Chapter Eight: Relax and listen to some Music.

Cleaning my plate, I think about my projects a bit more, trying to find a way to improve any aspect of them while I still can. A few minutes of silence pass as I fall into a sort of mediatory state, my hands are moving by themselves in a repeated motion, the water sounds and feels distant. Realizing, that I have been washing a sparkling white plate, I put it on a drying board and squeeze my eyes, blinking a few times. I take a moment to realize, that this concert is actually the first time I go somewhere to genuinely relax. Yeah... the Con doesn't technically count, since I went there to make a deal. I will try to ease back and enjoy my day, which I have never actually done. I tried massages, but they only increased my back pains. I tried visiting the sea, but... I guess I never truly relaxed and I wasn't sure if I wanted to. It was out of curiosity, that I decided to get a ticket for the performance, so I would figure out what it's like at one. But if I concentrate on the feeling - I won't be able to actually relieve the tension: both physical and mental. I guess I will never relax. I sigh and continue on with my day. Well... I was planning to anyway.

Sonata appeared all of a sudden, though didn't give me much of a shock, because I became immune to such things. At least in this house. Sonata was dressed in punk-esque clothing today and just generally seems to wear a new wardrobe every day. Not that I particularly care, just something I noted. Looking at her hair, I realize, that she has just woken up, and her demeanor of a walking corpse supports that theory. She releases a gaping yawn and locks on to me.

"Hey. Were you up late again?" She asks as she goes past me and I hear the coffee machine start up.

"No. Sunset tired me out last evening, so I thought I'd get some rest and wake up earlier instead. Get a bit more done that way." The familiar buzz and smell of caffeine fills the air, as the liquid pours into an all too familiar pink mug.

"You should take a break." I stare at the back of her head. "Or at least: I think so." She turns to me and takes a sip. "...Sunset didn't tell us why exactly you cut your hand, but she said, that you did it for her."

"You could say that."

"You're a workaholic aren't you?"

"Couldn't be further from the truth. It's just that magic is new and exciting to me. And I like learning new things." Maybe I've spilled too much.

"...I might have took a little peek, while you were working." F-

"Oh?"

"Yeah, I saw a bunch of pictures taped to one the walls, but I couldn’t understand any of the drawings." Well that's not so bad. "So what are you hiding behind them?" If I had been drinking at the moment I would begin drowning, but instead I am suffocating from the two-way air movement in my throat... I breathed in through my mouth and exhaled at the same time, alright!?

"What gave it away?" I say with complete calm.

"Well: it's not that hard to figure out, considering, that you specialize in runic magic and while the placement of the papers may seem random at first, I noticed, that most of them were used to cove as much ground as possible. Also: you just told me." She said with calm, taking another sip.

"...You're a lot more attentive, than your sisters give you credit... Have you told the others?"

"No I haven't."

"Good. I would like to keep it this way. I will tell them myself later. You are correct in that it's runes, and I suppose it is a sort of gift."

"Ohh! I can't wait."

"Yeah, well- I should be done soon enough."

"So back to the topic of you relaxing." Dammit! "Have ever heard of such a thing as a vacation?" I nod.

"I have."

"Ever been to one?" I nod.

"I have."

"...Did you...unwind?" My eyes wander off into space.

"No,not really. But I am always tense, so it's no big deal." I give a light shrug.

"It's not just that you are tense - it's that you wearing yourself out. Hard. Adagio and Aria think, that you're either simply slacking off and pretending to be researching and experimenting, or that you aren't that encumbered with that book." Encumbered? Who uses that word anymore? "But I can tell, that you are, in fact: working yourself to death." ... I lean back and my eyes run up and down her form, occasionally uncontrollably squinting.

"...I wouldn't call it hard work, since I am enjoying myself, but it's difficult at times, yes." I stare into the magenta of her eyes. "But it's fine, because I just don't relax. Ever. I might take a break to recuperate, but I never truly relax. That will happen only when I die." I smirk a bit, making it look like I made a grim joke, but Sonata is being creepy by staring at me, unblinking. Note to self: caffeine deprived Sonata is creepy... Although the same could be said, if she has a few cups.

"Do you have any hobbies?" Changing the subjects faster than... can't think of a joke at the moment.

"I don't. Never bothered with one and frankly: never saw any point in them."

"I heard: you like music."

"Yeah, I do."

"Isn't that a hobby?"

"No. A hobby would be: if I was making music, enjoying it and wasn't getting paid for it." She drinks a bit more.

"So what kind of music do you like?"

"Any, so long as I like it. I'm quite diverse in my preferences, so it doesn't have to be any specific genre, for me to want to listen to it over and over again."

"Ever tried to play an instrument?" Sonata finishes the rest of the drink, with a final swig.

"A few times, but I just couldn't learn how to play at least one."

"What was it?" She wonders, cleaning her cup.

"Would you believe me if I told you it was a triangle?" Sonata blinks and stops, when what I said finally registers: she giggles. She turns off the water and skips past me.

"I want to show you something. C'mon." I hesitantly go after her.

While we are walking up the stairs, I take a moment to think about something. More precisely: what I've been saying lately. What the fuck? These conversations seem very familiar... oh yeah: I was a bit of a wanker, when I was younger. I used to speak like that, didn't I?.. Yeah. Fucking nihilist, pessimist and materialist to the max. I was mostly after chocolate. Question is: what is causing me to act like that again?.. Could be my memories. My behaviors from the past must have gotten mixed up with my current one... Well that's not good. I lean the upper half of my body slightly forward and set my legs on autopilot, then close my eyes.

My perception of the passage of time changes, as I start sorting through my mind. Throw that away, don't need that... May-be... yeah I'll keep that. Switch that and that... think: I'm good. Opening my eyes I notice, that I only took three steps up the stairs, while I was rummaging through my brain. I nearly tripped over at the last step, but quickly corrected my balance, by taking in the reins. I didn't finish the process properly, so I would have to worry about it later in the day, but for now: it'll do. Repressing memories, to change my way of living? I deserve a pat on the back. Since recently: I am able to access my memories, but I can't change or forget them permanently, however: who said I can't put them at the back of my mind? Being an ass will not help me in my current situation... A hundred bits says, that I will have to be a complete dick, to save someone's life.

...I can afford it.

Sonata led me to the same door, I saw her and the other two sisters exit two days ago. She silently opens it and I realize, that the walls seem a bit wider in the doorway. Sonata walks forward and flicks on the light, which illuminates the room and gives it a yellowish hue. I look to the side and bob my head a little in comprehension, because there are multiple things I have realized just now. Mainly: where the Siren's money went. To my right is a bright wooden wall with a glass window, with a professional-looking recording room behind it, that has three wired microphone stands with filters and a set of drums. On our side of the wall is a pretty simple-looking mixing board and a device, that might be a vinyl recorder, although I am not a hundred percent certain. The leaps in technology here, are so bizarre at times. I think to myself and look over to Sonata, who is standing near a vertical rack with musical instruments in it, that are mostly guitars.

There are a three posters on the wall above. One of them is identical to the 'Battle' one I saw earlier, except without the specific location and time, while the other two have the three musicians captured in various other poses and wear. One is called 'Flame' and the Sirens on it are dressed in some sort of mix between Mayan and Aztec clothing. By which I mean: they are wearing ponchos and feathered helmets. But what sick ponchos they are. Their colours match the fur of their wearer and all have a flame-like design on them. There are many more details to the clothes, such as rhombus and zig-zag patterns of gold, while the girls themselves are wearing bracelets and earrings, also made of gold. The background has Mayan pyramids made of dark yellow bricks. They look like they're having fun... Although I think Adagio might secretly be an arsonist, judging by that grin. Is that a taco in Sonata's hand?

The last poster has a blue-ish underwater theme to it and is simply called: 'Ocean'. Sonata, admittedly, is the cutest one there, with her seashell, mermaid, clam... thing... costume. It's adorable, okay? There're various little plants and fishes in the background, including: a shark. There are also two glowing yellow eyes, looking out of the corals behind Adagio. I didn't know Equestria had such amazing photo-shop... The details on the posters progressively get better from 'Blue' to 'Purple', but all of them are equally well-made.

"Those are all the albums we've made so far." Sonata tells me, when she notices me examining the posters.

I hum in response and say 'thought so', possibly forgetting to add any volume. Sonata is now holding a magenta and black synthesizer in her hands.

"Actually I used to play a guitar before and it kinda stuck as a part of my image, as you can see-” She motion to the posters. ”But honestly? I prefer this over a string instrument any time. It's a synthesizer - a magical and musical marvel, because it's an instrument, that can play notes and sounds from other instruments. As far as I know: there are only two synthesizers in the whole world. Sunset and another friend of mine took a joke I made a bit too seriously and the result was this beauty." Her hand runs down the white keys, but no sound comes out. I notice an unplugged cord sticking out of the side of it.

"So how does it work?"

"Oh, I don't know. But Sunset told me that it uses metal instead of gems for storing and using the magic, which I think is a little silly. Aren't gems the best things for storing magic?" A pair if magenta orbs curiously moves to me.

"Not every type of magic. Magic is, in a sense - energy. But since there are various... signatures to it, that means: some magic reacts better with certain materials." And doesn’t react with others at all, but for some reason I have not yet found anything written about magic-cancelling materials. Wonder why.

"Ohh! That's pretty cool... and sorta makes sense if consider some stuff..." Interest appears on her face. "Didn't you say, that you didn' know any magic? Did ya really manage to learn so much in such a short amount of time?" Sonata's pigtail moves separately from her, as she tilts her head.

"I just read on a lot of magic related subjects, plus there is some familiar stuff in this field... So you make your music in there?" I turn my torso and use two fingers to point at the room beyond the glass.

"Yup, I dunno what this used to be, but we got rid of the windows, added this wall here and insulated everythin' with enchanted wood in there." What wood? "Ooh! Wanna hear me play?" I only had time to open my mouth, before she went past me to a frameless door.

“Ye-ah, sure…”

Walking into the studio I could sense a shift in the air as sound began to instantly behave differently. I released a buzz from my throat and what came out was a bit like a controlled echo, but it was clean. There were still vibrations in the noise, but it was smoother, as if… as if my voice was put through a filter. I stared in awe at the panelled flooring, none of my or Sunset’s books ever mentioned anything like this. I crouch down and run my fingers across the floors smooth, pale surface. Enchanted wood you say?..

“How does does this work?” I ask, my voice getting a high quality clarity.

“Hm? Ah! None of us actually knows how this enchanting thing works, not even the most studied scholars of Canterlot themselves. You see: this wood was and is being made by Deers and they are... like a super reclusive race. Yet some are open for trade and we were lucky enough, that a couple of them enjoyed our singing and knew how to enchant.” Sonata bends down and plugs her instrument in another triangular socket. “They were willing to get us some special wood and magic it up for a small price of a few bits and a personal performance for their families.” She looks back up at me. “Their parents convinced them to lower the price.” Wow.

“Is this stuff not super rare?”

“It’s not that it’s rare, it’s just the Deers are apparently the only ones that can know how to enchant stuff. Doesn’t help that they don’t like sharing their secrets on how to anything and live mostly in the depths of some woods. Yeah, I know. Like I said: a very reclusive race.” …Where are the Hobbits?

Sonata pulls out a stool from behind the giant drums, sitting down on it in a comfortable position, she crosses her legs and starts to play. The… music is calming. Not insta-calm, but it was close. I could tell Sonata was using her magic to make the music… well… magical. And I could tell she was doing it on purpose, which got me a little mad at her, but only a little. Might have been because of the music.

The melody… well I am not a very artistic person, but I suppose: it sort of, could remind someone of a clear day at the sea. I hate both the sun and the sea. So I guess: her noble intentions were foiled by my resentment of everything bright and unpleasant. Or no, do I actually dislike the sea?.. I don’t think I do.

She keeps playing for a while longer and somewhere in the middle of her performance: I sat down on the floor, criss-crossing my legs. Her song rings in my ears as she plays the final note before coming to stop with a little jingle. I start furiously clapping my hands, with a blank face.

“That was lovely, but one question.”

“Yeah?”

“Was that supposed to do anything special.”

“Uh…” Shifty eyes, my favourite.

“Sonata, it’s nice of you to use some of your magic to make me feel relaxed, but had I not known that you mean me no harm: I would not have hesitated to do something- drastic.”

“I- I just wanted to help.” She looks shocked.

“Sonata… you want me to not drain myself so much, is that it?” She bites her lip. “I’m fine, I’m not tired.”

“You have bags under your eyes.”

“Doesn’t everybody?”

“Of course not, why would you think that?.. Vadon, please. I know this may seem selfish, but I’ve seen one of my friends doin’ the same thing you are. And I know what happened to them afterwards.”

“They weren’t me though, were they? I will tell you the same thing as I told Sunset: I know my limits. And I don’t need, nor want anybody worrying about me - it would make things so much easier if you didn’t.”

“I know, that you don’t like us tellin’ you how or when to do something you clearly enjoy. Just take a break, it’s not as if you’re on a time limit.” I look to the side.

“...Well, uh... I kinda am.” I say to her, twisting my face.

“...What do you mean?” That I need to finish my projects before something like your situation happens?

“Don’t worry about it, point is: I know what I am doing, and I get what you are saying. I was planning to go your performance today anyway, that counts as something.” I look at her expectantly.

“I-I guess it does. But could you at least take it easy?” I release a heavy sigh.

“I promise to not overwork myself and to chill this evening.”

“Alright, thank you.”

“Thanks for the performance.” The pale-blue Siren gives me a smile. “Are you not worried, that I’d tell the others about how you are not actually an innocent little thing, but a manipulative evil from the depths?” Her smile turns into a dark smirk.

“No one would believe you.” I shrug.

“Eh. Maybe I’ll find a way.” We keep looking at each other in silence and she giggles. Evilly. “Welp. I uh- I’m gonna go work some more. If you wanna talk, knock three times in rapid succession.”

I give her a nod as I make my exit, which for some reason makes her confused and amused. I spend the rest of the day cooped up in my basement, meticulously inscribing a part of the runic array on the second wall. I had no idea of whether this would work or not, but supposedly if the guide to necromancy and Clover’s book on runes work together, then all I had to do was create the intended construct.

Wait: do I have to do the ceiling as well? I rush through the notes of my calculations. No I don’t. I think grinning to myself and pick up some copper dust, because apparently aluminium is more expensive than other metals here.

A few hours passed uneventfully and I came out for dinner. Sunset came back early today, apparently she helps the Sirens behind the scenes, working the fog machines, lighting, that sort of thing. I wasn’t really surprised, sine Sunset had a lot more in her room to do with science, rather than magic.

She also had a proper chemistry kit with a burner, that was using wood chips and straw as fuel. I don’t think alchemy is very advanced here, because when I asked her why she isn’t using alcohol - her response was: “What’s alcohol?” So I told her about the flammable substance, as much as I could remember from my school days and gave her a neat little trick with the rope, so she wouldn’t simply try to set the liquid on fire. She wanted to know where she could obtain ‘this alcohol’, so I asked her whether they have such things as wine, or cider. She said ‘yeah’, so I replied with: ‘And does it have an effect, that makes people uncoordinated and start slurring?’, she said ‘yeah’ again and I finished with a nod: ‘Then it probably have alcohol in it’.

Three occupants of the room paled at my words, Sonata and I being the only exception. I guess they were shocked to find out: they have been drinking a highly flammable substance, but Adagio grinned in the end, probably feeling awesome at the fact that she has done so. Sorry to disappoint ya hun, but you are not the only one that drinks. There are plenty of others.

We finish our meals, when the sky starts to get all kinds of red. I can’t see the sun behind the distant clouds however, so the view is great. It’s nearly six so everyone starts to get ready. The sisters go up to get the instruments with some other things, while Adagio stays to ask me: if I want to come with them early.

I decline, saying that I have some stuff to take care of and will arrive on time. I wonder how they are going to carry all of their equipment, to which she says that most of the things are already there, that she already went and paid a heavy lifters today and that I needed to get out more. I flipped her off. She got confused.

“What is that supposed to mean?”

I blink, as a billion thoughts run through my head (I would know, I counted) and a cheshire grin slowly slithers it’s way up my face.

“Don’t worry about it. It’s a human gesture.” I say with an evil expression beaming off into space.

“A what gesture?” I freeze, thinking how to go about this.

“Yes, my species is call homo-sapiens. A human for short and easy saying.”

“So you are not alone?”

“I am.” She furrows her brows.

“What makes you say that?”

“Have you ever heard or seen of anything like me? Ever?”

“Good point.” She blinks as if she has come to a sudden revelation. “Wait: doesn’t that mean that you are, well… alone?” I look at her like she’s gone mad, when I get what she is saying. I think.

“Yup.” Her eyes become deeper and more detailed and her mouth gently falls open.

She stays in that position, while we stare at each other uncomfortably. Sonata and Aria get down the stairs, carrying with ease magenta and black sport bags respectively. Adagio breaks out of her stupor, when Sonata puts a hand on her shoulder. Handing me a key, she tells me to lock the house behind myself and explains that they have spares, but that’s not why I was looking at her questionably.

They grab Sunset and leave me all by myself. In their house. Alone. Well: I have roughly an hour before heading out, so I guess: I should get ready. All I had to do was put on my jacket, fix my hair with my hands by sliding a chunk of it neatly across my forehead and hide one of the daggers. Probably not a good idea taking a magical weapon of a necromancer to a musical entertainment event, but better be safe than sorry. Yeah… that’s a solid argument. Since I had nothing to do for over forty minutes I decided to catch up on modern day culture by reading the first book of ‘Parry Otter’.

It was surprisingly good.

Having read a hefty chunk of the story and reaching a terrible cliffhanger, I get myself a drink of water and take off the bandages, the cuts have healed, although the marks are still there. After throwing out the used bandage and washing my hand, I head out. Closing the door I notice that the colours of the sky are now a night blue even though it’s early in the evening. The storm must have spread really far and high if this is what it’s like in the summer I muse as I shove my hands into the jeans.

It’s quite chilly outside, but there is no wind blowing. However: that changes as soon as I get to the Rarity Intersection. Oh no, there’s a slight breeze. I wet my thumb and hold it out. Yup, it’s coming from the storm. I think to myself and see that the second tower has been finished already and is working its’ magic.

Judging by the general rain movement, the storm seems to have wind only near the towers, whereas everywhere is completely still. ...Oh shit, is that a tornado? Is that water? In the far distance, almost near the horizon of the forest, there is a huge blue tinted whirlwind spinning in one spot. I just keep staring at it with one thought in mind: Well that’s not good.

…

I start walking again, albeit slightly faster. Up the street is a couple of Unicorns in gold armour, trying to light up the street lamps, but they keep letting out frustrated grunts every few attempts. I walk past them and one of them blinks at me in shock. I hear him nudge the other one and I feel their stares on my back.

“If you’re struggling with lighting up the lamps: I suggest doing it manually. Or using something, that doesn’t require magic. Surprised you didn’t know about this already.”

“Excuse sir, but who are you?” I spin around, but keep walking backwards.

“A law-abiding citizen that gave you two a helpful advice.” Although: not of your land. “Now: I am in a bit of a rush since I have a musical event to get to, so if you wouldn’t mind, I bid you two adieu.” I give them a two-fingered salute and turn my body in the direction of my movement.

I feel my body shaking slightly from the small dose of adrenaline I just recieved. Must be privates, or something similar. I couldn’t just stay silent, because who knows what they might have reported back, plus: since Luna already knows about me, I might as well make a… non-hostile impression on the guard.

Navigating my way through the alleyways, I come across the same large grey building as before. I was always really good with directions. I come around the front of the massive building and find out that it is even bigger from the front. I finally look up and see that it’s at least four or five stories high. It also doesn’t have a roof, because I can see multiple lights shining up into the sky as if on a stadium. Probably could have found my way by that.

Roughly in the middle, there are two doorways into the building with buff white stallions by each of them, but only one has a line. I walk up to the ‘free’ bouncer, who keeps his composure and simply raises an eyebrow.

“Hello, I am Vadon. I should be on the VIP list?” He says nothing, as he looks down at his clipboard.

“Hmm. The name is on the list, but you don’t seem like a small, rude, egocentric, furless, bipedal creature to me.” ...

“If I am on the list, then let me in so I can say ‘ello to the fuckin’ sea-weed eating, narcissistic, battleaxe, twat.” Both of his eyebrows slide up in amusement. “Better?”

“All good.” He hands me a white badge that says: ‘VIP’ with golden letters in a red rectangle, then steps aside, letting me walk through. “What’s a twat?”

“An organ.” I reply saltily, pushing the door open and stepping inside.

Putting on my badge, I take a look around the spacious… well: space, that is filled with a mass of various people standing and mingling with each other. Some probably have their hair dyed, but I wouldn’t be able to tell, because their natural hair palate is already wild. At the right end of the hall, there is a metal stairway, leading up to metal platforms with safety railings, that have a few Ponies leaning on. I take note of multicolored projectors at the top of each of the walls, shining at different angles into the sky, or the air below.

To my left is an elevated semi-circle stage, which isn’t as wide as the entire hall. There is a roof over the stage, or at least I think there is one, because there are large stone-brick walls with an open set of curtains with another closed pair a few meters behind and there is bright light coming from between the two, illuminating the whole space in dim lighting. On the stage itself is a set of drums and three mic stands, with wires leading to loudspeakers on the sides. Uh… where is the VIP spot exactly?

Sunset suddenly pops out of the crowd and rushes up to me.

“You came!”

“Why wouldn’t I? I paid for this, didn’t I?”

“Well yeah, I just thought that… nevermind. I guess a part of me was expecting you to not be here, since you love your basement so much.” It’s not the basement, it’s the projects! Although the basement is pretty nice too: means I don’t have to deal with you surface dwellers.

“Could you tell me where the VIP spots are?”

“It’s the balconies.” She says with a nod.

“The balcony is a VIP spot?” I look at her incredulously.

“Yeah, the view and sound there is the best in this whole place. I don’t know all of the magic behind it, but I have a few theories.” I turn to the stairs and see another bouncer at their bottom, who was merging with the others standing nearby an I recognized by seeing a badge on his shirt.

“Alright, thanks.” I look into the crowd and see a few… oddities in it. “Hey Sunset, what are those?” I use two fingers and a thumb to point at a thing, which I was genuinely curious about the name of.

“Oh! Those are Thestrals. Some call them Bat-Ponies though, since they’re nocturnal and have bat wings with fangs. Some Ponies are scared of them, but if I am honest? They can be pretty cute, when flustered.” She tells me, using her hand to stop the words from reaching the crowd. “Sorry, I would love to stay and chat but I should probably go. Oh! If you’re going to head to the top balcony, I suggest having a chat with that mare over there.” Sunset points up at a light-grey Unicorn with an indigo mane in a black dress. “She’s a constant VIP of theirs’, I know her personally and I feel like you two might get along. See you after the show!” I didn’t have time to say anything to her, because when I turned around: she was already running through a door leading backstage.” Did Sunset just try to… hook me up?What?

Shaking my head, I approach the stallion at the stairs, making sure he sees the ticket. He lets me through without a problem and I stride up the stairs, each step making a resounding clang. Getting up to the third and final ‘balcony’, if it can be called that, I take a moment to stabilize my breathing pattern, before looking at who is up here with me. The light from the stage is illuminating the four occupants.

There is the same grey mare leaning on the railing, in a non-detailed, shoulderless black dress that covers down to her thighs. A blue Unicorn mare with black hair and, in a backless black dress with a few white patterns adorning it, is chatting away with Sunset’s ‘friend’.

A white, blonde Earth stallion in a suit is standing at the far end of the balcony, looking all dark and mysterious, while an almost completely one-eighty pink-ish mare with pure white hair, in a white hoodie and navy-blue pants, is wearing an excited grin and is fidgeting in place, while having these weird twitches.

I start casually approaching the two closer mares, when the blue one’s teal eyes widen after noticing me and she whispers something to the other one. The other Unicorn turns around and her amber eyes focus on me. Both mares look a little frightened when I briefly raise my open palm.

“Hi.” They both blink, looking surprised and confused as if they were expecting me to cast fireball at them.

“Hello.” “Good evening.”

“So uh… I’m Vadon, nice to meet you. Sunset told me nothing about you.” I say, extending a hand, which the grey one shakes.

“Oh, nice to meet you. I am Platinum, and this is my friend Serenade.” …Hm.

“Let me guess: Moonlit Serenade?”

“Yes, how did you know?” The mare in question asked, shaking my hand.

“Well. Your dress has a crescent moon design on it and what I assume a-are stars? I guessed.” She smiles with slight amusement. I don’t see what’s so funny.

“Very impressive. Yes, I am Moonlit Serenade, although you may simply call me Serenade.”

“You said you know Sunset?” Platinum asks.

“I do know her, I have helped her with a few things in the past.”

“Oh? Well it is a pleasure to meet you.”

“Likewise… If you don’t mind me asking: why dresses? Seems like an odd choice for a Rock concert.”

“Well, mister Vadon, I can say the same thing about you. You are wearing a jacket and shoes.”

“Please, no mr and yeah, but I am also wearing jeans, so that doesn’t really count.” I say grinning.

“Well, we thought we might as well, maybe a charming young stallion dares to approach us and will leave two ladies satisfied with the night.” Platinum strikes a supposedly seductive pose.

“Well I hope, for your sake, that such a stallion appears.” She blinks, a grin appears on her face and she starts laughing.

“I like you, Vadon.” She says after she’s done. The blue one is looking at me with a pair of curious teal eyes, her head tilted.

“Not many people do, so I guess you’re in the exception.”

“I’m fine with that.” This... is... so... strange.

The lights dim and the crowd cheers, because Ponies don’t roar... At least I never heard one do it. A riff plays and I see green smoke beginning to emit from the stage. The crowd cheers once again and I hear an excited squeal followed by a short laugh from somewhere, making me spin my head around in confusion, checking if anybody needed any medical attention.

The Dazzlings exit out onto the stage, causing more cheers and applause. Each of them is wearing a black necklace with a red gem at the center and similar clothes to those in the ‘Battle’ poster although there are a few, but minor, differences. The green smoke now covers the entire area below.

“Go-od night Canterlot!” Adagio greets.

Me: Woo.

The crowd below and the rosish mare: “WORHOOO!”

“If you’d excuse me.” I mumble, as I circle around to hooded one. “Hi.”

“Woah! Uh- hello.” She’s pretty short.

“Are you ready to be rocked?” Adagio’s mic enhanced voice calls out.

“Sorry, I just noted that you seem like you really want to be down there, closer to the stage.”

“Well… yeah, kind of…”

“So why are you hesitating?”

“Um-...” The crowd cheers.

“I did not hear you!” The crowd screeches louder.

“Sorry, what was that?” She looks back at the gloomy stallion and then turns to me.

“Because someone is worried about me doing this sort of thing anyway and got me a VIP ticket.” Sadness appears in her steel eyes and her face turns into a mask of frustration.

“Worried about you enjoying yourself?”

“No. It’s… complicated.”

“Sure it is. But hey: at least you get to enjoy the Dazzlings perform from afar and stay with an overflow of excitement for the rest of the evening.” She stares at me, gears turning. “If you are satisfied with it, good for you. But if you aren’t? Well… there is always something you could do. Ask for example, ever tried it?” A female chorus begins followed by quiet strumming.

She chews on her lip for a moment before walking up to her bodyguard and saying something to him. A few moments pass and the guard speaks a couple of words, making her squeal and hug him tightly. She thanks me on her way to the stairs and the guard, following her, looks at me strangely.

I walk back to my original spot and lean on the railing with folded arms. The Sirens begin to sing something that I have heard before: lyrics of a song from a movie about them in my world, although it was now accompanied by a guitar solo ,drums and other funky sounds. The music was upbeat and generally pretty amazing, but there was one thing bugging me: …Isn’t this Metal?.

I wasn’t complaining though and was actually tapping my feet the beat of the synthesizer. When the overall tempo increased: the crowd below started singing along at bits and jumping. I saw the short white hair of the mare having the time of her life at the front rows.

When the crown became active, I noticed that the smoke started sparkling in places. And the sparkles with parts of the green fog were working their way up to the stage, which already had some green on it.

I don’t know how long this has been going on for, but they have played at least seven songs. Adagio picks up the microphone and says, that everyone should take a small break, while they get some of their things sorted for the rest of the album.

The Ponies and a few Gryphons below make some space for each other to discuss the performance with their friends. I personally really liked their songs: some of them I recognized, while others were completely new. They definitely had talent. Or magic. Maybe both.

“It’s not polite to listen in, you know.” I say still looking down below with a smile.

“...”

“...”

“We apologise for it, but… we were terribly curious as to where you went and I must say: you have handled that quite well. Are you or any of your family - nobles?” Serenade replies.

“They could be considered noble people, yes.”

“So they are of high standing within your land?”

“I mean… you say that like you assume: I have a land.”

“You do not?”

“As far as I know, I am the only one of my kind in this world.”

“...Where do you come from?” Platinum quizzes.

“I wouldn’t be able to tell you the exact coordinates. But I am not of Equestria at least. I arrived to Equestria recently, via somebody teleporting me.” She looks sceptic.

“You were… teleported to Equestria from a different land? For what purpose?”

“No clue. I think I know who did it, but I doubt it was them.”

“So then what about your parents?”

“Oh no, they were human.”

“Hue-mahn? I am afr- Oh. Oh, I’m… I am so sorry for-...” Hm? Oh yeah.

“Don’t worry about it... Let’s change the subject to something brighter: was that Pony hit by rainbow lightning?” I point at a mare in the crowd.

“What-? Oh. Oh-” At first they both look appalled at my casual tone, but when they see who I’m pointing at they chuckle for a bit at my dark humour.

“No, I believe that is… officer Rainbow Dash and her mane is completely natural. Or so she says.” Platinum answers.

“You know people in the army?” Serenade looks at me oddly as if almost with sadness, but says nothing.

“Well, I know a few popular ones. She just so happens to be a promising Wonderbolt and possibly even a candidate for a captain of the Solar Guard. And now that you have said it, the officer does actually act like she has been charged by lightning.”

“Wonderbolt?” She already one?

“Yes. You don’t know what a Wonderbolt is?”

“I literally said twenty seconds ago, that I have been teleported to Equestria, from lands unknown to you. So let’s just assume, that I have been living under a rock for the past couple million years and I know nothing of the modern news.” She smirks and shakes her head in disappointment. Oi.

“The Wonderbolts are the aerial grace of Equestria. Of it’s might and freedom in the skies. They also do shows every once in a while, presenting new recruits who they think will eventually become greatest wonderbolts.”

“Right, so I guess that means: there are no Unicorns with them. What about Thestrals?” Platinum opens her mouth and turns to Moonlit, while she herself has her eyes wide open and pupils shrunk. Did… did I say something?

“Sorry, I guess we just realized, that never in Equestrian history have actually Thestrals been recruited into Wonderbolts.” Seems racist.

“Seems a bit racist, but I guess this aerial grace only flies during the day. Although: a Thestral could technically adapt to a different sleeping schedule, right?”

“Yes, and I suppose: I am a little confused as to why that is. Anyway: you are close to the Dazzlings, correct?”

“I am a little, why do you ask?” Platinum fidgets on her bare hooves.

“Well it’s just that not everyone is able to get a VIP ticket to a show, unless they are a noble, or a close friend.”

“I don’t even know how I got one. I mean I do, I just don’t get the why.”

“Well that’s-”

“A-nd we’re back!” “WORHOO!”

“Is that a mating call or somethin’?” Serenade bends over in an instant and begins coughing, while Platinum grabs the railing with one hand and covers her grin with the other, making weird noises.

“It d-does sounds li-ike o-one.” “Oh dear me, you are so crude. I don’t believe I have ever heard anyone say something so- so-...”

“Blunt?” Serenade nods.

“Yes.”

We laugh a little together and enjoy the rest of the evening, occasionally chatting and making fun of certain types of people. Apparently: Moonlit isn’t a noble, but she is high ranking and works at the palace and even invited me for tea at her place. I didn’t say no, but I also wasn’t exactly rushing to it either so I told her: ‘If I am ever in the area’. When the last song ends and we stop head-banging, I decide to ask Platinum something.

“So how do you and Sunset know each other exactly?” She smiles toothily, moving her hair, or mane if you prefer, to the side.

“We work together at the castle and she told me a few things about you, but you’re nothing like I expected.”

“In a good or bad way?”

“In a good way.” Platinum’s smile turns kind.

“So I guess: you two are working for princess Luna.” She gives a nod. “I heard she wanted to meet and talk with me, does she still want to?” Her smile grows a little.

“I am sure she does.”

“I might be able to visit tomorrow after I take care of some of my business. When are the visiting hours?”

“I suggest arriving at four in the day, will you be able to make it?”

“Yeah I am. Just give her majesty a heads-up for me please, would you?”

“Of course.” She looks to my right. “Oh, hi Sunset.”

“Hi Platinum.” I jump around, land slightly crouched and point a finger at the orange-ish Unicorn.

“HA! You can’t creep up on me no more Sunset Shimmer.” Now that I think about it, her colour is the most human I’ve seen so far. She raises an eyebrow, smirking.

“That was a double negative.” I look downward, processing her statement.

“Fek.”

“So how were your evenings?” I rise back up.

“It was alright.” “Amazing.” “It was a pleasant change of pace.”

“Oh uh- hello. I don’t believe we’ve been introduced yet?” Sunset asks extending her hand.

“I am Serenade and you must be Sunset. Your friends were talking about you quite a bit.” Sunset smirks for some reason.

“I don’t think Vadon counts himself as my friend.” I walk over to her side lean in.

“And do you agree?”

“I am… unsure. But I would like for you to be my friend.” She looks up at me.

“Sunset… I would just like for you to know: you are incredibly tenacious.”

“That is why I am the princesses’ student after all.” Can’t argue with that. Well I can, but won’t.

“Where are the girls right now?”

“Girls?” Platinum asks in confusion.

“He means the Dazzlings. They are backstage, packing up, but you can go tell your thoughts to them right now if you want.”

“I think I’ll do just that, good night ladies.” I start walking away.

“Vadon, I am going to head to the palace after this, there are things I have to check up on, so I might not be able to come back home tonight at all.”

“Al-right? Thanks for telling me I guess, see ya!”

“Bye!” I take quick step down the stairs. “So what do you thi-” Sunset fades away, replaced by a cacophony of voices.

Ponies are leaving through the main doors and I see a certain mare within them exclaim: ‘Best- time- of my life!’, she notices me and waves happily. I smile back and simply raise my right hand, pulling down two fingers. The crowd seem incredibly tired, but all they look happy. A few take notice of me, but give nothing but lax surprise and carry on their way. Making my way to the stage I climb onto it with a leap, grabbing the edge for support. The light wood gives a few dull thuds as I stride across it.

Going behind the curtains, I see a door slightly ajar with light and voices coming through.

“-e was really excited to meet us, wasn’t she?” I recognize Adagio

“Yeah, but isn’t she like… in the guard or somethin’? Aren’t they all grumps?”

“She’s a Wonderbolt, I believe. Maybe-” I make an action I have not done in over a decade: I knock politely. “Yes, who is it?” I push open the door.

The space behind is a typical backstage room with a few big mirrors above a long wall mounted table. A few high metal stools are placed around here and there, one of them has Sonata with her legs spread and her arms placed between them, holding the edge of the soft seat. The other two are standing near their sportbags.

“Hi Sonata, hi Aria, hi Twat.” A smile rests on my face.

“Sup?” “Ohi!” “...What’s a twat?” Adagio asks with that false niceness, tinted with amusement.

“Ask your bouncer. That was a pretty amazing show.” Or at least I think it was, I mean: the crowd liked it and I liked it, but I was always bad at this sort of thing.

“Thanks.” Adagio narrows her eyes.

“But that sounded more like Metal, than Rock.”

“It’s technically Hard Rock, but yes: we decided to make this album a little heavier than our other ones.”

“So I noticed. I met these two mares and we had a bit of fun together.”

“Oh?” The orange musician inquires, putting away her electric guitar into a black bag.

“Yeah. Platinum and Serenade, you know them?”

“...I know Platinum, but wait... is Serenade a dark blue Unicorn?” I nod and hum. “Then yes: I know her. Briefly. So what did you think of them?”

“There is definitely more to them, than meets the eye. Bu-ut… I might just be paranoid.” She zips up the bag and puts it on and looks at me with a sort of smugness.

“So why did you call me a twat?”

“You lied about my description.”

“...What part?”

“Figure it out.”

“Well it’s definitely not rude and short. The only one that I can think of is… egocentric? But you are. You do know what egocentric means, right?” Dagi asks in a condescending tone.

“Egocentric - thinking only of oneself, without any regard for the feelings and desires of others. I am not egocentric.” She opens her mouth and her brows furrow. “Anyway, are you lot heading back home? We might as well go together then.”

“Yeah sure, we’re packed up. Just have to close behind us, the rest is up to those who maintain this place.” Aria speaks up, grabbing the other sport bag and shooting a smirk at her still processing sister, whose eyelids become rapidly closer. “I told you he would find out.”

“Eh, maybe she was counting on it, either way I only care about the lie, the others are all true as far as I’m concerned.” Yup, old behaviour at it’s finest. Need to fix this tonight, otherwise - problems.

Adagio looks at me rather disconcertingly, although I am too tired from today’s activities for it to really unsettle me. I hear a click behind me as one of them closes the door. I walk out onto the stage and see a mare with a mop in bucket. When she sees me she let’s out a little squeak and drops the bucket, managing to not spill any water.

I reel back and scrunch up my face “Am I that terrifying?”

“Yeah.” Adagio walks past me.

“Don’t worry! You’re just… something they haven’t seen before. Plus you’re not a that well known species, so-o…” If an Alien appeared on my doorstep: I’d first offer some tea, then scream, but only if it opened its’ mouths.

“Right. Well it’s not that it offends me, I just want to know why this exact reaction.” I motion to the mare who looks a bit ashamed and is trying to fade into inexistence by mopping the stage.

“Ponies are just like that. That’s my explanation.” Aria comments, following Sonata down a ladder that has been moved up to the stage’s edge.

I glance at the mare, who doesn’t look like she wants to fall through the ground anymore, but still seems a bit ashamed. I tsk and hop off the stage and land with a clack on the stone floor.

The starry air outside is a bit chilly, but not too noticeable. The mostly empty street is dark: it seems that some lamps were skipped after a certain point, but there is enough light to illuminate the place. I see the Sirens wishing the waving bouncers a good night, as the two ‘MEN’ lumber away. I couldn’t see the third one anywhere and it honestly was the least of my concerns as Adagio turns around and gives me a look. That look. The look that desires its’ victim to beg and plead for mercy and forgiveness and then maybe… just maybe it will let you explain why you have done what you did. Underneath that look was a smile.

“Twat is a bit overboard, don’t you think?” Not really - you were pretty unpleasant at times.

“Yeah, I’m… I’m sorry. I am. And good news: technically I should stop acting, like- this,” I motion to myself. All of me. “-by tomorrow. Something has just been messin’ with my head lately.” They look at me as if I’ve split in two

“...What are you doing down there?” I don’t have a secret meth lab! Do you!?.

“Stuff. Mostly.” Adagio lowers her brow.

“Mostly?” Two quick nods escape me. “I am not completely certain, but I think: you might be one of the most complicated creatures I’ve ever met.” She says, nearing me.

“Tha-nk yo-u, Po-ny.” I say, adding a vibration to my words.

“Ah- about that. I actually wanted to tell you… well… we three aren’t actually Ponies.”

“I know.”

“Ye- wait what? You know? Since when!?”

“Yeah Dagi, Donny knew for a while. You didn’t know he knew?” Sonata chimes in.

“Since I first saw your hair.” Adagio gets a confused look and shuffles the orange mass on her head.

“What’s wrong with our manes?”

“Nothing. They are not intimidating and physics defying at all. You must have a really strong neck.” She looks at me as if I’m spouting nonsense and releases defeated sigh.

“You’re awful, you know that?” I pout and look down with a sad expression. It was probably ugly.

They walk into a dark alleyway, with me close behind. I can’t see very well, but I guess they know the way, so I’m sticking close behind Aria and Sonata.

“Donny?” I whisper to the blue Siren.

“Sonata!”

I see her head start to turn and she suddenly lurches left. No. Aria pushes her shoulder into Sonata, making her sister nearly fall. An… odd sound and a cry of of pain ring out in the alleyway, making my eyes start adapting to the darkness. I hear the same sound, although this time it sounds in… reverse?

“Aria!” Adagio shouts.

Since the space in front of the girls is no longer obstructed, I can see a dark figure slowly pulling something out of an area right below Aria’s chest. No, wait. He wasn’t moving slowly, I was reacting fast.

I see the vague shape of the attackers hand twist to better help them hit… Adagio, who is trying to get to Aria. And at the trajectory it’s moving, the blade of thei- his weapon will hit Adagio’s throat.

Now, my thought process was as so in the moment:

1: Someone is trying to kill my hosts and clearly doesn’t want any money or anything else, so his primary objective: is to kill the musicians.

2: Since I don’t want to have to find a new home to live in or spend any time in jail if their deaths are blamed on me, means that keeping Sonata/Aria/Adagio safe and alive is my top priority at the moment.

3: He wants to hurt someone who is nice to me and I feel like finding someone who is genuinely nice is not an easy task.

3.5: Process result: Objective - incapacitate the fucker.

Note to process later: I thought of all this in less than half a second. Well damn.

My body was already moving on note two, so you could say I made a decision prematurely. Which I am grateful for, because whoever the attacker was - they were fast. I was faster though. Shooting my right palm forward, I connect with his arm making him miss his target by a few centimeters. While my brain is still in slow mode, I keep pushing and move my left arm to grab the clothing on their chest. Getting a hold of a hefty chunk, I twist and bend my legs pushing them away, further into the alleway.

After I finish my shove, time goes back to normal and colour seeps into the world. My irises must having been expanding and constricting, because the dirty-orange stallion kept becoming dark and bright within the span of a few seconds. He looks at me, surprise evident in his green eyes, which quickly turns into anger. I hear shuffling behind me.

“Is she alright?”

“No, the wound seems pretty deep.” I glance to the wide kitchen knife with blood dripping off. A loud hiss sounds out behind me.

“Grab her and get to the nearest hospital.”

“Vadon, what about you?”

“I’ll be fine.”

“But-”

“I will be fine, now go!”

“...We’ll find some help, just don’t do anything stupid. Sunset would never forgive me.”

“Then I’ll try not to kill him too badly.” The stallion’s eyes widen and he comes charging.

I smoothly bend my upper half backwards and balance myself on a single leg, while kicking out with the other, aiming for his abdomen. The hit connects and he seems to lose his breath, but not focus as he goes to grab my leg and stab it. I reach forward and give mean jab right in his muzzle, the knife nearly cuts me and I heard a few cracks as my fist connected. My whole arm shattered from the impact. Or at least, that’s what it’s lower half felt like. I make some space between me and him. His face isn’t bleeding, or at least I can’t see any blood, but I guess it was quite painful. I hear the sound of boots against stone behind me get distant.

“You always protect them, I saw you defend them at the market the other day and you’re doing it now. Why? They are monsters!” I stare at him for a bit.

“I have my reasons.”

“I don’t want to hurt you, but I will if I have to.”

“I do want to hurt you, and I will if I want to.”

His eyes narrow and I almost thought he’d say something like: ‘So be it’. My eyes have fully adapted to the dark and I am now fully in control of how much adrenaline I wish to use. I trained myself to use it in doses whenever I need, but I can do it only if the flow is already there.

The guy is wearing a simple brown short-sleeved jacket and jeans. Since he is an Earth type and pretty well toned, his punches will have a lot more force behind them, or at least: that’s what I got from our discussions with Sunset. Basically, it means: I can’t let him hit me or he might literally break me in half.

Since Ponies telegraph their movement so much, it made it a little easier to predict his next action. He went for a wide diagonal swing from right to left, so I sidestepped to my left. I guess he was expecting me to do exactly that, because as soon as I got out of the way: he faced his whole torso to me and went for a stab. Since he was a bit taller than me: his stab was a going at a slight angle downward. I decided to use this to my advantage.

I take a step back back, but keep my other foot in the same position. When the knife’s tip gets close to my right shoulder: I twist my body so that the blade would move roughly in front of me. At the same time: I raise my right hand to smoothly push his arm away near his elbow, making him miss spectacularly, but that wasn’t the only thing I was doing. Since I knew that he is going to keep moving forward, I made some space between his appendage and my chest, so that my already moving left fist can fit through. And fit through it did. There wasn’t even enough time for him to blink before my other fist broke against his mug. Well, not really, but it felt like it had. Even more than the other one.

Since my hands were hurting, I resorted to a strategy I came up with a while ago: ‘If you can’t punch them, grab your enemy and throw them around’. And I did just that, man, aren’t I smart?

Getting a sloppy grip one the front of his jacket, which I realised: is actual leather, I twist my entire body and throw him against the closest wall. His weight did not help, but I at least had some muscles. And I used almost all of them to make sure his senses get messed up at least for a moment. At the impact against the stone wall, he lets out an audible grunt and falls to the bottom of the surface, dropping the bloody knife, which clatters down a short distance away from him. I start approaching him and dodge, when he tries to buck me while still sitting on the ground. I give a kick of my own, but hit the wall instead of the head that moves, so I quickly half-jump, half-kick with my other leg, the wide heel connecting with his nose. A crack and I hear half-shout, half-grunt as I right my balance on top of him.

I reach for the dagger behind my back, pulling it out in a reverse grip. I give a stomp on his stomach, making him start coughing and ready my dagger. I bend my knees and back, when he finally looks up at me and his eyes dilate. I stab. He sings.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Adagio Dazzle

For the last, what felt like hour, but was probably only a couple of minutes I keep hearing my sisters ragged breathing as Sonata and I carry her through the lit street. Just hang in there Blazy. Hang in there for a little longer, we’re nearly there. Suddenly: I think I faintly hear a scream in the distance and look at Sonata for confirmation. I see her looking at me for an explanation as well with worry and fear clear on her muzzle, so I can safely assume: I have not imagined it. It might seem immoral and selfish to some, but at the moment: I didn’t really care about Vadon. Maybe there was a little voice in my head telling me to find some guards as quickly as possible, maybe there wasn’t. Either way: I ignored both it and the scream. Sonata might have had a different opinion though, judging by the swinging of her head and narrowed eyes.

After some time: Aria managed to slow down her bleeding, coming from the hole under her breast. After all these years, I’m still not used to these things. How the Ponies deal with them their whole lives, I have no idea.

Where is the blasted hospital? Just as I think that, a tall building with a red cross painted on it and lights inside the windows appears around the end of the corner. I breath in relief and with a newfound vigor, trudge toward the hospital. Now that I have my intended target in sight, I pay a little more attention to the now not-so-quiet voice in my head. Where are the guards? Did Celestia send all of them out of the city or what? Of course I doubt she did, since the number of only Solar guard rounds about to something close to seven thousand troops, the Lunar following behind with three… that’s what it was all those years ago anyway.

I push open the half-glass double door for us and enter a typical hospital with bright bluish-white walls and a dark-green, almost jade, floor. We start quickly approaching the mare behind the white counter.

“Hello and welcome to- Oh my goodness! What happened to her!?” The nurse rushes over to us.

“Aria got stabbed by someone in an alleyway. The wound looks deep, she needs medical attention, now.” She nods and tells us to wait here, while she finds a doctor.

A few seconds pass and she comes back with a yellow-green Pegasus in a white lab-coat. She introduces him as Serene Excision, the doctor takes a look at Aria’s wound and narrows his eyes at the sight of it. He tells us to bring her into one of the free surgery rooms.

In the operatory, there is a Unicorn mare getting a set of gloves ready. Doctor Excision asks us to gently lay Aria on the table, while he puts on a pair of white gloves. The sky-blue mare pulls up a cart with tray of surgical tools and the young-looking doctor puts on glasses, which confuses me a little since I’ve never seen a Pegasus wear some. It’s an odd sight.

“What happened?” The assistant mare asks us.

“We got attacked in an alley,-” I say placing my bag on a nearby chair. Aria dropped hers’ in the backstreet “-Aria is the only one that got hurt as you can see. How bad is it?” I ask the Pegasus, who manages to gently look at the damage done, without causing any visible pain or discomfort to my sister.

“Hmm. The laceration will definitely have to be sterilised and stitched, but I couldn’t see any damage done, so I guess that is the good news.” The assistants horn lights up a jade hue as she holds a snow-white towel to the cut, making Aria release a hiss and tense for a bit, forming a grimace.

“What was she attacked with?” Serene pulls out a needle and string from tubes filled with liquid.

“It was very dark, so I couldn’t see all that well, but I think it was a knife. A big one.”

“Hmm. A dagger?” Sonata shakes her head.

“No, I was closer at the time and it looked like a kitchen knife to me. Maybe a chef’s knife.”

“Hmm. Well, in any case-” There is a knock and the door opens to reveal the desk mare.

“Um- excuse me. The guards are here, asking for the questioning of any of the victims about the incident.” Mine and Sonata’s eyes meet and I give her a nod.

Sonata walks up to the door and I hear the mare asking to follow her. I look at Aria who smiles, calming me a little on the inside. The doctors’ voice breaks me out of my silent gaze.

“-aid, i will have to ask you to leave, miss. Procedure demands, that during any medical operation, nopony besides the medical staff and the patient must be in the room.”

“Oh uh- Sure. I understand.” I give one last glance at Aria, before exiting out, into the hallway.

Choosing to find my attesting sister, I go back to the main hall and see the one I’m looking for with two Lunar guards.

“I’m sorry miss Dazzle, but could you repeat that?” The desk mare comes up to me, asking me to fill in the patient form.

“I said: Vadon. V-A-D-O-N. We left him in the backstreet near the concert hall with the assailant. Please, he told us: he will hold them off, and we promised to get some help, but he isn’t very strong. Please find him quickly!”

“Of course miss, please calm yourself. What does he look like?”

“Well, he isn’t a Pony, he’s wearing a blue suit jacket and-!” A loud slam comes from the front door.

“ADAGIO!”

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Me

I sigh in despair, frustration and every other negative emotion, but also satisfaction as finish carving out the last rune around the wound of the tied up stallion on my work table. I had carried both him and the bag, that Aria dropped when she was attacked, back home. I had dropped the limp body on the table, tied it up and began working my magic on the corpse.

The dagger, as I had guessed, drained the soul of the guy into itself. His soul wasn’t sucked in instantly though, and was probably a really painful process, if his screams were anything to go by. It didn’t, thankfully for him, last longer than five seconds.

Apparently: flesh is not an easy material to write out runes on. Especially if the muscles are all relaxed. So in order to not render the body useless, I had spent the last ten or so minutes inscribing, with surgical precision, the matrix I required to be spread out along certain parts of his body, occasionally checking with the book an notes.

I was surprised at how easy it was to carry a corpse through the admittedly empty city. I was approached by a night guard who asked where I was carrying the citizen. I was almost tempted to give him into the guard, before I realized that he wasn’t alive at the moment and I’d have to explain the concept of necromancy to the gua-rd… yeah. So instead I replied with: ‘To my friends house. We were at a party and he didn’t last long as you can see’, there was a brief moment of silence as he studied my face, before he said: ‘Carry on. Have a good night’.

I pick up pure black dagger, as the runes on it now have a dancing eerie cyan light. I feel nothing but calm however, as I look at the container. I could stick him into my armour through the sheath, but I am unsure if I would be able to get him back out. I also trust him more trapped in his own body, rather than anything of mine. I didn’t make him immortal in any way, if it were that easy: I would have done so on myself a while ago. But: I am reviving him and… adding a few mechanisms in place beforehand.

I insert the dagger back into the wound, and as soon as the edges of the wound touch the hilt: the light flows into the body and I faintly see it spreading out in webbing patterns under the skin to his head. I pull out the blade and a hiss permeates through the air as the guy comes to life with a sharp gasp, before starting to cough violently. He starts blinking and squinting at the bright light. Earlier: I made sure, that the rope doesn’t restrict his air flow and closed his eyes, so they wouldn’t dry.

The runic array on him flashes my trademark colour, before becoming a design of wide lines and turning completely black, as if the fur has been charred and I notice the flesh on his chest fused, as if from heat. I’m mentally exhausted, but I would not back down. Not now.

“Wh-what? Where-?” The brownish ‘no longer corpse’ rasps.

“Hello there.”

“What? Who-?” He breaks into another fit of coughs.

“You died.” I state, matter of factly.

“What?” He asks in incomprehensible confusion.

“You have been brought here to be judged.”

“Oh Celestia. So the afterlife exists huh?.. I am not afraid.” ...What.

“Are you sure about that?”

“Of course. I have done nothing wrong in my… past life.” He thinks he’s in purgatory?... lol.

“The laws would state otherwise.” The thoughtful look on his face twist into one of either fear or confusion.

“What, but… what laws?”

“You have attempted to kill another being.” And I’m pretty sure, that murder is illegal.

“But… they deserved it!”

“Why?”

“Don’t you know? Who are you even!?” He can simply turn his head… I guess the muscles in his neck are numb.

“Humour me. Why do you think they deserved death?”

“They… they killed my family!” …Well that’s unexpected. “How is that not deserving!?”

“Quiet mortal. Lower your voice, or I will put you back into limbo.” He gets confused.

“Li-” His eyes widen in fear and he falls silent. I see the muscles in his neck twitch, as he painfully slowly moves his head to me. “I am not dead.”

“No. You are very much alive. I brought you back.” He stares at me with a sort of horrified expression and mouth agape “As far as I am concerned. There is no afterlife. So you would have just faded into nothing as everyone forgot that you even existed. But I brought you back for a reason. Talk.”

“I- I remember you. You- you kil-”

“Yes. I killed you and I brought you back. I can do so again. Now: about that reason.” He visibly gulps, but grimasses a bit. “Water?”

“Yes please.”

“I would like for you to know: you will not be able to get far if you try to escape.” I inform him, getting up from my chair. I quickly go to grab half a glass of water and bring it back equally as fast.

“What- what do you want to know?” He asks after quenching his dried throat.

“...”

“...? …! Ah. Yes, those monsters killed and… and…”

“An-d?”

“Ate my wife and children.” I stare at him. Just stare. What… the fuck.

“Ohhkay… And when did this happen exactly?”

“Bluey - my wife and Minty - our daughter, really liked... their performances. And- one day: they told me that they are going to go get an album signed by them at a place. I was working at the restaurant that day, I am a chef you see. That’s why I wasn’t able to go with them even though I’m more of a classic enthusiast.” A deep breath. “So they went to this place, where those- those- fucking-”

“...”

“I’m…” His lip quivers for a moment before he takes a shuddering breath. “This was the same day the storm happened. I already got home, but they weren’t there yet. I was a wondering what took them so long and then the Queen announced, that everypony is to stay in their houses and I got a bit worried, since I’ve read the newspapers about the infamous fucking thing... Sorry for the language, but… I should have been there.”

“What happened?”

“I don’t know all the details. I was sitting home and when the clouds fell over the city, I was worried the whole week, but I was saved by the fact that the royal guard was evacuating some ponies from the streets, who couldn’t get to their homes in time, so I was hoping that they were safe after all.” His face twists into an expression I don’t recognize. “The storm ended and two days passed. I was getting really concerned, almost panicked. Today: I decided to go around town, ask a few ponies if they have seen anypony with their descriptions. I was about to go to the palace and ask some of my friends from my time in the guard, when I was a- approached by three Ponies. They were fairly young, maybe the age of a graduate school student. They asked who I was looking for and I told them and begged to tell me if they had seen them. They looked at each other apprehensively and said: they knew where they were, a- and... gave me t- this photograph.” He stares into empty air with fury and I think he even wants to cry, but can’t. “It had my… my dear Bluey and…” He shuts his eyes tight. “Minty.”

“...Do you have the picture with you?” He stays silent for a bit before replying with dead voice.

“In the inner pocket of my jacket.” I silent walk over to the garment. Nope. No. ...Aha! There it is, now:-

“...”

The... picture… had quite the shot captured on it, which had quite the effect on me. While I am not that easily disturbed by most things gory and twisted, I think that: corpses of two people with chunks eaten off and bloodshot eyes frozen wide would leave most a little bit speechless. I had the faintest urge to vomit as I stared in disgust and a sort of… horror at the ridiculous scene before me.

The light-blue… Pegasus mare, with an eaten out stomach area and half of her wings missing, was laying on her side on cobblestone ground. Behind her, with a reaching arm, that had missing flesh in places surrounded by teeth marks, was a mint-coloured filly, half the size of her apparent mother. Both of them had most of their clothes ripped or in tatters, their mouths open in screams of agony.

The most fucked-up detail about all of this? The blood splotches were only near the missing parts or on clothes, as if the one eating was biting with surgical precision. I guess: so that the victim wouldn’t bleed out during the feast.

My conscious thoughts turned into subconscious ones as questions began to form in the back of my mind, to be solved by using the knowledge I already have. Such as: how did they die? They obviously didn’t die from blood loss, if the mothers expression is anything to go by. I see through a part of the revealed ribcage of the mare, where there is a missing heart. Ah...That would do it.

“...What… What happened then?”

“I had a much worse reaction than yours and at first: I refused to believe it. I demanded to know where they took the picture and they said it is near one of the private storage areas, which is near to the place, where Blue and Minty went a week a go to get signatures from those fucking Sirens.” He knows they are Sirens? I am surprised, but manage to not show any outward emotion. “So I go to the place and I s- see a group of guards closing off the perimeter around the same barn the students told me they took the picture at. I felt fear, unlike any other. I also felt denial until I literally bust through the perimeter and… and saw it… them. I was devastated, the guard tried to pull me out, but I kept trying to get to them... I told the guards who the bodies were.”

I finally realized this happened today.

“I- I watched them burn today. The guards started questioning me on what I know about this and all I said is that I found out from that photo. They said that they will find those who did this and punish them within the law. I would not have any of that. I went back home, got my knife and waited in the alleyway after their concert was done.”

“When was this photo taken?”

“Today.”

“Where the bodies in the same state as in this picture?” He gives a nod. The bones were visible. “...And where was your wife during the storm?”

“I don’t know, but I think those monsters held her at their house, before bringing her to that storage.”

“The Dazzlings?”

“Who else?”

“Well you see: that’s incorrect. I have been living with them while the storm was here and I think I’d see a mare with a child somewhere in here.”

“In here?”

“You are in their house.” His green eyes widen.

“What! Where are they!? I knew you were with them!” He shouts in rage.

“Calm down. They did not eat anybody, especially not your family.” As far as I know...

“...Do you swear?”

“I swear. Look. If they have eaten them: why would they leave the bodies in some storage facility and why would I kill you and then revive you? If I had been with them, wouldn’t it make sense for me to dispose of you?” He begins thinking rationally at last.

“...So- So they are not Sirens?”

“No, they are Sirens, but as far as I know: they don’t eat Ponies or any other sapient life-form. Which brings me to my next question: how do you know what they are?”

“The teenagers told me that they have been watching them do this sort of thing for a while… or… at least I think they did. Did they?”

“You don’t know?”

“I- I don’t… remember?” My brows raise in curiosity. Did I accidentally damage his memories?

“And you didn’t find it strange, that they haven’t reported this to any authorities?”

“I- I didn’t? I- I- I can’t. It hurts. Why does it hurt?” I narrow my eyes.

“Do you remember your name?”

“Of course. My name is Rusty Cover.” …Not a very good name for a guard.

“You were in the royal guard?”

“Yeah, as a private. Two years. I got kicked out because I was ‘too violent’ and rash.” Hm-hm.

“You were too violent…. In the military?”

“My methods were.” Right.

“Right. I mean… I know your first decision was to murder us, I would probably too, if someone showed me a similar picture of someone I care about. But I just don’t believe you.” His gaze is set on me for a little longer before he sighs.

“Well, that is the official reason at lest. You see: Bluey actually used to work at the restaurant I am working at now. But… there was an unforeseen event about seven months back. We found out that we are going to get a new addition to the family.”

-the monsters killed and ate my wife and children. -ren.

…So first of all: he doesn’t know that they have been eaten alive. And two: whoever did this, had a snack on an unborn child. You see: when I feel the need to hide something I don’t want someone else to know, my lips contort into a natural tiny, practically unnoticeable smile. Which is, sort of, my usual conversation face. I guess it wasn’t exactly the appropriate moment to do that, so I suppressed the urge as quickly as I could.

“While the pay at the guard is not something to scoff at, it wouldn’t be able to sustain four ponies. And so: my wife suggested me to work at her place. The payment was good if the clients were there and by the words of others: I was a pretty decent cook. But the thing is: what many don’t know - is that you can’t simply leave the guard, at least not until you’ve completed you are at least an officer. And our captain, Celestia bless her, was kind enough and understanding, so she… she might have made it so I was discharged from the guard for making rash decisions and disobeying orders. Of course those decisions payed of in our platoons favour, but I couldn’t sustain my family with just the army so I had to abandon my dream... for another.” He chuckles at something. “I know: it is kinda funny. But I felt more responsible for the situation in my little herd, because my father was a Pegasus and I guess some of his mentality rubbed off on me.” Rusty smiles. “Bluey understood though, since she was a Pegasus herself.” He gets a pained look and mutters: ‘Was’.

It seems like his memory is intact, unless he is lying: in which case - all this was pointless.

I have so many theories, but no facts to actually back them up. I need Adagio and the rest... Wait: what if this was all a distraction while an accomplice goes after them along their way to the hospital? Fuck.

“...I need some professional opinions. Do you know where the nearest hospital is?” He nods.

“Yeah: it’s near the central square-”

“Which is a big circle, right?”

“...Yes. Uh… it’s around there. Why do you need a hospital?”

“To talk with someone who you put in there.” I notice him flinch and a shadow of guilt appear on his face. “I’m going to leave you tied up here, I’ll try to be quick-” For multiple reasons. “-so don’t bother trying to escape. If I come back and you’re not here, I will activate the runes from a distance and you will violently explode.” I say, picking up the little makeshift remote control/compass I made from scrap and blue crystals.

“Wait what?”

“Yeah, I know. Not the best thing to say, to seem on the good side of the moral scale, but it’s safety measures you know?” Rusty looks at me mouth agape.

“What kind of safety measures are those!?” I throw on my jacket.

“Safe ones. Now hush and be a good boy, and maybe you won’t die.”

“Maybe!?”

“I’m not sure if this magic is stable or not.”

“WHAT!?”

I shut the door behind me, leaving the light on. Closing the door behind me, I sprint through the night, fully awake. Arriving at the giant city-centre I see a couple of Ponies walking from what looks like a night-club. I run up to them, asking if they know where the nearest to the concert hall hospital is and as per usual: they act surprised, but this time the reaction is more akin to: So cool du-de. They helpfully point at a one of the branching off streets and give me some directions. I thank them and get on my merry way. Well… maybe not so much as merry as much as breakneck speeds, but semantics.

I finally see a three story high building with a red cross drawn on the front wall. Wonder what’s in there. I see two Thestrals in blue and black armour standing in the main hallway with who seems to be Sonata. I charge the glass doors and slap one of them open.

“ADAGIO!”

Everyone reacts differently. The Thestrals spin around and pull out their swords and freeze gaping at me, Sonata blinks and I think I see tears form in her eyes. I thought I saw a mare standing beside Adagio, over at the desk, but I am not too sure. And of course: the mare whose name has been spoken, just blinks at me with surprised eyes.

“Adagio, I need you to tell me something.” I start heavily striding over to her.

“Excuse me… sir. But who are you?” One of the bat-ponies asks. I’ve noticed, that the night guards’ armour has more curves to the designs on it, while the day guards’ looks kinda… blocky?

“I am Vadon, nice to meet you. That is all you need to know.” Especially, that I am no longer a law-abiding citizen. “Now: Adagio-” I hear the guards behind me mutter something like: ‘Quickest solved case ever’. “-no wait: first of all - how is Aria?”

“The wound is deep and she might have lost a bit of blood, but thankfully: nothing too serious. She is in surgery now, getting stitches. What about you?”

“Hm. About that.” I see someone peek from behind the front desk. “Could you come over here with me for a moment?”

“Uh sure?” We walk deep into one of the hallways.

“Right. So:-” I take a deep breath “-have you or have you not ever killed or helped kill a Pony?”

“...Vadon, what did you do?”

“I killed a Pony, but that doesn’t matter. Have you ever killed a Pony or no?”

“What do you mean it doesn’t matter!?” She throws her arms out.

“He’s alive again, so it’s fine. Just answer the question and stop please shouting.”

“What? No I have never killed anyone ever. Why would even ask that?”

“Right, so: have your sisters ever done so?”

“Vadon, what’s with these questions!?”

“Look: I’m freaking out here, okay!? I don’t know what to do!” She inhales deeply and counts in her head.

“Is everything alright over there?” I turn around and give a thumbs up to the Thestral peeking down the hall.

“Just peachy!” He stares for a few moments before nodding and sliding back from view. I look at Adagio.

“Alright, start from the beginning.”

I tell her almost everything that happened and what Rusty told me, skipping out on a few grizzly details and by the end: she still looks a bit green.

“...I-Uh-I… I don’t know what to say about the whole situation, except: this is really fucked up.”

“If he didn’t lie.”

“Even if he didn’t lie.” She looks behind me. “Which I doubt he did.”

“Why is that?”

“Ponies, while capable of violence, don’t usually come up with such horror stories, especially with evidence.”

“So what do we do?”

“What can we do? We can give him in to the guards.”

“Or we could talk to him. I’ve got him tied up.”

“I think that’s a bad idea.”

“Why? Look how well it turned out with me.”

“Yeah, but you didn’t try to kill us with a knife.”

“No, I believe it was the other way around.” She looks at me for a moment.

“Is that why I’m a twat?” I nod. She puts a hand over her face and moans. “I thought you forgot about that already.”

“Nope. How do you forget such a sight?” She glares at me with one eye.

“...I never killed anyone, but I think I might as well commit genocide.” I look at her, she looks at me and slowly becomes uneasy. “I-”

“Very funny. Now: about that thing in the basement.”

“Do you trust him?”

“...I think I actually do. I mean - why would he come up with such a descriptive story and then say that he remembers nothing about how he got the picture?”

“Good point. So you carved out runes on him? Was he awake at the time?”

“You could say: he wasn’t awake.”

“...Or?”

“Or you could say: he was dead.” She stares at me. Then opens her mouth. “But I brought him back.” She continues staring. “Necromancy…- the art of interacting with a soul through magical means.”

“...” ... “Why do I get the feeling, that: that would fall under illegal magic?”

“I dunno’, but everything that is not forbidden is allowed, right?”

“I was right about you. You are dangerous.”

“And so is the Queen, yet you live in her land under her wing.”

“You did something illegal.”

“I brought him back, so that cancels itself out, doesn’t it?

“That’s not what I was talking about. You were using magic on a creature, without their consent.” I look at her incredulously.

“How was he supposed to give his consent!?”

“...I need some time to think.”

“Look: you morally questioning myself and your decisions will not help the current situation and will only waste time. There is somebody out there who wants to kill you and your sisters, and it definitely ain’t me.”

“Well what are your suggestions?”

“Suggestions about what?” Sonata inquires from behind me.

“Hey, are the guards done here? Do you mind checking on Aria for me?” Adagio says, looking over my shoulder.

“Sure thing, Dagi.”

“Thanks.” As soon as I hear Sonata close the door, I look back up at Adagio.

“After we are done here, we go home and you can ask him some questions. I’ll let you judge him and what you want do with him after this - is your own decision.”

“We might be breaking several laws.”

“No. I am breaking several laws and trying to keep you alive.”

“Why?”

“Call it gratitude.” Even though I am not sure myself why… Probably the thrill of the moment.

“I’ll try.” ..he-ey.

“Look. We are both tired… me so more than you, because apparently you literally just ate adrenaline.”

“Adrenaline?”

“A hormone in the body that makes you more excited. At least I think: that is what you eat, but I can’t be certain. Maybe you don’t have a gland that produces it?”

“How do you know about all of these things? First alcohol, now this...”

“I might tell you later, look: we’re losing focus again, let’s-”

“Hey guys!? The doctors are done!” Sonata waves to us and enters back into the room.

“I suggest: you don’t tell them what I told you, until you three are done talking with him.” I say to Adagio, before heading to the operation room.

As I reach the door, it suddenly opens to reveal Aria standing on the other side, fixing the bottom of her ripped and bloodied shirt. She looks up at me in surprise, while Sonata walks up behind her, saying thanks to someone in the room.

“Hi. You alright?” Her hands moves to the wound.

“I’ll live. What’s Adagio doing?” I turn around and see Adagio writing something over at the desk. I shrug.

“No clue.” A toxic yellow Pegasus appears in the doorway.

“Remember, miss Aria: return to us in a week from now. If the wound has healed: I will remove the suture. If, for some reason, it has not - you will need special treatment, which Sterile Zo-” He freezes when he sees me and fixes his glasses “...Which Sterile Zone will provide. And don’t forget: you have to relax and not exert yourself physically. You have already lost quite a bit of blood and I am surprised you are even walking at the moment. Any other Pony would have already passed out.”

“Yeah, well: I am tougher than I look.” He nods.

“Of that I have no doubt.” The doctor turns his eyes to me “I apologize, I am doctor Serene Incision-” What a lovely name. “-may I have yours?”

“I’m Vadon, thank you for saving Aria.”

“Ah! So it was you, who miss Aria was so worried about.” His eyes flicker to his left and he visibly wilts “Ahem. Yes, in any case: I would like to know what you are, I’m afraid: I have never seen anything like you.”

“You wouldn’t be the first one. I am the only one as far as I know.”

“Oh… I am sorry for that. But I believe that one’s family is not restricted to their own race, no?”

“Not really. Unless it’s a hybrid of some kind.”

“Hm. Well in any case: it is nice to meet you. Could you spare a moment for a few questions?”

“I am afraid: I’m short on time. Male, bipedal, mammalian, omnivore - that’s all I’ll tell you for now.”

“Hmm. Thank you and as for your natural magic?”

“No natural magic.”

“I’m...sorry: what? But that’s not possible, every race has some kind of natural connection to the magic field of Terra. How is it possible, that you do not?”

“I didn’t evolve that way I guess.” His brow furrows at the word ‘evolve’.

“Strange. Quite strange. But exciting nonetheless. I thank you for your time, I won’t hold you for any longer. Goodbye mister Vadon.” We nod at each other.

“Goodbye doctor.”

“Miss Aria, are you sure: you don’t wish to stay the night at the hospital? It would greatly help your recovery.”

“I am. Thanks for the concern though, doc.”

Adagio has finished discussing something with the nurse and we finally leave the building. I ask if they want me to carry the other bag, but Adagio chooses to do so herself. I note a quite a few blood splotches leading from a hospital down another street and grimace at the amount. The girls talk about various things and finally come to the topic of who is in their house. Adagio follows my advice and doesn’t tell them what I have found out, but before Aria or Sonata start getting panicked or angry: she eases them by saying, that Rusty is tied up.

They are still a bit pissed though. Understandably.

We come back home and I tell them to wait in the living room, while I go down to get the prisoner. Surprisingly and thankfully - Rusty is still lying on the table and when the rusty stallion hears me come in, he breathes out a sigh of relief.

“So… it seems you didn’t explode.”

“You were serious about that?” I shrug and a look of disbelief appears on his face.

“I will untie your legs, but your arms will remain confined. I’m not going to give you a warning, I’ll just stab you again, got it?” He guls and nods.

“Crystal.” I look at him oddly.

“I said ‘got it’, not ‘is that clear’.”

“Uh- oh yeah. Heh… I understand.” I raise an unseen eyebrow. “I’m just used to my officer always asking ‘is that clear’ and my response to a similar question would still be crystal.” I resist the urge to purse my lips, by gently clenching my teeth.

I untie his legs and get him on his hooves. He’s not wearing a shirt at the moment, so all of the black lines on him are visible, whereas the runes underneath them are not. The scar from where the flesh fused together over the ribcage can be seen as well. He clearly hasn’t been working out lately, if the tiny amount of fat around the fading press cubes is to go by. Oh yeah, also - no nipples. Just fur. He’s at least wearing some pants.

I walk in front of him up the stairs, simply because: I don’t trust him enough, to be behind him. I get my dagger at the ready and push open the door. I’m still surprised it managed to cut through bone. And no: I don’t mean it simply made a hole through it - there was a clean cut, made practically without any resistance. Wonder what it’s made of. I put the thought at the back of my mind as I push open the door.

The girls’ eyes widen at the sight of the tattooed ‘man’, as he sheepishly rubs the back of his head. Adagio sees the fresh scar and looks at me, as if she finally believes me. I might have imagined it, but she had a flash of fear on her muzzle for a moment, replaced by something else. I’m still not very good at recognizing all of their expressions, despite the fact, that they have almost as many muscles as on a human face, positioned in nearly the same manner… For all I know: the looks of fear might have been looks of excitement and lust… While the first one is annoying at times, the second one is truly terrifying.

“So what are you doing here? Are you just going to stand there?” Aria asks harshly in monotone. The guy flinches before looking at her.

“I- I…” His eyes narrow “...What did she taste like?” Rusty ask with almost complete hostility, to which Aria and Sonata understandably get confused.

“What? What kind of question is that!? First you try to kill Sonata and now you’re implying that I like females!?” Rusty, understandably gets confused. Doesn’t stop him though.

“How did my wife and daughter taste like, monster!?” Sonata shrinks back in shock.

“Dude! I did not fuck with your wife nor your daughter! How old even is she!? You look fairly young, so are you assuming I slept with a little filly!?” Ooh boy, this is getting out of control.

“No. He literally is asking you how they tasted like.” Aria looks at me confused. I walk over to her and pull out the picture, then hand it to her. “Meet Bluey and Minty - wife and daughter of Rusty Cover. The photo was taken today.” She stares at it with wide eyes, mouth agape. Sonata gasps and puts a hand up to her mouth, as tears begin to form.

They both look at him him in pity, all the anger gone. I allow myself a look, since the mind-game check and mate is complete. As I expected: Rusty looks a bit confused at their reaction, until realization dawns on him and he gets a guilty look.

“I’m sorry for attacking you, but… well I acted irrationally and it can’t really be forgiven.” As Adagio takes a look at the picture for the first time, her eyes widen and then narrow in anger.

“Why did you think it was us?” She asks, still looking at picture.

“Three... students came up to me and told me that they have been on your tail for a while. They are the ones that gave me that cursed picture.” The leader Siren moves her gaze to him.

“And why did you believe them?”

“I- I don’t know. They were just… honest looking I guess.”

“And how did they look?”

“Well: there were two mares and one stallion. One of the mares was green, while the other two… were also green? Or no, wait… were they?”

“What were they?”

“I-ah, the stallion was a- a unicorn, while the two mares were… I think Earth Ponies?”

“You think?”

“It’s- it’s painful to remember.” The brownish stallion says, gripping the side of his head.

“What kind of green was she?” The guy shuts his eyes “Rusty. What kind of green was she?” A groan escapes his lips.

“A- A sort of… t- teal green. But… Why can’t I remember what she looked like? I know she was a graduate student, but…” Adagio locks on to him like a hawk.

“What makes you say that? Did they tell you?”

“No.. we talked, but… th- they didn’t-”

“What did you talk about?”

“I-” He releases another groan and bends over. “We- I was going to get the guard, but then she asked me what I wanted to do. I- I told her I am not sure, so she… she suggested to exacting justice myself. I thought it was a good idea and agreed that the guard can solve this, but… she suggested? She suggested I should do it myself?” He shouts out in pain and falls to the floor. “Why did I think it was a good idea!?” …

Adagio lets out a shuddering breath and looks down, her eyes start frantically moving around, however she doesn’t seem to be looking at anything in the room. The tall Siren walks past me to the other end of the room and leans on the extinguished fireplace.

“Adagio? You know who did this to him?” She looks at me and sees that I have realized it as well.

“Yeah.” She nods, her voice barely a whisper. “At least I think I do. How did they get here though? Were they always here? No. Then how-?” She looks up wide eyed, before slowly looking out of a window. “No... That is…” She breathes out “It can’t have been… no.” I walk up to Adagio.

“What is it?”

“I think I know who it is and they came with the storm.”

“...” I look over my shoulder “Hey, Rusty!” I exclaim grabbing his attention as he looks at me with pain “Were there any shelters from the storm near the area where the bodies have been found?”

“I- I think there was one, why?” I look back at Adagio and she looks back at me.

“Mass confusion, panic. Guards are trying to save the civilians and accidentally let in whatever has done that to Rusty.” I motion towards him with my head. “Seems a bit plausible to me, the only questions remaining: what the fuck was it and why does it want you three dead?”

“We have to bring this to the attention of the guard or even the queen and princess themselves. If it is what I think it is, then the whole city is in danger.” Yeah… that’s a motivation and a half. “How bold they have grown.”

“Who?” I ask her, a bit annoyed at the cliched suspension. She twists to me.

“...You should not be getting into this. There are monsters out there in the world that cause things such as these.” She hold the photo up to my face. I frown at her.

“Honey. I am capable of being the most evil motherfucker on the planet whos acts eclipse this. So don’t tell me what I should and shouldn’t be getting into, because at this point… it’s kinda too late, don’cha think?” I say referring to my murder and dabble in the dark arts. Oh yeah, also turning a guy into a bomb. Which I am kinda am starting to feel bad about, but what can anyone do at this point?

“I did not say evil… I said monster. There is a very small line between those two, but it’s there.” She breathes in deeply and starts walking over to the rising stallion with the help of Sonata. “Rusty, I believe you have had an encounter with a mermaid.” The guy looks up to her in confusion, while Sonata nearly drops him in shock and looks at Adagio, eyes wide.

“What’s a mermaid?”

“What? Adagio, are you sure? How did one get so far on land?”

“Me thinks: twas the storm.” The little Siren snaps to me “Am I right?” I ask Adagio.

“Yes, one couldn’t get so far on land without many pockets of water around. And Rustys’ description matches most of their agents quite accurately.”

“I’m sorry if I’m unknowledgeable or something. But don’t mermaids have a fish tail instead of any appendage that allows them to walk on land? Also: wouldn’t they simply have to get a liquid container to travel in somewhere far inland?”

“Maybe. But if so: that means, that they could have been here for a while. Then why act now?”

“Wait… are they sapient or not?”

“They are.”

“...Then I think: something bigger is going on. Why would they target you personally?”

“Mermaids and Sirens always had… incredibly aggressive relations with each other. To the point of... well... extinction.”

“Right, then why didn’t it come for you personally?” She opens her mouth and then closes it.

“...I don’t know, okay!? Maybe it wanted the thrill of making someone else do it and then killing them itself after telling that she was the one that did it, or maybe it’s not used to being on land! I don’t know.” I sigh and rub my face.

“Then why travel so far from sea and up a mountain, just to kill two specific Ponies of an ex-guard to simply make him kill you?”

“I don’t kno-”

“Yes, yes I know: you don’t know, and neither do I or any of us. Wait… why did you say 'she'?”

“A slip of the tongue. They are more an ‘it’, than ‘she’. Mermaids are all female, but they cannot be considered… mares.”

“...Then how do they reproduce?” She looks at me.

“Guess.” I think for a few moments.

“Oh… oh that’s fucking disgusting. Do they…?” Adagio simply nods. I want a flamethrower. No wait scratch that, I want a tank or a helicopter with a rocket launcher.

“...Get the guard. Get the army. Get an orbital laser.”

“An orbital laser?”

“A powerful thing, that. So powerful, that I am unsure if it even exists.”

“Right. Any real options?”

“Like I said: get the guard. I will not have any sleep tonight. Never drank coffee before, but I guess a first time for everything, right?”

“...Are you going to make some kind of weapon?”

“I’m pretty sure that’s illegal.” Rusty makes a comment which everyone ignores.

“Not a weapon… a tool. Rusty, I might be able to get rid of your mental block, but I am unsure if I trust you completely yet.” It also might not work.

“I understand.” A rumbling sound comes from him and he looks ashamed. “Heh, you don’t suppose: I would be able to get something to eat?”

“Are you going to be able to pay for it?” Adagio scrutinizes him.

“Uh- not at the mome- wait I actually have my pouch in my jacket. I can get it if you want… And if he let’s me.” I look at him.

“I suggest you don’t eat anything before I write the rune. The process of activation will be brief, but it might be painful and I doubt you’d want to lose your dinner.” The Pony visibly blanches.

“Are you sure… there is no way to make it painless?”

“Well I will have to literally carve it out on your head and when activated you theoretically should feel a spike of pain and everything will become clearer. Adagio, just one question: do the Mermaids physically alter the mind, or do they use some kind of magic?”

“Yeah, they use their natural magic. They seduce the prey with their looks and then well… you know.” Rusty’s head spins to her.

“But... But she didn’t seduce me! I don’t even remember what she looked like!”

“Was she beautiful?”

“Very, but what doe-” He stops and stares at her. “Oh.”

“Yeah. Best art of seducing. The magic makes it so that you see the most attractive female of your species, by your standards.” ...A high-school student huh?

“Soo… not that I’m an expert… but I’m pretty sure your wife is not ugly.”

“What? Oh, you can’t tell apart... Vadon, his wife actually looks incredibly beautiful for her to already have one child and it would be a bit weird to see his wife giving him the picture of her own corpse.”

‘One and a half’. I mouth to her and she immediately gets the message, her shock quickly turns to anger.

“Right.” She says through clenched teeth and palms. “As to your question, yes it’s their natural magic.”

“Perfect. Come with me Rusty, we’re fixing your head.”

He hesitates a moment before following me into the basement. I ask him to lie on the floor, while I grind up half of a blue crystal, which I cut off using my dagger. I pick up Rustys’ knife, which I have sterilized in boiling water.

You see: the way my aetheric compass works - is that it uses a drop of his blood and it tries to find the anticodon rune on him. Since I couldn’t connect his soul to the GPS, I had to resort to a different method of tracking down a marked target. Which was to use a sample of his DNA and a codon rune, just like in a cell. That’s not what it’s actually called, but for simplicity's sake: I will rename many things.

So I take a moment to form the rune in my head. It’s not a passive rune, which means if his mind gets altered again, another one will have to be made.

“This will sting a bit.” I walk around to his side and begin making the rune.

A bit of blood comes out, since everything is now pumping properly, but it doesn’t distract me. Rusty hisses, but doesn’t flinch, allowing me to work in peace. It’s a bit difficult this time, since the rune is smaller and I can’t see it all the time, but I eventually manage to do it, even though his stomach kept rumbling at times.

Now… the pain. I pick up the gem dust in a mortar and pour some of it on a parchment. I warn him to not move and begin pouring it on the place, where the rune is. He lets out a shout and clenches his teeth breathing heavily through his nostrils.

“So what now?”

“Give it a moment.”

He stays unmoving and opens his mouth before his eyes flash wide and he begins having a sort of seizure, screaming all the while. A few seconds pass and Adagio runs into the room and starts panicking and asking what have I done. I silence her with a hand and narrow my eyes, observing the rolling Stallion. He suddenly stops and I tell Adagio to not breathe.

A wispy mixing scarlet, green and purple smoke exits his mouth before turning blue and dissipating. Rusty lies on the floor, unmoving and breathing heavily.

“Well?”

“First of all: fuck you. Second of all: she was so fucking ugly.”

“Language.”

“Oh really, you are going to tell him about language?”

“Yes? Who says I can’t?” I tell the Siren before turning to the now almost one-eighty stallion. No, he didn’t turn into a mare. “So how ugly are we talking?”

“Fish fins and scales ugly.” I slowly turn my head to Adagio.

“Oh no, he’s right. The mermaids can be pretty ugly. The Sirens at least are half Pony.” Right.

“I’m hungry, you hungry?”

“Famished.” Rusty replies, still lying sprawled out on the cold floor.

“Who says famished this day and age?”

“I do.”

“Fair ‘nuff.”

We get to the top and sit at the table. I have to explain what happened down in the basement, to the other two. Of course: Rusty kept making snide remarks and bits of his own experience, but in the end - he was grateful.

I was surprised that he was so calm about us eating fish and asked if all Ponies were this nonchalant about others eating meat. He said that unfortunately - no, but in some towns or cities with a diverse population, it is not looked down upon as much. He got used to it, while working at his restaurant, since some of his colleagues there were Gryphons. They were the ones that gave him the jacket as half-prank, half-present. Of course: Rusty did not find it amusing at all at first. But it kinda grew on him.

He asked if I would be able to get rid of the spell that might make him explode, to which all of the Sirens glared at me with a force so fierce - it could rival the Death Star. All that Rusty had to say to this reaction was:

“Whoops.”

I will not describe what went down at the table, because at first there was accusatory pointing and shouting, then sadness because they felt betrayed and finally expectation of what I have to say about all of that.

“In my defense… I was unsure if he was some kind of deranged lunatic or a mercenary.”

Adagio facepalmed, Aria looked at me incredulously and Sonata seemed torn between looking at me as if I had kicked a puppy and set it on fire and considering my point. In the end I had this to say:

“Look: I know I am not the paragon of good morality. But I am not your enemy or someone that wishes you three harm. Besides: I did not want to stay for a reason. The reason was this. The judgement.”

“Tell us everything. What you are, who you are. Everything.”

I spend an hour or so, working autonomously on the arcane array and manage to finish the second and third wall and work a bit on my other project, before collapsing on the bed. Rusty came by, because he forgot his co-workers present and of course: he saw all the runic work and seemed really impressed, but didn’t ask. Probably because he was scared I’d blow him up or something silly.

We exchanged pleasantries and he even offered to turn off the light behind him. I waved him off and wished him good night. As he left through the door, he called out:

“The mares offered me to stay in the living room. I accepted, good night.”

“Just know this: I can make you explode from the grave.” I heard him chuckle heartedly and I grinned, before finally relaxing.

Tomorrow is going to be a long day. I can feel it.

Author's Note

Hello Everyone.

So yes. This chapter is big.
If you find any typos:
1: I will be pissed, because I have been editing this for over a day.
2: Post them in the comment section below, so that I can fix them. TY.

Facts:
This story has been inspired by many thing, including this music. If it's in the middle of the video, rewind. You have fingers... Toes? Well then: what the fuck?

News:
This story is now rated mature with a gore tag. This story will only go downhill from here, however gore is not the main focus of the story. The sex tag remains for reasons unknown.

This is the chapter, when this story got featured.

You lot:
You lot are so silly. Why do you fave the story and not like it? This story has gotten at least twice, if not more, favourites, than likes.

If you enjoyed, or hated the chapter, post your thoughts in the comments and I will try to answer most of them.

What do you think Vadons' theme would be if this was a movie? I already have some songs in mind, but if you are unsure, I suggest waiting for the next chapter.

Order or Chaos out.