[Robots and Magic] New Memories, Old Enemies

3. 𝘞𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘫𝘢𝘤𝘬-𝘰-𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘑𝘶𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘬𝘺

[Author's note]

Before we continue, I also made a few redesigns of the icons themselves. You can find more of my art from my Carrd link (right in my bio). Please ask for permission and credit me if you want to use them!

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"We've been driving for hours now. Just admit it, we are lost!" Aria grunted through clenched teeth, gripping the steering wheel of the minibus tightly as she sped down the seemingly endless stretch of road. The late afternoon sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, the long pine trees casting long shadows over the path. Her impatience radiated off her in waves, her gaze briefly flicking from the path to the GPS in Adagio's hands.

"I know what I'm doing, Aria." her amber sister responded, "This is the only right way. We just haven't reached the turn yet. Maybe focus on the road instead of glaring at me all the time."

The violet girl let out a huff, her annoyance boiling just beneath the surface, "It'd be a lot easier if we still had our flying powers."

"Well, we don't. And we have to deal with it. At least I was smart enough to sign us up for driving lessons. Not that you're ever grateful for anything. To be honest, these vehicles are far more comfortable than those dreadful carriages those ponies used to drag around."

Aria barely suppressed another growl, "What I am thankful for is that Sonata finally fell asleep." she gestured to the back of the bus, where their younger sibling was sprawled out on the cushions, fast asleep, "I swear I would've thrown her out the window if she didn't stop asking if we have arrived yet every five minutes."

A brief silence fell between them, thick with tension. The only sounds were the hum of the engine and the faint whistling of the wind as it passed through the slightly cracked windows. The monotonous rhythm should have been soothing, but for the purple siren, it was maddening. After a few more minutes of driving in quietness, her eyes darted to her sister, who was staring out the window, her expression distant and unusually contemplative.

"You've been acting weird lately." Aria muttered, "More than usual."

Adagio's face hardened into a familiar scowl, "Oh, I am?" she asked with sarcasm and thinly veiled irritation.

Her violet sibling clenched her jaw, her knuckles whitening on the wheel. She wasn't in the mood for another one of her power plays, "Forget it..." she grumbled, returning her focus to the road.

"I just have this odd feeling... something is going on in this world." Adagio murmured as she stared at the outside view.

"You mean the Equestrian magic?" Aria questioned, raising an eyebrow. Her skepticism was palpable but she wasn't entirely dismissive.

The amber female shook her head, "If it was, I would have figured it out already." she sighed, rubbing her temple, "No, this is something else... completely different. But I can't pinpoint what it is."