"Not a simple wound. It won't be easy to fix her. But she can start by drinking this elixir." Adagio, who was in pony form, sniffed the bottle that was being handed to her by the weird, striped pony and recoiled. It smelled like sour milk. But, reluctantly, she took it anyway.

"I'll tilt her head up. You pour it down her throat." Aria, who was also currently a pony, offered. Adagio nodded and limped over to the two. As Aria did as she said she would, Adagio carefully pried Sonata's jaws apart and poured the neon purple liquid down her throat.

"And, uh…what, exactly, will this do for her?"

"It will relax her and keep her still, or the bones may move as broken ones will." Adagio dropped the bottle onto the grass and gave Zecora an unamused look.

"Okay, witchdoctor, why do you always rhyme? Why can't you talk like a normal pony?" Zecora chuckled.

"There is a reason to why I rhyme, but that's a story for some other time." She said with a wink. Adagio facehoofed. "But, in seriousness, you should get her home; a place to rest and heal her bones." Adagio was about to snidely comment again, but Aria intentionally interrupted her.

"Is it safe to carry her in her condition…? 'Cause our home is…kinda far away…"

"One holds the neck, and the other holds the tail, a trip home should be easy to prevail." Aria nodded, but Adagio scowled.

"That is really bothering me…"

"Adagio, just drop it. If she wants to talk like that, then let her. It's not like she's speaking a different language."

"She might as well be…"

"Oh, stop being such a drama queen."

"At least I'm not speaking in rhymes like some sorta weirdo."

"She's standing right there, ya know…"

"So?" Aria sighed and rolled her eyes.

"Look, can you just help me take her home now? She needs to rest somewhere quiet." Adagio gave one last glance at Zecora before nodding. Both she and Aria morphed into their sirenic forms and grabbed Sonata, with Aria grabbing her neck, and Adagio grabbing her tail. Together, they lifted her into the air. Damn, she was heavy. Aria looked at Zecora and gave her a smile of thanks. The zebra nodded and smiled back as she watched them leave, the large, grey dragon taking off right behind them.

~o~

As Adagio and Aria flew, the purple siren stared at Adagio for most of the time, trying to read what was going on in her head. But her former leader was emotionless, and looked to be deep in thought as her eyes trained on the horizon, yet were slightly downcast. Aria sighed. She knew that Adagio had missed her, but…would she ever accept her back into her family after what she'd done? How she betrayed them? If she could, she'd give everything back. Undo it all. But she couldn't. It's times like this when life teaches you a lesson, kind of like when your parent scolds you and gives you a punishment. Aria had done wrong. She knew that. And she was getting punished for it. And she deserved whatever Adagio chose to do with her. She wouldn't protest. If she could hardly forgive herself, then…how could the others? Especially Sonata…she'd hurt her so badly…so many times…

Aria closed her eyes and sighed. Despite defeating Chrysalis, gaining Celestia's approval, and reuniting with her fellow sirens, all she wanted to do was…disappear. She was so embarrassed. So disappointed in herself. So…ashamed. She could barely bring herself to look Adagio in the eyes. She doubted she could even look at Sonata at all when she woke up. She was too afraid of what she'd say or do. All this worrying…all because she had been stupid. Way to go, Aria. You did it again. You screwed everything up. If not for the fact that she was holding Sonata's neck in her jaws, she'd be grinding her teeth angrily at her own self-loathing. Many might say that such thoughts were 'overdramatic' or 'depressing', but that's just how she felt. And it didn't help that she was carrying one who'd been hurt because of her. Aria squeezed her eyes shut as a single thought crossed her mind.

Why are you such a screwup?

~o~

When they got back to that familiar large rock jutting out of the ocean's surface, they landed and lied Sonata gently down, making sure to lie her on the side that didn't have the broken ribs. Steven landed near them and began absentmindedly grooming herself, which was now pointless because she didn't have fur. Aria lied down next to the blue siren's head and placed her muzzle against it, emitting a soft purr. A few feet away, Adagio lied down as well and stole a quick glance at Aria before shifting her gaze downward to the rock she was resting on.

"She missed you." She said simply. Aria blinked for a moment before sighing.

"I know."

"She was so sad."

"I know…"

"She cried herself to sleep every night…" This made Aria look up, and she lowered her ears.

"She…did?" Adagio cast a sideways glance at Aria.

"Why wouldn't she? You broke her heart…"

"I know, but…" Aria fumbled for words, but she couldn't find anything to say.

"Aria, I…need to speak with you privately. I don't want her accidentally hearing any of this…" Aria's eyes widened.

"Uh, okay…" She said, a curious expression on her face. Adagio dragged herself to the far edge of the rocks and looked back at Aria.

"Come on." She said before plunging into the water. Aria flew over to the edge of the rocks and, after taking a quick look back at Sonata, dove into the water as well. She followed Adagio down to the sea floor, where the golden siren was waiting patiently. When Aria reached her, she began swimming, and the purple siren swam next to her. Unexpectedly, Adagio did not talk. She looked straight ahead as she swam, and not a peep came from her. Wasn't there something she wanted to talk about? Whatever. Aria decided to start her own conversation.

"So, Adagio, I've been meaning to ask…what happened to your leg?" She asked, looking at the oddly angled limb. Adagio huffed.

"Chrysalis shattered my shoulder."

"Oh…" Aria looked down. "Sorry…" Adagio glanced at her.

"Sirens heal fast, remember? It'll be better in no time."

"But it's shattered."

"Doesn't matter. It'll heal, and that's that. Now to talk about what I want to talk about." She said as she suddenly halted and lied herself down on the sandy ocean floor. Aria cocked her head slightly and lied down next to her.

"What is it…?"

"I want to talk about Sonata." Aria's ears immediately went back. "Ever since you left, she's been heartbroken, sad, unmotivated, and just…not herself. And, normally, I'm a strong siren, but…even I felt down seeing her like that…" She sighed. "I just want you to promise me one thing. If you never keep another promise to me in your entire life, please just keep this one…"

"Wh-what is it…?"

"Please…please don't break her heart again…" She muttered. "Promise me."

"I…I promise. I do. I never meant to before, I just…" She sighed. "…I promise…"

"Good." Aria gave Adagio a curious, if not confused, glance.

"Why…why does that mean so much to you…?" Adagio lowered her ears slightly and looked directly at Aria.

"Because she's fragile." She said in a slightly shaky and intense voice. "And because she's family." Aria looked away.

"Oh…" She said with a sigh. But her ears perked straight up and her eyes widened when the next few words exited Adagio's mouth.

"And because…I used to love her…" Aria's head snapped in Adagio's direction, her mouth slightly agape in shock. The golden siren was staring at the ground between her forelegs, her ears pinned tight against her head. But before Aria could comprehend what she just said and respond, Adagio spoke again. "Heh…I don't need to look up to know what your reaction is…"

"B-but I…when…what?"

"When we were younger, Sonata and I used to be closer. We all were. She held my heart, then. I never acted on it, though…" Aria's ears perked further with interest.

"W-why…?" Adagio lifted her gaze to look at the purple siren.

"Because…of you."

"Me?" Aria asked. Adagio nodded.

"I could see how close you two were getting. Practically inseparable. Heh…even to this day. I accepted it a long time ago that she was better off with you. You completed each other so perfectly. A grumpy, pompous, seemingly loveless spirit, and a spirit who is kind, generous, joyful, bubbly, and has love to spare. Like two crooked pieces of a puzzle that only fit each other. You know it as well as I do. She needs you…and you need her." Adagio then put her face an inch away from Aria's, an intense glare in her expression. "And while I may not have feelings for her like I once did, I warn you…" She let out a growl. "If you ever break her heart again or fail to appreciate her in any way, you'll be hearing from me." She seethed. Aria pulled her head back slightly and nodded with a gulp.

"I-I have no intention to…" Adagio pulled her head back as well and nodded.

"You'd better not…" She said. "Now, w-" Adagio suddenly stiffened, and she bared her teeth, whirling around with a snarl. This startled Aria, and she turned around as well, only to see a familiar little dolphin watching them with big, flashy, green eyes. "A changeling!" She snarled. "Are you a rogue and want to have revenge?!" But before she could do anything, Aria pushed past her.

"Kid!" She said, sounding more happy than she intended. The dolphin chirped happily.

"Hi, Aria! I followed you here!" Aria rolled her eyes with a small smirk.

"Obviously." Adagio shook her head and glared at Aria.

"You personally know this changeling?" Aria nodded.

"He tagged along with me after I was cut off by Chrysalis. He followed me the whole way while I was looking for you."

"Yep!" The changeling answered, his eyes flashing happily. Adagio sighed.

"Alright, then…" She said, lowering her defenses and relaxing once again. She then looked at the changeling. "So, what are you doing here?" She asked. "Why aren't you with the other changelings?"

"'Cause I wanted to see Aria again! She's so nice!"

"Hey!" Aria protested. Adagio smirked and casted a sideways glance at Aria.

"Oh, is she?" She snickered. The changeling chirped and dove between Aria's forelegs, snuggling against her chest.

"Yep! She's even nicer than broodmother!" Aria rolled her eyes.

"That's not saying very much…" She mumbled under her breath. She then looked down at the changeling, and a small, barely noticeable smile formed on her expression.

"Heheh, didn't know you were so good with kids, Aria." Adagio taunted.

"Ngh…shut up…" She grumbled.

~o~O~o~

Her eye slowly fluttered open, and what met her gaze startled her beyond belief. A face. Inches away from hers. But not just any face. A changeling face. With a fearful, high-pitched shriek, Sonata lurched back, but immediately cried out in pain and fell back onto the rocks as a sharp pain in her side made itself known. She whimpered softly and looked at the changeling standing a few feet away.

"Guys, she's awake!" He yelled. Suddenly, she was met with Adagio's soothing voice in her ear.

"Hey, sweetheart. Calm down." She whispered. Sonata lifted her head and looked at the golden siren, who had a small, crooked smile on her face.

"D-dagi…? Why…why is there a…a changeling here…?" Her eyes then widened, and she looked around rapidly. "W-wait, where's the battle?! Is it over?! Did we lose?! Where is everyone?!" Adagio chuckled softly and placed her chin on top of Sonata's head before slowly bringing it down, forcing her to lie her head back down. She then smiled at the blue siren and licked her cheek.

"Don't worry, we won. Chrysalis was defeated. The changelings have abandoned her. They're on our side, now." She then rubbed her cheek against Sonata's comfortingly. "We're home, now…" Sonata blinked and stole a suspicious glance at the small changeling.

"But why is he here…?" Adagio smirked slightly.

"Let's just say that he's…a friend of the family." Sonata lifted her head again and cocked it slightly.

"But I don't know him."

"Well, he's more a friend of Aria's." Adagio said, deciding to drop the small hint, hoping Sonata would pick it up. Thankfully, she did.

"A-aria…?" Sonata's eyes widened. "He's here…and he's a friend of Aria…" She gasped. "Aria's alive?! She's here?!" Adagio smiled in amusement and nodded.

"Indeed she is. Aria, you can show yourself, now." There was a moment of hesitance before Sonata suddenly felt a hoof on her shoulder, and she whipped around. Hovering in the air right behind her was none other than the purple siren herself. Not even caring about the searing pain in her side, she gasped and immediately lunged at Aria, tackling her to the ground. Aria hit the rocks with an oof! Sonata cuddled her body against Aria's and purred deeply, nuzzling her neck happily. Aria chuckled.

"Well, hello there." She said. "That's quite a greeting." Sonata giggled and rubbed her cheek against Aria's.

"I missed you so much, Aria...I feared the worst, and I never thought you'd come back to us, and I...and I..." She suddenly stopped her spastic movements and became still, lowering her ears. "I thought..." She looked down and, as Aria watched, her eyes began to water. "...I thought you were dead..." A small tear rolled down her cheek as she looked at Aria. Aria lowered her ears and gently licked the tear away before nuzzling Sonata's muzzle.

"But I'm not..." She murmured. "I'm here...and I'm never leaving again..." She said soothingly. Sonata gave a soft purr and leaned into Aria. The purple siren cooed softly as she put her forelegs around Sonata and held her close, purring in return.

"Okay, that's enough of an overpowering display of emotion. Sonata, come over here and lie down. You need to be careful." Sonata lifted her head off of Aria's chest and looked at Adagio with a questioning expression.

"What? Why?"

"Because you're injured." Sonata's eyes shifted down to her own side, and she huffed before reluctantly separating herself from Aria and flying over to where Adagio instructed. Aria got up and went over to Sonata, lying down next to her. The blue siren smiled and rested her head on Aria's shoulder. Adagio looked at the purple siren. "You make sure she rests and gets some sleep. I'll be back soon."

"And where are you going?" Aria questioned as she watched Adagio moving towards the edge of the rocks. The golden siren looked at her.

"Hunting, of course. You two must be famished. I know I am." Aria nodded in agreement. Adagio took a quick look at the changeling sitting by before suddenly plunging into the waves. When Adagio was gone, Sonata lifted her head off of Aria and looked at her with the brightest of smiles.

"I'm so glad you came back." Aria smiled and licked Sonata's muzzle.

"Me too." Aria blinked when she suddenly felt something snuggle against her chest. Without needing to look, she knew it was the little changeling again. Ignoring him for now, Aria looked back at Sonata and sighed. "So..." She began slightly awkwardly. "...do...you forgive me? I understand if you don't, but I-" She was interrupted as Sonata pressed the front of her muzzle against the front of Aria's in a sort of human-esque kiss. After a few seconds, the blue siren pulled away and smiled.

"I forgive you. I know you didn't mean to do any of those things." Aria's expression became downcast.

"Oh, Sonata, but I did...I was conscious of what I was doing the whole time...but I thought it was what I wanted..." She looked Sonata directly in the eyes. "...until I saw what was really important...and what would really make me happiest. And that's being with you and Adagio...just like old times..." Sonata tilted her head slightly.

"But in old times, we weren't mates." Aria grinned and nuzzled Sonata again.

"Then I guess that's what makes the present better than the old times." She murmured. Sonata blushed softly and sighed in contentment, leaning against the love of her life.

"I love you, Ari..." She said, her eyelids drooping slightly. Aria smiled, and though she didn't feel comfortable saying such phrases, she knew that Sonata needed to hear it. She deserved to hear it.

"I love you too, Dusky..."

The affectionate display was then suddenly interrupted when a certain dragon happily wriggled her way in between them, having felt left out. Sonata giggled and nuzzled her, the dragon letting out a happy bark-like sound in response. Aria watched this, and she couldn't help but smile as well. Sonata was happy again. And she had made her that way.

Maybe I'm not such a screwup...after all.