//------------------------------// // Chapter 8: A Familiar Face // Story: Equestria Wars: The Magic Unleashed II // by sonicdash123 //------------------------------// Rainbow Dash and the others were on stage along with R4 as they setup their equipment on stage. "This doesn't make any sense," Fluttershy said. "We were awful. Doesn't anybody else think it's strange that we're the ones that made it to the finals?" "Very strange," Trixie said. "What are you doing here, Trixie?" Rainbow asked. "Pretty sure the losers are supposed to be up there in the cheap seats." "The Great and Powerful Trixie is the most talented girl at Canterlot High. It is I who deserves to be in the finals. And I will not be denied!" Trixie snapped her fingers and the trap door below the group and fell under the stage. "See you never! And your other friend too." She laughed menacingly as the trap doors slammed shut. --------------------- Charming Thunder was putting on his armor as he heard music being played outside until he heard a knock on the door. He then puts on his helmet and the breathing sound started to go off as he walked towards the door to answer it. He opened the door to see Adagio and the others as he said, "Shouldn't you be ready for your performance after the Rainbooms?" "As a matter of fact, the Rainbooms were dealt with and I have a score to settle with you," Adagio said. "Whatever you have done with them, you better let them go or I shall destroy you." Adagio laughed as she said, "You won't. He won't let you." She then pointed to the direction to the door which then opened to reveal the same hooded figure he fought. "You again," Charming Thunder said as he came face to face with his enemy. "Why don't you show them who you are, my friend." The figure removed his hood to reveal his black tattooed red face with horns on his head. "MAUL!! You survived?" "I used Luna's training and I have waited a long time for this moment," Maul said. The Dazzlings began to walk away as Adagio said, "You two have fun while we are up on stage." Maul then removed his cloak as he grabbed his new double bladed lightsaber and activated the blades one by one. Charming Thunder grabbed one of his new lightsabers that as a round blade surrounding the hilt and activated it. Maul twirled his lightsaber as Charming Thunder struck at his left blade. They moved through the room as the battle continued. --------------------- A few minutes later, Rainbow, Pinkie, Fluttershy, Rarity have been arguing under the stage as the music was heard. "Stop! You have to stop!" Sunset said. "This is what they've been after all along! They're feeding off of the magic inside you!" "How can they be using our magic?" Applejack asked. "It's the magic of friendship." "Ever since you started this band, you've been letting little things get to you. I never said anything 'cause I didn't feel like it was my place. Not when I'm so new to this whole "friendship" thing. I still have a lot to learn. But I do know that if you don't work out even the smallest problems right at the start, the magic of friendship can be turned into something else." "I can't believe all this tension was happening right under my nose and I didn't realize it," Twilight said. "I'm supposed to be the one with all the answers. And all I've done since I got here is let you down." "I don't think anyone is supposed to have all the answers. But you can count on your friends to help you find them." "I think you already have. C'mon! We need to get out of here!" They were about to try to break through the door when they suddenly heard a sound from the other side. "What in tarnation is goin' on out there?" "And that breathing sound..." Rarity then realized what is going on. "Charming Thunder is in trouble!" --------------------- The duel continued as Charming Thunder and Maul proceeded to the back of the stage. Maul kicked Charming Thunder and leapt back. He then kicked open the door which lead outside and twirled his lightsaber over his head. Charming Thunder charged at him and struck at him as Maul blocked them. Charming Thunder then kicked Maul outside and jumped outside to the grassy ground. Maul quickly got up and blocked Charming Thunder's next strike. He got a hold of his strike and shoved him to a door. Charming Thunder then heard a voice calling to him from the other side. He attempted to open the door but got kicked in the face by his opponent. Maul then leapt to the top of the railing as Charming Thunder did the same and clashed their blades together. --------------------- Twilight and the others tried to breach through the door until it opened to reveal Spike. "Spike," Twilight said. "Sorry I took so long," Spike explained. "I had to find somebody who wasn't under the sirens' spell to help me get you out." Vinyl then popped her head as the others were relieved to get out. "Why isn't she under their spell?" "Never takes off her headphones." "Come on, y'all!" Applejack shouted. "Time to prove we've still got the magic of friendship inside us!" "And there's only one way to do it!" "We're getting the band back together?" Pinkie asked. "We're getting our band back together!" Rainbow said. Pinkie then cheered with relief. "Ooh, which version of the counter-spell are we going to play?" Rarity asked. "I don't think it matters what song we play, as long as we play it together as friends," Twilight said. " I know just the song. Fluttershy's written a really great one." "We're about to save the world here. Personally, I think we should do it in style. Rarity?" Rarity smiled as she said, "I thought you'd never ask!" She then dragged out a cart that displayed costumes hung on it. R4 beeped for joy as he rolled up next to her. --------------------- As the Dazzlings continued to play, the duel above raged on as Maul and Charming Thunder clashed their blades together. Maul then headbutts him and forced Charming Thunder to fall and hang on to a railing. As Maul prepared his strike, Charming Thunder grabbed the round blade from his lightsaber and threw it at Maul like a frisbee. Maul then fell backstage as Charming Thunder jumped down as he caught the round blade and placed it back on his lightsaber and landed in front of him to strike but Maul kicked him in the face which pushed him back. They struck their blades as Maul moved back to the edge. Maul then jumped over him and kicked him which made Charming Thunder hang on to the edge. Maul slowly walked to the edge and kicked his lightsaber away. He then struck the floor to make sparks so he can try to make Charming Thunder let go. He was interrupted when he heard Twilight's singing voice and a flash emitted from the other side. Charming Thunder then leapt from the edge and grabbed his lightsaber with the force and stabbed Maul in the stomach. He then deactivated is lightsaber and let Maul collapse to the floor and went into his pocket to take out a tool that will get rid of the corpse. In the canister was a glowing green liquid. He took the top off and dumped it on Maul's corpse and threw the tube away. He then walked away as the corpse disintegrated into dust.