Pinkie Pie
Sunset Shimmer
Rarity
Fluttershy
Applejack
Principal Celestia
Rainbow Dash
Flash Sentry
Secretary/Background Character 1
Adagio Dazzle
Aria Blaze (she gets her accent color as her speech color)
Sonata Dusk (she gets her accent color as her speech color)
Sans
It is recommended that you read this chapter in 'Night Mode'.
Two months had passed since the Fall Formal. Nobody really seemed to know who or what had saved them from Sunset Shimmer’s rampage and freed them from her spells. All they really knew was that when they woke up, Sunset Shimmer was lying unconscious in a crater, in her normal form once more.
But, there was no time to dwell on that now. The First Annual CHS Musical Showcase was close at hand, and everyone wanted to help get ready for it… including a reformed Sunset Shimmer.
Sunset was a little worse for wear after the Fall Formal. After she’d gotten the shit kicked out of her, she learned that her leg was injured the the point where she’d need to walk with a leg brace and a cane for the rest of her life. Even more damaged than her leg was Sunset’s reputation at CHS. Everybody outside of Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Applejack hated Sunset Shimmer for that stunt she pulled.
Indeed, as the rest of the school worked on making posters for the showcase, not one of the students who’d volunteered wanted Sunset Shimmer’s help. Well, no one except…
“Sunset Shimmer! Over here!” called Pinkie Pie. She, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Applejack were putting the finishing touches on a poster for the Musical Showcase.
Sunset heaved a sigh as she made her way over to the girls, whispers and angry mutters following her as she went.
“I had no idea the whole school would be here,” said Sunset Shimmer in a dejected sort of voice.
Rarity and Pinkie held up their completed poster. “Quite the eye catching advertisement if I do say so myself,” said Rarity.
“And it smells like cake!” added Pinkie.
“It does?” asked Fluttershy, trying to sniff the poster.
Pinkie stuck the poster right up against Fluttershy’s nose. “I used frosting instead of paste!” she cheerfully exclaimed as she moved the poster away, leaving Fluttershy with a big blue dot of frosting on her nose.
“Uh, Fluttershy, you got a little somethin’ uh…” said Applejack, pointing at her face.
Fluttershy wiped her hand on her cheek, wiping up some of the frosting that had gotten on there, but missed the big blotch on her nose.
“Did I get it?” Fluttershy asked her friends.
“Not exactly,” said Applejack.
As Sunset cleaned off Fluttershy’s face with a tissue, Principal Celestia and Vice-Principal Luna entered the gymnasium.
“Good afternoon students! I just wanted to tell you how pleased I am that so many of you are going to be participating in the first-ever Canterlot High School Musical Showcase!” said Principal Celestia.
The whole gymnasium let out a cheer.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to raise money for all our afterschool programs here at CHS, so keep working on those signs and posters. I think it’s going to be one of the most exciting events we’ve had a CHS since the Fall Formal,” said Celestia.
At this, everyone except Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie glared daggers at Sunset Shimmer, who promptly look extremely uncomfortable and slid down the folded-up stands and wept.
Later that day, Sunset, Rainbow, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rarity, and Pinkie were in the Band classroom. While the Rainbooms were getting ready to practice, Sunset was thinking about how the rest of the school hated her.
“Ugh, I am NEVER gonna live that down!” Sunset groaned aloud.
“You were pretty bad at the Fall Formal,” said Fluttershy.
“A demon. I turned into a raging she-demon.” Sunset said with an a look on her face that suggested she was not amused.
“And tried to turn everyone here into teenage zombies for your own personal army!” Pinkie Pie added, making Sunset feel even worse.
“Oh, darling, we’ve forgiven you for your past…” Rarity paused for a moment as she searched for the right word. “..boo-boos.”
“T' be honest, ah say the whole experience brought everyone at Canterlot High together closer than ever before,” said Applejack as she tuned her guitar.
“One, two, three, four!” yelled Pinkie, clacking her drumsticks together as she spoke.
As the five girls played their song, their bodies began to undergo a strange transformation. Their hair extended and seemed to take on the form of an equine tail as horse ears that seemed to be the same color as their skin emerged on the top of their heads. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy grew feathered wings that looked like they could support their weight if they used them.
Once the girls finished their song, the ears and wings vanished and their hair returned to its normal length. As Sunset gave them a round of applause, Rarity let out an excited squeal.
“I still can’t believe that happens when we play! I’ve got to look into some new accessories, something that looks good in a longer ponytail… ooh! And maybe some clip-on earrings for when I get those adorable pony ears!” said Rarity.
“Ah just wonder why it happens. Princess Twilight took her crown back to Equestria. Shouldn’t that mean she took her magic back with ‘er? And why is it affecting us? It wasn’t like we were usin’ it against Sunset or anythin.’ It was that guy with all the superpowers who beat her,” said Applejack.
“I wonder whatever happened to him. You don’t think that he attends Crystal Prep, do you?” said Rarity
“Pfft, who cares how or why it happens, or what happened to that guy who kicked Sunset’s ass! No offense,” said Rainbow.
“None taken,” said Sunset.
“Point is, It makes my band totally awesome!”
“Your band?” said Rarity, seeming somewhat offended.
“Duh! It was my idea to start the Rainbooms so we could be in the showcase!” said Rainbow. “Plus, I’m the lead singer and guitarist.”
Before Rarity could respond, however, there was a knock on the Band Room door. Though it walked a boy with dark blue hair, a black jacket with a red and white stripe across it and a white shirt that bore the image of a blue shield and a lightning bolt on the front, blue jeans, and black and white tennis shoes entered the room.
“Heard you guys outside,” said Brad 'Flash' Sentry. “You guys are sounding really tight.”
“Uh, we’re gettin’ there. Rarity’s still coming in a little late on the second verse, and Applejack’s bass solo could use a little work. They’ll get it together in time for the showcase,” said Rainbow, causing Rarity and Applejack to glare daggers at her.
“Uh, I don’t suppose any of our friends from… out of town... might come, it being a special charity event and all?” said Flash.
“Sorry, Flash, ah don’t think Twilight’s gonna be back at Canterlot High anytime soon,” said Applejack.
Brad chuckled nervously. “Okay, thought I’d ask. Keep on rockin’ it!” he said, walking backwards into a wall as he spoke, before going out the door.
“Well, someone is quite the smitten kitten,” said Rarity, before she realized Sunset Shimmer was there. “Oh, I’m sorry, I always forget that you and Flash used to be an item,” she told Sunset.
“It’s okay. Flash is a great guy and all, but I never really liked him liked him. I was just using him to become more popular,” said Sunset. “Ugh, the old me was just awful, wasn’t she?”
The Rainbooms all muttered and nodded in agreement at Sunset’s statement.
“But, the important thing is that you’ve turned yourself around,” said Applejack, placing a hand on Sunset’s shoulder.
“Thanks, Applejack, but I’m not sure that everyone else at CHS feels the same way,” said Sunset.
A beep was heard from the intercom. ”Sunset Shimmer, please report to the main foyer,” said the school secretary's voice over the speaker.
“Gotta run. 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 hear all the stuff about the old me,” said Sunset, giving the Rainbooms a hopeful smile as she left.
Rainbow turned to face the rest of her band. “We’ve still got a few minutes before lunch starts. Whaddya say we do ‘As Awesome As I Wanna Be,’ ” she said.
“Um, Rainbow Dash, I was wondering if maybe we could do the song I wrote?” asked Fluttershy.
“We’ll get to it,” said Rainbow dismissively as she slung her guitar over her shoulder.
“Oh, um, okay,” said Fluttershy, sounding disappointed as Rainbow played a few chords on her guitar.
…
Out in the main foyer, Sunset Shimmer approached what appeared to be a group of figures standing in front of the main entrance.
“Hi, are you the students I’m supposed to show around?” asked Sunset.
“We are,” said a female voice as a trio of girls emerged from the shadows. The one who spoke had a smug look on her face and bushy orange and yellow hair and wore a navy and lavender blouse with a matching skirt and leggings, a yellow belt, and knee-length navy boots. The girl on her immediate right also had a smug look and purple and mint green pigtails. She wore a turquoise vest with a white blouse underneath, purple pants with a grey belt, and purple boots, while the girl on the immediate left had a turquoise and purple ponytail and seemed to be a bit nervous. She wore a maroon shirt, a pink skirt, and maroon and grey boots. All three of them wore necklaces with what looked like a ruby embedded in them.
“Hey, what am I, chopped liver?” asked a male voice that was all too familiar to Sunset. Out of the shadows emerged a tall human teenage boy of around 16 or 17 with pale skin, icy blue eyes, a mop of white hair, and wearing a blue jacket with a white fur collar, a set of dog tags on a necklace, a gray shirt, black pants with a black leather belt, and black and white tennis shoes.
He smiled as he looked at Sunset, who had a look of blatant shock on her face. “You and I were never properly introduced the last time we met. Name’s Samuel Gaster, but everybody calls me Sans,” said Sans as he held out his hand.
“Sunset Shimmer,” said Sunset as she took Sans’ hand, only for what sounded like a fart to emerge.
“Heh, the old whoopee-cushion-in-the-hand trick,” said Sans, holding up his hand to reveal a deflated whoopee cushion. “Never fails.”
Sunset couldn’t help but chuckle as she turned to face the three girls. “And what are your names?” she asked them.
“Adagio Dazzle,” said the orange-haired girl.
“Aria Blaze,” said the girl with pigtails.
“Sonata Dusk,” said the girl with the ponytail.
“Well, shall we begin the tour?” asked Sunset.
“Yes, let’s,” said Adagio.
“Canterlot High is a great school, you’re really gonna love it,” said Sunset as she led the four newcomers down the hall.
“Oh, yes, we really sense there’s something… magical... about this place,” said Adagio.
As the tour continued, Sunset pointed out the various classrooms and facilities in the school.
“That’s the science lab,” said Sunset. “Computer lab is in there,” she continued, indicating the door as she spoke. “Oh, we’re having a big musical showcase this weekend. The whole school is pretty much rallying around it,” she added as they passed by a poster for the Showcase.
“A musical showcase?” asked Adagio, getting a wicked gleam in her eyes as she looked back at the other girls, both of whom got devious grins on their faces.
“You know, if it’s not too late to sign up, I think I might just take part in that,” said Sans, sounding interested. “I play a mean trombone myself, and I think it’d be a good way for me to get to know some people here.”
“Well, I’m sure Principal Celestia would let you all sign up if you’re interested,” said Sunset.
“Well, we have been known to sing from time to time,” said Aria as if she couldn’t care less.
“Hello! We sing like all the time! It’s how we get people to do what we want!” said Sonata.
Both Sans and Sunset raised an eyebrow while Adagio growled angrily at Sonata.
“Wha-What did I say?” asked Sonata.
“What you meant to say was that you agree with Cans over here, being in a Musical Showcase sounds like a great way to meet other students,” said Adagio.
“My name is Sans,” said Sans, his eyes darkening almost dangerously.
Adagio, however, didn't seen to notice. “Whatever.”
“Oooh, yeah. Th-what she said I meant to say. That's what I meant. To say,” said Sonata.
“And what you would have said if you weren't the worst,” said Aria.
“You are!” Sonata spat back.
“You’ll have to excuse them, they’re idiots,” said Adagio.
“Hmph!”
Sunset and Sans glanced at each other, both of them clearly feeling that there was something off about these girls.
“Really? I thought they were being charming,” said Sans.
Sunset, meanwhile, noticed the necklaces the girls were wearing. “Those are pretty. Where did you-” said Sunset, reaching for Adagio’s necklace, only to have her hand grabbed, much to Sunset’s alarm.
Adagio chuckled nervously. “Sorry,” she said. “It’s just that these gems mean an awful lot to us. We’d just hate to have anything happen to them.”
With that, Adagio and Aria walked away, leaving Sonata standing there like an idiot, before one of the Adagio grabbed there and pulled her along.
“You get the feeling that there’s something off about those girls?” Sans asked Sunset.
“Yeah, do you?” asked Sunset.
“Yep. Well, I’m hungry. Which way’s the lunchroom?”
…
As Sans made his way through the lunch line, he couldn't help but feel more than a little awkward at the sight of the food on his tray, which consisted of some kind of meat inserted between what seemed to be a large chip shaped into some kind of bun with some kind of shredded green something, a shredded yellow and white something, and a diced red something, which was apparently called a "taco." Also on his tray was a red fruit of some kind. Before long he had reached a cooler containing what appeared to be a variety of small cartons. Sans picked the blue variety, punched in his lunch code, 2016, and made his way to the condiment table and grabbed two fistfuls of ketchup packets, before making his way to a solitary table to sit by himself. He opened the carton and peered inside. It held what seemed to be a white drink of some kind. Sans took a cautious sip of the drink and smacked his lips.
Not bad, thought Sans before he took a full-on drink and looked at the label, which read Kemp's 2% milk.
Huh. So this is what humans drink, thought Sans before he took another swig. Setting the milk down, Sans picked up the taco and sniffed it carefully, before taking a bite.
Wow, this is good! Better than Paps' spaghetti... sorry, Paps, thought Sans as he took another, larger bite. And now for the real headliner, thought Sans as he took one of his ketchup packets, opened it, and took a long slurp from it, causing those around him to cast weird looks at him. Taking note of this, Sans merely shrugged and continued eating.
It wasn’t long, however, before Sans found himself joined by Sunset Shimmer, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Applejack,and Fluttershy.
Sans smiled. “I was wondering if you’d be looking for me after what happened a couple of months ago. I imagine you must have some questions for me,” he said.
“Yeah, we’ve got a couple questions,” said Rainbow. “Like, how in the Hell can you teleport and summon laser blasters shaped like monster skulls?”
“Oh, I can do more than that. I can use telekinesis, chronokinesis, and manipulate gravity. However, these days my powers take a little bit more of a toll on me than they used to,” said Sans.
“And that would be because why?” asked Applejack.
“Let’s just say this isn’t my first body. If you want the full story, come to this address after school,” said Sans, pulling out a piece of paper and putting down his address. “But, enough about me, why don’t you girls tell me a little bit about yourselves? I have a funny feeling that we’re going to be spending a lot of time together.”
…
Meanwhile, outside the lunchroom, Adagio, Sonata, and Aria were standing there, getting ready to make a big entrance.
“This is it, girls, the moment we’ve been waiting for,” said Adagio.
“Lunch?” said Sonata, an eager and excited smile on her face.
Adagio groaned in frustration. “A chance to get our true Equestrian magic back.”
“Oh. Right,” said Sonata.
“Our voices are just strong enough to make them want something so badly, they’ll fight to get it,” said Adagio.
“So, we’re just going to do what we always do? Stir up some trouble and feed off the negative energy? Some plan, Adagio,” said Aria.
“It won’t be the same as the times before! There is Equestrian magic here. Their negative energy will give us the power we need to get this entire world do our bidding,” said Adagio, a wicked gleam in her eyes forming as she spoke.
“We can get lunch after, though, right? It’s Taco Tuesday!” said Sonata excitedly.
“Just follow my lead,” said Adagio.
“Or my lead,” said Aria.
“MY lead,” said Adagio, glaring daggers at Aria as she grabbed ahold of her shirt.
“So… does this happen a lot here?!” Sans shouted to make himself heard.
“Not usually, no!” shouted Rainbow Dash.