“Why?” Sonata asked.

“Why what?”

“Why all the violence and the evil?!” Sonata shouted. “We never stooped to those means in our world.”

“We’re not in our world... or maybe you haven’t noticed,” Adagio said, her tentacles writhing back and forth.

“So you feel you can just take advantage of the people here and legitimately hurt them?”

“What are they to us?!” Adagio snapped. “If they even knew what we are. We’re so much higher up the food chain, why shouldn’t we take advantage here and there?! We’re trying to get home!”

“Why go home if we changed so much while we’re here?!” Sonata asked.

“Why are you of all sirens asking me this?!” Adagio screamed. “Was it not you who hated it here the most when we first arrived?! Was it not you who begged me to try and find a way back?! So I finally figure out a way and it’s you who sabotages my efforts?!”

“We couldn’t have won,” Sonata said. “They were too powerful, the purple one was an alicorn, you had to have sensed it.”

Adagio remained silent, “The boy... I don’t understand.”

Sonata was about to speak but stopped when Aria crept forward. She placed a hoof to Sonata and shook her head.

“Adagio... what happened to you?” Aria asked.

Adagio faltered a moment, Aria was crying. Tears shimmering in her eyes, she never cried.

“Aria...” Sonata cooed while wrapping her tail around her.

Aria shook her head, “You’ve changed so much. When I first met you, you were so strong. So courageous. You taught Sonata and I to sing together with you. You told me that I didn’t have to be afraid anymore. That you wouldn’t let anything hurt me again. That together, we were strong. I followed you because you were a siren to look up to. We never went out of our way to hurt anypony. The strife we sowed was already present in the ponies, all we did was encourage it. But here? It wasn’t the same... You’re not the Adagio I knew.”

“Aria, I did-”

“No,” Aria said while she pointed a hoof. “You want to know about the boy? He’s our friend. He was willing to give us something that we only believed could be taken. Even after I mistreated him he forgave me! Such a kind little human.”

“You know,” Sonata interjected. “I’ve been thinking on it. If we would have come clean to him from the start, he might just have helped us get back home.”

“How could he possibly help us do that?” Adagio asked with a laugh.

“That’s not the point,” Aria said. “It’s the thought that counts. We roamed this world for years, never letting our guard down. You most of all! You were calling the shots! Don’t you think it would have been nice to trust a bit? To make some friends?”

“Friends only make you weak,” Adagio said. “We are strong, we don’t need them.”

“Then why did you befriend me on my lonely reef?!” Aria shouted. “You can’t get much weaker than what I was. Surely there are better Sirens to use for your own ends. And her?” she pointed to Sonata.

Adagio looked away as Sonata also shed a tear.

“Talan had every reason to scream at us and never talk to us again,” Aria said. “He could have reported us to the human authorities. But he didn’t. Do you know the character of something so small and fragile? To stare at us in our true forms and forgive?”

“You showed him?” Adagio asked. “He knows?”

“He does,” Sonata said. “We swam with him, it was the only way to clear our conscience. He forgave our deception.”

“You tried to hurt him,” Aria said. “You tried to hurt us... why?”

Adagio cursed and fell into the water, she swam over to them and shook her head, “I wasn’t going to hurt you. I never would. I just... you don’t understand.”

“So make us understand,” Sonata said.

“We don’t belong here!” Adagio shouted. “This isn’t home! I want to go home!”

Sonata and Aria backed off as she screamed and her tentacles flailed wildly in all directions.

“It’s been on me to make sure we got back, that was my responsibility! I failed you! I failed myself! We’re stuck here! All because of that stupid alicorn and that stupid unicorn!”

“Adagio, it’s not all bad...” Sonata said.

“Yes it is!” Adagio said, tears in her eyes, “Now we don’t even have our full power! We could die here you know!”

As Adagio shut her eyes and shook in anger, she felt a hoof touch her chest. It was Aria. She slowly nuzzled into her neck and crooned. Adagio faltered for a moment, then completely broke down. She grabbed the smaller siren in a hug and wept buckets into the cavern.

Sonata had tears come to her eyes as well. She embraced them both and held them tight.

“Forgive me...” Adagio sobbed. “I can’t undo what I did... I can’t...”

“Shh,” Sonata said. “It will take time... but we will move forward from this.”

Aria nodded, “I knew it wasn’t you, big sis. I knew that bully really wasn’t you. I can’t forgive you right away... but at least we know you’re sorry.”

Adagio pulled back and lowered her head, “Guess I’ll just stay here then. I understand you won’t forgive me right away. I’ll be here until you need me.”

“No, you’re coming back with us,” Aria said.

“Yeah, because there’s still others you have to forgive, Sunset and Talan.” Sonata said.

“Talan will never forgive me,” Adagio said. “Not after what I did to him, and what I said to him.”

“You’re still going to try,” Aria said. “You might be surprised.”

Adagio frowned, “I doubt that... I wouldn’t forgive me if I were him.”

Sonata raised her chin with a hoof, “Then you’re lucky he’s not like you.”

Adagio winced, she watched Aria and Sonata turn to leave, and decided she should at least try. This was going to be difficult.

Talan stirred, he stretched and let out a quiet yawn. He felt soft skin to his left and right. It brought a smile to his face as he turned over and saw Babs snoring lightly next to him. She was wearing a sports bra and some unzipped short shorts. Her head rested atop a large pillow that she was clutching. To his right, Alyssa slept on her side, one hand stretched languidly over his chest. She was wearing the same things as Babs.

Talan grinned as he gently moved her arm and extricated himself from the bed. He watched as Alyssa adjusted herself and rolled over. He backed away from the edge of the bed and chuckled to himself. He had just climbed out of a queen size bed with two gorgeous girls. When Alyssa was done playing with him earlier, they made dinner and invited Babs over. After a movie and some time hanging out, they retired to the bedroom. There they played around a bit, after Babs had some fun with Talan at the suggestion of Alyssa, they all went to sleep.

Talan went downstairs and poured himself a glass of water. When he was done he put it in the sink and went to go back upstairs. As he ascended the stairs he saw Alyssa waiting outside the room.

“You’re in trouble, Mr...” she said with a grin.

“Sorry,” Talan said. “Had to get a drink, we can go back and cuddle now.”

Alyssa glared at Talan, “I don’t cuddle...”

Talan walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her hips, “Which is why I had to be extra careful getting up so as not to wake you... right...”

Alyssa bent down and kissed him, “Come with me sweetie...”

Talan allowed Alyssa to slowly climb into bed, then crawled in next to her. He let her take his hands and put them just under her breasts. Talan took the hint and pressed himself against her ass in the traditional spooning position.

“Somebody feels happy already...” Alyssa whispered.

Talan sighed happily as his member hardened, firmly grinding against her. He rested his head against her back and caught a whiff of her hair. “That smells good...” Talan said with a yawn.

“Shh...” Alyssa said caressing his hands. “Bed time now...”

Talan closed his eyes and drifted off, summer was going to be an absolute blast. And if hadn’t even started yet.

The next morning Talan ate a hearty breakfast with the girls and decided to go home. They needed some time to themselves, and Babs wanted to hangout with Alyssa by herself.

Talan walked home and immediately jumped in the shower. After that, he decided he could go for a run around the neighborhood and through the park. He had little else to do at this point, and it would be nice to clear his head.

Talan achieved runner’s high on his way back, then jumped in the shower again. He put on some loose shorts and draped his towel over his shoulders. As he was going downstairs he heard voices. It seemed like Aria and Sonata were back.

“Hey girls, good to see you’re finally back. Having any luck finding-”

“Talan... hey...” Adagio said with a wincing smile.

“The FUCK is she doing here?!” Talan shouted, backing away slightly.

Aria and Sonata frowned and slowly approached Talan, “We talked with her... she has something to say to you...”

“I’ll bet...” Talan said through grit teeth. “What baste to use on me? Salt or pepper? Hot sauce? Last thing she said was that she was going to eat me, and you!” he said pointing to Aria.

“Talan,” Aria began, “That was... well that was wrong. She didn’t mean it. We’ve talked with her and I think you should-”

“No,” Talan said.

“What?” Aria asked.

“I said... no,” Talan repeated. “I’ll not have someone here who wanted to not just kill me, but eat me. The one who engineered all this. The one who hurt both of you. I don’t know why you forgive so easily, but maybe... just maybe it’s not a good idea?!”

“Talan...” Sonata said while placing a hand on his shoulder.

“No,” he replied, shaking her off. “I thought when you said you were looking for her you were going to...”

“Kill me?” Adagio asked.

Talan looked at her and saw her pained expression, “I- er, don’t know. Send you back, beat you to a pulp. Anything but bring you back here.”

“Talan,” Sonata said. “Adagio only wants to talk.”

“And I don’t want to hear it,” Talan said. “No, Sonata. Not here, I love and respect you same as Aria. But I will not tolerate this. I don’t believe her, and I don’t understand why you would either. Maybe it’s different for Sirens, but we humans are quite fragile. She almost choked me to death while holding me off the ground, then threatened to fucking. eat. me. And what defense do I have against that? Huh? Especially since she can hypnotize me apparently?”

Sonata and Aria were silenced. While Adagio simply shook her head and walked by them to the door.

“Wait!” Aria said.

“No, it’s fine... he’s right...” Adagio said. “I’m gone.”

“And don’t come back,” Talan said while slamming the door behind her.

After a moment of silence, Aria glared at Talan and shook her head, “What was that? You forgave me didn’t you?”

Talan laughed, “You were just a bitch and slapped me, not quite the same as what she did. I have limits you know.”

Aria was about to retort but stopped when Sonata rested a hand on her shoulder. “Talan, can I talk to you in private?”

“Yeah, whatever,” Talan said.

He followed her upstairs to her room and sat down next to her on the bed.

“Listen... you have every right to feel the way you do. Are you angry at Aria and I?”

“No...” Talan said. “I’m the outsider in this situation. I don’t know the history you girls have. If you’ve forgiven her... well, that’s you. I’m not in the same position.”

“We won’t pressure you,” Sonata said. “It’s not our place. And for the record, we haven’t fully forgiven her either.”

“Really?” Talan asked, somewhat surprised.

“We’ve been around a long time...” Sonata said while rubbing his back. “Adagio will have time to show us she’s changed. But the road needs to start somewhere.”

“That makes sense...” Talan said. “I’ll... think on it. Okay?”

Sonata smiled and hugged him, “That’s all I was going to ask. And don’t worry about the safety of you or your friends. We’ll not let anything happen. Promise.”

Talan returned her embrace, “You’re awesome, Sonata. Thanks.”

Talan left her room and went into his own. He shut the door and booted up his computer. He had to think on this. He picked up his phone and scrolled through the numbers... she would be able to help him.

“Hey... Sunset...” he said. “Yeah... can I come over later?”

“What’s up?” Sunset said as she let Talan in. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“The sirens came back... and they had Adagio with them.” Talan replied.

“Oh dear...” Sunset said. “So I take it they resolved their conflict?”

“Apparently, as I’m here and not eaten...” Talan said while sitting next to her.

Sunet sat down next to him and pulled him close, “Nobody is going to let anything happen to you, not the Sirens, and certainly not me.”

Talan leaned his head against her and accepted her embrace.

“What do I do?”

Sunset picked his chin up and smiled, “Well, what did she do?”

“She... wanted to apologize... I think,” he replied. “I didn’t accept, or even give her the chance. I got angry and told her to get out.”

“You were emotional,” Sunset said. “I understand.”

“Emotional?!” Talan said while getting up. “She said she was going to eat me! And you!! Have you seen how big these things are? Pretty sure they could eat a pony just as easily as a human like me.”

Sunset nodded, “Not gonna lie, I was scared then. But... there is something to consider.”

Talan rolled his eyes, “This is where you tell me I need to forgive her... let me guess... because of the power of friendship.”

Sunset narrowed her brow and stood up as well. Talan had to admit she could be intimidating when she wanted to be.

“Mock it all you want, human.” Sunset said with a smirk. “But there is power there, I wish you’d be more open to it. In fact, I can smell it’s effects on you.”

“You... what?” Talan asked.

“I can smell friendship... and love?” she asked while sitting down. “Or is it lust? It can sometimes be hard to tell the difference.”

“You can smell magic?” Talan asked.

“Yeah,” Sunset said while smiling and crossing her legs. “Have fun with your lady friends last night?”

Talan blushed, “Uh. Yeah, kinda. A little. But... back on topic. You really think I should trust her?”

“I didn’t say trust, just listen...” Sunset said. “Talan... I realize what we’ve been through, and were it not for recent events in my own life, I’d be thinking the same as you. Thing is, I was just in Adagio’s place, and now I’m on the path to recovery and redemption. It feels good. We Equestrians... magic affects us in a way that’s hard to explain. Adagio was beaten, and like the other sirens she’s lost most of her magic. She’s had to live without it, and it’s likely changed her.”

“You really think-”

“Remember what I said about sincerity in my world?” Sunset asked, cutting him off. “That we seem to be more sincere than you humans? That applied to her just as much as me. Don’t think of her as another human, she’s not. Show that you’re willing to hear her out... then see what happens.”

“And what if she has less than good intentions?” Talan asked.

“Then you won’t be there alone...” Sunset said while producing a red ruby crystal from her pocket.

“The heck is this thing?” Talan asked.

“This is summoning crystal,” Sunset said. “Something I’ve been saving for a rainy day. You rub that and say my name, and I shall appear.”

“What are you a genie?” Talan joked.

Sunset chuckled as she handed it to him, “Well I’m beautiful, and I can use magic... guess all I’m missing is a sexy outfit...”

Talan blushed again, “Yeah... so you really think I should do this?”

“I do,” Sunset said. “I think you can do it, and I think she will receptive. Question is... will you be?”

Talan hugged Sunset and shook his head, “I don’t know... we’ll see. I’ll be in touch.”

As he walked out of her apartment, Talan got out his phone and scrolled through the numbers. After searching through his recent interactions, he found it. Adagio’s number. It was still in his phone since she sent him that text.

Talan added her to his contacts then composed a text.

“Adagio, it’s Talan. I’ve decided to hear you out. Come to the beach behind the neighborhood tomorrow night. If you don’t know where it is ask the girls. Come alone.”

Talan sat among the treeline on the beach, waiting for Adagio to show. He hadn’t told Sonata or Aria anything, he figured Adagio would tell them. Not only that, but he didn’t really want them interfering. He wanted to test himself against Adagio on his own. If he could overcome dealing with her, then his other friends would prove no challenge at all. If he decided to deal with them at all...

He looked at his side pocket and rubbed the crystal. Sunset said she’d be willing to help if he needed her. Hopefully that wouldn’t be the case.

After a while, eventually Talan saw someone walk onto the beach. It was her.

Adagio wore a loose tank top and some short jean shorts. Her hair was in it’s usual poof, but it was tied into a ponytail of sorts. Several bands and clasps kept it together all the way down her back. He wondered why she had it in that style.

“You’re finally here...” Talan said, while stepping out in front of her.

“Oh geeze!” Adagio said, startled. “You scared me...”

“No I didn’t,” Talan said with a smirk.

“Okay you didn’t,” Adagio said. “But the hiding was pretty cute.”

“Cut the crap and answer me one question,” Talan said. “Why do you want to apologize to me?”

Adagio paused a moment then put a hand on her hip, “I think that it would help Aria and So-”

“I don’t care about how it will mend your relationship with them,” Talan interrupted. “I want to know why you want to. Or don’t you?”

Adagio’s eyes narrowed a bit at being cut off, then her features softened. “You know you’ve always had spunk, kiddo. Saw it in you when we first met. Guess it was no surprise to learn how you affected my girls. But... to your question. I-  shouldn't have threatened to eat you. I don’t eat live creatures... at least not ones like you or ponies. That was never going to happen.”

“What do you gain by apologizing to me?” Talan asked.

Adagio raised an eyebrow, “Real talk? I get to move on with my life, and I also get to become closer to the one who affected my girls so much. Also... I am sorry.”

“Prove it,” Talan said while walking forward.

“How?” Adagio asked.

“I want something,” Talan said. “I want something that I know will cost you. Something you wouldn’t part with if you weren’t sincere. I want your red gem.”

Adagio’s eyes widened as she looked to her chest. Her pendant was back, almost to the original size. After the battle with the Rainbooms it was destroyed. Adagio’s power and elder status allowed it grow back slightly faster than the others.

“Y-you want this?” Adagio asked. “But I can’t just-”

“Fine,” Talan said as he turned and walked away. “Then no forgiveness.”

Adagio watched him walk away and grit her teeth. She felt anger and irritation, but also something else. This type of hardball attitude was working. It was making her get emotional. She could respect that. Whether he knew it or not, the one thing keeping Talan on her good side was how interesting he was. Adagio smiled, was this what the girls saw in him?

But she would not be won over so easily. Talan would give her forgiveness, but he was also going to give her a little fun in the process. Fun that he would also enjoy.

“Wait...” Adagio said.

“What?” Talan replied, still walking away.

“I’ll give it to you, but only under one condition...”

“Oh, and what’s that?” Talan asked. “I’m the one making the demands he-”

A flash of golden light lit up the area behind him. Talan turned around and saw a fully transformed Adagio floating in the air. She was similar in shape to Sonata, long and slender with a serpentine appearance. Though unlike Aria and Sonata, she had no dorsal fin on her head. Instead a mane of long writhing tentacles. Some so long they reached halfway down her body. Almost like some Medusa.

“Come swimming with me, Talan.” Adagio said.

Talan was shocked. Her mouth moved and spoke the human tongue with her normal voice, though it still maintained the slight echoing sound the others had.

“You can talk normally?”

“Of course I can,” Adagio said as she leaned down. “I know your language.”

“I don’t think I want to swim with you, Adagio. I don’t trust you, and besides it’s cold and dark. Plus I don’t have any swim trunks.”

“You swam with my other girls, I’m no different... well, that’s not true. I’m more fun...” Adagio said with a wink. “Yeah, you don’t trust me. So what? That just adds an heir of danger... exciting dontcha think? Oh, and don’t worry about the cold. I can keep you nice and warm with these” she said while wiggling her thicker tentacles.

“I don’t know...” Talan said with still a bit of unease.

“Dude where’s your sense of adventure?!” Adagio asked while flipping herself over in the air, staring at him upside down. “Don’t worry about the lack of swim trunks. Just strip down to your boxers. Doesn’t matter.”

“I don’t know...”

“Come on, Talan. I can show you things the other two couldn’t. I can sing you the most beautiful songs. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, are you really gonna look back on your life and regret you didn’t go swimming with me?”

Talan didn’t know what to do. It could be a trap, and he wasn’t sure what would happen when he was with her and truly alone. But he did still have the crystal. He could hide it in his boxers. Plus... she did have a point. What would he think of himself later if he didn’t swim with each of these enchanting creatures? Plus... there was something inviting about Adagio... he couldn’t put a finger on it.

“Not to rush, but you got about twenty seconds to decide. Kinda just got my power back, and flying is hard. I’d rather not end up a beached whale so-”

“Fine!” Talan said as he took off his clothes.

No sooner had he stripped then three tentacles reached out and wrapped around him. One around the waist and two under his arms. They lifted him up placed him within the writhing bundle behind Adagio’s head.

Talan grabbed a thicker one as they slithered about all around him. Two wrapped around his legs and two more around his stomach and waist.

“Comfy?” Adagio asked as she looked behind her shoulder at him. “Don’t want you to fall off now.”

“This is really weird...” Talan said as the tentacles caressed him.

They weren’t rough or sharp in any way. They didn’t have suction cups on them either. They were just long and smooth. Almost cartoonish in their length and yellow color. One slithered around his head and covered his eyes for a brief moment before Talan pushed it away.

“Aww don’t mind them,” Adagio said as she floated into the water and began to swim out deeper. “Oh... what’s this?”

One of Adagio’s smaller tentacles slithered across his stomach and dove into his boxers. Talan gasped as it wrapped around his member for a moment, exploring it, then grabbed the crystal.

“That’s! No!” Talan said while trying to jump up and reach it. He squirmed out of the tentacles’ hold and almost fell into the water. One of the longer ones caught him and held him out beside her head.

Adagio examined the crystal as they swayed back and forth with the waves. “Oh... I know what this is...” she said with a devious smile. “A summoning crystal. Well, only one thing to do with this.”

Talan watched in horror as she tossed it up and gulped it down. “Adagio... why?!”

The tentacle holding Talan playfully flipped him upside down in front of her. “Because we don’t want anyone to disturb us, do we? So now I wouldn’t summon her if I were you, that is unless you want her to materialize in my belly...”

“I wasn’t going to actually use that,” Talan said, hoping she’d believe him.

“Oh I’m sure you weren’t,” Adagio said. “But now we have the sea all to ourselves, nothing to disturb us. Especially when we get intimate later...”

“Uh... What?” Talan asked.

Adagio chuckled and gave him a small kiss with her snout, then unceremoniously dropped him into the water.

Talan gasped as the cold hit him. Adagio submerged and pulled Talan down with her.

“Now...” she said, her voice audible even underwater. “Let’s deal with the breathing problem, hold still please.”

Talan was held in place by some of her tentacles as she floated over him and opened her mouth. He screamed as her lips closed around his head and lightly clamped down on his neck. To his surprise, she opened her mouth again and lightly pulled back.

“What the fuck?!” Talan shouted, then he realized he could talk and breathe.

Adagio had created a bubble from his neck and encapsulated his head. He took a breath of air and looked around.

“Magic of the Sirens,” Adagio said while curling her body around him. “Pretty nifty, right? That won’t break unless you mess with it too much. Just an fyi.”

“This is um... different,” Talan said. “But uh, thanks.”

“You’re welcome, Talan.  Now come along. We’ve got two stops to make.”

Talan was coiled up again and nestled deep within the tentacles. He grabbed the thickest one again and took a deep breath. “Where are we going?”

“A wreck of a sunken ship, a pretty cool place I found a while ago.” Adagio said while increasing her speed and depth.

Talan held on tighter and swayed back and forth in line with her motions, “I thought that none of you have been swimming in your Siren forms?”

Adagio laughed and shook her head, “Maybe the others haven’t, but I couldn’t resist coming out a few times. I have some favorite spots. One of which I’d like to show you before we head back.”

As they swam Talan could still see the moonlight shining down from above. He had to admit it was somewhat peaceful riding with Adagio like this. It was similar to Sonata and Aria, but he felt closer to Adagio. He wasn’t sure why.

Adagio dipped into a crevice and ducked through a cave. As she swam through she grazed one of the sides and caused a small jolt. Unfortunately it was enough to bump Talan off. His grip on the thick tentacle slipped and fell backwards and she swam forward with tremendous force. The tentacles holding him in place were loose and so he slipped through them as well.

Just as Adagio exited the cave part of her tail bumped the side and caused the roof to collapse in front of him and block the exit.

“Fuck!” Talan screamed. “Adagio!!!”

Nothing. Talan wondered if she felt him fall off.

“Adagio!! Help me!”

“Oh for goodness sake,” her voice rang from outside. “Why weren’t you holding on back there? Now look what happened!”

“What am I supposed to do?!” Talan shrieked.

It was pitch black inside the cave and he couldn’t see anything. He touched the walls which were rough and slimy with algae.

“Push against the rock and open it!” Adagio said.

Talan saw the rock as it fell, it was as big as a bus. “Oh real funny! Help me! Adagio this isn’t funny, I’m scared.”

Silence, then he heard something. What was that? Humming? Singing?

“Now is not the time to sing, Adagio!” Talan shouted. He nearly jumped out of his skin when he felt something brush against his leg. Fuck only knows what kind of poisonous sea creatures could be lurking down here.

“Listen Talan, there’s an opening above you somewhere. You can fit through. You just need to find your way to it.”

“I can’t see anything!” Talan said. “How am I supposed to do that?”

“Feel for it,” Adagio said. “You should feel a current further up.”

“I can’t,” Talan said, curling into a ball. “I can’t see!”

“Yes you can,” Adagio said, her tone changing. “I know you can. Listen to my voice.”

Talan felt something within him. A change in his attitude. He looked up and shook his head. He remembered what they said in his Hawk Scout training. If you close your eyes after seeing light, when they get accustomed to dark you can have better night vision. Talan calmed himself and exhaled. After a moment he opened his eyes and could see just a little bit.

He slowly swam forward and squeezed through a hole in the wall to his left. He felt something crawling on his arm and saw what looked like a crab. He shook it off hastily and crawled through to the other side.

“I think I’m doing it...” Talan said. “Are you there?”

“I’m here,” Adagio said. “You’re close, just a little further.”

Talan moved up more and saw the exit. But as he swam toward it, he saw movement below and a familiar shape move from the bottom of the cave. Talan made a break for the opening and was able to make it through but was caught by his hips.

“Adagio!!” he screamed.

In an instant her tentacles were around him as they pulled him free. They moved him back behind her head as the shark swam out looking for it’s lost meal.

Adagio opened her mouth and let loose a menacing scream. The shark backed off and swam away, not wanting a fight with a bigger fish.

Talan gripped a tentacle and shivered, “I really don’t like it down here... shit...”

Adagio slowly pulled him off and swam around in front of him, “That was very brave, Talan. I’m impressed. Hopefully now you realize nobody is going to eat you but me.” she said with a playful wink.

Unfortunately Talan was still visibly shaken. He averted her gaze and looked around, waiting for something else to attack him.

Adagio frowned, the sea really was no place for humans. Despite their swimming abilities, they were very vulnerable in most situations. She slowly extended one of her longest tentacles and wrapped it around Talan’s stomach twice.

“I’m not letting you go. That’s not going to happen again, okay?”

Talan nodded, “Y-yeah, okay.”

Adagio gently pulled him back behind her head and made certain to secure him better. “Don’t worry. You’re safe with me.”

Talan was starting to return to normal when he felt his arms and legs coiled by smaller tentacles. The one on his stomach tightened a bit, and another larger one slithered between his legs and up his back. It wrapped around one of his armpits and across to the other one, like some sort of harness.

“Well, at least I’m not going anywhere...” Talan said to himself as they cut through the water.

Much to his embarrassment, the motion of the thick tentacle between his legs was starting to have an effect. He felt his shaft starting to harden. Talan began to move up and down along with the motions like before. He viewed it akin to riding a horse, and... technically that’s what he was doing.

“Feeling alright back there...?” Adagio asked sweetly.

Talan swore the tentacle between his legs was moving more now, grinding against him with purpose, “Uh, Y-yeah. Great actually...”

“I know...” Adagio said with a chuckle, we’re almost there.

Talan leaned forward and shut his eyes, letting the motion relax him. After about five more minutes, they arrived. He couldn’t believe it. It was the wreck of an old tall ship. One of the ones in the old movies and history books.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Talan said. “And I suppose there is treasure here as well?”

Adagio swam away with a grin and shrugged, “I don’t know, why don’t you go take a look?”

Talan laughed and swam toward the ship, then stopped. He pulled on the tentacle, coaxing her forward. “There’s no nasty surprises in there? Nothing with sharp teeth?”

“Nah,” Adagio said with a wave of her hoof. “Nothing with teeth sharper than mine, anyway. Go on!”

Talan felt the tentacle nudge him forward, so he swam down into the wreck. The deck and center of the ship had been destroyed, so it was hollowed out. He swam to the center and looked around. He went into a few rooms and even below into the cargo hold. While he was moving around Talan felt like a diver. Exploring underwater secrets with a round bubble around his head that let him breathe, and a tether that held him to something else.

He looked at the tentacle wrapped around his stomach and gave it a gentle rub. It responded by coiling around him more, if only slightly. Talan had to admit he kind of liked it. It made him feel safe. If anything happened he would be pulled to safety, and it was nice knowing that Adagio was always there. Plus, it was really long, so he had quite a bit of slack to go where he wanted. And it didn’t restrict him in any way.

Talan spent the next twenty or so minutes looking around and couldn’t find anything. Eventually he swam out of it and shrugged. “I can’t find it, a little help?”

Adagio, who was lazily gliding overhead turned to him and rolled her eyes. “Have you checked the captain’s cabin?”

Talan looked up to the upper deck and facepalmed. The tentacle holding him tickled his stomach with it’s tip, “Hey haha, stop it! Fine!”

“Might want to check there...” Adagio said with a chuckle.

Talan swam inside the cabin and looked around. Off to the side he saw a chest that looked like it might have something inside it. Talan grabbed it and attempted to lift it. Despite being in the water it was still very heavy. He lugged it outside and was relieved when Adagio took the chest and placed it on a rock near the ship.

He looked around and marveled at the surroundings. It wasn’t so bad now that he could see. The bubble must have been allowing him to see better in the dark. Everything had a slight blue sheen to it. Plus the water was very clear, even as deep as they were the moonlight penetrated through.

“Well...” Adagio said, looking expectantly at the chest.

“It’s locked...” Talan said.

“Ugh...” Adagio groaned as she grabbed the lock and ripped it off.

Talan opened it up and saw several gold items and gemstones. “Wow... how the hell did you know this was here?”

Adagio smiled and shrugged, “A lady knows where to find these things.”

“A huh,” Talan said with a laugh. “This is really cool, though.”

“So pick out something, but just one thing... let’s not be greedy.” Adagio said while wagging a tentacle in front of him.

“Why am I doing this?” Talan asked, confused.

Adagio rolled her eyes, “You wanted my gem, right? Well you should have something to affix it to. So grab a ring or amulet or something.”

Talan laughed and swam up to her snout, “You’re very thoughtful, you know that? But you know I’ll want to come back for this, right? I’m surprised other divers haven’t found it yet.”

Adagio smirked and nuzzled his stomach, then nudged him back toward the chest, “It can be our little secret, stay on my good side and I might just take you back here. Now c’mon, choose something. We’ve still got one more stop.”

Talan swam back and picked up a ring, and amulet, and a golden clasp. He hid the clasp in his trunks and showed Adagio the ring and amulet.

“Two things? And here I thought I was the greedy one...” she said while guiding Talan back and nestling him amongst her tentacles.

“Now where are we going?”

“Just up the coast a ways, it’s a little place that I came to like when we first got here. Very comfy and relaxing.”

Talan nodded and relaxed, enjoying her swimming. “You know, your swimming is different than Aria’s.”

“How so?” she asked.

“Dunno,” Talan replied. “Just more... relaxing. Kinda makes me sleepy.”

“Aww, well I’m glad you’re at ease with me. That’s good.” Adagio said. “We’ll see if we can’t enhance that more a bit later...”

Talan saw another cave system appear ahead and gripped her tightly as they went inside. It was quite small, and the pool of water inside was completely round. Adagio let him off, still with her tentacle around his waist. She swam up to a rock formation that had been carved to look like a throne, or at least a comfortable chair, and sank into it. Her body just above the stomach was out of the water, while the rest of her tail calmy slithered back and forth.

“Nice place,” Talan said. “This similar to what you live in back in your world?”

“Hah!” Adagio laughed. “Hardly, Talan. We live in lavish undersea comfort compared to this. But it’ll do. In a way I’ve come to appreciate it. Very... rustic.”

“I see,” Talan said. “Hey, Adagio... much as I love you holding me like this. I’m pretty sure we’re safe in here. Mind letting me go?”

“Aww... but you’re so cute... fine...” she said with chuckle.

Talan was lifted into the air and thrown back into the center of the pool. He landed with a splash and coughed up water, “Oh you’re funny...”

Adagio smirked, “I thought it was funny. And according to Sonata you like being tossed around.”

“She told you that?” Talan asked.

“Mhm,” Adagio replied. “And the whole thing sounded completely adorable. Now, come here and let’s see about giving you my gem.”

Talan swam over and stopped, waiting for her to remove it.

“Well?” Adagio asked with a raised brow, “Don’t be shy, climb up here.”

Talan slowly swam over to her tail and crawled up her stomach, eventually reaching her chest. Like Sonata, she was soft and squishy. Talan’s hands and knees sunk into her each time he moved. He reached her gem and examined it, smiling when he saw his reflection in it.

“This is cool... I’m surprised how big it is. So... how do I?”

“Just yank it out,” Adagio said.

“Just... yank it out....?” Talan asked. “I can do that?”

“Yep, it just started to grow back so you should be able to remove it. That is, if you’re strong enough..” she said with a smirk.

Talan huffed, and crouched down, getting a firm hold on the gem, “I’m for sure strong enough. Watch this... Hrrgh!”

Adagio looked down and smiled, “Watch what?”

Talan fell back and caught his breath, “Har har... I’ll get it, just you wait.”

“I’d rather not wait too long...” Adagio said with a yawn.

Talan grabbed the gem again and put his back into it. With a little more effort he wiggled and edge free then finally pulled it out. When he did he nearly jumped out of his skin from the painful screech let loose by Adagio.

Talan fell backward again and this time went straight into the water. He felt a tentacle wrap around him and pick him up along with the gem. He was released on her stomach and subjected to the laughter of the siren. “Real funny...” Talan groaned while sitting down.

Adagio looked down and playfully prodded him with a hoof, “Oh c’mon, you should’ve seen your face. That didn’t hurt at all, though. Now give me the ring.”

He handed her the ring and watched as she took the gem and shrunk it down to a much smaller size. She waved her hooves back and forth, eventually removing the gem currently occupying the ring. She placed the crimson gem inside and hit it with a burst of bright golden light, then handed it back to Talan.

“There you go,” Adagio said. “Now, do you forgive me?”

Talan put the ring on and paused for a moment. “Can you bend down a minute?”

“What?” Adagio asked.

“Just bend down, I want to do something, “ Talan said.

Adagio lowered her head and raised an eyebrow, “What are you doi- oomph! Hey!”

Talan grabbed one of her nostrils and climbed onto her snout, his leg slipping a bit and catching on her lower lip. He crawled up and pushed himself past her eyes, “Just hang on a sec.”

Adagio closed her eyes as he climbed over them and felt him walking among her writhing tentacles. “As much as I find it cute having a little human boy climb all over me, care to tell me what you’re doing?”

Talan eventually found a tentacle that was the appropriate size and grabbed hold of it. He jumped down onto her chest again, pulling it along with him. He held it there then produced the golden clamp from his trunks. He slid it onto the tentacle until it fit then smiled.

“For you, for saving me from that shark and talking me through the cave. Yeah, Adagio, I forgive you. Between that and you giving me your gem willingly, I think you’re sincere. Plus if Sonata trusts you again, I think I can too.”

Adagio looked at the tentacle and golden armlet attached to it and felt her eyes starting to water, “For me? I- thanks, Talan. You know... I never would have thought such a small gift could resonate so much, but it does.”

“Well, you’re my friend now.” Talan said. “I have completed the quest and reunited the sirens. I am truly the hero of ages.”

Adagio chuckled, “You’re a funny little human, I was so consumed in my desire to get home I never noticed.”

“Will you ever get home?” Talan asked.

Adagio sighed, “Maybe, maybe not... I suppose I’ll need to apologize to the unicorn. Once I do that, maybe she’ll be able to help.”

“I bet she will,” Talan said.

“Maybe, but for now... I think I should explain to you some benefits of having my gem as an accessory.”

“What benefits?” Talan asked.

“Well,” Adagio began, leaning back and flicking her tail back and forth, “For starters, passive protection against any mind altering magic an Equestrian might attempt to use on you.”

“Really?” Talan asked. “Does it have any active powers?”

“Hmm... maybe...” Adagio said with a smile. “But first let’s test the passive defense, shall we?”

“How are we going to do that?” Talan asked innocently.

Adagio smiled and stared up at the roof of the cavern, “I’m going to sing to you, and you’re going to love it. How much you’ll love it? Well, we’re going to find out...”

“Wait a minute...” Talan said while climbing up on her snout again. “Sonata said without those gems you can’t use your voice powers, or something...”

Adagio looked down her nose at Talan and smiled, “Did she say that? Oh, the silly little thing. For her and Aria, that is correct. They use the gems to augment their compulsion magic in their voices. But they have their own talents besides those. You’ve seen them. Aria’s voice is... loud. Sonata learned how to call storms with her voice. And me...”

Talan’s face turned white, “You can do it without the gem...”

Adagio’s tongue flicked out of her mouth and tickled Talan’s feet. “Don’t worry, you’ve got my gem, right? There’s no way I could ever overpower my own gem...”

Adagio began to sway her head from side to side and hum a gentle melody, then opened her mouth and started to voice the notes. It was their default melody when harmonizing. Talan laid on her snout and looked into her eyes. Then he saw the ring glowing. He held it to his face and examined it. It felt warm to the touch. Was it absorbing all her voice magic?

“Hmm,” Adagio said. “Looks like it works, how about that?”

Talan sat up and straddled her snout, he leaned back and smirked, “Don’t sound so disappointed.”

“You know...” Adagio said as she leaned back more and more, causing Talan to slide forward, soon coming eye to eye with her. “I seem to remember my girls saying you were still under our influence.”

“Yeah, that’s not true,” Talan said. “That was a while ago.”

Adagio looked into his eyes and grinned, “Uh oh...”

“No...” Talan croaked. “No way, you’re not...”

“What are those green rings?” Adagio asked. “Let’s see if I can’t coax them out a little.”

To his surprise, a captivating green ring burst out from the center of her eyes. Talan saw and immediately felt a wave of pleasure wash over him. He leaned forward and looked into her eyes again. Watching and hoping it would show itself again. Sure enough, it did. Followed by another, and another, and another.

“Mmm... you didn’t know that you fell...” Adagio sang while looking intently into his eyes.

Talan’s jaw became slack as he looked into the colors and donned a complacent smile. His own eyes soon radiating green rings of varying shades.

“...Now that you’re under my spell...” Adagio continued to sing as she stretched her hooves. “Would you listen to that, Talan? There’s an echo in here. You lucky boy.”

Talan stared helplessly into her eyes as she swayed back and forth. His limbs limp like jello.

“You didn’t know that you fell...” Adagio repeated as she used her sizable muscles to arrange her tail. She sat up and gently lowered her head down, allowing Talan to fall off and slide down her long body. He slid down her tail as it raised out of the water, bending two and fro to keep his speed and motion. Eventually coming to stop near the end.

Adagio fell back into the water and swam over to him, submerging to stop his descent to the bottom. She flipped over on her back and caught him with her hooves. “Now that you’re under my spell...”

Adagio smiled and nuzzled Talan’s chest and chin, causing him to reach out and hug her muzzle. She smiled at the adorable gesture and blew another air bubble around his head. Adagio circled around him and held out a hoof. Talan stared at it moment, then grabbed it. Grinning the whole time.

“You never knew you could be so free...” Adagio sang while swimming outside the cavern. She eventually slowed down enough and allowed Talan to cling to her neck. They slowly and lazily slithered back and forth, gliding through the water. She looked down at him and smiled affectionately, “Until you swam the seas with me...”

Eventually she decided to swim back into the cavern and circle her body around the floor. She looked down at Talan, still hugging her soft chest and neck. Adagio used her tentacles to gently pry him off and push him into the water above her.

Talan’s mind was awash in pleasure and relaxation. He heard Adagio singing, and her words had a strange pull. It was almost like waking from a very pleasant dream, and not being sure if it would continue, or if you were truly awake. He was able to make out Adagio beneath him, her smile was infectious. He tried to swim toward her, but was facing resistance from something.

Adagio looked up at the little human trying to swim down to her. She blew bubbles in his direction, causing him to float further away. Each time he would get closer she’d blow another bubble, which turned into rings. The rings encircled Talan and caused him to spin around and tumble over and over. Each making him rise more and more to the surface.

Adagio closed her eyes and started to hum the melody louder. She continued to blow the bubbles, but with a twist. This time they transformed into musical notes of varying colors. Each brushing past Talan as he tried in vain to catch them.

“I say ‘jump’ you say ‘how high?’...” Adagio sang, catching his attention again.

Talan swam further down, still trying to reach her. It was pathetic how he could barely swim in such a stupor. Adagio felt a little bad for giggling at his attempts.

“I say ‘jump’ you say ‘how high?’” she repeated again.

Talan swam further down and made it through two bubble rings. He reached out his hand like he was trying to save someone from falling off a cliff.

Adagio played along and extended her hoof, “Come on... you’re so close...”

Eventually Talan grabbed it, and held on for dear life. The bubbles had created a sort of small vortex that pulled up rather than down. Talan’s body was extended upward as he gripped her hoof.

Through sheer random occurrence, the force of the water ripped off Talan’s boxers. Adagio smirked and couldn’t contain her laughter. The poor boy, he didn’t seem to notice. But Adagio noticed something. He was fully erect, likely a side effect of her voice and powers.

Adagio shook her head and extended a pair of tentacles to catch his runaway shorts. “Oh you silly teenage boy. I really could just eat you up.”

Her tentacles gently slid them back on, ensuring it wouldn’t happen again.

“Now... where were we?” Adagio asked, tilting her head slightly and smiling at Talan.

“Oh yes... I say ‘jump’ you say ‘how high?’” Adagio sang, waiting for Talan’s expression to change.

Adagio swished her tail back and forth impatiently, “When I say ‘jump’ you say ‘how high?’  ... you say... ...” she let out a sigh and chuckled “A little participation please?”

Talan heard the cooing voice. He struggled to find the words, but did as instructed, “I say... hngh- how.. high?”

“There... was that so hard?” Adagio asked while pulling him against her chest.

She swam up to her carved out chair and sank into it, then piled a portion of her tail on the nearby rocks.

“Ahh...” she sighed, still subtly humming her melody. “This is actually really nice, I forgot how fulfilling it could be singing to an audience of one.”

Adagio lifted Talan up with three of her tentacles. One around his stomach, his leg, and his shoulder.

“Give yourself for me to keep...” Adagio cooed, “While you fall into a peaceful sleep...”

Talan’s eyes grew heavy, obeying her words. He yawned and tried to say something, but could only babble incoherently.

“Sleep...” Adagio whispered as she playfully dangled him upside down.

After a few moments, Talan was fast asleep with small sounds emanating from his tiny form. Adagio raised her head to his level and playfully rolled over so she was also upside down.

“Snoring...really?” she chuckled.

Talan was too far gone, he couldn’t answer. Adagio decided enough was enough. She carefully unwound her tentacles from him and brought forward two more. The first gently coiled around Talan’s neck, working it’s way down to his feet. As he was so small compared to her, he was not wrapped by the thicker sections of her coils. She used another tentacle to wrap around him again, keeping him more secure.

Now, with each tentacle from either side of her head wrapped around him, he dangled against her chest in a small bundle. Adagio looked down and felt his small chest rising and falling, taking slow, steady breaths.

“To think I was ever going to hurt you...” Adagio said, ashamed of herself. “Now look at you. Life can be very strange can’t it, Talan?”

Adagio relaxed against the smooth rocks and closed her eyes, thinking of the seas of Equus. How open and peaceful they were, most of the time. She found herself thinking of swimming with her girls again, plus another small creature...

She glanced down at Talan, he would love it there, provided they were there to protect him. Adagio found herself more than willing to fill that role. She chuckled to herself, maybe there was something to that friendship magic after all.

After her brief reverie, Adagio sensed a presence outside the cavern and smiled.

“You can come in now...” she said in as low a voice possible.

A familiar blue siren snaked her way into the small pool and floated near her. She looked at her expression and a knowing grin split her face.

Adagio groaned. That grin was just as bad in her siren form as it was in her human one. “Just say it...”

“Say what?” Sonata asked innocently.

“By the thirteen seas... you’re so annoying sometimes,” Adagio said while rolling her eyes.

“I knew you’d warm up to him eventually,” Sonata said. “He’s pretty special, don’t you think?”

Adagio found it hard to argue, she let the tip of her tentacle wrapped around him play with his feet. “Yeah, I think I can see that now. He gave me something, want to see?”

“Yeah!” Sonata exclaimed.

“Lower the volume!” Adagio whispered while darting her eyes to the sleeping boy.  

“Oh, sorry...” Sonata said with a sheepish grin.

Adagio slid the tentacle with the armlet forward and presented it to Sonata, “Pretty nice, huh? I took him to a treasure chest I found and he gave this to me.”

Sonata’s eyes lit with warmth. She gently nuzzled Talan and cooed to him, “What a sweetie!”

Talan’s face was somewhat scrunched by the thickness of the tentacles, making him even more adorable to Sonata. He let out a sigh and shifted in the embrace.

“Where is Aria?” Adagio asked.

“She’s back at his house waiting for me to come back, she didn’t want you to get the wrong impression if both of us showed up.”

Adagio nodded, “Checking to make sure I didn’t hurt the little thing?”

“Well...” Sonata began.

“Don’t, I understand,” Adagio said with a raised hoof. “But you can see he is perfectly safe with me.”

“I can,” Sonata said with a smile. “I’ll leave you two alone then, I take it you’re spending the night here?”

“Yeah,” Adagio said with a yawn of her own. “We both swam quite a bit tonight, and the little one is tired. He went to sleep right away after I sang to him.”

“You sang to him?” Sonata asked.

“Don’t worry,” Adagio said. “I barely used any power. He was really enjoying himself. We’ll talk about it in the morning.”

“Alright, well, we’ll be at the house.” Sonata said. “Goodnight, Adagio. And sweet dreams, Talan...” she whispered while giving him another small nuzzle.

Adagio stretched as Sonata left. She let her tentacles fall limp both behind and in front of her. She shut her eyes leaned back, “Goodnight, Talan.”