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The Dazzlings On Vacation

by CGPH

Chapter 1: Welcome to Ember Island


The Dazzlings needed a break. Losing to high school students was one thing, but losing access to their magic had seriously set them back. They would recover, naturally, and then return with the wrath of a thousand suns to strike down their enemies.

But until then?

Bags packed, flights booked, hotel checked into, and the Dazzlings were officially on vacation.

Ember Island was their chosen destination. It hosted a world-renowned beach resort that was usually off-limits from all except the extremely wealthy. It was on a beautiful tropical island, made up of petite market stalls, expensive funfairs and gorgeous natural sights. They had a three bedroom cabin with internet, Netflix, fully-stocked fridge and just about anything else they had asked for. This vacation would be their last for a while, they were all aware, so it was okay they had decided to splash out a little bit.

As night fell over the Island, so did the temperature. Most people retreated back into their hotels for the night, and the few that remained out in the freezing wind did do so the aid of fleeces and jackets. But that didn’t bother the sirens, who had made a makeshift fireplace in the area between their cabin and the sea.

The beach was now almost entirely empty, a stark constant to how they had witnessed it earlier in the day. The sounds of screaming children had been replaced with the calming, soothing noises of the ocean waves.

“It’s cute, isn’t it?” Aria asked, admiring the view. “Kind of like back home.”

“Home is a long way away,” Sonata poked at the burning wood with a stick. “Especially now.”

“These things take time, Sonata. For now just relax. We’re on vacation, after all. Think of all the boys they'll be on the beach tomorrow. I bet they'd love to rub lotion all over you," Adagio grinned.

Sonata looked away, blushing.

“I’m gonna turn in,” Adagio yawned, standing up. She cracked her back in a few places, and began the short walk back to their cabin. “When you guys are done put that fire out!”

“She’s not right in the head, I swear,” Aria chuckled.

When no response came, Aria glanced over at Sonata, whose expression looked deep in thought.

“Hey, you alright?”

Sonata nodded silently, continuing to prod at the fire with a stick. Aria cocked an eyebrow. It was unlike her younger sister to be quiet in general, never mind while they were on vacation. Thinking about it now, she hadn't said much this past hour.

“What’s up dude?”

When Sonata spoke, her voice came out as barely a whisper.

“Do you remember earlier, when we went to the market?”

“Yeah?”

“And Adagio told me off for petting those dogs?”

Aria did briefly recall the memory, but at the time had dismissed it as part of Sonata’s usual shenanigans.

“Hey man, don’t worry about it. I’m sure you’ll see them again tomorrow.”

“But why did she have to shout at me?" Sonata mewled quietly. "I wasn't doing anything wrong.”

Aria hardly ever saw Sonata upset. Not properly upset, anyway. Throwing a tantrum because she didn't get things her own way was expected of her, almost a regular occurrence at this point. But now? She was looked genuinely hurt, which didn't sit well with Aria.

She was only half paying attention when Adagio shouted at her, but for it to have still been bothering her, Aria could only guess she must have missed out on something important.

“Ahh well, you know what Adagio is like," she sympathized, offering a shrug. "She was probably just annoyed at that guy who pushed in and ended up taking it out on you. It’s not worth worrying about, dude.”

“She made me feel like crap.”

There was a level of harshness in her tone. She almost sounded angry?

“I mean," Aria let out a laugh, "you spend a lot of time annoying us both, you can hardly blame her.”

Her attempt at lightening the situation went un-returned. Even from here, Aria could see the reflection of the fire in Sonata's scowl. She looked oddly intimating from this angle.

As her loud words hung in the air, a silence settled over the camp.

Sonata was probably just drunk, Aria thought. Throughout the day the three of them had been lightly sipping at tropical drinks, more than a few she was sure were alcoholic. Saying that, Sonata had been drunk before and her mood had never taken a swing like this.

Aria turned her attention towards the ocean. The moon was rising, making the horizon look truly painting-esqe.

Her prior words were correct, the environment did definitely remind her of being in Equestria. True, she was very young when they were banished to this world, but there were some images that had been burned into her mind, likely for the rest of her life. One of which was of the three of them playing in the shallows of a beach exactly like this.

Well, not exactly alike, for obvious reasons. But enough for her to get a welling of nostalgia, just as a cool breeze made it's way over her body.

“I want to get stronger.”

Aria, whose attention had temporarily been lost, turned back towards her sister.

Sonata’s exclamation was sudden. In fact, her whole demeanor had changed. Her knees were tight together, her hands wrapped in fists and an new -rarely before seen- intense expression on her face. There was a fire in her eyes, and now it was no longer just a reflection.

Aria blinked.

“What..?”

“Stronger. I want to get stronger, like you and Adagio.”

Her voice was strong, and went straight through her. It wasn’t usual she, or anyone for that matter, saw Sonata get serious. Aria forced out a light laughter, and waved her off.

“You’re fine the way you are, don’t worry about it.”

“No, I’m not!”

Aria leaned back against her log. Now Sonata was shouting, and she had no desire to be present for that. She was having a nice night and she wasn't about to get shouted at or dragged into an argument. But as she opened her mouth to stop Sonata, she was beaten to it.

"I'm the weakest one here and I'm sick of it. You think I don't see the way you guys roll your eyes at me?"

Adagio must have really degraded her earlier, Aria thought again.

Was that was this all was about? One small argument on the beach?

She bit her lip and tried to choose her next words carefully.

“Look, dude… we’re all really powerful. Just because you’re the weakest doesn’t mean anything. You’re still stronger than anyone else.”

“Well it doesn’t feel like it,” Sonata huffed, crossing her arms. “I’m just the comic relief.”

“You like being the comic relief?” Aria shot back.

“What I like is being adored... I just go a different way about it than you two. What I don’t like is being treated like I’m less because of it.”

Aria frowned.

She did empathize with her, sure, but she was alarmed she'd never seen this side of her little sister before. To some degree she had always taken Sonata at face-value, the thought that she was secretly unhappy with the way things were... frankly, had never even occurred to her.

“Sonata, we don’t treat you like you’re less. We argue, yeah... but you’re just as much a part of this group as either of us are.”

The younger girl scoffed.

“You don’t see me as anything other than your little sister.”

“Where has all this even come from?” Aria asked a bit more confidently. “We were having a nice night, what’s brought this on?”

“Does it matter? What I’m saying isn’t wrong.”

“Look… Sonata… I just said, we think you’re important, alright? What more do you want from me?”

“Why do we let Adagio call the shots, Aria?”

“Becau… what?”

Sonata’s sudden change of direction made her trip over her words.

Was Sonata mad over the power Adagio had? Where had that come from?

As Aria tried to piece together her mindset and form a response, Sonata continued.

“Because she’s the oldest, isn’t it? She’s the oldest, and the smartest, so she’s at the top. I’m the youngest and the weakest, so I’m at the bottom.”

Aria stammered, “and that bottom is still miles above everyone else in this world!”

“I’m not talking about them! I’m talking about me!”

Sonata’s voice was steadily getting louder. Aria began subtly looking for escape routes.

You is fine, Sonata. Now please, just-”

“Why should I settle for fine?”

Aria let out a silent groan.

“What are you even getting mad at?” she stressed.

“You know what I’m talking about, Aria! You feel that way too!” Sonata pointed a sharp finger at her. “That’s why you always argue with Adagio! You know it’s unfair.”

What’s unfair?”

“Why should Adagio get to lead? Because she’s the oldest sounds like a pretty lame reason to me.”

“You…?”

Aria stopped herself. This conversation was making her rapidly uncomfortable. She was struggling to keep up with Sonata's thought process, but now it sounded like she was straying into outright treasonous territories. Aria squinted, swallowed, and started again, calmer this time.

“You’re... not saying… are you?”

Sonata turned away from the fire. Even from here, Aria could see the grimace written across her face.

“She hasn’t gotten us anywhere. I could be just as strong as her, if not better.”

Aria felt a wave of goosebumps rush up her back. She checked the surrounding area for any creeping eyes.

“Sonata… she’s our sister…”

“And?”

“And, we love her!” she emphasized. “That’s what comes first. We’re all in this together, dude.”

“I will always love Adagio,” the younger girl said plainly, but then followed it up with a less enthusiastic, “But we aren’t normal sisters, we have a goal we need to achieve. And Adagio isn’t going to get us there.”

“And you can?” she asked. “That’s what you’re saying?”

“I deserve a chance to try.”

Aria gave a light chuckle, giving another last-ditch attempt at lightening the ever-decreasing mood.

“I mean... I hate to break it to ya kid, but I’m kinda next in line. As soon as Adagio decides to retire, the reigns are onto me.”

“Why?”

“Because…”

“Because you’re the next oldest?”

“N-no!”

“Buzz off, Aria, you know that’s what it is.”

Aria moaned, rubbing at her temples.

“And so what if it is? What’re you going to do, fight me to be in charge?”

Aria didn't know what was going on with Sonata, but she didn't like it one bit. Sonata had always been the happy-go-lucky-blonde trope to the absolute max. It wasn't that she was surprised to be seeing this side of her, she was shocked that it even existed.

The younger girls silence was almost worse than an answer.

“Sonata… what is going on with you tonight?”

She sneered in response.

“Living in somebody's shadow gives you a perfect view of their back. I just think it’s important you two remember that. I’m going to bed.”

“I don’t think you are."

Aria and Sonata both seized up.

Neither of them had said that.

Adagio stepped forward from the darkness. The dancing flames exaggerated her appearance, half concealing her face in shadow. Her demon-like appearance did nothing to ease the rapidly increasing panic the girls were feeling.

“Adagio!” Aria half-yelled. “H-how long have you-”

“Long enough.”

She cocked a hip to the side, eyeballing Sonata.

“So, you think you could do a better job than me?”

Sonata’s demeanor changed yet again. She had the same look of determination on her face, but her head scornfully sank to the floor. Through her teeth, her response was quiet, and very forced.

“I wouldn’t have said it if I knew you were there.”

“Look at me when I’m talking to you.”

Sonata looked up, begrudgingly.

“Well, do you?” Adagio repeated.

Aria could see the growing fear in Sonata’s eyes. Frankly, with how scared she knew her sister was of confrontation, she was surprised she hadn’t already started crying.

“If you think you are so much better than me, then why haven’t you tried to lead before?” Adagio asked. “Heck, even Aria stands up for herself sometimes, but you? You’ve never shown any determination to get us where we want to go, or anything to prove you’re worthy. What I want to know is where this has all come from and what changed?”

“It’s always been there,” Sonata growled. “I hate being in your shadows. I stay there because it’s safe and you’re a good leader. But I’m starting to think that’s changed.”

Aria caught her breath in her throat.

Thousands of years the sisters had been together, and Sonata had rarely said anything intentionally hurtful to Adagio, never mind questioning her ability to lead. Not only that, but Aria knew what happened to those that questioned Adagio's authority. Heck, she had the scars to prove it.

Silently, she willed Sonata to shut up.

Adagio pursed her lips. There was an obvious anger beginning to boil behind her as of yet, calm eyes.

“Alright then, stand up.”

“What?”

“You think you stand a chance against me, then stand up.”

That was it, she knew where this was going.

“Woah, woah, woah!”

Aria leaped up from her sitting position and situation herself between Adagio and the still-stationary Sonata.

“This is getting out of hand! We’ve all had something to drink, let's just forget about this and go to bed.”

“We’ve had cider, we’re completely fine. Sonata wants to play with the big girls, I say let her," Adagio sneered.

Aria glared at her.

“Adagio, think about what you are doing, you are n-”

“Okay then.”

She hadn’t noticed Sonata move. Her younger sister now stood inches behind her, staring daggers at Adagio. Aria’s hand shot onto her sisters chests, forcing them apart.

“Stop it! Both of you! Jesus, what is it with you?!”

When neither sister took their cue to move, Aria leaped at the silence.

“We are sisters and we shouldn’t be fighting! Let’s talk about this, since it’s obviously something that’s important to Sonata. Adagio, can you do that? Will you hear her out?”

“I think Sonata has made her point perfectly clear, Aria,” Adagio spat. “She hates us and thinks she should be the one in charge, isn’t that right?”

“I don’t hate you. I’d never hate either of you,” Sonata shook her head. “But I hate the way you treat me.”

“You’ve never had a problem with it before.”

“Or maybe I’ve just hidden it?”

“That’s your own fault, not ours.”

“You should have treated me like a sister, not like a pet!”

“Then you should stop acting like one.”

Sonata lunged forward. From her standpoint, all Aria could do to stop her was throw her own body weight into hers. With a push, she collapsed into her sister, sending them both flailing onto the sand.

"Arrghh!"

Fighting, Sonata tried to pull herself free, but Aria forced her weight onto her back. When it came to physical strength Aria had both of her sisters beat, and Sonata took a faceful of sand. The exchange was over as quick as it began.

“I hate you!”

“Don’t say that! Don’t you ever say that!” Aria snapped at her sister, tightening her grip.

“No, let her, by all means,” Adagio scowled.

Adagio remained completely unphased from Sonata’s attack and had yet to move from her original position.

“It seems all is coming out, finally. Let her talk, as I suspect she shan’t be getting another chance.”

“Is that a threat?” Sonata hissed, trying still to fight Aria’s grasp.

“An observation, sweetheart. Me and Aria are fine, but I am beginning to suspect maybe the alcohol has gone to your head.”

“I’m not drunk!”

“I’m going to ignore you saying that because right now you have a free-pass and I would hate to ruin that for you. So by all means, continue.”

Sonata ceased her fighting, and chewed her lip for a moment before answering.

“Aria, get off me.”

“Absolutely not.”

“I’m not going to do anything, I’m fine. Plus you’re really boney.”

Slowly, Aria lifted herself off Sonata. Only when she was positive the smaller girl wasn’t about to take another leap at her sister did she fully pull back and relax. Sonata forced herself up into a sitting position.

“Sit down.”

Adagio cocked an eyebrow.

“You’re giving me orders?”

“Yes.”

A second of silence passed over.

After it did, to Aria’s amazement, Adagio obeyed, and sat cross-legged in the sand. She suspected it was more out of curiosity to hear what Sonata had to say, rather than respect.

“Well, isn’t this quaint.”

Sonata looked to be at her boiling point, but didn’t respond. A second passed over the two where neither spoke.

Safe to say, Aria’s heart was in her mouth.

Adagio began.

“You don’t know me.”

“Yes I do.”

“No, you don’t,” she spat. “You’re stuck in your Sonata-world where everything is cutesy and innocent all the time. You have no idea how the life really works, you’ve always had me and Aria there to cushion the blow for you. You don’t know what I’ve been through to give us our success. You don’t know what I’ve done, and you don’t know the first thing about survival.”

“It’s been like that since we were kids. Well guess what, Adagio?” Sonata asked. “I grew up! I listened, and I watched, and I learned. You and Aria never saw me as anything other than the little sister, but I’m beginning to see you both for what you are.”

Adagio pursed her lips.

“Now, I’m sure this will be interesting. What are we?”

Sonata grimaced, disgust heavy in her voice.

“You’re an egomaniac who thinks you can do no wrong. Well you have done wrong, and now we’ve all lost our powers. Aria hides her insecurities by dragging others down and-”

“And you’re a sheltered, spoiled brat?” Adagio interrupted.

Sonata winced. She took a deep breath, clenching her jaw.

“I’m better than you give me credit for,” she growled.

“Too bad you’ll never get a chance to show us. Not unless you plan on killing me and Aria in our sleep. Do you plan on killing us in our sleep?”

“I’d never hurt either of you.”

“Didn’t look that way when you tried to punch me just then.”

“You started it.”

“You wanted it.”

“Yes.”

A second of stillness passed over the group, and suddenly the only sound present was the slow back and forth of the waves on the sand.

Adagio had remained completely unphased during their argument, while Sonata still looked to be at her boiling point. Aria’s eyes played ping pong as her gaze swapped from sister to sister, eager, yet dreading, to know what would happen next.

“Do you feel better now you’ve said that?”

Adagio’s voice was quieter than it was before, Aria observed.

“Depends, will it change anything?”

“Probably not.”

Sonata looked like she was about to say something, but stopped herself, biting her lip. It looked like whatever fire had ignited in her to start this had finally ran its course, and she slowly hung her head in defeat.

Adagio turned to Aria, who couldn’t help but flinch at her gaze.

“What about you? Since all cards are apparently being laid out, you might as well say your piece. How do you feel about us?”

Despite only Adagio’s eyes being on her, Aria suddenly felt center-stage.

Adagio had a point, they were laying all cards on the table, and it was no secret to anyone that Aria had problems with the way Adagio ran things. But why did this conversation seem to have some kind of finality to it?

How many years had they been building up to this exchange, and why had it come out now? Was why it was happening even as important as the fact that, right now, she had an opportunity to say what she had always wanted to them both? And even then, was the chance to say something even worth it?

She wasn’t able to complete her thought, not before her instincts kicked in and words escaped her mouth.

“I agree with Sonata.”

Sonata perked up, lifting her head.

“You do?”

Aria didn’t break her focus on Adagio. She decided to ride the roller-coaster, and let her mouth take over the driver's seat.

“You’re an ego-driven narcissist. But I also agree with you.”

Her direction changed to the broken Sonata.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about and have no idea how the real world works. And honestly? I think the only thing that can be taken from both of your arguments is that you’re both unfit to be the leader.”

“Here we go,” Adagio smiled coldly. “But you are?”

“I’ve gone through just as much as you, Adagio,” she said flatly. “But I’ve also had to live with Sonata’s frustration over not having a part in the decision making. The difference between me and her is I’ve known you longer than she has, and I know you’d rather die than not be in charge. So I’ve accepted the way things are, but that doesn’t mean I have to be happy about it.”

Adagio nodded, seemingly agreeing with her words.

“Do you both know why I’m in charge?”

“Because you’re the oldest?” they answered identically.

She nodded, closing her eyes.

“Partly. Being the oldest makes me the most experienced. Experience equals wisdom. I’m a brilliant strategist, and I know how to lead, but there’s something more,” Adagio took her time with her words, and Aria observed again that her tone was again different to before.

“I would die for either of you. And I would kill for you, too.”

Slowly, she gestured to each of her sisters.

“Aria, you’re too aggressive to be in charge. Sonata, you’re not aggressive enough.”

“That can change!”

“It doesn’t need to change,” she shut her down. “We aren’t Adagio, Aria and Sonata. We are the Dazzlings. We are sisters, and we are a team. If any one of us left, the group would fall apart. You’d both be lost without me, and I wouldn’t know what to do without you. Aria pushes me and keeps me on my toes, Sonata gives me something I want to protect.”

“I’m not innocent!”

Aria’s hand jumped, slapping Sonata lightly on her leg.

“Let her finish,” she told the younger girl.

That wasn’t her sisterly instincts kicking in, but rather a genuine desire to hear Adagio speak. A rare opportunity had presented itself to the three tonight, and it appeared now was Adagio’s turn to lay her cards down.

Adagio, meanwhile, carried on as if she hadn’t heard either party speak.

“You two wouldn’t be here without me. But just the same, I wouldn’t be here without you. I have based my entire life around caring for the both of you, and so however great I supposedly think I am... is entirely down to the both of you. I am in charge because it’s part of who I am. A gear stick wouldn’t function as a steering wheel, Sonata, and you wouldn’t function as the leader. That may seem unfair but it’s the way things are and always will be. Do you understand me?”

As the sisters processed her words, both of them found it difficult to cultivate a coherent response.

The sound of the waves again suddenly seemed extremely loud.

“We don’t come separately, we come as a team. As sisters.”

A chill shot up Aria’s back, this time nothing to do with the ocean breeze.

Hearing Adagio talk about them the way she just had… it messed with her. Everything she said made perfect sense, yet somehow, had never occurred to Aria before. She was able to put into words something that they were all always aware of, but never focused on. It was as obvious as the sun was yellow, but had never occurred to her to question it in much the same way.

A steady growing of guilty began to build in her stomach.

“I’m sorry.”

The response had come not from her, but from Sonata, whose words were quiet and quick. Aria glanced to her side. Sonata was now on her knees, leaning forward and squeezing tightly at a beach rock.

Adagio nodded.

“I’m going to bed. The fires gone out and I’m getting cold, you both should turn in too.”

Aria hadn't noticed the fire go out.

With that Adagio stood, brushed herself off, and without a second glance back, began to move away from the two.

“Adagio, I’m sorry!” Sonata half-shouted.

Though she wasn’t sure if it was a trick of the rapidly-decreasing light or not, Aria swore Adagio’s walking pace slowed.

“I know.”

With that the older sister disappeared back into the darkness as quickly as she had come. Leaving the two sisters alone, Aria became aware of the strained breaths coming from beside her.

“Sonata…?”

The youngest sibling had collapsed onto all fours. She was gripping handfuls of the sand, and appeared... in pain?

Aria leaned forward, placing a hand on her shoulder.

“Why am I crying?” Sonata hissed. “Adagio was right. I am weak.”

Aria's mouth hung open.

“That... really can’t be all you got from that?”

Sonata let out a frustrated cry, and hit at the sand in front of her.

“You don’t know what it’s like, Aria! To have to live in someone's shadow.”

Aria shook her head, and a sting of sadness washed over her.

Seeing her sister like this wasn’t good for her heart, but the disappointment that she had taken nothing from Adagio’s speech was almost worse.

“Yes, I do,” she answered solemnly.

Sonata responded, but Aria couldn’t decipher her crying breaths. Instead she leaned forward, wrapping her arms around the shivering girl and pulling her into a half-hug.

Aria’s voice dropped to below a whisper.

“Come on, please. You’ve done all you can. Let's end this.”

Sonata didn’t answer, but nodded her head in agreement.

Aria helped Sonata onto her own two feet. The girl was shaking, but stable. Although it hadn’t occurred to her, Aria was beginning to suspect Adagio’s accusation was right, and that Sonata was drunker than either of them were aware. As she took lead and began to lead them into the jungle darkness, Sonata didn’t release her grip of her sisters hand.

“You want to stay in my room tonight?” Aria asked.

Sonata may have gestured a response, but the darkness was now so heavy she couldn’t make out what it was. Taking it as a yes, she pulled the girl closer behind her.

“I don’t think you’re weak, yanno. A spoiled, annoying and sometimes wholesome brat, maybe. But not weak.”

Behind her, Sonata’s quiet voice broke through the darkness.

“I don’t think you’re weak, either.”

Biting her lip, she gave Sonata’s hand another squeeze.

“Come on, let’s go to bed. It’s freezing out here.”

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