acted, or rather, didn’t act this morning.” said Rarity.

“Yeah, we weren’t very friend-like and I reckon Twilight would have our heads if she knew how we behaved today.” Applejack added.

“We hope you can forgive us…” Fluttershy said softly.

Sunset looked around at her group of friends and then at Aria, who stared back at her blankly. Deep down Sunset knew her friends were sorry, and to be honest, after finding herself in a similar situation with Aria, she understood why they didn't react. The fear and anticipation of watching someone about to get or being hurt, is enough to paralyze anyone. “You guys don't have to apologize, I kinda overreacted, I think. So, if anyone should be sorry, it's me.”

“Don't be ridiculous, darling, we were completely at fault.”

“Why don't we all just agree to disagree and say that we were all at fault in one way or another?” said Applejack.

Each of the girls shrugged in agreement.

“Now, if you don't mind me asking, how exactly did this happen?” Applejack pointed between Aria and Sunset.

“Yeah, Sunset, we’re dying to know.” Rainbow Dash scoffed, rolling her eyes.

Applejack elbowed Rainbow Dash none too gently, eliciting an appropriate yelp from the girl.

“Well…” Sunset hesitated, looking at Rainbow Dash. “After I left the gym I kinda followed the Dazzlings.”

“Stalked is more accurate.” Aria chimed in.

“Shut up, it was hardly stalking.” Sunset said half-jokingly.

“If you say so,” Aria smirked.

Sunset sighed and smiled, “Anyways, to make a long story short, Adagio invited me to breakfast but then got mad at me after I brought up The Battle of the Bands. So, I sought out Aria to help me get through to Adagio, but then, Adagio got mad at Aria and well…”

“She did this to me and then kicked me out.” Aria said plainly, pointing to the various bruises and scars.

Rarity, Fluttershy, and Applejack sat slack-jawed at the brief re-telling of Sunset’s story. They could hardly believe that the Dazzlings would ever even consider being in the company of one of their own, but even more so, they couldn't believe that Adagio would hurt her friend like that.

Rainbow Dash sat un-phased by the telling of what Adagio did to Aria. “I guess I'm not the only one who hates you.” she sneered.

Applejack promptly slapped her in the back of the head.

“What?!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed. “Just because Sunset is friends with her, doesn't mean I have to pretend like her.”

“But that doesn't mean you have to be a bitch about it either,” snapped Sunset.

Aria put her hand on Sunset’s shoulder, “Rainbow Dash is right…I can't and don't expect all of you to just welcome me with open arms. What we did was wrong and even though I can't apologize for Sonata or Adagio, I can apologize for the part that I played.” Aria took a deep breath before continuing, “I know that it won't happen overnight, but I hope that over time, I can show you that I've turned over a new leaf.”

The Rainbooms sat quietly considering all that Aria had said. They were definitely shocked by the fact that she was asking their forgiveness but this was Aria Blaze, who much like Adagio, possessed a silver tongue.

Aria held Sunset’s hand and eagerly waited for one of the Rainbooms to respond.

“Uhm, I think we should give her a chance.” Fluttershy said softly. “After all, she did come to us, in a way.”

“Quite, I too think that Aria deserves a chance at redemption,” added Rarity. “What say you, Applejack?”

Applejack folded her arms across her chest. “I don't know…do you trust her Sunset?”

Sunset looked tenderly at Aria and squeezed her hand, “Yeah, I do.” she smiled.

“Then that's good enough for me. What about you, Dash?”

All eyes turned to Rainbow Dash, who was less than enthused about the entire situation. Rainbow Dash was in no way ready to forgive Aria, but even she was secretly impressed by the siren’s humbleness. “We'll see,” she replied.

Aria sighed and nodded at Rainbow Dash, “Thank you.”

“Whatever, it's getting late, we should get going.” Rainbow Dash said while avoiding all possible eye contact with Aria.

“Yes, I do believe I hear the bath tub calling my name,” said Rarity as she pulled a small piece of cake out of her hair.

“I thought we were meeting Pinkie for dinner?” Applejack questioned.

“And we shall, after my bath.”

Applejack groaned and slapped her forehead. “I'll call pinkie and tell her we're going to be late.”

“Well, I think we better get going.” Sunset laughed as she stood up.

“You're not coming?” asked Fluttershy.

Sunset helped Aria to her feet. “Nah, it's been a long day, I think Aria and I are just gonna go back to my place and chill.”

“Yeah, I think I hear a bath calling my name too.” Aria said, draping and arm over Sunset’s shoulder.

Sunset chuckled and wrapped her arm around Aria’s waist. “Well, there you have it. We'll see you guys tomorrow, okay?” She and Aria waved goodbye and walked towards the park entrance.

Rarity waited until Sunset ad Aria were out of earshot before asking, “Is it just me or did those two seem a little too friendly with one another…?”

Aria and Sunset walked down the street with their arms still around on another. “That went surprisingly well,” said Sunset.

“Yeah, although, I’m pretty sure Rainbow Dash still wants to beat the shit out of me.”

“Probably, but don’t worry, she’ll come around.” Sunset chuckled.

“I hope so, but, I have to thank you, Sunset.” Aria paused at the sidewalk corner.

“For what?”

Aria took both of Sunset’s hands in her own and looked deeply into her eyes. “Everything…if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t’ve had the courage to stand up to Adagio. Hell, if it weren’t for you, the three of us would be still be causing chaos throughout the world.”

“Oh, it was nothing really,” Sunset chuckled and looked away sheepishly.

“No, Sunset.” Aria replied, lifting Sunset’s chin. “It was everything.”

Sunset struggled to find the words to say, she had no idea that her actions meant so much to Aria, but there was something more. She could hear the sincerity in Aria’s voice and see the gratitude in her eyes, but there was something else that she knew Aria was feeling that she couldn’t quite put her finger on.

“I, uh, I wasn’t gonna say this because I know we just met and I didn’t want to make things weird but…the mood seems right so, what the hell.” Aria chuckled nervously. “I’m not really sure how to say this but-” Aria was cut short by Sunset’s finger pressing against her lips.

“I know,” Sunset replied.

Aria gave Sunset a quizzical look. “You do…?”

“Mhm, I don’t know how to explain it, but for as long as we’ve been hanging out today, I just know that I’ve never felt this way about anyone before.”

“Really, because I saw the way you were looking at Adagio when we were in the alley and kind of thought you might have a thing for her.”

Sunset shook her head, “Nah. I mean, don’t get me wrong, Adagio definitely hot but, I can’t really picture myself with her.” Sunset motioned for them to keep walking. “Besides, I’m pretty sure Sonata’s already got her on lock.”

“I already told you it’s not like that.”

“Trust me, it is.” Sunset grinned. “But we can get into that later.” Sunset interlaced her fingers with Aria’s and placed her head on Aria’s shoulder. “Right now, I just want to enjoy being with you.”

Aria couldn’t help but smile to herself. It had indeed been a terrible day but she would gladly experience it all over, if meant having Sunset by her side in the end. “So does this make us, like, a thing?”

“A thing?” Sunset said, raising her eyebrow.

“Yeah, like dating.”

“I do believe you have to go on an actual date before it’s considered dating.”

“But this whole night could be considered a date if you think about it.” Aria grinned slyly. “We went out for dinner, took a walk through the park, and now you’re taking me to your home. All that’s left to do, is to seal the deal with a kiss.”

Sunset flicked Aria gently on the nose as she tried to move in for a kiss, “Nice try, but no. You’re going to take me out a proper date then, and only then, shall you get your kiss.”

“Fine…” Aria groaned. “How’s next Saturday sound?”

Sunset surprised Aria with a kiss on the cheek. “Sounds perfect.”