//------------------------------// // Better than ever // Story: Digital Dustin - Magic and Music // by Prince Dustin Hogan //------------------------------// “Talking” “YELLING” ‘Thinking’ “Telepathic link” Songs Flashback "Transformation Index” Better than ever OP - "WE HAVE A CITY TO BURN" by Aram Zero The sun was shining brilliantly over Canterlot High as students flooded the building with chatter. Most of it was being heard inside the school gymnasium as many students were walking in with paint buckets and poster paper. Inside, students were all gathered in groups of two or three, painting and decorating their posters carefully. The group of Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo were busy decorating their poster when suddenly, a hand grabbed the brush in an orange paint cup that Sweetie was holding. The group turned to see that it was Sunset Shimmer. “Want some help?” she asked, still holding the brush with a nervous look on her face. “Uh, no thanks. We're good.” Apple Bloom replied, "We're good." Sweetie and Scootaloo nodded as well. “Oh. Okay.” Sunset said sadly, looking away. She then put the brush back in the paint cup Sweetie was still holding. “Sunset Shimmer! Over here!” a voice shouted across the room. Sunset turned to see Pinkie had called out to her from the other side of the gym, with her and the other girls finishing up a poster of their own. She also noticed that beside them, Dustin, Allister and Pixel were finishing up their poster. Dustin looked up to see Sunset and gave her a small wave of his hand, getting another in return from her as she had a thankful look. However, the other students began to whisper loudly, griping over how awful Sunset used to be before and during the Fall Formal. She began walking towards the group as the students continued to spread chatter across the whole gym. “I had no idea the whole school would be here.” Sunset said to the girls as she walked over with a depressed look after a quick sigh. Fluttershy put her hand on Sunset's shoulder to make her feel better. “Quite the eye-catchhing advertisement, if I do say so myself.” Rarity said proudly as she and Pinkie then took the time to hold up their poster, a glittered collage of a keyboard, guitar, drum set, and musical notes and lines all over a dark blue background. "And it smells like cake!" Pinkie added excitedly. "It does?" Fluttershy asked. She then began to sniff the poster, before Pinkie shoved it right into her face. "I used frosting instead of paste!" Pinkie said as she removed the poster from Fluttershy's face, revealing that a lot of glitter and some frosting was left on it. "Uh, Fluttershy?" Applejack said, "You've got a little somethin', uh…" she said, pointing to her face. Fluttershy then wiped her cheek with her hand, only getting a few bits of glitter off. "Did I get it?" she asked. "Heh," Applejack chuckled, "Not exactly." “Yo, Dustin! How’s your poster goin?” Rainbow asked Dustin, who had a smug grin on his face. "You tell me," Dustin said as he presented as his drawing. The poster was designed with Dustin’s drawing of the Digitrix symbol in the center, Allistor’s unique drawing of a gear on the top left corner, Pixel’s sketch of a computer monitor in the top right corner, a DNA molecule symbol on the bottom right corner, and a picture of a Phoenix drawn by Sunset was on the bottom left corner. A Honeycomb background background like space, including the band name, The Web Surfers, in blue capital letters, surrounded all the drawings. "Good afternoon students!" Celestia exclaimed, announcing her presence, "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!" All the students began cheering loudly, excited for the upcoming event. "This is a wonderful opportunity to raise money for all our after-school programs here at CHS," she explained, "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." The mention of the Fall Formal dance brought out surprise in the girls and the boys at the end of the gym, while the other students just turned and gave Sunset Shimmer looks and glares. She blushed out of embarrassment as Celestia had unknowingly put her into the spotlight. She leaned up against the folded stands, sliding down it until she hit the floor, covering her face with her hands as she curled up while Dustin placed a hand on her shoulder to comfort her. Later "Ugh!" she groaned miserably, "I am never going to live that down…" she said with her hands on her cheeks. Everyone had gathered in the band room, with their band posters right outside the doors. Everyone was getting his or her instruments as Sunset had sat down upon the grand piano. “Just give it some time, and I'm sure they’ll come around.” Dustin said to Sunset, trying to comfort her. "You were pretty bad at the Fall Formal…" Fluttershy admitted as she grabbed her tambourine from the shelf. "A demon," Sunset said as Rainbow was leaning on the piano, "I turned into a raging she-demon." "And tried to turn everyone into teenage zombies for your own personal army!" Pinkie added, popping out of nowhere, finishing with a big smile. Sunset cringed at the memory of the events. “Not to mention you sided with a mad man who wanted the Digitrix for his own gain.” Pixel said, making Dustin and the others give her a deadpan loom as Sunset cringed even further. “Pixel, that’s not helping.” Dustin said, making Pixel look away with an awkward smile. "Oh, darling, you have us," Rarity said in a reassuring tone as she held her keytar, "and we've forgiven you for your past… ahem…. booboos." "Plus, I've seen that you're at least trying to make up for your mistakes," Dustin added as he sat next to Sunset, “Everybody makes mistakes. And yeah we do wish we can undo them, but all we can do is move on with our lives. I’m sure everybody here will forgive ya, it just takes patience.” Sunset looks to him with a smile. “You really think so?” Sunset asked as Dustin shares the smile. “I don’t think. I know.” Dustin and Sunset then shared a hug. “Besides. That’s why I recruited you to my band, so you can make your voice heard.” "To be honest, ah'd say the whole experience brought everyone at Canterlot High closer than ever before!" Applejack said as she tuned her bass guitar. "One, two, three!" Pinkie exclaimed as she banged her drumsticks as they were about to play. Ben just smiled as he, Sunset, and the other boys were left to be the audience as they watched the girls sing. The Rainbooms: 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 And when you walk these halls You feel it everywhere 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) 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 Rainbow Dash: There was a time we couldn't see Past the differences Applejack: That separated you and me And it left us on our own Pinkie Pie: But now you walk these halls And friends are everywhere The Rainbooms: 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) Now that we are back on track (Now... that... we... are...) Yes, 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 Oh yeah, we're better than ever Whoa-oh, oh-whoa-oh Oh yeah, we're better than ever! The girls who had transformed into their pony modes quickly reformed as their ears and ponytails disappeared, along with the wings on Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. Dustin, Pixel and Sunset were applauding the group. "I still can't believe that happens when we play!" Rarity said as she put her keytar down against the piano, "Ooh! I've got to look into some new accessories! Something that looks good in a longer ponytail," she said excitedly, "Ooh! Maybe some clip-on earrings for when I get those adorable pony ears." "Ah just wonder why it happens," Applejack said as she was sitting down with Fluttershy, "Princess Twilight took her crown back to Equestria. Shouldn't that mean she took all the magic back with her?" she explained, very perplexed. "It could be because we were all hit by that magic…" Dustin noted, “Maybe that would also explain how I became Harmonized Firefox at the Fall Formal." he suggested. Flashback Suddenly, the Digitrix symbol on Dustin’s chest glowed a rainbow color before his body was encased in a multicolored aura. His helmet was now colored yellow, purple and white, his right gauntlet was colored white, pink and purple, his left gauntlet was colored blue, orange and yellow, his leg guards were colored blue, purple and yellow, and his foot guards were colored pink, red and orange. His eyes and the tips of his tails were encased in multicolored fire. End Flashback “Oh yeah. I remember that.” Pinkie said in wander. “That might also explain how you gained those forms that look like us.” Sunset pondered. "Who cares why it happens?" Rainbow said, placing her hand on Dustin's shoulder, "It makes my band totally awesome!" Dustin raised an eyebrow at that remark instantly. "Ah!" Rarity gasped, "Your band?!" "Duh!" Rainbow replied, "It was my idea to start the Rainbooms so we could be in the showcase. Plus, I'm the lead singer and guitarist," she added smugly while Pinkie was balancing a cymbal on her head. A knocking sound outside the doors interrupted Dustin's reply. Everyone turned to see Flash Sentry enter the room. "Uh, heard you outside!" he said, "You guys are sounding really tight," he added as he walked in, giving Dustin a quick fist bump. "Good to see you Flash," Dustin said, "Our band's still working on getting lyrics for the song we have planned, but we've got the instrumental part down at least!" “And we’re still deciding if we could use a backup singer or not.” Pixel said with a shrug. "Sweet!" Flash said, "How 'bout you girls?" "Uh, we're getting there," Rainbow admitted, "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." Both Applejack and Rarity gave off quick glares to Rainbow and then glanced at each other, with Fluttershy cowering while the Dustin and Pixel just watched. "Uh, I don't suppose any of our friends from, uh... out of town might come?" Flash asked nervously, "It being a special charity event and all." "Sorry, Flash," Applejack replied as she walked over, "Ah don't think Twilight is gonna be back at Canterlot High any time soon." "Oh, yeah. Okay," Flash said as he laughed nervously, "I just, you know, thought I'd ask. Uh, k-keep on rockin' it," he said, backing into the wall by mistake, making him blush out of embarrassment before he then walks out the door "Wow," Pixel said, "He's got it really bad, doesn't he?" "Well," Rarity said, giggling, "Someone is quite the smitten kitten," she noted. “I can smell horny from a mile away.” Dustin said, but then realized something, "Oh. Sorry," he apologized to Sunset, "I always forget you and Flash used to be an item." "It's okay," Sunset said, "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 explained, realizing that she was only bringing back more bad memories, "Ugh! The old me really was just awful, wasn't she?" "Mmm… horrid," Rarity agreed, as did the other girls while they talked it over. "Yep!" Pinkie said bluntly from her drum set. "But the important thing is you've turned yourself around," Applejack said, placing her arm around Sunset, making her smile. "Thanks, Applejack," she said, "but I'm not sure everyone else at C.H.S. feels the same way…" "Just give it time," Dustin said, "They'll grow to like the new you!" "Thanks Dustin," Sunset said. Suddenly, a loud beep was heard as everyone looked up at the P.A. system loudspeaker that was in the room. "Sunset Shimmer, please report to the main foyer," Vice Principal Luna said over the loudspeaker. "Gotta run," Sunset said as she was about to exit the room, "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." She then left the room with a quick, leaving everyone else behind as Rainbow waved. Another loud beep was heard as everyone looked up at the P.A. system loudspeaker that was in the room. “Dustin Miller, please report to the Principal’s office,” Vice Principal Luna said over the loudspeaker yet again. “Wander what it could be? Well, best not keep her waiting.” Dustin said as he rose from his spot and left the room. “We've still got a few minutes before lunch starts. What do you say we do "Awesome As I Wanna Be"?” Rainbow suggested to her band members. “Um, Rainbow Dash? I was wondering if we could maybe play the song I wrote?” Fluttershy asked as she held a notebook. “We'll get to it.” Rainbow waved off, causing Flutterhsy to look downtrodden.