“Adagio!” Sunset called as she rounded the end of the bed, her felt hooves padding across the plush carpet as she pivoted her head in search of her favorite cuddle buddy. “Adagio Dazzle, where are you?”
No response.
“Dagi, come on out! We had a playdate remember!” Her ears flicked as she cocked her head, listening for any sign of her plushie girlfriend. Nothing. She scowled, stomping her leg in soundless irritation. Where had the diva got to now? It wasn’t as if the room was that big, and the door was shut so she couldn’t have wandered off. Sunset ran a hoof through her mane, huffing as the soft yarn fell over one eye.
Then she smirked. She took a deep breath, standing just a bit straighter, and belted out at the top of her little lungs-
“Mrs. Fuzzybottom!”
There was a shifting of fabric, and Sunset squeaked in surprise as a sock fell to the ground next to her. She glared up at the top of the hamper. Adagio glared back with cerise eyes, but the mop of cotton wool on her head robbed her scowl of any threat. “First of all,” she said, raising a dainty golden hoof, “how dare you.”
Sunset quirked her head quizzically. “What are you doing up there? Isn’t it laundry day?”
Adagio rolled onto her back, orange curls falling about her as she languidly stretched out atop the pile of dirty clothes. “Feel for yourself,” she purred seductively, pointing to a bright pink pant leg that dangled over the edge and draped to the floor. “It would be a crime for me to miss out on such luxury.”
“Look,” Sunset said as she reached for the heart-dotted fabric, “I don’t care how- oh my stuffing this is the best thing ever!” She squealed, burying her head in the flannel pajama bottoms before pulling away with a gasp. “Scootch over, I’m coming up!” Backing away, she took a running start and scrambled up the pant leg, tumbling over the lip of the hamper to land on a crumpled skirt.
She opened her eyes to see Adagio smirking at her. “What?”
“Nothing,” Adagio said airily, her voice carrying a hint of teasing. She shifted to the side, making room for Sunset to curl up next to her. “Lie down with me.”
Sunset grinned. She certainly didn’t need to be told twice! Rolling to her hooves, she carefully picked her way over the wrinkled shirts and wadded socks to Adagio’s little nest. “Love ya Dagi,” she said as she nuzzled into the fuzzy cloud of her girlfriend’s wool.
Adagio’s soft chuckle tickled her ear as the little lamb nuzzled her head. “I know.”
==O==
The world heaved violently, rudely jostling Sunset from her sleep. She whipped around in a panic, flailing against an old tee shirt with a yelp. “What’s going on!?”
“I don’t know!” Adagio cried. “It’s not me!”
The hamper jolted, knocking them together amid a flood of dirty clothing.
“Ah! Do something, Shimmer!”
“I’m trying!” Sunset shot back, blindly grasping for Adagio with her hoof. “It’s not like I have magic or anything!”
“What kind of unicorn are you!?”
The basket shook again, and the pair heard a loud bang as the world gave way beneath them.
“Sunset!”
“Dagi!”
Sunset barely managed to grab Adagio before they fell, the world going dark as they toppled out of the hamper into the unknown. The wind whipped past them, their screams echoing in the narrow vent.
==O==
“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”
The pair fell for what felt like an eternity, finally hitting a curve in the shaft and rolling before dropping off another short ledge onto a pile of soft laundry. Their screams were choked off as the rest of the clothes fell down behind them, burying them in an avalanche of cotton and polyester.
“Ow…” Sunset groaned, pulling herself out from under a pair of blue jeans. She looked around, but couldn’t see anything in the pitch black of the lightless room. “Dagi?”
“I’m here,” Adagio’s grouchy voice replied. She huffed, and Sunset heard the dull shook of a bead-filled hoof striking a wall. “That was rude.”
“I told you it was laundry day,” Sunset said, kicking aside a bra and hopping to the floor. She winced at the cold sensation of bare concrete on her naked hooves.
“Well!” Adagio replied indignantly as she picked her way down the pile after Sunset. “You were right there with me, Miss Know-It-All.”
Sunset chuckled, rubbing the back of her head self-consciously. “Yeah, okay. Kinda my bad too.” She looked around, barely able to make out anything thanks to the thin sliver of light from the top of a set of stairs. “I think we’re in the basement. We must have gotten chucked down the laundry chute with the rest of the laundry.”
Adagio’s horrified gasp made Sunset wince. “The laundry chute!?” Adagio exclaimed indignantly. “How dare they! I am not some common beanie baby! I deserve more respect than this.” She huffed, turning her muzzle up haughtily. “I am to be hand washed only!”
“Relax, your highness,” Sunset rolled her eyes, torn between comforting her girlfriend or laughing at her. “Come on, no one’s gonna wash us. They’ll come down here to do the laundry and realize we got mixed up with the dirty clothes by mistake. The worst thing that’ll happen is we wind up sitting in the dark for a few hours.”
Adagio scoffed, tossing her head boastfully. “Sunset. Darling. Love of my life. I am Adagio Dazzle, one of Sweetie’s favorite toys. I am not about to languish in some darkened room, hoping someone comes to my rescue.” She scowled, raising her hoof. “Besides, do you have any idea how hard it is to pick dust bunnies out of my wool? Not to mention your mane? I swear, every second we waste here is three years off our shelf life.”
Sunset winced at the thought of Sweetie finding dust in her mane. Or worse, her sister. She might not be thrown in the machine, but it would definitely mean a dunk in the sink followed by hours of drying and a painful brushing. “Yeah, uh… good point. Let’s get out of here!”
That was, of course, easier said than done. The stairs loomed above them, each step easily twice their height. One would be a nearly insurmountable obstacle. Twelve looked almost impossible.
“So uh, how do you wanna do this?” Sunset asked, staring up at the great monolith before her. “Think you could pull me up if I give you a boost to the first step?”
Even in the dim light it was hard to miss Adagio’s smirk. “Ha! What kind of ewe do you take me for? You just want to get your hooves on my fluffy flank, don’t you?”
Sunset rolled her eyes. Like she needed an excuse. “Fine, then you can boost me up, and I’ll pull you.”
Adagio hesitated. She looked from the stairs, to Sunset, then to the stairs again. “No, you’re right, that sounds like work. I should go first.”
Sunset was glad her hoof was made of felt, or else it might have hurt when she drove it into her face. “Ok, fine, whatever. Let’s just get going.”
“I’m waiting on you, Sunny Bunny!” Adagio sang, prancing toward the first step.
“Yeah… great.” Sunset sighed. “I just hope the door’s cracked,or else this is gonna be a real pain in the tail.”
==O==
“Go minion!” Adagio ordered as Sunset shakily pushed her up the last step. “Mush, mush!”
“You know, it would be a lot easier if it weren’t for your overstuffed flank!” Sunset shot back.
“Hmph!” Adagio huffed indignantly. “I’ll have you know a little extra padding in the flank is exactly what makes me such a high-quality cuddle toy.”
“Ha!” Sunset laughed, “I thought you’d at least make an excuse about your wool or something.”
Adagio shot the unicorn a glare. “I don’t have to help you up that last step you know.” She smirked, giving her rump a shake. “Besides, we both know why you love me.”
“I-” Sunset stuttered, raising a hoof in protest, before stomping it silently on the step. “Yeah… you make a great pillow. Now help me up!”
It took no small effort, but Adagio finally managed to heave Sunset up the last step. “Finally!” she breathed, nuzzling against the pony plush in relief. “I swear I could feel the dust mites burrowing into my felt!”
“Oh sweet seamstress I hope not,” Sunset griped. “The last thing I need after all this is a fluffing delousing.” She rolled onto her side, craning her neck to look at Adagio. “So how’s it look up here?”
“We won’t have to worry about the door,” Adagio said hesitantly, “but we may have bigger concerns.” She pointed her hoof toward the square flap cut out from the bottom of the door. “We forgot about Opal.”
Sunset grimaced. “Scrap, I forgot about the darned cat.”
They approached the door carefully, ears perked for the slightest sound. Warily, Sunset pushed the flap, leaning out to peer down the massive hallway.
“Any sign of the beast?” Adagio whispered.
“Nothing,” Sunset whispered back. “I think we’re in the clear.”
“Good. Let’s get out of this forsaken hole.”
“Agreed,” Sunset nodded. She took a deep breath, and ducked through the portal. Anxiously, Adagio steeled herself and followed after.
The hallway beyond was barren, at least at their height, save for the tall, spindly legs of a table stretching high above their heads on one side. No obstacles, fortunately, but no cover either. The polished hardwood felt marginally better than the cold concrete of the basement or the rough wood of the stairs, but it was still a far cry from the plush carpet of the bedroom.
“Where do we go from here?” Adagio asked in a hush, keeping careful watch down both sides of the hallway.
Sunset hummed in thought. “Well, if we follow the laundry chute, it should be somewhere behind us so…” she turned and pointed to the right, “there, around the corner.”
Adagio nodded, moving to follow the fiery unicorn. “Lead the way, my love.”
Sunset smirked back at her. “Are you sure that’s not just an excuse to look at my tail?”
Adagio chuckled. “As if I need an excuse.”
The pair rounded the corner, eyes widening as they suddenly found a familiar sight: the living room. Here the shiny hardwoods transitioned to a thick shag rug, a pair of comfortable couches lining the opposite walls and a massive armchair across the way. The two had been brought there dozens of times for play dates, tea parties, and sleepovers. A wave of relief washed over them as they finally felt a taste of home.
“Well Dagi,” Sunset asked, glancing back at her questioningly. “Wanna just camp out here?”
Adagio shifted her hooves indecisively. It would be nice to stop there, to burrow under a blanket and wait to be found, but…
“No.” She shook her head. “We’re supposed to be in the bedroom, she won’t know to find us here. We could be here for weeks!”
Sunset nodded in agreement. “Yeah, and with our luck the cat would sniff us out first.” She turned back to the hallway, striking a heroic pose. “Onward!”
Adagio rolled her eyes, then gave Sunset a playful bap on the flank. “Get going, hero.”
Sunset smirked and winked, stealing a quick nuzzle before continuing onward.
==O==
“What’s that?”
Adagio froze, staring at the cracked door next to Sunset. The room was dark, not the pitch black of the basement, but dark enough to cast everything in deep shadows. Adagio crept forward, poking her head around the end of the door.
What she saw made her freeze, eyes widening in shock.
Beside her, Sunset’s mouth was opening and closing in mute awe. “Sweet seamstress…”
The room was packed with every sort of fabric imaginable. Spools of silk and chiffon, coils of ribbon and lace, towering buckets of buttons, beads, and sequins. They each felt a tug in their hearts, drawing them in, as if they had returned home for the first time in their lives.
“It’s dazzling…” Adagio breathed. She didn’t know how long she stood there, eyes locked on the room before her. It couldn’t have been more than a few minutes, but it felt like an eternity. “I want it…”
“Come… come on,” Sunset finally said, pulling her away from the sight. “We need to get going.”
“R-right…” Adagio said after a moment, shaking her head from her fugue. She turned to follow, sparing one last backward glance at the almost spiritual scene behind her. “How much longer do you think-” She drew up short, eyes widening in horror as she saw Sunset frozen in place, staring up at a massive, towering monster.
“Stay back, Dagi,” Sunset hissed, crouching defensively, her felt horn pointed at the creature. A low rumble filled the hallway as the creature stalked forward, silky hair glittering in the light as its massive, bushy tail swayed behind it. It licked its chops, fixing the two of them with a cruel, emerald glare. A pink bow sat atop its head, mocking the horror of the monster in front of them. A nametag hung from its collar, putting a name to the beast.
Opalescence.
The dreaded housecat.
“Sunset,” Adagio hissed back, “don’t do anything stupid.”
“Not much choice, Dagi. I don’t think we can both get past this thing.”
“We retreat, into the sewing room. If we can shut the door we’ll be safe.”
“We’ll never make it,” Sunset said, glancing back with a sad smile. “Go on, only one of us is gonna make it, and I’d rather it be you than me.”
“Sunset,” Adagio said warningly as the unicorn turned back to face the cat, “Sunset Shimmer, don’t you dare!”
“Come and get me you rotten furball!” Sunset bellowed, charging straight for the fuzzy behemoth.
“Sunset!”
The rumbling grew louder as Opalescence pounced, taking Sunset to the ground in an instant. “Go!” Sunset demanded, smacking at Opal’s nose with her hoof.
“Adagio Dazzle is no coward!” Adagio declared, charging forward, intent on ramming the brute with all her might, only to be swept aside by a dismissive paw. She struck the wall, crumbling to the floor in a dazed heap.
Shaking her head, she forced herself back to her hooves, fixing a blurry glare on the monster who had attacked her girlfriend. The cat was already leaving, an insensible Sunset dangling from her maw. “You put that down, you disgusting alley cat! That unicorn is mine!” She charged after the retreating feline, darting after it as its tail flicked around the corner. Her plush hooves skidded on the hardwood, and she overshot her target, sliding across the polished floor. She rallied quickly, whirling to continue the pursuit-
Only to see a white tail disappearing up a second flight of stairs.
She fell to her haunches, staring up at the monolithic obstacle. They were already a challenge when it was the two of them, but now…
It was impossible.
Sunset was gone.
She would never make it back to the bedroom.
She scowled. No. She was Adagio fluffing Dazzle! She wasn’t about to let some mangy brute steal away her Sunset! Stomping her resolve, she turned back down the hallway. Back toward the living room.
==O==
Sunset awoke in a daze.
“Ow… Gotta quit doing that,” she groaned, then sighed dejectedly. “Alright, where am I now?” She glanced around at her surroundings. A small, round space with rough carpeting on the floor and walls. The whole thing was matted with white hairs and reeked of cat fur. A small hole afforded her a view of a bedroom, but not the bedroom she called home. No, she was in Opal’s den.
“Ah… scrap.”
Hesitantly, she stood up, pushing herself to her hooves. Her ears flicked, someone was in the room! Someone besides Opalescence! She would know that tap-tap-tapping sound anywhere! It was the seamstress!
She was about to leap out, to run to the seamstress, but a familiar rumble stopped her dead. A white, silky paw drifted into view, draping from some spot higher up in the creature’s lair. Trapping her there. Help was so close, but so impossibly far away.
“Raaarity!”
A high-pitched, girlish voice broke the repetition of the sewing machine, filling Sunset’s body with hope. It was her, the one she belonged to! Surely she would come to her rescue!
“What is it, Sweetie Belle?” the seamstress’ beautiful, melodious voice responded, the tapping of the machine dying as she spoke.
“Rarity, You have to help me! I can’t find Sunny or Mrs. Fuzzybottom, and I’ve looked everywhere!”
Sunset’s ears perked up eagerly. She was looking for them! They were saved! All she had to do was go to her!
A low growl shook the den, and the dangling paw flexed, putting its wickedly sharp claws on display. Sunset’s eyes widened, and she backed away in horror, her throat constricting in fear. Of course the cat wouldn’t let her go that easily.
“Oh, you’re missing your stuffed animals?” the seamstress’ voice chided. “Did you check behind your bed?”
“Yes I checked everywhere, I couldn’t find them!”
Sunset’s heart ached. The girl sounded heartbroken, on the verge of tears. If only she could run to her, assure her everything was alright! And then be reunited with Adagio!
“Oh… alright,” the seamstress sighed, “I’ll help you look for them. I’m sure they haven’t gone far.” She tittered, her voice fading as she followed her sister out of the room. “After all, it’s not like they got up and walked away!”
“N-no!” Sunset stamped her hoof, finally finding her voice. “No, I’m right here! Come back!”
But there was no response. They were already gone. There was no one to hear her cries.
She slumped to the ground, sniffing as she rested her head on her hooves.
“Well… maybe… maybe they’ll at least find Adagio…”
==O==
“Ugh. Disgusting!” Adagio huffed as dirt and dust swirled around her hooves, clinging to the soft polyester. She shook her foreleg, grimacing as the grime stayed firmly put. “Oh, the things I do for that unicorn.”
The space behind the couch was the most oppressive place she could imagine. The back of the seat met the wall high above, creating a claustrophobic, tapering space and letting in only a narrow sliver of light. Shadows scurried around her, things moving in the darkness, darting to and fro just out of sight.
Despite everything, she held her head high. Nothing was approaching her, but she knew she had their attention. “Listen up, vermin. I’m looking for someone. Which one of you is Opal’s favorite?”
A hush fell on the place, the skittering and chittering dying down to a mute silence. Finally, someone answered, their voice scratchy and ragged. “Who wants to know?”
Adagio smirked, tossing her head. “My name wouldn’t mean a thing to frayed old things like yourselves. But I know a name that does: Opalescence.” Her grin widened as the name was met by angry squeaks and hisses.
“What’s yer business with Opalescence?”
“She stole a friend of mine,” Adagio answered haughtily. “I want her back.”
A flicker of motion caught her eye, and she turned to meet the one who stepped out. He was a mouse, made of stiff purple cloth and reeking of catnip. A denim patch covered his back and side, and his tail was cut short. He stared at her with one black eye, the other lost to a massive tear and a fountain of stuffing. He snarled, eying Adagio narrowly. “Anything ta stick it to that wanabe mouser. But I’m gonna need a little cheese to sweeten the deal. Something shiny.”
Adagio reached into the fluff on her chest, retrieving a ruby on a sparkling chain. “This belongs to the seamstress. Her sister gave it to me as a gift.”
“Hand it over,” the mouse rasped, extending a damaged paw. Adagio tossed him the necklace, and he wound it around his chest before giving her a nod. “Alright, lead the way lassie.”
Adagio smirked. “It’s up the stairs. That won’t be a problem for you, will it?”
The mouse chuckled. “The stairs ain’t a problem for me, don’t you worry none.”
==O==
Sunset paced, circling the small room. Opal was still there, guarding the entrance, and seemed disinclined to move anytime soon. Her soft purrs rattled the space, occasionally punctured by quiet snores. Sunset wasn’t fooled. Every time she thought the cat was asleep and she could make her escape the paw came back down and knocked her into the wall.
So she continued to pace, dragging her hooves across the coarse carpet beneath her. She might not have magic, but maybe she could build up a decent shock! Lightning was a good spell right?
Her yarn mane was just beginning to stand on end when she heard a commotion. A skittering across the floor as something darted into the room, something small and fast. Opal’s purrs became a deep growl, and Sunset’s room shifted as the cat got to its feet.
“Yeah, come at me ya mangy chew toy!”
The voice was rough and raspy, unfamiliar, but it filled Sunset with joy nonetheless. Someone was challenging the cat! This was her chance! With Opal distracted, Sunset darted to the hole, peering out at the strange mouse that was taunting the massive cat.
“Come on, ya stupid furball! Why doncha try an take another bite outta yer favorite snack aye?”
Sunset couldn’t help but stare. Did the little rodent have a death wish!? It was gonna get caught!
Just then, her eye caught the little glint of gold around its body. That necklace, she knew that necklace! Adagio! “Hey!”
The mouse looked up at her and blinked. “Ya don’t worry about a thing, lassie! Ah got everything handled down here!”
Opal pounced after the creature with a mighty leap, rocking the entire structure under Sunset’s hooves as she took after the little mouse, who darted away at the last second, leading the cat out of the room at full tilt. Following its footsteps, Sunset leaped to the floor, hitting the ground hard with a huff.
“Sunset!” Adagio’s sweet voice was the best thing Sunset had ever heard.
“Adagio!” She rasped, pushing herself to her hooves and stumbling toward the door, “I’m in here, I’m alright!”
“Sunset!” Adagio charged her in a blur of orange wool, tackling her in a sea of fuzzy cotton. Sunset wrapped her arms around her, nuzzling her muzzle deep into the floof of her chest. “Sunset, you idiot! I thought Opal was going to tear you to shreds!”
Sunset laughed, just glad to be safe again. “I did too! Good thing I’ve got you to rescue me huh?”
“If you ever pull that again I’ll dump you down the laundry chute myself!”
“And I’ll be thankful for the ride,” Sunset replied earnestly, pulling away and looking her in the eyes. “I love you, Adagio.”
Adagio scowled, before pulling them together, pressing her forehead tenderly against Sunset’s. “I love you too, you idiot.”
A piercing shriek suddenly shattered the air, causing them both to snap their heads toward the door.
“Opalescence! What do you think you’re doing with my necklace!? I’ve been looking for that for months!”
Sunset chuckled, pulling Adagio closer again. “I guess the stupid cat finally got what she deserved.”
Loud stomps thundered up the hall, accompanied by the seamstress’ vicious tirade, “-can’t believe you! I feed you, bathe you, empty your litter box, and this is how you repay me? Why, I have half a mind to- oh!” She froze, stopping in the doorway as she finally noticed the two plush creatures lying in the middle of her floor. “Sweetie Belle, I found your toys!”
“You did!?” her sister gasped, rushing into the room. “You did! You’re the best sister ever!”
“Yes, well!” the seamstress preened, “It looks like Opal here has quite a lot to answer for, don’t you missy?”
“I’m so glad I found you!” Sweetie squealed. Sunset and Adagio sighed in relief as the girl scooped them up in her arms, clutching them close to her chest. They closed their eyes, enjoying the warmth of the embrace, and each other.
Finally, after a truly grueling day, they were home.
