It was dark, and somewhat rainy outside on that day. Adagio had returned from her venture, but her mood was somber, melancholy. She stepped quickly into her room, slamming the door by accident when her wet shoes caused her to slip. She bumped her bedside table, knocking a picture to the floor with the sound of shattered glass. She sighed, then picked it up, brushing it off.

Adagio looked bitterly down at the photo in her hands. It was of herself, and her two sisters, Sonata and Aria. Sonata was beaming on her right, and Aria scowling on her left, and Adagio had her arms around the two of them, smirking at the camera. All in all, it was them at their best moment.

She laughed once, a dark, raspy sound with not a trace of humor or delight. It was more of a satire, an expression of all that had occurred.

The three of them, the Sirens, had been here, on this world, for a long, long time. It was due only to Starswirl the Bearded, the one that had sent them here in the first place, that they’d lasted more than a few days in this place. While he’d rid them from Equestria, he was not so cruel as to take away their gems, which were their only source of nourishment in the scary, unfamiliar world. It had allowed them to feed in a world devoid of magic with the power of negative emotion.

She reached slowly for her neck, pulling out the hourglass now hanging on a chain. The sand inside was a fine, dark-red powder – the only remaining bits of the gems that they’d managed to salvage. They’d done what they could, but… It would never be the same. Now that it was incomplete, they could never channel magic to control anyone anymore. Soon, they’d lose their apartment, which they only had by charming the one ‘renting’ it to them.

The worst bit was that, well… their magic was unique. It used their vocal cords as conduits to focus their magic into whatever they wanted it to be… When the gems broke, the magic was still flowing through them. Having lost its direction, the unused magic burned inside them. It scorched their vocal cords beyond use, rendering them near-mute.

The damage was irreversible without magic. And since they couldn’t use their own to fix it, well… They’d be lucky if they could ever speak again. And singing? That would be forever lost to them. A tear ran down her face. She missed singing. She wished she could sing just one more song… just one more…

No, Adagio, she scolded herself. You brought this on yourself… and…and them.

She looked over, across the room at the sleeping forms of her two sisters. That’s all they did, now. The dust of their gems barely could make enough energy for the three of them for one day, and that was only enough if two of them slept all day to conserve energy.

Adagio usually had to be the one to do it, or Aria. Sonata was just… too cute for her own good. She inspired people to help her, to buy her lunch with her tired, starving look. But no human food could ever sustain them, and since they wanted to help her, that was positive energy. They couldn’t do anything with positive energy. Also, Adagio hated human food, it was horrid. Sonata had some infatuation with tacos, but she supposed that it was Sonata’s choice...

It was a foalish decision. They’d been living a comfortable, immortal life. The world was so rich in negativity, it was a cinch to collect energy. They were healthy and strong, and actually quite content. But when the Magic of Friendship appeared, showing itself in a rainbow beam, she’d gotten greedy. That magic could have returned them to Equestria if they controlled it.

Blinded by the prospect of returning home, she’d been frantic. Reckless. And the whole while, she had to act like it was all for power. What would her sisters think if she admitted that all it really was…was that she was homesick? She missed Equestria and all its simplicity. Sure, life was easy here, but… That was part of the problem. It was too easy. Collecting energy had gotten boring, it wasn’t the hunt like it had been back home. She wished and hungered for it, and it drove her forward.

It was depressing for her to witness the whole thing slowly derailing, and when they’d been beaten – by a former she-demon turned good, no less – they lost everything. And it was all because of her.

Adagio sighed, pushing aside the memories. Dwelling in the past wouldn’t change the fact that here in the present, they were screwed. A notice had been stuck on their door a day or two ago, saying that their rent was due, and if they couldn’t pay, they’d have to leave. And the date was tomorrow.

She’d tried to raise some money, she really did. But her efforts had only brought her scorn, and a measly $26.70, which was nowhere near the $700 they needed. It was inevitable, they were going to be forced onto the streets. And if that happened, the little energy they were able to harvest would no longer be enough for the three of them. Her beautiful, amazing sisters, along with herself, were going to starve and… die. That was it, game over…

…Unless the three became two.

She’d thought about it, made some calculations, and she realized that the energy they collected would be able to sustain them a lot better if it was only going to two of them instead of three.

It was finally time to own up. Time to pay her dues.

She slid her hand into her pocket, closing her fingers easily around the object within, and drew it out. The pistol in her hand was a deep black, much the color of her mood, or her soul.

She smiled sadly at the instrument of destruction, then set it aside as she picked up a piece of paper and a nearby pen. Sorry, girls, she wrote. Looks like it’s up to you two now. I wish I’d been a better leader, no, a better sister to you both. She sniffled, a few tears running down her face. I’m so sorry. It’s all my fault, but, I’m making up for it now. You’ll do better with just the two of you, the energy will support you more now that we’re not splitting it up as much. I’ve been leaving my portion in the hourglass these past few days, my last gift to you. It’s not much, but hopefully it’ll help.

She could barely keep herself composed, but she held steady. Just a few more moments…

Maybe now you can start a better life. I love you both. I’m so sorry…

~Adagio

She set the note on a side table, then sighed. Guess it was time now. She sat back down, putting her back against the wall. She reached for the pistol, looking it over, weighing it in her hand. It was a good model. It would serve its purpose well.

Staring at it, she brought it up, resting the barrel inside her mouth. The taste of metal was soothing against her tongue. Closing her eyes, she relaxed, knowing her sisters would be far better off without her.

And she pulled the trigger.

Author's Note

I got the idea for this late several nights ago. I spit it out, then over these last few days, refined it as I could in what little spare time I was able to set aside.