Talan laid on his back, his head splitting. He groaned as a cool ice pack was placed against his forehead.

Alyssa had gingerly laid him down, his head resting comfortably in her lap as she tried to keep his eye from swelling.

“You did good, Talan.” Alyssa said. “I’ve never seen Babs look so shocked, and you even beat her.”

“Don’t act so surprised...” Talan said. “It was inevitable.”

“Oh was it?” Babs asked from the foot of the bed.

She sat there watching TV, trying not to show her wounded pride. Her shirt was off, revealing her tight sports bra, and a tight bandage wrapped around her ribs. Talan had done a number on Babs today, something she wouldn’t soon forget.

Earlier in the week they arrived at Talan’s house to find him in a bit of a stupor. He wouldn’t say why he was so depressed, but he didn’t want to do anything. It was actually his house sitter that called them over. Sonata greeted them and had them talk with Talan. Then they decided to take him down to Alyssa’s house. He needed the fresh air, and the other two girls were happy to see him go out for a while.

Babs challenged him to a sparring match, but was unprepared for the anger and ferocity he was apparently keeping bottled up. Before Babs had any time to react, Talan had used his short stature and lower body strength to great effect. He dove in for her waist and grabbed both of her thighs, yanking them forward and taking her to the ground. Seconds later he was on her and delivered three lightning fast forearms to her head and throat. After that, several knees to the ribs. Babs eventually fended him off and delivered some good kicks to his legs, and landed one particularly good punch to the right eye.

After that, Talan went for a devastating move that Alyssa - who had been observing thus far - didn’t even see coming. He landed a quick jab to her ribs then went for a high knee to her face. Alyssa was shocked at how far he was able to jump, despite knowing full well how nimble and durable he was from first hand experience. Luckily Babs saw it and stepped back just in time. A good thing, for if he had connected they would be in the emergency room fixing her broken nose.

Alyssa wondered if all the playful dom stuff was subtly getting to Talan. She was a bit unnerved by the ferocity he put on display. And the off putting thing was that it wasn’t out of anger, but rather a cold, calculating aggression. Babs attempted to foolishly grapple his waist and try to bring him down, a mistake that cost her. Talan merely dropped an elbow to her spine, then stepped behind to grab her by the waist. Despite being taller than him, he had no trouble suplexing her clear over his head, bouncing her neck on the mat behind him. It was then that Alyssa stepped in and stopped them. Declaring Talan the winner of their little match.

“You got lucky,” Babs continued. “It won’t happen again.”

“It doesn’t need to,” Talan said. “I think I proved my point.”

Babs turned around and crawled over to him, straddling his body, “You’re incredibly lucky you’re in our good graces, Tally. Otherwise you’d be in a world of hurt right now.”

“And you’re lucky I stepped in when I did,” Alyssa said to Babs, looking down at her unamused. “He dominated that entire engagement, only losing pace a few times. His lower body strength is incredible for his size. Besides, if I hadn’t stopped him your father would have murdered him after he saw what he did to you.”

Babs looked down at Talan and raised an eyebrow, “Yeah, daddy wouldn’t have liked that.”

“But he’ll understand that?” Talan asked, pointing to her black and blue stomach and sides.

“Eh, don’t worry about it,” Babs said while grinding herself against Talan. “I heal quickly.”

“Wish I could say the same,” Talan groaned as Alyssa pressed the ice to a different part of his eye.

“So what did you think?” Babs asked Alyssa.

Alyssa slowly pulled Talan further into her lap and ran a hand through his hair, “I think you both did well, and you’re both lucky that you weren’t fighting me.”

“But I don’t fight you...” Babs said while crawling up past Talan and kissing Alyssa’s left boob.

“No, you’re smarter than that...” Alyssa chuckled while bringing Babs to her mouth.

The two girls kissed thile Talan was literally sandwiched between them. He let out a content sigh as Babs’ chest was pressed against his face. He slowly reached his hands around her waist and took hold of her firm ass. Babs stopped kissing Alyssa for a moment and reached for her bra, unhooking it and letting her tits fall free against Talan’s face. Talan allowed his face to be pressed between them for a while before beginning to play with them.

As the sun went down, Talan soon found himself lying against Alyssa’s chest while Babs lazily stroked his member. Things were starting to wind down. Talan eventually waited until they fell asleep then put his underwear back on.

He went to leave but was stopped again by Alyssa.

She walked downstairs and motioned for him to come to the back with her. Talan sat down on the glider next to her and wondered what she wanted.

“Are you okay, Talan?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. Why?”

Alyssa looked down at him and raised an eyebrow, “That was a savage beating you gave Babs. What’s up?”

Talan felt bad for how he fought, but at the time it felt super good. “I... lot’s of things, Alyssa. I don’t think I should talk about it all. Just know that I finally talked with Ryan, and things became abundantly clear.”

“Oh?” Alyssa asked, taking his hand and placing it in her lap.

“He was never really my friend. None of them were. They were just doing their own thing, and using me when it was convenient for them. They pitied me, and now they are jealous of me.”

“Why jealous?” Alyssa asked.

Talan looked her up and down, then donned a tired smile, “You really have to ask that?”

Alyssa nodded in understanding and watched him get up. Talan looked up at the starry sky and shook his head. “I don’t know what’s going on anymore. Too many things have happened lately, it seems like life suddenly went zero to eighty in seconds.”

“I’ve been there,” Alyssa said. “I know how that feels. I think... I think this is why I like you, Talan. Why I love you.”

“Love?” Talan asked.

“Mhm,” Alyssa said. She got up and stood next to him, leaning on the deck’s railing. She gazed up at the stars with him and smiled. “At least you had those experiences growing up with them. Even if they weren’t your friends, at least not truly, you still understood certain things. I never even had that. Not until I underwent my transformation. Like a bug emerging from a cocoon, I had to learn a lot in a very short amount of time. I think I understand what you’re going through.”

“I never really thought about it like that,” Talan said. “Part of me wanted to close myself off from other people. To never let that sort of thing hurt me again, but that would mean denying myself you and Babs.”

“Did someone say my name?” Babs asked, emerging from the house in her boy shorts and sports bra, just like what Alyssa was wearing.

“Sorry, babe... thought you were tuckered out from fighting.” Alyssa said.

“I’m good,” she replied. “What’re you two talking about?”

Talan looked at Alyssa and sighed. But Alyssa only chuckled and led Talan over to the glider. She sat down and guided him into her lap, crossing her legs and fondling his abs. Talan relaxed as his member rubbed against her thigh as she rocked them back and forth. Babs chuckled and spread her arms out.

“Well?” she asked. “You gonna tell me or what?”

Talan sighed and recounted the events for both of them, going into detail of what Ryan had said and what he thought about it. Eventually Babs joined them on the glider and tried to stop a tear coming to her eye.

“That’s horrible, Talan. I’m so sorry.” she said while caressing his eye where she socked him.

“It’s alright,” Talan said. “Enough is enough...”

He got up from Alyssa’s lap and turned around, “Wherever I go from here, whatever happens... I think this summer will be one I remember for the rest of my life. I’m so glad to have such great women in my life. Friends to help me and guide me when I need them most. Girls, I love you...”

Both girls looked at each other and felt their hearts melt, “Aww...” they both said in unison. They got up and hugged him tightly. “We love you too, Talan.”

Talan returned their embrace, then decided it was time to leave. He got home later to find the house empty, except for Sonata.

After the usual alarm from seeing him injured, Talan was able to calm her down and take a shower. After that he sat down and ate a nice meal she prepared, insisting he should eat. Then they decided to have another movie night. Sonata sat beside him and rubbed his back, “You okay, sweetie?”

“My head kinda hurts...” Talan said with a chuckle. “But other than that, just still in a funk is all... you know why.”

Sonata frowned and turned him to face her, “Hold still...”

“What are you, woah!!” Talan jerked back as a portal the size of a basketball opened in Sonata’s hand.

A large, thick black tentacle slithered out of it and extended toward his face.

“Hold still, Talan.” Sonata said. “It won’t hurt you. In fact it’ll heal you.”

“What is it?” Talan asked, somewhat grossed out.

This tentacle wasn’t at all like the one’s on Adagio’s head. This was slimey and gooey, complete with suction cups and a gross stench. But he did remember it. When Adagio and Aria fought, they used these black tentacles against each other.

“They’re tentacles... well obviously,” Sonata said with a slight giggle. “Let’s just say they belong to a friend of ours, one who loves us, and let’s us borrow them.”

Talan cringed as it touched itself to his face, then he relaxed as he felt the pain being sucked away. That’s exactly how it felt. It moved from his head, down the bridge of his nose and into the tentacle. It seemed to have no effect on the tentacle itself, as it eventually dislodged itself from around his head, then retreated back into the portal.

To his astonishment, the pain was gone, as was the black eye. He looked in the large mirror in the front room and stood up, touching his face.

“You know, Siren magic... you’d think I’d be used to it by now. But nope.” Talan said.

Sonata stood up behind him and put her hands on his shoulders, “Talan, can you come upstairs, there’s something I want to show you.”

“Sure,” Talan said.

He followed her up to her room and walked inside. Sonata picked up a small box on the bed and handed it to Talan.

Talan stared at it for a moment, then looked up at Sonata. “What is this?”

“Open it,” she replied.

Talan did as instructed and gasped. It was a gem, her gem, or at least a portion of it.

“I don’t understand,” Talan said.

Sonata pressed a hand to her pendant and smiled, “You’ve given us so much. You’ve given me so much, I’ve come to really care about you, Talan. You helped reunite us after being splintered for so long. You helped Aria and Adagio open up, and you’ve changed yourself as well. You deserve that, Talan. It’s yours.”

Talan smiled and removed it from the box. It was in a necklace or medallion. The outline of the gem was a cyan blue, just like Sonata in her Siren form. Sonata walked forward and took the necklace. She smiled and draped it around his neck, then tousled his hair.

“Sonata I... I can’t...” he said with mist forming in his eyes.

“Sure you can, just wait til you see what it can do!” she said while taking his hand and leading him out onto the back porch balcony.

They were overlooking Talan’s backyard and pool. The hedges and garden were off in the distance, and the sound of crickets and tree frogs filled the night. The moon was out, but it was obscured by some clouds. Sonata walked up behind Talan and gently took his hand in hers, she stretched out his arm toward the moon, then slid it to the side, as if to wipe away a stain.

Talan’s jaw dropped. Like it followed his command, the clouds parted to reveal the brilliant glow of the moon. He smiled and turned around, absolutely ecstatic. “That’s right! You can control the weather and call storms! So now I can do that, too?!”

Sonata giggled and shook her head, “No, unfortunately not. But you can move clouds around a bit, and maybe form some if you wanted. It’s all about the willpower, Talan. And you’ve got plenty of that. Also, that will protect you against other Equestrian mind magic, just like Adagio’s.”

Talan grabbed Sonata in a tight hug and pressed his head against her, “I don’t deserve this, thank you so much!”

Sonata gently stroked the back of his head as she began to hum a gentle melody, “Such a sweet little human boy, of course you deserve it. You helped us, saw us for what we were, what we are, and still remained our friend. We owe you so much more, this is the least we can do.”

Talan yawned and felt himself swaying back and forth, moving side to side as Sonata held him. She took his hand in hers and looked down at him with glowing blue eyes. Before he could realize what was happening, she slipped off the ring containing Adagio’s gem.

“Wha..?” Talan asked, then yawned again. “Sonata... I’m starting to get a little sleepy...”

“You don’t say?” Sonata asked with a giggle as she ran a hand through his hair.

“I think I’m just... hey!” he said, finally realizing what was going on. “Why the hypno- hidno- the magic...? I’m-  I can’t- “ with one more yawn, Talan’s mind went blank as he fell limp against Sonata, a complacent smile on his face.

Sonata chuckled and picked him up, then took him back to his room. She laid him down and draped a blanket over his smaller form.

“Sorry, Talan.” Sonata whispered. “But we’re about to have an important meeting, better that you remain out like this instead of trying to tag along.”

Adagio and Aria joined Sonata downstairs.

“Well?” Aria asked.

“He’s asleep,” Sonata said. “Wish I didn’t have to do it...”

Adagio gave Sonata a reassuring pat and leaned in close, “You had to. If he saw us meet with the princess, she might ask what his involvement was. I’d rather not have to explain how I tried to hurt him, and we all had a fight.”

“Yeah, that wouldn’t be good for our chances,” Aria said.

Sonata nodded, “I suppose that’s true.”

The three girls walked outside and into the hedges. They waited there for about an hour before a portal opened and Sunset stepped through.

“Finally!” Aria said with a yawn, “What took you, Shimmer?”

“You know I could have just said no to this whole thing?” Sunset said, glaring at all three sirens. “Would have saved a lot of time today.”

Sonata remained silent while Adagio put a hand on Aria’s shoulder. “We’re happy you decided to help, Sunset. We’ll owe you for this.”

“Yeah, you have no idea...” Sunset said while planting a small crystal in the ground.

“I just didn’t think it would take so long to contact whats her face, Princess Sparkle?” Aria said while she crossed her arms.

Sunset turned to them and smirked, “Oh, you won’t be talking to Twilight.”

The siren’s eyes widened. “Then who?” Adagio asked.

“Your audience is with me, creatures of the sea...” a serene, ethereal voice spoke from the sky.

The siren’s looked up to see a face and wavy mane emblazoned on the moon.

“No...” Sonata whispered.

“Her?” Aria whispered back.

Sunset stepped back from the crystal as it blew up into a large projected image. Painted across the black hedges, the Princess of the Night sat upon the throne, staring neutrally at the Sirens.

“Am I not suitable to hear thy- your... desires?” Luna asked, quickly correcting herself.

“I hardly see how a formerly exiled princess can or would want to help us...” Aria said just a bit too loudly.

Adagio watched in horror as Luna’s ears twitched.

“I see,” Luna said with a polite nod. “Then I shall retire and summon my sister, though she can be quite cranky at this late hour. Somehow I doubt she’ll be as amenable to your request as I would have been. And she’ll be quite interested to hear from her long lost former student...”

Sunset shot Adagio a glare that could melt the icecaps.

Adagio quickly knelt and spread her arms wide, “I apologize, Princess Luna. If we have in any way offended, we did not mean it.”

Adagio lowered her gaze and whispered to her girls, “Bow...”

Sonata and Aria quickly mimicked their elder’s posture and waited for a response. Luna paused, then sat back down upon the throne.

“Young Sunset has told me quite a bit about you three, and it seems to corroborate well with what Twilight has said to my sister.” Luna said. “I trust you have learned your lesson?”

“We have...” Adagio said. “Twilight and Sunset have shown us the error of our ways.”

“Princess...” Aria said, choosing her words carefully. “We just want to go home. It’s what we’ve wanted for a very long time. We... we lost our way.”

“We did,” Sonata agreed. “We were willing to do anything to get back... and to acquire more power. We were wrong. We just miss home...”

Luna’s eyes shimmered white for an instant as she looked to the side. Sunset stared at the sirens and waited for the princess to respond.

“You crossed a very powerful wizard, that is what sealed your fate. And yet... such a fate was... questionable....” Luna said. “Exile to faraway places was the prefered method of punishment for StarSwirl, a method shared by my sister. So... I am not unsympathetic. If you have truly learned your lesson, then I think you have remained there long enough.”

The sirens all looked up with bright smiles on their faces.

“By my word as Princess of the Night, I welcome you back to your home. Equestria awaits you.”

“Thank you, oh thank you so much Princess Luna.” Sonata said. “Um, when do we return, and how?”

“You return tonight,” Luna replied. “Sunset will provide the details.”

Sunset and the sirens all looked astonished at the midnight blue alicorn, “Tonight?!” they asked in unison.

“Indeed,” Luna replied, her tone ever neutral. “I shall be using my own power to feed the portal large enough to bring you back. Thus it requires a full moon, just like that...” she said while pointing to the human world’s moon hanging high over head. “Of course, you could wait til the next one, but I hear they don’t happen often where you are located this time of year.”

“We’ll do it,” Adagio said. “It’s just... there’s someone we need to talk to.”

Luna nodded, “The human boy, yes. I understand. The night is young here, and I am not going anywhere. You have a few more hours to say your goodbyes.”

“Alright, we’ll be ready,” Adagio said. “Thank you again, princess.”

“My pleasure,” Luna said before disappearing in a flash of blue light.

“We have to leave tonight?!?!” Aria asked. “What will we do? I mean- our stuff-”

“None of that matters,” Sonata said. “We just need to say goodbye to him.”

“How will we do that?” Aria asked.

“I have an idea,” Sonata said. “Girls, come with me. Sunset? Can you go wake Talan, he’s in the house. Bring him to the beach, we’ll be waiting there.”

Sunset nodded, “Alright.”

Talan felt something rub his shoulder as he came to.

“Wha?” he mumbled, then jumped back and slammed his head against the wall. “Shit! Sunset! What are you doing here?”

“Sorry, Talan...” Sunset said. “I need you to come with me right now.”

“Why?” Talan asked.

Sunset frowned, “I- you know how the sirens want to get home?”

Talan felt a sinking feeling in his stomach, “Yeah...”

“Well, I reached out to some contacts back home... and they’ve agreed to help. They’re leaving, tonight.”

“Tonight?!” Talan asked. “What the hell, man?! Just like that?!”

Sunset stepped back as he climbed out of bed and grabbed his shoes, “Where are they?”

“Follow me, they’re down at the beach.”

“I know the way,” Talan said while running out the door.

Sunset let Talan go and walked out of the house behind him. She took her time getting back, figuring he needed some time alone with them.

Talan sprinted down the switchback trail and tore out onto the beach. He looked to his left and saw the girls sitting on some logs. He slowly walked over to them and frowned.

“So... you’re leaving?”

Adagio and Aria frowned and averted his gaze. Sonata walked over to him and took his hand, she lead him over to the logs and sat down. “We are... it’s time.”

“We wanted to stay a little while longer, and we thought we could... but the princess had other plans. She offered to help us home tonight... she needs the full moon.”

Talan looked up at the glowing orb and understood, “The next one isn’t for another month or so.”

“Yeah, it’s time we went home, Talan.” Adagio said.

“But not before we spend time with our favorite little human,” Aria said while grabbing him in a playful headlock.

Sonata produced some sticks and a bag of marshmallows. “You said you wanted to roast some over a fire sometime.”

Talan smiled, “Guess it’s now or never.”

He gathered some sticks and picked up some rocks nearby, then started a fire. Each of the sirens let out a small gasp as he did so.

“So primitive... yet effective...” Adagio teased while grabbing some marshmallows for herself.

Talan sat down beside her and Sonata, while Aria took a seat on the other side.

“I just can’t believe it’s time...” Talan said. “I figured this day would come... just... not so soon.”

“I know,” Sonata said. “And hey, sorry for singing to you back there. We didn’t think having you possibly follow us to the meeting was a good idea.”

Talan took his ring back from Sonata and put it on, “I can’t be mad, your voice is too beautiful.”

Sonata smiled and pulled Talan close, “You’re such a sweetie.”

“Talan...” Aria said, getting his attention. “So... they gave you a piece of their gems?”

“Yeah,” Talan said.

“Well, I can’t just leave you hangin’ then, can I?” she asked with a smirk. Aria gripped her pendant and cracked it across the middle. She winced as she did so, then handed Talan another chunk of gem.

“Girls... I can’t,” Talan said, looking at all three of them. “Don’t you need these... or something?”

Adagio shook her head, “Like I told you when you went swimming with me, they grow back. Take them, Talan. Mementos from your time with us. It’s the least we can do for all that you’ve given us.”

“And taught us,” Sonata chimed in. “You have no idea how you changed us these last few months. And now, because of that, we get to go home.”

Talan leaned back and sighed. It felt good, really good. Knowing that losing so many friends didn’t matter, since he met these girls. These sirens. He had no idea that he even changed them. He was just being himself. Maybe that’s all that was necessary. Perhaps... there’s something to that saying. Perhaps being yourself is all you need.

“So what does this gem do?” Talan asked.

Aria got up and knelt down in front of Talan, “It gives you my courage, my ferocity and resolve.”

“Really?” Talan asked.

“Really,” Aria replied. She took his hands and pulled him forward into a tight embrace. “You said I was like your big sister? With that by your side, I’ll always be there whenever you’re afraid or unsure.”

Talan squeezed her and buried his face in her shoulder, “Thank you.”

Aria squeezed him back and planted a gentle kiss on his forehead, “No, thank you. You’ve changed us all, Talan.”

Talan sat back and ate a marshmallow, then waited for the girls to try theirs.

“Mmm,” Adagio said. “This is good, we took till the last day here to try this?!”

Sonata and Aria laughed, but Talan couldn’t bring himself to join in. He was never good with change, and he was about to go through a big one right now. He couldn’t believe they were about to leave, and right when things were looking up.

Talan got up and walked away toward the treeline. He faded from the light and disappeared into the darkness. The sirens stopped eating and wondered what was wrong. Sonata got up to go after him but stopped as Adagio retrained her.

“Please, let me...” she said to her younger friend.

Sonata smiled and stepped aside.

Talan sat on his knees in the sand and shook his head. It wasn’t right, it wasn’t fair.

“Don’t be so sad,” Adagio said. “In fact, you should be happy. This is all because of you.”

Talan fell backward as Adagio sat beside him, “I’m being selfish... I just don’t want you to go.”

“I understand,” Adagio said. “I wish we could stay here just a bit more, but it’s been so long. You need to feel it from our perspective.”

“I know... Adagio... I just, I’ll miss you. I’ll miss your voice. Will you ever sing to me again?”

Adagio ran a hand through Talan’s hair and smiled, “Of course I will. Mark my words, little one. You’re coming to Equus. Once you’re there, I’ll sing you every song I know. We’ll swim the oceans and play with the dolphins. We’ll hunt the sharks and watch the stars from the waves. I promise.”

“I hope you’re right, I want that... so bad.” Talan said. “You girls are some of the best friends I’ve ever had. To think you’re going away... where I can’t even contact you. It just makes me so sad...”

Adagio wiped a tear from his eye and pulled him into a soft embrace, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way, Talan... we’ll see what we can do. But you won’t be hearing from me for a while. I’ve decided that I’m going to turn myself in to our courts.”

Talan pulled away, shocked, “What? Why?! For what?!”

Adagio frowned, “For all the twisted and manipulative things I’ve done, and led my more impressionable girls to do. It wasn’t right, and it falls on me to make amends. Watching your resolve when you walked away from Ryan, you inspired me to take accountability for my actions. I don’t have to, but I’m going to. As an elder Siren, I couldn’t live with myself otherwise.”

“But! What will happen?! Will they hurt you?! Kill you?!?!”

Adagio smiled and pulled Talan closer, “No... none of that. I’ll simply have to use my time at home to help others, and make sure that the younger Sirens don’t follow in my footsteps.”

“Well... that doesn’t sound so bad.” Talan said.

“No, not really.” Adagio said. “Plus it’ll give me time to tell the young ones about this fantastic human boy I met. The one who changed my life and the lives of my girls. They’re going to love you.”

“Well, I am pretty great...” Talan said with a shy smile. “I’m sure you’ll do me justice.”

Adagio chuckled and looked up at the moon, it was starting to glow brighter and brighter.

Adagio stared at him for a moment, then whispered, “Talan...”

“Yeah?” he asked.

Adagio leaned forward and planted a soft kiss on his lips, her eyes closed as she let go of all her powers. Talan’s eyes shot open, bursting with every color of the rainbow, then returned to normal a moment after.

He gasped as she pulled back and smiled, her confidence and willpower as strong as always.

“Wha?” he asked.

“For everything, Talan. My love to you, little human. For giving me my life back. For opening my eyes. For letting me be close to my girls again, and for letting me go home.” Adagio stood up and offered Talan her hand, “And so you don’t forget me...”

Talan smiled and allowed her to lead him back to the fire. Sonata and Aria saw them coming and looked up at the moon. Adagio nodded and walked over to the waves with Talan.

Sunset was there as well. She handed Adagio a crystal and instructed her to place it on a flat surface in at least fifty feet of water. Adagio nodded, then transformed. The massive Siren wrapped Talan in her tentacles one final time, then flew into the air and crashed into the water, disappearing from sight.

Aria winked at Talan and transformed as well, flying into the air and landing with a tremendous splash. That just left Sonata.

Sonata stood looking at Talan, the same comforting, serene smile that was there when he first met her.

Talan tried to smile back, but he couldn’t. He just couldn’t. Tears filled his eyes as he averted her gaze, ashamed. He clenched his eyes shut, then felt two arms slide down his shoulders and take hold of his hands. A set of soft, gentle lips pressed themselves to his, and his emotions were silenced. He felt totally calm, and was in complete serenity. But the most intriguing part, he knew it wasn’t magic. It was just her alone. Their friendship, their caring and compassion.

Talan smiled, his lips never moving. He heard a small giggle, then the sensation of her lips changed. Talan opened his eyes to find her towering over him, her Siren form now fully realized. She sat on the beach, her coils everywhere, her neck arching down to be within reach of him.

Talan rubbed her large muzzle and wrapped his arms around it. There were no words. None were necessary. They each knew what was happening, yet Sonata still had some for him.

She spoke in his mind, “You’ve become so strong, Talan. You’ve come so far, but keep swimming. Keep swimming, little human... eventually you’ll find your way back to us. Goodbye...” 

And with that, Sonata let out a low croon and rocketed into the sky, performing majestic corkscrews and illuminating the night air with her vibrant scales. After submerging, she resurfaced one last time and waved with the others. Then... in a vibrant blue flash from the moon, they were gone.

Talan stood silently, staring out at the waves. He was numb. He barely heard Sunset approach from behind him.

“Are you alright?” she asked, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.

“I’m- yeah, I’m alright.” he replied, then looked up at her. “Sunset... can you stay a while before going home? I think I need someone to talk to.”

Sunset rubbed his back reassuringly and nodded, “Of course, sweetie. Not a problem.”

Talan looked back and felt himself beginning to cry again, “They’re gone...” he said with a sigh. “They’re gone...”