August 18

Applejack’s senses were on high alert. She was looking everywhere. She had already spotted four hidden security cameras and she was sure there were some she missed. The building looked like a normal office building but she knew it was a dangerous fortress.

Aria parked her truck in an employee parking spot. The sirens and Applejack got out. Aria and Sonata fixed their hair quickly and then took off to the employee entrance using stolen badges to get in. Adagio and Applejack slipped in after them.

Aria and Sonata headed off to the surveillance room.

Applejack knelt and strung her bow. She through the strap of her quivor over her bullet resistant armor. She checked that all her hidden tools were inplace.

Adagio waited calmly.

Heavy footsteps came around the corner. Before the man could open his mouth Applejack had taken aim. There was a quick rush and then the airow found its mark. Applejack had struck him in his exposed neck. The shaft clattered to the ground. The man sank to his knees clawing at his neck. He just managed to remove the needle before he passed out.

More footsteps came around the corner. Applejack took out four more guards with her arrows before one got too close. The man lunged, Applejack effortlessly slid to the side. He swung with an aggressive uppercut. Applejack ducked. He had her cornered her and moved to wrestle her. Applejack swung her boot up to meet his face. He cried out and Applejack silenced him with a kick to the ear.

Adagio raised an eyebrow at her. The light of the security cameras blinked and then turned off.

Applejack took her helmet off. She pulled a pair of military grade ear plugs out of her pocket. She carefully placed them in her ears to block out all sound.

“Break a leg.” Adagio signed with a confident smile.

Applejack grabbed the keys from a security guard she defeated and used them to unlock the door to the lower levels and then took off.

Applejack crept through empty office hallways. Her ears were ringing with the silence. She had to fight the urge to remove her ear plugs. She glanced over her shoulder ever few steps. The door to the next floor was in sight when Applejack was tacked.

Applejack’s necklace glowed and she wrenched her attacker’s hands off her neck she twisted out from underneath them. She punched them in the jaw. Another guard shot a bullet at her chest. She swung her body around and swept their feet from underneath them.They hit the floor hard. They reached for their radio and called out for help. His calls became frantic as he failed to get a response. Applejack was on her feet and she kicked him in the jaw and knocked him out.

Applejack spotted movement in a window reflection. She ducked and the glass was shattered with a club. In one fluid motion Applejack drew her iron knuckles and struck her attacker in a gap in his armor under his armpit hard enough to break ribs. She grabbed their arm and flung them into a wall.

The force from a volley of bullets hitting her in the back knocked Applejack over. Applejack knew she had to move fast. Her armor wasn't invincible and it had gaps. Applejack rolled behind a table and flung a waste bin at her attacker. She popped back up and they turned their attention back to her. Before she could move she felt a bullet strike a vulnerable spot at the top of her right shoulder. The strap snapped. She was bruised but not pierced. Without thinking Applejack pulled out a throwing knife and through it at her attacker’s face.

The knife struck her opponents eye. Applejack could see the pain she had inflicted. Applejack lunged forward and caught the person as they collapsed. A wave a guilt and pain rushed over Applejack. The guard was a woman. Applejack bit her lip.

I’m doing this for Sunset.

“I’m sorry.” she said she reached out to pull out the knife.

My first aid instructor said not to remove something piercing the eye. If I pull it out she’ll bleed to death. If I leave it… I lose an expensive knife but she might live.

Applejack got up and started walking towards the door. Five guards stepped out to bar her way. Suddenly all the guards started looking around in confusion. Applejack sprang into action.

Applejack lunged and struck the first guard who went down in one blow. The others didn’t raise a hand. They seemed dazed and confused. One by one they sank to the ground and fell asleep. Applejack stepped over them and picked the lock on the door.

Applejack made it down two flights of stairs and into the next room before she was attacked by more guards. Applejack’s necklace glowed and she flung one into two others and another across the room.

Applejack looked around in the dim light. There were crates everywhere. There was commotion in another corner of the room.

Applejack was attacked by more guards. They tackled her and she struggled but they had grabbed her armor. Applejack thanked her luck that strength was her magical gift. Her necklace glowed as she used raw strength to force her attackers off her. She writhed on the floor until they lost their grip and then twisted away.

On of them ran at her and she kicked for their chest. Her attacker was flung high into the air and landed in a broken heep eight meters away. Applejack winced.

I forgot to deactivate my super strength. I hope I didn’t kill him. His ribs are probably beyond broken. Focus. I’m doing this for Sunset.

The guards looked weary. They were afraid to engage in case they were killed. Applejack took advantage of their hesitation to rush them she charged and body checked two of them into the nearest crate.

The last guard was smarter and ducked when Applejack swung. The two circled each other. Applejack was more heavily armored but their fore less agile. Applejack was trying for a quick knockout. The guard kept moving and Applejack punched a few wooden crates.

They are trying to ware me out. I’m stronger and they know it.

Applejack focused on her foot work and backed her opponent up. She positioned her feet and in one fluid motion she did a spinning high kick and then a low kick. As expected her aponant ducked and was struck in the face by the second kick. Applejack tackled her opponent and punched until the person went limp.

Applejack panted. She slumped to the side. The adrenaline was wearing off and her shoulder hurt badly.

You’re not done yet! Get your ass of the ground. Go find Sunset.

Applejack staggered to her feet. She saw one of the guards that she had knocked over was trying to get up. She walked over and knocked them out.

Applejack jogged over to where she saw people moving around. She jumped up on a crate to get a good look. Sunset was wearing tattered clothes and had some cuts and bruises. Her hair was a total mess, sticking up and singed. She was cornered by six people in slightly shiny white suits of stiff fabric. They had rods that sparked.

Sunset looked up and looked even more terrified.

She doesn't recognize me in this helmet.

The two guards closest to Applejack moved to attack. Applejack only just jumped in time. They swung the roads like swords clearly expecting them to be devastating. Applejack landed on the floor and ducked another swing. Applejack was on the defensive bobbing and weaving like a boxer.

Their tools spark. They must deliver an electric shock. That would explain Sunset’s hair. If she is still up and moving it isn’t lethal or completely incapacitating. I wonder if my armor would protect me. Better not risk it.

Applejack focused on her feet. Still bobbing and ducking she moved in and struck aiming for the diaphragm. Two quick strikes and her opponent was down completely winded. In one fluid motion Applejack ducked and twisted into a high kick and knocked out the second guard. The four others recognized her as a real threat and moved in.

Applejack couldn’t back up in time. The four of them were able to make contact. Three rods touched her armor and her armor and nothing happened. The fourth rod touched her injured shoulder.

Applejack screamed in pain she couldn’t help herself. She collapsed immediately. The four of them closed in. Applejack saw through their legs Sunset was standing still. She had back a way and now was standing a ways away.

Her muscles burned and ached as she struggled to get up. They are closing in.

With a burst of strength from her pendant she jumped up knocking over on of the guards. Applejack stumbled unbalanced. The guard closest to her aimed his rod at her injured shoulder. Applejack ducked.

Applejack charged the guard in Sunset direction. The guard spooked and crouched like a child.

These guards aren’t well trained.

Applejack kicked the crouching guard in the head knocking them out quickly. She ran towards Sunset and the guards gave chase. Applejack tripped. She tried to roll it off but landed on her injured shoulder. After a moment of searing pain her adrenaline kicked back in and Applejack focused. Sunset looked panicked. The three guards closed in.

What did I trip over?

Applejack spotted a shaft, a large wooden rod, rolling at her feet.

A staff!

Applejack lunged for it and the guards circled her. They froze.

Seriously!

Applejack lunged and knocked the rod out of a guard's hand. The guard seemed surprised. The two others moved forward and Applejack swung her staff and deflected their rods. She perried their rods as they kept trying to touch her shoulder.

Applejack faked and error and left her shoulder exposed. As expected the guard on her right went for it but misjudged the distance and over balanced. Applejack grabbed his harm and used his momentum and through the guard into a crate.

The first guard had fetched their rod and moved to attack Applejack but was knocked out by Sunset.

Now it was two on one.

The final guard felt threatened.

The guard held the rod in their right hand and reached for their radio. Sunset moved forward confidently. The guard dropped to their knees and dropped the rod and was clearly begging for mercy. Sunset knocked the guard out in one blow.

Sunset turned to face Applejack.

Applejack was transfixed. Even in this state she was beautiful. Applejack had always admired Sunset.

Applejack noticed that Sunset was talking. Her mouth was moving but Applejack couldn’t anything. Applejack figured she could risk taking out her ear plugs for a short time. Sunset wasn’t acting strange.

Applejack moved to take off her helmet but was having difficulty because of her shoulder. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Sunset move as if to help but she hesitated. She had a concerned expression.

Applejack dropped her hands and lifted her head so Sunset could have a good view. It was a show of trust. After a moment Sunset removed Applejack’s helmet.

Sunset looked shocked. Applejack couldn’t help but to give a sheepish smile.

Sunset began moving her mouth again. Applejack held up a hand to silence her. Applejack removed one ear plug. The room was silent.

“Hey Sunset.” Applejack said awkwardly.

“Applejack! I wasn’t expecting you. I wasn’t expecting anyone to come rescue me. I didn’t think anyone knew where I was. How-...”

Applejack held up her hand. “We can talk more later. We need to get out of here right now. Also you need to put in earplugs.” Applejack fished another pair like hers out of her pocket.

“Why?”

“Cause the sirens are singing and you don’t want to hear their song.” Applejack smiled.

“The- Adagio and Aria and Sonata are here? Helping you?” Sunset demanded.

“Yeah. we can catch up later. We’ve got to get out of here. Do you remember any sign language?”

“A little.”

“We seem to be okay for now but put one in to be safe. Do you have anything you need to grab?”

“No.”

“Alright let’s get that caller off your neck.” Applejack pulled out her other knife. Sunset stood still and Applejack cut the leather. The second the cord left Sunset’s skin a loud obnoxious alarm went off and the doors dead bolted.

Applejack and Sunset cursed. Applejack glanced at the device and then dropped it.

“Now what?” Sunset shouted. Applejack walked over to the nearest door and tried to pick the lock. It wasn’t the kind of lock she could pick. Sunset examined the door.

“I got an idea. Can I have your knife?” Sunset shouted over the blaring alarm. Applejack handed over her knife.

Sunset ran over to a box that she had been crouching by earlier. Applejack jogged after her. Sunset unlocked the metal creat and began tarring into the box. It was full of fireworks.

Applejack and Sunset got to work setting up the fireworks around the door stress points. After stuffing them in Applejack went to go fetch a guard's rod but Sunset stopped her.

“Let’s put our ear plugs in.” Sunset shouted.

Applejack nodded. “After we get through follow me.” Applejack handed Sunset her other earplug and them put her own in. Applejack put her helmet on an put her knife away.

Sunset gestured for Applejack to step away from the door. Sunset dug around in her bra and pulled out a short piece of metal. She held her stick in one hand and a striker pad in the other. Sunset set the fireworks ablaze and then ran away.

A massive explosion of colors and bright light lit up the dark room. Applejack looked away trying to blink away the bright lights. After a minute Applejack looked up. A few fireworks were still going. Applejack and Sunset waited until the bright lights faded.

Squinting in the dim light the two of them made their way to the door. Applejack grabbed the staff she used and Sunset grabbed the rod of the last guard to fall and the two took off running up the stairs.

This wasn't the same staircase Applejack had come down. Adagio said it lead to outside some important offices in the center of the compound.

Sunset was panting heavily and struggling to keep up. Applejack slowed down. Sunset was holding her stomach. Sunset took a few deep breath and the pair took of again slower then before. They reached the door. Applejack picked the lock and they broke through to complete chaos.

Adagio walked up the stairs to find Sonata and Aria singing to a group of guards. Adagio joined them and the guards fell asleep.

The three sirens walked over to a control room. They turned on the microphones and speakers so their song could be heard throughout the entire building. There were a couple of security cameras in the room. One of them showed Applejack walking over the bodies of sleeping guards and out of sight.

Sonata and Aria focussed all their energy into their song. Adagio stopped singing and started looking around. She found the specific system that broadcast to most of the guards. Adagio set it up to cause a spontaneous switch.

Adagio left Sonata and Aria singing the guards to sleep.

Adagio walked confidently to the center of the compound. She stepped over lots of sleeping bodies. A few guards had curled up together and Adagio was forced to do a running leap over them.

Adagio walked right up to the executive office. She could hear the sounds of commotion. Men were shouting and papers were flying. She knocked on the door. There was a pause and the the door opened.

Everyone stared at her with looks of shock or confusion.

“You!” the man said.

Adagio smiled. She opened her mouth and sang.

Applejack and Sunset snuck out of the office. They crept down the hallway stepping over sleeping bodies and creeping past people engrossed in fights. They couldn’t hear anything but it was clear that there was lots of shouting and screaming.

Five minutes of sneaking around later they ran into two guards that were not severely under the influence of the siren’s song. They were focused and they noticed them.

One of them grabbed Sunset. He started talking. He seemed furious. He pulled out a gun. Sunset twisted out of his grasp and slipped under his arm. He twisted around but couldn’t find her. She was turning with him.

Applejack lunged to grapple with him. She took him to the ground and started punching. Her necklace glowed and she broke though his helmet and knocked him out.

Applejack got up and saw Sunset countered by the other guard. He had his gun aimed at her chest ready to fire. .

Applejack ran. The bullet hit her exposed and injured shoulder.

He was about to shoot again when he suddenly seemed disorientated. He sank to his knees and fell asleep on the ground as Sonata and Aria walked around the corner singing.

Applejack clutched her shoulder.

Sunset stagered to her feet and leaned on the wall. The two sirens lead them to the staff entrance they came in. Adagio was waiting for them.

Adagio razed an eyebrow at the two humans. Applejack was in a lot of pain and bleeding badly. Sunset was thin and disheveled.

Adagio led the way out to Aria’s truck. Adagio got out the med kit and ordered Applejack to take of her armor. The others helped her.

Adagio dressed the bullet wound with the experience of army medic.

Applejack and Sunset crawled into the back seat of the truck. Adagio sad in the center and Sonata to her right. Aria pulled out of the parking lot and headed straight for the freeway.

Applejack picked up a duffel bag off the floor. “Here Sunset I brought you some clean cloths.”

“So how did you know where I was?” Sunset asked. They had been driving for a while now.

“We have some connections.” Aria said.

“What do you mean?”

“We know and have worked alongside all the gangs and mobs in the country. We have also helped the law enforcement keep them in line. Over the years we work up favors and debts we can call in. we used our connections and influence to figure out who took you and where.” Adagio said.

“Thanks.” Sunset said humbly.

“Thank Applejack.” Adagio said.

“Okay. Thanks Applejack.” There was an awkward silence. “Where is Twilight?” Sunset asked.

“She’s in Equestria.” Applejack said.

“What!” Sunset demanded.

“Princess Twilight showed up and was convinced that you had been taken to Equestria and Twilight and Moon Dancer where eager to set off so they went through the portal.” Applejack explained.

Sunset looked out the window. “I always thought I’d be with her when she saw my home for the first time. I hope she is doing okay.”

“Twilight seemed pretty eager for the adventure. Moon Dancer was more nervous.” Applejack said matter-a-factly.

There was more silence.

“So how is it that you all are working together. Last I checked you three were doing your own thing.” Sunset asked.

“We are colleagues at work!” Sonata said brightly.

“Work?” Sunset asked.

“Remember when I said I gotten a job as a night time security guard? Well it turns out that job doesn't pay very well. I needed another job to pick up the slack. It is a bit of a long store but I ended up getting a job as a stripper and later a prostitute to make ends meet.” Applejack said.

“What!”

It was Applejack’s turn to stare out the window.

“I was surprised too. But it turns out that Applejack is a good stripper.” Aria said.

“I am more surprised about the prostitute thing. You of all people do not strike me as the kind of person to enjoy sex.” Sunset said.

“Yeah I only give oral sex and lap dances in private rooms.” Applejack said.

“Are most of your clients male or female?” Sunset asked.

“Male.”

“Isn’t uncomfortable for you being a lesbian? Or was that a lie.” Sunset asked.

“I’m a lesbian. It is a little uncomfortable but with practice and experience I got better at not caring.” Applejack said.

“Practice?” Sunset asked.

“Applejack would come over and practice with Adagio.” Sonata said.

“Wait, you have a penis?” Sunset asked.

“We’re hermaphrodites.”

“You Sonata and Aria?”

“Yes.”

“I’m still confused.”

“We have the ability to shape shift out genitalia however we want it.” Sonata said.

“We sirens are built to be able to fulfill both the male and female role in reproduction although not at the same time.” Aria said.

“I’m afraid to ask but how do sirens reproduce?” Sunset asked.

The three sirens glanced at each other.

Adagio sighed and began explaining. “The cycle starts when a siren feels a shift in their body. They Take on the female roll. They have an insatiable appetite. They eat and eat and eat. They also start traveling and looking for another siren to mate with. Preferably one that you don’t know well. You keep eating. It gets to the point where you are too heavy to fly at which point you return to the sea.”

“Wait fly?”

“You remember what we actually look like?” Aria asked.

“Right.”

“Eventually it’s time. The “female”finds a large cave and lays her eggs. The “male goes out hunting. Once the “female” is done the male fertilizes the eggs the two share a meal and the “male” leaves. And the “female” stays and guards the eggs until they hatch at which point she abandons the nest and goes hunting.” Adagio explained.

“How long does it take?” Sunset asked.

“From start finish, three years.” Aria said.

“Three years!?”

“Yup! Two years of eating and one year of guarding.” Sonata said.

“Your eat for two years strait?”

“Yeah.” said Aria.

“The goal is to double your weight. Being fat makes you more attractive when trying to persuade other sirens to mate with you.” Sonata explained.

“Okay and then you just sit around and wait for a year?” Sunset asked.

“Pretty much.” Aria said.

“Every now and again you have to scare away a shark but most leave you alone once they see how big your jaws are.” Sonata said.

“And then you just abandon your babies when they hatch.”

“The earliest memories I have are of hiding in kelp forests with my siblings and hunting tiny crabs and biting an anemone.” Adagio said.

“You have siblings? Other than Sonata and Aria?”

“Had. Most likely. We actually have a lot of predators when we are young. We are born in a group of over one hundred and we stick together for survival but have no emotional attachments. Watching your sibling getting eaten by a shark doesn't phase you but you do learn. So that helps. Once we reach adolescents we are big enough not to need heard protection and the drive to stay together disappears.” Adagio explained.

“How big do you start out?”

“About thirty centimeters.” Aria said.

“And how long does it take you to become and adolescent?”

“About forty years.” Adagio said.

Sunset’s jaw dropped. “At this age our lungs start changing and we are able to breath air. We start venturing on land with all the grace and agility of a fat seal. But we have big jaws and big brains and so we find a way to eat.” Adagio explained.

Sonata and Aria both laughed.

“It takes another ten years before we start flying and another ten before we are considered fully grown adults.” Adagio explained.

“And then it starts all over again?” Sunset asked.

“Not right away.” Aria said.

“As soon as you are a fully grown adult you can be the male in a pair but you don't go into heat until you are around one hundred years old.” Adagio said.

“It’s how we know Adagio can’t be our mother. Our age gap is only about fifty years. But me and Aria are probably siblings because we are the same age which is uncommon for sirens from different litters.” Sonata said.

“Right.” Sunset said.

“Isn’t siren reproduction interesting?” Applejack said with a smile.

“So there are lots of sirens flying around Equestria?” Sunset asked.

“Man you have a narrow world view.” Aria said.

“In Equestria itself, there won’t be too many but in the rest of the world? There is a good amount.” Adagio said.

“So how long between heats?” Sunset asked.

“About two hundred years.” Aria said.

“Oh. So why aren’t there more sirens in the human world.”

All three sirens looked sad. “None of our eggs hatched.” Aria said sadly.

“It’s normal for a few in a litter not to hatch but all the eggs…” Sonata said.

“We think it has something to do with the lack of magic in this world. It was very difficult for us when we first came here but we could still sing and we could still breath underwater and we still went into heat. But the eggs didn’t hatch. I almost starved myself to death waiting.” Adagio said sadly.

“Really?” said Sunset. “Can’t you just leave?”

“We may not have a bond with our offspring when they hatch but before then be have a very powerful maternal instinct that keeps us guarding our eggs no matter how injured or hungry we get.” Adagio said.

“We learned to break it by force which is traumatizing but it was that or starve to death.” Aria said.

Sunset say their eyes in the rear view mirror. She was reminded suddenly of their age. Sure they were long living magical beings with the power to control people with their voice but they were also people who had suffered. “I’m sorry.” Sunset said.

Applejack checked her watch as Aria pulled into the parking lot of a twenty four hour coffee shop. Sunset had been complaining about stomach pains she hadn't eaten since the fourteenth. Applejack had taken some painkillers and other drugs so her shoulder didn't hurt so bad. Aria dug a shawl out to drape over Applejack to hide the blood around her shoulder.

They had pulled into a coffee shop on the west side of the crystal county. The coffee shop looked empty except for the employees.

Adagio led the group up to the counter.

“Hello ladies what can I get for you." A woman behind the counter asked. Her name tag said Pipsissewa.

“I want an 16 oz cup of black dark coffee.” Adagio said confidently.

“I want a chocolate mocha.” Sonata said.

“I want an iced late two shots.” Aria said.

“I’ll have a peanut butter cookie.” Applejack said.

Everyone turned to Sunset.

Sunset was staring silently at the Pipsissewa. The woman stared at her with a mix of shock and horror.

After a moment Pipsissewa recovered and asked for Sunset’s order.

Sunset burst into tears.

Applejack helped Sunset into a seat and Pipsissewa started on their orders. The sirens waited for their drinks and then came over.

Applejack rubbed Sunset’s back as she cried. Sunset cried for a solid ten minutes. All the stress of the last few days came out. She looked exhausted.

Eventually the crying stopped and Applejack got up and ordered a bagel and cream cheese for Sunset.

Pipsissewa came over with Sunset’s food. Sunset nibbled at it.

“It’s nice to see you again Sunset.” Pipsissewa said.

“It’s really nice to see you two. How have you been?” Sunset not looking at her.

“I’ve been okay. I got my GED a few months ago. I have two jobs and I’m saving up for college. How about you.”

“I’ve been better. I go kidnapped and held in a cage for four days without food and very little water. My friends freed me. I am going to go home and sleep.”

“Wow.”

There was a long silence.

Pipsissewa sniffled. “I’m sorry sis. I was eight and Hope had been telling be and Lightning for years that you had failed us and that we shouldn’t trust you. You know what she’s like when she gets intense I was scared and I did what she said. I am so sorry that we left you on your own. It’s been ten years and looking back I feel terrible. I don’t know how it would have gone living with you but it couldn’t have been worse then…” Pipsissewa stopped and wiped her eyes.

“I am so sorry.” Sunset said. “I’m not who you think I am.” she looked at her counterpart’s little sister. Their eyes met both full of pain.

Sunset stud up. She reached into her shirt and pulled out her pendant. Her pendant glowed and took Pipsissewa hands.

They stood together for a whole minute. They broke apart both crying.

“What’s going on?” Pipsissewa coworker asked.

Sunset opened her mouth to explain. Pipsissewa though her arms around Sunset and embraced her in a tight hug. The two women held each other tightly and cried together.

“They are having a family moment.” Applejack said quietly.

Pipsissewa coworker nodded and walked away. The siren’s drank their coffee silently.

“I hope you are able to have a relationship with your siblings. I double my brother and Sister will want anything to do with our Sunset but perhaps. A lot can change in ten years.”

“Thank you.”

Sunset sat down and ate slowly savoring every bite of food.

Pipsissewa brought out a bowl of lentil soup for Sunset. “On the house.” she said.

Sunset stirred the soup and took a bite. “It’s just like mom used to make.” Sunset smiled happily.

“You're not the only one who paid attention when she was in the kitchen.”

The two smiled at each other.

Sunset felt a lot better with food in her stomach.

After they were done Sunset and Pipsissewa traded numbers and then Aria lead the way out to the truck. Sunset slept the rest of the way back to Canterlot. Applejack texted the others calling for an emergency friendship meeting.

Author's Notes:

Unfortunately I got sick. i Fell better but I'm still contagious meaning I can't go to work. so I had plenty of time to write.

I've been looking forward to this chapter for a while. I is one of the big set pieces of this story. I tried to choreograph the fight scenes using movie logic rather then fully realistic fighting. also I had to use basic descriptions of moves rather then names. I hope it makes sense.

As always I love feedback.