//------------------------------// // Chapter 56: First Rounds // Story: Scars of Our Past // by JWolfSilver //------------------------------// Sunset sat by the amp with Spike as the band tried to play the counter spell for the sixth time. “They aren’t getting any better, are they?” Spike said, holding his paws over his ears. Sunset shook her head, turning a dial on the amp as a high-pitched sound came over it, “Even I can tell this isn’t going to work.” Sunset watched them closer, and saw each of them, save for Fluttershy and Twilight, shooting another member some kind of dirty look. It’s not the music that’s terrible. Sunset thought, Well, actually it is, but their whole dynamic is less than friendly. None of them seem to be enjoying themselves. When the song was done, Spike spoke nervously, “That was way better than the last…five…times you played it.” “Nope.” Big Mac said as he passed the barn. “I think it’s pretty obvious what’s going wrong with this counter spell.” Rainbow started. “You’re turnin’ what should be the chorus into a five-minute guitar solo?” Applejack said in a disapproving tone. “Well I’ve got to pick up the slack somehow.” Rainbow replied. No, they need to stop arguing. This is wrong, and quite frankly, stupid. Sunset thought before glancing at her phone, seeing the time. “Guys!” Sunset said, getting up, “You don’t have time for this. You’re supposed to check in at the battle of the bands in fifteen minutes!” They all exchanged glances before everyone started to rush around, grabbing their equipment and putting it in the back of Big Mac’s truck. Twilight started to panic, knowing the counter spell probably won’t work. So, they were going to have compete and, hopefully, stay in until the finals so the girls could unleash the counter spell. *** The first round was an absolute train wreck for the Rainbooms. Rarity wore a really flashy outfit that Sunset thought suited the girl. However, the competition turned dirty as someone attempted to sabotage them using magnets and playing with a stage light. It irritated Sunset because it was so obvious what was happening but Celestia and Luna didn’t seem to notice, or even care. They even enthusiastically clapped afterwards. Sunset was angry, so, after she sent the girls to find someplace to practice, she decided to go find the sirens. Sunset waited by the gym’s entrance and, within moments, the sirens rounded the corner with their irritatingly smug expressions. “You won’t get away with this.” Sunset warned. Adagio grinned, “Why? Because you didn’t?” She came closer, “Oh, we know all about you Sunset Shimmer. You’ve got quite the reputation at Canterlot High.” Sunset clenched her jaw, “I’ve changed. I’m in a much better place now.” Aria circled her, “Waiting in the wings while your friends have all the fun?” “Yes,” Adagio said as her and Aria continued to circle Sunset, “you girls are so tight, and yet, they didn’t ask you to be in the band.” “Probably too afraid no one would want to see them play if she was in the group.” Aria said. “Too bad.” Sonata said in a childish tone, “So sad.” “If it’s any consolation,” Adagio said, “No one is going to remember you at all after we’re done.” The sirens bumped past Sunset who ground her teeth, I hate them. She thought, I hope the girls make it to the finals. *** Thankfully, the girls made it through most of their rounds with next to no incidents. All the while, Spike and Sunset watched from the side lines. Now, it was time for the semifinals and, Sunset and Spike both noticed Twilight was getting more and more distracted and stressed about the counter spell that she didn’t even notice the tension in the air. Sunset frowned when Rainbow blew off Fluttershy’s song, knowing it took a lot of courage for her to just ask in the first place. The most unsettling part was the annoyed, almost angry, look she shot Rainbow when the latter girl’s back was turned. This concerned Sunset as she knew how Fluttershy felt about Rainbow and was pretty sure those feelings were reciprocated. However, she couldn’t bring herself to speak up. It wasn’t her place. Besides, she was more concerned about Luna and Celestia. She knew that if they didn’t make it to the final round, if the counter spell didn’t work, she was going to be alone again and that was probably more terrifying to her than the sirens themselves. The girls went to take the stage after ‘Trixie and the Illusions’ left the stage. It was then that Sunset got a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. “What’s wrong, Sunset?” Spike asked. She bit her lip when her gaze fell on Rainbow, knowing full well that the song they were about to sing embodied her ego. She shook it off, “Nothing, I’m just hoping they get through this.” “Me too.” He said, “But I’m worried. You and I both know the spell isn’t even remotely ready.” The girls started playing and, of course it was Rainbow showing off and the others didn’t seem happy about it. Sunset watched them intently from the side of the stage, “I know but I know she can do it.” She spared a glance to Celestia and Luna, “She has to.” “You’ll get your family back, Sunset.” He tried to assure her, “You’ve come a long way since you took Twilight’s crown. You got this.” Sunset didn’t hear the majority of Spikes words as her gaze zeroed in on Rainbow Dash. At first, she thought it was her imagination but then after a couple more verses, Sunset could definitely see the magic coming off of Rainbow. “No.” she said in a hushed whisper. She can’t pony up! Not now! Think, Sunset, you have to stop this. Sadly, the first thing that came to mind was to tackle Rainbow Dash. The music abruptly ended and the lights were turned on. The room was so silent, you could hear a pin drop. That was, until Flash yelled, “There’s the bad girl we love to hate!” It was followed by various other insults as her and her friends walked off stage. “What was that?” Rainbow asked when they were off stage. “You were showing them your magic,” Sunset defended, “I didn’t know what else to do.” “Close the curtain?” Rarity asked angerly, “Give us the chance to deal with the situation?” Sunset felt the shame build up in her throat, “I’m sorry, I just wanted to help.” “Yeah well you didn’t.” Rainbow said. That’s when Applejack decided to step in and put a finger to Rainbow’s chest, “None of this would’ve even happened if you weren’t trying to show off.” She sighed, “As usual.” Rainbow was about to retort but Trixie walked up to the group. “Good show, Rain-brooms.” She said, “I especially like the part where, Sunset Shimmer, in a fit of jealous rage, knocked Rainbow Dash out mid-guitar solo.” Sunset clenched her fists, “It wasn’t a fit of jealous rage!” She yelled angerly. Her friends refused to meet Sunset’s eyes. Trixie smiled, “If you say so.” She turned and saw Celestia and Luna waking to the back of the stage, “Oo! Looks like they’ve already decided who’ll be moving on to the finals.” She checked her makeup in her compact, “I guess it wasn’t too hard a decision.” Just then, the sirens walked in, singing a tune to Celestia and Luna. Sunset watched closely as they straitened and, like in Celestia office, a green haze passed through their eyes. What are they up to? Sunset asked herself. She looked behind her, seeing her friends oblivious to what was happening as they tried to figure out their next move which, of course turned into another argument about Rarity wanting to look on stage. “Will you guys keep it down?” Rainbow ordered, they’re about to announce who will be moving on!” “Oh, who are we kidding.” Fluttershy said, “We know it isn’t going to be us.” “The band that will be joining the Dazzling’s in tonight’s finals,” Celestia announced, “is, The Rainbooms.” The what? Sunset thought in complete confusion. Turns out she wasn’t the only one as the band looked around as if they had just heard a mysterious voice. *** “This doesn’t make any sense.” Fluttershy said as they were prepping the stage for the evening’s performance, “We were awful. Doesn’t anyone else think it’s strange that were the ones to make it to the finals?” “Very strange.” Another voice said. The group looked in the direction of the voice to see Trixie and her friend standing off to the side with angered looks. “What are you doing here Trixie?” Rainbow questioned, “I’m pretty sure the losers are supposed to be up there in the cheap seats.” “I, the ‘Great and Powerful Trixie’, am the most talented girl at Canterlot High.” She said dramatically, “I deserve to be in the finals and I will not be denied.” By the time Sunset realized Trixie’s goons were at the stage floor lever, it too was too late, they were trapped.