Sonata walked into the kitchen and grabbed an iced tea from the fridge. It was so hot, she could barely stand it. She was used to tropical weather but this world’s humidity was getting out of control. She told Talan she wasn’t feeling well and decided to stay home. While only partially true, Aria decided to do the same and stop over. They both chatted for a while in the kitchen, deciding to what to do until Talan got back.

“So what do you think?” Aria asked.

“I don’t know...” Sonata said with some apprehension. “I mean we never asked him.”

Aria groaned, “Oh c’mon, he won’t mind. It’s sitting right there just begging to be used! Sonata, if I have to do anything else in this heat I’m going to die.”

Sonata frowned and looked at the back patio. Talan’s family had a large in ground swimming pool near the gardens. It was prepared for use, but was covered up. She never asked if they could use it, and Talan hadn’t talked about it at all.

Still, Aria had a point. She went to get up and cringed when her thighs stuck to the surface. “It’s this dumb humidity,” Sonata said.

Aria got up and had the same problem. Both went out to the pool and walked around it.

“Come on, Sonata.” Aria said while taking off her ripped jacket. Now only wearing her shorts and top. “He won’t care. In fact, he’ll probably love it.”

“Think so?” Sonata asked.

Aria stretched and chuckled, “A boy like Talan coming home to two hot girls in his pool? What’s not to love? I’ll bet he’ll change and be swimming with us in less than a minute.”

“You two are really starting to like this boy, aren’t you?” a voice chimed from behind them.

Aria and Sonata whipped around to find Adagio walking toward them from the fence. Neither had heard her arrive.

“He’s not so bad,” Aria said with a shrug. “Got some spunk, actually.”

“Oh yeah?” Adagio asked.

“I danced with him at the mall in one of the game shops,” Aria said. “Couldn’t keep up at all, but he still tried. I liked that.”

“Yeah,” Sonata agreed. “He’s really nice. It’s good to know someone like that. It’s been just us three for so long.”

“And is there anything wrong with that?” Adagio snapped.

Sonata jumped and shook her head, “N-no. Not what I meant. I just-”

“You just better listen to what I’m about to say,” Adagio said.  

“What?” Aria said. “Aren’t you supposed to be in school, or working, or whatever?”

“I could say the same for the two of you,” Adagio began. “But there are more pressing matters. While nearly everyone is succumbing to our powers, there are some who resist.”

“Yeah yeah,” Aria groaned. “Those six girls and that Sunset. You told us.”

“Well, what I didn’t tell you was that one with the purple striped hair and dog is different somehow.”

“How?” Sonata asked. “I didn’t notice anything.”

“Neither did I,” Aria said.

“That’s the problem...” Adagio said with a glare. She began slowly walking around the other two and stopped in front of them. “She has an aura, a certain magic. We all knew there was Equestrian magic at the school, but this is a very familiar type.”

“What type?” Aria asked, annoyed. “What’s so special?”

“It’s magic like StarSwirl used. I feel the same influence. It’s like when that old fool banished us here, but different. His felt faint... like incomplete.”

“So this girl knows Starswirl?” Sonata asked. “Maybe once we have control of her we can force her to take us back. She is a pony, right?”

Adagio deadpanned Sonata. “Yes... she’s a pony, just like Sunset. And we won’t need to use her once we have her magic. When we do, we’ll be able to tunnel back into our world all by ourselves. Then the fun truly begins.”

Aria nodded, “That does sound good, sweet revenge.”

Adagio smirked, then pressed a finger into Sonata’s shoulder. “There’s one other thing. While most everyone else is under our spell, Talan remains resistant.”

Aria stepped in between them and pushed Sonata back protectively, “That’s not true. We both saw the green color in his eyes. That’s totally our influence.”

Adagio shook her head, “Influence does not equal control. He’s got a similar aura about him as that other girl. I don’t know what it is, but it won’t be interfering in our plans. You both are getting too attached.”

“Pff, please...” Aria said. “And so what if we are? He’s harmless.”

Adagio leaned forward, her voice subdued and menacing. “When we complete our plans at the battle of the bands, it won’t matter. But everything hinges on that point. If you two fail me, if something happens and we can’t get that magic... Talan and I are going for a little swim. A swim he won’t be coming back from. Understand?”

Aria and Sonata both looked at each other and nodded slowly. Adagio smiled and walked away, seemingly off to her job.

Once they were sure she was gone, Sonata sat down and shook her head. “What’s gotten into her lately? She was never like this before.”

Aria sat down next to Sonata and gave her a reassuring rub, “She just wants to go home. I think we all do. But I agree, she’s being a bit excessive.”

Sonata got up clenched her fists. “Equestria was different. There was magic there, they could stop us. But here? It’s too easy.”

“Yeah...” Aria said, crossing her legs. “They don’t even know what we are.”

“I- I’m not going to let Adagio do that to Talan,” Sonata said, her voice wavering. “He doesn’t deserve it. If it comes to that, I’m going to protect him. What about you?”

Aria frowned, “It won’t come to that Sonata, we’re not going to lose.”

Sonata shook her head, “You’re going to let Adagio hurt Talan? Aria, you’re better than that.”

“It won’t come to that, Sonata.” Aria said while walking over to her. “I’m sure it won’t.”

Talan left the school after the last bell and began to walk home. He decided to take a longer way since he didn’t have practice and still wanted to get some exercise. He cut through one of the parks near a local forest. It was a place their coach sometimes took them to run. The paths and trails through it were long and varied. Talan enjoyed walking them, it was very relaxing.

As he was walking Talan noticed others behind him, then heard them yell.

“Hey, douchebag. Hold up a second.”

Talan turned around to see three of the boys he encountered at the mall with Aria. He smirked when he saw Davis, flanked with two of his stooges.

“What do you dipshits want?” Talan asked with a chuckle. “Come to fight?”

“As a matter of fact, yes...” Davis said.

“What, you expect me to fight you with your friends here?” Talan asked. “Nah, don’t think so.”

Davis chuckled and cracked his knuckles, “Oh don’t worry about them, they’re just here to watch me work. They won’t get involved.”

Talan looked at all three and tapped his foot impatiently. He wasn’t a fighter, at least in regards to picking fights. He seldom had anything prove, and wasn’t the type of kid who was drawn to fighting in one way or another. But that didn’t mean he lacked for experience. As a rich kid, one of the stereotypical perks that Talan enjoyed was mixed martial arts classes. Though he didn’t take them anymore, he knew how to defend himself.

The only problem was the other two friends. He knew they’d get involved the moment Davis started to lose, so he needed a plan. He could either run, or try to fight them all. Talan grinned, he’d figure it out when they got there. For now, he was presented with a golden opportunity to put Davis in his place, hard. And best of all, his parents weren’t around to punish him if there were consequences.

Talan looked around the park and didn’t see anyone, so he dropped his backpack and beckoned Davis over.

“Come on, tubby...” Talan said with a smirk, “Time to take your medicine.”

Davis snarled and charged at Talan, who sidestepped him and kicked him in the back. Davis grunted and threw a punch, which Talan dodged and countered with a blow to the ribs. Davis cursed and threw a flurry of blows, some of which hit home, while others were blocked or deflected away.

Eventually he tried to grapple with Talan, which was a mistake. Talan grabbed his arm and wrenched it around, causing Davis to scream. He forced him to the ground and kicked him in the face. It was at that point Talan felt the most adrenaline, and it was also when he felt two sets of hands grab him from behind.

Talan cursed and tried to break free, successfully dislodging one assailant, but not the other. Eventually they subdued him and held him up for their portly friend.

Davis wheezed, then picked himself up. “You think you’re so clever, so special... huh, rich boy?”

“Fuck off, fatass...” Talan said. “You three are every bit as well off as I am.”

Davis punched him the stomach, hard. Talan grunted and coughed. He received a few more blows in the midsection before Davis finally punched him square in the eye.

“I’m just getting started...” Davis whispered as he wound up for another swing.

“Hey, pricks!” a female voice shouted from across the park. “The hell you think you’re doing?”

Davis and his friends stopped to ascertain who the voice belonged to. Talan squinted and saw a girl walking quickly across the park. He’d never seen her before, and she spoke with a noticeable New York accent.

Upon closer inspection, Talan liked what he saw. She was wearing short jean shorts and an athletic tank top with some running shoes. He guessed she passing through on a run. Her hair was short, bright pink, and parted to the side in a wave. On top of that she was fit, way more in shape than any of them were. She looked like trainer from a gym somewhere.

“Get lost,” Davis said. “We’re in the middle of something here.”

“I can see that,” the girl said. “What’s wrong, can’t fight fair?”

“Listen!” Davis began, but was silenced by a staggeringly quick kick to the face. The other two dropped Talan and went to fight the girl, who displayed similar martial arts moves that he was taught.

Talan caught his breath, then saw Davis getting up. Anger surged within him as he charged Davis at a full sprint and speared him in the stomach, taking them both down a steep hill. As they rolled to stop at the bottom, Talan jumped on top of Davis and proceeded to beat him senseless.

He got in a few good hits before Davis eventually was able to cover his face. Talan slammed his forearm into his throat and shouted down at him, “That’s for all this shit I’ve taken over the past few years.”

He was about to start again when a hand grasped his raised arm.

“Come on, he’s had enough. We need to get outta here!”

Talan saw it was the girl who stopped them earlier. “Who are you?” he asked.

“Shit, dude!” she began while looking up the hill. “Not now, c’mon ya idiot. Follow me!”

Talan saw what she was looking at. Davis’ two friends, along with two others were running down toward them. One must have texted for help or something. He let himself be pulled by the girl into the forest. They ran and jumped over vines, roots, and thickets. They jumped across some streams and eventually came to a thick group of bushes to rest.

“Think we lost em’ for now...” she said between pants. Talan saw a crazy grin on her face, like she was actually enjoying this.

“Thanks for helping me back there, but uh-”

“Babs,” the girl said with a smile. “Name’s Babs. I’m new here.”

“I can tell,” Talan said with a small smile of his own. “New York, eh?”

Babs chuckled, “What gave it away?”

Talan laughed and slumped over against the tree. His midsection was sore from all those hits. “Well it’s nice to meet you, Babs. I’m Talan, and those were some douches from my school.”

“Yeah, kinda figured...” She said sitting down across from him. “You have a bone to pick with the fat one?”

Talan coughed a bit when he chuckled, “You could say that.”

Babs looked over and motioned to his gut, “They got you good before I got here, huh?”

“Yeah...” Talan said. “Thought I could handle them all, got a little cocky.”

Babs winced as she slid over to his side and looked at his eye, “That’s gonna get bad. Better put some ice on it when you get home.”

“Yeah, I know.” Talan said. “Speaking of which, I better get back.”

Babs got up and extended a hand down to Talan. “C’mon, I think... er-” she paused, then laughed. “I actually don’t know the way out of here.”

Talan laughed with her and pointed ahead, “It’s this way, this’ll take us to the western neighborhood.”

As they were going, Babs saw Talan grunting and draped his arm around her shoulders to help him walk.

“Uh.. thanks,” Talan said as she gingerly lead him out of the trees.

“It’s not weird or anything,” Babs said with a laugh. “I saw you fighting before I got involved, I’m happy to help you out.”

“Oh, well...” Talan began, then realized what she was saying. “Wait a minute! You saw and just let me get pummeled?!”

Babs laughed and gently rubbed her free hand against his chest, “Looked like you didn’t need my help for the most part, dude. Sorry. Plus you look like you know how to fight, kinda hot...” she said while looking away a bit.

“Oh really?” Talan said with a laugh as they came out into the neighborhood.

Once there he stretched and winced, he was going to be sore for the next few days. Babs handed him his backpack, he hadn’t even noticed she grabbed it. He slung it behind him and realized that they were probably around the same age. However, Babs was a few inches taller than he was.

Talan  pointed to where his house was and waved goodbye, thanking her for the help. But he stopped when she walked around in front of him.

“Umm... here, give me your hand...” she said with small blush.

“What?” Talan asked, confused.

“Just give me your hand, dude!” she said.

Talan obeyed and watched as she pulled a pen from her pocket and proceeded to write something. He pulled it back and held in a gasp.

“So... I just moved in. My parents are back in New York still settling business and getting help with moving our stuff. Since it’s so late in the school year they’re not making me go until school next fall. So, like, I don’t know anybody... and I won’t be able to meet anybody.”

“I see...” Talan said.

“Yeah, so... call me sometime, cool? We could hangout or whatever.”

“Uh, yeah...” Talan said with a slow shake of his head. “Sure.”

“Sweet, dude.” Babs said while turning around. “Cya later!”

Talan watched her run away and looked at his hand. He chuckled to himself and walked up the hill to the community. I just got her digits... I totally just got her digits... wow...

As Talan walked up to his front porch and unlocked the door, he noticed that Sonata wasn’t around. He waited a moment and pondered what to do. There was no way he was going to hide his eye. It would probably be better to just get it over with.

He walked through the house and couldn’t find her anywhere. He called to her a few times and heard no response. Weird, her jeep was in the driveway.

Talan went downstairs and opened the door to his backyard. As he stepped out, his eyes shot open. The pool was uncovered and had one teenage girl floating in it. Aria was in a red bikini wearing some sunglasses. Her hair was out of it’s pigtails this time, giving her an entirely different appearance. Sonata was wearing the same bikini she had at the beach. At the moment she was sunning herself on one of the chairs.

Unfortunately for Talan he didn’t get two feet before Sonata noticed him, and more importantly, his eye.

“Oh my gosh!!” she shrieked, rushing over to him. “What happened?! Did someone hurt you?”

“I’d say that’s obvious,” Aria commented.

“Shh!!” Sonata said, shooting Aria a glare. “Did you get beat up?!”

“I got hurt a little, yeah...” Talan said, then looked over to Aria with a smirk. “But I gave as good as I got, believe me.”

Aria chuckled, “That’s what I like to hear.”

Sonata shook her head disapprovingly, “That eye is going to swell up bad, c’mon. Let’s have a look at you.”

“Aren’t you going to come swimming?” Aria asked.

“You kidding?” Talan asked as he was led away by Sonata. “How could I not?”

“Told you, Sonata,” Aria said with a smug grin. “Couldn’t resist.”

Talan took an ice pack Sonata gave and pressed it to his eye. She sat down across from him and rubbed his shoulder, “What happened?”

“Don’t worry about it,” Talan said. “Just some crap with the same idiots at the mall. They wanted to start something, so I obliged them.”

Sonata sighed, “Well, I’m glad you’re okay. I’ll let you get changed. We’ll be by the pool.”

Talan went upstairs and immediately grabbed his phone. He created a new contact for Babs and entered in her number. Butterflies began tumbling around in his stomach at the thought of calling her. He went into the bathroom and changed into some trunks, then joined the girls outside.

Talan slipped into the pool and sighed feeling the cool water. It was another scorching hot day, and running through that forest really sapped him of energy.

“Talan...” Aria said, getting his attention.

She pointed to his eye, making him realize he forgot the ice pack. Sonata looked at him and got up to go get another one. When she returned, Aria motioned for her to give it.

Aria took the ice pack and slowly waded over to Talan, who stared at her apprehensively. She looked at his eye, then noticed the bruises starting to form on his stomach.

She frowned, then gently pushed the ice pack against his eye. “So why don’t you tell me exactly what happened.”

“It’s not that big a deal,” Talan said, turning away slightly.

Aria chuckled, then pulled him over to the stairs leading down into the water. She sat him down and took a seat next to him. “It is to me, and to her...”

Talan looked over at Sonata, who sat on a beach chair looking a bit despondent.

“Huh?” he asked.

Aria groaned and bent down to whisper, “Think about her position, she’s the one watching you right now, and for the next month. She’s your guardian. How does she look when people see you all beat up like this?”

Talan’s heart sank, “I hadn’t considered that..”

“Why don’t you ask her to come swim and explain it to her, it’ll make her feel better.” Aria said.

Talan slowly nodded, “Sonata, jump in... I’ll tell you what happened...”

As she did, Talan rested his arms on his knees and began to retell what happened.

“So those guys at the mall really were trouble...” Aria said in a dangerous tone.

“Yeah, kinda,” Talan replied. “It’s mostly just Davis, he always loved to get under my skin. Only recently has he been any good at it. I don’t understand why. But I just couldn’t take it anymore, and I don’t regret the beating I gave him.” He paused, looking across the water at Sonata. “But I do regret not thinking of what it might look like with you watching me. I’m sorry, Sonata. I should have thought ahead and been more responsible.”

Sonata smiled and beckoned Talan over. “Oh, come here. I can’t be mad at you.”

Talan swam over and gave her an apologetic hug, “It won’t happen again, I swear.”

Sonata turned Talan around and leaned back against the wall. She wrapped an arm around his stomach to hold him close while she pressed the ice pack gingerly against his eye. “It better not, otherwise they’ll have to contend with Aria and I. They won’t like that.”

Talan noticed a dangerous edge slip into Sonata’s voice, something that was oddly unsettling.

“No, they won’t” Aria said while climbing onto a raft and relaxing.

“Hey, what’s this?” Sonata asked, picking up Talan’s hand.

Talan quickly tore it away and shook his head, “Nothing, really. Just forgot to wash it off.”

Sonata grabbed him and turned him around, “Is that a number?”

“Yeah, it’s not a big deal, alright?” Talan said with a small blush.

“That’s so adorable!” Sonata said with a giggle. “Well, who is she? Give us the deetz!!”

“I’m more interested to learn how he pulled it off in the first place...” Aria said while giving Talan a sidelong smirk.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Talan asked. “Don’t think I could get a girl’s number?”

Aria paused, “Well it’s not that... actually... yeah, it’s kinda that,” she said with a light chuckle while staring up at the clouds. “Sorry, Talan I just think- Ahh!!!” she screeched while being thrown off the raft as Talan exploded from the water underneath it.

“You were saying?” he asked.

Aria’s head rose above the water at nose level. She glared at Talan with one eye, the other being covered by her loose wet hair.

She stood up and gently pulled her arm back, then pushed it forward to splash Talan. Barely any water hit him.

“What was that? Trying to splash me? That was pathetic!” Talan said.

Aria pulled her arm back again, only shorter this time. She gently touched her hand to surface, and a tidal wave erupted in front of her. Easily four feet tall, it crashed down on Talan sending him spiraling to the other side of the pool.

He broke the surface with water up his nose. “What the hell was that?!” he asked, rubbing his eyes.

He turned to Sonata, who was also hit by the wave. Her hair was now out of it’s ponytail, covering one eye. She glared at Aria, who was laughing her ass off, not paying attention.

Sonata slowly pulled her arm back, then gently touched it to the surface in front of her. Another wave exploded out of nowhere, this time picking Talan up on it’s crest and carrying him. Aria looked up just in time to have him crash down on top of her.

Talan found himself pinned against the side of the pool with a face full of boobs, and a massive blush. He pushed himself away and raised his hands in defense. “Aria I- I- didn’t mean to, I swear it just happened.”

Aria laughed, “You loved it, don’t lie.”

Before Talan could say anything Aria leapt forward and grabbed him. She spun him around and secured her grip, his head just above the water.

“Gonna try that again, Sonata?!” Aria shouted, “I have a hostage, wouldn’t want him to get hurt would you?”

Sonata was about to send another wave, but decided against it. “Fighting dirty, Aria. I should’ve known.”

“Talan is just an innocent bystander, he’s no match for the power that we wield...” Aria said with a chuckle. “Now, meet my demands and I’ll let the little hostage go.”

Talan chuckled and broke free from Aria’s grip, “Go for it, Sonata!” he yelled. However he didn’t get far.

As he went to dive into the water, a strong force pulled him back. It was like an undertow from the beach. The water swirled in front of him, preventing his hands from pulling him forward. He ended up in Aria’s embrace yet again, her arms folding around him with an amused chuckle.

“You might be able to get away on dry land, but in the water? Never...”

Talan looked across the pool at Sonata, she was glaring at Aria. She seemed irritated at the very least. He didn’t understand what happened. Those huge waves, that undertow just now? How was this happening?

“What are your demands?” Sonata asked.

“Make us dinner, or order take out. I’m starved. What about you?” she asked down to Talan.

“Yeah I could go for some food,” Talan replied.

Sonata shrugged with a laugh, “Is that all? I’ll go do it, you getting out now?”

“In a minute,” Aria said.

As Sonata got out and went inside to dry off and order food, Aria lowered her head and picked up Talan’s hand. “So you want to tell me about this? You don’t have to if you don’t want to. I understand, but I think it’s cool you got some chick’s number. Good job.”

Talan turned around and floated away, “Her name is Babs, she’s from New York. Just moved here. She showed up when those idiots were ganging up on me.”

“So she helped you out?” Aria asked.

“Yeah, she did,” Talan replied. “Kinda reminds me of you, actually.”

“Oh, how is that?” Aria asked, floating closer.

“Strong, defiant, doesn’t take crap from anyone. A fighter, skilled, knows what she’s doing and radiates confidence.”

“Yeah...” Aria said while back stroking, “Sounds like me alright.”

“So... I was gonna call her later, but...” Talan trailed off.

“But what?” Aria asked.

“Well... what do I say?”

“What do you say? What do you mean? You just talk her, dude... It’s not that har-  Oh...” Aria said, watching Talan’s expression droop. “You’ve never done this before, have you?”

Talan sank into the water, “No, not really. I kinda suck at, well, girls...”

Aria chuckled and shook her head, “Just be normal, nothing to it. Trust me.”

“That’s it? Be normal? Not even a little help? Guess I’ll ask Sonata.”

“Haha!” Aria laughed while ceasing her backstroke, “That’s not a good idea. Sonata is a little... well, you know...”

“So you’ll help me out a little?” Talan asked.

“Ugh,” Aria groaned while looking at his hopeful eyes, “I guess so. Fine.”

Talan jumped forward and grabbed her in a hug, “Thank you! It’s too good to be true, I just don’t want to screw it up.”

Aria returned the hug and slowly pulled away, she picked up his chin with a finger so he was looking right at her. “One thing, before we go inside. Next time you go home from school, you wait until I come with you.”

“What? Why?” Talan asked.

Aria grinned, “So I can say hello to the punks who beat you up. But don’t tell Sonata, understand? Our little secret.”

Talan paused, then agreed. “Sure, that’s fine. What’re you gonna do?”

“Oh, just get some payback for the things they said about me. And for what they did to you, too... I guess.” she said with a playful wink.

Talan shrugged, “Not gonna argue with that.”

“C’mon, let’s get dried off and get some food.” she said while climbing out of the pool.

“Sure,” Talan said, following her inside.

After eating with the girls and nursing his ribs and eye, Talan found himself back in his bedroom wondering what he should do. He looked at his phone and picked it up, nervous.

He took a deep breath, then dialed her number.

While waiting for it to ring, he failed to notice the two figures silently eavesdropping outside his door.

“Hello?” the voice said on the other end.

“Uh, hey... Babs? It’s Talan.”

“Oh hey!” she said, a hint of excitement in her voice. “I was hoping you would call today. How ya feeling?”

“I’m okay, just a little bruised from the shots to the ribs and stomach. My eye is swollen, but that’ll stop soon enough.”

“Good,” she replied, “Those guys ever want to mess with you again, they better hope I’m not around.”

“Yeah, you were pretty tough.” Talan said. “So, uh... how do you like it here so far?”

“It’s nice,” Babs said, “I still have a lot of stuff to unpack before my parents show up.”

“Oh really? Need any help?” he asked.

“Help? That’d be really cool, if you’re up for it. Wanna come by tomorrow?”

“Sure that’s sounds alright,” Talan said. “Just text me the directions and I’ll stop by.”

“Alright, thanks Talan! Talk to you later!”

After Babs hung up, Talan let out a sigh and leaned back, relieved. He jumped when the door flung open revealing two grinning faces. Aria walked over and sat on his bed. “See, what’d I tell you? Just act normal.”

“That was really cute, Talan,” Sonata said with a caring smile. “Are you going to invite her here? I’d love to meet her.”

“Yeah, that’d be fun,” Aria said with a chuckle. “I can watch your moves that way.”

“My moves...” Talan said with a raised eyebrow. “You just said I should act normal.”

Aria laughed, “At first, yes. After that, it can get a bit more complicated.”

“Great...” Talan said.

“Don’t worry, Talan. You’ll be fine.” Sonata said. “Now come downstairs, Aria and I want to demo part of song for you.”

“Alright,” Talan said, following them downstairs.

“We got you a ticket for the Battle of the Bands,” Aria said. “You’re not going to want to miss that, we’re going to steal the show, and so much more.”