The following day, in the courtyard of the castle, Cinch and Sunny sat where the acoustics of the area was the best to hear, “I am surprised you haven’t entered the contest.” Cinch said flatly as the two watched the stage was finished being erected and everyone that was starting to take their own seats.
Sunny didn’t look to face her mother, “We cannot give a reason for the perception of favoritism or a conflict of interests. That would give grounds to appeal any ruling and that will draw this out.” Sunny’s tone was just as flat as her mother’s.
Cinch then looked at the list, “Are you certain that you should be a judge, Lemon and Indigo are your half-sisters.”
“It’s not my fault your marriage contract with father allowed him to plant his seeds in any fields he desired.” Sunny countered, which cause Cinch’s jaw to drop, “Also I refuse to let Lemon and Indigo proceed unless they merit it. Unlike your favorite to win, mother-dearest.” Sunny gave a small smile as she more or less circumvented her mother’s protest.
Cinch collect herself, “Well played.” Cinch complement as the two kept their focus in front of them. Cinch couldn’t help but smile at Sunny’s progression.
Shortly the entire audience was full as Juniper stepped on stage with a clipboard and a microphone. “Welcome everyone to the Midnight Castle Battle of the Bands,” Juniper shouted in an announcement. The people cheered at that. Juniper then continued, “We have to thank the guest, The Dazzlings, for the encouragement to turn the Musical Showcase into this.” Juniper continued as she pointed towards the Dazzlings as they went backstage to with be with the rest of the contestants and was answered with a cheer. “There can only be one winner. Now, who will win? Let’s find out!”
Backstage, the Dazzlings stepped to the side and listened to murmurs of the audience “You feel that, girls? Our true power is being restored bit by bit.” Aria and Sonata both giggled in response as they felt the surge of power. Adagio turned her gaze to the Rainbooms as they were trying to set up. “And that's before we've tapped into the strongest magic here.”
“But the Rainblossoms, or whatever they're called, aren't under our spell.” Aria pointed out with a slight bit of concern, “How exactly are we supposed to get to their magic?”
Adagio shook her head as she watched the Rainbooms very tenuous state, “The Rainbooms are just as capable of falling apart as anyone else.” She pointed out. “They just need a little…” she paused as she made a ‘push’ gestured with her left hand, “push in the wrong direction.” She then turned around and had her sisters do likewise as a sinister grin grew on her face, “I have a feeling everyone here is going to be lining up to give them a shove.”
At the same time in another area backstage, Rarity was looking at rack upon rack, each with a wide away of costumes of various designs, a few of the designs were not unlike stylized military marching band, one set was made of sweaters with skirts with what looked like stylized horse ears accompany them and stylized horse tails attached to the skirts, and a score more. Applejack could only shake her head as she tuned her bass along with Rainbow, who was tuning her guitar. Twilight was looking over the song trying to figure out how the counterspell could be worked into it, while Pinkie tightened a couple of her drums. Fluttershy was looking over her own songs and sighed as her works were ignored. Sunset was with the Rainbooms, looking at all the bands there. At that time, Sunset took a moment to look around and noticed the absence of five people that she could have sworn would be there. “Hey, where are Sunny Flare and the rest of the Shadowbolts?” She asked.
Dash finished tuning her guitar and looked around for a second and then shrugged her shoulders, “I guess they were all too scared to show.”
Applejack raised an eyebrow at that as she finished tuning her bass, “Really?” she asked not sold on the notion. “Now Ah don’t live here, but from Ah gather, that doesn’t sound like any of them, especially that Indigo.”
Pinkie then started her own search she then saw Lemon with a sampler and Indigo with a guitar, “Hey, there’s Indigo and Lemon over there.” She said as she pointed out the two. “HEY, LEMON! OVER HERE!” she called out the two which prompted them to walk over to the Rainbooms.
“Hey, girls.” Lemon said as she was bobbing her head before she took off her headsets, “You all ready to rock!” she shouted as she raised her left hand into the air with her thumb, index finger and pinkie finger up.
“Heck yeah, we are.” Rainbow declared as she played a note on her guitar. She then looked around and noticed the absence of Sunny, Sour and Sugarcoat. A fact not lost on the rest of the Rainbooms. “Umm, where’s the rest of you?”
Indigo coughed as she started to sweat a little, “Yeah, we decided that we were so good that Lemon and I can handle the first round ourselves.” She looked at Lemon who nodded in agreement. “No big deal. Everyone else will be here for the finale.”
Applejack raised an eyebrow in complete disbelief in Indigo’s story, “Ah see.” she commented.
“First up is the duet Lemon -Zap!” Juniper’s voice was heard announcing the band.
Indigo looked to Applejack and then back “ We’re up first.” Indigo and Lemon then head to the stage
“Over here,” Indigo started the vocals of the song in an echo-like voice.
“In each case, and then I am small and you will not come” Lemon took over the singing. That line gave Indigo a strange sinking feeling similar to the feeling one gets at the beginning of a roller coaster ride as the car escalates. Indigo normally enjoyed that feeling but at this very moment, that feeling was giving her a sense of dread. She chose to ignore that feeling and continued.
“Over here,” Indigo sang in a more echo like voice.
“In each case, and then they’re a bit stomach
My tears are listening,” Lemon took over the vocals again.
Indigo gave her half-sister a bewildered sideways glance before continuing. “Over here” Indigo sang in a more echo like voice.
“Occasionally I am scared
This year it is going to be a good thing.” Lemon continued all the while wrapped up at the moment.
“Over here,” Indigo sang in a more echo like voice.
“You and I will get a piece of paper
You see your eyes,” Lemon sang, all the while people in the audience started to look at each other utterly at a lost of what to do or how to respond.
“Round, glowing eyes” Indigo sang in a more echo like voice. Realizing what she just sang, Indigo turned to face her sister with an expression on her face that said, “What?”
Lemon ignored her and continued to sing. “At least I ran away.”
“Round, glowing eyes” Indigo sang in a more echo like voice. As the two continued to sing, the amount of cringe that Indigo’s face and body language were communicating began to build.
“Sometimes I dissolved,” Lemon continued.
“Occasionally,” Indigo sang in a more echo like voice.
“Anyway
I found a small one
And take some wild leftovers.”
“Occasionally,” Indigo sang in a more echo like voice as her right eye started to twitch.
“Anyway
I had an uninterested servant
As a child, I speak as my arms.”
“Approx,” Indigo sang in a more echo like voice this time her left eye was twitching.
“Anyway I took a little laugh
I know, and Flow.”
“Approx,” Indigo sang in a more echo like voice, resisting the urge to gag.
“Anyway I get a little awesome
However, I see you in my eyes.”
“Extremely, sharp eyes.” Indigo sang in a more echo like voice, her voice wavering ever so slightly.
“In every case and after the fall.”
“Extremely, sharp eyes.” Indigo sang again in a more echo like voice.
“Sometimes I abandoned
And today you need it today
I really wanted more
You to honor me safely
We will live forever
And we’re just getting it ready
We can not do anything
You can remove the last sentence
Your love is always in the shade” Lemon sang as she took hold of the microphone.
"In the shade" Indigo sang in a more echo like voice.
“I do not know what to do when I was in school
We are living in a hot dog and we leaving flowers”
“What?!” Indigo broke character and nearly screamed into her microphone. She recovered and gave the audience an awkward grin. Her half-sister seemed completely oblivious to her growing distress and confusion.
“I love you very much today
You will start the night
Must start tonight.”
“I love it
But I’m getting separated” The two sang together. Indigo lifted her hand and struck the front of her face with her open palm as she was utterly flabbergasted at what she got herself into.
“It’s impossible to do anything
Tomorrow in the heart
I was a light in my life
But now there is only one man who loves darkness
You could not do anything.
Heart of darkness.”
“Extremely, sharp eyes.” Indigo sang in a more echo like voice.
“At least I ran away.”
“Extremely, sharp eyes.” Indigo sang in a more echo like voice.
“Sometimes I was demolished
And now this is part.”
“And now this is part” Indigo sang in a more echo like voice. However, the annoyance in Indigo’s voice as audible as she sang that last line.
“I really liked it very much.” Lemon continued.
“That makes one of us,” Indigo thought to herself grimly. Before she sang, “Thank you.”
“We have eternal life,” Both sang together
“We are preparing for this,” Lemon sang by herself.
“We are preparing for this,” Indigo sang in a more echo like voice.
“No can do no wrong
We can get rid of the effect of the process.
I will always love you
I don’t know what to do when I study in darkness
We live in a mixture of hot and out of flowers.
Why are we out of flowers?!” Lemon shouted enthusiastically into the mic.
“Maybe because this song is terrible, so nobody’s going to be throwing us any,” Indigo once again thought to herself as Lemon continued to sing.
"I love you very much today
You will start tonight
Must start tonight.”
“After all, I’ve been loved,” Indigo sang in a more echo like voice.
“But they will only quench it.” The two sang together with Indigo much less enthusiasm then Lemon.
“There are things I can do
In the heart of the time to come
There is a little of my life.”
“However, only a dark love,” The two sang together for the final time as Indigo shut her eyes and covered them with her hands.
“No, no
Heart Attack
Heart of Darkness
Tomorrow in the heart.” As Lemon sang her last part, Sunny hung her head in shame over the fact that she was related to Lemon. Cinch like everyone else was utterly at a loss at what had just happened.
“Extremely, sharp eyes.
“Round, glowing eyes
Come back.” Indigo sang as she and Lemon finished the song’s instrumentals. Indigo opened her eyes and saw that the entire audience was collectively stunned into deafening silence. If she had not realized she made a massive bad call at any previous point she undoubtedly did as groaned to herself.
The silence was however broken when both Pinkie and Sonata, who were the only two people who enjoyed the performance shouted at the same time, “NAILED IT!”
Indigo covered her face with her right hand as she grabbed Lemon by the arm with her left before she ran out off the stage, dragging a blissfully oblivious Lemon with her. All the while in abject humiliation. However, Lemon shouted back, “THANKS, PINKIE, YOU ROCK. WOOH!!”, very much still oblivious to how things turned out.
Backstage Applejack turned to the other Rainbooms and to the other bands, “Well, we all know who won’t be going any farther!” and everyone, save for Fluttershy, Pinkie, Sonata, Sunset, and Twilight, laughed at that joke. Pinkie and Sonata were both confused as they thought Lemon and Indigo were good, Sunset and Twilight had their focuses elsewhere while Fluttershy was too polite to laugh.
Juniper walked back on to the stage and turned to face the audience. After a couple of seconds to collect herself and process everything, “… well, that was Lemon-Zap.” she stopped for a couple of seconds. She then closed her eyes and spoke with a slightly forced cheer, “Next up is the ESM support garrison’s own rock band,” she then began to step off of the stage as the stage went dark, “The Flash Drives.” Twilight looked up from the piece of parchment she had been going over, her eyes wide. Sunset looked back at her with a look that matched her own. They could have sworn by Flash’s apologetic look that he was going to talk them out of competing. The two walked from the backstage to see the stage as what could be best described as a circus tent appeared and in a second disappeared a with the Flash Drives dressed as various circus performers with their own Rock Opera-like twist, Flash was dressed akin to a ringmaster, Mystery a sideshow fortune teller. Valhallen a beast handler, Cherry a trapeze artist, Brawly a strong man and Ringo a fire-eater.
They all started to play as all but Flash began a cross of chanting and singing the start of the song, “Whoa
Whoa
Whoa
Whoa
Whoa
Whoa
Whoa
Whoa
Whoa.”
Flash stepped forward to his mic, “Ladies and gents, this is the moment you've waited for (whoa)
“Been searching in the dark, your sweat soaking through the floor (whoa)
And buried in your bones there's an ache that you can't ignore
Taking your breath, stealing your mind
And all that was real is left behind” As Flash sang, his vocal chords started to slowly but gradually glow purple.
“Don't fight it, it's coming for you, running at ya
It's only this moment, don't care what comes after
Your fever dream, can't you see it getting closer
Just surrender 'cause you feel the feeling taking over
It's fire, it's freedom, it's flooding open
It's a preacher in the pulpit and you'll find devotion
There's something breaking at the brick of every wall it's holding I'll let you now
So tell me, do you wanna go?” Flash was joined by the rest of the band as a spectral image of swirling circus tent stripes appeared and grew before they exploded into fireworks. As the verse progressed, spectral fire burst out of Ringo’s bass and snaked throughout the courtyard.
“Where it's covered in all the colored lights
Where the runaways are running the night
Impossible comes true, it's taking over you
Oh, this is the greatest show
We light it up, we won't come down
And the sun can't stop us now
Watching it come true, it's taking over you
Oh, this is the greatest show” Everyone stopped as Flash continued to sing on his own. All the while colored circles appeared and moved not unlike they were juggled. As the verse continued, spectral silhouettes of trapeze artists performed various tricks, and spectral Catherine wheel fireworks went off. As the verse ended, columns of fire burst to life all around the courtyard.
“Whoa,” everyone chanted.
“Colossal we come to these renegades in the ring” Flash sang as spectral elephants charged in and reared up on their back legs.
“Whoa,” the other five chanted.
“Where the lost get found in the crown of the circus king” Flash sang as a spectral crown wrapped around his top hat.
“Don't fight it, it's coming for you, running at ya,
It's only this moment, don't care what comes after
It's blinding outside and I think that you know
Just surrender 'cause you're calling and you wanna go” As Flash sang the ceiling of the spectral tent was replaced by a star-filled sky that spun around and around in a spiral. Where Twilight and Sunset were, the two could not help but pant, not unlike how Twilight felt the day before when she heard Flash singing, as his voice and the music from his guitar seemed to vibrate throughout both her and Sunset’s bodies.
“Where it's covered in all the colored lights
Where the runaways are running the night
Impossible comes true, intoxicating you
Oh, this is the greatest show
We light it up, we won't come down
And the sun can't stop us now
Watching it come true, it's taking over you
Oh, this is the greatest show,” As Flash sang, the other band members joined in as the sky seemed to explode into fireworks. Spectral circus horses charged forward and pranced in a circle around the audience, followed by spectral rings of fire with spectral tigers jumping through the fire rings, ending with the spectral tigers facing the audience and roaring.
“It's everything you ever want
It's everything you ever need
And it's here right in front of you
This is where you wanna be (this is where you wanna be)
It's everything you ever want
It's everything you ever need
And it's here right in front of you
This is where you wanna be
This is where you wanna be.” The rest of the band stopped singing as Flash continued, all the while the audience started to stand and seemed to be entranced by the music as many jumped in place, not unlike a proper rock concert. Backstage, everyone, even Rainbow Dash, was caught up in the song and seem to dance in place. Save Aria and Adagio who looked theirs and Sonata’s rubies and noticed a very very very fine almost utterly missable crack form in each. Aria looked at Adagio with slight panic but Adagio remained calm as she pointed that Flash’s vocal cords were glowing like when the day before, but it was shifting from purple to orange. The two looked back at the rubies and saw that the cracks had closed and they were whole again.
“Where it's covered in all the colored lights
Where the runaways are running the night
Impossible comes true, it's taking over you
Oh, this is the greatest show
We light it up, we won't come down
And the sun can't stop us now
Watching it come true, it's taking over you
This is the greatest show
When it's covered in all the colored lights
Where the runaways are running the night
Impossible comes true, it's taking over you
Oh, this is the greatest show
We light it up, we won't come down
And the walls can't stop us now
I'm watching it come true, it's taking over you
Oh, this is the greatest show.” Back on stage, the other members of Flash Drives joined Flash as more and of the spectrals manifested and began to interact with the audience.
“'Cause everything you want is right in front of you
And you see the impossible is coming true
And the walls can't stop us (now) now, yeah” The other Flash Drives stopped singing as Flash took off his top hat and threw it into the air. As he sang, a light followed it as it landed on Twilight’s head before it went back to Flash.
“This is the greatest show (oh!)
This is the greatest show (Oh!)
This is the greatest show (oh!)
This is the greatest show (oh!)
This is the greatest show (Oh!)
This is the greatest show (oh!)
(This is the greatest show)
This is the greatest show (oh!)
This is the greatest show!” The entire audience, sans Sunny and Cinch, joined in with the band as they started to sing, while Flash remained silent as his fingertips glowed both purple and orange as he played his guitar alone. And with the last ‘oh’ the lights went out. The entire courtyard broke out into thunderous applause. An achievement not lost on Rainbow Dash as she turned deathly pale at the sight of the standing ovation.
As the Flash Drives exited the stage and Juniper stepped on stage to announce the next performers, backstage, Sunset turned her attention to Twilight and said, “You need to get over there and talk to him. Now.” Twilight nodded went after Flash. Sunset turned back to the stage and then to the rest of the bands, Flash Drives was the band to beat to confront the Dazzlings. Sunset then turned to see the Rainbooms follow Twilight. She sighed and followed them.
Elsewhere as Twilight was about to walk up to the Flash Drives, sensed her friends following her. She stopped and saw them right behind her. She welcomed the support but she looked at them and knew that she was treading on thin ice with Rainbow Dash there. She looked squarely at the elementalist. “Please, whatever you do, please don’t talk. Please.” she pleaded. Rainbow Dash groaned and rolled her eyes in reluctant agreement, while the rest of them nodded siding with Twilight that it would be best that Rainbow kept her mouth shut. Within a few seconds, they arrived to see the Flash Drives congratulating themselves on an outstanding performance. “Flash!” Twilight called as she ran towards him.
Flash turned to face Twilight as she came towards him, his face brightened as he greeted back, “Twilight!” That brightness dampened as he saw who was following her. His face darkened as he looked at the other Rainbooms and Sunset after them. “I see that you brought your so-called friends with you.”
“What’s that supposed to--?” Dash began before she felt Applejack putting a hand over her mouth. The paladin gave her a stern glare that clearly said, ‘Shut up’, which Rainbow obeyed with an eye-roll.
Last to arrive was Sunset, but as she arrived she could have sworn that she saw Flash’s eyes change color from blue to orange and then back when he had turned to look at them, but the change appeared and disappeared so quickly that she couldn’t be sure. However, Sunset was the only one to notice that, while Twilight, who was the closest to Flash seemed to have missed it. Yet Flash’s eyes was not Twilight’s main concern at that point, “What’s going on?” She asked utterly confused before she took off the top hat, “I thought you were going to talk your friends into dropping out of the competition,” she continued as she hugged the hat, not unlike a child holding a security blanket.
Flash turned his focus back to Twilight, “I was,” he started before he turned to look at his band, “but after some contemplation, I realized that they were right,” said Flash as he turned his focus back to Twilight. He then looked to the Rainbooms, more squarely at Rainbow Dash, “I’m a member of the Royal Guard, a soldier in the ESM. It’s about time I and by extension,” he then gestured to the rest of his band, “we pulled our weight around here and did our job.” He then looked straight into Twilight’s eyes. Twilight was taken aback, Flash looked like he thought he did a great thing, like a dog that killed a troublesome gopher or groundhog and was right next to the body more or less saying, ‘Look, look, he won’t ruin your garden ever again’. While not the best analogy her mind could come up with, the imagery was still spot on for her. “Besides, if we take care of the Sirens, that’s one less thing for you to worry about.” Flash continued.
“But-but” Twilight sputtered as she took a step back, “you don’t even know what the Sirens are capable of,” Twilight tried to explain as Flash took a step towards her. “They took down and ate a minotaur. What if you--?”
Before she could get another word in, Twilight found herself getting cut off by Flash as he pressed his lips against hers. Unlike the last few times that he kissed her, something felt wrong about this one. It felt more forceful, maybe even more passionate, but it was empty of the loving tenderness Flash usually had. Flash's kisses normally made her feel safe and treasured like, like the princess that she honestly still had a hard time believing she was. The kiss that he had just given her, however, terrified her instead. After a couple of seconds, Flash broke the kiss, he whispered into her ear. “I’ll take care of this. I promise you. I won’t let you down.” He then placed another kiss on her cheek as he turned to meet up with this band to prepare for their number in the next round.
Sunset and the Rainbooms watched in silence as Twilight could only stand there in stunned silence. After about three seconds, she finally recovered her voice and called after him, “But-but you don’t even know what you’re doing!” However, Flash and his band were out of earshot and didn’t hear her as such they just kept walking.
Sunset turned to the rest of the Element Bearers her confusion written all over her face, “Is Flash normally that forward?”
Applejack shook her head at first, “Only when they’re alone, but he’s never been that… um..” Applejack trailed off as she tried to find the right word to describe Flash’s action.
“Forceful.” Rarity suggested, which Applejack agreed to with a nod in silence.
Twilight turned to face her friends and was breathing heavily in a near futile attempt to overcome a panic attack, “Something’s wrong. Something’s definitely wrong” she said in between reached before Pinkie reached into one of her pockets and pulled out a paper bag and gave it to Twilight to breath into.
Rainbow looked beyond Twilight to see Flash and his band tuning their instruments, “I’ll say.” she then turned her focus back to Twilight as she was breathing into the bag, “Looks like that pretty boy finally grew a pair.” Everyone sans Twilight then glared at her in silence. “What?” Rainbow asked as she felt the temperature of the area drop ten to twenty degrees and raised her hands in an attempt to defend herself.
Twilight throw the bag to the side and started to pace back and forth, “N-no! No! That’s not it.” she sputtered at first as she tried to formulate what she believed happened. “The Flash I know wouldn’t do something like this, and he definitely wouldn’t have kissed me like that.”
Rarity shook her head, “Oh, darling, I’m sure it’s nothing serious.” she tried to comfort her friend, “Men do tend to act rather foolish when they’re in love.”
“He did seem to say that he was doing all this for yah, Sugarcube,” Applejack added.
Twilight, while she was still in the panic, shook her head, “B-but I didn’t need him to do this for me.” she informed the Rainbooms, “The only thing I needed from him was for him to be on my side, and before today, I thought I could trust him to do just that.” She then looked down to the ground as tears started to form in her eyes, “And-and what did he mean that he won’t let me down?” She looked back up to her friends, “He’s never let me down before. Did I say or do something to make him feel otherwise?” She asked and then looked in the direction Flash and his band left in, “If I did, what was it?” she stopped as she wiped her eyes dry, “I’ve got to set him straight and find answers from him.” She said and was about to run towards him but was stopped when someone took hold of her right hand.
Twilight turned to see that it was Sunset that stopped her, “You can’t worry about that now. Right now, you and the others have to focus on defeating the Sirens, and you’re up after the next act. You’ll have to deal with Flash later.” Twilight groaned and covered her face with her hands.
“Can’t blame your man for wanting to make his mark.” came Adagio’s voice. The group turned to see the Dazzlings just watching them, well Aria and Sonata, Adagio was looking at her fingernails. “Seriously to keep your species, or any truly sexually reproducing species going one male can lay with a different female every night of the year and has the chance to sire about 360 kids, the reverse is far from true.” Adagio then turned her focus to the Rainbooms looking at each and every one of them and Sunset as she spoke, “And since it’s the females that ultimately pick the males who bred…” Adagio trailed off to let the Rainbooms connect the dots she laid out.
Aria the took over after a second of silence as the Rainbooms and Sunset glared at the three, “He’s got some very pitiful odds if he doesn’t do anything.” Aria compounded the point she and Adagio were trying to make as she pointed to all the men there to perform in the Battle of The Bands.
Adagio walked to be behind and between Twilight and Sunset,“And even if he does compete, the odds are still against him,” She then started back to Aria and Sonata, “So what better way for him to prove he’s worthy of you is to take us down so you don’t have to? To make the world that much safer for you and your future children?”
Everyone froze as they thought about the implications of Adagio’s words. Sunset, however, noticed that the three were being very overt about their intent with the Rainbooms, “You know, you could try being subtle.” Sunset called the sirens out.
Sonata rolled her eyes not unlike Pinkie if the jester was bored, “But that’s sooo boring.” she complained. Her demeanor changed to have a big grin as and started to jump in place, “Being over the top is F. U. N.” Sonata spelled out much like a little child.
Rarity raised her eyebrow as she was next to recover and took a minute to think about how the Dazzlings would come to the conclusion that they did, “How would…” she started to ask.
“We can smell Bullion’s blood right here.” Adagio cut Rarity off and answered the enchantress. Adagio then pointed to Rarity, “In you,” she then pointed to Twilight, “in you” she then pointed to Sunset, “, and in you,” to Sunset. Adagio sniffed the air twice, she then turned to the four other Rainbooms, “Heck you all have his blood, and it’s actually fairly strong despite the 2000 years, give or take.”
“I think the blue-haired cinnamon roll also smells like Bullion.” Sonata pointed out which earned her a groan from Aria, as Adagio facepalmed herself.
“See what I’ve had to deal with,” Adagio complained to the Rainbooms. She then collected herself, “The point is, you humans have significantly fewer bloodlines than you think you do, and it’s you females that have selected the lines that have reached this far and will continue on.” Adagio said as she looked at each of the Rainbooms and Sunset. She then focused squarely at Twilight, “Your little soldier boy, in the end, wants his line to last at least one more generation longer than it has, and with a dame like you,” Adagio smirked, “he’s likely to have a stronger line sired from him than the one that sired him.”
“You don’t know Flash!” Twilight shouted as she was about to lunge at Adagio only to be held back by her friends.
Adagio laughed as Twilight tried to break free, “Aww, you’re so cute.” Adagio then took Twilight’s chin, “You’re what? 21? And you have your first lover. It’s adorable.” Adagio than patted Twilight on her head and took a step back, “Honey, we’ve lived over a millennium and a half when Bullion was bouncing on his father’s knee.” Adagio turned to look at Sonata and prompted Twilight to look at Sonata as well, “Sonata here alone has forgotten more about men then you can imagine can be known thrice over.” The Dazzlings then started to leave, “But hey, you don’t want to listen those that have been around the block before, no skin off our noses.” After walking a few steps, the three stopped and turned back to face the Rainbooms, “Also don’t you have a number to get ready, you have a counterspell to cast after all.” Adagio smirked as she more or less confirmed that she and by extension, all three Dazzlings knew what the Rainbooms were planning, “Tata.” Adagio waved dismissively as she and Aria continued to walk.
Sonata, however, stopped and turned back to look at Twilight, “Say, if you don't want the blue-haired cinnamon roll anymore, I can take him off your hands.” Sonata then closed her eyes not like how Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom or Scootaloo would with a big child-like grin on her face, “ Dagi said I can have a pet if I behave." Sonata paused for a second, “Of course she said that Aria would be the one to judge if I behaved.”
Twilight’s eyes glowed a solid purple, “HE’S NOT A PET!!!,” Twilight roared as she charged at Sonata, only to be held back by her friends. This caused Aria and Adagio to turned back to see the sight.
“Aww,” gushed Sonata as she stepped up to Twilight and smooshed her cheeks together. “Aren't you just the cutest thing? Maybe Dagi will let me keep you too. Then, the both of you can make me lots and lots of little demigod puppies.” Sonata turned to look at her sisters, “Can I?” she pleaded as she jumped in place child-like.
Twilight could feel her jaw all but hit the ground. As did the Rainbooms and Sunset. There were no words. Simply no words for what just happened. Aria rolled her eyes while Adagio facepalmed herself again. The two then grabbed their sister and dragged her away.
“Well, that… was… um…” Applejack tried to speak, after four seconds of silence she just gave up. “We’ve got a song to prepare for.” She then turned to see that Rarity had also recovered from the statement Sonata made and was looking over her collection of racks for costumes, “Rarity, Ah appreciate you taking the time to make us costumes, but they’re not going to help us stop the Sirens.” Applejack called out Rarity as the enchantress was looking through costume after costume.
“Well, they’re not going to hinder us either,” Rarity countered as she pulled out a handful of jackets and held a couple to her chest to get an idea of how they would look on her, “so why not take the time to look good while saving the world?”
Applejack opened her mouth to counter, but then closed it again because she couldn’t find a good counter-argument. After some thought, “If it’s all the same to you, Rare. Ah feel more comfortable playing in mah normal clothes.” She looked at the costumes and then back to Rarity, “Yahr costumes aren’t exactly... the most practical, and Ah don’t want to risk tripping on stage or getting fabric caught in mah strings or, ahem, malfunctioning. Of course, Ah’m not going to stop anyone else if yall wanna get gussied up.”
Rainbow took one glance at the costumes, “Yeah, we can’t wear these.”
Rarity looked at Rainbow then the costumes then back to her utterly at a lost, “Why not?”
“They’re not cool enough,” Rainbow answered as she looked at the costumes again for a second.
Rarity then pulled out a pocket sewing kit, “I can make last minute adjustments.” She then looked at the costumes and then back to Rainbow and back, “What needs to be fixed?”
“They just need to be cooler,” Rainbow answered after one more glance at the costumes.
“Is it the color?” Rarity asked.
“The color’s fine.” Rainbow answered with a slight groan, “Just make it cooler.”
“Is it the fringe?” Rarity asked as tried to find out what Rainbow meant.
“The fringe is fine.” Rainbow replied with a slight eye roll, “It just needs to be about 20% cooler."
At that moment, “And next up is The Rainbooms!” Juniper announced.
Rarity started to get twitchy, however before she could explode on Rainbow, “Forget it, Rare.” Applejack tugged at Rarity as everyone started to head towards the stage to perform, “Yah don’t have time to figure out how to fix these outfits AND actually fix them. We’ve got to go.”
“Wait.” Rarity requested as she grabbed a tanned jacket from one of the racks. The jacket in question had metal straps hanging off of the sleeves as if they were leather straps.
After the Rainbooms got on stage and ready, Pinkie tapped her drumsticks twice as she said, “One! Two!”
As the Rainbooms started to play, they all started to sing, “We've just got the day to get ready
And there's only so much time to lose
Because tonight, yeah, we're here to party
So let's think of something fun to do
We don't know (we don't know) what's gonna happen
We just know (we just know) it's gonna feel right
All our friends are here
And it's time to ignite the lights!
Shake your tail 'cause we're here to have a party tonight
Shake your tail, shake your tail
Shake your tail 'cause we're here to have a party tonight
Shake your tail, shake your tail.” As the Rainbooms sang, it was clear that the audience was liking them more than most of the other bands, but it was not as lustrous as it could have been. Meanwhile, from above the stage members of two bands were in the catwalk. One group had fairly powerful magnets on long thin but strong black strings attached to handles used on marionette doll and lowered them to catch the metal on the sleeves of Rarity’s jacket, pulling her arms and hands up thus preventing her from playing her key-tar and move her around not unlike a marionette doll. The other group took a light and angled it to be squarely on Fluttershy. This caused the druid to freeze and be overcome with self-consciousness and fear. She tried to get out of the light but like with Rarity, the saboteurs did not let off as they angled the light to follow the timid druid.
“So what you didn't get it right the first time” Twilight sang by herself.
“Laugh it off, no one said it is a crime” Pinkie sang as she kicked the drum next to her left foot and revealed a party canon which went off causing confetti to go everywhere.
“Do your thing, you know you're an original,” Rarity sang as she tried to lean into her microphone only to be pulled towards Applejack.
“Your ideas are so funny that they're criminal” Applejack sang as she forced Rarity off of her and glared at the enchantress for enabling herself to be moved around.
“Ohhh-ahh!” the Rainbooms all sang as they tried to continue while Fluttershy ran around to stay out of the light as Twilight coughed due to almost inhaling some of the confetti that came out of the party cannon. However, the Rainbooms were able to continue their song. “We've just got the day to get ready
And there's only so much time to lose
Because tonight, yeah, we're here to party
So let's think of something fun to do
We don't know (we don't know) what's gonna happen
We just know (we just know) it's gonna feel right
All our friends are here
And it's time to ignite the lights!
Shake your tail 'cause we're here to have a party tonight
Shake your tail, shake your tail
Shake your tail 'cause we're here to have a party tonight
Shake your tail, shake your tail
Shake your tail 'cause we're here to have a party tonight
Shake your tail, shake your tail
Shake your tail 'cause we're here to have a party tonight
Shake your tail, shake your tail
Shake your tail 'cause we're here to have a party tonight!” As they sang, Fluttershy ended up hiding behind the drumset and Rarity managed to break free from the magnet’s hold, but it came at the cost of the sleeves of the jacket, which she ended up mourning as her tears caused her mascara to run. There were a few applauds for the Rainbooms, enough to justify them going to the next round, but they were not the ones likely to win.
While all the above was transpiring, Sugarcoat and Sour were standing in a spot and at an angle where they could see the sabotage that had befallen the Rainbooms. Sour turned to Sugarcoat, “Um, shouldn’t we do something about that?” she asked not sure about what to do.
“No.” Sugarcoat said almost monotonically without a second thought. Before Sour could question, “and yes, I know that having them be eliminated so early would be detrimental to defeating the Sirens.” The two then turned to see Lemon and Indigo stand next to them. Lemon with a massive grin on her face as Indigo was covering her face. “So, how did it go?” Sugarcoat asked. She knew full well how the performance of Lemon-Zap went, but she and Sour needed to hear it from the two.
“Awesome!” Lemon cheered as she bobbed her head and trusted her hands in the air with her thumbs, index fingers and pinkie finger up.
Indigo rolled her eyes and growled, “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“I thought that was so brave,” Sour said in a very sweet tone and demeanor; her tone and demeanor then turned sour “and stupid.”
“Sunny said that showing up was a bad idea.” Sugarcoat pointed.
Indigo growled, “There’s no way we could just not show up, not after the way I challenged Rainbow Dash.”
Sugarcoat looked at Indigo squarely and asked, “So you just decided to go up there and perform a song that you put through several layers of bad translation spells and then translated back into Common and hoped that no one would notice?” Indigo’s groan answered the question while Lemon’s silently nodded.
Sour then spoke up in a fairly sarcastically sweet tone, “That was so much less humiliating than not showing up” her tone and demeanor then went full on sour as she projected, “NOT!”
Indigo stepped to the side and pointed at Lemon, “The song was Lemon’s idea.” she attempted to deflect it all to Lemon.
Lemon crossed her arms and pouted, “It’s not like anyone else had any better ideas for songs.”
Indigo started to leave, “Let’s just get out of here and find another way to stop the Sirens while we still have some dignity left. Stopping them ourselves is our only chance of getting back on the baroness’s good graces.”
Sugarcoat looked down to see that Sunny was more or less stuck in the position of judge alongside Cinch. She turned back to Indigo, “Agreed.” Sour nodded as well and the two started to follow Indigo.
Lemon was the last to leave, however, she noted that they didn’t have a song, “So, which song should we poorly translate next?” she asked her half-sisters/friends. The three stopped, turned around and glared at her. “Okay, okay, none it is then.”
Elsewhere, the Rainbooms were once again backstage and recovering from the near failure, Rarity continued to cry over her torn coat, “Ruined! Absolutely ruined!”
Applejack groaned slightly, “Ah told yah yahr costumes were impractical. Besides, whoever did this couldn't have done this if you didn't insist on dressin' like... like... this!” Applejack said as she waved her hand up and down, clearly referring to the jacket. “We need to sound good! Is there some reason that concept seems to escape you?”
“HOW WAS I SUPPOSED TO KNOW THAT WE WERE GOING TO GET SABOTAGED BY MAGNETS?!” she cried significantly harder as she fell to her knees and her mascara continued to run down her cheeks.
Applejack looked at Rarity and started to feel sorry for her, she sighed before she spoke up, “Look, you can come up with new costumes, right?” Applejack asked with a swing of sorrow for Rarity. Rarity nodded as her tears continued to make her mascara run. Applejack took a breath. “If Ah promise to wear whatever yahr new costumes are, will yah stop crying?”
Rarity’s expression started to suddenly brighten as she looked at Applejack, “Really?!”
Applejack sighed and dipped her head, “Sure. But there are a few conditions. No heels, no platforms, no glitter, no sequins, and no dangly things.”
Rarity gawked at first before she started to sputter, “But that just leaves me with just thread, fabric, and rhinestones to work with.” she pointed out to Applejack.
“Hey, take it or leave it.” Applejack was unmoved by the enchantress’ plea.
“Applejack, you, you, heartless, uncultured country bumpkin!” Rarity all but shouted at the paladin. “I’m offering to practically work my fingers to the bone to help us make a good impression, and you just stifle my artistic creativity?!”
“Well, yer ‘artistic creativity’ nearly cost us a chance to move ahead in this competition.” Applejack pointed back to the stage, while temporally pointing back to when they were on stage, “If ya ask me, Ah think Ah’m doing yah a favor.”
However, Applejack and Rarity weren’t the only ones with words to exchange, Rainbow spoke up, “Yeah, yeah, Rarity’s creativity is one thing, but what was with the confetti, Pinkie Pie?” Rainbow asked as she trying to get some confetti that was stuck under and in the strings, “how am I supposed to shred if there's paper stuck in my frets?!” She asked in a groan as she finished removing the clutter in her guitar.
“I was just trying to channel my Element,” said Pinkie in defense.
“It was pretty distracting…” Fluttershy agreed with Rainbow on the topic.
“Ugh!” Pinkie bemoaned with an eye roll, “Says the girl who was running from a light the whole time!” Pinkie called out Fluttershy for her own timidity and freak-out on stage, “A light!”
Sunset, however, stepped in, “Hey now, now, you guys still sounded much better than most of the other bands.” She turned to see one band with a musical triangle, an accordion and a saw with a bow. “I'm sure you'll make it to the next round. But it won't matter if you don't have that counter-spell ready. You all find a place to practice. I'll keep an eye on things around here and let you know if you have moved on.” Sunset said as she looked back and looked among the bands to find the Dazzlings as the Rainbooms left to find a place to compose a song for the counter-spell.
About ten minutes later as they headed to the library in the castle, “I’ve always found I’ve done my best work in a library.” Twilight suggested. She gave a nervous chuckle as the others gave her a slight glare, which more or said, ‘since you do all your work in a library, that’s not saying much.’ As Twilight walked she bumped into someone. As she fell she was pulled back up by a familiar masculine hand, normally it was warm and welcoming, however this time it felt distant and cold.
“Seriously, why are you always bumping into me,” Flash groaned as he helped Twilight to her feet in one move. “I get it, you’re shocked that I’m willing to step up and do my job, but could it kill you for once to look where you’re going?” Flash continued before he started to head off to join his band.
“Why are you acting like this?” Twilight asked as she felt that her heart was being ripped from her chest. The hurt in her voice caused him to stop and turn to face her, “I thought you… we…” Twilight trailed off unsure what to say or do. She closed her eyes and covered her face.
Flash gave a growl, “Seriously! I’m trying to stop the Sirens for you!” he pointed at her as his irises flashed orange. “You’ve saved the world over half a dozen times, let someone else take up the mantle for once! Or is your ego so big that the world must be saved by you and your friends? Not even Celestia has that much arrogance. She trusted you with the Elements of Harmony in order to save the world from Nightmare Moon and Discord.” Flash continued. He then sighed. “You trusted me to help Rainbow Dash set up and conduct the Crystal Fair, heck I fought King Sombra, and I won the trial by combat when Sunset stole your crown. I even killed the demonic minotaurs Sunset made. What makes the Sirens so different?” His voice rose and it was clear Flash’s anger was starting to boil over. He looked down to the floor and took three breaths through his flaring nostrils. However, that didn’t calm him down. His left hand then started to glow orange as he made a fist and slammed it into the wall, Flash looked right into Twilight’s eyes, his irises were a solid orange, “WHY ARE YOU HOLDING ME BACK?!”
Twilight took a couple steps back, she never felt so much fear for her life since Nightmare Moon was suffocating her in her own shield bubble, but this was different, Nightmare Moon was her foe, her enemy from the start, but Flash wasn’t. He was the only one she felt secure enough with for what was her most vulnerable moment. Yet here he was, able to make a sizable dent in the stone wall without any signs of damage and his anger was geared towards her, “Flash, please… that’s not…” she pleaded as tears started to pool in the corners of her eyes, “Flash, I…” she struggled to find the words.
Flash rolled his eyes and groaned, “For crying out loud, tears aren’t going to stop the sirens. Action will. The Flash Drives are the band to beat. So do us all a favor, and get out of the way.”
“Flash, you don’t…” Twilight tried to speak as she held back the tears. “That's not why—”
Applejack then placed her arm around Twilight’s shoulder and pulled her away, “Come on, Sugarcube. We've got things to do.” The Rainbooms glared at Flash as they left. Flash took a couple more breaths through his nostrils and placed his right hand on the punched the wall. It was only then that his irises returned to their normal blue.
Flash looked from the dent towards his other hand, which was still clenched in a fist, in total bewilderment. A terrifying chill crawled down his back as he did. “Did I just--?” he thought to himself. However, before he could finish that thought, a wave of pain pulsed through his head causing him to squeeze his eyes shut. When the pain subsided, he opened his eyes, revealing orange irises yet again.
As Twilight was pulled away by Applejack and wiped the tears forming in her eyes, the entire scene was witnessed by the sirens. Adagio chuckled, “Tears already?” she asked Aria and Sonata mockingly and rhetorically. “This is only the first round. I can’t wait to see how the little princess fairs when the semi-finals roll in.” The three then laughed at Twilight’s expense.
They then heard Juniper announce from the stage, “The next band to take the stage will be Trixie and the Illusionists.”
Adagio looked to her sisters, “We better head back. We're up after Trixie and her holograms.” The two nodded as they walked back to the backstage of the stage set up in the courtyard.
As the three entered a hallway that led the way to the backstage, when the lights went out, “You're never gonna get away with this.” Sunset said as she lit the torch closest to her with her pyromancy, and her focus gem glowed.
This caused Aria and Sonata to shake in slight fright, but Adagio waved her hand and put out the torch Sunset had and made her (Adagio) own focus gem to glow. Adagio then laughed, “Why? Because you didn't?” She asked as she stepped forward. This caused Sunset to waver slightly, “Oh, we know all about you, and your…” Adagio paused for a second and grinned, “reputation, Sunset Shimmer.” As Adagio spoke she stepped forward and started to circle around Sunset, as well as Aria and Sonata.
Sunset raised an eyebrow, as she noticed that the Sirens were now circling her, like orca on a seal trapped on a floating piece of ice. Sunset, however, was not going down without a fight, “I've changed!” she asserted, “I'm in a much better place now!”
“Waiting in the wings while your friends have all the fun?” Aria asked, her words cutting not as deep as Adagio, but still, Sunset lacked the defense for them.
“Oh, yes, you girls are so tight.” Adagio added, not letting up on the assault, she knew that if Sunset was trapped in her own self-pity over her own anxiety she couldn’t hold the Rainbooms together, “And yet…” Adagio paused for what Sunset could not help but conclude to be dramatic tension as she (Adagio) took Sunset’s chin, not unlike how she (Adagio) had taken Sunny and Twilight’s, “they didn't ask you to be in the band.” Adagio then released her hold and gave Sunset a push to Sunset’s left.
“Probably afraid no one would want to see them play if she was in the group.” Aria guessed as she caught and then pushed Sunset from her (Aria).
Sonata, however, allowed Sunset to fall to the floor. As Sunset crawled to her knees, Sonata patted her (Sunset) on the head, “Too bad! So sad!” the youngest siren mocked as she caught up with Adagio and Aria.
Before the three left the shaken Sunset, “If it's any consolation, no one is going to remember you at all by the time we're done.” Adagio said before she walked back to Sunset and noticed the tears forming in the corners of her eyes. Adagio smirked and rejoined her sisters as they laughed at Sunset.
A couple minutes later, “Next up, The Dazzlings!” Juniper announced.
Adagio looked at her sisters, “Remember, we want to save the good stuff for when our full power has been restored.” She told reminded them as their rubies glowed and collected all the tension that had accumulated since the battle started. The three each took a breath before they walked onto the stage.
“Oh-whoa-oh, oh-whoa-oh
You didn't know that you fell
Oh-whoa-oh, oh-whoa-oh,” The Dazzlings sang together as the strutted on the stage, not only as if they owned the stage, but also the courtyard, the castle, even the whole world. Their hips and arms swayed to the beat of their song.
“Now that you're under our spell
Blindsided by the beat
Clapping your hands, stomping your feet
You didn't know that you fell.” Adagio sang by herself as she stepped forward from the two.
“Oh-whoa-oh-oh-oh.” Sonata and Aria sang together.
“Now you've fallen under our spell.” Adagio sang by herself as she reached out with her left hand, as the audience seemed to be drawn to her and her sisters like moths to an open flame.
“Oh-whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh.” Sonata and Aria sang together.
“We've got the music, makes you move it
Got the song that makes you lose it
We say "jump", you say "how high?"
Put your hands up to the sky
We've got the music, makes you move it
Got the song that makes you lose it
We say "jump", you say "how high?"
Put your hands up to the sky
Oh-whoa-oh, oh-whoa-oh
You didn't know that you fell
Oh-whoa-oh, oh-whoa-oh
Now that you're under our spell,” Adagio joined her sisters in the song, however, the scene was not of the three singing, but image after image of other bands competing. With band after band being eliminated, with Trixie and the Illusionists, The Rainbooms, The Flash Drives and the Dazzlings being the groups that are shown to consistently progress in the Battle of the Bands.
“Listen to the sound of my voice.” Adagio sang by herself, as her ruby and her focus gem both started to glow as she placed her left hand on her throat, or rather her vocal cords.
“Oh-oh, whoa-oh-oh.” Sonata and Aria sang together as their rubies and Sonata’s ethereal wings also glowed as they two placed their left hands on their vocal cords.
“Soon you'll find you don't have a choice.” Adagio sang by herself as she walked to the edge of the stage and leaned down to kiss a random man in the audience on his forehead.
“Oh-oh, whoa-oh-oh,” Sonata and Aria sang together as Adagio got back up and walked along the edge of the stage before she stopped at random woman in the audience.
“Captured in the web of my song,” Adagio sang by herself, as she leaned down and kiss the woman on her lips before she got back up.
“Oh-oh, whoa-oh-oh,” Sonata and Aria sang together.
“Soon you'll all be singing along,” Adagio sang by herself as she walked with her back to the audience and turned to be with her sisters.
“Oh, whoa, oh,” Sonata and Aria sang together as Adagio reformed the line that the three formed.
“We've got the music, makes you move it
Got the song that makes you lose it
We say "jump", you say "how high?"
Put your hands up to the sky
We've got the music, makes you move it
Got the song that makes you lose it
We say "jump", you say "how high?"
Put your hands up to the sky
Oh-whoa-oh, oh-whoa-oh
You didn't know that you fell
Oh-whoa-oh, oh-whoa-oh
Now that you're under our spell
Oh-whoa-oh, oh-whoa-oh
You didn't know that you fell
Oh-whoa-oh, oh-whoa-oh
Now that you're under our,” Adagio rejoined her sisters as the three sang the last main verse. As they sang the area was full of lime green mist and the scene changed to various arguments and near brawls that formed among the audience and the bands about the results thus far. With only the Flash Drives, Trixie and the Illusionists, The Rainbooms and the Dazzlings making it to the semi-finals. As shown with a board with The Dazzlings’ logo of a G-Clief, a ‘forte’ symbol, a jagged eighth note, several rubies over pink hearts, The Flash Drives’ logo of a large heater shield with a speaker in the center with two yellow lightning bolts flanking the speaker all under a let of stage lights, the Rainboom’s logo of a horseshoe leaving a starry rainbow-streak and Trixie and The Illusionists’ logo of a yellow crescent moon in front of a blue five point stars surrounded by several smaller yellow and blue stars.
“Spell,” Adagio said by herself as the song ended and finished with a maniacal laughter as the whole area went black.