The next day seemed a little better to Twilight as she and her friends headed to the theatre to begin practicing.
"Why do we have to go all this way to practice? We can just use the music room back at school." Fluttershy wondered aloud why they were on the bus.
"Well they just want the students to feel more comfortable practicing on a real live stage." Rarity explained. "And it will help them decide how they want to set up the stage before they perform. This will be a great help as I have so many ideas already and I need to get a sense of the atmosphere. Not to mention costumes-"
"None of those are going to matter without a winning song!" Rainbow pointed out. "I was thinking about 'Shake your tale'."
"That's sounds great!" Sunset nodded.
"And maybe you or Rainbow can take over as lead singer!" Twilight offered.
This caused the girls to look at her in confusion.
"But...your the lead singer." Fluttershy said.
Twilight shifted nervously in her seat. "I was just thinking that maybe we should take turns with the whole 'lead singer' thing and I can step back as back up vocals...or not at all..." Twilight said that last part in a whisper.
Rainbow walked over to Twilight seat and put a comforting arm across your shoulders. "Aw, your just nervous about our first big gig! Don't worry about; it's gonna be great! You singing is gonna blow the competition away!"
Twilight gave a forced smile, hoping her friend was right.
When they arrived, workers helped unload their instruments while a helper for the show directed them to what was going on.
"You're a little early. The last group is still going on. But you can just sit and relax until they're done." With that she led them to the backstage area and left. Once their instruments arrived, the girls gathered them up so they could practice as soon as possible.
In the meantime, they listened to the beautiful classical music playing through the curtain.
"Oh my!" Rarity gasped. "How lovely!"
"They sound pretty good." AJ noted. "I wonder what school they're from?"
"Well, let's find out." With that, Rainbow led the group to the side of the stage and looked.
Rainbow's eyes turned into pinpricks at what she saw.
Rarity's jaw dropped.
And Fluttershy covered her mouth in surprise.
"Uh oh.." Pinkie said when she saw who it was.
There, on the stage playing a beautiful classical melody, were the Shadowbolt girls from the day before. Sunny Flare was gracefully playing on the grand piano that had been moved in, Lemon Zest was gently banging on a large single drum, Sour Sweet was sweetly playing a flute, Sugarcoat was playing a cello with precision and Indigo Zap bow zoomed over her violin.
Overall, it was easy to see why these girls had won music competitions.
"I think we're in trouble." Sunset stated as they watched the Shadowbolts.
"It's going to be fine guys." Rainbow quickly assured them, trying to hide her own nervousness. "We're still an awesome band and there's nothing we can't handle."
Twilight really hoped she was right, for different reasons.
Soon enough, the Shadowbolt practice ended and they gathered up their instruments and headed off the stage.
"Like our performance?" Sunny asked smugly. Then she noticed the Rainboom's own instruments. "I see your all going common for the show."
The Rainbooms all glared at Sunny at that comment, but Twilight and Fluttershy couldn't help but notice Indigo and Lemon eyeing their rock instruments with longing looks.
Rainbow quickly stepped forward. "Just waiting for you slowpokes to finish so we can get our practice session in."
"Just what are each of you girls playing?" Sugarcoat asked.
"Well I'm rockin' on the lead guitar!" Rainbow announced, giving an impressive strum. "Applejack's chillin' on the bass. Pinkie's keeping the beat on the drums. Rarity's going classy on the keytar. Sunset's grooving on the rhythm guitar. Fluttershy's keeping it soft on the tambourine." With each announcement, Rainbow pointed to the respected Rainboom and their instrument before finally getting to Twilight. "And last but not least, Twilight's
drawing in the crowd with her awesome vocal cords."
That last statement caught the Shadowbolt's attention.
"Wait, Twilight's your lead singer?" Lemon snorted before she and the other Shadowbolts burst out into laughter, causing the other girls to openly glare at them and Twilight to look away in embarrassment.
"Do ya'll have a problem with that?" AJ asked coldly, lifting an eyebrow at them.
Indigo managed to stop her laughter for a minute to get her words out. "Wow! I knew you guys were desperate for talent, but I didn't know you were scrapping the bottom of the barrel!"
Rainbow got in Indigo's face and gave her her most fierce glare. "And just what is that supposed to mean!?"
Before another argument could break out, a new voice made itself known.
"Ladies."
The cold and authoritative voice caught everyone's attention and caused them to turn to the new arrival.
She was a tall woman, almost as tall as Celestia, waring a formal and spotless dress suit with her hair neatly done.
Twilight recognized her the moment she heard her voice.
After a quick scan of the group, the woman approached Twilight.
"It's good to see you again Twilight." She said stiffly.
"G-good to see you too Principal Cinch." Twilight replied back.
Unlike Principal Celestia, Cinch was a cold and hard woman who didn't really care much for the students themselves so much as what they could offer the school. Twilight had been scared of her when she went to Crystal Prep, and still was....just a little.
Even the other Shadowbolts seemed intimidated at her arrival and looked at her nervously.
"I assume you and these....other girls are Canterlot High's representative in this competition?" She asked, eyeing the other Rainbooms.
"Yes, we're in a band together."
"The Sonic Rainbooms!" Rainbow cheered. "We're going to rock the competition!"
Cinch merely raised an eyebrow in contempt. "I...see. It's nice to know Canterlot High still sticks to the....wild way of doing things, instead of sticking with a sophisticated tradition." This comment did not fly over the girls' heads.
Cinch turned back to Twilight. "Twilight, while I have no hard feelings, are you aware just what kind of message you were sending by leaving Crystal Prep Academy and transferring to Canterlot High on your own accord? Especially just before your...destiny was discovered?"
Twilight knew Cinch was talking about her bonding with the Elements of Harmony but didn't understand what else she could be getting at. She did remember that the woman was obsessed with the image and reputation of her school, though.
"By leaving, you are sending the message that Canterlot High's curriculum is in better form than Crystal Prep. Especially given that you were one of our top students. And by discovering the Elements of Harmony over there, you are trying to show people that Canterlot High has some special significance in the order of things."
"W-well I didn't so much 'discover' them-" Twilight tried to explain for but Cinch interrupted her.
"Given that you are an exceptionally bright student and gifted mage, I would have expected you to know better, and to remain in a program that would have truly helped you reach your full potential." Then, surprisingly, Cinch smiled. "Of course, we all make mistakes when we're young. And there's plenty of time to rectify them."
"What-"
"I'm sure your parents would understand if you tell them you've changed you mind and would like to go back to Crystal Prep."
"HUH!?"
"Of course, your friends are invited too." She turned to the shocked Wondercolts. "I'm sure we can find sufficient scholarship money given your unique talents and recent successes. The Elements of Harmony would be an excellent addition to Crystal Prep, and I'm sure you and your families will appreciate a magic program with more recourses and better opportunities than what I assume Canterlot High has."
For a moment the students, both Wondercolt and Shadowbolt just looked at her with shocked expressions.
Finally, Twilight spoke up.
"I'm sorry Principal Cinch, I appreciate the offer, but I'm going to stay at Canterlot High."
Cinch's eyes widened, actually surprised that someone would actually turn down her offer.
"I'm with Twilight on this one." Rainbow said. "I'm sure your school's great and all, but I'm staying loyal to CHS."
The rest of the Rainbooms either nodded or voiced their agreements.
Cinch stood up strait, hiding her indignation with a poker face donned by professionals. "Well, I admire your loyalty and support for you school, however misguided it may be; and I suppose I'll just have to accept your decision for now. But once the contest is over and you have the chance to see Crystal Prep Academy's true superiority, I'm sure you all will rethink your opinions." She turned to her own students. "Come along ladies, we must return to school at once. There is no such thing as too much practice."
With that, the Shadowbolts and their Principal went their way.
"Well she seems nice." Sunset stated, crossing her arms.
"Can you believe the nerve of that woman!?" Rarity fumed."Insulting Canterlot High and then suggesting that we all transfer to Crystal Prep!?"
"Forget about them." Rainbow said, heading out on to the stage. "We're not gonna beat them by just sitting around! Let's get to practicing!"
The others quickly followed behind her....except for Twilight who mentally forced her feet to move.