Glitch stepped forward to stand upon the platform they had made where Aria’s ashes were standing in their urn. They had retrieved her remains via Twilight and Sonata, who both carried what was left of the siren back to the ship. After a thorough examination, the dark energy was so potent that most of the flesh had been scorched off, and the bones were fairly charred.

Good fortune had it that a stallion who was a funeral home director before the war had joined their ranks and thus was able to perform the cremation. They had to use the ship’s engine room to do so with lots of makeshift equipment, but the end result worked in their favor. The urn they had acquired via stopped at a town down below.

The entire ordeal had taken them about a month to complete and as a result, the ashes had to stay in storage until they could finish the job. Under her mask as Glitch, Sunset felt a mixture of emotions. While Aria and she had started their relationship as enemies, she had earned her trust and became her friend over time. She had proven to be a powerful and loyal ally and in the end, she gave her life for their cause. The siren had actually sacrificed herself to save Princess Twilight (a decision that Sunset wasn’t sure she could even do at that moment).

Sunset felt like she was disgracing the mare’s legacy by holding off the funeral for so long, but she had no choice if she wanted to give her the service that she deserved.

Approaching the podium that they had made out of a few extra crates, Sunset remembered the last time she had to give a eulogy. The memories of Shimmer’s funeral still haunted her from time to time, but she saw the irony in that she was now about to give a eulogy for one of the sirens that was allied with the one that killed her sister. The world had a strange way of punishing Sunset it seemed.

Clearing their throat, Sunset returned her mind to being Glitch as they spoke to the crowd on board the main deck. Hundreds were gathered to hear what Glitch had to say about one of her trusted allies who had died saving Manehatten.

“Thank you all for coming...” Glitch began.

They paused for a good eight seconds as they looked around. The crowd remained silent.

“Aria was a siren, much like Serenade. A creature that has been despised, mistreated and even murdered by our kind for generations...” Glitch continued.

There was a slight murmur in the crowd, but it died down quickly in time for Glitch to continue.

“Yet despite that, she chose to fight for us, she chose to sacrifice herself in the line of duty to spare Princess Twilight Sparkle from doing the same. She was able to overcome how she and her kind were treated to do something incredible on our behalf. If that isn’t what a hero is, then I don’t know what is.” Glitch placed their hooves upon the podium.

Twilight frowned at the mention her name. Guilt overcame her. She wished she had tried harder to stop Aria, it should have been her in that room and this should have been her funeral. She didn’t want to die, sure, but she knew that she had hurt many to achieve her goals, and it was the leader’s duty to die for the cause. Aria had taken her place, and it was another thing to throw onto the growing pile of guilt.

She had stolen Sunset from her family, her daughter, and likely damaged her life with them beyond repair and now she allowed Aria to die in her place. There was so much more she had done that made her feel rotten that she couldn’t even think of it all at the same time. Being the leader often meant making unpopular choices, but Twilight never imagined it to be this difficult.

The Princess of Friendship knew that she would spend the rest of her life atoning not only for these sins but the many more that were to come. It was the path she had accepted though, and it was one she could not go back from. She was the Princess, and that was all there was to it. She would make many more choices that would cause her great grief and guilt, but she had to accept that.

“Aria and I met originally as enemies, but she walked the path of redemption, just like I had once.” Glitch paused and sighed, “and I’d say she made it to the other side. Redemption found her, it’s just unfortunate that she wasn’t around long enough to truly enjoy the rewards of it.”

Sonata held back tears. It had been a month since Aria’s actual death, but somehow the funeral made it seem like it was only moments ago. She had never cried so much in her entire life. How could Serenade do this? How could she allow one of her own to die? They had stood by her sister, and called her their ally and this was how Serenade repaid them?

“Aria gave her life saving the rest of Manehatten from certain death, and while she may be gone, her sacrifice was not in vain. Mark my words, Serenade’s tyranny will end. We will tear her from her throne and make her answer for her crimes! Equestria will not remain her’s forever, and we will have our freedom back!” Glitch shouted, banging their hooves upon the podium.

A stallion in the crowd put his hooves together and shouted to the stage. “Down with Serenade!”

His simple call out had started a quick uproar as others began to chant the same words toward the stage.

“DOWN WITH SERENADE! DOWN WITH SERENADE!”

Glitch waved their hoof to get the crowd to settle down, and after a moment of attempts that we all in vain, the sound of two angelic voices calmed the crowd and forced all to turn their attention to a set of three mares in the back.

The crowd began to step aside to make room for the three of them, allowing Glitch to gaze upon them. Right away they could tell that all three of them were sirens, judging by the amulets upon their necks, and the sweet cascade of relaxation that their beautiful voices offered.

Of the three, the two on the sides sang while the mare in the center stood silent, smiling. The one in the center was gorgeous, beautiful green mane tied into a messy ponytail with partial dreadlocks intertwined in her mane gave her a unique and natural look.

Her body was decorated in the most gorgeous of jewelry, and when Glitch glanced at her, she looked back and smiled so confidently at Glitch. There didn’t appear to be a care in the world in this mare’s eyes. Everything about her was peaceful.

The song of the other two mares, a yellow coated one and a black coated one filled the air. Cinder blinked as she recognized their song as one that her kind often sang at burials. They were even speaking draconian. Right away, she could tell these mares were very old, or at the very least were connected to ancient clans in Dragon Scar.

When they finished their song, Glitch called to the three of them. “Who are you all?”

The yellow coated one bowed. “Please, we wish to pay our respects first. I am Golden, and this is Abyss.” She gestured to the black-coated mare.

“How did you get on my ship?” Glitch asked.

“We charmed our way on board, but that isn’t important right now. Our leader saw you were having a funeral and gave us this to read if you would be so kind.” Golden retrieved a sheet of paper from her bag and presented it to the crowd.

Glitch paused for a moment, wondering if it was even wise to allow these strange sirens to speak, but she could see no reason to stop it. Allowing sirens to speak at the funeral of a siren seemed oddly appropriate.

“Very well... You three may come up...” Glitch gestured with their hoof.

They watched with interest as the two at the sides of the unnamed mare all trotted up casually with her. The unnamed mare stood between them as they approached the podium on both sides of her. Glitch noted an interesting decorated spear was mounted to her back as she approached. Golden cleared her throat and unfolded the paper she was instructed to read.

“Death is something that many different cultures all over the world could each fill novels about. Everyone always wonders what happens when we die, and we may never know the true answer, but the dragons of Dragon Scar have always had an idea about death that brought those of us in Ectra great comfort. They have a saying called ‘Geth mig dugor’, that is said at funerals in common tongue it means-“ Golden was cut off.

In the crowd, Cinder spoke up, finishing her thought. “Get back in there.”

Blinking Golden looked down at the dragon and examined her. Next to her, her leader gestured to Cinder to come onto the stage. Cinder pointed to herself to confirm it, and the unnamed mare nodded gently.

Stepping through the crowd, Cinder made her way onto the stage and stood with the three sirens and spoke loudly for all to hear. “The old teachings tell us that all warriors get their strength to fight from the great fighting spirit. It’s a force created by all of our fallen comrades. When we die, we rejoin with that spirit and our fellow warriors can call upon it when they need it. So when those among us die, we don’t say goodbye, we say ‘get back in there’, because they will return to the battlefield when we call upon them.”

The green-haired beauty smiled and nodded proudly at Glitch. Who was this mute mare? She was beyond curious at this point but she focused on her speech.

“Aria died a warrior, she died a hero, but she is not gone, she is part of that fighting spirit now, and she will return to us when we call upon her. She will be there with us when we finally take Serenade down,” Cinder shouted.

Cheers echoed through the crowd as a wave of hooves raised into the air followed by stomping in approval of Cinder’s message.

Glitch stepped forward and began the process of saying their final words. “Aria will not be forgotten, and now we cast her ashes into the sea. To finish for us, Sonata, her closest friend wishes to speak.”

Glitch stepped aside to allow the young siren to come forward. Sonata shuffled the podium uncomfortably and looked at the crowd with tear-stained eyes. She had never addressed a crowd before like this, not without her powers at least. The siren cleared her throat and spoke up. “Aria was probably my only real friend in the world, though we wouldn’t have called what we had friendship for a long time...”

She adjusted herself and continued. “It wasn’t until someone showed us what friendship was that we would start to see each other as more than just allies with a common goal of survival. Aria looked out for me, she protected me, and she was there for me during the hardest of times. Without her, I’d probably have never made it this far in life. I owe her more than anyone in my life, and without her, I wouldn’t even have much of a life worth living...”

She looked at the podium in front of her and tried to keep more tears from coming out.

“We release her ashes to the sea so that she can finally be free. Aria, wherever you are now, all the suffering you’ve endured, it’s over now. You’re free to swim in the ocean for as long as you want, and no one is going to hurt you ever again...” Sonata whimpered as she nodded to two ponies who stood next to the urn.

The two lifted the urn and carried it to the edge of the deck where they tipped it and released the ashes into the ocean, tossing the urn with them. It sank unceremoniously as the two saluted while a small band of ponies played the bagpipes.

The crowd remained silent as the song played and when it ended, they all began congregating and talking with each other, Glitch, however, gathered Cinder, Sonata, and Twilight together and pointed at the three sirens that had snuck onto her ship. “I want the three of them in my quarters right away.” Glitch instructed.

Within the next eight minutes, Glitch was seated at their desk while Twilight, Cinder, and Sonata all led the mysterious sirens into their living quarters. Glitch nodded at them as they all stood aside for Glitch to speak.

“Who are you all?” Glitch began.

“We wish to speak to you alone, one called Glitch,” Abyss stated.

“How do you all know draconian?” Cinder ignored Abyss’ request and chimed in.

Golden answered on Abyss’ behalf. “We come from the country of Ectra, and we get a lot of visitors from Dragon Scar, in fact, it’s the only other nation we receive any visitors from.”

“Ectra? Never heard of it...” Cinder blinked.

“Me either.” Twilight shook her head.

“Our nation is kept a secret from most, only a select few have knowledge of its existence, but we’ve answered enough questions as it is, we wish to speak to Glitch alone.” Abyss grunted.

“You can’t just walk in here, board our ship like this and expect to get whatever you demand...” Twilight scowled.

“It’s alright, leave us.” Glitch waved at the group to leave.

“Glitch, you can’t be serious!” Twilight blinked.

Glitch nodded. “I am. I feel like these girls have come a long way, I will hear them out. Now leave us be...”

With a grumble, Twilight nodded and obeyed. She was followed by Sonata and Cinder who shut the door behind them.

After being gone for a few seconds, Glitch was certain they would not hear them through the door as they spoke up. “Now, who are you all?”

“Remove your mask,” Abyss demanded.

“Why would I do that?” Glitch asked.

“We will tell you nothing if you don’t show us your face and tell us your real name,” Abyss replied.

The mare was very standoffish, but Glitch sighed and obliged. Tapping the gem on their chest, Glitch’s helmet vanished revealing the mare underneath. “My name is Sunset Shimmer...”

The silent mare in the center stepped forward and placed a hoof upon Sunset’s cheek, caressing her gently before opening her mouth to speak with perhaps the most angelic voice Sunset had ever heard. She was soft-spoken and innocent-sounding. Her voice was almost like music.

“Sunset Shimmer, it is mine pleasure to meet thou finally,” she said.

Golden blinked and stepped forward. “Wait a minute! We traveled with you for almost two years and you never said a word, but we meet this mare and you finally speak!?”

Abyss whacked Golden and bowed gesturing for her to do the same. “Peasant! It is the greatest honor to hear her majesty speak. Bite your tongue!”

Sunset tilted her head in confusion and ignored the other two and squinted at the mare in front of her. “Who are you?”

“I apologize for mine intrusion. Mine name is Kiz of Ectra, I hath cometh a long way from here to meet thou, Sunset Shimmer.” She smiled.

“Kiz?” Sunset blinked.

She had heard that name once before when talking with Aria and Sonata. There were stories of an ancient siren, one estimated to be over 70,000 years old, possibly even 100,000. Her name was Kiz, which was old tongue, though Sunset didn’t know what it translated to in modern ponish.

“Thou art correct.” Kiz nodded.

“Are the stories true then? Are you really the original siren?” Sunset asked.

Kiz giggled and shook her head. “I am afraid not, Sunset Shimmer. I hast ne’r met her, yet ‘tis said stories myself about the mare. They sayeth she was gorgeous and spoketh with elegant tongue.”

“This place you’re from... Ectra, what’s it like?” Sunset tilted her head.

Golden spoke up for Kiz. “Ectra is a place solely for our kind. We only leave the mainland to reproduce, and once our kind are born we take them back to Ectra after birth where they are raised. It is a sirens only land.”

“How do you know draconian then?” Sunset asked.

“Dragons often come to trade with us, they are one of the only agreement for outsiders we have,” Abyss answered.

Looking at Kiz, Sunset squinted. “You are the ruler of this land then?”

Kiz nodded. “Thou art not mistaken.”

“What could you possibly want with me? Have you come to stop me from killing your own kind?” Sunset asked.

Kiz shook her head. “Quite the contrary. I hath arriveth to deliver this blade unto thee.”

With those words, Kiz levitated the elegantly decorated spear from her back and offered it to Sunset. “I present to thee, the Siren’s Bane. This bladed spear possesses magic capable of giving pause to a siren’s power. ‘There quoth to hast been crafted by our mother, should’st our kind become unbearable for this orb, ‘twere designed to slay us from existence.”

While her outdated language took a moment to follow, Sunset got the gist of what she was saying as she took the spear in her hooves. “You’re saying this weapon can prevent Serenade from using her powers? It can stop her siren magic?”

“That is truthful, dearest Sunset...” Kiz bowed her head.

“What about her demon powers? This spear will be useless if I can’t get past those...” Sunset frowned.

“The blade hath been enchanted to repel the darkness.” Kiz smiled.

Sunset blinked as she looked at the shining blade, noting how it had an unnatural sheen about it.

“Be warned though, Sunset Shimmer, should’st thou bid upon its power when thou hast no need of it, thou may find its abilities exhausted. Use it wisely.” Kiz raised her hoof in warning.

Sunset looked at her and nodded before placing the spear on her back. “Why are you helping me? I’m trying to stop one of your own, shouldn’t you be trying to stop me?”

Kiz giggled and shook her head. “It shall all compose sense to thee ‘i the course of things. Thou might not but compose haste, however, as there is little time to spareth. Go forth, Sunset Shimmer and thee shall speaketh with thou again.”

“What will you do then?” Sunset asked.

“We shall wait aboard this ship until the moment you go to slay Serenade,” Golden spoke up, with a confident nod.

Sunset looked the three mares over. They were definitely strange and cryptic, but she was thankful that they at least appeared to be on her side. She smiled and gave a salute to the three of them. “I will do my best. We’ll hold off on the questions until this is over, but for now I’ll trust you three.”

“We thank thee.” Kiz bowed.

With the mighty Siren’s Bane at her side, Sunset felt almost invincible. All she would need to do now is sink the spear into Serenade at the right moment. This entire battle seemed far more winnable now, thanks to Kiz and her entourage. Why they were on her side was a mystery, but Sunset was thankful to have such powerful allies at that moment.

There were many among her willing to do their part to stop Serenade, but most of their motivation was unknown to Sunset. She wondered if she’d ever learn their secrets.

Serenade stormed about her throne room and growled to herself as she cursed the failures of her subordinates while Blaze, Arax, and Shield all stood before her. The siren stomped about in anger cursing as the three of them watched.

Shield leaned into Arax and whispered. “How long does she usually do this for?”

“Hours...” Arax sighed.

“SILENCE! BOTH OF YOU!” Serenade barked as she pointed at them.

The two clammed up and stood at attention.

Serenade stomped and grunted before speaking again. “How the ever-living fuck have you not found Lightning Dust yet? You mean to tell me that one mare can hide from an army!?”

“She just hasn’t turned up yet...” Blaze shrugged.

“HASN’T TURNED UP YET!? WHAT KIND OF FUCKING ANSWER IS THAT!?” Serenade stomped her hoof. “I TOLD YOU FUCKTARDS THAT I WANT HER FOUND WITHIN A DAY!”

“Yes, we know...” Arax rolled his eyes.

“AND WHAT HAS IT BEEN, BUG BOY!? A MONTH! A MONTH AND THAT CUNT IS STILL MISSING! DO YOU ALL LIKE MAKING ME ANGRY!? I ASSURE YOU THAT YOU WON’T LIKE IT IN A LITTLE WHILE WHEN I GET ABSOLUTELY LIVID!” Serenade shouted.

Blaze stepped forward and spoke up. “Calm down, master.”

Arax facehoofed and shook his head. Blaze had no idea how stupid what he just said was.

“Calm down?” Serenade blinked before staring him down.

Blaze quickly regretted his words as she approached carefully. “Calm down? CALM DOWN!?”

He gulped and said nothing.

Serenade let a black tendril come out of her back and poke it’s way into Blaze’s ear, causing a sharp pain as she did. Another tendril reached to his underside and gripped his testicles causing him to yelp. “DON’T YOU EVER TELL ME TO CALM DOWN! TELL ME WHAT TO DO AGAIN AND I WILL TWIST YOUR FUCKING BALLS OFF, DO YOU HEAR ME!?”

“Y-YES MA’AM! LOUD AND CLEAR! I DIDN’T MEAN ANYTHING BY IT!” Blaze found himself shouting as fear ran through him.

She released him and his family jewels before pushing him. He toppled over but was thankful that his balls were left unharmed as he panted in fear.

Serenade waved a hoof. “Blaze, Shield, find her. I don’t care what you do, but I want her alive when you bring her to me. I intend to torture that treacherous bitch. No one betrays me!”

Shield and Blaze nodded but stood still.

Serenade raised a brow. “I meant now, you idiots.”

“Oh right!” Blaze saluted and Shield followed suit. The two bolted out of the room at top speed, ready to follow the instruction they had been given.

Serenade sighed before sitting down on her throne, rubbing her temple. “Arax, what does one have to do to get competent minions around here? Am I being too soft on my threats? Perhaps I am not making it clear enough what the price of failure is? Maybe I should kill a few subordinates and hang their bodies up for the others to see, what do you think?”

Arax rubbed his forehead and shook his head afterward. “Master, I don’t think your ruthless nature is in question.”

Serenade raised a brow and eyed him up. “What then? I can’t deal with this incompetence!”

“Maybe you should take a day off, master? Relax?” Arax suggested.

Serenade blinked a few times and tilted her head. “And do what, exactly?”

“Whatever it is that you do when you’re not killing ponies?” Arax shrugged.

“I suppose a spa day could do wonders for me...” Serenade rubbed her chin in thought.

“See, that’s a good idea.” Arax nodded.

“You’re joining me though.” Serenade pointed to him.

“I’m not much of a spa guy...” Arax rubbed his neck and looked away.

“It’s not negotiable.” Serenade grunted.

Arax sighed and agreed. “Fine, though I don’t get why you want me there, it’s not as though you enjoy my company or I particularly enjoy yours.”

“Get over it, and get out of my sight, I’ll call for you when I’m ready to go...” Serenade waved her hoof.

“Whatever...” Arax shrugged and made his way out.

After his departure, Serenade stood up and wandered around in circles as she spoke her thoughts. “I can’t believe that worthless cunt turned on me. She ran away and let that fucker, Glitch raid my city. The bastard made off with a large chunk of my workhorses...”

You can’t expect good help from worthless mortals, you know that.

“Yeah, you’re right...” She sighed and shook her head.

We’re the only ones we can count on.

“Yeah, Arax is okay, but even he’d be a fuckup if I wasn’t around to tell him what to do when he got lost...” Serenade nodded before trotting over to a stained glass window.

In the window, she could see her own reflection, but the mare that stared back at her had glowing red eyes, with a body made entirely of black shadows. They were sporting fangs as they spoke directly to Serenade.

The path to greatness can only be paved by you, they’re all just pawns, don’t forget that. You’re in control, and that’s all that matters.

“Either way, for the time being, I need them, I can only be so many places at once and that Glitch seems to always be a step ahead of me. How do I stop something like that? The coward won’t even face me...” Serenade spoke to herself in the window.

Set a trap. Show him why he should be afraid of you.

She blinked and squinted. “Are you suggesting what I think you are?”

He won’t survive like you did. He’s not strong enough, not like you at all.

She nodded and agreed. Serenade would set the ultimate trap for Glitch, and when he sprung it, there was no way in hell he could survive.

Rainbow Dash shut her car door and sighed as she looked over at Twilight Sparkle who had agreed to meet her at the mall parking lot to discuss information regarding a subject they were both required to act as though didn’t exist. Their vow of silence had to be temporarily seized to discuss important matters, and then it was to be “forgotten” once again.

Twilight held her hands close to her chest with her purse in hand as she blinked. “Alright, so what did you want to talk about?”

“That thing we are not supposed to talk about, I just need to go over a few things and then we go back to not talking about it, got it?” Rainbow raised a finger.

Twilight sighed and nodded. “R-right... So what’s up?”

Rainbow leaned back against her car and crossed her feet and then her arms as she relaxed herself. “So, the shit head has been completely destroyed, I made sure to get rid of everything. Burnt the flesh, the clothes, the bones, all of it. Had then ground into dust and scattered into the ocean. There isn’t a trace of him left.”

“Damn, you went all out...” Twilight blinked.

“No choice, had to make sure there was zero chance that his body could be found. I had the car abandoned in a forest somewhere, but no worries there isn’t any prints or anything from me in there.” Rainbow smirked.

“Won’t they find the car?” Twilight placed her hand to her lips in fear.

The soldier nodded back at her. “Yup, eventually and that’s what I want. I made it look like the guy went off to commit suicide, so it makes sense he’d drive out to the woods to do that.”

Twilight had to admit, this entire plan seemed solid; Rainbow had outdone herself.

“Now one little detail we need to make sure stays consistent between the two of us...” Rainbow raised a brow.

Stepping forward, Twilight nodded. “Yes? What is it?”

“On that night, when I followed you I saw no other witnesses that knew you were heading out that way. That means there’s no one to contradict our alibi, which is good. You were with me the entire night at my private shooting range, understand? That’s what I told Fluttershy when I left that night too, so she unknowingly will corroborate with our story.” Rainbow grinned.

“So in other words...” Twilight thought it over.

“We’re each other’s alibis. So long as we keep that straight, no one can connect us to anything, Twilight.” Rainbow nodded.

Twilight didn’t like it, but she knew it had to be this way. Snatcher was going to make her life a living hell; Rainbow taking him out as she did was a blessing, she just wished it didn’t have to be so messy. Twilight never imagined in her life that she would be an accomplice to murder, but then again she never imagined she’d marry an alien from another world either, or be raising her daughter in a mansion.

Everything in Twilight’s life seemed to be out of the ordinary, and there wasn’t much semblance of normality for the girl. She missed Sunset, who she knew would be able to tell her what she should do during these troubling times, but at the same time, she was starting to wonder if hating Sunset was the wiser choice. Two years had passed and she didn’t so much as get a letter from Sunset. Perhaps it was time to give up on the woman ever coming home? Maybe she was dead somewhere?

The more she thought about it, the more she realized that filing a missing person’s report might have actually been a wise idea. For a moment she thought it might have prevented the issue that caused them to have to kill Snatcher in the first place, but then she remembered that inviting the police to get involved meant they would comb through Sunset’s personal life and that made it far easier to find out anything about her, including her origin.

While she missed Sunset, she couldn’t afford to risk such a thing, especially with a young daughter now. She couldn’t do something that would potentially come back to hurt Horizon, even if that meant she had to suffer.

Rainbow could tell something was going through Twilight’s mind as she tilted her head. “Hey? Are you alright?”

Twilight blinked. “Huh? Oh... Not really, but I will be...”

“Sunset, right?” Rainbow asked.

Apparently Twilight was that easy to read. Truthfully, Sunset was almost always on her mind, and she had a hard time hiding it.

“Is it that obvious?” Twilight frowned.

Rainbow nodded slowly. “You’re probably thinking about Sunset every eight minutes and everyone knows that. It’s okay though, it’s normal. She’s your wife, and the mother of your child, you would be insane to not wonder where she is all the time.”

“Do you think she’s even still alive?” Twilight asked.

Rainbow grew silent for a moment. She bit her lip, unsure of how to broach the subject to Twilight.

“Rainbow?” Twilight looked over at her friend, waiting for an answer.

Sighing, Rainbow stood up straight. “I know you don’t want to hear this, but in the army, we’re trained to deal with these kinds of circumstances. When someone doesn’t come back for a long time, there’s a good chance they are dead, or at the very least never coming back. You have to move forward and focus on those that are still alive. Prioritize the people who are still in your life.”

“I thought the army taught no soldier left behind?” Twilight whimpered.

Rainbow shook her head. “In this case, you’re the soldier that got left behind, Twilight. I’ve given Sunset the benefit of the doubt and maybe the reason she left is a good one, but the reality is: she isn’t here and you are. Horizon should be the most important thing to you, and that’s that. I know my two boys are my whole world.”

“What’re you saying?” Twilight blinked.

“I’m saying that it should have been you pulling that trigger on that fucker, not me. If that was my two boys in danger, I would have shot him dead months ago, but you have to do things your own way. Horizon needs you, you need to focus on her, alright?” Rainbow placed a hand upon Twilight’s shoulder.

Twilight looked at her hand and sighed. She closed her eyes and thought it over. Rainbow was right, Sunset was gone and she probably wasn’t coming back. Horizon was still here though, and the girl needed her.

“You’re right...”

Rainbow grinned. “Of course I am, now come on, let’s go get something to eat, alright?”

Food sounded good right about then, so Twilight nodded and followed while the soldier rubbed her empty stomach and began praising the food at this restaurant.

Serenade walked into the castle’s personal spa with a bathrobe over her as she looked back to see Arax following with a similar robe. His expression was one of annoyance as he grumbled under his breath how this entire day would be a waste of his time and he’d prefer to get back to work.

Behind him was his slave, Starlight Glimmer who was also sporting a bathrobe. Serenade agreed to allow her to come, after Arax’s request. In reality, the changeling just didn’t want to be alone with Serenade as he found such times where he was were always miserable.

“Well, Starlight Glimmer, I didn’t think you’d actually join us.” Serenade smirked.

It was clear that there was at least eighty thousand volts of pure hatred moving back and forth between the two. The tension was unreal, but Arax didn’t mind being in the middle; if anything he felt it would make the day more interesting, to say the least.

“I don’t exactly have the luxury of choice, do I? Plus I was curious to see what a psychopath does in her free time when she’s not murdering innocent children, razing cities and enslaving the world...” Starlight spat.

Serenade shrugged. “Sometimes I play tennis.”

Starlight couldn’t tell if that comment was sarcasm or not, but she left it alone.

“Shall we? I think a nice step in the sauna is a good way to start.” Serenade gestured for the two to follow.

Arax sighed but did as he was told while he and Starlight both removed their bathrobes and handed them off to the spa workers who lead them to the sauna. Once inside, the door was closed behind them, and Serenade pulled the chopsticks out of her mane and allowed it to fall down, cascading over her elegantly as she leaned back and sighed in content.

Starlight made herself comfortable next to Arax and rested her head upon him as he cracked his neck and yawned.

Opening a single eye, Serenade smirked at the two. “So when’s the wedding you two?”

“Shut up...” Arax rolled his eyes.

“Anyone can see you’re smitten with each other. How utterly disgusting, have you slept with him yet, Starlight? I bet that’s a gross endeavor isn’t it?” Serenade teased.

“Lay off of him...” Starlight huffed.

Serenade giggled. “My my, aren’t we defensive. I’m sorry, I won’t pick on your boyfriend anymore.”

“He’s not...” Starlight sighed and shook her head, “never mind...”

Serenade found herself giggled a bit more at how flustered Starlight was over it.

“Hey, Serenade... Have you ever like... Been in love before?” Starlight asked.

Serenade blinked and looked at her, noting the girl’s serious eyes. That question wasn’t intended as a jab clearly, but an earnest inquiry.

Looking away, Serenade shook her head. “No, never.”

“So you use your powers to manipulate others, and lure them with sex appeal but you haven’t ever...” Starlight didn’t dare finish that sentence.

“No, it is forbidden among my kind. We are only to lure, not ever taste...” Serenade looked off toward the wall, trying to hide the shame on her face. She hated admitting something that made her kind inferior in some way in mortal eyes. However, in her mind it wasn’t an inferiority, it was a blessing. Sex and love were weaknesses after all. She just couldn’t stand to think of Starlight looking down on her.

Starlight frowned, in a way she felt sorry for her. “What happens if you do?”

“Why not ask my mother? All she did was love and your kind murdered her...” Serenade growled.

Starlight shrunk in her seat. “Oh, I’m sorry to hear...”

“No, you’re not.” Serenade shook her head before making eye contact with Starlight.

“She was an idiot anyway. Love is a pathetic disease, a weakness that makes strong mares like her weak and susceptible. I’ll never be that weak.” Serenade stared.

Deciding to change the subject, Arax coughed and spoke up. “Serenade, didn’t you use to play the harp?”

“Still do, but it’s harder and harder to find the time with so many distractions...” Serenade frowned.

Starlight blinked again. “I never took you for a harp player.”

Glancing over at her, Serenade nodded. “Definitely, I’m actually pretty damn good. But hundreds of years of experience will do that to you.”

“It must be hard living so long?” Starlight asked.

Serenade shook her head. “You get used to it. If anything, I’m unlike most sirens in that I never have to even eat or sleep. The dark energy in me is so potent that I have outgrown the need for such things.”

Starlight couldn’t imagine never sleeping or eating again in her life, but by the sound of it, that was Serenade’s reality for likely hundreds of years.

“How old are you, Serenade?” Starlight asked.

“I stopped counting after two thousand, to be honest with you. Time isn’t much of a concern for us immortals, though unlike others, I have a lot less patience than some.” Serenade shrugged.

At that age, Serenade was possibly older than Celestia herself. Alicorns were long-lived, but not immortal, not like this mare, anyway. Serenade would only die when she finally chose to.

Was it even possible for Twilight to beat something like that? Serenade existed in a way that none of them would ever comprehend.

Sonata stood in silence looking at the ocean. The funeral was over and most of the crew had returned to their duties, but she found herself still lost in thought as she thought of Aria. All of the time the had spent together felt like it was supposed to last forever, and yet now here she was, alone.

She had lost both of the sirens that had kept her safe over the years, and now she was by herself. No powers, no other sirens, nothing. She had to put all of her faith in Sunset now, for she had no other options. All she could do now was pray that she could change the path ahead as much as she could. Princess Twilight Sparkle spoke of making life better for sirens if they won, but that was no certainty. On top of that, there was the big if they won.

They had gained a lot of momentum, but Serenade was still massively strong. She could crush them all in a matter of seconds if they weren’t careful. One wrong move and their comfortable advantage over her would end in disaster. Sonata wasn’t much of a fighter, but she would do everything she could to help win this war now. She had nothing else to fall back on.

She spoke her thoughts aloud as she stared at the ocean below her. “I wish you were still here, I just don’t know if I’m strong enough to do this on my own, Aria...”

A hoof was placed upon her shoulder, causing the mare to yelp and turn. There standing behind her was the unnamed mare that Sunset would later tell her was actually Kiz, the oldest known living siren. Sonata had thought her existence was merely a myth, but there she stood right in front of her.

“K-Kiz, I didn’t see you there!” Sonata bowed.

The elder siren smiled softly, her beautiful face lighting up as she did. Sonata was in awe at her beauty. “Sonata, is it?”

She blinked, shocked to actually hear the mare’s voice. It was like hearing angels speak. “Y-yes... It’s an honor! S-sorry, I’m not used to meeting royalty like yourself, so I’m not very good at this...” Sonata rubbed her neck as she stood up.

Kiz waved her hoof dismissively. “Worry not, for royalty I am not. I be a siren just as thou.”

Tilting her head slightly, Sonata was a bit surprised to hear her ponish was so outdated. The stories of how old she was must have been true. This mare was likely the oldest living creature on the face of the earth, not even dragons could live as long as she did. Sonata was limited on knowledge of other species, but she knew that even the breeds of dragons that lived a long time could only live about 12,000 years at best. Cinder was considered only adolescent for her breed as an example.

“Sorry, I guess this is just too surreal for me... Sirens tell stories of you, and yet the real you is standing in front of me...” Sonata blushed.

“Art thou that surprised young Sonata?” Kiz asked.

“A little...” Sonata squeaked.

“Fear not, I arriveth to bestow upon thou a gift.” Kiz smiled.

Sonata blinked. “Really? What could you possibly want to give a siren like me? I’m just a nobody.”

“This,” Kiz spoke and reached to her neck. She removed her amulet and moved forward, placing it around Sonata’s neck and fastened it.

Sonata’s eyes widened as she looked at the amulet. “What? No! This is your amulet! You can’t give this to me!”

“I hath no need of such a trinket at my age.” Kiz smiled.

“W-what? What are you saying? A siren’s power comes from her amulet! It’s how you live forever, via your magic!” Sonata protested.

Kiz giggled and shook her head. “At mine age, mine power is sufficient to forge another if want be.”

Sonata leaned in and spoke. “That’s incredible, but if you’re so strong, why not help us fight Serenade directly?”

“Even mine power hath limits, young Sonata.” She shook her head.

“So you can’t kill Serenade either, huh?” Sonata frowned.

She shook her head once more. “That office is for Sunset Shimmer to address. She hath the strength and grit to slayeth the beast should she utilize it proper.”

“I guess that’s true... Sunset has everything she needs to win now I would imagine.” Sonata rubbed her neck.

Kiz placed her hooves upon Sonata’s shoulders once more. “Young one, maketh use of your might and mine amulet to bring forth change for others of the siren blood. I trust this task to thou.”

“Why me though? What’s so special about me?” Sonata blinked.

Releasing her, Kiz giggled. “Thou does not know thou’s true ability just yet. Great things awaiteth thou.”

Sonata looked down at the amulet. It was a second chance, she had her powers back, and then some! There was no doubt that Kiz’s amulet was stronger than her old one, but why did she give it up so freely. Forging a second siren’s amulet was a process that took tremendous power. Then again, she had an entire country of sirens to help her forge one.

As the mare walked away, Sonata was left with intrigue, but she knew she wouldn’t get much in the way of answers.

“It’s very simple, we attack Fillydalphia. All out assault.” Glitch explained as they tapped a map of the city posted behind them.

Twilight tilted her head as she sat next to Discord who had wrapped a claw around her. “An all-out assault? We’ve never done something so drastic before; why do that now?”

Glitch tapped the map again. “My intel suggests that Serenade had stretched herself thin. Most of her warriors are protecting her in Manehatten, and that means that Fillydalphia is left mostly unguarded. There’s a significant population there and we can free all of them if we do a full attack. With out numbers we actually outnumber her guards.”

“Serenade ain’t never been this sloppy in the past, why start now?” Applejack asked.

Cinder sat with crossed arms as a smirk came to her face. “She’s desperate.”

“Say what?” Applejack tilted her head.

Cinder opened her eyes and glanced over at Applejack. “Serenade’s power is not infinite, nor is she invincible. I think she’s starting to subconsciously realize that Glitch will catch up with her soon. She is trying to increase the chances that Glitch won’t even make it to her. Just as we have no idea what Serenade is capable of, she too has no idea what Glitch is capable of, and she is not about to let arrogance let Glitch get the advantage on her.”

“The spear changes everything though,” Discord chimed in and pointed to the weapon mounted upon Glitch’s back.

Glitch nodded in agreement. “Yeah, but I don’t want to rely on just a spear to win this. We have to break through Serenade’s defenses before I can even use it.”

“So we attack Fillydalphia then?” Applejack asked.

Glitch nodded. “At dawn tomorrow.”

Sitting at the harp that was placed in the spa for musicians to entertain the guests, Serenade strummed a harmonic song that filled the air with a calming feeling. She sang gently to the tune, her voice soft and beautiful, a far cry from her usual gruff and aggressive demeanor.

If one closed their eyes they could almost not even see the murdering psychopath that was Serenade and instead they could almost picture a beautiful mare who had a song in her heart.

Watching her play, Starlight couldn’t deny that Serenade was beautiful, but that beauty was marred by everything about her.

After she finished her song she smiled at Arax and Starlight. Arax gave a gentle clap and nodded in approval. “That was excellent, master.”

Starlight bit her lip but gave praise as well. “How did you learn to play so well?”

Stepping down from the harp, Serenade ran a hoof through her lavish mane. “I learned from a musician who played many harps a good eight hundred years ago or so. When you live as long as I do, you always have time for these things.”

“So you do other things besides murder children?” Starlight asked, a bit of sass in her voice.

Serenade nodded, ignoring the attitude she exuded with her question. “Yes, as a matter of a fact, I do. I also enjoy nature walks.”

“Nature walks? You? I can’t say I expected that...” Starlight admitted.

Stepping away from the harp, Serenade shrugged. “Plants have never done wrong by me.”

“What exactly did mortals do to you to make you hate them so much?” Starlight asked, figuring it was a good chance to get a glimpse into Serenade’s twisted motivation.

Stepping close, Serenade made a tendril come out of her back and linger only inches from Starlight’s face, causing the mare to flinch. “Mortals destroy everything they touch. They’re a disease on this planet, they destroy anything they don’t understand out of fear. Fear that they will lose precious control...”

“Not all mortals are bad...” Starlight attempted to reason.

“I have yet to meet such a mortal...” Serenade growled.

Starlight wanted to continue to try and convince her, but she knew it was likely a colossal waste of her time.

Ushering her to the front of the crowd, Baler wasn’t entirely certain what Serenade’s plan to deal with the dragon was, but she had told him to trust her and that is what he was going to do. Serenade was often a very sure pony, one that never took a chance on something unless she was absolutely positive, so if she insisted on something, he knew it was likely the right choice.

At the front of the crowd was a village elder standing behind the mages in the front blasting the creature with full power in an attempt to keep it at bay. “Elder Book, this mare says she can help!” Baler called to him.

He looked back at Baler and frowned. “Baler, this is no time for this...”

“Elder, please just listen to me. This mare, Serenade Dazzle, she says she can stop the dragon!” Baler panted as he finally stopped runner and caught his breath. He was a bit surprised to see that Serenade appeared fine and not winded at all.

“A single mare can do naught to stop this beast...” The elder frowned.

Baler shook his head. “She insists that she can stop this beast! Please give her a chance.”

The elder sighed and then looked over at the girl. She was gorgeous, but a pretty face was not enough to stop a full-grown dragon. What was her angle? He had never met this mare before, and she didn’t look familiar to him either. Where did she come from?

He squinted and eyed her up and down before speaking directly to her, his old raspy voice barely audible over the crowd. “Can you really stop this thing?”

Serenade nodded. “Yes.”

A sigh escaped him as he nodded back and gesture for others to make a path for her to approach the dragon.

Serenade stepped forward and through the crowd whom all stared in her direction as she stood before this fire-breathing beast. It screeched with a vicious cry through the air as fire came out of its nostrils, filling the nearby air with smoke.

Serenade knew right away that her powers in her normal form were not enough. She would need to transform into her siren form to increase the potency of her abilities in order to quell the dragon. She sighed and closed her eyes, embracing the transformation. A magic halo appeared around her hooves and moved up her body.

Before she knew it, her backside was replaced with a tail, and she levitated in the air in her siren form.

The crowd released a series of “Ooo” and “aww” sounds that she tuned out while she began to sing to the beast. Her voice echoed through the air, her song potent and commanding. Before she knew it, the dragon was under her spell. Once she had command over him, she flew up to meet his face and command her new minion.

“I want you to leave this place and never return, tell all of your kind to do the same,” she demanded.

The dragon in a stupor nodded in agreement before turning to leave. After a few steps, it became clear to the shocked townsfolk that the dragon was not going to return to bother them again, however, now all of their attention was upon the pony that had changed shape who was now changing back to her pony form.

As Serenade came back down to the ground slowly and grew her hooves back, she looked at the townsfolk with neutral eyes. Her expression saying nothing.

Right away, one of the mares in the crowd screamed and pointed at Serenade in fear. “Monster!”

Her words set the crowd in an uproar as they raised their hooves at the siren in protest. “Burn the monster!” Another cried.

“Keep that cursed creature away!”

Serenade sighed and looked at Baler who wore a look that told her all she needed to know. His eyes were filled with fear, his face was telling her he was ready to agree with his fellow townsfolk in trying to burn her at the stake.

She had saved them all, and all they saw was a monster. It was typical, and she expected it.

The attack on Fillydalphia was going better than expected. Glitch and her entourage had easily overpowered the guards of the city and before they knew it, they were liberating the population and there was nothing that Serenade could do about it.

They were gaining new subordinates at lightning speed. With the plan in motion, Twilight stared at the city from the airship with Discord at her side. “I can’t believe it actually worked, with these numbers storming Canterlot should be manageable.”

“Your student has learned well.” Discord winked as he slithered behind her.

Out in the city, however, Glitch and Cinder were escorting the last of the city out of the perimeter before going back in for one final check. The two conversed as they casually walked the empty streets. “I can’t believe Serenade would actually leave this place so unguarded.”

“Yeah... Me either...” Cinder spoke quietly.

Instantly picking up on her unease, Glitch stopped in their tracks to question her. “What’s wrong?”

“It sounds... Too easy, you know? Even if Serenade is desperate, I don’t get how she is letting her guard down so much? It seems such a novice mistake for her...” Cinder scratched her chin.

“You can’t possibly think this is somehow part of her plan? To actually let her own city fall?” Glitch asked.

Cinder shrugged. “Maybe this is all some kind of trap?”

“You think so?” Glitch tilted their head.

After another few steps, the two stopped as a black set of tendrils came out of the ground circling around the two. They tried to move to get away from the tendrils, but before they knew it, they were surrounded by them.

The black tendrils formed some kind of dome around them as it began to close them inside and shrink, the walls getting closer and closer.

“I think so...” Cinder replied.

Starlight stretched as she awoke from the massage she had been receiving. Arax at her side, she smiled at him and he just stared at her back. Then she looked over to Serenade who was still awake. Starlight had forgotten that Serenade never needed to sleep. She wondered how she didn’t get driven insane.

Starlight looked over at her and spoke calmly. “Serenade?”

Serenade glanced back at the mare. “Hm?”

“You said you never have to sleep, right?”

“Yeah, not for hundreds of years...” Serenade shrugged.

“Doesn’t that drive you insane? Being awake all the time?” Starlight blinked.

“Not requiring sleep at least affords me the time to get things done,” Serenade replied.

Their conversation was cut short, however, as one of her subordinates raced into the room panting. He bowed first to his master and then looked Serenade in the eyes. “Master! Glitch has sprung the trap! We got him!”

Serenade stood up and her face was overtaken by a sinister grin. “We got him!?”

“Yes! He’s as good as dead!” The guard nodded.

Serenade looked back at Starlight and giggled. “Looks like I win this game.”

This chapter was a lot for me because there was a lot going on, but also because I got a little sad just writing Aria's funeral.

Oh and now you've properly met Kiz.

Fun Fact: Applety didn't do the sketch this week, but I did!