Woo, new chapter! This is where things really start to gain momentum. Now the story will get a bit more exciting.


Aria flew through the air at a casual speed, taking her time, allowing herself to think. Was she doing the right thing? No, probably not. But, then again, when is she ever? Sonata blamed her, Adagio had yelled at her, blaming her. What next? She just couldn't seem to do anything right anymore. Ugh, and she'd just about had enough of Adagio. Her loud mouth, arrogance, and attitude were insufferable. She was right all the time. She's SO perfect. She's the one who makes all the decisions. Aria growled. That damn wench and her bitchiness.

But then…there was Sonata. She was the one she really cared about. But…she just felt so…betrayed. Sonata had said she loved her, but…if she did, then why had she taken Adagio's side? Why did she just…ditch her like that? At a time when she needed her most, she just…turned on her. Why? Didn't she see where Adagio was leading them? How Adagio had screwed them over in the long run? She growled again. No, of course she doesn't. Because Adagio's always right. Which is why Aria was doing what she was. Adagio hated her, and Sonata had taken that hag's side. And everyone else hated her, too. So…what was the point of going on further like this? What was the point of pretending to be something she wasn't just to please the ones she cared about? No one cared about her, so there wasn't a reason for her to be to their standard. She didn't care what others thought, because she knew what she was.

She was alone.

She was hurt.

But most of all…she was angry.

She was a siren, and she would be one.

Suddenly, without warning, she felt a presence, and she shook her head from her thoughts. She looked around, but there was no one there. Then, she heard a sickeningly familiar voice. Yes. Go. Quickly. You must go. Aria shook her head and growled.

"Dear Celestia, not you again!" She snarled, recognizing the voice immediately. It was her other self. The voice chuckled darkly. I knew you'd come under the influence eventually. I mean, you're will is about as weak as Sonata's brainpower. It was pretty much a given. "Hey! Don't you dare talk about her like that!" Oh, defending the one who didn't care enough to defend you? How beautiful. And how…stupid. "What do you mean?" Oh, don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about. You shouldn't waste you're energy caring about someone when they won't use any to care about you. So now you have to look after number one. Sonata's in the past, now. She didn't really love you. She only held you back. But now you're free. You're the leader now. You. "What? Leader of who?" Yourself. You can do whatever you want now, and no one will hold you back. No one will stop you. No one will say you can't. You are your own leader, and that is the best kind. "So…it's okay to be what I once was? To bend people to my will? Have it all to myself?" That's right. All to yourself. And who cares if others get mad? You can just get your newly-regained powers and wipe them out. You'd be…unstoppable. Star Swirl isn't around anymore. No one will be able to stand against your might. Aria gasped. "That's right! That old wizard isn't around anymore." She then laughed. "Hahaha! This is perfect! You were right! It's time I follow my own path! Screw Adagio! I don't need anyone!" Yes! That's right! You got it! Now go! You must hurry! Hurry to your destiny of ruling over Equestria once again!

Without hesitation, Aria quickened her pace and slashed at the water as she sliced through the air, heading towards the caves where the strange, old mare dwelled.

~o~

When she arrived, she morphed into a pony so that she'd be able to fit through the tunnel that lead to the main caves. As she walked, she could feel eyes on her. Watching her every move. Her ears pinned against her head, and she walked more cautiously, her gaze flitting about her surroundings. She walked until she came to the main cave from before, only this time, it was already lit, and she could see everything. But there was no one. No ponies. No elderly pony. No one. She looked around, her ears perked for any sounds. Suddenly, she heard something behind her, and she turned. There, standing between her and the exit, was the one she was looking for. Her hood was still down, exposing her oddly colored mane, and her even odder colored eyes. She smiled warmly at Aria, but there was also a hint of mischief in her expression, though Aria didn't notice.

"Welcome, darling! I'm so glad you returned." She said.

"Uh…h-hi." Aria muttered unsurely. The pony chuckled.

"Now, now, don't be shy, dear. You're welcome in this place." She then paused, and walked up to Aria. "So…I imagine you're here to accept the offer I made." She asked, almost too eagerly. Aria nodded. "Excellent! Follow me, my dear." She said, walking towards the center of the cave. Aria followed close behind. When the old mare stopped, she sat on her haunches and clapped her forehooves together a couple times. In no time at all, a tan pony came in holding a box on his back. The elderly pony smiled in thanks as she picked the box up with her magic before shooing the pony away again. She set the box down upon a small rocky formation jutting out of the ground that she supposedly doubled as some sort of table.

"Hey, so…uh…" Aria began awkwardly. "…I never really got your name." The elderly pony looked at Aria with slight surprise, and a flicker of anxiety crossed her face. But in a moment, it was gone, and she smiled warmly again.

"Oh, where are my manners?" She chuckled. "My name is…Niova."

"Oh. What…what does that mean?"

"It means chang-" She cut off her own sentence of before she could finish, and she gulped. "Uh…actually, it doesn't really mean anything. It's just a name from where I come from."

"Is that so?"

"Indeed." She said, moving to open the box.

"And where exactly do you come fro-"

"Enough questions!" The pony huffed, then straightened herself to look proper again. "Sorry, it's just...I dislike talking about my past is all." She lied. But Aria thought nothing suspicious of the old pony, and nodded in understanding.

"Yeah, okay. I get it. I won't ask anymore personal questions." 'Niova' smiled and nodded gratefully.

"Okay, back on topic again..." She began. "...let me explain to you the details of the deal." Aria watched as she opened the box, revealing three necklaces with blue gems as pendants, and one with a dark purple pendant. The purple was so dark, it almost looked black. But they weren't heptagonal like the sirens' previous pendants. These ones were oval. Aria raised an eyebrow.

"Okay, sooo...why are there four?"

"Ah, well, you see...I was hoping that maybe your sister sirens might join as well, but this is unfortunately not what has happened." Aria scoffed at the term 'sister sirens' before speaking.

"Yeah, well...they wouldn't be of much use anyway. They're hopeless idiots." She growled. 'Niova' sighed in fake sympathy.

"Well, for what it's worth, I'm sorry you three aren't as close as you once were, but just think of it like this: the less you have to share the power, the more you will have all to yourself." Aria grinned.

"Indeed. Now, about the stones..."

"Ah, yes, the stones. You see, you can choose any of the blue ones. They're all the same. But the purple one is mine."

"And what is the purple one for?"

"It's just...it just acts as an enhancement to the magic in the blue stones." She lied. "You see, these stones aren't 'pure,' as your siren gems were. These were artificially created, therefore they aren't as strong. So, in order for you to preform to the best of your ability, it needs this purple one to act as a medium to channel the magic needed." Aria nodded, pretending to understand what the old hag was blathering on about. She was just eager to get her hooves on the gem. She wanted to show everypony that she was top dog now. She looked at the gems.

And there's only one way to do it.


Welp, everypony's screwed XD