Darkness… That was all the young siren could see at first. She begins to open her eyes, very slowly. At first, she sees nothing… No other color except red, so brightly lit that it almost hurt her eyes. She shut her eyelids, drawing back into the darkness. Eventually, she opens her eyes completely… And before the siren’s eyes there was fire emanating along the ragged pathways surrounding her.
“Where am I?” She asked.
“Sonata… Sonata…”
The artic bluish white toned young girl turned her head side to side, her light arctic blue hair, with the moderate Persian blue stripes, swayed in her direction. Her moderate raspberry eyes searched around as an evil chuckle echoed all around the foreboding landscape. Eventually, the Siren turns toward one direction and her eyes spot what appears to be a demon.
“Sonata Dusk… I’m glad you could make it…”
“Who are you?” Sonata asked. “Where am I? How do you know my name?”
The demon did not answer right away, only descended from the very perch of red rock he stood on. His bat-like wings trailed against the hot steam from the flames before he landed before the nervous siren without making a sound.
“I’ve been called many names… Lucifer… Beelzebub… Mephistopheles… But you can call me… Satan!!!”
Sonata Dusk stood her ground, while the demonic creature circled around her with each step. He thoroughly examined her as if she were under inspection. As he walks around her, he continues his speech hissing nearly every word.
“Welcome, Sonata… Welcome to Hell… The place where your eternal damnation… Awaits…”
Sonata Dusk just stood there dumbfounded, as if she were trying to analyze the situation, she was in. Not that she had much to think of, in her life she’d never been known for her brains. But then, something seemed to click.
“Oh… I get what’s going on here,” Sonata spoke.
“Yes… Wait… You do?”
“Of course, silly! And I really must apologize. You seem really cute, but uh… I’m not really into the whole, how do you put it… Torture role-play thing… That’s more of Adagio’s shtick. I think there’s been a slight misunderstanding; if you could kindly point me to the exit, we can forget this whole thing ever happened.”
“… E-Excuse me?” Satan asked, almost baffled.
“If I may say, this is the lamest prank ever pulled on me,” Sonata continued. “Come on, who set this up? Aria? Adagio? Oh! I bet it was that girl who stole my lunch yesterday, wasn’t it? You know, I swear she messes with me because I think she really likes me. Not that I’m against that sort of thing, but I have my preferences—”
“No, no, no, no, no, no… No! This is not like your filthy mortal brothels. This is hell, where the damned are prisoners of their own sins! I am the REAL Devil, every nightmare you’ve ever had… Your worst fears come true…”
“So… I’m dead?” Sonata asked baffled. “H-H-H-How did you say I died?”
“I didn’t… Hmm… Anyways, you were hit by a taco truck,” Satan answered plainly. “Not the most exciting way to die, but ironically that’s how you got here.”
“Aw, talk about bad luck! I love tacos…”
“There’s nothing unlucky about it, you twit! To put it bluntly, you were walking directly onto the street after one of your friends instructed you to retrieve some unlimited supply. And low and behold, you happened to get hit by the one truck that conveniently showed up!”
Satan paused a moment to release a deep sigh. Even Sonata could see the dumbfounded expression on the most feared entity’s face.
“I’m not going to lie, that was the stupidest death I’ve ever recorded,” Satan muttered.
“Wait, I’m sorry I’m confused,” Sonata spoke up. “You’re saying, I got hit… And died from it? So… What happened to my unlimited supply of tacos?”
“THERE WAS NO ~ Mmm!!!”
Satan stopped himself from even rewarding that question with an answer. Instead, with a snap of his fingers, a book appears in his devilish grasp. He opens to the most recent recorded entry, clearing his throat and strokes the black strip of hair hanging off his chin.
“We’re getting off topic. The point is: You’re in hell… And I intend to see you burn until the end of time!”
To say Sonata was confused was a big understatement. It was as if the airheaded girl truly didn’t know what to say, much less what to think of what’s going on.
“Like I said… There must be some mistake,” Sonata spoke, genuinely confused. “I think I’d prefer to go the other place.”
“YOU DON’T HAVE A SAY YOU…” The Devil shouted, stopping himself. “Look… As Ruler of Hell, I’ve run this business since the early rise of man… And in ALL that time… I am never wrong when it comes to sinners. Let’s go over everything you’ve done, just to prove my point.”
Satan presents the girl to the book, where she could see her name written in bold red. Right below her name, there was a whole list dedicated to every form of atrocity she ever committed over the course of her life. Even if she couldn’t remember any of them at all, that’s where Satan himself came in.
“Let’s see… You’ve tried taking over Equestria, that was a bust… Then they banish you to the human world… Big mistake… Next you try taking over a school… Only to fail so miserably, that it wasn’t even funny… Then you rob several kids of their… How do I say this gently… ‘Innocence’… Threaten people, yada-yada-yada… Oh yes, and tried to… Steal a taco costume? Actually, that one was pretty tame…”
“Ooh… Yeah…” Sonata replied, scratching the back of her neck.
“Believe it or not, that was the condensed version. I’d tell you the unrated version, and I’d REALLY want to… But the rating system forbids even me from doing as I please.”
“Ratings?”
“The POINT is: You’re a sinner and to be frank Hell might be too good for the likes of you.”
“Well, to be fair, I stole the costume only because it was Halloween,” Sonata argued. “The jerks at the counter refused to sell it to me. So, I borrowed the costume with every intent of giving it back…”
“But you DIDN’T!!!” He shouted, as the book disappeared. “For your crimes against humanity, even pretty little schoolgirls like you deserve EVERY ounce of the most indescribable pain I can ever concoct. So much pain I can inflict on you and you’ll be enduring it every waking moment of your miserable well-being!”
With an awkward glance, Sonata Dusk slowly, if not hesitantly, raised her hand like she was still in school. Seeing this, Satan sighs as he pinches the bridge of his eyes with his fingers.
"...Yes?"
“Um, quick question Mr. Satan sir,” Sonata spoke. “If you’re suppose to punish sinners… Does that make you the good guy?”
“WHAT?!?!” Satan shouted, appalled. “Must I explain this to every single mortal who ever asked me that? Urgh… I don’t punish sinners; I simply welcome the sinners who come here. Because I’m pure evil, I tempt mortals into committing every sin known to man, so they have no choice but to come here. I deliver ‘suffering’, NOT ‘justice’.”
“So… Basically, you’re into Sadism? I already said I’m not into that.”
“Will you shut the hell up?!” Satan shouted, mildly disgusted. “Seriously! You’re making this weird, even by my standards!”
“Hey, no need to be embarrassed big guy! We’re all adults here; we get our own kinks one way or another.”
“I’m going to regret asking this… How do you describe your ‘kink’? I can already guess but you know what? Indulge me anyway.”
“Hmm…” Sonata ponded, with a finger on her lip. “Well, there was this interesting ordeal I had with my last boyfriend, really cute guy actually. This one time, he tells me of this delicious taco meat I’ve had yet to try. And as you know, I’ve had my share of ‘every’ form of taco meat.”
“Of course you did…”
“Anyways, he asks me to put on a blindfold, as part of this ‘experiment’. Naturally, I do as he says, thinking it makes it sound exciting. Next thing I know, I feel something really soggy rubbing in my mouth. It felt like a sausage, but it tasted a little… Salty. Not really good, but he seemed to be enjoying it and I just couldn’t hurt the poor boy.
“Overtime, I got used to the taste, so much I forgot I was even wearing a blindfold. And every so often, I start to feel this creamy center explode, very sweet…Kind of a cross between coconut milk and honey. You could say it was quite the awakening if I do say so myself.”
Satan stood silent, somewhat dumbfounded during this story. He couldn’t tell if this was an act and she was ‘pretending’ to be dumb… Or if Sonata was just stupid. It took him a moment to recollect his thoughts, despite having heard far worse stories.
“Uh… You do realize he was just getting you to blow—"
“Now that I think about it,” Sonata cut him off. “I wonder how he’s doing, anyway. I bet he misses me terribly; is there a phone around here I can use? I’d hate for him to think I stood him up—”
“IT DOESN’T WORK THAT WAY!!!!”
The flames erupted fiercely behind Satan as he shouted, taking deep breathes as smoke streamed through his nostrils. He took a moment to breathe, reminding himself it doesn’t matter. Seeing how she was going to be sentenced to the fiery pits of hell anyway, it was time to wrap this up.
“… Regardless, your judgment has been determined. Now you will spend the remainder of your time enduring an eternity of punishment… And PAIN!!!”
Satan lifted his arms, as a pillar rose underneath the girl. But to his surprise, she quickly dodged, jumping over the pillar, rolling across the reddish mounds, and brushed the dust off her pink skirt.
“Whoa, let’s not get feisty, Mr. Satan,” Sonata said. “I’m not that kind of girl; you don’t have to do this.”
“Hmm… You’re right,” Satan shrugged.
Sonata breathed a sigh of relief, chuckling as Satan walked closer to her. But then her giggling fades as he firmly gripped her shoulders, feeling his long fangs pierce against the material of her shirt. They stare eye-to-eye.
“I don’t ‘have’ to… I… WANT TO!!!”
“… Uh oh.”
Realizing she was in real danger, Sonata Dusk tore away from the creature’s sinister grip. The shoulders of her shirt were torn to pieces, the shreds hung loosely along the creature’s nails for a while. Then he slowly closes his hands… As FLAMES form, the flames turn the fabric into ashes as he aims towards the quivering siren.
“St-st-st-st-st-stay back you meanie!” Sonata shouted, feebly holding her arms up. “Or else I’ll… I’ll, um… I’ll kill you! Yea, that’s it! I’m going to kill you, and kill you, and… Kill you!”
“HA-HA-HA-HA!!! Foolish naïve girl!” Satan chuckled. “Everyone knows you cannot kill that which is immortal!”
“Um… Has anyone tried to kill you?”
“OF COURSE NOT!!! What a stupid question. None would dare attempt something that feeble towards me!”
“Then how do you know if you are immortal?”
Satan raised his eyebrow out, as if the mortal before him said the first smart thing since she got here.
“You… Actually raise a valid point.”
“Uh-huh…” Sonata nodded.
Smirking, Sonata slowly approaches the Devil, giving her best intimidating impression she can put together.
“So, what’s it gonna be, Satan? Wanna put that theory to the test?”
“You amuse me, mortal,” Satan mocked, taking a stance. “All right, lass. Hit me with your best shot! ”
<>
“Then, I impaled him through the back with his own pitchfork,” Sonata explain. “It was so cool, he literally bled everywhere and practically begged me to stop. Spoiler alert… I didn’t! Then I was feeling a bit famished and considered what demons taste like, so I roasted him over a pit of hellfire. I actually remember seeing one of my old siren friends from ages ago, we used to hang out before both my sisters and I got banished to the human world.
“What was I just saying? Oh right! So, I was about to give it a try when this bright light from above appeared from nowhere. So, that’s pretty much the whole story. On a side note, have either of you ever—”
“STOP!!! We’ve heard… Quite enough today.”
Several minutes of listening to Sonata explain her story, all the Angels before her stood in fear. All that time listening of the horrors their kind never wants to hear not in a million years. However, the head of the Angels herself was neither scared nor the least bit concerned as she approached Sonata.
“Oh, you poor lost soul. Have you any idea what you’ve done?”
“No… Can’t say I have,” Sonata answered honestly. “What I’d do again?”
“… My dear, do you even know who I am?”
“Nope,” Sonata shook her head. “Why? Should I?”
“I am Celestia, goddess and ruler of this realm, the creator of the sun and light,” She introduced herself. “Currently, we stand in a holy sacred place: Heaven. Only those who lived a life of peace and prosperity may resign here. Sonata Dusk, do you believe you fit that description?”
“Um… That’s not a trick question, is it?” Sonata asked.
“No… I mean ‘no’ you don’t,” Celestia replied calmly. “To be perfectly honest, you Sonata are by no means a ‘good’ person. A mortal like yourself shouldn’t even exist in this realm, yet here you are. You see the dilemma this puts us in?”
“I made a big no-no, didn’t I?”
“… Well, that’s one way to put it. Satan may have a couple loose screws, but even he serves a purpose… Even an evil one. His desire to bring the worst out of mortal beings serves as a team to separate the righteousness from the evil-minded. Sort of a test of morality if you will. The sole reason he’s even kept alive is to constantly test the souls of the living and the dead. With no one to test their morals, there is no hope for any to enter the afterlife.”
“So… If Satan’s gone, what happens to the people when they die?” Sonata asked.
“To put it bluntly,” Celestia answered. “Their souls vanish forever, never to return to the new life.”
“Ooh… Well… When you put it like that, at least it sounds better than going to hell.”
“If it only applied to sinners, that logic would be sound. Unfortunately, those deserving of a peaceful afterlife sadly miss out. We can’t allow this to happen, no we cannot. Someone needs to assume Satan’s place and considering your actions caused this mess, seems you’re the perfect candidate for the job.”
“Me? There’s no way I’d be up to the task,” Sonata counter argued. “I can’t even be trusted to hold an ice cream cone; surely you’re mistaken.”
“Well, as my parents once taught me, you don’t know until you try,” Celestia assured. “Isn’t that right, Luna?”
“You’re most certainly right,” Luna said, floating from the side. “You see Ms. Sonata Dusk we believe this would serve as the best course of action to ensure proper balance. Don’t think of it as a punishment per say, but more of a… Learning experience if you will.”
“Besides, you’ll have the ability to punish an evil doer you choose,” Celestia adds.
Sonata was taken aback by the sisters’ speech. This was truly inspiring, perhaps even breathtaking. It was a tall task for her to take, of the millions of more professional souls up for the task they’d ask her. It would be a new experience, but still she did not want to cross another being of high power.
“Well… If you really have much faith in me… Who am I to say no? I’ll give it a try.”
“Splendid!” Celestia smiled. “I mean, I wasn’t giving you a choice… But it’s nice to see you aboard. But first… You’re going to need some appropriate attire.”
Celestia casts a ray of light over Sonata Dusk, as the siren-turned-human found herself assuming some new attire. With the red blouse, a black jacket with matching pants, and a black tie, she looked more like a businesswoman or President of the Homeowners Association than the head of Hell. But as she looked at herself, she nodded with approval.
“Hmm… Not my color I’ll admit,” Sonata replied. “But I can make it work.”
“And that’s not all,” Celestia continued. “With this position, I’ve infused you with brand new powers. But remember: These are not to be taken lightly. They will help you test all the lost souls to determine if they are truly innocent of their sins… Or if they deserve a place in the bowels of hell itself. From this moment on, you will no longer be addressed as Sonata Dusk but will hold the title of Satan.”
“Hmm… Could I possibly tweak the title a bit?” Sonata asked sheepishly. “Like ‘Satan Dusk’! Or ‘Sonata Satan’?! Or perhaps—”
“Why don’t we save the suggestions after you adjust to your new position,” Luna suggested. “Speaking of which, you better be going! Don’t want to be late on your first day!”
Sonata Dusk barely has time to wave goodbye, before Celestia and Luna use their powers to teleport Sonata back to hell. After a second or two, Celestia and Luna glance at each other coming to terms with what just happened.
“… She’s not coming back here, is she?” Luna asked, concerned.
“Oh heavens no,” Celestia chuckled. “I’d have to be insane to let her back here… Or would I?”
Luna turned away with uncertainty, afraid to even ask that question. All she can do is look back and hope all the souls don’t have too much trouble with the new head in charge of Hell.
Author's Note
Sonata Dusk's Judgement Meter:
· Died and went to Hell - Bad
· Didn't belittle Satan - Good
· Killed Satan and cooked his body – Good (?)
· Messed with the order of balance between life and death - Bad
· Being open and honest about her actions - Good
· Terrified the Civilians/angels of heaven - Bad
· Befriended Celestia and Luna - Good
· Gained the status of Satan – Good
Overall Ranking-
62.5% good
37.5% bad.
Final Ranking: D-
There’s good in Sonata Dusk and has good intentions, but deep down… There’s that hidden evil that shouldn't be overlooked.
