//------------------------------// // Prologue and Chapter One // Story: An Equestrian Girls Comedy of Errors // by Godzilla313 //------------------------------// An Equestria Girls Comedy of Errors By John O. Smith PROLOGUE IN THREE PARTS They couldn’t have felt any lower.  So low did they feel that it seemed to them that they had to look up to see dirt.  Starswirl had banished them to this realm, but had failed to deal with the gems that kept their voices strong and gave them the ability to first feed on the negative energy and then bend the whole world to their will.  Their chance came, but they ran smack into a juggernaut of Equestrian magic that shattered their gems and rendered their voices so weak that they could no longer sing the way that they had.  They could sing, but they had glass voices, and they would go bad before they could even get halfway through a song.  Worse, no longer could they use their former power to get what they wanted.  They now had to do actual work a job to find food and shelter, and that wasn’t easy.  Having no real skills, they were stuck, first, working at fast food, being forced to act happy and smile if they wanted any kind of a living, but eventually found work in a distribution center for a coffee company, breaking a hard sweat as they did their tedious jobs.  They had done all they could to try to strengthen their voices, but nothing seemed to work.  Even then, they had no real life outside of this. What made matters worse than this was the fact that they had no real social life.  Much of the youth of that area of town, remembering the Battle of the Bands and what they had done, had basically shunned them.  No one spoke to them, no one tried to make friends, and if they went into shops where those kids worked, they were served, but the tension was so thick that you could have walked on it.  It absolutely burned them to see seven particular youths around town who were solely responsible for this, (though they did not realize one of them was this world’s rendition of one of them,) and they so much wanted to take revenge they could taste it.  Nonetheless, they did not act, because the one that seemed in charge, one Adagio Dazzling, was biding her time, planning some kind of revenge with her associates, and wanted to be sure that, when she unleashed it, it was at the right time, and would be delicious and superlatively gratifying. Jack looked out the window of the new house his family had bought in this town, looking at the modest downtown.  It looked like most cities would, but it seemed puny compared to his hometown of New York City.  He was Manhattan born and raised, related to a very famous person, though he was only moderately acquainted with him.  Nonetheless, this man was his own inspiration to play and sing, though he had not quite developed an ability to write songs.  His family, though, was involved with the administration side of the music industry in a middle management level, but that still allowed him to be exposed to many recording artists and styles of music that came with them, and he was fairly familiar with the industry.  This allowed for them to be at the level of affluence; they were not middle class, but they were not quite millionaires either.  Nonetheless, they were not hurting.  Yet, his father had a chance to run a division in this city, and that prompted the move and the new home.  However, for Jack, it was a gut punch.  It wasn’t so much that he had to leave all he knew, his school, friends, and so forth, though that did hurt, but it was going into very unfamiliar turf with a completely different culture, or what he assumed would be different.  After all, New York was its own world, and quite different than anywhere else.  In short, he thought his life in this new town was going to be dull compared to his old home.  He was in a neighborhood that was attached to a suburb with all the expected small shopping strips and shops, minor commerce, post office, and other things found in a small community downtown that sat a handful of miles outside the big city areas.  To him, it might as well have been the middle of Wyoming, and he wondered if he could ever adjust.  He just knew his life was going to be dull. The trio was all happy as could be.  Their families all worked for the same manufacturing company that built computers, working in administration, and they found it fantastic that all their families were being transferred to this town to open a new manufacturing plant.  It was not just that they would not have their friendships shattered, but it would be that their pursuits as singers could have a chance to continue.  They had known each other since they could remember, and because they had the same eccentric tastes as children, they all related well. They did have friends, but because they had the “audacity” to be themselves, they never got as close to anyone else other than themselves.  Yet, they had learned they had a knack for music and singing at an early age.  Because they spent so much time together, they had formed quite the ability to harmonize and make beautiful music.  They even picked up on playing instruments and subsequently formed a band when they had hit their tweener years.  Because they were so eccentric, (they liked the Lolita style of dressing, loved to play music from the 1970s and 1980s, were quite attractive and not ashamed of the fact, though they never flaunted it,) no one really tried to get close to them, because they seemed to be operating on a maturity and thinking level beyond their peers. Despite that, they were not hated, and this is because their music was so well done that they had the ability to charm whomever they wanted through their music.  Even though this was the case, they never took advantage of anyone, mainly because their families had raised them right, but at the same time, taught them to never be ashamed of being themselves.  They took to the advice one of their mothers shared with them that was spoken by Elenore Roosevelt: no one has the right to make you feel bad without your permission.  She also said never to miss friends you never really had if they want to leave you behind, because you had your own lives to live, and no one else should be able to tell you how to live them.  They, thus, were three strong girls, in a new world, with a new chance to make a new life here. Despite all this, they always felt a hole in their group, that the music they played needed another instrument and singer.  They had never found someone with whom they could fit, or had the aptitude for music as they.  Yet, hope sprang eternal for them, and they hoped that they could find that here.  It was the start of summer break when they had arrived, so they had some time to move around town, getting to know folks and know the town before they started classes.  They knew it would be an interesting summer. Chapter 1 It was one week into summer break, and the girls had already found their summer jobs.  Pinkamina Diane Pie found a cake shop in which to work, (though she now had to be careful with the sprinkles she put on the cakes, placing them instead of throwing them,) and was as happy as a duck in a pond loaded with fish.  Rarity went to work in the family fashion and clothes making shop as she had always done.  Fluttershy worked at the animal shelter as she always had, while Applejack was born into a family business, tending to the orchard that the Apple family ran for several generations.  Rainbow Dash worked for the Rec Department, coaching youth sports, while Twilight Sparkle found apprenticeship in the local college chemistry lab.  Sunset Shimmer was content to work in a music shop, and spending time doing all she could to try to see how Equestrian magic was affecting this world as it was growing stronger and seeping into this world in unique ways, their own newfound powers notwithstanding.  However, she was excited that she was going to have a visitor that summer. She lived on her own ever since she had arrived in her world, but she always was barely getting by in supporting herself.  That summer, however, she was going to have some help to take care of things in such a way that she could save enough money to take care of things, at least through the winter.  The Twilight Sparkle from her old world thought that Starlight Glimmer’s experiences in this world was beneficial to her, and she thought that Starlight could benefit from some more time there.  Thus, they agreed that she would work at the music shop with her that summer and live with her for that time to learn how things went.  Moreover, as good with magic as Starlight was, perhaps the two of them would be able to gain more answers than the way things were going. Sunset looked at her watch and saw it was quitting time.  Her replacement came in and she wasted no time in clocking out and heading to Canterlot High.  She had to be there to receive her guest and get her acclimated again to the environment.  She had only been there for about a half a minute when Starlight popped through.  She looked a bit disoriented with her hands balled up as if she was still as she had been, but Sunset was right there to catch her and say, “Easy, girl; take a second to shake it off before you go further.” Starlight relaxed and took a couple of deep breaths as she uncurled her fingers and got used to being on two limbs instead of four.  Once she was steady, the pair quickly embraced gleefully and were as giddy as two five-year old girls let loose in a combination toy and candy shop, told they could have what they liked, and was the first time in a place like this experiencing such a thing.  After a few pleasantries, Starlight said, “I still don’t understand why you said not to bring any clothes, I mean, considering how the humans here have to wear them all the time.  Rarity was all ready and raring to go to make me a whole wardrobe.” “As zealous as your Rarity is,” answered Sunset, “if she is anything like our Rarity, she probably didn’t think about the changes that would occur.  I mean, without any human models over there to make them fit you right…” Starlight laughed and politely put up her hand to cut her off and said, “I think I get the point.” Sunset then added, “Well, the first place we’re going is to Rarity’s shop.  She said she had plenty of clothes you might like in her wardrobe that she could alter here and there for you, and whatever you lacked, she’d make it.  She considers it her little welcome gift.” Starlight nodded happily as they headed downtown, and Sunset added, “Then we’ll stop at my place, get you settled in, and go to a fairly new place that has become quite the hangout.” “Okay, what is it?” asked Starlight, wondering just what was in store for that evening. “It’s a combination coffee and karaoke shop,” answered Sunset, “It’s called ‘the Sip and Sing.’  It’s very welcoming with both a dining area for snacks as well as comfy chairs and couches where you can come listen to people either make beautiful music, or prove there’s a reason why they are not recording artists.” That brought a laugh form Starlight, saying, “Some ponies are no different in my…our…world.  Believe me, there’s something like that in Ponyville, and it is quite the spectacle to see the CMC or Miss Cheerilee butcher the latest hits.” They both started to laugh as they got to the shop and prepared for the warm greeting that was to await them from Rarity. After being smothered by loving greetings from Rarity and being overloaded with all kinds of clothes, and it seemed there was so much there that she would probably not have the chance to even try to wear something twice.  After getting Starlight settled, they headed out to the café.  As Sunset expected, the gang was all there. They had all filtered in to the place not minutes apart, and upon seeing Starlight, all came over and caught her in a group hug.  They then brought them over to a couch where they had their snacks and a carafe of coffee waiting and began to catch up.  It was a Friday, and they were fortunate that none of them had to work the next day.  That would give them a lot of time to enjoy themselves.  Yet, not a half hour had passed when a new face entered in.  He was about 5’11” tall, slender, wearing a light black jacket with a turned-up collar unzipped to his chest, exposing a white tee shirt that seemed to have some logo on it that was not clear because of the way his jacket was.  He had light brown slightly wavy hair that he wore thick but short and parted to the left, and with sideburns that came down to the base of his earlobes.  He wore faded blue jeans and black cowboy boots, pants over the top of the boot.  He also had a guitar case in his hand as he entered, and that seemed odd, considering that no one had ever brought their own instruments into a place like this; the machine provided all you needed.  Clearly, he was new, and his body language indeed showed this, as he looked a touch apprehensive, looking around and trying to get familiar with his surroundings.  One thing was certain; he wasn’t bad to look at.  “Oh boy!” exclaimed Pinkie, “Someone new!” Sunset wanted to keep a scene from starting, but she could not hope to restrain Pinkie once it seemed she set her mind to something.  She bounced up and said, “Hi! You must be new!  Well, of course you are, because I’ve never seen you around, and you look like everything is new to you, and so you must be new!  Welcome to our town, and I hope you have lots and lots of fun!” He stepped back a touch with this sudden barrage of kindness and hospitality, but smiled nonetheless, being that this girl was very disarming.  He’d seen far more eccentric people in Manhattan, and far less friendly.  He smiled and said, “Well, that’s really friendlier than I’m used to.  Thank you.  Folks in the big city usually keep to themselves.” “Really?” she said, acting genuinely surprised, “That’s so sad.  A big city to me just means that there are more people to make friends with.” Yet, before Pinkie could ask, the newcomer asked first, “So, your name?” “Oh, I’m Pinkamina Diane Pie,” she answered, “But everyone calls me Pinkie Pie.” The newcomer smirked, thought for a moment, and then sang, “Sweet Pinkie Pie; the good times never seemed so good.” “Wow!” she said, “You sing really good!  Say…you look familiar somehow.” The newcomer sighed and said, “Well, I do have a famous relative, though we are not like, you know, super close.  I mean, we meet at family gatherings and such, but that’s the extent of it.  His name is Nick Zircon.” Pinkie began to react as if she knew the name, but then went, “Oh, I know, he’s…I don’t know.  Who is he?” “He was…is…a famous singer/songwriter that I think our parents and grandparents are more familiar with than people our age,” he answered, “Yet, I know all his stuff, and then some.  I love all kinds of music and love to play and sing it.” He then caught himself, “Oh, sorry…my name is Jack...Jack Zircon.” “Well, welcome, Jack!” Pinkie said gleefully, now lightly pulling him towards her friends, “We can make this a mini-welcome party!  I have a cake for another visiting friend, but I think we can make that for you too!” Jack was surprised now, knowing that no one in New York was this welcoming, and he was slightly taken aback at this, but he sighed, caught himself again, and remembered, “It’s a new place, a new town, learn to go with it.” What surprised him was that it was a gaggle of girls.  Now THAT would definitely never happen back home!  Still, this was a new place, and with there being several of them in a public place, he knew he would be okay; no one could accuse either side of trying something shifty. They all introduced themselves and told him about themselves, and he was quite pleased that they were also very happy to start to get him familiar with where everything was in town, the places to go and to see, and what to avoid.  Fluttershy, as was her way, remained quiet for the most part, and finally asked, in her quiet way, “Um…I hope you don’t think it’s rude for asking, but, um, why do you have a guitar?” He looked oddly at her for the question, but then shook himself when he realized he had taken it with him out of instinct.  “Oh, my goodness,” he answered, “You know what?  Back home, I did a lot of busking.  Grabbing it was a force of habit.” “Busking?” asked a curious Rainbow Dash, “What’s that?” Twilight chimed in and said, “Buskers are street musicians who go out into parks, squares, and street corners playing music and singing, and people put money into their baskets or instrument cases for the entertainment.” Jack nodded and said, “Yeah, and I did it just to get a bit of extra pocket money when I wanted it, and depending on where you played, some folks were very generous.  I mean, if you played in the right places, for them, a fifty or one-hundred-dollar bill was pocket change to them.” They all looked surprised, save for Rarity, who then said, “Ah, you must have been in Central Park or in Times Square.  Certainly, the people around there are quite affluent.” “Sounds like you know about this,” answered Jack. “But, of course,” she answered, “One day, I’m going to open my own boutique in the city proper, and you have to know the kind of clientele that will be frequenting the place.” Yet, as they talked, they looked up to see some others come into the shop, but seven of the girls there grew quiet and stared as they saw who was walking in.  They could not believe their eyes!  “Tarnation,” muttered Applejack, “They have some guts to be coming back around these parts, much less come in here!” Jack was confused at this, because all he saw was three very, very, beautiful girls enter the place with all the regality of princesses, but all the girls saw was three bundles of trouble!