Just when you think you know your Hippocampi, Liz’s headcanon takes another
turn for the intriguing. Friends of Frog, I present to you Adagio’s pups.

Some time hence in Junior Gala, we find Adagio happy and contented with her lover Sunset, their child Snowshine and Dagi’s sisters Sonata and Aria. But life is never that simple, and it’s brought to their attention that the Hippocampus species is waning dangerously and is swiftly on its way to extinction. The trio realize they ought to do their part to pass along their genes to assist the population, and it’s decided that the well-rounded Adagio is the best qualified for reproduction (also, the other two don’t wanna). With Sunset’s blessing, Adagio returns temporarily to the sea, mates with several members of her own species (Hippocampi are superfecund, utilizing the sperm of multiple males to sire their pups), and produces a clutch. However, as Adagio and her sisters have lived successfully as a team, the resulting daughters are given a never-before-seen option: fight and kill to be champion of the clutch as Hippocampi have always done, or choose not to participate in the Battle Royale, joining Sunset et al instead. While the vast majority of the pups take part in the massacre, five heed the beat of the new and different drum, teaming up together to create a “riot”, or a Hippocampus herd (’cuz what else do sirens cause if not a riot!).

From left to right…

Duet Cascade may be the smallest of the group, but she’s by far the most brutal. Believed by her mother and aunts to have been somewhat damaged within the egg, Duet can go from zero to Sharknado at the drop of a hat–and her sisters have no problem at all with using her as their secret weapon. Duet’s bizarre fearlessness is, conversely, the source of her greatest fear: so prone is she to barreling into danger without a second thought, she worries that her impetuous nature may get her sisters killed one day. In other news, Duet is so named because she can hit two notes simultaneously when she sings. Also, she really likes tutus.

Madrigal Glory, or “Mads”, is the most thoughtful and somber of the sisters. Her mind is a deep and complex place, and she often learns and retains useful skills and abilities simply by watching others act and work. While Mads’s innovations make her an invaluable contributor to the riot, her choleric attitude tends to annoy her more enthusiastic siblings. Regardless, Mads does not suffer fools gladly, and anyone ignorant enough to try to use wheedling, threats or psychology against her is in for a rude awakening.

Toccata Daze, or “Toca”, is a total package kind of chick: strong, fast and athletic, she’s the de facto leader of the riot. The other four are more than happy to follow her lead and let her make the hard decisions for them, and Toca is pleased to oblige. Interestingly, Hippocampus evolution casts its shadow upon Adagio’s dominant daughter, as Toca exhibits a trait not much known to her species: fretting over others. Toca is often preoccupied with the well-being of her sisters, thoroughly unwilling to let any one of them suffer or die. To humans or ponies this might seem like second nature, but to sea monsters? A novel concept.

Allegrezza Allure, or “Grits” (thank you AJ), is the spitting image of her illustrious mother. She’s also an especially luxurious layabout. Fancying nice clothes and snappy one-liners, Grits prefers lounging around preserving her energy as opposed to pursuing adventure. Nothing entertains her more than getting you, or some other dope, to do her work for her. However, when she’s truly needed Grits will be right there, backing up her sisters where she’s required and backing off when she’s not. Highly skilled in the art of the assist, Allegrezza remains a valuable member of the team…just don’t ask her to do what you could just as easily do yourself.

Messa di Voce Grace, or just Messa, is a bright and inquisitive Hippocampus who sucks up knowledge like a sponge. She’s easily the most copacetic of the five, eating up everything taught to her by the adults and generally maintaining a cheery attitude. The other sirens see Messa as an odd duck, but to Sunset’s friend Twilight Sparkle, she’s heaven sent. What other Hippocampus in the history of carnivorous horse-fish has ever opted to read quietly, or respond to flashcards, or wear a little school uniform? While strangeness isn’t a crime, Messa’s sense of wonder and curiosity are insatiable, and they occasionally get her into hot water.

NOT PICTURED: Staccato Flash, the ferocious champion of Adagio’s clutch. Having vanquished
her other sisters, she returned to the sea as nature intended, to live the life of a “normal”
Hippocampus. The riot do not interact with her, as she would just as soon kill them all.