//------------------------------// // No Regrets (Battle of The Bands Arc II) // Story: Aftermath Bliss // by Zither //------------------------------// 'You're nobody now' a voice ringed in his mind awakening Daemon, he checked his surroundings as he rubbed his eyes looking around. He had rested his head in a table and It hit him in an instant as he sneezed, the dust filled room along with its dimly lit enviroment would've had someone mistake for an old shed or something but in reality the room was the archives as shelves filled with papers stacked over one another. Daemon looked down and saw a newspaper clipping from the school newspaper, it's date read 3 years prior. 'Canterlot's Finest!' read quietly Daemon and the image showed him alongside Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna. He was holding a trophy for winning the annual decathlon. Putting the clipping away in the box and leaving it in the shelf he looked at his watch and nearly had a heart attack as it read 7:32 PM. He quickly looked around and back at his watch only for the time to be determined, getting out of the room he just made his way outside before tripping over the mop bucket. 'Right, I'm blind.' thought Daemon as he got up, luckily for him he got up before the water could splash all over him, only certain splotches could be seen around the ankle of his jeans but nothing more. Making his way towards the assembly area which was also the gym Daemon felt the pain in his head coming back, earlier today he had a strange encounter with the same mysterious girl who he ran into before and began recalling back what occurred, he remembered hearing the strange vocals at the hall as he was suddenly paralyzed. Anger, that's what he felt, it came to him naturally but this time it was forced as if whatever had him like this wanted him to be angry but at what he wondered. His irises were blotched with green as he saw a particular figure headed for him, he tilted his head as the grasp of whatever held him suddenly eased but his mind was clouded. He was unable to make up his mind with only images flashing through him from his times being angry and many going back to Sunset's reign. "I can sense you hold some anger towards a particular girl, you've held most of that anger back but it's obviously you want to release all that. " stated the girl while he would outwardly express his annoyance or a bit of his anger he wouldn't take it far as to get revenge or attack that person but this feeling being made in his mind by whatever is controlling him was changing that. "You only need to let go and help us win which in a way will also help you achieve what you deeply desire." she continued on as she circled around him, touching his shoulders and soon looking at him. Daemon shook his head in disagreement, he then began overthinking and with his mind being so encumbered he suddenly freed his mind and the green tinged on his normally crimson faded as he placed his hand on his head. "I have no idea what you did to me or whether you had any part in it but even my resentment for Sunset isn't enough to make me sabotage whatever she's doing." stated Daemon who hadn't noticed the girls dumbfounded look as she tried to mumble something, she was in such shock as to how someone had been able to not only resist her charm cast for so long but even break free of it who had no connections to magic. Nevertheless she grinned at this and attempted to control him again but something was off, the green tinge began returning to his eyes but faded soon after, Daemon on the other hand was now unfazed by the jolt that he felt from her sudden advance and merely walked away as he thought over what had happened only to confuse himself. 'So it seems he's an anomaly, I guess I shouldn't be surprise since this is another world but still.' she thought, she continued grinning as she looked back to the walking figure past her who intrigued her. Shaking his head and attempting to forget earlier he continued walking through the halls and heard the sounds of music, he soon realized that it was coming from outside rather than from the gymnasium, since the selection process was supposed to happen this afternoon noting that the finale must be occurring by this time so he made haste towards the nearest exit before he heard voices, two of which he recognized but a third one that he didn't. "Where are we gonna find someone who can bust open that door, everyone is pretty much either under their spell or trapped under the stage!?" exclaimed the female voice, the sounds of shoes squeaking as they sprinted through the halls was echoed all around. "How should I know, why not bother asking the writer since he put us here!" pointed out the male voice earning a quizzical look from the girl as he shrugged. "Wait I can smell someone else around here, this way." yelled the younger voice, skidding claws were heard and before they knew it they ran into Daemon, in the gloomy hallway with moonlight piercing his eyes giving his already bloodshot irises a more sinister look making the dog whimper back. "Ahh Daemon am I glad to see you, we need your help, it's a long story and we know you hate pointless details so basically we need you to free the Rainbooms from under the stage." Stated Treble, finishing what he said he hunched over and gasped as he breathed in for some air. "Pretty much some other magical beings took over the school so now everyone is under their spell and the only ones capable of stopping them are the Rainbooms."Added Vinyl, Daemon processed it all and nodded as they quickly made their way towards the exit. "Hurry this way!" Yelled the dog as he led them around the stage in order to sneak around, Daemon was shook upon hearing the dog speak that he looked towards the others who paid no mind. "So anyone gonna fill me in on the details over him or are talking dogs a thing now?" Asked Daemon amused over what occurred. "That's exactly what I said, apparently he's the dog from that purple haired girl who came supposedly from that other world but who am I to question when we're just fictional characters living in a fantasy world with a talking dog." Replied Treble, he earned Daemon's intrigued look as he pondered over what he'd just said. As they neared the stage, Daemon watched as the mindless drones were fascinated by the group of girls singing and that's when he recognized those vocals except this time three of them rather than one, the sudden burst of magical energy released by the girls soon caught up towards Treble and Daemon as they both were suddenly entranced. Daemon felt the same energy except it was stronger than before, Treble's eyes retained a green tinge similar to what had happened to him earlier and suddenly Daemon's eyes took a different form. His irises remained crimson as his Sclera turned lime green and a purple mist flowed from the corners before suddenly both of them fell back as the magic failed to captivate them. "My eyes... I'm... I'M BLIND!!" Yelled out Daemon as he clawed his face trying to see, unbeknownst to him Treble eyes were watery but began clearing up as both he and Vinyl stared at him. "Weren't you blind to being with since you don't have your glasses?" Asked Treble with Vinyl giving him a look as they went towards him. Daemon's vision began forming shapes as he only saw monochrome figures in a sort of wavelength, he calmed for a bit and blinked rapidly as if it helped in anyway to let him see. "Well yeah I guess I mean I couldn't see but I sort of can see you guys now." replied Daemon wearily, as Treble helped him up they continued along the sides before making their way towards the door. "Vinyl now that I think about it how come you're not in a trance like state? "Huh? Oh I have no idea, maybe cause I'm wearing these headphones and listening to music?" answered Vinyl confused as she had no clue wondering whether what she said made sense, Daemon on the other hand had thought of something as what she said made him come up with a plan. "Wait they're singing meaning they're projecting their magic through sound waves and your music sort of counteracts that which if in theory I'm right we could use your convertible to go against them and since the Rainbooms will need a stage you'll give 'em one." theorized Daemon, both Treble and Vinyl grinned as they learned there was a possible way to defeat the Dazzlings. As they approached the door loud banging could be heard coming from the inside along with muffled voice. "I think I almost got it!" yelled Applejack's muffled voice, another loud bang was heard and Daemon who's eyes had recovered to an acceptable state jolted. "Oi Stop kicking the door, just because there are some shock absorbers built inside it doesn't mean you won't break it!" Exclaimed Daemon, he got unto his knee and neared the handle. "Oh you got the key for it?" asked Vinyl, Daemon shook his head grinning and pulled out some lockpicks. "You wouldn't imagine how many times I've forgotten the keys to my bike lock or apartment so having these are useful." stated Daemon, he began putting tension on the pin as he wriggled about the tumbler. "Huh, I thought you were blind without your glasses. Don't you need to see what you're doing?" pondered Treble, "Not necessarily, it's all in the touch you know. Well for one of my hands at least." explained Daemon, "So you don't do any illegal stuff with all this?" asked Vinyl as if questioning why he even knew this, "Oh no don't worry, my activities are legal for the most part." stated Daemon earning Vinyls concerned face before Daemon opened the door and gave a sort of bow as he grinned. Out came out the Rainbooms who were all relieved along with a crew of boys with them, to which he saw they were all in control as well. Telling them of the plan each divided themselves into groups, they each gathered around the equipment as the girls quickly changed into costumes for the fight. "You're deciding to help us?" asked Sunset, she caught Daemon off guard as he was removing the panel from the wall. Pondering about whether continuing to not interact with her he spoke up before she went away. "Yeah I suppose so, technically it's my fault considering I was supposed to keep watch of the electrical equipment throughout the tryouts and during the practices of each band so I gotta make it up somehow." replied Daemon, he got a surprised look from Sunset that quickly turned to smile. "Thanks." answered Sunset, while Daemon thought it was about helping them she in fact thanked him for talking to her. Nodding to her he waited for the message that they were in place. "Here goes nothing." stated Daemon as he received the signal, cutting off the power from the speakers an audible ring made its way throughout the crowd as the feed cut off. The Dazzlings were shocked by how quickly they lost control of the students before their Leader grinned and turned to face the other girls with her. Suddenly a magical outburst emerged from their amulets as they suddenly levitated off the ground, the magic consumed them and out came a spectral beings yet the girls remained floating stationary with their eyes flowing a red aura vigorously. "Oh Shit." replied Daemon in awestruck, he had only manage to catch a small glimpse since he was underneath the stage so after going back up it struck him up as a major reminiscence to the night of the shimmering incident as he would call it. It soon became apparent that with this newfound power the Dazzlings quickly regained the students as their thralls and went to attack the Rainbooms who along with the signal started playing music to counteract them resulting in a standoff. Noting that the Dazzlings were unguarded Daemon devised a plan that may affect their abilities but nevertheless he must try he thought, raising the volume for the speakers and pointing them towards the girls he raised the volume and picked up the mic tossing it next to the audio. Turning the speakers on Daemon caused a feedback loop that not only caught everyone's attention but distorted the spectral flying beings form causing them to go on the fritz before the speakers gave off. Turning their attention to Daemon who was covering his ears they rushed towards, side stepping out of the way only one them managed to knock him back towards the end of the stage. Having raised his hands he thwarted out most of the impact but it still hurt like hell. Looking up he saw that the spectral beings were ready to charge at him again. "Shit shit shit shit!" exclaimed Daemon, wincing as he quickly got up he was blinded by a large flashing light and that's when he saw it, a large spectral horse appeared before them and a ray of energy shot up to the sky and unto the Dazzlings but yet the rays aura was burning him slightly and he winced. Once the light dissipated Daemon sighed in relief and leaned back towards the wall laughing quietly after being saved by the bell. He saw how the three girls were on the ground and ran off the stage, everyone turned back towards the Rainbooms and cheered them on while chanting Sunset's name as well, attempting to get up he quickly noticed something was off when his prosthetic was just limp and did not react to what he wanted at all, he also noted how the same thing happened to the speakers earlier as well as the lights. Walking towards the site of impact he saw the singed marks from the blast but also noticed a peculiar amount of glowing red shards on the ground, he picked them up and noted a familiar feeling as he recognized them, he felt the strange but warm feeling on his hand and that's when it hit him, a small red spark emanated from his fingers as he continued viewing it. Pocketing the fragments he made his way out of the crowds and back to the school before the sound of running feet and a hand being placed upon him made him turn. "Where are you going, don't you want to enjoy the party we're gonna have with everyone?!" asked Pinkie giddily, Daemon grasped the shards in his pocket and winced when he realized what he did. "Yeah I was just gonna grab some things you know." replied Daemon, Pinkie was about to say something else before they felt droplets and saw that it was gonna rain. "Oh well look at that seems like parties over." "Don't be silly, that means we'll have it inside now. I'll go get the others." she replied, Daemon gave an weary smile and quickly turned back to the school. Making his way inside he went inside the lab room and went to one of the lockers, inside were his personal things and a strange locked box, opening it he put the shards and noticed that some were pierced in his skin. Putting it all away he closed it and read the name the box held, 'Protocol 111012'. Inside the locker was also another prosthetic but this one was different, it was an old one he wore after the accident. 'Guess I'll be using you again for the time being, old friend' thought Daemon grimly as he looked back to the accident, removing his current one he gave a quick look at his skin and noted the singed burns that stained his skin a dark red leading above his elbow or what was left of it before putting on the support straps around him and closing his locker. Hearing the door open he saw his friends standing there with wet clothes and exhausted looks. "Geez Daemon where were you throughout all this mess?" asked Chips as he sat back in one of the chairs, Sandal followed as well and laid back on the table. "Oh you know, here and there, doing something." replied Daemon grinning, his friends shook their heads smiling back. "So I'm guessing you using that old thing means the other one is broken now?" asked Sandal as he looked at his changed prosthetic. "Yeah, it's only temporary till I fix my current one, after all I did design it," stated Daemon, "Well guys it was nice catching up for a bit but I need to get going, after all it's like what 9?" Taking his leave he made his way to his other locker and took out his coat, putting his hood up he got to a bike rack and outside and found his bike which was an old piece of junk, pieces of paint has been scratched off and it was noted that the belt would need to be replaced but nevertheless Daemon found it suitable for going home. Riding off he found it extremely difficult to ride his bike with his other arm and with the heavy rain drenching him his hand gave off and he twisted his bike causing him to crash unto a parked car. "Well definitely broke something now." winced Daemon as he found himself wet from the ground, picking himself up he held his bike by his side and walked home before realizing that the bike wheel had bent and smiled annoyed, taking his umbrella from his bag he propped it open and continued on. On his way he approached a figure sitting by the side of the road, noticing them without any jacket or umbrella he saw that they were trembling. "Hey uh, are you ok?" asked Daemon, he got no response by them so he got closer and put lifted the umbrella over them, seeing them turn he got a closer albeit blurry look of them but still couldn't recognize that the person in front of him was the leader of the Dazzlings thanks to her drenched clothes and damp hair. "Yeah uh hi, was wondering if you were ok?" he could almost see that the girls mascara had run down but was unsure whether the rain or tears had cause this. "Look uh, mind holding this for a sec." said Daemon handing her the umbrella, taking off his Jacket he took back the umbrella and gave her his jacket, sure it was a bit soaked but it was water resistant and had some fleece for warmth. She hesitantly took the jacket and put it on as he put the umbrella between them. "Well I don't know what happened but I can take you home if you'd like?" She nodded, she didn't care if she didn't know him, she had lost her way but kept to herself knowing this world was her permanent home now. "So the name's Wraithe, but you could call me Daemon if you'd like." said Daemon introducing himself as they walked. "Adagio." she replied hoarsely, they continued walking in silence with few words of where to go. As they approached a neighborhood she stopped and turned to him. "This is far enough." "Alright well here take the umbrella then, you could probably make more use of it than I do but if you need my help you can find me working at the Plaza Cafe at certain nights or in Canterlot High during the day." stated Daemon he noticed a slight worried look as she heard him say Canterlot High but then waved it off and turned back home. Continuing to push his bike it suddenly hit him. "Hey she already had my coat, why did I also give her my umbrella!?" exclaimed Daemon as he marched on with his now drenched sweater.