//------------------------------// // Chapter 9: Battle Begins // Story: Power of the Cybernetic Soldier // by HeartfireFirebrand //------------------------------// A month had passed since the Fall Formal, Sunset had begun tutoring a few kids who were struggling with their grades. The adoption paperwork had finally come through and she was now legally the daughter of Tempest Shadow, between her, Tempest and Snowy they had developed a friendly and easygoing family dynamic. Tempest was standing near the door of the Gym near one of the school’s newly christened bands the Rainbooms that formed for the upcoming even the Musical Showcase. She frowned as her adopted daughter, Sunset Shimmer wandered the halls offering help but being denied by everyone. Pinkie Pie called out “Hey Sunset!” Sunset walked over with a sigh as she heard the whispers, Tempest smiled as she ruffled the girl’s hair “Sunny, it will be fine.” Sunset complained “Muuum don’t call me that in public!” Tempest grinned sticking her tongue out “You can’t make me.” They heard the sound of the mike on the stage and turned around, Celestia smiled “It’s good to see all of the students working together, I’m glad that so many have decided to enter the musical showcase. I have a feeling this event will most exciting event since the Fall Formal.” Sunset collapsed to the floor as everyone glared at her, however they all quickly turned away as Tempest stepped in front of Sunset glaring at them all. Sunset then bolted out of the room, about ten minutes later the Rainbooms, Sunset and Tempest were all in the Rainbooms’ practice room. Sunset sighed “I’m never going to live that down.” Tempest rested her hand on her daughter’s shoulder “Sunset, look I know this is difficult but it’s only been a month.” Sunset sighed “In Equestria they would have gotten over this by now.” Tempest nodded “I know, but humans aren’t as forgiving. I was honestly when you started calling me mum less than a week after I adopted you, I expected it to take months. You just need keep going and they’re forget all about it.” Pinkie Pie bounced over “We’ve all forgiven you for that.” Applejack smiled “I agree and it has made all closer for it.” Rainbow smiled as she grabbed her guitar with a grin “Come on we should practice, the Musical Showcase is in a few days after all.” Tempest and Sunset smiled as the two performed the new songs they had been practising Tempest raised an eyebrow as the ponied up, Sunset smiled after the performance smiled nervously “They can do that now.” Rarity laughed “I can’t believe we do that when we play. Oh I have make us some dresses and accessories that can make us look fabulous while we play.” Applejack frowned “That doesn't explain why can do this, Ah thought Twilight took magic back with her when she took the crown.” Sunset was about to explain when Rainbow Dash interrupted “Who cares about why, as long as it makes my band more awesome why does it matter.” Ever other member of the Rainbooms looked at her “Your band?!” Sunset and Tempest exchanged worried glances as Rainbow boasted “Duh! I was the one who came up with the idea for this band thus it is mine. Plus I’m both lead guitarist and singer.” Flash Sentry then burst in “Uh I was outside, you girls are sounding really good.” Rainbow frowned “Not quite, Rarity came in a little slow and Applejack needs to really work on her Bass Solos.” Tempest and Sunset worry grew as they heard Rarity and Applejack grumble. Flash rubbed the back of his head “Um I’m just wondering are any of our friends were attending, it is a big event for the school.” Applejack sighed “Flash, I doubt Twilight is going to be returning any time soon, she is a Princess after all, plus the portal is closed for a few more years.” Flash nervously laughed “Yeah well, keep on rocking.” Rarity giggled “Oh mane he is heads over heels, isn’t he.” She covered her hand with her mouth “Oops sorry I knew you dated him once.” Sunset let out a forced laugh “We weren’t ever really that close, I was more seeking power than actually really loving him” she then sighed “I was horrible, wasn’t I?” Rarity grabbed her hand “You were but that’s the thing you were, you are not like that anymore.” Sunset smiled “Thanks Rarity.” Rarity smiled back “You’re welcome Sunset.” Then over the school intercom the voice of Luna called out “Sunset Shimmer, please report to the Main Foyer.” Sunset smiled “I offered to show the new students around, I’m trying to make a good impression so they can get to know the new me before they learn about the old.” Tempest smiled “I have to fill out some paperwork today, I’ll see you all at break.” Tempest hummed in her office filling out paperwork, she smiled as she heard the bell ring and she headed to the Cafeteria. She sat down beside her daughter “Sunny, how did things go today with the new students.” Sunset frowned “Something was off about them, I just can’t quite place it.” Tempest frowned “What are there names?” Sunset frowned “Adagio, Aria and Sonata, they were strange.” The door was pushed open, Sunset raised an eyebrow “That’s them.” Adagio, Aria and Sonata began to sing, Tempest gritted her teeth as their voice pounded at her skull. She then heard a computer-like voice speak “Mental attack detected , developing advanced resistance to mental attack, implementing, implementing, implementing, implemented.” Tempest looked up to see student glaring at each other, Pinkie remarked “Oh they’re that kind of strange.” Sunset frowned “They have to be using dark magic, it’s the only way they could do this.” Applejack frowned “We have to tell the Principal Celestia, she certainly…” Tempest shook her head “No, they likely already have her under their control we need another plan.” Sunset looked at the group “I have a plan, Princess Celestia gave me a book that allowed me to communicate with her directly. I may just be able to get to give us some advice on what we should do.” The Rainbooms and Tempest nodded to her plan, the group walked out of the room planning to get some advice from Princess Twilight on how to combat this new magical threat.