HUMANAVILLE
3:33AM; MONDAY
MY APARTMENT

"Honestly. I think the world's going to end bloody. But it doesn't mean we shouldn't fight. We do have choices..." I screen binged on a TV show all night by my living room couch without any hint of sleep. Normally it would only take one chamomile tea to knock me out. But I've almost finished half of the second box of tea, yet still kicking through the night. I still can't seem to wrap my head around with what happened that night at the Christmas Showcase. Sandal Wood told me the rest of the untold story:

"Adagio! Wake up!" Sonata sobbed perpetually while she had her arms around her. As Aria attempted multiple times giving her a light slap on the face, Adagio still wouldn't budge. Aria glowered towards Moon Dancer and the rest of my friends, who were still mesmerized at that moment in time due to my strange transformation. Aria encouraged them to get a grip and that they have more medical emergent situation rising.

Seconds ticked, Moon Dancer finally came to her own realization due to an unforeseen event happening in front of her eyes, she finally agreed with Aria, "You're right... We gotta get her to the hospital now."

"What about Clair?!" Cuddle Bug quickly questioned with a halt.

Sandal Wood replied assuredly, "You girls should go, I'll take care of Clair."

Sonata and the rest of my friends, with the exception of Aria, agreed. There was no time to lose, therefore Cuddle Bug and Moon Dancer carried her by their shoulder, and Sonata went ahead of them towards the car parked in a parking-garage. Aria purposely left herself from the rest for a moment with Sandal Wood. She ambled towards him. Aria's lips tightened, and threatened Sandal Wood, "If anything else happens to her, I will kill you."

Sandal Wood's thoughts lingered, but gave off a relentful expression after Aria's threatening words. He faintly shook his head, and took a deep breath, "... I won't let anything happen to her... Clair has become a part of my life. I mean what I say, Aria..."

Aria lightly chortled, but still wore the same facial expression. She turned around and followed the rest towards the parking garage.

*Knock Knock Knock*

I startled at the loud knocks right outside my apartment door, thinking if I knew anybody who would come barging on my door this late in the night. I lowered the TV volume down, then calmly walked towards the door, and peeked through the peep-hole. I wasn't able to get a visual perception from behind the door well, because the person's eye was blocking my whole field of view. Besides, I already knew who it was. I unlocked the door for both Moon Dancer and Cuddle Bug, who were still in their PJs. They both carried a sleeping bag.

Moon Dancer closed the door behind them as they entered, "Hey hun, Cuddle Bug and I are worried about you."

I blankly looked at Moon Dancer, then Cuddle Bug with an eyebrow raised, "Seriously girls, I'm alright..."

Cuddle Bug shook her head, "No you're not... Why else would you be up all night watching your stupid show."

I glared at Cuddle Bug, "If I had the energy to choke you, I would."

Moon Dancer replied, "Clair, you know that's not funny... After what had happened. . ."
I interrupted Moon Dancer, "Did you girls just come by to tell me how evil of a person I am? If that's all, you girls don't need to be here..."
Moon Dancer's raised her volume, "No, it's not that it's just..."
I interrupted again, "I'm well aware of my own doing." My facial expression slowly turned sour, and my eyes began to gloss with tears, "Everybody hates me... It's all because of this stupid gem necklace." I ripped my own gem off of my neck, and threw it on the floor, "Whatever I say to you girls, won't matter anymore. You'll never look at me the same..."

Moon Dancer and Cuddle Bug exchanged puzzling glances, then turned their eyes towards me, "Clair... What on earth are you talking about?" Moon Dancer said, "It doesn't matter to us what you become; a monster, a lizard, an alien..."

"A serpent?!" Cuddle Bug added in a cheerful tone.

Moon Dancer raised a single eyebrow at Cuddle Bug, then continued again with words, "Whatever you become, we're still your friends... And we love you so much."

"So much!" Cuddle Bug joined in again.

Moon Dancer held my chin up, and wiped the tears off my face, "We all have a past that we're not proud of, and we're here to help you." Moon Dancer picked up the gem from the floor, and handed it to me while cuffing my hands together with hers.

Cuddle Bug threw her own body behind mine and bestowed a hug, causing me to fall slightly off balance, "I love my Clair. If you leave me, there won't be anybody else who I can beat in a game of poker."

I sniffled with a faint smile, "Thanks girls, it means a lot.."

"You're very welcome... Say, why don't we all get some shut eye around here, and tomorrow, we can go visit your sister at the hospital. Besides, you girl, are in need of some good sleep. I can literally hide my possessions in the bags under your eyes." Moon Dancer teased me.

Cuddle Bug giggled. I bounced back a reply, "This is coming from someone who is used to being awake all the time."

"At least I don't have bags under my eyes."

"Well excuse me, I guess that's why you're called Moon Dancer for a reason."

Moon Dancer barked out with sarcasm laughter, "Hah! Nice come-back, Clair, you literally roast me."

Cuddle Bug yielded our nonsense pestering, "Girls, seriously... The trash talk is embarrassing, and there's no one even here. Can we just go to bed? I'm beat..."

I rolled my eyes, "Whatever.." As we all walked towards the living room, I took another glance at both of the girls, and noticed that not one of them had any of my clothes on, which I found it convincing, "Wow, you girls are actually wearing your own stuff."

"Check again."

I took another glance, and noticed that Moon Dancer has worn my expensive bra that I purchased from Ponyoria's Secret when she lifted up her shirt to show me. "Oh for crying out loud..."

HUMANAVILLE
10:10AM; TUESDAY
HUMANAVILLE HOSPITAL

Adagio was kept in the hospital for a couple of days for full recovery due to the trauma. She's been well at this point, so being discharged from the hospital is the one thing she hoped for today. If she still had her gem, she wouldn't have to be cooped up in the hospital this long, she thought. Nevertheless, She was sitting up on a hospital bed, flipping through the channels on TV until she got to the weather channel. She contorted at the weather report about a snow storm starting this afternoon. "..Of all days.." But it could be worse.

*Knock Knock*

A middle-aged doctor entered to check on Adagio today to give her a rundown on her status of recovery, along with the other plans of treatment. This was rather rare for Adagio, even for the rest of us. We're not one to get nursed back to health by a medical professional. Even in our days of Equestria, it was unusual for us Sirens to seek for medical attention from a pony.

"Ms. Adagio Dazzle?"

"Yes?"

"Good Morning, seems like you're doing great today, how do you feel?"

Adagio rolled her eyes at the doctor's phony attitude. Apart from the two concepts of having pure siren blood with the power to possess and adjusting to normal life as a human being, she would've practiced sooner if she knew that it would come to this. It was beyond her belief. "I'm alright, I just feel this weird pressure in my chest."

"That's pretty normal. Give it some time to heal, you did sustain a great injury." He cleared his throat, "So... I got your X-Ray reports of your thorax here." The doctor pulled in a chair next to Adagio to show her a better view of the image. He pointed out certain regions, explaining to her what happened during the time of the trauma and how it will naturally heal over time with antibiotics. "...So after two more days, you'll be good as new. I'll order a hospital discharge today, so that you can go home tonight."

"Okay." Is all what Adagio can say. Adagio didn't understand half of the medical terms that the doctor explained, except for the part that she can finally go home tonight.

"Umm, You're welcome, Ms. Adagio." The doctor stood up from his chair, and filed the X-Ray report back in his chart folder. He took another glance at her, "Will someone come by to pick you up tonight?"

Adagio pondered for a moment, reverting back of the shocking incident that had brought her in the hospital to begin with. All what memory can serve is that she was knocked back with incredible force, and everything else faded to black. Adagio took a deep breath, "Yeah.." Adagio's thoughts remain lingering. After a short pause, she nodded back at the doctor with a faint smile, "I surely hope I can go home tonight. My little sisters need me."

The doctor smiled back, "Of course... You'll be hearing more information later, in case I don't see you, be careful Ms. Adagio. I heard there's going to be a big snow storm later tonight." He then made his final exit.

During her hospital stay for multiple days, and after many attempts of trying to take this opportune time to relax before she gets back on her normal routine of taking care of her sisters, she gets anxious over little things by calling Aria just to be sure that Sonata hadn't left the oven-stove on or the apartment door unlocked when leaving for work, despite of many close calls.

*Knock Knock*

Adagio lowered the TV volume, then peered by the door to check, "Yeah?"

It was the least of her expectation as I made my appearance. She raised both her eyebrows at me, then continued on watching the news report on TV. She sighed lightly, "What brings you here?.."

Even as a human, she still wore that same facial expression of anger that terrifies me to my very soul. Old habits die hard. I briskly walked near her, and sat on a visitor's chair, "Sister Adagio... I came to visit and see if you're ok..."

Adagio slightly chuckled to herself, feeling cheesy how I still sometimes call her 'Sister Adagio' and all. She replied, "You know... You don't have to call me that." As taking a glance at my gem necklace, she let out a disdainful look, and continued watching the TV. "So where's the rest of your friends?"

I can already sense Adagio's mood, which made me feel edgy, "They're downstairs at the waiting room."

"Why didn't you bring them with you?"

"Because... I... I felt that I needed to talk to you alone. Plus, knowing how intense things will turn out in between us, they figured that..."
Adagio snapped, "What do you mean intense?..."

I stuttered, "Well... After what happened that night..."

"Enough, Clair... It's not your fault." Adagio sighed, "For the record, I'm not mad at you, so relax. I'm just mad at the situation." She tuned the TV channel to a cartoon show.

I blinked twice in puzzlement, "So that's it? we're good?"

"Of course not..." Adagio responded in standardized tone.

My puzzled expression remains, "Well?... Am I missing something? I'm still not following what you're saying..."

Adagio feeling a little disappointed, "That gem is slowly turning you onto something. You have to get rid of it."

"Oh, You didn't think I tried?" I lowered my eyebrows, and drew near closer to Adagio, "You think I like having this gem magically reappear around my neck where ever I go? All this weird stuff happening is all because of you."

Adagio's eyes widened, and pointed a finger at me with a short-tempered tone, "Don't turn this back on me."

My voice raised, "If you listened to me years ago, we wouldn't have to be in this mess. The fact that I was also affected by it, just makes me more upset."

"Look, Clair... We all have our downfalls, and I know I messed up. But haven't you thought that if you would've listened to me from the get-go, your gem would have already been destroyed by The Raingoons, along with ours... But now you're stuck with that trying to figure out how.."

"Are you trying to get out of this from technicality?" I started to become agitated.

Adagio adjusted her tone in temperate manner, "I'm not trying to get out of anything..." She then switched the TV off, "I'm just proving my point of how things should have panned out."

I readjusted my tone to level with her, "Well, Twilight and Sun...."
Adagio cut off my sentence, "No. We can handle this alone..."

"Here we go again, not listening to me."

Adagio shifted her body to face me with an eyebrow raised, "Do you not remember what else happened that night during the showcase?"

"Yeah but, she and Twilight are all we got... Do you have a plan? 'cause I'm all ears, Adagio... I got nothing..." I took another deep breath to regain my intellect, and shook my head in perplexity, "... You're right though...Why did Sunset Shimmer react the way she did that night."

Adagio blinked, and lightly chuckled. She shifted her body back on her bed, and switched the TV back on. After a short pause, she replied, "That's another problem for another day..."

I drew in closer next to Adagio's side of the bed, and held her hand, "Adagio... I just don't want this to happen again. I dread about what may happen next, for all we know, it can just get worse." I slowly leaned my head against her shoulder.

Adagio took a deep breath, and softly placed her hand over my head, "You do know I hate these chick flick moments, but you got me... don't worry. I won't let anything happen to you, to Aria, and Sonata. Now that all four of us are all together, there's always hope."

I let the short moment pass, appreciating the bonding with my oldest sister, "Are either Sonata and Aria coming to visit today?"

She slowly nodded, "mhmm."

As I remain laying my head against my sister's shoulder, I inadvertently criticized her chosen style of hair, "Adagio... This is totally unrelated, but I just can't help it... umm, I really think you should try straightening out your hair sometime. I don't think that bushy hair-style suits you."

I felt a sudden nudge from her shoulder, which prompted me to put my head up. The sisterly bonding between her and I, has now dissipated. Back to her usual bossy way. But there was no harm in it, it was somewhat comforting. She gazed at me and poked the tip of my nose, "Do you want to end up in the same hospital bed next to me with a neck brace?"

Now that all four of us are all together, there's always hope.

HUMANAVILLE
12:18PM; SAME DAY
SUNSET'S APARTMENT

Couple of days after Sunset's victorious night at the Christmas Showcase, she felt so proud of herself that she accomplished an important task: Humiliating me in front of everyone. Some say she's a hero, others beg to differ. She hums a familiar melody repeatedly while preparing a quick lunch for the rest of her friends who are coming over to pick her up so they can all walk together to school for band practice. While she waits for the spinach quiche to bake in the oven, she grabbed her book that she uses to communicate with Princess Twilight, plopped on her living room couch, and opened the book to the page of where it was last written. She grabbed a pen, and began writing:

Dear Princess Twilight:

I have completed my first task of the mission. I'm a step closer to vanquishing the fourth siren. Thanks to you, I'm able to do anything. Magic of Friendship is indeed strong! Reply when you can.

Love,
Sunset Shimmer

Sunset placed the book down on the coffee table, and quickly went to check on the quiche.

*Vibrating noise*

Sunset turned to the vibrating noise coming from the coffee table, and stared at the reverberating book. She was blown away by Princess Twilight's speed of response. She walked back over by the living room couch, then opened the book, and read the message:

Dear Sunset Shimmer:

A step closer to vanquishing the fourth siren?... That's very noble, but I'm also a little worried... So.. may I ask what you did?

Love,
Twilight

Sunset grinned, and couldn't help herself to write back in long paragraphs explaining what she had done that night during the performance. While she wrote, she speculated in her head, predicting Twilight's reactions:

"Oh Sunset, you are a hero!"

"Ok Sunset... Let's get the preliminaries out of the way, you ma'am, should strap on some wings. You're literally a princess..."

"Yeah! You showed her!"
After done writing, she waited patiently for a reply.

*Vibrating noise*

She chuckled, and instantly opened the book and read the response. As she skimmed through the passage, her smile slowly turned into a frown. Twilight's reaction was merely nothing what she had predicted. She slowly placed her palm on the side of her head with a feeling of dismal, and quizzically shook her head wondering what she has done wrong. She continued reading carefully:

Dear Sunset:

You what?! I thought our feelings towards Clair was perfectly clear?... What you did is totally the opposite of Magic of Friendship. The fact that you set her up at the performance is totally uncalled for. What did the rest of our friends think? I surely hope you didn't brain wash them, because if you did, you and I will have a long talk. Sunset... You disappoint me. I thought you were reformed. But I guess I was wrong. I don't need your response at this time as I have very important royal things to tend to. Let this be a lesson to you. It isn't too late, Sunset.. Hopefully this letter will help you change, and I want you to think carefully what you've done.

Bye,
Twilight

After completely reading the disheartening message by Twilight, Sunset broke down in tears. She thought she was doing the right thing all along, clearly she has much to learn about friendship. One thing she has to keep in mind that being absolute doesn't necessary mean it's always the right choice, which can fairly lead to possible bad outcomes.

I am indeed a siren, but I believe we all have a choice like anybody or anypony. We can think about things, turn them over in our minds a million times, play out possible scenarios, but really when it comes down to it, you have to go with your heart and move forward. Maybe things will go well. Maybe they'll turn out poorly. Every decision brings with it some good, some bad, some lessons, and some luck. I'd like to think I made a good decision by choosing such loving friends, living a happy life, and helping people. It's a blessing. But did I have the choice possessing the gem around my neck? That's one question that has yet to be answered. I too, will need help from Princess Twilight Sparkle.

Author's Notes:

It was quite a long hiatus since my last story written. Now that work is slowing down a bit, I don't feel all stressed from it anymore, well... I don't want to jinx it. NO! I frickin' shook the pandora's box. Lemme tell you a quick story what happened at work recently...

I explained to my patient how to use an inhaler, which is basically just pulling back, releasing a trigger, and then inhale from the mouthpiece.

Her: “So, I just cock it and then suck on it.”

Me: “Well, I wouldn’t put it just that way, but yes.”

She realized what she had said, dropped inhaler in her purse, and left the clinic with no further comment.

lol.. Don't think she'd be coming back anytime soon. Which is pretty sad, because she was hot. Well, not the type who I would sleep with because I saw her medical chart... She's currently diagnosed with Chlamydia recently.