//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: Phoenix Magic: Rainbow Rocks // by Magic Kitsune Brony //------------------------------// Sunset sat down next Zuko, at the Rainbooms usual table, after picking up her lunch from Granny Smith. She smiled when she felt Zuko kiss her cheek. “So how was the tour?” He asked. “I don’t know,” She shrugged, looking concerned. “I mean, these girls, they were… There was something off about them.” “Like, off like this?” Pinkie asked, moving her hair around to look like a beard before placing two carrots in her mouth and lettuce over her eyebrows. “Or off like this? Or… Oh, oh! Like…” “Maybe we should just let her tell us,” Rainbow suggested, before waving for Sunset to continue. “That just it. I can’t put my finger on it. They just acted sort of…” She thought of the right word. “Strange around me. And even weirder, is that you know how whenever I show new students around, I never miss mentioning the magic classes.” They all nodded. “Well, for some reason, I got this gut feeling that told me not to tell them.” “Hmm, that is strange,” Rarity said. “And your gut feelings are just as good as Pinkie’s hunches and Pinkie sense. So, if you feel that there’s something off with these new girls, then we’ll just have to keep an eye on them.” The rest of the girls and Zuko agreed to that plan. Before they could say anything else, the three new girls walked into the cafeteria, vocalising as they walked among the students. “The Dazzlings: Ah, ah-ah, ah-ahh Ah, ah-ah, ah-ahh Ah, ah-ah, ah-ahh Ah, ah-ah, ah-ahh Adagio: 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? Aria, Sonata: Shine brighter Adagio: Here’s a chance to find your flame Are you a loser or a fighter? Dazzlings: 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?” Some of the CHS students started to look at each other in suspicion or looked like they were seriously thinking over what the new girls were singing. “Adagio: 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 Dazzlings: 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” Zuko and The Rainbooms watch in horror as their fellow students started arguing and fighting between each other. Sunset’s eyes narrowed when she spotted a weird mist starting to come of the students. “Dazzlings and students: Battle! I can beat you! Battle! Ha! You wish! Battle! I so want this! Battle! Not if I get it first! 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? I’m going out and winning the audition 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!” “Ohhhh. They’re that kind of off” Pinkie said as the students continued to argue. “Those three are definitely in possession of some kind of dark magic,” Sunset theorised as they walk towards the principal’s office. “How else could you explain what happened back there?” “Yeah, is it just me, or did that look kinda like what they said the imperious curse would look like?” Rainbow asked. “It certainly did,” Rarity agreed. “Don’t worry, y’all,” Applejack tried to reassure them. “I’m sure Principal Celestia will know what to do with them.” “Wait,” Sunset stopped walking, and facepalmed. “I just remembered. When I finished showing them around, I saw them heading towards Mum’s office.” “So, there’s a chance that they’re already control our principals?” Fluttershy concluded. “Yes,” Sunset replied. “So, I think it might be a good idea if I go in alone and see what their condition is.” They all agreed to the plan. Sunset knocked on her mother’s door and walked. “Hey, Mum. Just came to see if you needed any help with the musical showcase.” She looked closely at her mother and aunt and spotted the same green tint in their eyes that she had seen in the students. “No, Sunset,” Celestia said as she looked at her daughter. “There isn’t. And those nice new girls who visited us, The Dazzlings, suggested we have a Battle of the Bands instead of a showcase. They even sang us a little song.” “Battle of the Bands?” Sunset pretended that it was the first time hearing it. “That’s sound kinda cool.” She started walking towards the door. “Well, if you don’t need any help. Oh, and don’t forget, I’m staying with the girls at Pinkie’s tonight. So, don’t wait for me.” “Very good,” Celestia and Luna went back to their paperwork. “Have fun.” “I will,” Sunset waved as she closed the door. She turned to her friends. “Well, Mum and Aunt Luna aren’t going to be any help. Looks like the ‘Dazzlings’ got to them.” “The Dazzlings?” Applejack raised an eyebrow at her. “That’s the name they go by,” Sunset shrugged. “Hey, girls,” Zuko walked up to them. “You remember Chrysalis telling us about that time delayed portal opening nearby, right?” “Yea,” Applejack answered. “What’s that got to do with anythin’?” “Well,” Zuko started. “I just got off the phone with my dad. He said his men have been keeping a close eye on the Dazzlings since they came through it.” “They came from that portal?” Rainbow asked. “Then how are we supposed to defeat them, if they are not from here and we don’t know where they came from.” “Actually,” Sunset got their attention. “It was quick, but as I was talking to Mum and Aunt Luna, I picked up on the magic controlling them and I swear it felt like the magic Stormy CloudSwirl used at the Fall Formal.” “So, there’s a possibility that they are from Equestria,” Rarity said, thinking over the information. “Maybe that’s why they were giving me weird vibes,” Sunset pointed out. “It was their Equestrian magic I was picking up on.” “I still can’t believe they got Celestia and Luna too,” Fluttershy said concerned. “They’ve gotten to everybody,” Rainbow pointed out. “Not everybody!” Pinkie exclaimed. “Pinkie’s right,” Applejack said. “We were there when the Dazzlings were singin’ and we weren’t affected. It was like we were protected somehow.” “Maybe it was our own Equestrian magic,” Rarity suggested. “If it was, how was Zuko not affected,” Applejack pointed to the boy next to Sunset. “Maybe it was our soul bond,” Zuko thought for a second, smiling as he took Sunset’s hand. “Soul mates are known to share protection between each other via the bond.” “So, we’re all protected! Let’s take them down then!” Rainbow announced, pumping her fist in the air. “It’s not like we haven’t tangle with dark magic before and totally whooped its sorry butt!” “But that was when Twilight was here,” Fluttershy pointed out. “There may be Equestrian 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,” Rarity sighed. “Maybe she could tell us how to break the spell the Dazzlings have cast on our friends.” “Well, that’s not gonna happen. The portal’s closed,” Rainbow sighed in defeat. “And I get the feeling they don’t exactly have cell phones where she’s from.” Sunset suddenly stopped mid step as a pain shot through her mind. New memories flooded her mind, and she was glad that they were closed to her locker when she spotted something in the memories. “Sunset, are you alright?” She looked up at her boyfriend, who looked at her in concern. “New memories?” “Yeah, and ones that could help us,” Sunset smiled at them. “One of the memories show me how we can get in touch with Princess Twilight!” “How, darling?” Rarity asked as they walked over to Sunset’s locker. “You all remember that tome book that was with me when I first came through the portal, right?” She asked as she opened her locker and started looking through it. “Yeah,” Applejack nodded. “Well, I remembered that Princess Celestia gave it to me,” Sunset explained as she pulled the tome out of her locker. “And basically, it works like text messaging, whatever I wrote in it, it would appear in another book in Princess Celestia’s study. If I get a message to her, she could get a message to Princess Twilight.” “Well, what are you waiting for?” Rainbow passed a pen over to Sunset. “Get to writing!” Rarity hit the rainbow haired girl over the head, “A simple please would be nice once in a while, Dash.” “Sorry,” Rainbow apologised, rubbing her head. “It’s okay,” Sunset clicked the pen, and placed the tip on the page in front of her. “Been a long time since I’ve written these words. Dear Princess Celestia…” After Sunset finished writing the message, she texted her dad to let him know the situation and so he wouldn’t freak out when mum got home later that day. The group all agreed to meet in front of the Wondercolt Statue after school. They split up to go to their respective classes, all thinking of ideas on what to do if Princess Twilight or Princess Celestia didn’t reply.