The bright and blazing sun hung over in the cloudless sky, for the time was four'oclock. Rainbow Dash and the rest took their positions on waiting backstage. There hung the band roster, it listed all the bands, along with them numbered in order. Rainbow dash studied the roster carefully and noticed her band was last to be played. This left a reasonable window of time in case Applejack decided to come back. The lead guitarist was still nervous as all get out, knowing if her friend didn't show up, she would most likely lose the competition.
Mentally cursing herself for what she did yesterday because of the haunting thoughts never did go away. Applejack was a very talented bassist, she could pull of stuff that would seem impossible to other bass players. For that also, she was known to be a big influence to other people and had quite a bit of fans just like her. Shaking the haunting thoughts away she took a peek out from the side and saw the crowd packed full of all different kinds of people.
Sunset Shimmer who was near Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and Rarity, who beamed a bright smile and couldn't hold in the excitement, "Oh, my! I can't wait to see the outfit I picked out for— "Shhh!" Sunset warned her with a 'keep it on the down low' gesture as she put one finger on her lips. The three nodded with jubilant smiles and quiet giggles. They all turned towards Rainbow Dash, who was too busy looking out at the huge crowd and didn't notice anything that was said behind her back. So far so good.
Principal Celestia walked to the center of the stage and spoke into the mic. "Hello and welcome everyone! We are glad for all you that could make it for the 2nd annual of battle of the bands! Enjoy and remember it is you that determines who the winner will be! That being said, Let the 'Battle Of The Bands' commence!" After the short announcement was over, there was a loud eruption of cheering and whistling in the crowd.
And so, as time passed by, so did the bands. The audience cheered after each band and Rainbow Dash became more nervous by the second. The Rainbooms were up next after the one that was currently playing, which was her rival Trixie. She watched the crowds reaction with anticipation, watching every move the girl made and then back to the crowd. Beginning to become more worried as the shouts and cheering got immensely louder when she saw Trixie do her famous guitar solo. And before she knew it, the song ended and the performers took their leave towards backstage.
"Beat that one Rainbow Dash!" her rival said as she walked past with a devious smirk on her lips. "Also, I'm so, so, sorry to hear about Applejack, who left your pathetic band… too bad that you won't win this time!" The rainbow-colored girl clutched up her fists and her magenta eyes gave off a death glare. "I-We! Will win! Even without!... her voice then dropped dramatically and she looked down in shame. "...Applejack"
"Next up! The Rainbooms!" shouted the announcer.
Rainbow Dash and the rest walked out into the open of the stage, there they were hit by the clamorous sound of cheers and shouts from the crowd. Taking their positions quickly as each band was only allowed approximately five minutes to get ready. Pinkie Pie seated in the back on the drums. Fluttershy was off on the right side near the drums with her tambourine. Rarity was on opposite side with her strapped, electrical keyboard. Sunset Shimmer positioned near Dash on the front. And lastly, Rainbow Dash took position front-center of the stage. But, the crowd suddenly grew quiet when they noticed a certain band member didn't come on the stage with them.
Droplets of sweat trickled down the sides of the lead guitarist's face as her ears listened to the sudden chants roar out from the crowd, "Apple-jack! Apple-jack! Apple-jack!" Magenta eyes darted back and forth frantically. Her fingers gripped the guitar tighter. Heart thumped hard against her chest, the feeling of tightness in her breathing increased. She felt like she was going to faint. She turned to her fellow member Sunset Shimmer with a frightful look. "W-what do I tell them? S-sorry people, A-applejack won't be able to join us today? N-not in our band anymore? Probably never will… ugh, I was such an idiot…" she looked down once again in shame, she finally picked up the pieces and realized this was all her fault. She slowly turned around and faced her band. Their sad looks turned into smiles as they saw what was happening.
"I-I know ya guys are probably still mad at me, heck I don't blame ya one bit... for I was a jerk to Applejack… This is all my fault and I put myself in this kind of situation… The truth is, if I had to pick between rocking out with my guitar even with my totally awesome solos and her...I would choose her. And...if we lose, I-I don't really care anymore, I just want Applejack to come back...to being my friend again..."
Little did Rainbow Dash know, that the mic on her side hip was turned on and was listened close by a certain member. Sunset Shimmer couldn't be any happier when she heard those words and stepped forward. "Wow Dash, that was deep...too bad Applejack wasn't here to hear all that..." she inquired with a pretending sad look. Rainbow Dash slowly nodded her head and gazed at the stage floor. "Yeah...I know, I just miss her… it doesn't feel right to do this without her… ya know?" Sunset shook her head with a huge smile. "Nope, I don't get why you would have to miss her...when she's already here!"
Rainbow Dash instantly raised her head back up and her magenta eyes snapped open in surprise. "Wait, what?!" she heard the sudden noise of emensful cheering and shouts from the crowd. Rainbow Dash quickly spun around in a blur and gazed out with anticipation. The crowd suddenly splitted apart like the bearing red sea and behold her country friend was revealed. There she saw Applejack walking down the center gap that was cleared. Also, she noticed that her friend had on a totally differnt attire than she would normally wear. She wore a black and red detailed tank top, a fashionably designed black skirt bottom and black leather cowgirl boots. Lastly, upon her head was a temporary black stetson with a red rose and the most important of all, her bass guitar strapped around her. Rainbow Dash stared at her in awe, for she was absolutely, speechless.
She watched the cowgirl that looked definitely ready to rock, hop up onto the stage. Before she knew it, Applejack, the one and only dependable friend she could ever count on was in front of her. "Howdy sugarcube, ah heard ya could use a bassist" she chuckled. Rainbow Dash was at a loss of words, this had to been the biggest and most suspenseful surprise she's ever had. "A-applejack...I-I don't know what to say—" Applejack shushed her friend's lips with a finger. "Save it till' after, we got ah battle of the bands to win." She then took her position, aside towards the left of Rainbow Dash.
Rarity smiled up and down at the fashionable work she did, "Applejack you look so fabulously stunning in that outfit!" Applejack nodded with a smile. "Thank ya kindly Rarity, tho' it's a bit out of mah style, but ah actually like it!" Sunset Shimmer also had a surprised look and also had something to say. "Yeah, Applejack, we'd probably would just win with that and not even have to play!" she laughed and so did Applejack. "Glad to have you back Applejack" Fluttershy said with a heartwarming smile. "Aw, shucks, thanks Fluttershy, glad to be back also". "Wooo! Party tonight after this! And you have to wear that outfit Applejack!". "Ah can live with that Pinkie Pie"
Rainbow Dash's heart was content, her band was all back together. Only there was one problem. "Hey, what song are we doing?" she asked. Applejack then made noticeable nod with a smile towards Sunset Shimmer, in which she replied with the same and whispered into Dash's ear. A smile of excitement formed on the band leader's face when she heard the request. She then turned to the side towards her bassist. "That was your idea wasn't it Applejack, heh it explains the outfit and the big part you play in this song" Applejack made a sly grin, "Maybe..." then added a wink. Rainbow Dash giggled and spun around towards the gleefully, waiting crowd and shouted into the mic. "Ya ready to rock! We present to you this song. "Brony of the universe!"
Rainbow Dash then turned her head with a smile and nodded towards her bassist to start it off. Applejack grinned, she took a deep breath and exhaled it slowly. She plucked and pulled the top string then slapped it down fast and repeated for she created the opening of the song. Then Pinkie Pie did a rumbling roll with the snare to the toms and ended with a clash of the cymbals. That's when Rainbow Dash and Sunset Shimmer joined in strumming their guitars, matching the same riff, beat, as Applejacks. The lead and rhythm then palm muted their guitars, and with the beat still going, Rainbow Dash sung into the mic.
If you want to know how far to go to equestria
Just ask me
If you want to see the view from your knees
Come down and join me
I'm the final straw
The nail in the barn
Just by being who I am
Is so cud-damned...
Then she began strumming her electric guitar along with Sunset for the chores.
I'm not the brony of the Universe
I trot the Earth the wrong way
Met my potential and fulfilled the worst
My best is cursed the wrong way
The song then went back to the opening riff. Rainbow Dash swayed her body side to side as she played with Applejack's bassy, beat, for a moment and got back on the mic.
Your cider is half, her cider is full
My cider is empty
You're running short of not enough
Well I got plenty
I've come a long way
I flew the wrong way
And who I am
Is so cud-damned...
I'm not the brony of the Universe
I trot the Earth the wrong way
Met my potential and fulfilled the worst
My best is cursed the wrong way
And when I die I'm gonna fly and come and get you
And when you try and run I'll be the curse above you
It's gonna end
It's gonna end
In the race for disaster I will come in first
That's what I've learned
The hard way...
Suddenly their magical transformation took place. Pony ears spouted out and so did their tails. This caught the crowds attention right away and they began to cheer even louder. Rarity then hammered down on the keyboard with the synchronizing tune. Applejack rhythmically slap-strummed with the same steady, repetitive tune. She too swayed her body all around, going with the flow of the beat. The crowd was cheering loudly as they jumped up and down, as the soul of the music moved them. Applejack and Pinkie Pie then perfectly synced together the fast, tapping beat before they entered the bridge of the song again. Rainbow Dash made a small, spicy, lead guitar solo before she got back onto the mic.
What?!
If you want to know how far to go to equestria
Just ask me
If you want to see the view from your knees
Come down and... —She then extended her mic into the open crowd and gestured for them to finish the last part.
"Join me!"
I've come a long way
I flew the wrong way
I've come a long way
I flew the wrong way
Applejack walked to the front of the stage and lowered her guitar into the reaching crowd and slapped and tapped the strings incredibly fast. Her fingers danced, hastily, up the fret neck in a blur. It was most impressive to be done by a bassist and for that, the audience shouted with more cheer. She then swayed her way back towards her original position.
I've come a long way
I went the wrong way
Rainbow Dash and Sunset Shimmer matched their same quick riffs and played chase with Applejacks repetitive melody. Then with one last strum of all guitars and last note that was played, the song ended. The crowd exploded with voluminous level of shouts and whistles, Applejack then stepped over by Rainbow Dash with a mischievous grin. "This is fer' you Rainbow' and all our fans" she shouted due to the loudness of the stadium. Applejack's fingers plucked, slapped and tapped the strings in a blinding, blur. Rainbow Dash stared with amazement, she's never seen her play the bass that fast before. Then with her fingers holding the strings keeping the chord alive, she turned her head towards the backstage and gave a nod to Vinyl Scratch. The DJ then flipped a switch and turned on her bass cannons that were placed on stage for a purpose. Applejack swung her arm down and she slap-strummed all four strings as hard as she could.
An intensifying shockwave of pure, surging bass was suddenly created and literally blew the crowd away. Their skin rippled as the massive force echoed throughout the stadium. Moments later there was nothing but awkward silence as the shockwave dissipated. Then, the throughout the stadium. The fans went absolutely nuts and the sound of the audience's reaction truly made them the winner.
"That was sooo totally freakin awesome!" Rainbow Dash squealed in jubilation. The country teen chuckled with a grin. "Ah figured ya would like that." Rainbow Dash's smile then faded a bit. "Applejack...about yesterday I'm really sorry and— "Sugarcube, ah heard every word ya said earlier, and that's one heck of an apology, that all ah'd have to hear to come back" Rainbow Dash slowly nodded with her smile that fully returned once again. "Yeah... but you didn't hear this part..." she then wrapped her arms around Applejack's curvaceous body and pulled her tight into a blissful, hug. Then whispering in her friend's furry ear. "That I'm glad, you're my bestfriend".