Sunset, Applejack, Sugarcoat, and Twilight, who was carrying Spike because he was trying to cover his ears, started to walk down to the other end of the hallway where the loud music was playing. Hearing that is was rock music made them believe that it was either Rainbow Dash or Lemon Zest who was playing the loud music. But as they were almost halfway there, one of the doors to their left opened up, and a girl with rose-like hair in a ponytail stick her head out.
“WHO’S PLAYING THAT LOUD MUSIC?”
The girls were about to recognize another former Shadowbolt in front of them.
“Sour Sweet?”
The girl turned around to see who was calling her name, and her eyes went wide open.
“TWILIGHT!”
Sour Sweet started to run towards Twilight, embracing her in a big hug. Spike was started to get squished in and went to free himself from Sour’s hug.
“Is Twilight here?” said another girl with purple hair. Two other girls stuck their heads out of the door, one with long pink hair, and another with short lavender hair.
Sunset was able to recognize the other girls. “Rarity, Fluttershy,… and Sunny Flare?”
“Sunset, Applejack. You both made it,” Rarity replied as she was walking up to them.
“Oh, and I see that Spike is here too,” Fluttershy added, also joining the group.
Spike heard his name called and ran up to her, jumping into her arms. “Hi, Fluttershy.”
Sour Sweet released Twilight from her hug. “I’m so glad to see you again. I mean, after what we did to you at the Friendship Games and all.”
“Yea. The school hasn’t been the same after you left,” Sunny Flare added, joining the group.
“I’ve already told them that,” Sugarcoat said.
“So… who’s rooming with who?” Twilight asked.
“Oh, I’m with Fluttershy,” Rarity explained. “Sour Sweet and Sunny Flare was just visiting us from their room next door.”
“Which feels like a freezer in there,” Sunny Flare explained. “I already called in about the A/C problem, so we were staying with the others until it was fixed.”
“We were surprised to have some former CPA students as our neighbors,” Rarity explained.
Sour Sweet kindly said, “I don’t mean to be rude or anything, but,” then she blasted out, “CAN WE TAKE CARE OF THE LOUD MUSIC AT THE END OF THE HALLWAY?”
“She does have a point,” Sunset said.
The entire group decided to continue walking down the hallway to where the music was playing. When they arrived at the end of the hallway, they came up to the door. Applejack was about to bang on the door, but stopped short of doing so.
“Maybe you should do this, Sunset. Don’t what to break down the door and all.”
Sunset nodded and went up to the door and banged it several times. It wasn’t long before the door opened, blasting tons of music at the others, knocking them down and back against the wall.
“Dude, what is it?” said the girl with the long green hair. She looked to see who it was and her eyes went wide open. She turned back and yelled, “Dude, it’s Twilight.”
“What?”
“I said it’s Twilight.”
“WHAT?” The other girl turned down the stereo.
“I SAID IT’S TWILIGHT!!!”
“You don’t have to yell, Lemon Zest.” The girl with the blueish hair came up to the doorway and saw who it was. “TWILIGHT!!!” She rushed out and picked her up and embraced her in a bear hug.
“Indigo… can’t… breath.”
Indigo Zap let Twilight go so that she could catch her breath.
“Man, am I glad to see you here,” Indigo said.
“Why is everyone from Crystal Prep glad to see Twilight again?” Sunset asked and she and the others were getting back on their feet.
Before any of them could answer, someone yelled, “Hey, who turned down the music. I was enjoying that.”
“RAINBOW DASH?”
The door next door opened, reveling a rainbow haired girl. The girl let out a chuckle. “What is this, the Friendship Games, Round 2?”
Another girl with pink puffy hair appeared out of nowhere behind her. “The Friendship Games? Does this me we get to have another party?”
“Ha, ha. Very funny,” Sunny Flare bluntly replied.
“No Pinkie Pie. We’re not having another party,” Applejack said. “But it’s nice to see that the gang is back together again.”
“Then can we have a ‘Getting the Gang Back Together’ party?” Pinkie Pie let out a big grin.
Everyone face-palmed and let out groins at Pinkie’s remark.
Sunset decided to ask the question again. “As I was saying, why are you girls glad to see Twilight again. Last I recall, you girls forced her to release the magic that she stole from us and caused her to turn into a she demon.” She looked to Twilight and said, “No offense.”
“It’s mainly Principal Cinch’s fault,” Sunny Flare said.
“Yea. She started laying out stricter rules and harsher punishments ever since we lost at the Friendship Games,” Indigo Zap explained.
“But the games ended in a tie,” Applejack said. “How can that be as a loss?”
“Because all she carried about was winning and keeping her reputation intact. And the school hasn’t been doing so well since the Friendship Games. So she makes it harder on us after every failure,” Sugarcoat explained matter of fact.
“Sounds like she only cares about her own pride,” Spike said.
“Dude. You can still talk,” Lemon Zest said.
“Yep.”
“Cool. And now the dude is gone from the school. Good riddance to bad rubbish,” Lemon Zest said.
“Better late than never,” Indigo Zap added. “At least you had it better at CHS.”
Twilight rubbed the back of her neck. “Not really. Camp Everfree was a different story. I was still dealing with my fears of Midnight Sparkle taking over. And now, we have these new magical powers and these geodes that turned into pendants.”
“And there’s no telling if there’s more Equestrian magic around,” Sunset added. “If the sirens were sent to this world because they couldn’t be defeated in the other world, there’s no telling if anyone else were transported here.”
“Wait a minute. You faced sirens?” Sour Sweet asked.
“Yea. Three girls that tried to control the school and make them fight against each other with a battle of the bands,” Rainbow Dash explained. “But we kicked their butts big time.”
“Dashie, dear. While we did stop those three girls, we wouldn’t have done it without Sunset’s help,” Rarity added.
“Not to mention that we had to work together in the first place,” Applejack added.
“So what happen to them?” Indigo asked.
“They ran away,” Sunset replied. “And without their magical pendants, they’re just three harmless teenage girls.”
“Well, I’m sure everything will be fine,” Indigo said. “But if we come across any strange magic, we’ll let you know. Having more eyes out there can make our would a safer place, right?”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
“Speaking of which, we might want to hide Spike right now, because I think that’s the resident hall director coming this way,” Sunny Flare said as she pointed to the other end of the hall.
The girls looked to see who it was, and half of them were surprised at who they were seeing. A lady with purple pigtails, looking over a clipboard, was walking their way.
Applejack leaned next to Sunset and asked, “Am I seeing things, or is that who I think it is?”
“I’m seeing the same thing as you are,” Sunset replied.
“ARIA BLAZE!”
Aria looked up when she heard the girls call her name, and was shocked at who she saw.
“You have got to be kidding me. YOU GIRLS AGAIN!!!”
“Yep. It’s us again,” Pinkie replied.
Aria double check the list on her clipboard and saw their names on the list. “You mean you girls are attending this school? And living in this dorm?”
The girls nodded.
“Great. This is just great.” She started to walk towards the group. “You even have to bring Princess Twilight Sparkle and her pal, Spike to make things worse for me. And I thought things were looking up for me. Fine. If you want to blast me with your rainbow magic again, go right on ahead. It’s not going to do any good on me.”
Twilight had a confused look on her face.
“Um, Aria. This is the Twilight of this world. Not the Princess of Friendship,” Sunset explained.
Aria went from anger to stunned as she blinked her eyes, trying to process what Sunset just said.
“You mean, this is not the princess from the other world?”
Sunset shook her head.
“And the dog is-”
“Just a simple dog that got blasted by magic who can now talk,” Spike said.
“Wait. This dog… talks?” Aria took a moment to collect herself as she leaned on the wall. “What has this world come to.”
Sunset walked up to Aria. “Perhaps you can explain to us why you’re here.”
“Well, for starters, I got a request from someone in Room 214 that there was a problem with the A/C unit.”
“That would be me,” Sunny Flare said as she raised her hand.
“Well, the unit should have been fixed a week ago. It was hot in there,” Aria explained.
“Well, now it’s cold,” Sour Sweet replied. “Cold enough as the South Pole!”
“What the-” Aria grabbed her walkie talkie from her back pocket to speak into it. “Hey Gears!”
“What is it, Aria,” he kindly replied causing Aria to blush.
Aria turned her back to the group and quietly said, “Never talk to me like that while I’m on duty.” She turned back to the group. “I’m in Clover dorm. The A/C in Room 214 needs to be fixed again. It’s too cold this time.”
“Let me finish up here, and I’ll be right on over. Just make sure the unit is off until I look at it.”
“Thanks Gears.” Aria put her walkie talkie away and looked back at the group, only to get weird looks from most of them. “What?”
“Does Aria have a boyfriend?” Rarity said as she gave her a mysterious stare.
Aria panicked. “Don’t look at me like that.”
“What’s wrong Aria. Feeling soft today?” Rainbow Dash asked.
Pinkie Pie started to jump around Aria, saying, “Aria’s got a boyfriend. Aria’s got a boyfriend. Aria’s got a boyfriend.”
“Enough,” Aria said as she stopped Pinkie in her place. She let out a sigh and explained. “Yes, I do have a boyfriend. In fact…” Aria started to look away. “He’s the one that… helped us out of a hole that we were in.”
“Care to explain,” Applejack said.
Aria said, “His name is Gear Works. He’s in charge of the campus maintenance department.”
“I think I know the name,” Applejack said. “Didn’t he graduate from CHS a few years ago?”
“Oh yes. I remember hearing about him. 13 years of perfect attendance,” Fluttershy explained.
“I’ve heard the name too,” Sunset said. “Met him with Miss Luna one day a couple of weeks ago after the Battle of the Bands.”
“In fact, that’s when it all began,” Aria said.
[Two Weeks after the Battle of the Bands]
“Found it!”
A blue haired girl came out of a dumpster with an empty plastic bottle in her hand.
“Wow. Another bottle. Nice,” Aria plainly said.
“Come on Aria. It can help us buy some food,” Sonata said as she placed the bottle in a bag.
“That’s just pocket change,” Aria said. “What good will it do to help feed all three of us?”
“Will you two just shut up.” Adagio pinched the bridge of her nose in disgust.
“Well, if you have a better idea, we’re listening,” Aria said. “Oh, that’s right. You never have a backup plan.”
“What’s that suppose to mean?” Adagio replied in anger.
“You damn well know what it means,” Aria yelled. “We have no magic, no way home, NOTHING! That’s what it means.”
“And you think you have a better plan?”
“Maybe. But you never bother to listen to them.”
“Because my plans are fool proof.”
“Then what just happen two weeks ago? We got blasted, our pendants are broken, and you didn’t plan ahead in case the worst could happen, which it did!”
“Will you two just stop it!” Sonata fell to her knees and started to cry.
“Great. Look at what you did,” Aria said as she pointed to Sonata.
“Me? You started it,” Adagio replied.
“You know what? You are definitely the WORST!” Aria started to walk away, only to bump into someone else, falling backwards to the ground. “Hey! Watch it!”
“It was you who bumped into me.”
Aria looked at the guy. He had tan skin and short brown hair, and was wearing a blue and yellow track suit with the EU logo on the corner of the jacket.
“Sounds like you girls are having problems. Need some help?”
Adagio looked at the guy and decided to put on her charm. “Why yes. You see, we could use some help.”
“Will you just give it up,” Aria said as she got on her feet. “No one wants to fall for a puffy haired girl like you.”
Adagio gritted her teeth. “Will you just shut up.”
“We have no magic, no home, no money, and no food,” Sonata blurted out.
Adagio and Aria panicked and looked at the guy.
“Just forget what she just said. She’s weird,” Aria said while displaying a fake smile.
“Yea. We were just leaving,” Adagio said while also displaying a fake smile.
The two girls rushed out and grabbed Sonata by the arms and made a mad dash out of the alley.
The guy yelled back. “You sure you don’t want my help… sirens?”
The girls stopped dead in their tracks, then looked back at the guy.
“How… how do you know?” Adagio asked.
“Because I was just coming from CHS. The name’s Gear Works. I graduated from the school a couple of years ago. Thought I pay a visit this weekend. Heard about what happened at the music showcase a couple of weeks ago. And judging from what I just heard, you three are just struggling from what you did to the school back then.”
“What do you plan on doing to us? Turn us in?” Aria asked.
“Actually, I was hoping to help you out,” Gears replied. “How would you like to work at Equestria University. I’m the chief maintenance worker over there, and I’m sure the president can find work for you there, since he was a former principal at CHS. You can get paid, eat, live a normal life. You can even stay at my place. I have enough room for the three of you to stay there.”
Aria asked, “What’s the catch?”
“You work hard, prove to the rest of the staff what you can do, and you might just get rewarded.”
The girls got together and huddled. Each of them talked about the offer that was given to them before giving a response. The girls got out of their huddle and said together, “We’ll do it!”
“And that’s how we got to here,” Aria said.
“And where are Adagio and Sonata?” Sunset asked.
“Sonata works at the cafeteria, and Adagio works as Mr. Discord’s assistant, plus she also works at the library at times. As for me… well you see what I do for a living. But I work at the University Center’s coffee shop in the evenings.”
“So you’ve changed, right?” Rainbow Dash asked.
Aria let out a chuckle. “I guess so. Look, I’m sorry for what we did back then. All we wanted to do was go back home. That’s all.” She paused for a moment. “I guess wearing those gems took control of our lives.”
“Well, at least they’re not like these beauties.” Rarity started to display her pendant to Aria.
“Is that… Equestria magic?”
Sunset said, “You sense it too, right?”
Aria nodded. “Yea. It feels so… pure. How did you get them?”
“It’s kind of a long story,” Rainbow Dash replied.
“Well, you might have to tell me later on when I have some free time. For now, I have to get back to work. Still have to check up on a few more issues in the dorms. Just make sure you keep that dog out of sight. I don’t think other RA’s will handle you having a dog in the dorms. Especially one that talks.” As Aria started to walk off, she turned back to the group and said, “You know, I think Adagio would like to speak to you if you have some time. I think she has been dealing with the same guilt that I’ve dealt with.”
“Where can we meet her?” Sunset asked.
“Let me find out.” Aria pulled out her cell phone and placed a call.
“So… she’s a siren?” Sunny Flare asked.
“Was,” Sunset replied. “It looked like things have changed since we saw them.”
“Just like us,” Indigo said.
“Well, everyone does deserve a second chance, right?” Rarity asked, which everyone agreed.
“Hey. Just got off the phone with Adagio,” Aria yelled. “Think you can meet her at Johnny’s in an hour?”
“Where is it?” Sunset yelled back.
“Just across the main building at the front of campus. Can’t miss it.”
As Aria walked back down the hallway, she stop to help a couple of students trying to get into their dorm room. The girls were able to hear the conversation and looked to see who it was. One of the girls had light yellow skin, average red hair with purple highlights with part of it tied up on top, and was wearing broken glasses and a turtleneck sweater. The other had light blue skin, long pink hair with purple highlights, and was wearing a rocking leather jacket and pants and shades.
“Now who wears a sweater during the summer?” Sunny Flare said.
“Forget about her. Do you see the other lady with her?” Rarity asked.
Sunny Flare looked at her and said, “Is that-”
“Countess Coloratura!?” Both Rarity and Sunny Flare tried to hide their excitement.
“I can’t believe she’s attending campus here… in our dorm,” Rarity said.
“That girl must be lucky to have her as her roommate,” Sunny Flare said.
Twilight looked at the two girls that they were talking about, and was able to recognize the other girl.
“I think that other girl is… Moon Dancer?” Twilight started to run towards the two girls, waving her hand. “Moon Dancer!”
The yellow girl looked to see who was calling her name. “Twilight? Twilight Sparkle?”
Both of them started to smile when they saw each other. Twilight was about to hug Moon Dancer, but stopped short when she saw her holding a box in her hands. Moon Dancer went to put the box inside, then came back out to hug Twilight.
“Twilight. I can’t believe it’s you.” Moon Dancer released her from their hug. “You’re… wearing glasses?”
“I know,” Twilight jokingly said. “Too much reading in a dimmed room.”
“You know how that can affect your eye sight.”
“A little late for that,” Twilight said as she let out a small laugh.
“Hey Twilight,” Sunset said as she ad the others were able to join her.
“Sunset. This is a friend of mine from middle school, Moon Dancer. Her family moved to Manehattan before I started attending Crystal Prep. We do out best to keep in touch but…”
“But both of us were busy with our studies,” Moon Dancer finished.
Twilight continued. “These are my other friends from Canterlot High. Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Applejack. And these are my former classmates from Crystal Prep. Indigo Zap, Lemon Zest, Sunny Flare, Sour Sweet, and Sugarcoat.”
“You attended two schools?” Moon Dancer asked.
“Really long story. You might not even believe it.”
“I might have to hear about when I have the time.”
Coloratura started to look at Twilight’s friends and started straight at Applejack.
“AJ?”
Applejack was a bit confused. “Um, yes? Do we know each other?”
“AJ. It’s me, Rara.” She removed her shades so that Applejack can see her face clearly.
Applejack tried to make sense to what Coloratura was saying. Coloratura looked up at her own hair.
“Oh, sorry. I forgot that I dyed my hair. It was dark the last time we met at Camp Friendship.”
Applejack started to get a mental picture of her and started to remember who she was. “Rara? Is that really you?”
Coloratura went up to Applejack and embraced her in a hug. “It’s been too long.” She released her from their hug and took a good look at her. “You’ve gotten a bit stronger since last we met.”
“Working on the farm can do that to you,” Applejack replied. “I knew you wanted to get into music, but I never expect to see you like this. And what’s with the name, Coloratura.”
“That was my real name. I only liked to be called Rara because of how long my name was.”
“That’s fine and all, but why are you here. Sounds like you’re some fancy superstar,” Applejack said.
“That’s because she is,” Rarity said.
“More like ‘was’. I’ve put my music career in the back seat and decided to live a somewhat normal life,” Coloratura explained.
“Yea. After what her manager was trying to do during her career,” Moon Dancer added.
“I hate to interrupt this reunion, but we need to meet someone in less than an hour,” Sunset said.
“Oh right. Maybe we can catch up later on?” Applejack asked.
“Sure. Which room are you in?” Coloratura asked.
“Room 203. and Twilight’s in Room 201, Moon Dancer.”
“Thanks. Once we get settled in, we can start catching up later on,” Moon Dancer explained.
“That would be nice,” Twilight said.
As some of the girls started to make their way to the stairs, the former Shadowbolts decided to ask them something.
“You don’t mind if we join you,” Sunny Flare asked.
“Yea. Last thing I want to do is wait in a cold room,” Sour Sweet added.
“Sure,” Sunset replied. “Besides, it would be nice to talk some more until she gets there.”
“Good,” Indigo said. “Because I’m starving.”
“I think we all could use something good to eat,” Applejack said.
So, after dropping Spike off in Twilight’s room, the twelve girls started making their way to Johnny’s to meet up with Adagio Dazzle.