HUMANAVILLE
3:23AM; THURSDAY
MY APARTMENT

I was wide awake in deep thought at this time of the night, plopped on a chair in front of the dining table sipping on my chamomile tea. If I don't sleep now, I'll end up being cranky all afternoon. If I don't sleep at all, I'd be a caffeine whore through out the entire day. The mess on the dining table is inexcusable. It is filled with Moon Dancer's and Cuddle Bug's half-eaten cakes and tiny pieces of croissants, or at least what's left of them. Due to my negligence of cleaning the table, my mind kept reverting back to those two strangers at the bakery. How can they know so much, let alone what my gem can do to people? Maybe it's a set up. My sisters might have sent two girls on a mission to hunt me down, and it's just a matter of time of what can happen next. The calm before the storm. But like what that Twilight person had said. What have I got to lose. I can't sleep now. This moment made me revisit my past:

764,000 years ago in Equestria

It was a gusty afternoon, and the blazed sun scorching through the clouds in the sky. It was right after the day of the great dragon migration. My three sisters and I settled on a very large rock in the middle of the strong current of the deep blue sea, about two-hundred miles away from Saddle Arabia. It was our very first mission, our true first test as a siren. Adagio positioned herself in a degree where she's facing the three of us. Adagio with a mischievous grin, "Sisters! To this day we hunger for magic. The gem in your chest calls out for you. Show the weaklings the truest power of the siren, and let them fear the almighty goddess within your voice." Adagio approached me, "Are you ready?"

I insidiously smiled with a huff of laughter, "I'm as ready as I'll ever be."

Adagio placed her hoof under my chin groove with a grin, "That's my sister."

Adagio's body swayed amidst the air from where she positioned with encouraging words to us all, "Lets move!"

The large rock from where we sat, collapsed into bits and pieces as we sprinted in mid air towards Saddle Arabia in unimaginable speed. Adagio was ahead of us. We were going at about eight-hundred miles per hour which only took us fifteen minutes to arrive to our destination.

We arrived at the nearest shore of Saddle Arabia to shake up a traditional celebration of ponies dancing, eating, and just having a good time. They were struck with terror just as they saw us four mysterious creatures floating above them with dreadful grins. The Arabian ponies trembled in fear as Adagio let out words in a terrifying tone, "Adore us!" Adagio vocalized a beautiful note, sending sound-waves to her area of sight, then Sonata and Aria followed after in harmonic tunes. I observed the helpless ponies succumbing to my sisters' aberrant rapture, one after another. I held myself back in apprehension, as I sensed a sudden change within the ponies' behavior by the influence of my sisters' powers: From joyousness to rage. I slowly watched them evolved into something different right before my eyes. They all turned onto one another with acts of violence, and it was affecting me greatly. "Clair! What are you waiting for?! Use your power now!" Aria shouted. I was pressured by Adagio and Aria. They glared at me to make sure that I unleash my true power. Sonata expressed her sympathy towards me that if I don't do what they tell me, Adagio would punish me for who knows how long. Nevertheless, after a moment of my short contemplation, I slowly gathered my intellect, then forced out a sustaining high note from my own vocal chords, sending sound-waves over the unaffected ponies. I couldn't bear to watch them being tormented, so I closed my eyes.

*Facebook Message notification pop sound*

My flashback of thought vanished. Often times I have the habit of recollecting my thought. It was a long time ago, but to this day, it was something that I will never forgive myself for.

I picked up my phone to check my facebook message, it was just a random user from a buy and sell local group, selling a useless table for twenty dollars. It is now 4 o'clock in the morning. I should at least try to get a little bit of sleep, because the last thing I want to hear from Cuddle Bug is "C'mon Clair, you have the energy of a ninety-year old woman." or Moon Dancer advising me to get professional help from a psychiatrist.

I ascended from the chair and walked towards my bedroom. As I got halfway to my bedroom door, I instantly begin to feel weak. I hobbled, struggled to stay on two feet, before I realize it, my body ended up on the floor. The air felt really heavy and I developed an increase of hearing sensitivity. I can literally hear the environmental noises miles away through out Humanaville.

My gem mysteriously levitated right before my blurry eyes, shining radiantly. In my current state, I'm unsure if I'm detached from reality. But I do hear an echoing of words repeating in pattern:

"What have you got to lose?"
"You can just buy another guitar, what's the big deal?"
"Your necklace, look at your necklace."
"My name is Sandal Wood by the way, nice to meet you."

Until I heard the last echo of words, "Go to sleep, my child..." my sight slowly faded into black, the repetitive of words finally disappeared, and my sense of hearing became normal again.

HUMANAVILLE
9:33AM; FOLLOWING MORNING, FRIDAY
MY APARTMENT

*Cell phone rings*

I woke up to my last cell phone ring before it went to voicemail and found myself lying on the floor. I sat up and wiped the drool off my face, then picked up my phone to check. I gasped to see the current time, and the amount of missed phone calls, voice mails, and text messages I received from Cuddle Bug and Moon Dancer. I hastily perked up from the floor, and made my way to the bathroom to brush my teeth and have a quick shower as well.

HUMANAVILLE
10:05AM; SAME MORNING, FRIDAY
HUMANAVILLE HIGH SCHOOL

Although I didn't make it to my first and second period, I was able to get to the beginning of my third. Cuddle Bug and Moon Dancer are in my same class. I couldn't think of a reason to tell them why I wasn't able to answer their calls and why I have arrived so late through out the day.

"Oh em gee, Clair!" Cuddle Bug's reaction was so predictable. No doubt that she was very happy to see me. She closed in a tight hug, so tight that both of my feet ascended a couple of inches off the ground, which made one of my flip flops slip off my barefoot.

I was trying to grasp for air, "CB, let me go, you're literally squeezing the life out of me..."

"Oh... Sorry, hehe."

As she put me back down from her bear hug, Moon Dancer looked bothered. She approached me and Cuddle Bug with arms folded, "Clair, where the hell were you?"

If I told them the real reason of my tardiness, our friendship will never be the same. I didn't want to risk it. "Well uhh..." I stammered in speech.

"It's her time of the month!" Cuddle Bug said loudly.

The class of eighteen students looked to our direction in complete deadpan. Who would've thought that Cuddle Bug would be the one to place me in such an embarrassing position. She jumped to that assumption wrongly. I lowered my eyebrows to Cuddle Bug, "CB... I'm really going to kill you.." Moon Dancer's frown slowly turned into smile.

Moon Dancer chuckled, "You girls are really something else."

*Bell Rings*

"Okay everyone, lets all be seated, third period has begun."

Cuddle Bug, me, and Moon Dancer sat next to each other respectively. Even though the teacher had announced us to sit down, there were still some teenage boys who didn't obey. One of them approached us, "Hey girls, we're having a party tonight at seven, thought you girls might want to come."

I raised my eyebrow at Cuddle Bug, then Moon Dancer. Moon Dancer replied, "Sorry, but I need to study..."

"Um, ok, Well how about you two girls."

I replied, "Well... Tonight I gotta meet up with..."
"I'll go!" Cuddle Bug cut me off with words.

I turned to Cuddle Bug, looking confused, "Wait, what?.. No! You're not going..."

"Oh yes I am!"

The teenage boy in a delightful tone, "Cool! It's going to be at Autumn Leaf's house, like I said, it's tonight at seven." He handed a business card to Cuddle Bug with Autumn Leaf's address on it, "There's going to be booze, food, and a swimming pool. Make sure not to forget your bathing suit. It's going to be a lot of fun. Hopefully you can persuade your two friends here." He winked, and walked back to his seat. Moon Dancer and I looked at Cuddle Bug blankly.

Cuddle Bug questioned innocently, "What?"

"I swear, I have not met anybody in this world stupider than you are."

"More stupid.." Moon Dancer quickly corrected me.

"Oh! Shut up, whose side are you on?!"

Moon Dancer covered her mouth and giggled.

Before I continued to explain to Cuddle Bug about her decision, I turned to take another glance at Moon Dancer, "Hey! I've been looking all over for that shirt, you had it this whole time?!"

"Hey! How would you know, we both could have the same shirt, can't just assume things.."

"That's my shirt! and you know it is! wanna know how I know?.. There's a noticeable rip on that sleeve!"

Cuddle Bug joined in, "... You girls really need new clothes..."

Moon Dancer and I looked at Cuddle Bug furiously, and she did nothing but toss back a squee smile.

HUMANAVILLE
4:01PM; SAME DAY, FRIDAY
MY APARTMENT

I sat on my own living room couch to a random tv show running in the background as I took another examine of my broken guitar. I shook my head knowing that it's something that I can't repair myself, and that I would have to take it to a music shop. Perhaps I'll take it early tomorrow morning to have it repaired. I can only imagine the cost of the repair. In words of Cuddle Bug, might as well just buy another guitar. After spending hours of cramming in my thought about tonight's plan, something tells me that I should take a quick walk to Sugar Cube Corner to meet up with Twilight and Sunset. They may probably know the reason behind my nights of unexplained events.

You ready for this?... James... You.. are not the father! I contorted at the tv show currently on and can't help how ridiculous these staged shows are. I huffed out of laughter.

HUMANAVILLE
6:05PM; SAME EVENING, FRIDAY
OUTSIDE OF SUGARCUBE CORNER

It was a quaint but breezy evening as I arrived just outside of Sugar Cube Corner. I peeked through the window, neither Sunset or Twilight were inside. I wonder if they forgot all about it, or may have better things to do than to be involved with me and my sisters. As I turned the opposite direction, I then see Twilight and Sunset with their book bags approaching from a short distance away. Twilight let out a grin with words in a loud tone, "Hey! We knew you'd come!"

I waved at them with a tremulous smile, "Uhh, hey there!"

Sunset remained silent with a straight face. I can already sense Sunset disapproving my existence. Twilight, on the other hand, was completely the opposite.

As they finally approached the entrance door of the bakery, Twilight smiled, "We never got your name.."

I responded with a single nod, "Clair.. Clair De Lune..."

"What a nice name, Pleasure to meet you."

I nodded with uncertainty. I didn't know why, but I felt really nervous. Nevertheless, Twilight held the door for me and Sunset, "Lets go in, I'm hungry." The three of us entered.

The lady at the front waved at the three of us, "Hey girls!.. Ooh.. I see you girls made a new friend!"

"Hello." I smiled and waved back.

"Yeah, Sunset and I felt bad that we bashed onto her the other day, and thought we would like to get to know her." Twilight with a grin, "Mrs. Cake, can we get the usual? Three orders please."

"Coming right up!"

"Thank You!"

Mrs. Cake brewed some fresh green tea, and began preparing green tea mochis for the three of us on a tray.

Twilight led the way towards a booth next to a window for a good view of the outside. I sat across both Twilight and Sunset. Twilight reinitialized a conversation, "So you came back to see us. There's something bothering you.."

I folded my hands on the table, and sighed, "Well... There are so many things going through my head, I don't know where to begin."

"Lets first cover the basis about your gem. It looks familiar. We knew some girls who have the same kind of gem that you have."

"I know..." I quickly retorted.

"You know?..."

"What, you didn't think I'd know that by now?"

"What I mean is.. You don't seem like the rest of them, you.."

I cut her off with words, "Stop... I know where this is going..."

A moment of pause filled between us, then Sunset stroked a response, "Well... Are you like them?? Give us a good reason why we shouldn't kick your ass right here.. Right now..."

Twilight intercepted, "Sunset, you gotta calm down... Lets give her a chance to explain..."

I stopped for a moment, then continued, "There's nothing for me to explain, you guys wouldn't understand anyway.." I stood up from my side of the booth, "If you excuse me, I have a party to tend to.."

"What if we told you that we're actually Equestrians?" Twilight followed up with a wide grin.

With my one eyebrow raised, I placed both my hands on my hips, "What?.. Impossible..."

"How else would we know all about you, the three girls, and the gems.."

I became infuriated with Twilight thinking she knew more than I do, "You don't know anything about me and my sisters!"

"Sisters?!" Twilight and Sunset were shocked by the discovery of us being siblings.

I banged my fists on the table with a strong tone, "Adagio, Aria, and Sonata. The three known sirens that fed off negative energy so that they can control the minds of the weak. I was one of the four siren sisters, but they never accepted me because I was so different!"

"Clair, you're not like them, you are a good person."

Mrs. Cake awkwardly came to our table to place down our orders, "Sorry girls, but could you please keep it down, you're scaring some customers."

"I'm sorry... I have to leave." I rummaged in my pocket to pull out a ten dollar bill, and tossed it on the table, "I got important things to tend to."

Sunset with a smart remark, "Yeah.. a party..."

I didn't think it was worth the effort to be angry anymore, so I then rolled my eyes at her, and left the booth. I turned around one more time before leaving the bakery to ask a raising question, "Oh.. Where are my sisters anyway?.."

They both cluelessly shrugged. Twilight replied, "You should stay here and talk to us. I think this is more important than a party." Twilight stood up from her side of the booth, "We can help you with your problem, Clair... But not if you run away..."

I seem to ponder to the matter. Part of me suspects that I shouldn't trust them, "I'll get back to you on that, bye.." I advanced towards the bakery exit and left.

Sunset with a brittle laugh towards Twilight, she took a bite of her mochi, "I told you she's a bitch."

HUMANAVILLE
7:54PM; SAME EVENING, FRIDAY
AUTUMN LEAF'S HOUSE

As I bicycled through the neighborhood, noticing only one house filled with vivid lights and crowded teenagers. I finally arrived at Autumn Leaf's bachelor pad. I pulled in on a curb of the sidewalk to park my bicycle on a lamp post, locking it with a secure combination lock. It is indeed a shady party. As I look to my right, there was a random couple making out on top of a car. As I look to my left, I see a couple of bullies giving one nerd a wedgie. This place is a mess. As I advanced towards the entrance of Autumn Leaf's house, it was filled with people. I looked around the vicinity of this spacious house, overseeing a beer pong game currently going on in another room from where I stood.

"Clair!"

I turned to a familiar voice calling out my name, and saw Cuddle Bug with a plastic cup of beer, approaching me from the kitchen.

"You came!" She pulled me in a hug, but I had to push her away gently because she reeked with alcohol odor.

"Whoa CB... and yes I did, but you gotta go easy on that alcohol, girl."

"What? This is my first cup!"

I raised a single eyebrow, "Really now.."

Cuddle Bug nodded with a smile, "Come sit down!" She took my hand, led me to a vacant couch, and we sat together.

"So, what made you change your mind?" Cuddle Bug questioned as she took a sip of her beer.

"Oh it's a long story..."

"Here, lemme get you something to drink."

"Ok, but I don't drink alcohol, CB, You know that.."

"Duhh! That's why I'm getting you rootbeer, hehe!"

Cuddle Bug ascended from her side of the couch and walked towards the kitchen. I remain seated on the couch with legs crossed, waited for Cuddle Bug to return with my drink. I looked around and waved at some familiar faces. Perhaps coming to the party wasn't a bad idea after all. It was another good way to release some steam, especially after my meeting with Twilight and Sunset.

"Hey, didn't expect you to be here."

I turned to the voice that was directed at me, surprised to see the guy that I crashed into a couple of days ago, also came to this party.

"Oh! Didn't expect you either, ummm, Sandal Wood, was it?"

"Yeahh! Surprised you remember my name, I never caught your name, miss."

"Oh, it's Clair."

Sandal Wood sat next to me and reached his hand out for a handshake, "Nice to meet you Clair, beautiful name, but for some reason it reminds me of eclairs." Sandal Wood with short laughter.

I wasn't sure if that was some sort of a pick-up line or what, but still made me blush, "Thanks, nice meeting you too." I smiled and shook his hand.

I purposely cleared my throat, "So, how did you know about this party?"

"Oh, I have a friend who goes to Humanaville. He invited me over, so I said why not, it's Friday anyway."

"Oh.. Yeah same here, I had quite a day..."

Cuddle Bug came out of the kitchen with two drinks. As she was about to return to her seat, she realized a stranger is now sitting next to me. Cuddle Bug hid behind a wall to eavesdrop, and slyly grinned.

"Whoa! That's awesome! how long have you been playing guitar?"

"A very long time. Lets just say I started when I was really really young." I cutely chuckled.

"You must be very talented. Would love to hear you play sometime."

I smiled brightly at him with a nod, "Yeah... I would love that.."

"Hey listen, I gotta go..."

"So soon?"

"Well, actually I was here quite awhile, I had to help set up chairs outside and some other stuff."

"Oh, alright."

Sandal wood with a shy grin, "Hey ummm, I was thinking that maybe we can hang out sometime... Perhaps, could I get your number?"

"Of course."

"Awesome!" Sandal Wood took his cell phone out, and dialed down the numbers that I dictated to him. After he saved my number, he shot me a text message so that I can save his number as well.

"Sweet, I'll give you a call sometime." Sandal Wood delightedly smiled.

"Yeah..." I blushed.

"Well, talk to you later, and remember to look both ways before bicycling." Sandal Wood with a joking remark.

"I can say the same for you too, silly."

We both waved a goodbye to each other, he exited the house.

Cuddle Bug then left her post, walked towards the couch and plopped on the couch next to me. She smirked, "Don't think I didn't see that."

"Oh be quiet, it was just a guy I bumped into a couple of days ago, and just so happens to be at this party, that's all."

"Oooooo, look who's trying to hide something."

I rolled my eyes, "Just.. Gimme my drink.." I swiftly grabbed the cup from her hand, and drank from it. Two seconds after realizing the bitterness taste in my palate, it was her beer that I drank, one with the alcohol. I spewed out the distasteful drink on Cuddle Bug's face instinctively. This caused some public laughter. Cuddle Bug looked at me blankly as she wiped the beer off the side of her face, "Uhh... Yeah... I totally deserve that..."

"Oh my god, CB, I'm so sorry!" I curled my lips to refrain from laughter.