“Talking”
“ YELLING ”
‘ Thinking ’
“Telepathic link”
Songs
Flashback
"Transformation Index”
Up the beat
Later that day, the Rainbooms were all on stage for the final round of the competition. The group was busy tuning their instruments, preparing to practice for the big show. Meanwhile Twilight was still trying to write up the counter-spell.
"Check, one, two," Rainbow Dash said into a microphone on a stand, "Testing, testing... “She said, tapping the microphone to make sure it was working. Twilight then noticed that the volume on the control panel was set to low. She raised it up a little. "Testing...!" Rainbow echoed through the microphone, creating a huge burst of feedback that made everyone cringe upon hearing it. Twilight quickly set the volume back down afterwards, realizing her mistake.
"Hey. Where are Dustin and his band anyway?” Applejack asked as she opened her eyes. "I thought they'd be here to help us out…" she noted worriedly.
"They're running a little late." Rainbow replied.
“What happened?” Rarity asked.
"Uh…well, I may have accidentally spilt some soda onto Pixel, causing her to short circuit.” Pinkie said a bit guiltily.
“But thankfully she’ll be fixed in just a few minutes.” Fluttershy said with a smile.
“But still. Don’t you find it a little funny that that our band and Dustin’s band are in the finals, along with the Dazzlings?” Applejack asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Yes. I mean I get that we have magic, but why involve Dustin in this? It just makes no sense?” Fluttershy pondered.
“It may have something to do with the Digitrix. He did say that Decibus is from Cyberspace, right?” Twilight asked the gang.
“Yeah, why” Rainbow asked, but then had a look of realization. “Wait! You don’t suppose he could be after the Digitrix like Ginzo, do you?” Rainbow hypothesized.
“No clue. If he was, he would have shown some interest in it.” Rarity guessed.
“But let’s not forget, Adagio and Aria also have Dustin’s powers.” Pinkie suggested.
"Oh, am I interrupting anything?" a familiar voice replied. The girls all turned around to see Trixie standing on stage with her band mates.
"What are you doing here, Trixie?" Rainbow asked, "Pretty sure the losers are supposed to be up there in the cheap seats," she quipped.
"The Great and Powerful Trixie is the most talented girl at Canterlot High," Trixie stated proudly, "It is I who deserves to be in the finals," she added, "And I will not..." she began, snapping her fingers, "...be denied!" she said. Just then, one of Trixie's band mates pulled a large lever on the stage, clanking open a trap door right under the Rainbooms and Sunset, allowing them to plummet down below the floorboards screaming all the while. The girls all grunted as they hit the ground. Slowly they each made their way to a sitting position to see Trixie right at the edge of the trap door, laughing evilly at what she had done. "See you never!" she mocked as the trap door slammed shut.
But what Trixie failed to notice was that Spike witnessed the whole thing.
"I better find the Dustin and the others," he said to himself before running off in a hurry, heading back to Canterlot High. Meanwhile, the Dazzlings and Decibus had arrived near the stands, with Adagio chuckling over what she saw as well.
"Told you someone would give them a shove," Adagio said.
“One nuisance down, one to go”, Decibus chuckled evilly.
“By the way, what did you set up for those Web Surfers?” Aria asked Decibus.
“How familiar are you with the saying, “music to sooth the savage beast”?”
It was now late evening, and, Allister, Pixel, Sunset, and Dustin had just arrived in the very back of the stage.
“Alright, we made it!” Dustin said before noticing the Rainbooms aren’t there. “Hey! Where are the girls at?”
“That’s strange,” Sunset said, “They should be here by now.”
“I’m afraid they won’t be attending the finals.” An all too familiar voice called out. The Web Surfers turn to see Decibus, standing with a smug look visible on his visor.
“You! What have you done to our friends?” Dustin growled, but Allister chuckled.
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” Decibus chuckled.
“Wrong answer!” Dustin said before dialing his Digitrix, but then two small devices that resembled wireless earbuds flew right to Dustin’s ears, surprising him. “GAH!”
“Dustin!” Sunset called out in worry.
“Now, let’s see what your little friend is capable of under my control!” Decibus laughed maniacally as he taped a button on his right gauntlet. Music played in Dustin’s ears, making him struggle for a minute, but then he stopped struggling as his eyes glowed purple.
“No!” Sonata called out in terror.
“Now my new slave, destroy them!” Decibus ordered, and Dustin dialed the Digitrix, and with a tap on the Digitrix’s screen, he transformed into Firefox. Dustin then fired a fireball towards Sunset’s direction, but she quickly dodged.
“We gotta get those things out of his ears!” Sonata said.
“By all means… if you don’t mind killing your little friend.” Decibus stated, shocking the others.
“What?” Pixel asked in shock.
“You see, if those devices wedged into his ears are tampered with in any way, they release a massive sonic blast powerful enough to reduce his brains to slurry.” Decibus laughed, knowing he had the upper hand.
“Damn you Decibus!” Allister called out.
“Hmm, who should be the first victim of my new puppet?” Decibus said before looking to Sonata. “Oh slave, kill that traitorous little maggot.” Decibus ordered, making Sonata gasp in terror.
“Dustin NO ” Sunset called out. But Dustin gave no reply as he complied with Deibus command and lunged towards Sonata. The Siren girl barely dodged the incoming attack. Meanwhile, Aria and Adagio were watching the whole scene.
“Oh, this is just entertaining.” Adagio said with a cruel chuckle.
As Dustin continued to attack Sonata, Pixel morphed her arm into a plasma gun.
“Ah, ah, ah! Try to interfere and I’ll liquefy his brains.” Decibus warned, making the others turn to him. “That’s right; I’m the one calling the shots here!”
“Dustin… please… snap out of it!” Sonata begged through tears, but Dustin was too mesmerized to listen.
Spike arrived and noticed this. He then looks to Decibus and growls. Then, out of bravery, Spike runs to Decibus and pounces on him, catching him off guard.
“GAH! GET OFF YOU LITTLE FLEABAG!” Decibus tried shaking Spike off, but Spike bit at Decibus neck, making him scream in pain.
“Spike?” Sunset said in surprise. Allister looked around for something to help dustin. He then noticed a cup of water somebody had left out. Acting completely on instinct, he picked up the cup, and with precise aim, threw it at Decibus’s gauntlet. The spilt liquid immediately caused the gauntlet to short, hitting Decibus with a painful shock.
“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!” Decibus roared at the top of his lungs in gut wrenching agony as he was violently electrocuted. This went on for a minute until the electricity ceased and Decibus collapsed on the ground limp.
“Ouch.” Aria said with a wince. “That had to hurt.”
The devices in Dustin’s ears shut down, releasing Dustin from Decibus control as his eyes returned to normal.
“Ugh…what happened?” Dustin groaned as he pulled the devices out of his ears. Dustin then turned back to normal, but then Sonata, Pixel and Sunset suddenly ran to him, giving him the tightest group hug he ever had. “GAH!”
“Thank god!” Pixel said in tears.
“You’re back!” Sonata said, weeping as well. Dustin just returned the hug, before turning his attention to a knocked out Decibus.
Allister then walked to the fallen Decibus, but then Decibus visor lit up again, showing a weary expression.
“Ooohhh.” Decibus groaned in pain. He then looked to see Allister standing before him. “You might have beaten me know, but I will destroy you during the finals?” Decibus said.
“What the hell do you mean?” Dustin growled, but Decibus chuckled before disappearing in a flash of purple light.
“Guys!” Spike said as he ran to them.
"Spike! You ok?" Sonata said, picking up the purple canine and nuzzling her. “That was a very brave thing you did.”
“Spike, have you seen the girls anywhere?” Dustin asked Spike.
"That’s what I was about to tell you.” Spike said before he started explaining. "Uh… I was… uh… playing with a… chew toy…" Spike admitted shamefully, covering his face with his right paw. “But then I saw Trixie and her band on the stage after I noticed the girls were missing," he continued, "I'm still wondering what the heck she was laughing about…"
"Wait! Trixie? Laughing?” Dustin repeated before growling. “Son of a bitch, I think I know what happened, come on!” Dustin said before he hopped up onto the stage, walking towards the curtains. The others followed after him.
Backstage, Trixie was busy fitting her magician's hat as she was fitted in a brand new purple dress with her starry looking cape, along with a longer ponytail for her appearance. She was looking into one of the backstage mirrors, grinning evilly as she remembered taking down the Rainbooms earlier. But then, she felt a tap on her shoulder. Trixie turns and her eyes and gasped to see Dustin, Allister, Sonata Pixel and Sunset glaring at her.
"All right Trixie," Dustin began, "Start talking," he ordered, "What did you do with the Rainbooms?"
"Ah!" Trixie gasped excitedly, "The great Dustin Miller and his petty friends have come to cheer me, the Great and Powerful Trixie, on for the finals!" she exclaimed sarcastically.
"I said start talking, dammit!" Dustin ordered with a growl, "My patience is wearing thin as it is!" he asked angrily.
"Trixie does not know who you are referring to," she responded with a huff.
"Bullshit! You know exactly what we’re talking about!" Pixel said growled. "What did you do with them?" he asked her as she was dusting herself off and fixing her hat again.
"Trixie just took care of business," Trixie responded in her third-person, "The "Rain-goons" shouldn't have been in the finals in the first place," she said, "Especially with that magic ringer, Twilight Sparkle," she added, "Trixie doesn't like cheaters ruining all the fun," she said.
"This coming from the bitch that cheated to get back in the game," Pixel quipped as she got right into Trixie’s face. “You certainly have no room to talk!”
“Excuse me!?” Trixie growled in fury.
"Listen Trixie! Either you tell me where the Rainbooms are, or there’s going to be some major hell to pay!" Dustin demanded, but Trixie was obviously not going to spill the beans.
"Trixie will not say," she responded crossing her arms.
"So you do know where they are," Allister noted as Dustin activated the Digitrix.
“You’ve been warned!” Dustin said before tapping onto the Digitrix’s screen. And in a flash of blue light, he became Freakshow. When Trixie saw his shadowy visage, she began to tremble a bit, but she still acted tough to hide her fear.
“Do…do your worst. This canary will never sing.” Trixie said defiantly.
"As you wish!" Dustin said. Suddenly, Dustin’s body began to stretch to the length of a two story house, his arms sunk into his body while his hands melded with his head, forming to what could resemble the hood of a cobra, and from his mouth was a forked-tongue, like that of a snake.
“Oh no. I h-hate sn-sn-sn-snakes!” Trixie shuddered in fear as Dustin coiled around her.
Trixie was immediately frightened by the look of him with eyes wide in terror, sweating bullets and skin as pale as a ghost
“Dustin?!” Sunset asked in total shock.
“Whoa!” Spike shivered in fear, hiding behind Sonata.
“Now! For the last time! Where are the Rainbooms?!” Dustin asked in anger, and out of sheer terror, Trixie finally conceded.
"They're under the trap door on the stage!" Trixie replied, still in utter horror, "The Dazzlings suggested that I do it so that I'd get into the finals instead of the Rainbooms!" she added, "Just please let me go-o-o!" she screamed out in pure terror as she began to cry.
"Thank you for your cooperation," Dustin said as he changed back into humanoid shape before turning back to normal. “Let’s go!” Dustin said as he and his band mates ran off. Trixie then got up, letting out a quick sigh of relief. Her band mates then ran over to her in their magician like clothing as she looked to see that Dustin was gone.
"What happened Trixie?" one of them asked, "We heard you scream," she noted.
"Trixie is fine," Trixie responded, wiping her eyes, "Let's just get ready for our performance," she said.
As Dustin and his team, Sunset looked to him.
“Was that really necessary?” Sunset asked.
“Hey, I had to get her to spill the beans somehow!” Dustin shrugged in defense.
“How did you know Trixie was afraid was afraid of snakes, anyway?” Spike asked.
“Freakshow can sense people’s worst fears and use that fear against them.” Dustin said, before an idea popped in his head. “Hey Spike.”
"Yeah?" the purple puppy asked.
"I’m gonna need you to do me a huge favor," Dustin admitted.
"Sure, shoot," Spike replied.
"Can you try and find someone who isn't under the Dazzlings' spell?" Dustin asked, "We're gonna need all the help we can get after we get the girls," he noted.
"On it!" Spike replied with a salute. He then dashed off into the crowd, hoping to find someone completely unaware of the spell in the first place.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" a voice announced over the microphone as the tune stopped playing. "Thank you all so much for your participation in Canterlot High's first ever Battle of the Bands!" she thanked, making everyone cheer in delight, "Now we have reached the finals," she noted to the crowd, "Since the Rainbooms aren't available for the performance, the first round shall be Trixie and the Illusions versus the Dazzlings!" she exclaimed as the crowd began to cheer even louder. Ben and the others stopped looking as they squatted back down behind the edge of the stage.
"And now…" Celestia began to announce, "I give you, Trixie and the Illusions!" she exclaimed, walking off stage with Luna. In a giant puff of smoke, Trixie and her band mates appeared on stage. Trixie was only holding a microphone as she was about to sing, while her band mates were holding control panels held by straps around their necks.
Trixie: Ya better believe
I got tricks up my sleeve
And I captivate
'Cause I'm powerful and grea-ea-eat
The Illusions: Oh, whoa, oh-oh-oh-oh
Trixie: Ya better believe
I got tricks up my sleeve
See me dominate
'Cause I'm powerful and grea-ea-eat
The Illusions: Oh, whoa, oh oh oh oh
The song continued in a muffled tune from under the trap door as the girls were all still stuck. Rainbow Dash grunted as she tried to knock down the door as everyone else was still sulking over how things were going.
"Give it up, Rainbow Dash," Applejack said as she failed to knock down the door again, "You've been tryin' at this for hours," she noted, "It's not gonna open," she noted, putting her hand on her head in agony. Rainbow winced, rubbing her arm while she glanced back at the door.
"Maybe it doesn't even matter that we're trapped down here," Twilight said in thought, "I don't think the counter-spell would have worked anyway," she admitted sadly.
"Of course it would have worked, Twilight," Applejack reassured, putting a hand on her shoulder, "Assumin' a certain band member didn't try to hog the spotlight the whole time we were tryin' to play it!" she shouted angrily.
"Hey!" Rainbow exclaimed, "If you wanna tell Twilight she's getting a little too caught up trying to be the new leader of this band," she began, shaking her hips, "you don't have to be all cryptic about it," she said as she made a hand gesture. Applejack just glared at her as Rarity came up.
"She was talking about you, Rainbow Dash!" Rarity yelled with a glare.
"Me?!" Rainbow exclaimed, "I'm just trying to make sure my band rocks as hard as it needs to!" she said, thrusting her hips obnoxiously.
"OUR BAND!" Pinkie, Applejack, Fluttershy, & Rarity shouted, making Rainbow have an annoyed look on her face after her hair was blown back by their simultaneous shouting.
"But why wasn't it working?" Twilight asked as she was sitting against the wall, "I should know what to do," she said, "How could I not know what to do?" she asked herself, "How could I have failed like this?" she asked miserably, curling up into a ball. Sunset Shimmer worriedly looked on as things seemed to be worsening.
"It might've been your idea to start a band," Applejack began, getting dangerously close to Rainbow's face, "but it's not just your band, Rainbow Dash!"
"I'm the one who writes all the songs!" Rainbow responded angrily, pushing Applejack back.
"I write songs!" Fluttershy chimed in surprisingly, "You just never let us play any of them!" she shouted, crossing her arms in frustration.
"I had the most perfect outfits for us to wear!" Rarity added proudly.
"Again with the costumes!" Applejack yelled, "No one cares what we're wearin'!" she shouted.
"I care, Applejack!" Rarity replied with her hands on her hips, "So sorry if I enjoy trying to make a creative contribution to the band!" she yelled.
"Hey!" Pinkie chimed in, holding her head in angst, "Anybody here remember fun?!" she asked angrily, "I'll give you a hint," she began, "It's the exact opposite of being in the Rainbooms!" she shouted as she hysterically flailed her arms.
"You know," Rainbow began, unable to hold back her anger, "I wish I never asked any of you to be in my band!"
"Well," Rarity began, "I wish I'd never agreed to be in it!" she screamed.
"Me, neither!" Applejack and Fluttershy agreed. Suddenly, the five of them all began arguing as Twilight was still sulking in the corner. But neither of them noticed their mystical auras were seeping it's way up through the trap door onto the stage.
As the Rainbooms bickered, Dustin and his team arrived at the trap door.
“Guys! I’m detecting some strange energy reading from their location.” Pixel said, surprising the two. Sunset then saw the aura from the girls trail to the stage.
“That must be their negative energy?” Sunset guessed. Dustin then had a look of realization.
“Son of a fucking bitch!” Dutsin growled upon realization.
“What is it?” Pixel asked.
“Guys…I think the Dazzlings knew that the Rainbooms had magic the whole time.” Dustin said, and then Sonata and Sunset gasped.
“This is what they've been after all along! They're feeding off of the magic inside them!” Sunset said with wide eyes.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold up" Pixel said, "How do you think they knew?"
"Since they're the only ones besides us who aren't under their spell…" Sonata began, "I guess they figured out about the magic themselves…"
“Plus” Dustin added, "Remember how Twilight told us that they're from Equestria?"
"And remember that we also feed off the negativity of others through by singing." Sonata added, making Pixel and Allister shocked.
"So, what you’re saying is…” Pixel stated, “That Aria and Adagio are both after the Equestrian magic that the girls have?"
"And the reason they have them trapped them down there is to…" Allister stated,
“Is to get it while they're singing," Sunset finished.
"But don't they only feed off the negative energy of others?" Pixel asked, "How do they plan to get that since the girls aren't releasing any sort of negativity?"
"I think I know the reason." Sunset said, making the others turn to her, "I think they're all near the breaking point after that semifinal performance."
“Then we better bust them out! Now!” Dustin said in worry.
Trixie: Ya better believe
I got tricks up my sleeve
See me dominate
'Cause I'm powerful and grea-ea-eat!
Fireworks of almost all kinds went off after the performance, making the crowd cheer in awe of its amazement.
"Try to top that!" Trixie gloated to the Dazzlings as she and her band mates walked offstage.
"Oh, gosh!" Adagio exclaimed sarcastically, "I don't know if we can!" She and the others laughed at how ridiculous it was to think that Trixie could beat them. They then looked out onto the stage to see the aura of the Rainbooms' negative energy spread out across the stage.
Decibus then teleported near to them.
“Decibus. Is it ready?” Adagio asked Decibus, who nods.
“It is. Get ready to shine, girls.” Decibus said as Aria and Adagio grinned evilly.
“Oh trust us. We will.” Adagio said as she and Aria walked off.
“Alright! Let’s bust this thing down! ”Pixel said as she morphed her arms into energy blade
"Wait!" Allister exclaimed before walking up to the door, twisting the knob, and then pushed it open to reveal the girls inside, surprising them.
"How did you know it was a push?" Sonata asked in surprise
"Because I couldn't see the hinges from this side," Allister responded as Fluttershy's eyes widened in delight.
"Guys!" she exclaimed, running up to Dustin and embracing him with all her might, "You guys came to save us!" she realized as she held onto Ash tightly.
"Of course we did! Why wouldn’t we?" Pixel said as the other girls came out.
"Sorry I’m late." a voice asked below them. Everyone looked down to see Spike.
"Spike!" Twilight exclaimed excitedly, taking hold of the purple puppy and nuzzling with him cheek to cheek.
"Sorry I took so long," Spike apologized, "But I had to find somebody who wasn't under the sirens' spell to help us out," he said, pointing to the doorway. Appearing before them was Vinyl Scratch, still wearing her trademark glasses and headphones.
"Why isn't she under their spell?" Twilight asked curiously as she held onto Spike.
"Never takes off her headphones," Spike replied. Vinyl gave them a thumbs up in reply.
"Way to go little buddy," Dustin said as he came over and petted the little dog's head, making him wag his tail in delight.
“Girls, we got a major issue on hand.” Allister said to the Rainbooms, grabbing their attention.