The night was stormy which made the things all the worst, especially since Sonata had left the door open again and water had soaked the floor of the local Royal Burger joint. Closing time was upon the fast-food joint but the Dazzlings couldn’t leave until the place was clean and dry.
“Sonata, you idiot!” yelled Aria as she moped the floor dry.
“Sorry” said Sonata as she dried the tables.
“Just move, I want to get a good night of sleep this week” ordered Adagio.
“Sorry” repeated Sonata as she kept her head low.
“I cannot believe we have reduced to this, cleaning floors, selling fried food like some losers” complained Aria as she stopped and rested on the mop.
“Well, it will be far worst if we don’t pay the rent so finish drying this place” ordered Adagio again, this time with a less friendlier tone.
“You could help” said Aria.
“See this slightly better shirt? It makes me the boss and gives me the power to order you around, so hurry while I check the rest of the place” ordered Adagio.
“Yes boss” said Aria and Sonata in unison, Aria with a tired tone and Sonata with a very sorry voice.
Adagio lazily looked around to check the place, she knew it was empty as it had been ten minutes ago, only thing this time it wasn’t. Adagio was surprised to find someone sitting in a corner, a shady man with skin that was was shades of pale green grey and white, he wore a black suit with a large hat to match and shades to cover his eyes. Adagio did not like the sight, less the fact that they would have to serve a costumer at this hour.
“Sorry mister but the restaurant is closed” informed Adagio in an attempt to kick the costumer out politely.
“The door was open, it was… inviting” said the man with a tone of voice that was wrong, as if the voice was tired but at the same time very active, almost a shade of crazy.
“It was an accident, we are closed” stated Adagio in an attempt be affable.
“You close ten minutes earlier?” asked the man in inquisitive tone covered in shady curiosity.
Adagio rolled her eyes as Aria groaned and Sonata’s face saddened. Adagio pulled out her notepad to take order.
“What do you want to order Sr.?” asked Adagio without sounding too menacing.
The man looked at Adagio, she did not like the way he was looking at her, it was like he was studying her but in a way that no one would ever want to be studied and evaluated.
“I am here to take a very especial order” finally said the man.
“Great, secret menu. Go fire the stove Sonata” complained Aria out loud, not caring about the costumer.
Adagio stared back at the man, right into his shades, though she could not see his eyes she could feel something both familiar and completely strange.
“What do you really want?” asked Adagio with a feeling of morbid curiosity as she asked.
The man smiled. Adagio felt the strangeness of the smile, as if she had asked hell to open its gates and the wish had been granted.
“I want three sirens” said the man with a nonchalant voice, as if what something one would say all the time. but the words froze Adagio on her steps and almost made her tremble in fear.
“Sonata, I told you to fire up the stove!” yelled Aria, snapping Adagio out of her trance.
“Pipe down you two!” ordered Adagio angrily as she tried to focus back on the man himself. “How do you know and what do you really want mister?” she asked again.
“I know what you three are my dear and I wish to invite you three for a mutually beneficial partnership” said the man.
Aria and Sonata approached Adagio and interchanged looks confused.
“Maybe this would sweeten the deal?” said the man as he opened his palm and showed them three gem, exactly that the gems they once had.
“Are those…?” asked Aria surprised.
The man nodded.
“Wow!” said Sonata bewildered.
Adagio pushed Sonata and Adagio back.
“What is wrong?” asked Sonata.
“This is too good to be truth” said Adagio while looking at the man.
The man smiled. “You are smart one, but I assure you, work with me and I will give you enough power to turn this entire world in your personal playground and crush those who dare to humiliate you three.”
Sonata smiled and Aria raised an eyebrow interested but Adagio remained stoic.
“Sounds like a pretty good deal Adagio” said Aria.
“We could be powerful and famous! The glamour… I could make that girl make me all sorts of pretty dresses” said Sonata like a gleeful child.
“What really are you?” asked Adagio bluntly.
The man assented. “I am a very old enemy of Equestria, a powerful sorcerer that managed to fight Celestia to a stand-still. Like you too I was vanished to this world and I have been harvesting its magic of this world to take my revenge on that blasted Celestia and burn everything she loves” said the man with a calculating tone.
“Good luck, the magic here is weak and lousy” said Aria sarcastically.
The man laughed at the comment. “Yes indeed it is weak, I have sucked almost all of it for myself.”
The Dazzlings reacted surprised at the comment.
“How do you think I managed to make new versions of your precious amulets?” asked the man.
“How could you suck all the magic of this world?” asked Adagio.
“I have been here longer than you and have studied the magic of this world. I am armed myself and ready and all I needed was to find a way back to Equestria and I have now” explained the man.
“Why do you need us then? I mean you seem already very powerful” said Aria.
“I have studied the portal and it needs Equestrian magic to be open in both sides. sadly I need the magic those girls at Canterlot High posses but I can’t approach them without the possibility they may warn that pony that came from the other side” said the man.
As the phrase needed Adagio had a realization. “You need us to steal the magic for you” said her.
“Yes, but more than that I need you to help me whip it into a concoction that not only open the portal but also mix it with this world magic cast a spell that will destroy anyone in my way. Once is done I will leave this world and you will have more power than you could ever dream of” said the man.
Adagio smiled and Aria and Sonata followed in her smile. She extended her hand to shake it with the mysterious man.
“It’s a deal” said Adagio.
“It is indeed” said the man as shook her hand and with it trespassed massive amounts of magic to the Dazzlings. The Dazzlings suddenly felt new and stronger power coursing through their veins.
“What’s the plan boss?” asked Aria.
“Divide and Conquest my dears. And please, call me Eclipse, Doctor Eclipse” said the man as he removed his shades and revealed eyes full fire and destruction.
The three girls stared at those eyes and where filled first with fear but then with twisted joy.
“I am a big fan of your work” said Adagio delighted.
Twilight had decided to skip the bus today. It was a beautiful day, the birds sang happily and the sun shined high, her spirit was soaring. She had been in Canterlot High for a couple of months and her world had changed in all of the best ways, now she had six awesome friends and her life finally had something beyond studying.
As she walked and she allowed her mind to imagine all the fun she and her friends would have today: Maybe Pinkie will teach her how to bake cookies, or Fluttershy will take her to see the new baby animals, or Sunset would take her for some tea.
Twilight paused and took a deep breath.
-Today will be an excellent day!-
Twilight smiled at the world of possibilities, until a bush began to move.
-What was that?-
Twilight turned and saw the bush move, first randomly and then is a rhythmical fashion.
-What the?-
Though Twilight’s first thought was to just let it be her curiosity got the best of her and carefully she approached the bush. As she got closer the bush began to move less and less until it became a very soft shake.
-Mew?- was the sound that came from the bush.
-A kitten?-
Twilight calmed down and with a smile approached the bush calmly.
-Come out, I promise I won’t hurt you- said Twilight with kindness as she finally got near the bush.
Suddenly a small figure jumped out of the bush scaring Twilight.
-Gotcha!-
-Aahaaaa!- screamed Twilight as she felt on her ass.
In front of her a small kid with purple skin and green hair laughed heartily while Twilight stood up annoyed.
-Spike!-
-You-you you should have looked at your face!- laughed spike as he shed his tears of joy.
-You should have been on the bus- said Twilight with a nagging voice.
-Hey! You did not board it so neither did I. You are my older sister and I followed your example- said Spike.
Twilight rolled her eyes at Spike’s answer.
-Fine, fine. I am walking to school and you can come with me- said Twilight.
-Sounds fun- said Spike cheerfully.
Twilight tried to keep a frown but she couldn’t, she could not stay mad at her younger brother. Both walked down the street enjoying their company.
-So, how has been Canterlot High for you?- asked Twilight.
-Not bad actually, is far friendlier than Crystal Prep High and I have managed to make some very good friends- said Spike.
-AJ has told me that you have become good friends with Applebloom and her friends and that you have had a great time with the kids of your new class- said Twilight proud of her little brother.
-Yeah, I thought that getting along with those kids would have been quite hard, but everyone here is super nice and super supportive- said Spike cheerfully.
Twilight was happy for her brother newfound place in the world. After the events of the Friendship Games Twilight had discovered that good friends could give you a new angle in life and she knew that her little brother would benefit from that, is the least she could have done after he saved her from herself. She was the one that asked her parents to also transfer Spike to Canterlot High, and though they were resilient they finally understood that as much as she needed good friends Spike needed to have a world beyond his older sister.
Before they knew it they had arrived at Canterlot High, as usual Twilight’s friends were gathered underneath the horse statue at the entrance.
-TWILIGHT! SPIKE!- yelled Pinkie Pie as soon as she saw Twilight and Spike coming, almost deafening anyone in her proximity.
-Not so loud dear, I think she can hear you all the same if you were a little softer- said Rarity as she recovered her hearing.
-But what if they did not see us! It would have been tragical!- said Pinkie scared at the idea.
-Is easier to miss an elephant in a room than you in a crowd Pinkie- said Sunset followed by a hearty laugh from the girls.
-Hey girls- said Twilight as she approached the group.
Spike saw Rarity and immediately tried to look cool to impress the girl of his dreams.
-Hey everybody- said Spike trying to sound suave.
-Hey little man, I think Scotaloo and the others were looking for you- said Rainbow.
-Oh right, we have to get the history project.- Spike turned around and winked to Rarity. -See you around.-
The girls waved Spike goodbye.
-Your little brother is really growing up fast- said Sunset happily.
-I think Canterlot High is doing for him what it has done for me- replied Twilight smiling.
-Maybe, but what really caught my eye is how different you and Spike are- pointed Fluttershy.
-What do you mean?- asked Twilight in an attempt to sound oblivious, clearly trying to hide something.
-Just look at him, you two have nothing in common. I mean, we have seen Shining Armor and you two have a lot of things in common, but Spike is like a different world from you two- said Applejack.
-Well, it resembles more other members of my family- said Twilight slightly nervous.
-Clearly not your parents, they have nothing in common with Spike- jumped to say Pinkie Pie.
Twilight sucked a bit deeper into nervousness and Sunset took note of it.
-Oh come on, maybe he resembles an uncle or other relative we haven’t met- commented Rarity.
Twilight suddenly lowered her head making clear she was very nervous.
-Twilight, what’s wrong?- asked Sunset.
Twilight rose her head and saw the faces of all her friends working about her. Feeling she couldn’t hide it any longer Twilight took a deep breath and pushed out the truth.
-Spike does not resemble any member of my family because… because he is adopted- said Twilight feeling really uncomfortable.
There was a brief silence from the girls.
-And what is so bad about that?- finally asked Sunset.
-Is just a little awkward- said Twilight.
-What is so awkward dear? You may no be blood but you have the bond of family and that bond is thicker than blood and water- said Rarity.
-Plus the little guy really loves you and you love him, that’s something to celebrate not to hide- added Applejack.
Twilight sighted again, it was still hard for her to be very open with her friends.
-I there something else we should know?- asked Fluttershy as she sensed Twilight doubt.
-Look, Spike doesn’t know he is adopted. I know he is because I added two and two together years ago but my parents are not sure how to disclose it to him- said Twilight.
-Why don’t they just tell him? It can’t be that hard- said Rainbow Dash.
All the girls turned to Rainbow making clear to her that she had missed some of the subtext.
-It is hard?- asked Rainbow confused.
-Look, Spike has lived under Shining Armor and my shadow all his life. Shining and I have been some of the most awarded students Crystal High ever had, in contrast Spike struggled a lot and had a very hard time both with his grades and peers and though he has given his best he always felt bad for not being able to be like us, like me. My parents wanted to tell him back then but they feared that if he knew at that time he would feel like a big disappoint for my parents. Now that he has been attending Canterlot High he has been doing so well my parents are feeling very confident to tell him, but is they who want to tell him- explained Twilight.
-Oh dear, it seemed far more complicated that even I imagined- said Rarity.
-Please, I beg you not to tell Spike or anybody else- begged Twilight.
Sunset kindly put her hand on Twilight’s shoulder.
-Don’t worry, we are friends and secrets between friends stay between friends- said Sunset.
All the girls assented happily.
-Thanks girls- said Twilight relieved.
No soon the conversation ended the girls heard a massive BUMP coming from the entrance. They shifted their heads and could see Derpy as she had bumped against Timekeeper and dropped all her books.
-Speaking of things that need to be talked about- said Applejack with a smile.
The girls saw how Derpy looked around nervously while Timekeeper happily collected the fallen books and helped Derpy carried them. As Timekeeper carried the book in Derpy followed with a smile and a blushing face.
-I don’t know why those two aren’t dating yet? They would make such a cute couple- said Rarity swooning over the idea of love.
-Say what now?- asked Twilight confused.
-Ever since Timekeeper began helping Depry to improve her grades Derpy’s grades have been going up, as does her admiration for Timekeeper- said Sunset in a subtle yet understandable way.
-Oh- said Twilight realizing what Sunset meant.
-Is just that everyone in school knows that there Derpy has a crush on Timekeeper- said Rainbow with a smug smile.
-Everyone except Timekeeper apparently- pointed Twilight.
-Maybe I should help Derpy tell him!- said Pinky as she pulled out a DERPY LOVES TIMEKEEPER sign.
.No dear, that’s not right. You have to let love take its natural course- said Rarity.
-Besides, we don’t know if Timekeeper would like to correspond Derpy’s feelings- pointed Fluttershy.
-That’s not fun- said Pinkie Pie disappointed.
The bell rang announcing the beginning of the school day.
-Oh well, we will see what happens. Right now we need to get our asses in before we get detention- pointed Applejack.
-By the way, did you hear the news? We are getting a new faculty member and students today- said Sunset as the girls walked to the building.
-Really? Who are they?- asked Twilight.
-Apparently is the new school psychologist and his three daughters- said Sunset.
-Sounds like fun!- said Pinkie Pie.
-Well, whatever they are lets hope is better than the last time we got three new students at the same time- said Rainbow.
-Is it about the Sirens you have told me before?- asked Twilight.
-That’s right sugar cube. Now better move it or lose it- said Applejack as the girls sprinted to class.
Author's Note
Is secrets time!
