//------------------------------// // Chapter Eight // Story: An Equestrian Girls Comedy of Errors // by Godzilla313 //------------------------------// Chapter 8 The sleepover was a success, and they all spent time showing their new friends the orchard and all the countryside round about where the three Apple siblings grew up and found fun things to do.After that morning, they all decided on spending time figuring out what they wanted to do with the upcoming talent show for the summer festival.Rarity then volunteered, “Now that you five have an act, and considering your theme, I think that we must come up with appropriate wardrobe for your act.I think that you five and I need to meet me at my family shop and we’ll see what kind of costumes we can come up with.After that, we can all go to the spa!” Andante spoke up and said, “But, that would be a lot of work, and how much would that cost?” “Oh, don’t worry about it,” she said with a wave, “I have so many bolts of cloth that I personally own that I can make them on my own time.It’s no inconvenience to me, really.” Now the new group was all a twitter about that and what she would come up with.Jack thought it cool, but he wasn’t too keen on the spa thing, thinking it was more of a girl thing.“Oh, don’t be silly,” quipped Rarity, “You’d be surprised what kind of things they have for men in there.Trust me, you’ll love it.Even you boys can stand some pampering every now and then.” He rolled his eyes and just shrugged his shoulders, beginning to realize that trying to win an argument of this sort with Rarity would be a futile gesture. Across town, the sirens were preparing for their mission.“Okay, here’s the plan,” stated Adagio, “We go to the mall and stay blended in with the crowd.From our time in this world, we know that this is a popular place for girls their age to congregate.We’re bound to run into them sooner or later.We’ll observe them, their mannerisms, the way they dress, and so forth.Now, they must have some kind of musical background from that day I saw them go into the music shop.Thus, we must find out what their tastes are, and if they do song, learn that style.” Sonata chirped, “You act like we’re going to replace them or something.” Adagio just stared at her with her mouth slightly agape with a look on her face like she didn’t believe what she was hearing and just said, “Did your parents set up the swing set too close to the wall or something?Of course we’re going to replace them, you idiot!” “Which means your going to dispose of them somehow?” Aria asked rhetorically, knowing the answer, “And just how do you plan to do this?” “We send them through the portal, of course,” answered Adagio, “They’ll end up looking like us, and either Starswirl, or some other of his pupils, will dispose of them for sure.There’s no way he’d let us back again, and will take harsher steps to get rid of what they perceive to be us.All I need to do is figure out just how to get them to the portal, but one thing at a time.The first thing we do after work is get cleaned up quickly and go to the mall.We’ll need all the time we can get.” Back at Sunset’s place, Sunset had already gone to bed, but Starlight was up, messing with one of Sunset’s guitars, looking up different punk groups and trying to learn some of that music.For her, it was a good mix of her tastes and the era of music her new friends loved to play.The Ramones especially intrigued her, but she wasn’t too fond of some of the stuff that came out of Great Britain, feeling the look of punk that they had versus what the United States was doing prior to Britain picking up an the scene.She pulled up some stuff on the internet, (loving the whole concept of such knowledge being at such easy access, and wondering if this would be something that Twilight would be obsessed with, considering the availability of information so easily accessed,) and was using the guitar unplugged so as not to wake up Sunset, having ear buds in for the videos.She was going over and over the songs, stopping them sometimes at points and repeating them over and over to get the feel for the phrasing and chords.So into it was she that she didn’t even know two hours had passed and she was still into it.Yet, in her practicing, she was moving around and shifted a chair in such a fashion that it made a sound lout enough to wake Sunset up.She looked at the guest bed to see Starlight was not in it, so she went out to see Starlight deep into it.Rather than startle her, she made her way around to get before her. Starlight looked up and then jumped a bit and then laughed as she caught her breath.She stopped the music and said, “Sorry, did I wake you?” “I heard a sound and then saw you weren’t in bed,” answered Sunset, “Why are you still up?” “Oh, well, I’ve been learning this style they want me to emulate,” responded Starlight, “What time is…” and then saw the time on the computer and said, “Oops, lost track of time.” “Yeah, you’d better get to bed,” noted Sunset, “You still have to come in to work, and then you have that big day with Rarity.You’ll need your rest.” Starlight nodded and put the guitar back and stared to shut things down.Sunset then said, “You were that into it?” “I just like that style,” Starlight said, “Basic three-chord rock and roll, but with an edge.” “You weren’t kidding when you said you had your dark side as a filly.” “This isn’t that dark, but just honest.” “Well, you looked like you were having fun, and I am so glad you are learning so much while here.” They hugged and headed to the room as Starlight said, “At the least, it’s going to be quite a story.” After work the next day, Starlight met up with the rest of Midsummer Dream at Rarity’s boutique and went in.Before they could blink, Rarity came out of the back, reading glasses on, tape measures draped around her neck, a wrist pin cushion with plenty of hem pins, and all smiles.“Alright ladies and gentleman!” she exclaimed, “Get ready for the makeovers of your lives!” With that, she quickly ushered them to the back and got to work.She saw the contrasting styles of the trio, Starlight, and Jack, and remembered the archetypes they each wanted to reflect.However, she also wondered if she could incorporate the personal Lolita styles of the trio and went to her patterns.After some thinking, she figured out how to blend the styles and started looking through what she already had in racks of clothes that were requested and never retrieved.There were some things she tried on them and then pinned up to alter, and then started to lay out some patterns and get some pictures of the Lolita style and of the styles of what each one was to reflect.“Oh, this is going to be such a statement!” said Rarity excitedly, seeing a challenge before her, “In fact, if you ever did get big with this, I guarantee you, everyone will want to dress like you five!” She saw a nice mix of Victorian and modern, the 70s and 80s styles with some nice Victorian frills and satin cloth.For Jack, she liked the jeans and cowboy boots, but figured some moccasin boots and a brown leather jacket with some fringes along the back and arms would be about the right look of the 70s rocker, and maybe a leather thong around the head or a bandana.Starlight already had that punk look, so she was able to help her the easiest, seeing she had some of that readily available in the abandoned racks and knew she only had to alter little to get things the way they sought.As she measured them and did their colors, they were all beginning to chatter a bit about it, now getting into it and giving their own suggestions.Her warm and generous demeanor made it easy to work with her, she being very willing to incorporate their ideas with hers.Jack said, “I never knew that doing this could be fun.” “Ob, darling,” exclaimed Rarity, “You’d be surprised at all the things you can enjoy and not sacrifice any of your Brooklyn image and reputation.Stick with me, and I can show you how to live the tough guy high life!” He laughed and said, “Well, you haven’t steered me wrong yet.” Once she had all their measurements, she then told them, “Okay, in a few days, I’ll have your show wardrobes ready.Now, let’s get to the spa.I tell you, Aloe, Vera, and Lanolin are the best of the best and they are going to be spoiled rotten like you’ve never seen before.” The sirens were already in the mall, searching for their doubles.Not having much luck, they were getting ready to leave when they saw them coming into the doors they were preparing to exit. Seeing this, Adagio pulled the three behind some nearby plants and shushed them quickly, pointing out what she saw.The looked at one another, nodded, and started to follow, keeping their distance, but trying to stay in earshot to pick up on the way they talked and expressed themselves.Rarity was showing them some of her favorite shops before heading to the spa, and they all got a quick snack before going in.This gave the sirens a good amount of time to really get the feel of who they wanted to replace.After that, they headed to the spa.The sirens watched them go in and waited.They wanted to be sure they went wherever they needed to go in there before going in.It would have been extremely awkward to go in and bumped right into them before they were ready. Inside, Aloe gave a huge and warm greeting to Rarity, giving her a big hug and the three kisses on the cheek, and seeing the group, summoned Vera and Lanolin, saying, “Ladies, we must give them the newcomer’s special treatment!Come in, come in!” Jack felt out of place, but Aloe spotted that, saying, “Oh, don’t you worry.We have some special things for our gentlemen patrons.” She called to the back and said, “Bulk, we have someone for you.” “YEAH!” was heard from the back, followed by his hulking image coming out the door with a big and excited smile on his face.Aloe then said, “Don’t be too rough with him, he’s a newcomer to this kind of thing, and we have to break him in.” Jack looked at her, then at Bulk, and suddenly didn’t like the imagery of just how they were going to “break” him in.“Come with me, pal!” Bulk thundered out, “Before you know it, you’ll be able to handle the deep tissue sports massage in no time!” As he guided Jack to the back, he looked at the girls and mouthed, “Help me!” The girls all went to be serviced, and after this, another worker came in to fulfill her shift and relieve the current clerk.It was not moments after this that the Dazzlings entered the place.The clerk spotted them and warmly greeted them, saying, “Ah, you must be the girls Rarity told us about.” The three looked at one another, not sure what she was talking about, but before they could respond, she came around and started to quickly usher them to the spa rooms, saying, “Come along now.There is much we’re going to do for you!” This was just as tortured sounds was coming from one of the rooms, making them wonder just what it was into which they entered.The attendants there moved in swiftly as if a bunch of African driver ants and stripped them down and had them in robes before they could speak.They were getting overwhelmed, but in the process, the broaches they had were taken from them, being attached to the clothes.Adagio became anxious and said, “But, our broaches…” “Oh, don’t worry,” she said, “We’ll put your clothes in some security lockers.” They quickly locked them up and gave the Dazzlings the keys.They then ushered each one to a different place and started to deal with them before they could protest.The attendant with her said, “I know what you’d like: a good mud wrap!” “But, you don’t…” she started to say but she was whisked off to a room and mud was quickly applied to her, followed by a soft cloth wrap.Before she knew it, she was on a table, looking like an Egyptian mummy.Ear buds were then stuffed in her ears as relaxing music was played and the lights were dimmed.She wanted to protest, but this was quite relaxing and just let it go.If the ones they were watching were in there, they’d be able to catch up eventually.She even pondered, “If all goes well, we can make our future slaves do this to us constantly!” Aria was taken to a room where a slightly different mud application was about to take place.“Oh, you’re going to love this!” said the attendant anxiously and led her to what looked like a small pool, except it wasn’t water.Aria was able to be more vocal as the attendant was putting up her hair, protesting, “Hey, we’re here on a mission!We didn’t…” “Oh, this must be your first time in a spa!” the attendant said happily, seeming to be ignorant to the irritation under her voice, “Most people don’t expect the treatment they get here, but I’m sure this will bring you back time and time again.” She led her to the “pool” and Aria said, “You drown your guests in quicksand?” The attendant giggled and said, “Oh, don’t be silly!It’s just an artificial hot mud spring.” However, as she was practically pushed into it, it seemed a bit hotter than for what she cared.But because she was so quickly immersed into it, it took er by surprise, and all she could do was give a slight squeal as she settled on a seat in the pit that had her neck deep.Relaxing music was playing in here and the attendant said, “Just relax and enjoy it.I’ll be back in a bit and let you rinse off before I take you for a good steam.” She left her there, still slightly in shock, looking as if she didn’t know if she’d be shot, kissed, powder burned, or snake bit. Sonata was taken to a different room, and the attendant said, “This is our newest treatment, and you get to be the first to try it.” With Sonata, however, the way her mind worked, instead of protesting, she seemed all anxious and ready for whatever was coming.She even seemed a bit gleeful as she said, “Oh boy, I get to try it first!” The attendant had her robe off quickly and had her hair in a towel, and Sonata was all ready…until she saw what it was!“Ew!What’s that?” she asked, not sure she wanted this now.The attendant then said, “Oh, it’s just kelp.It’s a seaweed wrap!You’ll love it!” “Um…seaweed?” she said, unsure about this, but before she could protest further, the attendant had her wrapped up quickly and had her on a table in much the same way as Adagio had been done with her mud wrap.The attendant then said, “Now, don’t move, because this tears easily,” but Sonata felt all slimy and icky, moaning slightly at her predicament.Ear buds were also inserted into her ears and the same music was played for her as the lights were dimmed and the attendant left her.All she could say is a weak, “Help?” as if she didn’t know if she should be protesting this, not sure what to do. Jack staggered down the hall, being guided by Bulk, saying in his boisterous tone, “After that, a good steam will finish the process!You’ll feel energized after it’s all done.” “I hope so,” he moaned, “Because you sure did a number on me.” Not catching it, he smacked Jack on the back, nearly knocking the wind out of him, saying, “Glad to be of service!” He put him into the steam room in his terry cloth robe and left him to soak it all up.The steam was thick in there, so it was hard to see things, but he could tell by the voices that he heard coming in after him who it was.“I can’t believe they put me in that icky stuff!” whined Sonata. “Well, the mud wrap wasn’t so bad,” mused Adagio, “I mean, after the shower, I felt so soft and clean.” “It was the same with me,” added Aria, “Except they had to try to roast me to do it! I mean, it felt like everything below my neck melted at first.I wondered if this was mud, or lava!” They, not seeing Jack, nearly jumped out of their skins as he piped up, saying, “You should have gotten what I got.” The three gave a slight shriek, and he said, “Sorry, I should have told you I was in here first.” They were not sure how to react, but Adagio, thinking fast, knew this was the boy that was with their doubles and said, “It’s fine.But, what did they do to you?” “Put me with Mr. Muscleman and he beat the tar out of me,” he groaned, “If that’s pampering, I’d hate to see what they call torture.” The three laughed as the sat down, and Jack then said, “So, Andante, do you think Starlight is a good addition to the band?” “Who’s Andante?” Sonata started to say, genuinely confused, but she was cut off when she got an elbow into her ribs from Adagio.She then whispered out the corner of her mouth, “Shut your pie hole before you blow this!This is going to help!” Adagio then said, hoping she was guessing right and he was speaking to hear, “Um…she’s…fine…a big help.” “I’d think it’s more than that,” said Jack, not suspecting what was going on, “She really filled in a hole that makes us complete.” Aria heard something in the voice and said, “Sounds like a bit more to you.You like her or something?” “Hey, let’s not push it,” he said, “Besides, I have something about not dating bandmates.If it were to break up, it would disrupt the band’s unity.Best to just be friends with them, and you for that matter.Besides, she’s only visiting from…what did they call that place…Equestria, and she’ll be going back after summer anyway.She’s technically not even human, so that would be awkward as well.” Adagio knew exactly what he was talking about, but she was also happy he was telling about their relationships together.This would help when it came time to execute their master plan.Adagio then said, “Well, thank you for being open about that.At least we’ll know where to go with things.” “Hey, I’m from NYC,” responded Jack, “We just speak it plain and lay it out there what’s on our minds.Why mince words?” “This NYC sounds like an awesome place,” said Aria. “You don’t know the half of it,” answered Jack, “You can be and do whatever you want there.You could walk down the middle of Times Square dressed like a Power Ranger and no one would say a word.” The Dazzlings actually found that amusing and laughed a bit, and Adagio then said, “Well, I guess we’ll go change.We’ll need to get home and get some rest before we practice more tomorrow.” “Yeah, catch you outside, though I was hoping for some coffee after this,” said Jack. “Um…well…” mumbled Adagio, forgetting that they may have had some plans after this to go do something, “Maybe we can, but we just want to get ourselves put together.” “Got it,” he said, sitting back, “I won’t be that far behind you.” They nodded as they headed out.Sonata whined, “But, I was actually beginning to enjoy that.” “You don’t get it do you,” groaned Adagio, rolling her eyes, “We have to be sure he doesn’t suspect anything.I just wished we could have gotten him to say what names he had for you two.He called me, I guess it was me, since he didn’t say anything, Andante.I find it strange he’d do that in the first place.Well, if we can catch him at the right time again, we can get that out of him.Moreover…” She stopped, pondering things, and then added, “Moreover, if we play our cards right, we can use him as our pawn.If he’s convinced that we are those other three, we could use him unwittingly to help us get rid of them and replace them.We have to trail them some more and learn more from them.” With that, the got their things on and headed out.The attendant at the desk said, “So, shall I put this on Miss Rarity’s tab?” They looked at one another and realized this must have been a treat or something, saying, “Sure, I mean, that’s what she brought us here for, right?” The clerk nodded, and they headed out, but didn’t go far into the mall.They wanted to tail them for a bit and see what they could learn.A great opportunity presented themselves dealing with Jack and the others.He could be used as the unwitting useful idiot to gain what they wanted, and take this pathetic world under their thumbs.