Trixie fumed angrily as she threw shuriken at a practice dummy.
"That stupid little Emerald Flame brat..." she muttered.
Across the room, her television gave a melodic chime. //NetIdol Week is starting now.//
She turned as the screen displayed a colorful, eye-searing graphic, followed by a girl in her early twenties who had been a popular idol singer when she was sixteen. //Hiiii~! Honey Voice here, bringing you the latest news in the world of Net Idols!
//This week's top-rated Net Idol is of course Smile-chan! Her popularity has never been higher, and her surprise stage show at Hoshigusa Park made sure she'll be the most talked-about Net Idol for a long time!
//Before we talk about this week's Smile Time, we have sad news. G.P.T's popularity numbers have dropped. Once riding a strong second, she slipped to third two weeks ago, and this week, she's fallen to number six. So sad! Of course, it's to be expected. G.P.T has become stale and predictable lately, and hasn't released a new song in forever. I don't doubt that next week, we won't even be mentioning her on—//
"TV off," Trixie snarled, throwing a kunai at the training dummy with enough force to embed it to the ring. "Bad enough to fail a mission, but to have to hear about how popular that Smile bitch is on top of that?" She sighed. "Trixie will complete her mission...and Trixie will claim her rightful place as the number one Net Idol in Neighpon!"
She paused, staring at her training dummy.
"...Trixie needs to write a new song."
Magic 8: アイドル
"...that's rather disturbing," Celestia said.
"I know," Twilight sighed. "It'll disappoint the others, but I warned them I'd probably have to erase Senpai's memory—"
"No, not that," Celestia said dismissively. "It's fine with me that this girl Rarity knows what's going on. In fact, I'd like to meet her sometime. No, what bothers me is that yet another of my subjects has cast her lot with Sunset Shimmer."
Twilight shrugged. "Well, the Lulamoon clan are mercenaries," she pointed out. "Even putting aside that little parting shot at me, this Trixie is still just hired help. And, frankly, she didn't strike me as being much of a threat. I mean, Spike can handle her if she shows up again."
"Yes, but you should never underestimate your opponents," Celestia said with a frown. "Perhaps if I attempt to outbid Sunset Shimmer, you won't have to worry about Trixie again..."
Twilight shook her head. "They're a pride clan, remember?"
Celestia sighed. "Yes, of course. Pity it isn't an Emerald Flame Dragon that's after you."
Twilight laughed. "Well, that's all I have to report."
"Very well. Continue seeking those who can wield the remaining Elements of Harmony."
"Hai, Celestia-sama."
* * * * *
Monday saw Twilight, Rainbow, and Pinkie meeting up for lunch as usual on the roof. It had taken some time for the attention the three girls received from their classmates to die down, and they still occasionally had to deal with one or more of Smile's fans, but for the most part, they were left alone at school.
Twilight and Rainbow knew something was up when Pinkie handed them wrapped cupcakes with bright pink frosting.
"I need a huge huge super favor from you girls," Pinkie said.
Twilight and Rainbow looked at each other. "Should I be worried?" Twilight asked.
"Everything Pinkie says worries me," Rainbow said.
Pinkie pouted. "Rainbow-chan! Don't be like that."
"So, what's this favor?" Twilight asked.
Pinkie beamed at them. "I need you girls to form a unit with me!"
"A unit?" Twilight echoed, tilting her head.
Rainbow groaned. "We're not Net Idols, Pinkie."
"Oh, I know," Pinkie said. "I just really really super need you girls to do a video with me. My fans are BEGGING for it!"
Twilight rolled her eyes. "Pinkie-san...please don't drag us into your Net Idol business."
Pinkie frowned. "Twilight-chan...I'm not asking much. Just a little of your time to make one video. You have no idea how popular you and Rainbow-chan are."
"I don't want to be popular!" Twilight declared.
"I do!" Rainbow said. "Just not for that."
Tears welled up in Pinkie's eyes. "But...friends do stuff for each other...right?"
After an uncomfortable moment of silence, Twilight sighed. "What do we need to do, exactly?"
Pinkie's tears dried up instantly. "I just need you to be in a PV with me for my new song! All you have to do is wear an idol costume and dance. It's an easy routine, I can teach it to you in two days." She clasped her hands together. "I promise it's easy and fun. Please?"
Twilight and Rainbow looked at one another. Rainbow shrugged. "I guess it's not that bad..."
Twilight smiled at Pinkie. "Alright. We'll do it." She held up a finger. "But don't make me wear anything too embarrassing, okay?"
"Same here," Rainbow said.
"Don't worry, I won't!" Pinkie promised, clapping her hands and giggling. "Yay! Idol Unit STD is born!"
Twilight spat out a mouthful of rice. "Absolute NO to that name," she said.
Pinkie blinked. "Huh? What's wrong with that? It stands for Smile - Twilight - Dash..."
"That's not all it stands for," Rainbow muttered.
"We'll work on the name," Twilight said.
Pinkie scratched her head. "I don't get the problem..."
Twilight rolled her eyes. "I'll make a list of better names," she said.
"And now that we're friends with Rarity-senpai, maybe I can get her to help design our costumes!" Pinkie declared brightly. "After all, I could use a new look. I don't want to get stale like G.P.T..."
"Well, the Fashion Club meets on Tuesdays," Rainbow said. "We can drop by then."
"Awesome!"
* * * * *
As soon as the three girls crossed the threshold, the Fashion Club erupted in squeals.
"It's Smile-chan!" someone shrieked.
Pinkie raised her hands and waved. "Hiiiiii~!" she giggled. "Don't mind us, we're just here to see Rarity-senpai."
"Senpai, you're friends with Smile?" someone cried. "That's amazing!"
"Just as you'd expect from Senpai!"
Rarity smiled and tossed her hair. "Good afternoon, girls," she said. "What can I do for you?"
"I'm about to make a new PV," Pinkie said. She gestured to Twilight and Rainbow, and added, "With my idol unit." The room erupted in gasps and squeals. Ignoring them, Pinkie said, "My friends need idol costumes, and I'd like something new as well. We were hoping you might have some ideas."
Rarity raised an eyebrow. "Hmm..."
"Senpai is designing outfits for Net Idols now? So cool!"
"We can't wait to see what you come up with, Senpai!"
"Let us help, Senpai!"
Rarity clapped her hands twice, briskly, to silence her clubmates. "Alright," she said. "The three of you, come to my house this evening so we can discuss this in private." She smiled. "Everyone else, you can certainly help with the creation of the new costumes!"
"Great!" Pinkie exclaimed. "You're the best, Senpai!"
Rarity wrote her address down, then handed it to Pinkie. "I'll see you in...three hours?"
Twilight clasped her hands in front of her and bowed slightly to Rarity. "Thank you for your help, Senpai."
Rarity waved a hand dismissively. "Friends help one another, ne?"
* * * * *
Rainbow and Pinkie stared in awe at the house the trio had walked up to. "Whoa," Rainbow breathed.
Beyond the polished, freshly-painted iron gate and white brick fence lay a pristine, immaculate yard, a walkway of washed flagstones, and an austere three-story mansion with bright white walls and gleaming copper roof tiles. Indigo curtains hung in elegant round-topped windows, and the mahogany double front doors were carved with intricate, eye-catching patterns.
"Wow, Senpai's family must be loaded," Pinkie said.
Twilight pressed the gate intercom bell. After several seconds, the face of a young girl with bright green eyes and curly lavender and pink hair appeared on the intercom screen. "Hai, moshi-moshi!"
"Ah...hello," Twilight said. "We're here to see Rarity-senpai?"
"Hai! Oneesan told me to let you in. Just a moment, please!" The intercom turned off.
"Senpai has a cute little sister!" Pinkie said as they waited.
The front door opened, and the young girl walked out to the gate, pointing a small keychain button at it. The gate ground to life and retracted into the fence. "Sorry," the girl said. "The gate release inside the house is broken. They're coming out to fix it tomorrow."
"That's...alright," Twilight said, examining the gate with a curious tilt to her head.
"Come on in!" the young girl said. "Oh, by the way, my name is Sweetie Belle." She bowed. "Pleased to meet you."
"I'm Twilight Sparkle, this is Rainbow Dash, and this is—"
"SMILE-CHAN!" Sweetie Belle cried as she zoomed up the walk and latched onto Pinkie. "Awesome! I didn't know you were friends with Oneesan! I'm a huge fan!"
Pinkie smiled down at Sweetie Belle. "Really? Then I'm glad to meet you." She crouched down to look Sweetie Belle in the eyes. "Your sister is helping Smile-chan and her idol unit with costumes for my new PV!"
Sweetie Belle's eyes widened. "Sugoi!"
Twilight rolled her eyes. "Come on, Pinkie-san, Senpai is probably waiting for us."
The girls followed Sweetie Belle inside, where they removed their shoes and exchanged them for guest slippers. "Fancy shoe cupboard," Rainbow Dash remarked as she put away her shoes.
"It was Oneesan's idea," Sweetie Belle said. "She doesn't like the idea of shoes littering the genkan, even if it's more convenient." She led them through the foyer, which was richly appointed with expensive furniture and ornamentation. The highly polished oak floors gleamed in the light from overhead chandeliers. They followed Sweetie Belle to a sitting room with a wide sectional sofa, three comfortable chairs, a lacquered coffee table, a small, packed bookshelf, and a medium-sized television mounted on the wall. "I'll go get Oneesan, then I'll bring in some refreshments," she said as she left the room again.
Rainbow blinked. "What is she, Senpai's servant?"
"I think she's a very polite and well-mannered little sister," Twilight said.
A moment later, Rarity entered, wearing a simple yet elegant loose white satin blouse and deep purple skirt. "Hello, ladies," she said with a smile. She sat down across from them. "Do you mind terribly if we sit and chat for a moment before we get started?"
"That would be lovely," a voice that didn't belong to any of the girls said.
Rarity blinked and looked to one of the other easy chairs, which was now occupied with the most elegant woman she had ever seen. "Who...? How did...?"
Twilight facepalmed. "Celestia-sama, no disrespect, but your timing..."
"Just keeping you on your toes, my student," Celestia said lightly. She inclined her head to Rarity. "I hear you helped my student and her friends in a moment of need," she said. "I wanted to thank you, and to introduce myself. I am Celestia, the Great Sun Sage."
Rarity blinked repeatedly. "Ah...yes, of course. A pleasure." She tilted her head. "How...? You know, nevermind. My name is Rarity."
Sweetie Belle entered, pushing a service cart with a selection of bottled drinks and snacks. "Please help yourselves," she said. She blinked as she registered the presence of the older woman in the room. "Oh, hello..." she said uncertainly.
Celestia smiled. "Hello." She gave a small wave.
"Thank you, Sweetie Belle. Run along and do your homework now," Rarity said.
Sweetie Belle hovered for a moment, then sighed and left.
"You make your sister wait on you and your guests?" Rainbow asked.
"I've taken it upon myself to refine her," Rarity corrected. "Without my guidance, I'm afraid she lapses into rather unladylike behavior. Learning to be a proper hostess builds character. It's also helping to correct certain...grace and tidiness issues she has." She smiled. "Now, do help yourselves!"
Twilight, Rainbow, and Pinkie looked uncertainly at one another, then shrugged and moved to the cart, selecting drinks and snacks. Rarity glanced at Celestia. "Nothing for you?"
"I'm not physically here," Celestia said. "Which is a shame, some of the items on that cart look quite delicious."
"Oh...yes, that's right. I remember Sparkle-san saying something to that effect," Rarity said. "You cannot leave Sun Island, yes?"
"That's correct," Celestia said. She paused. "I would love to talk more, but a matter has just emerged which demands my full attention."
"Trouble on Sun Island?" Twilight asked, concerned. "Is it—"
"Nothing for you to concern yourself with," Celestia said. With a smirk, she leaned forward and whispered, "I'm being pestered by two of my aides about preparations for the Gala. It's hard to concentrate on long-distance communication with them nattering away at me." Her projection faded into warm golden light and vanished.
"Goodness," Rarity said, blinking. "So...anyway..."
The girls sat for half an hour talking, after which Rarity ushered them, one at a time, to her studio to take their measurements. After all three girls had every inch of their bodies measured (and much blushing had ensued), they spent a while longer discussing what Pinkie had in mind for their new costumes. The sun had set by the time the three girls left Rarity's house and went their separate ways.
"Welcome home, dear," Twilight Velvet said as Twilight walked into the apartment. "Dinner's almost ready. Did you do anything fun after school?"
Twilight sighed. "Pinkie-san roped me and Rainbow-san into dancing with her in an idol video," she said.
"Oh, that sounds like fun!" Velvet said. "I look forward to seeing it."
"Heh, Neechan the Net Idol," Spike said. "This should be fun."
"By the way," Twilight said, "Rarity-senpai had a message for you, Spike."
"Oh, really?" Spike asked eagerly.
Twilight leaned close. "She says if you ever steal her underwear again, she'll cut your you-know-what off with fabric shears." She smiled sweetly and patted Spike on the head, then headed for her room.
* * * * *
Trixie stared in disbelief at the television, which was replaying the video of the "stage show" at Hoshigusa Park.
Over the video, a perky announcer spoke.
//Smile has announced via social media that she's working on a new PV with her idol unit.//
Trixie muted the television and sat back, contemplative.
Until she saw the video again, she hadn't realized that one of her targets was, in fact, Smile.
"Well this is just perfect," she said with a tight, wicked grin.
* * * * *
After school on Wednesday, Pinkie took Twilight and Rainbow to a small, vacant dance studio halfway across Pony City. "This is where I practice for all my PVs," Pinkie said. "My producer finished mixing my new song last night; he's meeting us here. You brought your gym uniforms, right?"
The girls nodded. "Producer?" Twilight asked.
Pinkie giggled. "Silly! You didn't think I do everything myself, did you?" She tilted her head. "I mean, sure, at first I did, but once I became popular, I had to step up my game. I still do my weekly webcast and podcast and deal with all the social media stuff on my own, but I've got people that help me with everything else. A producer, two promotions guys, a session band for recording my songs...being a super-popular Net Idol is a lot of hard work!"
The girls went to the changing room and changed into their gym clothes; when they returned to the practice room, they were greeted by a tall, lanky man with long, curly brown hair wearing a loud yellow shirt. Pinkie broke into a wide grin. "Cheese!"
"Hey there, Pinkie," the man greeted. "Hey there, Pinkie's new friends she didn't bother to tell me about before she put on that crazy stage show without telling me!"
Pinkie giggled nervously. "Eheh...hee...girls, this is Cheese Sandwich, my producer."
Twilight and Rainbow introduced themselves. Cheese walked over to a stereo setup in the corner and slipped a CD into it. "The mix came out great," he said.
"It always does!" Pinkie said with a grin. "Okay girls, watch carefully, I'm going to show you the routine for this song."
A pop song with a fast, heavy beat filled the studio, and Pinkie began dancing. Twilight and Rainbow watched her movements with mounting dread. "Oh crap, I don't know if I can do this," Rainbow muttered.
Twilight stared at Pinkie. "That's...we're supposed to memorize that?!"
"You've...never danced in a PV before, have you?" Cheese asked from behind them.
"I've never danced at all before," Twilight said.
"I've only played Dance Pants Evolution," Rainbow said.
Cheese shrugged. "Eh. You'll figure it out."
When the song ended, Pinkie bounced to a stop. "So, did you get all that?" she asked.
"Uhh...maybe a little slower?" Rainbow suggested, laughing shakily.
* * * * *
Trixie growled in frustration at her notebook, scratching out a line. "Why is this so hard?"
Her phone rang. Grumbling, she pulled it out and answered. "Moshi-moshi."
//What is taking so long?//
Trixie scowled. "You failed to inform me Twilight Sparkle had her own ninja," she said. "That adds an element of complication. Also, Trixie has her own affairs to attend to. She is not one of your minions. You will have the Elements of Harmony, as well as the head of Twilight Sparkle. Trixie does not fail her missions."
//No, Trixie just takes forever,// Sunset Shimmer said acidly. //I suggest you hurry. If my minions take care of Twilight Sparkle first, you don't get paid.//
Sunset Shimmer hung up. Trixie frowned at her phone. "Kiss Trixie's butt, you hideous bitch," she said. With a frustrated sigh, she returned her attention to her notebook.
* * * * *
"Alright, you simpletons, I want you to listen carefully," Sunset Shimmer said to Snips and Snails. "Against my better judgment, I am giving you a second chance."
The young mages saluted. "We won't fail you choki!" Snips pledged.
"See to it that you don't, because I'm taking a huge risk trusting you again," Sunset muttered. She used her magic to tie a latex tourniquet around her bare arm, then plunged a thick needle into the vein at the crook of her elbow. She filled four vials with her own blood, placing them inside a plastic jar, then bandaged her arm. "I'm giving you a diagram for a summoning circle. You're to use my blood to create the circle. Be careful, and don't waste it. This is as much blood as I can afford to use right now. Once you've summoned the Changeling, instruct it to kill Twilight Sparkle, her two allies, and that Emerald Dragon brat."
"What do we do about Trixie noso?" Snails asked.
"I don't really care," Sunset said dismissively. "Now go!"
* * * * *
Thursday and Friday, Pinkie worked with Rarity on designs for the new costumes, while Cheese Sandwich worked with Twilight and Rainbow to teach them the dance routine. By Friday, he'd developed a novel teaching tool, using computer software that generated character models and choreographed dance routines to create digital facsimiles of Pinkie, Twilight, and Rainbow, performing the dance for the PV. Twilight and Rainbow struggled to dance along with the computer models, and by the time they went home, they had made some progress.
After school on Saturday, the three girls headed to the studio to practice. "Rarity's going to have our outfits done by Monday," Pinkie said. "I think you're really gonna love these designs."
"So all this costume design and dancing stuff...you do this all the time?" Rainbow asked. "Because this is more exhausting than practicing for a track meet!"
Pinkie giggled. "Yeah, I guess it's pretty hard work. But it's so much fun!"
"Enjoy it while you can," a voice called out from above them. A cloud of glittery blue smoke exploded in front of them, revealing Trixie.
"Because your little video will be the farewell performance of Smile...and friends."
"You again?" Rainbow groaned.
"Yes, me again," Trixie said. "Trixie came to tell you that she is going to kill you as soon as you finish making your little video."
"Why aren't you gonna kill us now?" Pinkie asked, confused.
"Because if your video is never finished, G.P.T will not be able to defeat you fairly in the Net Idol rankings," Trixie said. "Trixie's pride will not stand for a victory by treachery!"
The girls blinked at her.
"Anou...what does G.P.T have to do with you killing us?" Pinkie asked.
Trixie removed her mask. "Do you not recognize your greatest rival, Smile?"
Pinkie gasped. "YOU'RE G.P.T?!"
"That's right," Trixie said. "And before Trixie ends your life, she WILL reclaim her rightful place on top of the Net Idol rankings!"
"Anou...you never have been at the top," Pinkie pointed out. "You made number two once, and that was only because you did that nude webcast..."
"Trixie did not intend to do a nude webcast!" Trixie screeched, face flaming. "Trixie simply forgot to wear clothes that day!"
"How do you forget to wear clothes? Especially with a camera in your face?" Rainbow wondered.
"Accidents happen when one is refilling one's supply of hallucinogenic powders," Trixie said.
"Wait a second," Rainbow said. "You mean she couldn't knock you off the top even when she posted a nude video of herself?"
Pinkie giggled. "Smile in a waitress uniform is sexier than G.P.T naked. At least, that's what the idol forums say!"
"ENOUGH!" Trixie roared. "Your days are numbered, Smile! Yours as well, Twilight Sparkle! And other girl! Enjoy your final days as the number one Net Idol...they will be your last days on this Earth!"
"Actually," a new voice intruded, "this will be your last day on Earth. All of you."
The girls turned to stare at the speaker: a tall, insectoid woman, every inch of her body covered with glossy black and mottled green chitin, save for her hands, which ended in three-inch-long black lacquered nails, and her disturbingly human face. Her cold blue eyes regarded them frostily over a disapproving frown. Long wings of glossy black chitin hung behind her back, and a helmet with a shiny black domed crown and two tall, speckled green vertical protusions on the sides encased her head.
"Anou...Twilight-chan? Is that...is that one of those rare Changelings? Like we fought the day I joined you girls?"
Twilight swallowed. "H-hai..."
The Changeling laughed a cold, haughty laugh. "Allow me to introduce myself," she said. "I am Pupa, eldest daughter of Chrysalis, Queen of the Changelings. Know that I bear you no personal animosity, even if you did murder my sister. But I have been summoned to this human world to end your lives..." She narrowed her eyes. "And that is precisely what I will do."