//------------------------------// // Chapter 32: Rainbow Rocks Part One // Story: Light and Dark: Road to Redemption // by MXCDarkHorse2020 //------------------------------// Chapter 32: Rainbow Rocks Part One One day at the castle Twilight, Starlight, and Spike were all moving boxes of books downstairs. While Spike was struggling to carry his load, Twilight quickly used her magic to help him with his balance before he could suffer a very painful fall down the steps. “Well, we don't all have magical horns.” Spike said with a shrug. “I've been meaning to move these older books to my reference section for a while. Got to keep the new books front and center!” Twilight explained with a smile. “Thank you both for your help.” “Are you kidding? After all you've done for me, this is the least I can do.” Starlight thought nothing of it. “Oh, please. I haven't done that much." Twilight replied as she thought the same. “Are you kidding? You helped steer me back on the right path and offered redemption when pony else had reason to. That doesn’t like not much to me.” Starlight again insisted otherwise. “I may have offered some guidance, but you are responsible for the pony you've become. I'm proud to call you my student and my friend.” Twilight complimented her as she placed a hoof on her shoulder before directing her attention back to the books. “Now we just need to get rid of these boxes. Spike, can you—? Spike?” Twilight asked Spike before realizing he is more focused on whatever is outside. “What's that?” Spike asked at whatever is coming towards the castle window. “Is it a bird?” Twilight asked. “Is it a parasprite?” Starlight asked “It's... it's... incoming!” Spike yelled seeing it’s coming at a really fast speed to which Twilight quickly stops with her magic. In her magic was Derby the mail pony here to deliver a letter. “I see you’re still working on your entrance, Derby.” Twilight asked to which she nodded as Twilight put her down. “Is that for me?” Derby shook her head as she turned to Starlight. “For me? Who'd be sending me a letter?” Starlight wondered as she opened and read her letter before gasping. “It's... the ponies from my old village.” “Are they in danger?” Twilight asked. “Are they upset with you?” Spike asked. “No... It's worse! They've invited me to the annual Sunset Festival!” Starlight answered with horror on her face. “Still not comfortable going back there?” Twilight asked as she see's why she sees it as a bad thing. “Yes.” Starlight honestly answered. “Even though my villainous past is behind me is still haven’t felt comfortable going back there ever since and the only time I’ve been there is when you encouraged me to apologize to them.” “Well, if it helps ever since I shattered the Crystal Heart, I haven’t felt the courage to set foot into there too even though I was welcome to visit anytime I wanted when it was convenient. “ Twilight comfortably told her student. “At least not until Flurry Heart was born.” “The Crystal Empire sure does bring back memories does it?” Spike asked to which Twilight obviously ignored since even she has moved on from her villainous past it brought her villainous self to life in the flesh and fur with no way of knowing what she is going to do next. “Point is, you don’t need to go if you don’t want too.” Twilight further suggested still smiling. “But what’s important is that you are telling me how you are feeling about all of this because that’s what I’m here for.” “Thanks, Twilight.” Starlight thanked her teacher. “It is always nice knowing I can count on you for advice.” “Well, like I say now I’m not one to dwell on the past anymore and neither should you.” Twilight said with a shrug. “But I’m willing to stand by your side all the way when you need it.” “Speaking of others you helped along the way, how’s Sunset been doing because I’ve haven’t seen her since she attempted to steal your crown.” Starlight brought up and wondered. “I don’t know.” Twilight answered as she moved to pick up a box of books with her magic as Derby flies off ahead to leave. “But I’m sure whatever she is doing she is still making some progress with her road to redemption just like you, Starlight.” “Hopefully, it isn’t as bad compared to what I’m going through.” Starlight hopefully replied as they focused on moving the books to the reference section of the castle library as asked of her with Spike right behind them. At the same time on one fine day at Canterlot High students are happily chatting amongst each other as they walk through the halls and around school grounds. Inside the gymnasium many students are creating posters and setting up the gym for a school musical performance with the bands and drums being setting up on the stage. Amongst those creating the posters, the Cutie Mark Crusaders were creating their own poster when Sunset Shimmer took ahold of a paintbrush from the orange paint up Sweetie Belle was holding. “Want some help?” Sunset offered with a sincere smile. “Uh, no thanks. We're good.” Apple bloom kindly and somewhat nervously declined on behalf of the trio still unable to trust her given what she recently did. “Oh. Okay.” Sunset accepted their response as she put the paintbrush back without protest and now feeling downcast at being rejected again. “Sunset Shimmer! Over here!” Pinkie happily and loudly called out to which Sunset thankfully accepted as she walked over by the whispering students giving her disapproving mutters as she walks over to the girls. “I had no idea the whole school would be here.” Sunset told the girls as she walked over to them as Fluttershy places a comforting hand on her while Rarity and Pinkie quickly change the subject. “Quite the eye-catching advertisement, if I do say so myself.” Rarity said as she and Pinkie held up their poster which featured a big guitar with musical lyrics and a small piano and drum set on it. “And it smells like cake!” Pinkie added. “It does?” Fluttershy asked in surprise as she sniffs the poster as Pinkie shoves it right into her face. “I used frosting instead of paste!” Pinkie explained as Fluttershy found her face having said frosting on it. “Uh, Fluttershy, you've got a little somethin', uh...” Applejack told her as she pointed to her nose to which Fluttershy wiped part of her cheek clean. “Did I get it?” Fluttershy asked. “Heh, not exactly.” Applejack honestly answered as Sunset helps clean it off her head with a tissue. “Good afternoon, students.” Principal Celestia addressed every student as she and Vice Principal Luna walked in. “I just wanted to tell you all how pleased I am that so many of you are going to participate in the first ever Canterlot High School Musical Showcase!” She complimented her students as they cheered in celebration. “This is a wonderful opportunity to raise money for all our after-school programs here at CHS. So keep working on those signs and posters. I think it's going to be one of the most exciting events we've had at CHS since the Fall Formal.” She further announced to which is met with glares directed at Sunset Shimmer to which she slides herself down onto the floor and buries her faces in embarrassment and shame as people are still giving her a hard time ever since the last Fall Formal. Later the six have all went to the school’s music room to practice their band where Sunset is still really hurt and upset by what happened earlier in the gym as she sat on the piano. “Ugh! I am never gonna live that down.” Sunset groaned as she sees this as a terrible black mark on her reputation and new outlook in life. “You were pretty bad at the Fall Formal.” Fluttershy remarked. Even while being the nicest about she still didn't hesitate to say it. “A demon. I turned into a raging she-demon.” Sunset bluntly corrected while sitting cross-legged along with crossed arms. “And tried to turn everyone here into teenage zombies for your own personal army!” Pinkie added as she mimicked the zombie motions. “Oh, darling, you have us, and we've forgiven you for your past... ahem... booboos” Rarity assured her while trying to make light of it. “To be honest, I'd say the whole experience brought everyone at Canterlot High closer than ever before!” Applejack added as she properly tuned her guitar. “One, two, three!” Pinkie tapped her drumsticks before she and the rest of the Mane Five perform their rehearsal song as Sunset watches. “There was a time we were apart But that's behind us now See how we've made a brand new start And the future's lookin' up, ah-oh, ah-oh.” The girls all sang as they played their musical instruments. Rarity was playing on a keyboard piano which she had supported around her neck, Fluttershy was making some music on a wooden instrument with bells on it, while Applejack and Rainbow Dash play music on their guitars. “And when you walk these halls You feel it everywhere Yeah, we're the Wondercolts forever, ah-oh, yeah!” The girls all sang as they briefly regrew their long ponytail styled hair and ears with Fluttershy and Rainbow briefly regrowing their wings. “We are all together (Ah, ah, oh-oh-oh-oh) Now it's better than ever (Ah, ah, oh-oh-oh-oh) You can feel it, we are back (You... can... feel... it...) And I'm so glad that we're better Better than ever Whoa-oh, oh-whoa-oh Oh yeah, we're better than ever Whoa-oh, oh-whoa-oh.” The girls sang as Sunset started to smile. “There was a time we couldn't see Past the differences.” Rainbow Dash sang as she Fluttershy danced beside Sunset. “That separated you and me And it left us on our own.” Applejack sang as she played her guitar. “But now you walk these halls And friends are everywhere.” Pinkie dang as she drummed on the cylinders “Yeah, we're the Wondercolts forever, ah-oh, yeah! We are all together (Ah, ah, oh-oh-oh-oh) Now it's better than ever (Ah, ah, oh-oh-oh-oh)” The girls sang as Sunset got off of the piano. “Now that we are back on track (Now... that... we... are...) Yes, I'm so glad that we're better Better than ever.” The girls sang as Sunset snaps her fingers, clapping her hands, and tapping her foot to the beat. “Whoa-oh, oh-whoa-oh Oh yeah, we're better than ever Whoa-oh, oh-whoa-oh Oh yeah, we're better than ever Whoa-oh, oh-whoa-oh Oh yeah, we're better than ever!” The girls finished singing as their pony tails and ears disappeared while Sunset claps her hands in applause for their performance. “I still can't believe that happens when we play!” Rarity noted as she then got some ideas on her mind having said that. “Ooh! I've got to look into some new accessories! Something that looks good in a longer ponytail. Ooh! Maybe some clip-on earrings for when I get those adorable pony ears.” She then pondered the many ideas she could try. “I just wonder why it happens. Princess Twilight took her crown back to Equestria. Shouldn't that mean she took all the magic back with her?” Applejack curiously questioned as she sat beside Fluttershy. “Who cares why it happens? It makes my band totally awesome!” Rainbow Dash shrugged it off feeling very pleased and proud herself. “Oh! Your band?” Rarity said in surprised disbelief at her "me" attitude. “Duh!” Rainbow Dash replied as she further bragged. “It was my idea to start the Rainbooms so we could be in the showcase. Plus I'm the lead singer and guitarist.” A knock is then heard on the door when Flash Sentry walks inside. “Uh, heard you outside. You guys are sounding really tight.” Flash complimented. “Uh, we're getting there. Rarity's still coming in a little late on the second verse, and Applejack's bass solo could use a little work. They'll get it together in time for the showcase.” Rainbow answered while Rarity and Applejack return annoyed looks in her direction. “Uh, I don't suppose any of our friends from, uh... out of town might come? Uh, it being a special charity event and all.” Flash awkwardly asked. “Sorry, Flash. I don't think Twilight's gonna be back at Canterlot High any time soon.” Applejack honestly and apologetically replied knowing exactly who he's looking for specifically. Princess Twilight Sparkle. “Oh, yeah.” Flash laughed nervously while accepting her response. “Okay. I just, you know, thought I'd ask. Uh, k-keep on rockin' it.” He then said as he backed up to leave only to accidentally back up into the wall before turning around to leave the room this time around. “Well. Someone is quite the smitten kitten.” Rarity giggled before quickly realizing that Sunset is standing right beside her feeling a little hurt by what she said. “Oh. Sorry. I always forget you and Flash used to be an item.” “It's okay.” Sunset shrugged it off like it's no biggie. “Flash is a great guy and all, but I never really liked-him liked him. I was just using him to become more popular.” She added as she then face-palmed in further disgust with herself. “Ugh! The old me really was just awful, wasn't she?” She asked her new friends to which they couldn’t even deny or avoid admitting yes when faced with the question. “But the important thing is that you've turned yourself around.” Applejack then encouragingly told her as she placed a hand on her back. “Thanks, Applejack.” Sunset greatly appreciated though looked down glumly. ”But I'm not sure everyone else at CHS feels the same way. “Sunset Shimmer, please report to the main foyer.” Vice Principal Luna's voice called out through the P.A. system to which Sunset immediately makes her way towards said place ASAP. “Gotta run. I volunteered to show some new students around the school. Thought it'd be good for them to get to know the new me before they heard all the stuff about the old me.” Sunset told them before leaving while Rainbow waves bye in her direction. Sunset then walks over to the main foyer where the three girls wearing rock band clothes with devious smirks plastered over their faces. “Hi. Are you the girls I'm supposed to show around?” Sunset kindly asked the trio. “We are.” The girl with yellow hair, Adagio Dazzle, replied. “Canterlot High is a great school. You're really gonna love it.” Sunset then told them as she leads the tour. “Oh, yes, we really sense there's something... magical about this place.” Adagio Dazzle subtly and sinisterly spoke as she followed Sunset. “That's the science lab. Computer lab is in there.” Sunset then spoke as she showed them nearby rooms on her left than right as she walked down the hallway. “Oh!” She then showed them the poster just in front of them. “We're having a big musical showcase this weekend! The whole school is pretty much rallying around it.” “A musical showcase?” Adagio Dazzle expressed intrigued interest to which she and girls secretly smiled mischievously. “I'm sure since you're new, Principal Celestia would let you sign up if you're interested.” Sunset offered. “We have been known to sing from time to time.” The girl with purple hair and blue streaks, Aria Blaze, said thinking not much of their talents. “Hello? We sing, like, all the time! It's how we get people to do what we want.” The girl with light blue hair, Sonata Blaze, spoke up that it’s their thing to which the yellow-haired girl quickly glared at her to shut up with a motioned hand over her neck. “Wha-What did I say?” She asked with a confused shrug. “What you meant to say was that being in a musical showcase sounds like a great way to meet other students.” Adagio kindly corrected her after regaining her composure. “Ohhhh, yeah. Th-What she said I meant to say.” Sonata realized. “That's what I meant. To say.” She repeated. “And what you would have said if you weren't the worst.” Aria scoffed with disdain. “You are!” Sonata fired back. “You'll have to excuse them. They're idiots.” Adagio apologized while bluntly insulting them to which they took light offense to which Sunset registers a look being unsure of what to make of it before trying to get things back on track after taking notice of their necklaces with red shiny jewels hanging on them. “Those are pretty. Where did you…” Sunset complimented while reaching out to to the one around the Adagio's neck to which is met with a restrained grab on the wrist. “Sorry.” Adagio quickly apologized as Sunset rubbed her wrist clearly confused to the sudden and hasty grab. “These pendants mean an awful lot to us. We'd just hate for anything to happen to them.” She then excused herself and the others to leave while forcibly dragging Sonata with her. Upon seeing them leave clued Sunset in on their suspicious behavior to which she couldn’t help but wonder as she made her way to join the Mane Five for lunch in the cafeteria. “So how was the tour?” Applejack asked as Sunset took her seat. “I don't know. I mean, these girls, they were... There was something off about them.” Sunset honestly expressed her uncertainty about them. “Like, off like this?” Pinkie asked she presented her hair in beard form. “Or off like this?” She then presented herself leaf eyebrows and carrot fangs. “Or... Oh, oh! Like…” Pinkie tried to suggest again before Rainbow Dash interrupted her train of thought. “Maybe we should just let her tell us.” Rainbow gestured to Sunset. “That's just it. I can't put my finger on it. They just acted sort of... strange around me.” Sunset spoke unable to completely put it all together. “Maybe someone already talked to them. Told them about what I did.” She then sighed sounding a little downcast before bring her face into the table. “So much for making a good first impression.” “Uh-huh. Oh, that's probably not it.” Fluttershy tried to suggest to ease things up to no avail as said girls entered the cafeteria. “Ah, ah-ah, ah-ahh Ah, ah-ah, ah-ahh Ah, ah-ah, ah-ahh Ah, ah-ah, ah-ahh.” The girls sang as they walked through the cafeteria and attracted everybody’s attention. “We heard you want to get together We heard you want to rock this school We've thought of something that is better Something that changes all the rules. Why pretend we're all the same When some of us shine brighter?” Adagio sang as she stroked some of the girl’s hair as she passed by them. “Shine brighter.” Aria and Sonata as they walked by before getting together. “Here's a chance to find your flame Are you a loser or a fighter?” Adagio sang as their pendants shined a bright light before walking over to a nearby boy while placing a hand on her chin. “Me and you, you and me Why don't we see who is better? We don't have to be one and the same thing Oh, what's so wrong with a little competition? Are you afraid of failing the audition?” The girls all sang together as they danced in perfect sync before sitting in nearby chairs cross-legged then pointing their thumbs down. “You're a star and you should know it Yeah, you rise above the rest It doesn't matter who you hurt If you're just proving you're the best.” Adagio she placed a finger under Trixie’s neck before being lifted up to stand on the table before touching a nearby boy’s neck as he swallows his soup before walking to the center of the room with her friends joining her. “Ah, ahh-ahh-ahhh Battle! You wanna win it Let's have a battle, battle of the bands Let's have a battle, we'll go all in it Let's have a battle, battle, battle Battle of the bands. Battle.” The trio all sang together. “I can beat you!” A girl with a turquoise dress told a girl with bright green hair. “Battle!” “Ha! You wish!” The girl shrugged off. “Battle!” “I so want this! Trixie cried out. “Battle!” “Not if I get it first!” A guy with a white t-shirt exclaimed with a curled up fist. “Me and you, you and me Why don't we see who is better? We don't have to be one and the same thing Oh, what's so wrong with a little competition?” The trio sang as they got up and danced on the table again as the students start getting at each other’s throats. “I'm going out and winning the audition.” About every student then sang and declared except for Sunset and the Mane Five. “Battle! We wanna win it Let's have a battle, battle of the bands Let's have a battle, we'll go all in it Let's have a battle, battle, battle Battle of the bands!” Everyone sang as green mist spewed through the cafeteria with every student arguing with each other much to the six students confusion as they watch the scene. “Ohhhh. They're that kind of "off".” Pinkie commented while thinking it’s not too suspicious. But Sunset wasn’t fooled as she and the others left the cafeteria where Rainbow practices kicking her soccer ball. “Those three are definitely in possession of some kind of dark magic.” Sunset spoke her mind now definitely suspicious of their behavior. “How else could you explain what happened back there?” “Don't worry, y'all.” Applejack reassured everybody. “We'll let Principal Celestia know all about this and those girls will be kicked to the curb in no time. Last thing she needs is another CHS event almost ruined by some power-crazed lunatic.” She then rambled about what happened at the last Fall Formal before realizing what she said before eyeing Sunset who is walking beside her. ”Er, no offense.” She quickly apologized after realizing her mistake. “None taken.” Sunset replied with a sigh in a tone that say's she is used to it now before making their way to the principal office to report their suspicions to her along with Luna who was also in her office at the time. “Dark magic? I find that very hard to believe.” Principal Celestia replied as she briefly peeked out her window before taking her seat. “Those girls came into my office earlier and were absolutely delightful.” “Ugh! Perhaps Sunset Shimmer is just eager to make someone else out to be a bad element, so that her actions at the Fall Formal will become old news.” Luna scoffed much to Sunset’s surprise. “I could see why you might think that, but—“ Sunset responded as she rubbed the back of her neck before Rainbow quickly added her input. “That's not what's happening! We saw all of this go down in the cafeteria too!” Rainbow tried to make it clear to them that it’s the truth. “Yes, but isn't your band supposed to be part of the Musical Showcase?” Celestia reminded. “Yes.” Rainbow honestly answered while taken aback that their words were like being listened to by deaf ears. “Perhaps you're all just worried that the Dazzlings will steal your spotlight.” Luna added sounding unconcerned about it. “The "Dazzlings"?” Applejack asked in confusion by their name. “It's the name of their musical group. That's why they came by my office earlier to sign up for the Showcase. Even sang a little song to Vice Principal Luna and I.” Celestia explained. “They did?” Applejack asked in further surprise. “Yes.” Celestia calmly answered as her and Luna’s eyes turned green much to their confusion. “And we think having a Battle of the Bands instead is a marvelous idea.” Seeing that this is going nowhere with the truth in the eyes of the beholder right in front of them, the girls all left now knowing that Celestia and Luna are now under the Dazzling’s control as they make their way outside. “I can't believe they got to Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna too.” Fluttershy expressed her disbelief as a ladybug crawls onto her finger. “They've gotten to everybody.” Rainbow said as she continued practicing with her soccer ball by kicking it and then balancing it on her head. “Not everybody! Pinkie popped her head down as she stood on the statue. “Pinkie Pie's right.” Applejack pointed out. “We were there when the Dazzlings were singin' and we weren't affected. It was like we were protected somehow.“ “So let's take them down!” Rainbow quickly spoke up. “It's not like we haven't tangled with dark magic before and totally whooped its sorry butt!” She then stopped when realizing what she just said. Again. “Uh, no offense.” She apologized yet again. “None taken. Again.” Sunset sighed while a little irritated at this point as she crossed her arms. “But that was when Twilight was here.” Fluttershy brought up as she lets the ladybug fly off. “There may be some kind of magic inside us, but it only comes out when we play music. I sure don't know how to use it to... whoop anybody's butt.” “If only we could get a message to Twilight. Maybe she could tell us how to break the spell the Dazzlings have cast on our friends.” Rarity sighed as she focused on painting her nails. “Well, that's not gonna happen. The portal's closed.” Rainbow responded as she tossed her soccer ball at the glass mirror to which Rarity barely dodged from getting hit in the head while gasping at the spilled nail polish on her arm. “And I get the feeling they don't exactly have cell phones where she's from.” Sunset then scratched her chin with a finger as she thinks before getting an idea as she suddenly smiled. “I may have an idea how we can get in touch with Princess Twilight!” Sunset spoke up thinking she has an idea how to contact her as she leads them to her locker where she pulls out a journal with her cutie mark on the front cover. “When I was Princess Celestia's student back in Equestria, she gave me this.” She told her friends as she presented her journal as she wiped some of the collected dust on it. “Even after I abandoned my studies, I held onto it. Deep down, I guess I knew I was making a big mistake, and I wanted to still have a way to reach out to her. Good thing I still held on to it.” She then recalled as she flipped through the pages to a blank page. “Maybe it still works.” She hopefully said. “That's a book, darling. What do you mean, "maybe still works"?” Rarity wondered. “It used to be that if I wrote something here, it would appear in the pages of a book back in Princess Celestia's library.” Sunset explained. “I get a message to her, then she can get a message to Princess Twilight.” “So what are you waiting for? Get to writing!” Rainbow instructed her by handing her a pen to do so immediately. “Been a long time since I've written these words.” Sunset then said after a brief moment of hesitation as she started writing in the journal. "Dear Princess Celestia..." At the same time Princess Twilight is currently reading on the floor while Spike reads his comic book while Rarity is polishing her chair, while Applejack and Fluttershy push in a crate, while Pinkie blows into a party balloon as a delivery pony brings in a wagon filled with books. “Excuse me, Princess. Where do you want all these books from Princess Celestia?” The delivery pony asked. “The library. Third door on the left.” Twilight instructed as she pointed towards said room. “Even this one that's glowin' and vibratin'?” The delivery pony asked as he pointed to said glowing and vibrating book on top of the pile to which Twilight levitated to see why with her curiosity sparked. She then flips through the pages until stopped at a particular page that caught her eye. “What is it, Twilight?” Fluttershy asked as she and the others joined by her side. “It looks like a message to Princess Celestia from my friends at Canterlot High.” Twilight answered in surprise. “How is that even possible?” Rarity wondered. “I have no idea, but it... sounds like they need my help.” Twilight answered while stunned with what she is reading.