The Magical Pendants' Return

Chapters

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4

Chapter 1

Adagio

Adagio woke up at 7:00 am sharp today, just like she does every weekday morning. She walked out of her small but nicely decorated room and onto the little balcony that was attached.

The view was of large apartment buildings, much like the one she's in right now, and of a big lake. She inhaled the cold morning air and quickly went back inside and pulled shut the sliding door.

She started walking to the kitchen, briefly stopping to check if anyone else was awake. There were two cereal boxes there, but between Fruit Hoops and Cocoa Fluffs, she was keener on having toast with butter. She put the toast in the toaster and put some coffee to brew. She'd need it; it was a Monday.

A little pop noise snapped her out of her thoughts of all the dreaded work she'd have to do today, and she grabbed her toast and hot coffee.

She was halfway done with her breakfast when Aria entered the room looking tired, as if she has a 9 to 5 job like me, Adagio thought.

"Morning," Aria groggily greeted.

"Why up so early?" Adagio asked.

"Couldn't sleep."

"What? Did you watch a scary movie?" Adagio teased.

"You know I wouldn't get scared of that!" Aria exclaimed, "I couldn't sleep because of Sonata's stupid snoring. Sharing a room with her sucks!"

"Hmm. Well, I've finished my breakfast, so I'm going soon."

Adagio went to her room and got changed, ready for work. She said a quick goodbye to Aria before she left and then headed down the hallway to the elevator. Soon, she reached the apartment complex lobby. She then went through the main revolving door and to the bus stop close to the building. The bus to her work came right on time, and she left on it, ready for another tiresome day.

Aria

Aria woke up to Sonata's light snoring, but no matter how 'light' the snoring was, she still felt annoyed by it.

"Such a pest sometimes," Aria murmured. Lucky Dagi, she had her own room. Aria thought. It's only fair, though, considering she's the leader (although Aria believes she could be it), and she's the only one who has a stable full-time job, unlike us two who only have part-time jobs.

She looked at her phone to see what time it was. Her phone model was only a couple of years old, and she got it from Gigika. She remembered how when they first discovered the website how Sonata asked if its name is after someone named Gigi. At the time, Aria pointed out that it was a dumb question, just as usual from Sonata, but honestly, she didn't always mind it when Sonata would say something like that; it usually brightened the mood.

Aria shook her head as she realized she'd gotten distracted. The time was 8:03 am. Too early for her, but too late to go back to bed. Still tired, she walked out of the shared room, through the hallway, and into the kitchen, where Adagio was having breakfast before going to work.

After Adagio had left, Aria looked at the options and figured she'd sooner go grocery shopping than eat any of the sugary cereals Sonata got last time they went.

After looking around, she had just found her wallet right when Sonata decided to wake up.

"Good morning!" Sonata greeted in her PJ's.

Urgh, Aria thought. Now I’ll have to bring her along.

"Hey! Are you holding your wallet? And you're dressed too! Are you going somewhere?" Sonata said enthusiastically.

"Duh! I'm going to the grocery store. There's nothing good for breakfast."

"What do you mean? Fruit Hoops and Cocoa Fluffsare delicious!"

Aria rolled her eyes.

"Well, at least wait for me!" Sonata said.

"What do you think I'm doing?" Aria replied.

With a little smile, knowing that she's not forgotten, Sonata went back and got changed.

Next chapter: Sonata and Aria in the elevator and Adagio at work, what’s going on inside their heads?

Author's Note

Thanks for reading! Please rate and review, and follow to see when the next chapter comes out!

Hehe, I put a little Inside Out reference in the Next chapter space.

Chapter 2

Sonata

Sonata hurried back into her room to get dressed; Though going to the grocery store was no big occasion, she still got changed from her baby blue and baby pink PJs and into some nice clothes: a purple and pink striped sweater and some Sandwash blue jeans.
When she finished getting dressed, she happily told Aria, "I'm ready!"
With a light grunt, Aria replied, "Okay, well, let's go then."
Together they went to the elevator. The elevator is a silvery metal on the outside. Inside, it has mirror walls, okay lighting, and a metal handrail. The girls lived on a pretty high level, the 37th out of 45 floors in the residential apartment building; So the elevator ride would take a bit.
Sonata swayed in her thoughts. Should she lean against the railing? No, it's cold.
Hmm, that sounds like Adagio would say.
In the elevator, some particular jazz music was playing. Though Sonata thought she could comment on it, she quickly decided against it. Music was less of a sore subject than you might think, but even calling themselves 'The Dazzlings' brought back memories that they were all happy to forget. The last time Sonata commented about the music, she had received the following responses:
"It's nothing special," Adagio said nonchalantly.
"Psh, it's probably just another song from a playlist, like the ones at Pyramid Café," Aria said, disgruntled. She used to work there, but now she works part-time at an edgy clothing store, and she mostly uses her money going towards her lifeguard certification.
Since their defeat, the three ex-sirens have moved on, Adagio being the main backbone of the growth. She's the one who encouraged Aria to get her certification and the one who first told Sonata that she saw the local Taco Hut was hiring when she had gone out to buy food.
Oh my! Just thinking about food made Sonata hungry. Should she have missed breakfast to go to the grocery store? No, she was right, Sonata thought. Wouldn't Aria have gotten lonely if she went by herself? Then again, that doesn't sound like Aria.
"C'mon doofus," Sonata caught wind of the elevator and looked around the lobby. "Ugh, why did I bring you if you're just going to sit around?" After saying that, Aria started walking away, slowly though, as if she was waiting.
"Hey, wait for me!" Sonata called. There it is.

Adagio

The ride on the bus was as usual, though Adagio noticed there weren't as many people. Perhaps because it was foggy, or because it was a Monday and people were coming in later, or maybe because it might've been too early for some people. Regardless, the bus ride was short. When she was looking for an apartment, she specifically chose one that'd be close to her new work. That was about a month ago.
After reaching her stop, Adagio started walking to her company's building. At first, she had been but a call centre employee, but now, it seems she mainly writes documents or does administrative work. She doesn't do calls anymore. She works with people, and though she's not a manager, she's still one of the most competent on her team. Perhaps that was because of all those years learning how people (and ponies) tick. Though, on her resume, she just wrote it as 'people skills.'
Once she reached her building, she walked in, going straight to the elevator to go to the seventh floor, where she worked. On the seventh floor, she had a cubicle desk. All that was on her desk was: her computer, some documents, a phone, and a framed picture of her, Aria and Sonata. It was a happy photo from when Adagio had just gotten the job, and they were all excited to move into a new apartment.
Hmm, memories. Adagio thought.
Adagio sat down and started working at 8:00, an hour earlier than most of her colleagues, but she liked the extra hour to work quietly.
At around 8:30, her boss came into work, and he greeted her:
"Hello, Adagio!" He called. "Coming in early again, I see."
"Ah, yes, I appreciate the extra time," Adagio replied.
"Hmm, it's almost strange. When most employees come in early, usually it's because they need to leave earlier, but for you, you seem so eager to work!" Dapper Colt (Adagio's boss) said.
"Haha, thank you," Adagio responded. I'm working extra hours, what a way to make a living. Adagio thought.
"Oh, and by the way, do you mind going to one of our larger call centres and asking for a hard drive?" Dapper gently asked.
"Sure! No problem!" Adagio accepted the request, though that didn't mean she was excited about it. Then again, there are probably some shops near the call centre. Maybe she'll check them out.

Next Chapter: Aria and Sonata go to the grocery store. But for Adagio, what will happen while she does her task?

Author's Note

Thanks for reading! Please rate and review, and follow to see when the next chapter comes out!

Did anyone get the song reference I snuck in? ≧◡≦ It’s when Adagio says ‘what a way to make a living,’ Working 9 – 5 by Dolly Parton! I was also considering putting in a ‘C’mon loser, we’re going shopping!’ reference from Mean Girls, but I felt it wouldn’t fit Aria’s character.

Chapter 3

Aria

Finally, Aria thought as she reached the grocery store. It had taken a while, so much for Adagio's "The apartment will be so close to stores, that we can walk!".

Then again, it wasn't that long of a walk, or at least it wouldn't have been. But oh no, of course, bringing Sonata along would mean being pestered by questions and dragging her away from street stands.

"Ooh! Look! Salted Pretzels!" Sonata pointed at them, looking ravenous.

Aria had decided to ignore it and keep walking when Sonata got distracted.

"Hey, Aria! Don't you remember the salted pretzels we got at that Festival thingy?" Sonata said, persisting.

Ugh, Aria remembered the festival. Well, what she remembers was being super bored. And Sonata was being her usual self, which wasn't making Aria's mood any better. Almost in a way to get Sonata out of Aria's hair, Adagio suggested they get pretzels from a nearby stand. Sonata happily obliged. Once Sonata tasted the pretzel, it was instant doom. For the rest of the whole festival, all she could talk about was that amazing pretzel. Of course, that meant going to get another, and Adagio decided to get one of her own. While they ate, Adagio noticed that Aria looked a bit like she wanted one. So Adagio gently ripped off a little piece and gave it to Aria.

"Here, try some. It's pretty good!" Adagio had that look on her, and Aria knew that Adagio would insist.

She munched on the piece that Adagio gave her and found that it was almost as good as Sonata advertised it!

Though Aria appreciated when Adagio was considerate like this, she had to keep up her tough image by saying, "You're getting kinda soft 'Dagi. I mean, what's with the generosity?"

"Call me soft again, and your bones will feel 'soft.'" Though it may seem a hostile statement to others, for them, it was fun banter.

If only Sonata hadn't noticed, but when she did see Aria enjoying the pretzel, she made a point to bring it up every time they found a pretzel stand (which isn't as uncommon as you might think).

"Fine! I'll buy you a pretzel since you left your money at home." Aria finally resolved. Sonata was looking gleeful as ever.

"But only if you carry the bags from the grocery store!" Sonata opened her mouth to say something but knew she couldn't risk not getting the pretzel. I mean, it was practically calling her!

Adagio

The other call centre wasn't too far away, just half an hour there and back. When Adagio got to the call centre, three people stood at the front desk, looking at the computer with focus. Hmm, how odd, she thought. She checked the paper with the instructions and went to the elevator to go to the fourth floor. When she got to the fourth floor, she saw people rushing around in a frantic panic. After standing there for a bit, someone finally came up to her. They said with a snappy tone, "Hi, what are you here for?"

"I'm here from the Gardenia Street office. I need a hard drive." Adagio answered.

After shuffling around for a few moments, Adagio got handed a hard drive, and she then walked out of the building. She could care less about what was going on; curiosity kills the cat, as some might say. If Sonata had been here, she'd have asked what was going on. Adagio thought. She would've stuck her head in other's business. Sometimes though, it's sweet how easily her mind wanders and gets fascinated by things. Who knows, it might even be helpful.

As Adagio reached the bus stop, she looked at her phone and saw that the busyness in the office had made her miss the ride back. Usually, Adagio would be pretty frustrated by this, but instead, she started walking along the streets, looking at the shops. She saw one quaint shop that looked interesting to her. It didn't sell fashion; much worse, it seemed to be something like an antique store, a jewellery store, and a pawn shop all in one. She decided to go in anyway. Perhaps being impulsive can be desirable sometimes.

The shop seemed to have a dark magenta-purple theme, with curtains that look like they were made from silk but used a cheaper material. Adagio looked around and saw gems, jewellery, and china. Some of them were for sure knock-offs, but it was surprising to Adagio how many seemed genuine. Then she heard a shuffle, and someone came out from the curtain.

"May I help you?" The presumably a shopkeeper said. Though the tone wasn't rude, it wasn't exactly inviting either.

Though Adagio didn't have any questions from before, she decided again to be impulsive. "Yes, I was wondering what you have behind that curtain."

Next Chapter: What could be behind the curtain of the store Adagio’s in? And what will Aria and Sonata buy at the grocery store? The most curious questions indeed.

Author's Note

Thanks for reading! Please rate and review, and follow to see when the next chapter comes out!
The next chapter is where the story gets interesting! (^w^)

Chapter 4

Sonata

Waiting for Aria is no fun, Sonata thought. Before they went into the grocery store (and while Sonata was eating her salted pretzel), Aria decided to go over what they should buy.

"Well, we need fruit first of all," Aria started.

"Mhm," Sonata agreed.

"And we need to buy better cereal for breakfast," Aria continued.

"There's nothing wrong with my cereal!" Sonata insisted while eating.

"Nothing wrong with it... if you're a seven-year-old," Aria muttered. Sonata seemed to be too busy munching on her pretzel to notice. "Why don't we get some of those croissants from the pastry section?" Aria offered.

"Mhm!" Sonata agreed, a bit more enthusiastically this time. "Well then, let's go!" She said when she had finished with her snack.

"I'll get a cart," Aria said.

When Sonata started running off, picking things out from the shelves and putting them in the cart, Aria noticed.

"Sonata! Ugh, could you stay next to the cart?" Aria hinted.

"Fine." Sonata complied, knowing it would work to her benefit later.

It was all going fine like that until they reached the snack aisle, and Sonata could pick anything she wanted off the shelves without even leaving the cart. Aria was tired of returning all the unnecessary items, so she told Sonata to wait at the cash register. At first, Sonata protested, but then she realized who's paying. With a slight grouchy frown, Sonata went.

After what felt like forever, Aria finally finished shopping and paid.

"It was so boring waiting for you!" Sonata complained.

"Well, it wasn't much fun putting all of the things you stuck in the cart back for me, so let's just call it even," Aria suggested.

"It's not my fault you don't like chocolate chip mint Coreos!" Sonata continued.

"You're right!" Aria said sarcastically. "Maybe I should go return these taco making kits and get Coreos instead?"

"No, wait!" Sonata went with a chuckle from Aria.

Adagio

"Ah, so you show curiosity in my special products?" The shopkeeper said. They leaned on the counter. "I'll show you, but you must show that you mean business."

Greedy, Adagio thought. But some might refer to it as 'merchant's spirit.' "Hmm, what if I give a deposit?" Adagio recommended. Thankfully, Adagio knows how to deal with them.

"I'll settle for that," the shopkeeper said.

Adagio handed them five dollars, and the shopkeeper opened the curtain.

"These are some of my most expensive goods. I hope you find them pleasing." The shopkeeper told.

Adagio looked at them. Many of them did look nice, some even beautiful. She looked around, though, and saw that one box still was covered by a cloth.

"What about that one?" Adagio said inquisitively.

"Well, this one is a very expensive pendant; I was quite lucky to buy it." The shopkeeper said before taking off the cloth.

Adagio could not believe her eyes. It was a heptagon ruby-coloured pendant, just like the magical pendants that got destroyed after the siren's defeat.

She gasped quietly. "...Could I... touch it?" She said after a bit.

The shopkeeper grunted. "Five more dollars for the deposit."

Almost without looking away from the pendant, Adagio reached into her purse and pulled out another five-dollar bill. After taking the cash and presumably checking if it was legitimate, the shopkeeper gave the go-ahead. Adagio reached for the pendant; she almost felt as if it was calling her. The coldness of it in her hand was a familiar sense. She started thinking about the arguments and fights that she, Aria and Sonata would instigate with their pendants. The anger and negative energy making the jewellery she held feel warmer in her hand, similar to a burning sensation.

"How much?" She asked, thoughts rapidly rising of what this could mean.

Next Chapter: What will Adagio do with the pendant? Will she buy it? Would she... use it?

Author's Note

Thanks for reading! Please rate and review, and follow to see when the next chapter comes out!

Finally, Aria and Sonata have finished their trip for groceries! The next chapter will mainly focus on Adagio, so I hope you like the more plot-driven focus. (･ω･)v