//------------------------------// // Tryout or Get out // Story: Cheer You On // by Artistkun //------------------------------// As the weekend came and went, the girls were back in school, as the girls couldn't get over how fun the sleepover was as they headed down the hallway. "That was the best sleepover!" "We should do this more often". Sunset Shimmer and Vinyl Scratch look at their friend who seems to be thinking deep. Aria Blaze has been quiet since she came back to Sunset's spare living room at her mansion looking for a castle. Both of them are getting worried that Aria might not like the sleepover. I hope Sunset never sees Twilight ever again. That nerve of that girl breaking up with Sunset! Wait... why am I jumping to conclusions like that? I should hear Sunset's side of the story, but this is her personal life, I can't just ask her! It will only make her more upset than she was when she didn't have friends. I must protect the queen! "Aria!" "SUGAR HONEY ICE TEA!" Aria shouted and looked at her friends who were worried about her. She calms down and sighs. "Is there something wrong, Aria?" Vinyl asked. "I'm fine. Why do you think there's something wrong with me?" Aria politely asked. "You've been quiet ever since last night before going to bed. Did you not like the sleepover?" Sunset sadly asked which made Aria's heart panic because she made Sunset upset. "N-No! I loved the sleepover last night! I was just thinking about something, that's all!" Aria panic which made Sunset and Vinyl understand what was happening. "Or a certain angel". Vinyl smirked and caught Aria's attention. "Oh! So you're thinking about Fluttershy then. That's a relief". Sunset said it made her best friend blush. Aria was stunned at what the girls believed to be her reason for her being quiet, but chose to go along with. "Y-y-yeah that's it! F-Fluttershy! That's the reason!" Aria said as she nervously began to sweat. Both girls nodded back at Aria as Vinyl patted her back. "We totally get ya, girl. Not only is Fluttershy the hottest girl in school, she's also the most kindest and modest girl out there. If anyone deserves to be with her, it's you," Vinyl said. Aria's face began to blush at Vinyl's words of encouragement: "Really? You think I have a shot with Fluttershy?" "Of course you do! You proved less than a day of how incredible you are the moment we meet!" Sunset responded as her smile began to shine bright. "Wow, you guys... Thank you for saying all these kind words. I'm so grateful to have you guys as my friends," Aria said as a small tear escaped her eye as she pulled both of them into a hug. They all broke off the hug when they heard everyone screaming like they had seen a celebrity. They turned their heads around and saw Fluttershy with her friends. "Speaking of angels. I think we have seen the real thing". Vinyl said that Aria's eyes sparkled from the moment she laid eyes on Fluttershy. Fluttershy saw Aria out of the corner of her eye and gave her a small wave as she and her friends continued down the hall. Aria quickly gave a small wave in return as her face turned a bright crimson red. No matter how many times I see her, she never fails to leave me speechless Aria thoughts to herself as she continued to watch Fluttershy walk away. Vinyl let out a chuckle as she put her arm over Aria shoulders. "Girl, you are definitely a lost puppy in love." Aria hung her head down in shame, trying to hide her red face. "I know, I know, but I just can't help myself! I've never been truly in love like this before, so I had a crush before but never this strong!" Aria responded back. Sunset felt horrible for Aria as she struggled with this new challenge in our life. Not wanting to see her friends suffer more, she began to think of an idea to help her friend in need. After a few seconds, an imaginary light bulb appeared above her head and she looked at Aria with determination on her face. "Aria, would you do anything to be closer to the school's angel?" Sunset asked with a serious tone in her voice. Aria looks back at her red-headed friend with a confused look on her face. "Huh, what?" "Just answer the question, Blaze!" Sunset shouted. "Okay, okay, yes! I would do anything to be closer to Fluttershy! Even if it means embarrassing myself!" Aria answered back strongly. Sunset jumped up and down with glee as she began to run down the hall. "Perfect. Just wait right there!" Sunset said out as she turned the corner, disappearing from Aria and Vinyl's sight. The two friends looked at each other, confused at their friend's sudden behavior. "What was that about?" Aria asked. "How should I know? I'm surprised she didn't say Klondike bar when she asked you that weird question." Vinyl responded as she shrugged her shoulders. Both girls heard the sound of rapid footsteps coming towards their direction and they saw Sunset sprinting back towards them with a piece of paper in her hand. Sunset looks at Aria dead in her eyes with determination. "Aria, what I have in my hand is the answer to your problems." Sunset said as she showed the girls the paper. Aria and Vinyl's eyes widen with shock as they read the two big words in bold. Cheer leading tryouts "Cheer leading?" Aria asks as she grabs the flier and Vinyl scratches her head in confusion "Yeah. Every sports team needs cheerleaders to motivate them. The team only has fourteen members and they need one more for the cheer leading team to be official". Sunset said that Aria looks at her. "Sorry, skirts aren't my thing and I don't like the idea of dating jocks ". "Says the one who has a crush on the captain of the volleyball team". Vinyl smirked and Aria started to blush again. "Fa-Fair point". Sunset let out the chuckle before continuing. "You won't have to worry about the jocks too much, Aria. The cheerleaders in this school only have to appear for the school teams that are indoor like volleyball and basketball." "Why just the indoor teams?" Aria asked "Well my m- I mean the principal always hated the idea of cheerleaders performing on the field due to reasons like the field being extra slippery which would cause them to get hurt if they miss the time of the jump or back flip or like if it's extra windy and well... you get the idea on that one." Sunset responded as she was relieved to not accidentally reveal the truth to Aria. "You have a point". Aria said it got her thinking if she would join or not. "This is the perfect opportunity to get you closer to Fluttershy. I heard that the captain of the cheer leading squad is going to recruit you". Sunset said. She hoped this would convince her friend. "Why did the captain want me?" Aria asked. "She was inside the bus when you were doing some parkour stunts just to get inside the bus. She was amazed how your body was really flexible and strong". "Sh-She does?" "You really ask a lot of questions, do you?" Sunset asked to make Aria blush a little. "Sorry". It's alright, Aria. I'm just messing with you." Sunset said with a chuckle. "So you gonna do the try outs, Aria? Cuz it looks like there's just one spot left," Vinyl said as Aria took another look at the sign-up sheet and indeed saw just one spot left. "I-I don't know if I can do it. Everyone here hates me". Aria said with a nervous tone. "Me and Sunset know you can do it! You didn't let fear stop you from standing up for yourself against old Cranky! So you shouldn't let fear stop you from having feelings with Fluttershy!" Vinyl said with such heart and determination. Aria stared at Vinyl in awe as she felt moved by her speech. Sunset noticed this and decided to add her two cents. "And you let fear win the game, then someone will take this spot and opportunity from you and not only that, but both the tryout and volleyball season will begin soon and once the tryouts for new cheerleaders are over and the volleyball team begin their season, you're out of luck till next year!" Aria is now staring at Sunset as she hears the stakes being risen as she looks at the sign-up sheet one more time. After a few seconds of waiting intensively, Vinyl and Sunset watched as Aria took a deep breath and looked back at them with determination in her eyes. "Do one of you have a pen?" "That's our girl!" Vinyl said. She pulls out her pen. Aria Blaze smirks and clicks the pen. Aria Blaze is feeling determined to get a spot on the cheer leading team. She was standing in front of the gymnasium door, reading the flier where the location of the try-outs were one last time. She smiled when her best friends have given her the courage to join the team. She opened the door and she stood there in awe. Aria Blaze was in her own paradise. There were so many girls wearing cute cheer leading outfits but of course she had to imagine Fluttershy in that kind of outfit which made her blush a lot. No bad Aria! This isn't the time for those kind of thoughts right now! This is about you proving yourself and getting the opportunity to be on the team! Aria thought herself as she brushed off those dirty thoughts when she noticed two cheerleaders walk up to her. Whoa! They look really pretty! Wish I could be as pretty as them "You must be Aria Blaze! The captain has always been talking about you!" Said the girl with sky blue hair. "Sh-She talks about me?" Aria shyly asked which made the girl with light pink hair smirk a little. "But of course, my dear! When she saw how you are running and jumping all those obstacles just to chase the bus, she knew she had to get you on our team." The tall pink-haired girl responded as she eyed Aria up and down. "Wow! I didn't think anybody would be talking about me like that considering that since I got here! Most of the students have been saying things and starting rumors behind my back." Aria said with a small blush as the two cheerleaders frowned. "Quite horrible that people would still go out their way to make comments like that, when you haven't done anything." The blue hair girl said. "Indeed! Especially with someone who did the unthinkable by becoming friends with the school's goddess." The pink hair girl said as a small blush appeared on the blue hair girl's face which went unnoticed by both of them. Aria smiled and felt really grateful to find more people on her side. "Thank you for saying that. I can't tell you both how much that means to hear from you too. I can't wait to meet the captain! She sounds like a really great person!" Both cheerleader smiled back as the pink-haired girl held out her hand. "You're very welcome, my dear. Before I forget my manners any more than I already have, my name is Fleur de Lis." "And I'm Coco Pommel!" The blue-haired girl, now known as Coco, said with a cheerful tone as she held out her hand as well. Aria shook Fleur's hand first and Coco's as the smile on her face never left her. "Nice to meet you both. I hope we can get along!" She's so cute! I just want to hold her and kiss her under the moonlight! I swear I will make this girl mine! Fleur thought to herself. "Where's the captain?" Aria asked. "She told us that she was going to be a little late". "Well, she is definitely late, dear". Fleur said. Then the door swing opened and they saw a girl with pink curly hair started to do the most amazing stunt that Aria couldn't even do. She watched in awe of how amazing the girl was. The girl was doing multiple back flips. Aria could only do two back flips. Three or more is over killed! What does she put in her coffee?! "Oh! There she is." Coco said casually with a smile. "You think we would learn by now not to take her 'being late' comment seriously after all this time." Fleur said casually as well as Aria looked at the cheerleaders in disbelief. "What are you two talking about and why are you acting so calm about this!?" Aria shouted as she looked back at the curly haired girl who's now doing cartwheels. "That is our proud captain, Pinkie Pie, and she is one of the most hyperactive and energetic girls you ever meet and what you're seeing is her warm up routine, if you can believe that." Coco said calmly as Pinkie began to walk on her hands after a fifth cartwheel. "And sometimes, she'll say that she'll be arriving late, only to show up just a few minutes off to burst through the gym at full speed and immediately start trying to come up with new routines as she was doing them for years." Fleur finished as Pinkie was running towards a trampoline near them and jumped on it and performed a Corkscrew spin before finally landing in front of the three, causing Aria to jump in surprise that she landed on Fleur's arms and wraps her arms around her neck for protection. A blush appear on Fleur's face as she wrapped her arm around Aria's waist without the girls noticing. She's so adorable when she's startled. I can't wait for more close encounters like this Fleur thought to herself. "HiI'mPinkiePie!I'mthecaptainofthecheerleadingsquadandyoumustbeAriaBlazetheamazinggirlwhodidthoseincrediblestuntstochasedownthebusright?OfcourseyouarecuzIsawyouandIwascompletelyamazedatwhatyouweredoingandIwaslike,"YouknowIhavetogetthisgirltojointhecheerleadingsquadbeforethetra-" "PINKIE!!" Fleur interrupted with an annoyed tone in her voice. "Slow down! Look at the poor dear! First you scared her and now you fried her brain with rapin-fire mouth!" Fleur yelled as she rubbed Aria's side to calm her down and the poor girl had her mind broken again while she started to mumble in a different language. Coco chuckled as she saw where Fleur was holding Aria as Pinkie had a sheepish grin on her face as she scratched the back of her head. "Whoopsies! Sorry." Pinkie said as Aria tried to compose herself. Y-yeah, yeah. N-no harmed d-done." Aria stuttered as she finally let go of Fleur, much to the tall girl's chagrin. "I'm Pinkie Pie! Captain of the cheer leading team and you must be Aria Blaze!" "Ye-Yeah!" Aria and Pinkie shook their hands for a friendly shake. "My Pinkie sense tells me that you're here to audition for the last spot!" "Pinkie sense?" Aria asked in confused as Fleur placed her hand on her shoulder. "In a way, it's like her gut feeling. I recommend not to question it, trust me. I speak from experience." Fleur said as she gave Aria's shoulder a gentle squeeze. Aria blushes a little and this made her a little bit uncomfortable because she wasn't used to someone touching her like that except for her friends. "Oookay then, so Pinkie about the tryo-" "I'll help you get closer to Fluttershy!" Pinkie said. It made Aria's jaw drop. "Ho-How did you kn-" "Just a hunch! Don't worry, I'm friends with her". "W-wow! That Pinkie sense of yours is so cool!" Aria happily complimented as she regained her composure which made Pinkie giggle. "Aw shucks! You're cool too!" Pinkie returned the compliment as Fleur and Coco tried to process their exchange. "You're friends with Fluttershy?" Coco asked Aria which made her blush a lot. "N-no, not really. We had some conversations but I hope to change that soon so we can become great friends." And maybe something more too Aria thought that last part of herself as her face became even redder. Coco and Pinkie smile at Aria's response. Fleur, however, was seething in angry. Why does she see that girl?! I'm way more pretty than her! I deserve to be Aria's lover! "Ar-Are you okay, Fleur? You seem like you are angry at someone," Aria said, which made Fleur snap out of her thoughts and blush. "I-I'm fine!" Well if you say so". Aria smiled as she saw something out of the corner of her eye. Her jaw dropped when something caught her attention and that is Fluttershy doing some warm ups with her team and this made Aria blush red as Sunset's hair She fits the role as captain perfectly Pinkie saw who Aria was looking at and smirked. Oh this would be so easy right now but I mustn't. Aria needs to focus on the tryouts.... But then again... Pinkie thought to herself as her smirk became an evil grin. "Hey, Fluttershy! Look who's here for the cheer leading tryouts today!!!" Pinkie shouted from across the gym as Aria stared at her in horror. Is she serious right now?! Fluttershy briefly paused from her warm up to see Pinkie Pie jumping up and down with Aria standing next to her. Aria Blaze looks away in embarrassment because of Pinkie. A small blush appeared on her face as she gained a wave. "Hi Aria! Good luck with tryouts!" Fluttershy shouted back as she continued to warm up with her team. "I-I will!" Aria shouted and looked at Pinkie who was smirking at her. "You two make a great couple in the future". Pinkie said. "Th-Thanks". Aria Blaze began to smile on the thought that she and Fluttershy would become a couple. While Coco was laughing at the interaction and realizing that Aria has feeling for Fluttershy, Fleur was once again seething as she stared a hole at her. I'm the one who deserves Aria, not you! After a few seconds, Fleur took a deep breath to compose herself as she gently grabbed Aria's hand with both of hers. "My dear, as entertaining as this has been, we must get you ready. We're already behind schedule to start the trial, wouldn't you agree captain?" Fleur said softly with a smile. Pinky gasped as she looked at the clock and realized Fleur was right. "Yikes! We have to get this try out start! Fleur, take Aria to the lockers and get her a gym uniform! Coco, double check to make sure all the girls that signed up are here! Anyone missing is automatically disqualified from the trial and I'll set up the course! Let's move, move, move!" Pinkie yells as she runs off to prepare the tryout. "Yes, captain!" Both of the girls responded as Coco went to grab the clipboard to begin a roll call while Fleur led Aria to the locker room with her hands still holding to the soon to be a member of the team. "You know you don't have to hold my hand, right?" Aria said to Fleur, who simply smiled back. "I know, my dear. It's just an old habit I usually do for my friends." Fleur responded back as Aria decided not to question it and smile back. I've been having more friends today! Starlight would be so proud of me! As Fleur and Aria made their way to the locker, Fluttershy was watching them the moment Fleur grabbed Aria's hand. Fluttershy didn't know why, but it bothered her to see other girl holding Aria's hand like that, but for now she had to put it aside as she began to do some drills with her team. Pinkie Pie notices this and this got her thinking. I'm sensing a love triangle here and I don't like where this is going. At the locker room.... Aria Blaze slowly lifts her shirt up to change and Fleur started to blush deep. She saw that Aria had a little bit of muscle tone that is visible to the human eye and quickly turned around before she died from the sight she was seeing. She was really lucky that she was here assisting Aria. I bet I'm the first one seeing my soon to be darling's muscles! Beat that, Fluttershy! "I-I see you have a nice... ahem.... tone body". Fleur nervously said trying her best not to explode. "O-Oh! I never work out but I would practice some dancing and parkour when I have the ti-time. I guess that's where I got these". Aria said as she finishes dressing up. "You can get muscles with those activities?" Fleur asked when she finally looked at the newbie to be soon. "I guess so. I'm not really sure but I got these so I think this is the proof you need". Aria Blaze ties her hair so that it wouldn't get in the way when she starts to try out. Once she was done, she confidently looked at Fleur which made her new friend blush with a smile on her face "Thank you for being my new friend". Fleur's heart began to beat five times faster to the point where her heart was about to burst out of a chest as her face turned a crimson red. A friend? I'm her friend now! Yes! I'm officially one step closer to becoming my dear's soulmate! Fleur talks to yourself as a bright smile appears on her face as she embraces Aria into a tight hug. "Oh Aria dear, you don't know just how happy I am to hear you say that! Now you have to pass the try out with flying colors, we can be together... on the team of course, that's what I meant to say!" Fleur said with a flustered tone as she tightened the hug, causing Aria to become uncomfortable. TO TIGHT! TOO TIGHT! TO THE POINT I CAN FEEL HER COCONUTS AGAINST MINE!! "Fleur, I appreciate the hug and your kind words, but please let go of the hug before I suffocate!" Aria said frantically as she was tapping Fleur's shoulders to alert her what she was doing. Fleur finally noticed Aria's frantic squirming as she let go of the embrace. "I'm so sorry, my dear! I let the emotions get the better of me, please forgive me!" Fleur said as she bowed her head in shame. "It's okay. My best friend hugs me tightly all the time but yours is much more tighter. We got to go back to the gym," Fleur nods in agreement and both of them left the locker room. As the girls walk through the door back into the gym, Aria stops and is stunned at the obstacle course that Pinkie Pie has set up. There were a lot of obstacles. First is a special type of monkey bar set that you need to grab one at a time due to each bar being far from each other. Second are the ropes that are needed for climbing. Third is the jumping spider, this is the course that got other students who wanted to join to get disqualified quickly. Final course is the warped wall where Aria needs to climb to the top. This has a lot of upper body strength. This... IS OVERKILL!! Well, a tryout is a tryout. Better get started As Aria began to walk towards the course and to join the remaining four girls for the tryout. A familiar voice shouted at her direction. "Yo Aria, over here!" Aria turned to the source as she saw both Vinyl waving both her hands over her head and Sunset giving her a small wave on the other side of the gym. "You got this, girl! Knock em dead!" Vinyl shouts it again Aria smiled to see her friends come and show support as she got in line with the other tryout girls. "You have some great friends by your side." Fleur said to Aria as she went to join Coco and Pinkie on the course. "They sure are". Aria whispered and waved at her best friends before focusing on the course. She jolted in surprise when she heard a whistle had blown and she took a peek to see a girl had failed the third obstacle. "Well, better luck next year". Pinkie said that the girl cried to the exit of the gym. I don't get why this is the tryout. I think cheer leaders are just a bunch of girls shouting some motivation and doing some girly stunts! Aria thought to herself as the next girl went up to the start of the course. Aria thought to herself as the next girl went up to the start of the course. "Alrighty, are you ready and do you remember the rules?" Pinkie asked as the new girl nodded twice as into position. "Good, now then get ready... Set... GO!" Pinkie shouted as the new person took off with determination in her eyes. Aria watches as the girl is in the first course of the tryouts. It was really that hard since it's just monkey bars. "She's fast". Aria said. "The captain did say that there's a time limit of one minute". Said the girl standing next to her. "A MINUTE FOR THIS?!" Aria could not believe that if it was her turn. She would rush as well and time limitations pressured her a lot. "I think that was her time when she joined the team". How much sugar does the captain eat for a day? The girl who first fell to the ground in pain when she didn't complete the third course of the tryout. The whistle was blown once again as the spider climb claimed its newest victim. "Sorry sweetie, you are close, but you are eliminated." Pinkie said as the next participant took her place at the start. Aria Blaze watched as all the remaining girls in front of her were eliminated, which means she was the last one for the tryouts. She gulped nervously and was paralyzed in fear. I...I can't... do this! Aria was getting more nervous by the second as the remaining girls were eliminated by that darn spider climb part! She watched as the final participant before she reached a spider climb, expecting her to fail like all the rest, except she actually did the unthinkable and passed it! Unfortunately for her, the final course was a warped wall. The girl tried and struggled to climb her way to the top, but her upper body strength wasn't enough as the whistle blew again. "I am so sorry to say that you're out, you were this close to beating it, unfortunately the time limit has expired." Pinkie said in a sad tone as the final girl walked away disappointed. "Aria, it's showtime!" Pinkie said as Aria nervously walked up to the start of the course. I should have walked out when I had the chance. I don't want to be a laughing stock! Aria thought to herself "Go Aria!" "You got this!" Both Sunset and Vinyl yell in support of them as they reach the platform. "You ready, Aria?" Pinkie asked Aria, who was too nervous to respond back I-I don't think I can't do this! I should have never signed up for this! I-I- "I believe in you, Aria! I know you'll beat this!" Aria's thoughts were interrupted as she turned to see Fluttershy, who was now sitting in the front row cheering her on. She's.... cheering for me... I'm going to ace this course! "I was born ready!" Aria confidently said. "Ready. Set. GO!" As Pinkie blew her whistle, Aria moves like a bullet on the first course. The starts to climb the monkey bars and the volleyball team were impressive. "GO ARIA!" Sunset cheered as she and Vinyl pulled out the banner they had done. Aria Blaze did a back flip as she had finished the first course. She grabs onto the ropes which is her second course. She looks at the spider climb with determination. She swung on the group and perfectly landed on the third course. Everyone in the gym was cheering and routing for her. Pinkie Pie smiles and starts to cheer as well with the others. Fleur was blushing the whole time and to her perspective, everything was in slow motion and she could see Aria's determination to win the spot. Fluttershy and her team were cheering as well but hers was louder. I hope Aria wins the spot! GO MY BELOVED! Aria succeeded the spider climb and now she looks at the warp wall. She was a bit exhausted from the courses she had faced. She looks around to see everyone in the gym cheering for her. She looks back at her last obstacle and breathes in. You can do this. This is for your best friends, Fluttershy, Trixie, and Starlight! She starts to run and climbs up the obstacle like it was nothing. She has reached to the top and does a front flip to exit the obstacle. She landed on the floor and everyone went towards her direction. Sunset Shimmer and Vinyl Scratch hugged their best friend in joy while Aria had laughed at their action. She broke off the hug and looked at Pinkie Pie. "You are an official member of the cheer leading squad, Aria Blaze! I'm looking forward to working with you!" Pinkie happily said that they both had shaken hands. "Thank you so much!" Fleur went towards Aria's direction to give her a congrats hug when suddenly Fluttershy ran towards the direction of Aria and hugs her a little tight. "I'm so happy for you! I can't wait to see you cheer for my team!" There was no response. Fluttershy panic when she saw Aria had a massive blush on her face and it seems she had fainted. "ARIA!?" She...She hugged me! BEST DAY EVER! I'm so glad Sunset and Vinyl encourage me to do this! Fleur De Lis scowled at Fluttershy who was now panicking when Aria had fainted. Fluttershy felt this and both of them were glaring at each other. Sunset, Vinyl, Coco, and Pinkie notice this. "Fluttershy. Be a dear and let go of my beloved... now". Fleur darkly commanded. "Beloved? She doesn't belong to the likes of you". Fluttershy responded with a dark tone. They were glaring daggers at each other and Fluttershy gave Aria to Sunset. The captain and the cheer leader met in the middle and put their foreheads together in anger. "You can't just claim her like a prize!" Fluttershy shouted. "She deserves a real woman!" Fleur stated. "O-Okay ladies, back it up before anyone gets hurt!" Vinyl nervously said as Sunset carries Aria on her back. Pinkie backs Fleur away and a member of the volleyball team backs her captain as well. "Settle down!" It's a good thing Aria isn't awake to see this. Although, I am actually shocked that Fluttershy might have a crush on Aria. I think Fleur is straight. This is bad!