//------------------------------// // Chapter 12: What's So Wrong With A Friendly Competition? // Story: A Shattered Rainbow Rock // by FourShadow //------------------------------// The very next week at school, everyone was abuzz with some genuine excitement. This was the week of preparation for the big musical showcase at the end of the month. Only this week and the next to prepare. But even with their excitement, the Rainbooms made sure to show everyone where their place was in school. Leaning against a few lockers were Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Fluttershy. Fluttershy giggled to herself as she watched a student open up a locker, to met with a surprise snake jumping at her. She screamed as the reptile flung out of her locker, much to Fluttershy's sadistic pleasure. "I've got more where that came from." Fluttershy snickered. Rarity grinned at her. "Oh darling, I find your charm around animals to be quite... evil. Its absolutely charming." Rainbow Dash was still a little surly. "Who cares about the charm?" "Please Rainbow Dash, if you didn't have charm, you wouldn't be able to get what you desire. But, its more fun to have the power." Rarity chortled. "Anyways, any word from Sunset?" Rainbow asked. "None yet darling, have patience. She'll be here soon." "But Pinkie Pie and Applejack got here fast, why can't she?" Rainbow asked. "Because Sunset has plans to devise, you know that." Fluttershy asked, tucking some hair away from her eyes. "Still though," Rainbow complained. Little did they know that Adagio had been listening to their conversation from a corner. She heard everything. Like a light bulb switching on, she got an idea, all in the forms of little words that ran through her head like a bullet train. Charm. Class. Charisma. Suave. Savvy... Seductive? Carefully slipping away, Adagio went straight for her locker. She had just finished up her class and was gonna meet up with the girls for lunch, until she spied on the Rainbooms conversation. Thankfully for Adagio this time, there were no springloaded desserts or animals to attack her this time. She closed the locker, and down the hallway she found a familiar fiery hairdo and clothes leaning against a locker. Still staying calm, Adagio slyly smirked as she looked back. "Why hello Sunset. How may I help you?" Adagio asked. Sunset glared at Adagio, her eyes turning into flaming daggers. "How are you not gone at this point? How is it that you and your sisters haven't fled the school by now?" "Like I said my dear Sunset, I don't scare easily." Adagio replied, brushing her own hair back. "And I'm staying long enough to make sure you and your little ragtag group of friends don't make everyone's lives miserable." "How is pranking people with hot food, possibly dangerous animals, and death threats making people miserable?" Adagio gave an unamused gaze. "I'm not going to dignify that with a response. But I have to ask, why is it that you and your friends bother everyone here? What enticed you all to be so mean?" "You don't get it, do you?" Sunset said, moving away from her locker and stomping towards her. "You're so dense, you don't even see the big picture, huh?" "Enlighten me." Sunset smirked. "I think you'll find out at the big musical showcase. Because at that point, everything you ever loved or cared about will be gone... and any brain cells you may have now, will decay away." Adagio still was unfazed. "A bit cliche don't you think? You know, you're a little vague in your words, perhaps an explanation would be wise?" Sunset's hand came up to her own face, groaning in annoyance. "You are so stupid..." "And you are quite rude." Adagio said. "Let me make something clear Sunset, I don't know what you have planned for the big showcase... but you might want to look around." Sunset looked at all of the students who were in their own little cliques, not even looking at the odd people around them, or even trying to move as far away from Sunset as possible. "All of the terrorism that you and your Rainbooms have done, are about to be undone." Adagio stepped from her locker, and was now backing Sunset up against another set of lockers, with a stern and intimidating look. Sunset actually was a little concerned. Especially since this girl was a little taller than her. "So keep your eyes out," Adagio said, holding her pendent, "because things are about to change." Adagio didn't realize it, but her eyes sparked a small glow of purple which made Sunset gasp. Adagio squinted her eyebrows. "What?" "No, no, nothing! Its nothing!" Sunset said, trying to act as innocent as possible. Adagio smirked. "See you around Shimmer. I guess I'll see you later today with everyone else. We're all working on this big showcase together, aren't we?" Adagio moved away from Sunset, and started walking down the hallway. Sunset could see Adagio intentionally swaying her hips side to side as she left the main hall. She looked behind her shoulder back at Sunset, and gave a little wink that reeked of seduction, flashing an alluring grin. Sunset just snarled and slammed her fists against the locker. "What is wrong with you!?" Adagio giggled to herself as she walked away. "I think I understand why she takes joy in messing with people." After lunch, almost everyone in the entire school was gathered in the auditorium. Giant sheets of paper, colored markers, pencils, pens, crayons, and everything you can imagine that was art related was all out for the students to use for the creation of the poster advertisements. "Girls I found the rest of my colored pencils!" Lyra said, opening up a bag, showing all of her pencils were organized by color. Among her group was Bon Bon, Octavia and Aria who gathered together. "Nice little organizational system you have here." Lyra giggled. "Thanks!" "She's eccentric, but organized." Bon Bon stated. "I swear, she could be a scientist or something." Aria and Octavia shrugged. "Oh, I got the design template that Amethyst made. Said she wanted to contribute even if she couldn't come here anymore." Lyra said, putting the design image down. "Perfect. So... why are we putting together what appears to be a sign for a Battle Of The Bands?" Bon Bon asked. "I have no idea." Octavia shrugged. "The idea was mine girls." Adagio said, shamefully boasting. The girls looked up to see Adagio who had just arrived in the auditorium. "But our school has never had a Battle Of The Bands before," Bon Bon said. "And I'm pretty sure Principal Luna isn't gonna start today." "Don't you worry about that girls. My sisters and I have some... ways, to influence them." Adagio winked to her sisters. "As long as its nothing wrong and illegal, I hope?" Lyra asked. "I would never go too far Lyra. Honest." The girls were a little hesitant, but they still wanted to go along. Maybe Adagio's idea was gonna work. After all, their school needed a bit of fresh air after going through the same dull routines over and over. Not to mention, having the Rainbooms around had turn their once friendly place into an asylum of fear and negativity. "I just dropped off my stuff. I gave a text to the rest of the girls and..." Adagio noticed a little instrument that was next to Bon Bon's foot. A flute, to be more specific. "Is that anyone's flute?" "Oh, no, that's mine." Lyra said, sliding it to the side. "I didn't know you played the flute." Adagio smirked. "Well, I tried to play for some time, but no one around here except for Bonnie really cared so I stopped playing." "Well I care. Perhaps you could show me some of your skills?" "I don't know..." "Lyra, its okay. You don't need to be shy." Bon Bon said, trying to comfort her friend. "Well, its just... You know what? I think I might." Lyra grinned, picking it up. "Mind if I just play something I learned? "Play whatever comes to your mind." Octavia smiled. Lyra held it tightly, and she began to play a tune into the instrument. And as she played, she moved her feet to the rhythm, even performing a few taps on the floor as she did. A few people did turn their heads to hear, but no one was frowning or looking mad. In fact, the people who heard her play were actually giving smiles and admiring the tune she played. As soon as Lyra finished the last note, she was met with a few people giving her a few claps of applause. "Oh, uh, t-thank you!" Lyra chuckled, taking a small bow. "That was very impressive Lyra." Adagio admired. "Aww, thank you." Lyra smiled. Through the doors were Sonata, Vinyl, and Trixie who had returned from putting their school supplies away. "Hey girls, we're back!" Sonata waved. "Good, we're all here." Adagio smiled. "Aria, Sonata, are you both ready?" "Yep!" "Of course!" "So, how exactly are you going to convince them about making a Battle Of The Bands?" Trixie asked. "Just wait. You'll see in a few moments," Adagio said, looking at the two adults entering in the auditorium. At that moment, Principal Luna and Vice-Principal Celestia walked into the big gymnasium. And speak of the devil, the Rainbooms showed up as well, glaring down at Adagio and her friends with devil eyes. Trixie shivered. "Oh, its never good when they have that look! It always means they're up to something!" "Trixie, stay calm. There are dozens of students here, and the two people who run this school are here as well. I can guarantee they wouldn't try to do something stupid." Octavia stated. "Good afternoon students! I'm glad to see you all are making excellent progress. I can already guarantee this is going to be the most exciting event since last year's Fall Formal. So keep working on those signs and--" "Ahem!" Everyone's heads turned to look at Adagio Dazzle who caught their attention. "Um, Principal's, if I may, is it alright if I may ask something?" Principal Luna raised a brow. "I suppose..." "Sorry for interrupting, that was quite rude on my part. But anyways, I wanted to ask, could we perhaps maybe do something that's not a showcase?" Everyone murmured amongst each other, feeling bewildered. "Allow me to explain. You see, I did a little research in regards to the traditions of this school, and I understand that you have a showcase at the start of every school year, but I have to ask, maybe we could do something that's of a more... collaborative nature? I understand many of these students used to be friends with another, but alas with the events that have progressed over the years, I feel we've lost that edge where we're one." "Just what are you suggesting, ramen hair?" Pinkie piped up. "My dear Pinkie Pie, I was thinking more along the lines of a musical event where groups mesh together... we're not just split into our own little cliques, perhaps something where everyone is working together. Working towards a common goal, united by the friendships we share, and the strengths and weaknesses. I'm thinking more along the lines of... a Battle Of The Bands." Everyone murmured again, much to the Rainboom's disgust. "Battle of the Bands?" Sunset was appalled. "That's the stupidest thing I ever heard! Competitions are just excuses for people to show off and to trash talk each other!" "Is it really Sunset?" Adagio asked, giving her a beguiling glance. "Your classmates don't seem to think so. After all... what's so wrong with a little competition?" Sunset and the Rainbooms were about to respond, when suddenly, the girls started... singing. At first, it didn't seem like much. They were sounding rather soothing and calm, very sweet to the ears in fact. But something seemed off about it. Everyone around them was no longer occupied on their own work, and they were now locked onto the three girls. Trixie and the other girls stayed off to the side and allowed them to work in their plan, but they could sense something wasn't right. Everyone just immediately dropped what they were doing and focused on them. It was like they were in a trance. Very, hypnotic trance. Their eyes didn't look away at anyone or anything else, it was all on them. Adagio, capturing the attention of the students and staff around them, began to sing. We've heard you want to show you're stronger... We heard you want to claim you're cool... We thought of something that is better... Something that changes all these rules... Adagio slowly started to wander around, passing through some of the students, and even getting them to focus Why pretend you're not the same When united you shine brighter? (Shine brighter...) A few of the boys were looking to Adagio like she was the most attractive thing in the room. It was like staring off into a beautiful horizon, and it was just something they couldn't bear to look away. Here's your chance to find your flame... Are you a quitter or a winner? Some of the students that were basically polar opposites of one another were exchanging glances and being a little more friendly. Jocks were opening up to the techies, eco kids opened up to some of the rockers, and fashionistas and drama geeks were starting to mesh with one another. Needless to say, Sunset and the Rainbooms were not liking this imagery one bit. In fact, they hated it! These people weren't becoming scared of their mere presence, but instead were more focused on interacting with each other! Their heads turned forward to see Adagio stand with her sisters, as they sang more and more, continuing to grasp the attention of everyone around them. Me and you, you and me Why don't we see who is wiser? We don't have to be all on our own thing what's so wrong when we're working all together? Are you afraid of not being one who's better? Soon they started popping in between students, urging them closer together, giving the most confident looks that they had seen in all of Canterlot High. Battle! You want to win it! Lets have a battle, battle of the bands! Lets have a battle! We'll go all in it! Lets have a battle, battle, battle, Battle of the bands! Sunset and the Rainbooms couldn't stand this. "This is outrageous!" Rarity huffed. "This will ruin everything!" Pinkie whined. The sisters just ignored their pleas and kept on singing, still attracting everyone's eyes. You're all strong and you should know it Yeah you're great just like all the rest! It doesn't matter if you win or lose It only matters if your friends are beside you! Battle! You want to win it! Lets have a battle, battle of the bands! Lets have a battle! We'll go all in it! Lets have a battle, battle, battle, Battle of the bands! Soon, students started to clamor with one another, and the groups began to mesh even more. "We can do this!" A drama student said, gathering some old friends real close. "You and me little buddy, lets win this!" A jock said, looking to one of the techies who was by his side. "We're all in this together now!" "Lets show em what we've got!" Even Principal Luna and Vice-Principal Luna were very intrigued by everything around them. In fact, they could see the students were actually very excited about the idea, with genuine excitement. Well, everyone except the Rainbooms of course. Me and you, you and me Why don't we see who is wiser? We don't have to be all on our own thing what's so wrong with a friendly competition? We're going out and winning this audition! But as their song continued on, the Rainbooms noticed something else very strange in the midst. Within the crowds, there was a strange fluorescent mist of purple... flowing. There was mist flowing from several of the students, fogging up the entire surroundings. And the mist was moving right towards the three sisters. But even stranger, the mist was collecting into little streams and flow right up into the pendents around their necks. And as the streams flowed even more, their eyes were starting to glow the same purple hue that Sunset saw flash in Adagio's eyes. This time, the rest of the trio's friends got in on their song, and sang right beside them. Battle! You want to win it! Lets have a battle, battle of the bands! Lets have a battle! We'll go all in it! Lets have a battle, battle, battle, Battle of the bands! Battle! You want to win it! Lets have a battle, battle of the bands! Lets have a battle! We'll go all in it! Lets have a battle, battle, battle, Battle of the bands! Lets have a battle, battle, battle, Battle of the bands! The music had ended, and the last bit of the mist flowed into their pendents. But no one was having any visible reaction, at all. It was like no one even saw it. Everyone was too busy looking happy from the excitement. Sunset sneered and her fists were clenching. This was the final straw. "That's it, I'm gonna--" "Attention students!" Everyone stopped talking and turned their eyes to Principal Luna and Vice-Principal Celestia who grabbed everyone's attention this time. "Vice-Principal Celestia and I have talked this over--" "In a few seconds!?" A student interrupted. "--and based on the excitement you all seem to be having over this idea... I think its time CHS tries something new. We will be hosting a Battle Of The Bands!" Principal Luna hollered. Everyone was in collective cheering. "What!? No!" Sunset snapped. "This can't be! This will ruin everything!" "Ruin what?" A student asked. Now everyone's heads turned to her and her associates. Sunset nervously chuckled. "Oh, uh, I meant as in... wouldn't this ruin the tradition here? I thought a musical showcase was always a tradition." Sunset said, sweat running down her head. "Maybe so, but I think its time we change things up every now and then," Vice-Principal Celestia stated. "So, if any of you want to participate in the Battle Of The Bands, we'll be handing out forms for you to sign on to participate in the competition tomorrow." Defeated by the crowd's positivity, Sunset led her Rainbooms out of the auditorium where everyone was still in collective applause and cheering. Adagio and her sisters grinned to see all of the happy faces around them. "I don't know about you girls, but I'm feeling so positive right now I could scream!" Adagio said with an excited face. "That was amazing!" Trixie beamed. "How did you girls even do that?" Adagio drooped. She had no idea how to reply to that. "Oh, well, um... its sort of along the lines of a positive energy, to sort of speak." Adagio replied, rubbing her hand on the back of her head. "I can't believe this! How did they ruin a perfect plan like we had!?" Rainbow screamed, kicking a locker. "Perfect my foot, somethin' strange happened in there!" Applejack said, her arm pointed at the inside of the auditorium. Sunset breathed heavily, trying to calm herself down. Eventually, she was calm, and approached her friends with a malicious look. "They may have altered our plans, but we can still win... they want to tangle with us, then fine. We'll play by their rules. We'll win this competition, and when we do... we'll have everything we need to achieve our goals." "And how are we gonna win? Those girls are the most eye catching looking people here, and they got everyone to listen to them! Even their own friends got in there." Pinkie asked. "Because Pinkie, everyone has their dirty little secrets... and I think I may be onto something very interesting about this new trio."