Mistress (Adagio's Big Comeback)

Epilogue: Mistress

“... you were not only expelled, but banned from school grounds, Ms. Dazzle.”

“I'm just waiting for- ah, Ray! Tell her!”

You look at your balled fists and wince as you scrape the concrete trying to walk on all fours, then look up. Humans, a cloudy, overcast day, Canterlot High School. It all seems so... dull, but you're home. You practice moving your limbs again before taking a good look at the scene before you.

Your Addy is currently being confronted by another familiar face. A tall, imposing figure even now.

You say, “Princes- uh- ipal Celestia!”

Your old principal frowns, then she looks surprised. “Radian Wave?” She flicks a glance to the statue behind you, then purses her lips. “I never realised you knew about the 'other side,' But regardless why you're here, are you associated with Ms. Dazzle?”

You stand, wobbly on your hind le- your actual legs, wiggle your fingers and say, “I am, Principal Celestia.”

“You're not a student any more, no need to be so formal. Look, I'm not going to ask what's going on, but please leave. After that particular... incident, I'm quite firm in ensuring that Ms. Dazzle and her sisters aren't allowed within CHS grounds.”

“Even if we're not associates with the Twilight from 'the other side'?” you ask

“Forget about it, Ray,” Adagio says with a shrug. She looks at Celestia, and says, “I'd even apologise for what I did back then, but if you're going to be such a bitch about it, we'll just leave.”

You stumble for a few steps and force your hands open, remove the blanket covered wooden case from around your neck, tuck it under your arm, then walk away. The street is clear, so you cross it to keep clear of Celestia, who sighs and heads back inside the school. You're not sure what time it is, but you don't have much choice but to wait for Aria and Sonata to arrive.

“So,” Adagio says.

“Yeah,” you reply.

“We did it.”

“So it seems.”

You spent a moment just looking at one another, and you both smile, then laugh softly.

Adagio suddenly pounces, wrapping you in a hug and she...

There's no other word for it. She squees.

It's a noise you never thought she was capable of making. That's the only way you describe it. A shrill, superlative shriek of absolute joy as she spins you both in a circle and she just lets it all out.

“We did it! We fucking did it!” She stops and gives you a loving gaze. “You did it!”

When she finally stops spinning, pull away a bit and say, “I'm pretty sure I promised you I'd get you your powers back. Until your stone is perfected, I don't think we should celebrate just yet.”

“Pfft, fuck that,” Adagio says. “It's all but done, and I... uh oh.” She shudders, lets you go, and looks down at herself.

You ask, “what's wrong? Oh.”

Adagio's growing. Her clothing draws tighter as her 5'5' frame sprouts larger.

You think fast, open the case and hand Adagio her stone. With a quick pulse of red light from the imperfect gem, her growth ceases, and she shrinks back down.

“Well, at least that works,” you say. “I mean, I doubt you'll be able to do most of what you used to with that stone until it's fixed, but at least having it on you officially brands you a siren by the universe. Congratulations, Addy.”

She smiles, and presses the stone against her cheek, much like she did when she first showed it to you. She then looks at it with a smirk, then holds it out to you. “Take it a second.”

You comply, and Adagio steps back. She shivers again and once more grows bigger and stronger, and then holds her hand out for her stone. Again, once it's in Adagio's hand, she reverts. She giggles. “Oh, we're going to have some fun with this...”

Yep... classic beautiful siren or buff, amazonian earth mare flavour Adagio? Who says you can't have it all?

Despite the dark, sensuous thoughts clearly running through her head, Adagio suddenly turns serious. She stares deeply into your eyes and says, “Ray... I can't fully express what this means to me. That you've pulled through with your promise. You saved my life several times, in so many ways...”

You say, “if I'm honest, once upon a time I was half expecting you to take your stone and run. Discard the silly human and after his use was-”

Adagio wraps her arms around you again, buries her face into your shoulder, and says, “never. Fucking never think that, do you hear me? If I ever betray you like that, Ray, I want you to go to Twilight and tell her to hunt me down. Expose every weakness you know I have to her.” She pulls away, and you realise she's close to tears. “You are everything to me, Ray. Whether I'm human, or pony, or a siren, my heart is always going to be yours. After what I did back there? The way I lost myself, over and over? It was terrifying! I almost fucking killed you Ray! If anything, I'm surprised you aren't running away from me!”

You gently stroke her cheek. “It'll take a cold day in hell for me to ever give up on you, Addy. I don't know if I can ever muster the courage to do it here, but when I sang that song for you, I could feel a strength in me I never knew existed. I was busted and bruised, yet I never felt like I could take on the world like I could in that moment.”

Adagio sniffles again and wipes the threatening tears with her forearm while interweaving her fingers with yours with her other hand. “You're stronger than you know, my muse. You're a Dazzling now. Never forget that.”

You chuckle and ask, “while we're on the subject of being part of a band... how was it?”

She tilts her head. “Huh?”

“My singing,” you say and blush. “Any good?”

Adagio giggles. “I mean, it worked, didn't it?”

You roll your eyes. “Don't mess with me, Addy, I want an honest appraisal.”

She looks deep in thought. “Well, don't give up your day job. I've heard worse, mind you. Nothing a little autotune couldn't fix.”

You share a laugh.

“Seriously, though?” She squeezes your hand and nibbles her lip. “If we weren't in a frozen forest, with an injured Sunset or even remotely not in dire peril from my stone slowly killing me, I'd have crushed your tiny little body trying to fuck you for singing to me like that.” She pulls you close, so you have no choice but to look into those glorious pink eyes. “It was ridiculously brave, touching as hell and if you do ever pluck up the courage to sing to me like that again, I won't be held responsible for the consequences. Noise complaints will be the least of our troubles.”

You gulp. “Seriously?”

She gives you the sexiest fucking stare as she bites her lip and looks at you like you're a walking god. “Oh, you bet your cute ass, Ray.” She grabs you by the collar, pulls you close and breathes, “tonight, I'm going to fuck you like you've never been fucked before. There'll be legends written about it. And that's just from me remembering the way you sung your heart out. Let that sink in, and I hope it inspires you to serenade me again someday.”

Oh hell yes.

Okay, Radian, maybe change the subject before you have an premature 'emission' in your pants? “So I'm also a little surprised you aren't upset about... well, me and Twilight?”

“You did what you had to, Ray,” Adagio says with a shrug. “I told you to change the plan as you saw fit based on what you understood of the situation, to do what was best for me and my sisters, and you delivered. And sure, if she was still a prissy little bookworm, I'd probably be angry. She was too soft back then, but damn... this Twilight?” She pauses and licks her lips with a classic grin. “Honest question, would you be down for a threesome? She'll take some asking, but I seriously want her whimpering in bliss, pinned between us as we drive her little pony mind to breaking. I think it'll be good for her. She probably doesn't get much, being royal and all.”

… still pending on that accident if you're not careful. “I... uh”

Adagio rolls her eyes and rubs her thumb on the top of your hand. “Oh, come on, Ray, don't even pretend you wouldn't hit that. I saw the way you kept looking at her, let alone what I missed while I was mingling with Rarity, AJ and the others. All that power and that forceful personality she can pull off? Delicious!” She closes her eyes and you can tell she's imagining it. “We've got to make it happen.”

“Addy? Serious time, okay?”

She scoffs. “I was being serious, but go on.”

“What about our arrangement with Twilight when it comes to Aria? Maybe even Sonata, but especially Aria?”

Adagio hums to herself as she pulls out her necklace's old ribbon, fastens it and ties the stone around her neck as she thinks. You hear a familiar engine rumble and the squeak of brakes as she says, “I guess we're about to find out.”

You watch as the tour bus (van, you inwardly correct), arrives. Aria peers out the window, Sonata waves from the drivers seat and speaks first. “Hey, Dagi! Hi Ray! How was it? Oh, was there ponies? And, like, princesses? Tell us, tell us!”

“Yeah, seriously,” Aria says. “When Ray sent that message, I thought he was about to completely fuck things up.” She squints at Adagio's necklace and frowns at the imperfect stone. “Oh, okay, he did completely fuck things up.”

Aria steps out of the van and stomps up to you with a scowl of murderous intent, but Adagio gets in the way. “Ray, show her.”

You open the case, revealing the two perfectly cut stones.

Aria gasps and she can't help but let a little smile form. She gently takes her stone and her smile only grows until she barely has even a hint of her natural grumpy frown. Adagio takes the other and hands it to Sonata, who looks at it with teary eyes. “You're the best, Dagi!”

“Oh, I can't take any credit, I'm afraid,” Adagio says with a shrug. “Ray did all of the heavy lifting. He helped remake them with his own hooves and magic, ran afoul of a vicious 'beast', double-dealed with Equestrian royalty... the whole thing was basically on his shoulders from the outset.”

Aria looks at you, occasionally glancing at her stone as she loops it with a thin chain and puts it around her neck. She gasps as her eyes flash red briefly, and she finally lowers her head, struggling to keep eye contact with you. “Ray... uh... I don't know how to...” She rubs her neck.

You sigh and decide to get it over with. “We're allying with Twilight Sparkle.”

“What!?” Aria bellows and grabs you by the collar, then shakes you. “The fuck do you mean 'allying'!?”

Adagio puts a hand on Aria's muscular arm. “It was not only necessary, but it's to our benefit, Ari.”

“Like, I don't mind having new friends and all?” Sonata says as she cuts the engine and steps out of the van. “But for realsies? That goodie-two-horseshoes nerd?”

Adagio chuckles. “Oh, she's still a goodie-two-shoes, but that's beside the point. This isn't just some wet-behind-the-ears little girl any more. She accepted our request for help because she needed our help in turn.”

Aria snorts. “Not fucking likely, Dagi. I know you're sweet on this stupid human, but getting in bed with Twilight was not part of the deal! We're betraying her, and that's that.”

Adagio glowers at Aria and pulls down her top, showing off her chest scar. It's the same shape, but lacks the fledgeling scales of her pony form.

“Let me tell you something, Ari,” Adagio says, firmly. “I nearly died over there. Hell, I think I actually did for a moment, and the reason was we underestimated just how unpredictable re-exposing ourselves to magic could be. I lost control. I almost fucked everything up because we didn't plan ahead. Now, I know what you're thinking; Adagio screwed up again, so get your laughs in while you can, but know this, and this goes for both of you!”

Sonata huffs. “What did I do?”

Adagio sighs, pinches her brow and continues, “nothing, Sonata, I'm just trying to make you aware of the facts. If we go back there as we are, then we run the risk of losing everything we've learned these past years. Now, I know you're probably both thinking it'll be great to just purge the crap we went through since appearing in the human world, but-”

“Nuh uh,” Sonata insists. “I mean, sure, things sucked for, like, ever? But I'm not dropping Guardians of Gale Glade. If that means playing ball with Twilight and her prissy-pants friends? I believe you, Dagi.”

“What about you, Ari? You still voting we put the screws on Twilight?” Adagio says and folds her arms.

Aria tilts her head, her pigtails swaying. “Vote?”

Adagio continues, “I believe when we reconciled, we agreed that we would vote on all decisions concerning our group. Now, let's be completely diplomatic; I consider Ray part of the Dazzlings, so he'd normally be able to vote, but since it was his decision to ally with her to begin with, he's not got a say in this.”

You shrug. “That's fair, I guess.”

“Which means, naturally, I vote we see where this alliance takes us. See, we didn't just get our stones, but we'll have free access to Equestria, the ability to do as we please over there so long as we don't harass anyone, with just one caveat; we're going to have to introduce you two in a controlled way, just to play it safe that you won't do what... I did.”

Aria's brow flinches. “You say you lost control?”

Adagio nods. “I reverted to the old, angry, single minded siren I was when we led us into our magnanimous loss against Twilight, Sunset and the Rainbooms. If either of you head over there, you'll almost certainly be affected as well. Not as badly, because mine was made worse by my incomplete stone, but make no mistake; it was horrible. I lost all of the skills and wherewithal that I'd earned these past years in this world. We're stronger with that knowledge, that humility. I'm not fucking with you when I say this, Aria; it's for the best.”

“It's true,” you say. “You're all so strong in magic that all that excess in Equestria could do all sorts of things to your psyche. It overwhelmed Adagio from the start, before I'd even taken the stones out of my emitter, and only grew worse over time. It was the old beast, slowly learning how to control her, and I worry it'll bring out the worst in you two.”

Adagio continues, “so, those are the stakes; we either turn traitor, piss off all of Equestria and hope we take out our biggest threat, Twilight, and escape, then no doubt get hunted down to the ends of time by everyone who's on her side, which is to say the entire fucking land, all while potentially becoming weaker than I know we can be, just to recover our old ways. Or we play ball, occasionally waste some upstarts who try and mess with Twilight's and her subjects, and earn our adoration from the people of Equestria. As otherwise free agents. And we can totally just fuck her over if she turns out to not be worth it in the long run.”

You're about to object, but Adagio gives you a quick wink.

Sonata thinks for a moment. “And, like, we get to be heroes and stuff?”

Adagio shrugs with a smirk. “Basically. We get to enjoy ourselves until someone tries something, then we just destroy them and receive praise for our efforts. Well, Ari?”

Aria grimaces, but looks away.

Sonata shrugs. “I can do that! Plus I wouldn't mind being a pony for a while! Sounds like fun.”

Aria sighs. “Outvoted regardless... but when you put it like that, fine. I guess we can try it your way. But as for you?” She points a finger in your face, bares her teeth, but then looks at her necklace for a moment, then Adagio's imperfect one, and a flicker of realisation crosses her eyes. “You fixed mine before Dagi's?”

You gulp. “Yes? I mean, Addy wanted it this way, but-”

Aria waves her hand to shut you up. “That's beside the point, Ray, you had every reason to get her fixed first, yet... ” She trails off and looks conflicted.

After a few moments of silence, you add, “is this the part where you go on a power flex and overthrow Addy or something?”

“Oh, fuck off, Ray,” Aria says and folds her arms. “Quit being a smart ass for a moment and let me... work out how to say what I wanna say.”

Adagio stands beside you and holds your hand again as Sonata joins her, putting an arm around her sister's shoulder.

Aria takes a few deep breaths and says, “I still don't like this. I feel like we're gonna be chained attack dogs for Twilight.”

“It's not like that,” you insist. “Twilight respects you three a great deal. We're gonna keep her in check, since she's worried about ruling alone. If you play your cards right, I think she'll be receptive to your opinions and thoughts.”

Aria strokes her chin. “I get that. It's more than I guess I was expecting from Equestria. Admiration through our own merits definitely has an allure. When I'm on stage, rocking out, I fucking love the way people worship my music. Having another way to earn that wouldn't be so bad. Fuck knows I won't be able to use Metal-Mane over there... well, maybe, I swear I saw some earth pones could play string instruments somehow.”

You sigh with relief and feel Adagio squeeze your shoulder.

Sonata giggles and says, “totally! My press events are awesome when the fans say how much they love the show, and Tantra and stuff! Like, it's the best!”

Aria manages a small smile. “Alright, we'll see how it goes.”

Adagio nods. “We can still back out if we don't like what Twilight's giving. Besides, it'll be a while yet. We've got a lot of things to arrange here before even me and Ray return to Equestria.”

“Yeah,” you say, “I want to make sure all the financial shit gets sorted here before we start adventuring in Equestria. Once we're solid, once you girls are in a good place, then we'll see. But I have to ask one thing... in terms of draining people.”

You break away and look at your new family, and can't help but feel compelled to offer Twilight's side of things.

“Let me find a solution to you draining negative emotions. I don't know if I can create the energy, but I have some ideas that might work as a substitute. Just... promise me, you'll only drain when you feel it's necessary. I don't want to tell you what to do, but-”

Aria raises a hand, and you stop. She says, “I fucking swear, every time you flap your gums, you make your position worse, Ray.”

“Give him time, Ari,” Adagio says and puts an arm around her sister's shoulder.

“Yeah, c'mon,” Sonata adds. “He's, like, done tons for us already.”

Aria grumbles. “You know what, Ray? I still hate humans, but you're alright I guess.”

“Thanks,” you respond.

Aria looks away and... oh, shit, is that a blush? “Which puts me in a weird place. See, if humans can give us someone actually solid like you, maybe it's not fair that we do what we want with them, turn them against each other and feed, because we might be hurting other humans that're not totally fucking worthless. Even if that's one in a million, or whatever.”

Wow, that's shockingly sweet from her.

“But I goddamn swear,” she says and glares at you. “The second you admit defeat in not being able to give us the ability to feed without fucking with humans? We start draining them when we want, where we want. So it's on you, Ray.”

You nod. “Deal. I'll find something. Pinkie promise.”

Adagio's stomach suddenly roars. She rubs her midsection and utters, “whew. Guess we skipped dinner back there, and I've got a siren sized hunger. C'mon, let's get out of here. I've got a bad taste in my mouth and could use a good steak or three. And maybe some oaty fudge.”

“That's a great idea. I need a shit load of coffee, too,” you say, then chuckle. “Wait a second... I didn't taste that bad, did I?”

Aria and Sonata look at each other, then you with a confused expression. Sonata innocently asks, “are we talking oral or...?”

Adagio laughs. “Not quite. Let's start from the beginning, because have we got a story for you two,” Adagio says as you climb into the van. “So it all started with us meeting Twilight...”

You close the doors, Sonata starts up the engine, and you drive off as you share your story with your family, all on the same side.

And complete.

* * *