It was a quiet night, just like any other. Except this time, there was fighting… and a lot of it. Nine duelists were arguing at a café about whose fault it was that they all lost to three teenage girls. As the duelists fought, a strange green mist appeared and swirled around their feet. In a corner booth, the three girls sat there singing a mysterious melody. They all wore hoods, had duel disks on their wrists, and necklaces with bright red pendants around their necks. As the girls harmonized, the green mist from the duelists was absorbed into the girls’ red gems.
One girl pulled down her hood revealing her purple and aqua streaked hair that was tied in twin tails. “That was barely worth the effort, Adagio. I'm tired of fast food. I need a meal.”
Another one of the girls pulled down her hood, showing off her poofy vivid orange and yellow streaked hair. “The energy in this world isn't the same as in Equestria, Aria. We can only gain so much power here.”
“Ugh!” said Aria. “I wish we'd never been banished to this awful place!”
“Really?” asked Adagio sarcastically. “I love it here.”
The last girl finally pulled down her hood and let her arctic blue and Persian blue ponytail fall free. “For realsies? Because I think this place is the worst.”
“I think you're the worst, Sonata,” said Aria.
“Oh yeah?” asked Sonata. “Well, I think you're—
Adagio cut her off. “Ergh! I'll tell you one thing, being stuck here with you two, isn't making this world any more bearable.”
“I’ll tell ya one thing, though,” said Sonata. “I love this Duel Monsters game.”
“That’s about the only good thing in this world,” said Aria.
Adagio then noticed an explosion of light in the distance. She raced out of the café and watched as a stream of magical rainbow energy bursted into the sky. She then felt a small bit of power surge through her body. “Did you feel that?!” She grinned. “Do you know what that is?”
Sonata and Aria shrugged their shoulders.
“It’s Equestrian magic!” insisted Adagio.
“But this world doesn't have Equestrian magic,” said Aria.
“It does now,” corrected Adagio. “And we're going to use it to make everyone in this pathetic little world adore us! Get ready to duel, girls.” The three girls activated their disks.
A couple days later, at Canterlot High School, the students are busy making banners in the auditorium for an upcoming musical showcase.
Sunset Shimmer approached the Crusaders and picked up one of their paint brushes. “Want some help?”
“Uh, no thanks. We're good,” answered Apple Bloom. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo nodded in agreement.
“Oh, okay,” said Sunset in a depressed tone.
“Sunset Shimmer! Over here!” called Pinkie Pie.
As Sunset walked toward her new friends, all the other students started whispering about her past.
“I had no idea the whole school would be here,” said Sunset.
Principal Celestia and Luna then walked in. “Good afternoon, students,” said Celestia. “I just wanted to tell you all how pleased I am that so many of you are going to participate in the first ever Canterlot High School Musical Showcase!”
The students cheered.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to raise money for all our after-school programs,” said Luna. “So keep working on those signs and posters.”
“I think it's going to be one of the most exciting events we've had since that Battle City tournament,” added Celestia.
All the students immediately glared at Sunset disparagingly. Embarrassed, Sunset sat down and buried her face in her arms.
“Let’s get outta here,” whispered Rainbow. The six girls walked out of the auditorium and into an empty classroom.
“Ugh! I am never gonna live that down,” said Sunset.
“You were pretty bad at the tournament,” said Fluttershy.
“A demon,” said Sunset. “I turned into a raging she-demon.”
“And tried to turn everyone here into zombies for your own personal army!” added Pinkie.
“Oh, darling, you have us,” said Rarity. “And we've forgiven you for your past... ahem... booboos.”
“To be honest,” said Applejack. “I'd say the whole experience brought everyone at Canterlot High closer than ever before.” AJ then pulled out her duel disk. “Hey Rare? Ya up for a little duel?”
“Oh, it is so on!” said Rarity.
“I’m up for a duel!” said Pinkie.
“Me too!” said Rainbow.
“Then you two play,” decided Rarity.
“Sunset and I will just watch,” said Fluttershy.
“Let’s duel!” said the girls.
Applejack LP: 4000
Rarity LP: 4000
Rainbow LP: 4000
Pinkie LP: 4000
When the girls played the cards that they gave Twilight, they sprouted pony-like ears and grew longer ponytails. Rainbow sprouted blue wings. As the duels ended, the girl’s pony features vanished.
“I still can't believe that happens when we duel!” said Rarity. “Ooh! I've got to look into some new accessories! Something that looks good in a longer ponytail. Ooh! Maybe some clip-on earrings for when I get those adorable pony ears.”
“I just wonder why it happens?” asked Applejack. “Twilight took her crown back to Equestria. Shouldn't that mean she took all the magic back with her?”
“Who cares why it happens?” asked Rainbow. “It’s totally awesome!”
The girls then heard a knock at the door and Flash Sentry walked in. “Hey, heard ya outside. Sounded like some epic dueling.”
“Thanks, Flash,” said Rainbow. “So, is your band ready for the show case?”
Flash shrugged. “Pretty much. By the way, I don't suppose any of our friends from, uh... out of town might come? Uh, it being a special charity event and all.”
“Sorry, Flash,” said Applejack. “I don't think Twilight's gonna be back any time soon.”
“Oh… okay,” said Flash sadly. “I just, thought I'd ask. See ya around.” Flash backed toward the exit, but hit the wall instead. He then quickly left the room.
Rarity giggled. “Well, someone is quite the smitten kitten.” She then looked at Sunset. “Oh, sorry. I always forget you and Flash used to be an item.”
“It's okay,” said Sunset. “Flash is a great guy, but I never really liked him, liked him. I was just using him to become more popular. Ugh, I really was just evil wasn't I?”
“But the important thing is that you've turned yourself around,” said AJ.
“Thanks,” said Sunset. “But I'm not sure everyone else at CHS feels the same.”
Just then, the speaker beeped and Vice Principal Luna spoke. “Sunset Shimmer, please report to the main foyer.”
“Gotta run,” said Sunset. “I volunteered to show some new students around the school. Thought it'd be good for them to get to know the new me before they heard all the stuff about the old me.”
“See ya,” said Rainbow. “Okay, we've still got a few minutes before lunch. Anyone up for another duel?” No one answered. “Fluttershy?”
“Oh, um… I guess,” said Fluttershy.
“You’re game?!” asked Rainbow.
“I’m game,” assured Fluttershy.
Fluttershy took out her duel disk and deck out of her back pack. “Let’s duel!”
Rainbow LP: 4000
Fluttershy LP: 4000
(Later in the main foyer)
“Hi,” said Sunset. “Are you the girls I'm supposed to show around?”
“We are,” answered Adagio.
“Canterlot High is a great school,” said Sunset. “You're really gonna love it.
“Oh, yes,” said Adagio “We really sense there's something... magical about this place.”
After showing the girls around the campus, Sunset brought them to one the club rooms. “Just so you know, basically everyone here is now into the game Duel Monsters.”
“Oh, they are, are they?” asked Adagio.
“This is where most of them come to play in between classes,” said Sunset. “You three know how to play?”
“Well, we have been known to play from time to time,” answered Aria.
“Hello?” asked Sonata. “We duel, like all the time! And we always win. It’s how we get---” Adagio growled at Sonata and ran her hand across her throat. “Wha-What did I say?”
“What you meant to say was that dueling sounds like a great way to meet other students,” said Adagio.
“Ohhhh, yeah,” said Sonata. “Uh-what she said I meant to say. That's what I meant… to say.”
“Imbecile,” said Aria quietly.
“I heard that!” said Sonata.
“You'll have to excuse them,” said Adagio. “They're idiots.”
Sunset then noticed the girl’s gem necklaces. “Those are pretty. Where did you—” Sunset tried to touch Adagio’s, but she grabbed Sunset’s wrist in sudden offense.
“Sorry,” said Adagio. “These pendants mean an awful lot to us. We'd just hate for anything to happen to them.” She and Aria then walked off. Sonata just stared at Sunset until Adagio grabbed her arm and yanked her away.
A couple minutes later, Sunset went to lunch and sat with her friends.
“So, how was the tour?” asked AJ.
“I don't know,” said Sunset. “I mean, these girls, they were... there was something off about them.”
“How so?” asked Pinkie.
“They just acted sort of... strange around me,” said Sunset. “Maybe someone already told them about what I did. So much for making a good first impression.”
“Oh, that's probably not it,” said Fluttershy.
“Yeah right,” said Sunset.
The new girls walked toward the cafeteria, and stopped at the doors.
“This is it, girls,” said Adagio. “The moment we've been waiting for.”
“Lunch?!” asked Sonata.
Adagio groaned. “No, the chance to get our Equestrian magic back.”
“Oh, right,” said Sonata.
“Once we sing, everyone will want to duel us,” said Adagio. “They’ll want to duel so badly, they’ll fight for it.”
“So we're just gonna do what we always do?” asked Aria. “Stir up trouble and then feed off their negative energy? Some plan, Adagio.”
“It won't be the same as before!” said Adagio “There is Equestrian magic here. Their negative energy will give us the power we need to get this entire world to do our bidding.”
“But we can get lunch after though, right?” asked Sonata. “It's Taco Tuesday!”
“Just follow my lead,” said Adagio quickly.
“Or my lead,” suggested Aria.
Adagio grabbed her shirt. “My lead!”
The three walked in and each girl went to a different table. After sitting down, the girls brought out their decks and started to harmonize.
The students stared for a minute. Then one asked Adagio. “H-Hey, wanna duel?”
“Hey! I was gonna duel her!” said another.
“I saw her first!” said Sandalwood.
Aria and Sonata got the same reaction from the students at their tables once they sang. Soon, everyone was arguing about who was gonna duel the three girls, except for Sunset and her friends.
“What is going on?!” asked Rainbow.
“I’m not sure,” answered Rarity.
“Calm down, everyone!” said Sonata.
“You’ll all get your chance,” said Aria.
“We heard about your little fund raiser, but how about we do a little dueling instead?” asked Adagio with a wink. “That way you’ll all get a chance to play us.”
The students cheered.
“I so want this!” said Trixie.
“Not if I get it first!” said Captain Planet.
“Alright!” said Adagio. “Whoever wants to duel should form teams of three, then meet us later in the gym. We’ll see if you’re losers or fighters.”
The students then began arguing about who was going to win and who was better.
“Ohhhh, they're that kind of ‘off ’,” said Pinkie. The girls then exited the cafeteria and headed to the principal’s office.
“Those three are definitely in possession of some kind of dark magic,” said Sunset. “How else could you explain what happened back there?”
“Don't worry, y'all,” said Applejack. “We'll let Principal Celestia know all about this and those girls will be kicked to the curb in no time. Last thing she needs is another event ruined by some power-crazed lunatic. Er, no offense.”
“None taken,” said Sunset. They then entered the office and explained to the principals what happened.
“Dark magic?” asked Celestia. “I find that very hard to believe.”
“Perhaps Miss Shimmer is just eager to make someone else out to be a bad element,” said Luna. “So that her actions at Battle City will become old news.”
“I could see why you might think that,” said Sunset. “But—”
“That's not what's happening!” interrupted Rainbow. “We all saw this go down in the cafeteria too!”
“Perhaps you're all just worried that the Dazzlings will ruin your chances of winning the tournament,” said Luna.
“The Dazzlings?” asked Applejack.
“It's the name of their team,” said Celestia. “That's why they came by my office earlier today – to ask us about their tournament idea. Even sing a little tune to Luna and I.”
“They did?” asked Applejack.
“Yes,” answered Celestia. “And we think having a dueling tournament contest instead of a fundraiser is a marvelous idea.” Both the principal’s eyes glowed green.
“Great,” said Rainbow.
“You girls better choose your team mates wisely,” said Luna.
The girls then walked outside to the Canterlot statue.
“I can't believe those girls got to Celestia and Luna too,” said Fluttershy.
“They've gotten to everybody,” said Rainbow.
“Not everybody!” corrected Pinkie.
“She’s right,” said Applejack. “We were there when the Dazzlings sang, and we weren't affected. It was like we were protected somehow.”
“But by what?” asked Pinkie.
“I think I know,” said Sunset. “Remember when you all gave Twilight your cards to help beat me? I bet some of Twilight’s magic was fused into those specific cards, and that’s why you were all protected because you still have them.”
“Cool!” said Rainbow. “So let's take them down! It's not like we haven't tangled with evil dark duelists before and totally whopped their sorry butts.” She then looked at Sunset. “Uh, no offense.”
Sunset sighed. “None taken. Again.”
“But that was when Twilight was here,” reminded Fluttershy. “There may be some kind of magic protecting us, but it’s in our cards. I sure don't know how to use it to... whoop anybody's butt.”
“Not to mention we now have to duel against each other,” added Pinkie.
“That’s right,” said Rainbow. “We need teams of three.”
“If only we could get a message to Twilight,” said Rarity. “Maybe she could tell us how to break the spell the Dazzlings have cast on our friends.”
“Well, that's not gonna happen,” said Rainbow. “The portal's closed, and I get the feeling they don't exactly have cell phones where she's from.”
“I think I know a way!” said Sunset.
“How?” asked the girls.
“Come with me,” said Sunset. The girls followed Sunset to her locker. Once there, she pulled out a book with her cutie mark on the front. “When I was Princess Celestia's student back in Equestria, she gave me this. Even after I abandoned my studies, I held onto it. Deep down, I guess I knew I was making a big mistake, and I wanted to still have a way to reach out to her. Maybe it still works.”
“That's a book, darling,” said Rarity. “What do you mean, ‘Maybe still works’?”
“If I wrote something in here, it would appear in the pages of a book back in Princess Celestia's library,” explained Sunset. “If I can get a message to her, then she can get the message to Twilight.”
“So what are you waiting for?” asked Rainbow as she held out a pen. “Get to writing!”
Sunset sighed. “It’s been a long time since I've written these words. Dear Princess Celestia...”
Back in Equestria, Twilight and her friends were chilling out in her new castle.
A moment later, a delivery pony came in haling a cart full of books. “Excuse me, Princess, where do you want all these books from Princess Celestia?”
“The library,” answered Twilight. “Third door on the left.”
“Even this one that's glowin' and vibratin'?” asked the delivery pony.
One of the books was glowing and buzzing like a cell phone. Using her magic, Twilight brought the book over and flipped through it.
“What is it, Twilight?” asked Fluttershy.
“It looks like a message to Princess Celestia… from my friends at Canterlot High!” said Twilight.
“How is that even possible?” asked Rarity.
“I have no idea,” said Twilight. “But... it sounds like they need my help.” After reading the message Sunset wrote, Twilight brought out a history book. “From the way Sunset described them, these new girls sound an awful lot like... the sirens.”
“Not the sirens!” yelled Pinkie. She then whispered to Fluttershy “I don't actually know what that is.”
“The sirens were three beautiful but dangerous creatures, who lured ponies to their doom with their tempting voices,” explained Twilight. “But to maintain this power, they had to feed on the negativity and distrust of others. The more of this negative energy they consumed, the stronger their voices became, and the farther they could spread their dark magic.”
“I don't think I like this story very much,” said Fluttershy.
“If the sirens had their way,” continued Twilight. “They would have divided and conquered all of Equestria. But a certain Star Swirl the Bearded wasn't having it. Rumor has it he found a way to banish them to another world – one where he believed their magic power would be lost. That world must be where my Canterlot High friends live.”
“But Star Swirl must have sent them there ages ago,” said Applejack. “How come they're just surfacin' now?”
“I don't know,” said Twilight. “But if my hunch is correct and it is the sirens, this spell they've cast is just the beginning. My friends need me. I have to get back to them.”
“I hate to burst your bubble, Twilight,” said Rainbow. “But the connection between their world and Equestria will still be totally cut off for a super long time.”
“Okay, first of all, if there was bubble-blowing going on, why wasn't I told about it?!” asked Pinkie. “And secondly, if the connection is totally cut off, how was Sunset Shimmer able to get a message to Twilight?”
Twilight gasped. “Pinkie, you're a genius!”
“Yeah, I get that a lot,” said Pinkie. She then grabbed Rainbow. “Now about those bubbles!”
Twilight then grabbed Sunset’s book and some tools via her magic, then started building an artificial portal of her own.
“You sure this will work?” asked Fluttershy.
“Sure,” said Twilight. “Because the interval between the two points is defined as the square root of the sum of the squares of the separation between the points along three spatial dimensions.”
“Say what now?” asked Spike.
“Duh!” said Pinkie. “She's gonna take the magic in the book, and put it in her portal thingy. That'll make the portal open up so that whenever she wants to, she can go from here to there. There to here. Here to there. Here there! Here there! Here—
“We get the idea!” interrupted Applejack.
“Now to see if it actually works,” said Twilight. Using her magic, she elevated Sunset’s book to the top of her makeshift portal. The magic from the book then ignited the machine and opened the portal back up to the human world. Her friends stared at her machine in awe.
“Don't suppose we could join you this time around?” asked AJ.
“Better not,” said Twilight. “It could make things pretty confusing if Canterlot High all of a sudden had two of all of you.” The girls gave looks of understanding.
“But I still get to go, right?” asked Spike. “There isn't another one of me in that world. And you never know if you might need your trusty assistant.”
“Sure,” said Twilight.
“Yes!” said Spike in triumph.
“We won't be gone long,” said Twilight as she hugged her friends. After wishing them luck, Spike and Twilight ran into the portal.
Back in the human world, the girls were still waiting.
“I'm starting to think she's not coming,” said Rainbow with a sigh. A few seconds later, Twilight and Spike came flying out of the statue.
“Twilight!” called the girls.
“Oof, I'm back,” said Twilight as she stood up. Everyone immediately rushed over and welcomed her back. “But I've got some bad news about those new girls.”
“I figured,” said Rainbow.
The seven friends then walked over to Mr. and Mrs. Cake’s Sweet Shoppe to talk. After explaining her new role in Equestria, Twilight then revealed that the new girls were actually sirens.
“Hate to interrupt,” said Rainbow. “But that’s not the only strange thing that's happened since you left.” She then pulled out her phone and showed Twilight a video of when the girls transformed during one of their previous duels. “Pretty sweet, huh? It happens to all of us when we duel.”
“Hmm. My crown was returned to Equestria, but some of its magic must have remained in your cards,” assumed Twilight. “Now that we're all back together, we can just use that magic on the sirens. Just like when we were able to use it on Sunset Shimmer when she turned into that… oh…um, no offense.”
“None taken,” said Sunset. “Heh, I'm used to it.”
“Wait,” said Fluttershy. “Won’t we need our cards?”
“I don’t think so,” said Twilight. “Those cards just represented all of you during my duel. But having you all with me is even better.”
“Sweet,” said Rainbow.
“The sooner we do this, the better,” said Twilight. “Any idea where the Dazzlings might be?”
“Probably at the gym,” said Pinkie.
“Looks like we've got a party to crash,” said Twilight.
When the girls arrived, they saw that all the students were still picking their team mates improving their decks and arguing.
“I'm gonna get more punch!” said Flash. As he walked toward the refreshment table, he once again bumped into the Princess. “Twilight?”
“Eh, bumped, into, always,” said Twilight.
“What are you doing here?” asked Flash. “You came back for the big competition, right?”
“Something like that,” said Twilight.
“Huh, not that there's gonna be any real competition,” boasted Flash. “No one here wants this as bad as my team does!”
Just then, the Dazzlings walked into the gym. Once the others saw them, they alerted Twilight.
Twilight turned to Flash. “Can you excuse me for just a minute?” Flash just shrugged.
“Oh no,” said Adagio in a sarcastic tone. “No one's mingling! It's like there's some kind of underlying tension that could bubble to the surface at any minute!”
“It's the fruit punch, isn't it?” asked Sonata. “I knew I used too much grape juice!”
“It's not the punch, it's us!!” said Adagio. “Besides, that’s apple cider.” Sonata didn’t hear her.
“But the punch is awful, too,” said Aria.
“What do you know about good fruit punch?” asked Sonata.
“More than you,” said Aria.
“Oh yeah?” challenged Sonata.
“Yeah!” said Aria.
“Shut up, you two!” said Adagio. “This is just the kickoff party. Imagine what a tizzy they'll be in by the time the tournament starts.”
“There isn’t going to be a tournament!” said Twilight. “We're gonna make sure of that! Alright, girls, let's do this!” The six girls held hands. “Friendship is magic!!”
There was an awkward silence.
“Uh, weren't there rainbows and lasers last time?” asked Rainbow.
“I don't understand,” said Twilight. “We're all together again. Why isn't this working?”
“Uh... you really need to do that whole ‘Magic of Friendship’ thing now,” said Spike.
“I'm trying, Spike,” said Twilight.
“Talk about throwing down the gauntlet!” said Adagio. “These girls are obviously serious about winning! A little cocky though, aren't they? Seems they think they've already got this thing all locked up.”
Trixie stepped forward. “Not if the Great and Powerful Trrrrrixie has anything to do with it!”
“Whatever, Trixie!” called Flash. “I’ve got the best team!”
“No, I do!” said Apple Bloom. “The Crusaders are gonna win!”
Once again, the students were arguing and the negative energy flowed into the Dazzlings’ pendants.
“I think we may have found what we're looking for,” said Adagio. “Or rather, it found us.”
Sonata shrugged and shook her head.
“Magic!!” said Adagio. “Don't you see?! Everyone else has fallen under our spell, except these girls. They’re special.”
“Let’s get out of here,” whispered Sunset. So the seven friends regrouped outside.
“It doesn't make any sense,” said Twilight. “I should have been able to create the spark that would help us break their spell. That's how it worked last time.”
“Maybe you should have used our cards after all,” said Fluttershy.
“We need to think,” said Sunset. “The sirens' voices make people want to duel them. So maybe we can use that tactic against them. Or, maybe not.”
“No,” said Twilight. “I think you're onto something.”
“Really?” asked Sunset.
“I bet those girls haven’t lost a duel in a long time,” said Twilight. “Maybe by using the magic that’s in our decks, we can beat them and break their spell.”
“Looks like we’ll be entering that tournament after all,” said Rarity.
“Besides, we need to form teams of three,” reminded AJ.
“Pinkie and Fluttershy are on my team,” said Rainbow. “We call ourselves The Rainbooms.”
“So you get to be with Applejack and me,” said Rarity. “We’ll call ourselves The Jewels!”
“What about you, Sunset?” asked Twilight.
“Oh… it’s okay,” said Sunset. “I’ll just watch.”
“You sure?” asked Pinkie. Sunset nodded.
“It's only temporary, and we don't have to win,” said Twilight. “We just have to have one of our teams beat the sirens.”
“I just hope they’re not too good,” said Fluttershy.
“Don’t worry,” said Rainbow. “We’ll trash ‘em, and with me on your team, it’s in the bag.”
“And with Twilight on the other team, you guys are a sure win,” said Spike.
“Thanks, Spike,” said Twilight. “C'mon.”
“Where're you goin'?” asked Applejack.
“Well, last time we were here, Spike and I spent the night in the library,” said Twilight.
“Are you crazy?!” asked Pinkie. “We're besties now! Slumber party at my house!”
The girls spent the rest of the night taking selfies, playing video games, eating pizza, comparing nightgowns, and dueling with Pinkie’s sister, Maud. But Twilight was worried about battling the sirens, so after the others had gone to sleep, she got up and went to the kitchen to try and advance her deck more.