//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 // Story: Phoenix Magic: Equestria Girls // by Magic Kitsune Brony //------------------------------// Twilight was currently walking away after having an argument about the crown with Stormy CloudSwirl, where Stormy had threatened her and Spike, if she went up against her. As she walked, she came upon some sort of machine full of snacks. She spent a minute trying to get some food from the machine, only to by interrupted by a cough behind her. She looked to see a Trixie look alike. “Excuse me,” Trixie said politely, walking pass Twilight. “The Great and Powerful Trixie!... Needs some peanut butter crackers.” Twilight watched as Trixie put what looked like an Equestrian Bit into a slot on the side of the machine, press a few buttons and grab the snack that fell, from the bottom. “Voila!” “Oh, Spike,” Twilight looked at her companion. “How am I supposed to fit in and win votes, if I don’t know the first thing about this place. I know, we need to do some research.” “Research?” Spike asked doubtfully. “This place has a school, right? I have to believe it’s got a… library!” She exclaimed when she looked through a door to see a large room full of books. She ran into the library, not seeing Stormy sneak in behind her, carrying a camera she had stolen. After a short explanation from Cheerilie, Twilight sat down at one of the ‘computers’. She looked at it, still confused about this technology. She again turned to Cheerilie. “So, I just push the letters here, and then the words and moving pictures will come up here,” she asked, picking up the weird black mirror thing. “That’s right,” Cheerilie said as she took the monitor out of the girl’s hand, before continuing to put books away. “Maybe this place does have magic,” Twilight whispered. Before she could start researching, loud music started playing. She looked over to see the CMC of this world smiling at the computer with music playing out of it. Cheerilie walked over to the younger girls and turned off the speakers. “Girls,” She scolded. “As I have told you many times before, the school computers are for research and homework purposes only, not entertainment.” “Sorry, Miss Cheerilie,” the girls apologized before turning to each other. “It’s just as well, y’all,” Applebloom shrugged. “Some of the comments about our song were really awful. ‘Epic fail’… ‘Funniest thing I’ve ever seen’?!” “Funniest thing they’ve ever seen… huh?” Sweetie Belle said, before smirking at the other two as they all got a crazy idea. “Uh, I don’t know that that’s what you should take from…” Twilight tried to say as the girls ran out of the library, almost running over Sunset as she walked in. “Girls!” Sunset shouted after them. “No running in the halls!” She rolled her eyes as she heard the faint shout of ‘sorry’. She walked over to Cheerilie. “Hey, Miss Cheerilie. Is the printer available right now?” “Hello, Sunset,” Cheerilie smiled at her, before gesturing to the computers. “Yes, the printer is available. You know what to do.” “Thanks,” Sunset walked over and sat down at the computer next to Twilight. She smiled at Twilight as she pulled a notebook out her bag. “Hi, Twilight. How’s your first day here at CHS going?” “Oh, hi Sunset,” Twilight smiled back nervously. “It’s going great!” “That’s good,” Sunset commented. Twilight watched in slight awe as Sunset open her notebook to a page full of notes, open some sort of program up on the computer and started moving her fingers across the board thing quickly. Sunset felt her gaze and looked over at her concerned. “You ok? Do you need any help with anything?” “Nope,” Twilight quickly looked back at her own screen. “I’m good.” Sunset simply shrugged. “Ok, just let me know if you need any help.” Twilight nodded at her, and Sunset got back to typing up her homework as Twilight continued to figure out the computer. Soon after Sunset finished her essay, she looked over at Twilight, who was currently trying to type with her fist closed. She decided not to say anything, then she remembered what her friends had decided, and she had gotten her mum’s permission. “Oh, hey, Twilight,” She got the girl’s attention. “I just remembered. The girls and I were wondering if you would like to join us at our sleepover tonight?” “Oh, um,” Twilight didn’t know what to say. Well, she thought. I still haven’t figured out where I’m going to stay while here and I would like to get to know Sunset and these weird versions of her friends. She looked down at Spike who nodded at her. “That would be great. Thanks.” “No prob,” Sunset smiled at her before picking up her printed homework. “Well, I’ll let the girls know and we’ll meet you after school, in front of the Wondercolt Statue. Sound good?” “Sure,” Twilight nodded. Once Sunset had left the library, Twilight looked down at Spike. “Do you think I made the right choice. Agreeing to it.” “I think you did,” Spike said as he subconsciously scratches his ear with his hind leg. “Besides, we didn’t exactly think about where we’re going to stay. And don’t you want to get to know these versions of your friends and Sunset Shimmer… sorry King.” They both agreed that it was the right choice and then got back researching. Unbeknown to them, that throughout the time they had been in the library, Stormy CloudSwirl, once she figured out how to use the camera, had been taking photos of Twilight. “Nopony or weird creature is going to get in my way of getting that crown,” She muttered to herself as she sneaked out of the library. Twilight was waiting in front of the Wondercolt Statue, waiting for Sunset and the girls. ‘Humans,’ she thought. ‘That’s what these weird creatures were called.’ She had found the information in some of the books she looked at. She saw her new friends walk out of the school, and she waved at them. “Hey, Twi!” Pinkie exclaimed as she bounced over to Twilight. “Are you ready for a super-duper fun sleepover party?!” “Um, yes, I am,” Twilight answered. “Cool,” Rainbow said as the rest of the girls caught up with Pinkie. “Now, we just have to wait for our lift.” “Don’t worry,” Sunset smiled at them. “Mum said her, and Aunt Luna were finishing early today.” “Wait,” Twilight looked at the red head. “Aunt Luna? As in…” “Hello, girls…” They turned to see Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna walking up behind them. “Hey, mum,” Sunset smiled at Celestia as she hugged her. “Mum?” Twilight was surprised by this development. “Yea,” Rainbow looked at her confused. “We did say Sunset’s last name was now King, right?” “Did you not see Celestia’s last name when you visited her in her office?” Rarity asked her. “Um, no, sorry,” Twilight apologised sheepishly. “It’s ok,” Sunset smiled understandingly at her. “I’m sure you just had other things on your mind. Anyway, let’s get going, shall we.” “Ok,” Luna got their attention. “Rainbow, Rarity and Applejack, you’re with me. The rest of you, with Celestia.” “Yea let’s get this show on the road” Rainbow agreed, pumping her fist. She turned to Sunset, sharing a smirk with her. “Shot gun!” They both called, causing the rest to laugh at the two, except for Twilight, who had no idea what ‘shot gun’ meant. “Ok, let’s go,” They all followed Celestia over to the remaining two cars in the school parking lot. As Sunset, Fluttershy, Pinkie and Twilight were about to get in the car, Celestia turned to Twilight. “And Miss Sparkle, I suggest you hold on to your dog, while we drive, so he doesn’t move about the car.” “What!” Twilight looked up in surprise, as she held her bag in her arms. “How did…?” “About your dog?” Celestia raised the eyebrow at her. “Because you are not the first to sneak their pets into school.” She explained, sending a pointed look in Fluttershy’s direction, who blushed. “Oh,” Was all Twilight could say as she was sat between Fluttershy and Pinkie in the backseat of the weird machine that she had read about in the library that afternoon. The girls helped her with the ‘seat belt’ as they called it, as Celestia turned the car on. As they drove, the girls pointed out the different places they liked to hang out to Twilight. She watched as they turned onto a dirt road leading up to a large house. She spotted a big sign near the start of the road, that said ‘Crystal Winery’. As they pulled up in front of the house, she noticed a man with black hair standing out front. Wait, she thought as she got out of the car with the others, he looks like… “Hi, dad!” Sunset called as she ran up to give him a hug. “Hey, there, firefly,” He smiled at her. He then turned to Twilight. “G’day,” He greeted, holding out a hand to her. “You must be Sunset’s new friend, Twilight Sparkle. Sombra King, at your voice. Welcome to Crystal Winery and Farm.” “Hi,” Twilight shook his hand nervously, it was weird meeting a version of King Sombra that wasn’t a villain. “Right,” Sombra addressed the group. “Now, why don’t you all go get set up and then we can sort out dinner.” Twilight followed the girls inside and up the stairs. She looked around what she assumed was Sunset’s room. In one corner was a couple of guitars, and in another was an art easel with a half-finished painting on it and a shelf full of different art equipment. Then there was a desk with a bookshelf next to it, filled with books and folders. There was a tank on one of the walls, with a little yellow lizard in and a perch for a bird next it. The last wall was what caught Twilight’s attention the most. It was covered in photos of Sunset with her friends and family. There were photos that looked like they had been taken at the school and others here. “Yea,” Twilight jumped as Sunset came to stand beside her, smiling up at the photos. “This is my favourite part of my room too” Twilight spotted a photo of Luna and, is that Discord? With a little baby, “Who’s that?” “That’s when Screwball was born,” Sunset smiled at the photo. “She’s, my cousin.” They suddenly heard a tapping on one of the windows. Twilight looked over to see a white owl! Sunset went over and opened the window for the bird. “Hey, Hedwig. Did you have a good day?” Hedwig hooted at her. “That’s good.” Sunset went on to introduce Twilight to Hedwig the owl and Ray the lizard. Hedwig reminded Twilight of her old owl, Owlowiscious. “Girls!” they all heard Sombra call up the stair. “Come and sort out your toppings.” “Toppings?” Twilight asked as they moved downstairs. “Yea, you know,” Rainbow turned to her. “Pizza toppings.” “Oh,” was all Twilight could say as they walked into the kitchen. They all started placing different things on mini pizza bases. Twilight had to turn away for a second when she saw her friends, including Sunset, placing meat on their pizzas. Unbeknown to Twilight, Spike sat under the table where Sombra had given him a bowl filled with raw meat. Spike was at first reluctant, but then he remembered he was meant to act like a dog, so he tried the meat and found it to his liking. Making sure Twilight wasn’t watching he dug into the bowl. Once they had cooked and then ate their pizzas, and had a bowl of ice cream, the girls moved back upstairs. They all found places around the room and started planning on how to help Twilight get votes. “Ok,” Rainbow got their attention. “I have an idea. I was thinking we use the song we were going to use for Sunset.” “Wait, what?” Sunset looked surprised. “What are you talking about?” “Well, you see darling,” Rarity started, sheepishly. “We decided that if no one signed up for Fall Formal Princess by the end of today, we were going to try and convince you to sign up.” “Really?” Sunset raised an eyebrow at them. “Yep!” Pinkie smiled at her. “And we were going to sing a song to help get votes. Fluttershy’s already written it.” “And knowing you girls,” Sunset shook her head fondly at them. “You probably would have convinced me.” “Um,” Twilight got their attention. “How will the song help me, if it was meant for Sunset.” “Easy,” Rainbow waved her hand. “We just need to change a few words. You can sing Sunset’s part. I’m sorry though, Sunset, you might have to sing back up. We didn’t plan for this change in the song.” “That’s ok,” Sunset accepted the apology. “As long as it helps Twilight here.” “Is it really possible to simply change the words, just like that?” Twilight asked. “Totally,” Rainbow bragged a little. “We’re the Rainbooms. One of CHS’s best student bands. Just you wait, Twilight, with this song, you’ll be getting votes within the hour.” They spent the next hour sorting out the song and other things to include in the plan to help Twilight win the crown. Including a strap on tail and horse ear headbands that Rarity was going to make in the costume room in drama class, along with Twilight’s dress for the formal. Soon it was time for bed, as Celestia poked her head in through the door. “Alright, girls,” she said. “Time for bed. It maybe the fall formal tomorrow but it still is a school night.” “Ok, mum,” Sunset said as they started getting into bed. Once they were settled, Celestia walked over and hugged Sunset. “Good night mum.” “Good night, Sunset. Good night, girls,” Celestia said as she left the room. Soon, most of the girls were fast asleep. Twilight was the only one awake, laying between Sunset and Rarity, on Sunset’s bed. She looked down at Spike, who had curled up on her stomach but was also still awake. “Sunset Shimmer was not what I expected,” He whispered. They both looked at the fiery haired girl next to them, smiling contently as she slept. “I know,” Twilight whispered back. “The way Princess Celestia talked about her, I thought we would have to worry about her teaming up with Stormy CloudSwirl. Yet, here she is, adopted by this world’s Celestia and with no memories of Equestria.” “I know,” Spike agreed. “I was thinking the same thing. It’s actually kinda sad that she lost her memories.” “Hmm, I wonder if there’s some way, we could help get her equestrian memories back,” Twilight wondered, before they both yawned and settled down to sleep. “Something to look into after we get my crown back.” The next morning saw the girls at the Sweet Café for breakfast, with Sunset’s mum and aunt going ahead to work on paperwork at the school. Twilight looked around the café, seeing some of the other students also having breakfast and then watched as the human version of Mrs Cake sprayed some cream onto her hot chocolate. “And… can I get mine with extra oats?” Twilight asked. “Oats?” Mrs Cake questioned, raising an eyebrow at her. “Uh, scratch that.” Twilight blushed, realising her slip up. “However you normally make it is fine.” Mrs Cake shrugged and pass Twilight the cup. As she turned to join the others, she bumped into something, spilling the drink all over the boy from yesterday. Flash Sentry the girls said his name was if Twilight remembered correctly. “Oh! We’ve got to stop bumping into each other like this,” he said, as they both reached for the cup on the ground, their hands touching. They looked at each other for a second before blushing. “You know me!” Twilight started rambling, as they stood up. “Always trying to make a big splash around here. ‘Cause my drink kinda splashed… on the ground!” She laughed nervously as she played with her hair. “I’m gonna go over there now.” She turned and walked over to the booth where the girls were sat around. She was confused when they giggled at her as she sat down. “What?” “Oh, nothing darling,” Rarity answered. “We just think that was adorable. You like him, don’t you?” “What?!” Twilight exclaimed, blushing. “I don’t. We’ve just bumped into each other a few times. Nothing to it.” “Riiiight.” Rainbow said sarcastically. “He seems to like you though.” “Oh really?” Twilight blushed deeper, playing with her hair. The others nodded smirking at each other. They all finished breakfast before walking to school. “Good morning, students, and happy Friday,” they heard Principal Celestia voice over the P.A. system as they walked through the hall to their lockers. “Just a reminder to pick up your ballots for the Princess of the Fall Formal today. They are due at the time the dance starts tonight, so don’t forget to turn them in and make your voice heard.” “Alright,” Rainbow turned to the others. “Are we ready to help Twilight win the crown?” “Yepperoni!” Pinkie exclaimed “I’ve already got mum’s permission to use the mini stage in the cafeteria,” Sunset said, holding up the permission slip “Awesome,” Rainbow pumped her fist in the air. “Now…” “Um, excuse me, Sunset,” they looked to see Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, Snips, Snails and the CMC. “I just wanted to give you these. We saw that new girl, Stormy CloudSwirl, trying to put them up around the school.” Diamond Tiara pulled out some terribly made posters with Twilight in awkward positions. They couldn’t make out what was written under the photos due to bad handwriting, though it was obvious it was meant to be insulting. “Don’t worry, we all managed to take them all down before anyone really saw them. We just thought we would let you know about them.” “Thank you,” Sunset said as they threw the posters in the nearby bin. “That was very nice of you. Now, we should all start heading to classes.” They went the directions of their morning classes, the Rainbooms and Twilight agreeing to meet just outside the cafeteria for their performance. During morning classes, Celestia had announced a special performance by the Rainbooms, which got the other students excited. Soon it was lunch time and the girls gathered outside the cafeteria. They had already placed their ears and tails on, along with some Wondercolt sweaters. Sunset looked at her phone to see a text from Zuko. Instruments are set up and ready to go. Thumb up “Alright,” Sunset said, once she saw the text. “Let’s do this.” They walked through the doors and over to the mini stage where their instruments were set up. There was slight applause as they walked onto the stage. “Good morning, Canterlot High Wondercolts!” Rainbow exclaimed to the microphone in front of her, as the others sorted themselves out, with Twilight watching from the side. “We’re here to sing a song to help our new friend Twilight Sparkle get some votes for tonight’s formal. The song we’re about to sing was originally for Sunset but since she’s not competing, we decided to use for this. Just forewarning you, if you find the lyrics a little confusing.” She smiled when she saw the students sending them looks of understanding. “Alright, Pinkie, give us a beat!” The Rainbooms started with a beat, before they started singing… “Rainbooms: Hey, hey everybody We’ve got something to say We may seem as different As the night is from day But you look a little deeper And you will see That I’m just like you And you’re just like me Yeah!” The students were starting to bob their heads and sway in their seats as Sunset played a little riff. “Hey, hey, everybody We’re here to shout That the magic of friendship Is what it’s all about Yeah, we thought we were different As the night is from the day Until Twilight Sparkle Helped us see another way So, get up, get down If you’re gonna come around We can work together Helping Twilight win the crown So, get up, get down ‘Cause it’s gonna make a sound If we work together Helping Twilight Sparkle win the crown” During the chorus, Zuko and Flash started handing out the tails and ears Rarity had made. All the students were up on their feet now, putting their tails on and dancing to the music. “Pinkie: Hey, hey, hands up now We’re sending a message to the crowd Hands wave up, then come down We party together all around Rarity: Generous, honesty Applejack: Laughter, kindness, loyalty Fluttershy: Twilight helped us each to see Rainbow: All that we can be! Rainbooms: So, get up, get down If you’re gonna come around We can work together Helping Twilight win the crown So, get up, get down ‘Cause it’s gonna make a sound If we work together Helping Twilight Sparkle win the crown” Sunset waved for Twilight to come on stage and stand in front of a mic so she could sing her part. “Twilight: I’m gonna be myself No matter what I do And if we’re different, yeah I want you to be true to you If you follow me We’ll put our differences aside We’ll stick together and Start working on that school pride!” Now the students were singing along with the Rainbooms and Twilight, some had even started placing ticks next to Twilight’s on the ballots. “Twilight, Rainbooms and Students: Jump up, make a sound (Hey) Stomp your hooves, turn around Start now, make a change Gonna come around Jump up, make a sound (Hey) Stomp your hooves, turn around Canterlot Wondercolts Help her win the crown Jump up, make a sound (Hey) Stomp your hooves, turn around Start now, make a change Gonna come around Jump up, make a sound (Hey) Stomp your hooves, turn around Canterlot Wondercolts Help her win the crown Jump up, make a sound (Hey) Stomp your hooves, turn around Start now, make a change Gonna come around Jump up, make a sound (Hey) Stomp your hooves, turn around Canterlot Wondercolts Help her win the crown…” As the Rainbooms continued play and the students continued to dance, Stormy CloudSwirl stood outside one of the glass doors, glaring at everyone. “This will not do,” Stormy growled, as she stomped away. “I need to do something to make sure Twilight doesn’t get my crown.” She looked down the hall leading to the auditorium and smirked as an idea came to her.