Chapter 18

“Rainbow Rocks Part 1”

“Rising From the Ashes”

Sunset stood outside the doors of Canterlot High School, gazing at them in trepidation. This would be her first time back at school in weeks, and it was no surprise she was nervous about heading inside. She had bullied and intimidated a lot of people there, and she was sure that they would try to take some sort of revenge. At very least she’ll have to deal with nasty looks, and a lot of general distrust. She finally took a deep breath, walked up to the doors, and went inside.

Almost immediately upon her entry, just about everyone inside stopped what they were doing, and saw Sunset standing there. Nobody knew what to say, so an awkward silence fell on the whole entrance hall. Sunset ran her fingers through her hair, biting her lip nervously. She started walking away through the crowd of staring faces. Her pace just got quicker the longer she stayed. This was a huge mistake, she should just go home right now and forget it…

She stopped...when one of the students threw a wad of paper at her. Sunset stopped and turned, to see the glaring eyes of one of the Fashionista clique. The purple haired girl with purple eyes, and the pink and mauve spotted scarf. She glared at Sunset with an understandable anger, but it still caused Sunset to flinch back. Yes. This was a mistake. Sunset was seriously considering running back out the doors when she felt a hand come to rest on her shoulder. She turned, and there was Twilight, standing there smiling at her.

“Twilight…” Sunset said, looking back at the students as they all moved about their day, but not without sharing a few glares with Sunset. Sunset sighed, “This... this was a mistake…”

“Sugarcube, you gotta know this ain’t gonna be easy,” Applejack’s voice came from behind her. “But we’re here with ya. Ah know ya want ta make an honest effort ta do better. Yer not alone.”

“Nothing truly worthwhile is ever easy, darling,” Rarity said coming up beside Sunset. “I’m sure that knowing you’ve got some people on your side will make it a skosh more bearable, hm?”

“Professor Celestia made sure you have all your classes with me,” Twilight said with a warm smile. “This way you’ll have at least one person on your side in every class.”

“And hey, if anybody tries to throw trash at you again, I’ll just knock it out of the air.” Rainbow added.

“Oh… Hi, Sunset… Welcome back,” Fluttershy said with a small wave. “I… I heard you had a rough time, lately… I hope you’re better, now…”

“A little bit. Uhm… I owe you a huge apology, Fluttershy,” Sunset said, causing some of the students in the hallway to do a double-take.

“Oh, that’s all right. You were… kind of a different person back then,” Fluttershy said with a quiet smile.

“Still… I want to try and make it up to you, somehow,” Sunset said running her fingers through her hair. “Does the shelter still need people to help?”

Sunset walked quietly away from her friends after they parted. She sighed, and went to her locker. She blinked as she saw somebody drew a crude caricature of her demonic form on it. Sunset hung her head, heaving a sigh. She wanted to run. She really did. She wanted to run home and hide, but it would only be a delay. Sunset would still see people from school around town, and while shopping. She would have to face this. At least she had some friends on her side, but this was still not going to be easy. She got her books, then used a piece of paper to smudge the drawing into unrecognizability.

“No amount of kind words makes it any easier does it?” A voice said behind her. Sunset turned and saw Vice Principal Luna standing there.

“No. Not really. It helps knowing I’m not alone, but it’s still hard. I still tempted to go running home, and hide,” Sunset replied honestly.

“Then let me just tell you that’s the last thing you want to do.” Luna said, coming up to Sunset. “We cannot change what has been done, only how we face it. Hiding will only worsen the problem...just remember that your past is not today…” Luna walked away after that, leaving Sunset to think on her words. It seemed as if music was starting up in the background, and the words… just came to her.

Power.
Was all I desired. Sunset sang, as she walked the halls, pausing by a reflective surface. It seemed to shimmer, and her demon form appeared.

But all that grew inside of me was the darkness I aquired. When I began to fall, and I lost the path ahead, Sunset continued to sing, then looked toward Twilight and the others who all turned and smiled at her.

That’s when your friendship found me, and lifted me instead. Sunset continued, with a smile of her own, the demonic figure fading away. She began to walk through the halls, still singing, looking a little more confident.

Like a phoenix burning bright in the sky! There’s another side to me you can’t deny! I may not know what the future holds, but believe me when I say that my past does not define me, because my past is not today!

Sunset reached the foyer where the pictures of her past victories hung. Sunset stared at them, then moved to take them down.

Ambition is what I believed would be the only way to set me free, Sunset sang, glaring at her past self. With a mighty heave, she threw all three pictures into the trash. She then took the latest picture, the picture of Twilight winning the Fall Formal Crown and looking cutely humble doing so, and hung it on the first hook. But when it disappeared, and I found myself alone… That’s when you came and got me, and I felt like I was home.

Sunset then went out the front door of the school, something seeming to draw her out into the sunlight, and away from the eyes of the other students. She stood in the sunlight, feeling much better than she had. She spread her arms, and sang.

Like a phoenix burning bright in the sky, there’s another side of me you can’t deny! I may not know what the future holds, but hear me when I say: My past does not define me, because my past is not today!

As she finished her song...a red feather floated down to her. She caught it...and looked up towards the school’s roof. “Can it be?” She said to herself, and then ran back inside. She ran through the school, until she reached the roof. She slowly stepped forward, and held out her hand. “Guardian...Beast…?”

Before her eyes, a red magic circle formed, shining brighter than any she had summoned before. Suddenly out of the circle, enrobed in flame...came a beautiful Phoenix, its brilliant crimson and gold feathers shining like the sun as it flew in the sky for a short while and then came to sit on the railing in front of Sunset.

“You… You’re to be my guardian?” Sunset asked, sounding incredibly awed.

It gave a call that sounded like a melody, and gazed at Sunset warmly. It was waiting ever so patiently for her… Sunset walked slowly forward, tears starting to stream down her cheeks.

“I’ll… I’ll do everything in my power to be worthy of you,” Sunset whispered, holding out her hand to the magnificent bird. “Of all the Guardians… You were… the last I would have ever expected…”

It it flapped its wings, and moved itself to her arm, climbing up to her shoulder. It sang its call again, and started nuzzling against Sunset, in an almost comforting sort of way.

“Thank you,” Sunset whispered, fervently, tears still streaming down her face, nuzzling the phoenix’s wing, and stroking its head. “Thank you so much. Having you, and my friends… It will make coming back much easier.”

“...She’s beautiful Sunny.” Sunset turned and saw Twilight standing there, smiling kindly.

“A phoenix,” Sunset said wiping her eyes. “My guardian is a phoenix… Kind of appropriate… But… wow… I’m still amazed. They’re… right up there with unicorns… I was chosen by a phoenix...”

“Ultimate symbol of a second chance?” Twilight said, coming up and giving her friend a one armed hug. “I think it’s very appropriate.”

Sunset sighed smiling and nuzzling the phoenix again. “It is. I wish I could stay out here petting her all day, but I still have school.” Sunset looked at her phoenix with a warm smile. “Thank you, again, for choosing me.”

The Phoenix sang its song, and flew out into the sky, disappearing in a shower of sparks. Sunset then let out a breath, and turned to Twilight, “So...hope I didn’t miss too much schoolwork…”
_________________________________________________________

Private ends up walking towards his locker after class. He keeps overhearing all the conversations about CHS’ newest arrival.

“Can you believe the nerve of her?” He overheard Diamond Tiara said to her friend Silverspoon. “Coming back to this school after getting beaten by Twilight of all people?”

“Yeah, she should’ve kept out of the school and back on the streets with the rest of the delinquents!” Silverspoon said, and the two irritating freshmen laughed.

“Good golly I wish I had the authority to arrest brats…” Private said, rolling his eyes. He soon came up to the locker to find Sunset standing there. “Hey Sunset, how’s the first day back?”

“Oh, about what you’d expect. Angry glares, shocked stares, the occasional bit of paper flung my way, locker defacement…” Sunset rattled off with a small sigh. “It could be worse. I could be back on the streets, or dead in a gutter.”

“Good thing me and Twilight found you then.” Private said, opening the locker. “You could’ve had Shining Armor or worse yet, your mother find you.”

“Oh yeah… I’ve heard all about Shining Armor,” Sunset chuckled, then looked at Private. “I… I was hoping ask a favor of you, Private.”

“Sure, what do you need?” He asked, getting his books out and turning to her. He didn’t like how serious Sunset’s expression got.

“I… I want you to… stop me, should I ever go dark again,” Sunset said seriously. “Using any means necessary. I don’t want to, ever, become the monster I was again and put you all in danger. And yes I know what I’m asking. I’m asking you, because we’re both pragmatists. Twilight’s amazing, and has an infinite capacity for forgiveness, but she’s a little too idealistic for this.”

Private looked at her for a while, then laid a hand on her shoulder. “I don’t think I’ll ever have to do it. You’re stronger than you think Sunset. Sure there’s always the possibility, but I think it would be better if I spent time fighting to keep you from falling again. Sometimes we do need to make mistakes and get messy, it allows us to grow and become stronger than ever. So, in short, I won’t put you down if you fall again. Twilight and I will make sure you always can get back up.” He said with a kind smile.

“Of course we will,” Twilight said coming up beside them. “That’s what friends are for, after all.”

“Heh, you guys do look great together,” Private observed. “I think things’ll work out.”

“What have you got on your mind, Sunny?” Twilight asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Oh, nothing much…” Sunset said hugging Twilight. “Just… I’m so grateful for everything you’ve done for me, but I don’t want to ever come between you and Private…”

“May as well admit it. I’m bi. Do you think Private would be willing to… share you?” Sunset purred.

“Uh… I… Don’t know… I thought you’d be adopted into the family, but…” Twilight said blushing.

“Not like we’re blood relatives,” Sunset said giving Private a sultry look. “You’d get to satisfy some scientific curiosity, and Private gets every man’s dream of having two lovely ladies.”

“Both of whom are gamer nerds, and would get his references?” Twilight added.

“Oh yes. So… What do you think, Private?” Sunset said looking at him with half-lidded eyes.

“I..I uh well..” Private fumbled, caught completely off guard by this. Sunset went up to one side of Private, and following Sunny’s lead, Twilight went to the other. They both took his arms, both giving him smouldering looks.

“I know. And we’d get to see if he can handle the two of us,” Sunset purred, grinning at Private.

“I um..well it would be I mean…” Private said, blushing brightly as he was caught between the girls.

“Aw, poor Private, having so much trouble talking,” Sunset teased. “Here you are, caught between two relatively attractive women, and you can’t say a word. Well I’m the relatively attractive one, because I’m sure you think Twilight’s beautiful.”

“I...I well yes but I…” He blushes brightly at agreeing that Twilight’s beautiful.

“And you have to admit that Sunset’s rather pretty,” Twilight added with a smile.

“Well, yeah um..she kind of is but I…” Private said as he stepped away. The girls smirking as they back him into the lockers.

“Can you imagine going to the next event with both of us? Even with me being kind of a pariah, you’d still have every guy in the room jealous,” Sunset said, grinning.

“Private would definitely be the envy of every guy here,” Twilight observed, giggling.

“Oops… I think we overdid it, Sunny…” Twilight said, looking at Private with no little concern.

“Too much...sexy nerdy girls…” Private groaned. This caused Sunset and Twilight to giggle.

A few hours later, everybody in Canterlot High went about their business, not knowing that in the music room, a new sound was being born.

First came Twilight’s lovely voice accompanied by a piano: ”Nothin' stays the same for long, but when it changes it doesn't mean it's gone. Time will always get away, as it leaves behind another day.”

The next voice was Fluttershy’s sweet tones as more instruments joined: ”Things may come and things may go, some go fast and some go slow. Few things last, that's all I know, but friendship carries on through the ages...”

Rarity then joined her voice to Fluttershy’s, producing a sweet duet. Things may come and things may go. Some go fast and some go slow! Few things last, that's all I know. But Friendship carries on through the ages!

The tempo sped up, becoming more like rock, and Rainbow’s guitar could be heard, along with her vocals: ”Been around for a long time. Rockin’ out hard, 'cause I'm in my prime! Maybe it'll change further down the line. But my friendship carries on through the ages!”

Then the tempo slowed down and the song took on a more country style, fitting to Applejack’s vocals: ”Every single style has sometin' diff'rent it can say. There's nothin' wrong with bein' unique, an' special in your own way.”

There was another tempo-change, and the music became more electronic, and poppy. This is where Pinkie came in, and sang: “Maybe you want to be a pop star, get your fifteen minutes of fame. Whoa-oh Ooh-oh. It won't last forever, but friendship remains the same. Oooh oooh oooh!”

The music stopped, and the six girls sang in a wonderful acapella harmony: ”Things may come and things may go. Some go fast and some go slow. Few things last, that's all I know. But friendship carries on through the ages.”

Sunset had been sitting on the sidelines, bobbing her head to the beat, enjoying the song immensely. Then Twilight gestured for her to join in for the final chorus, as they started playing their instruments again.

”Things may come and things may go
Some go fast and some go slow
Few things last, that's all I know
But friendship carries on through the ages
Oh, oh, carries on”

“Phew,” Rainbow said, wiping her brow as the song came to an end. “Nice work everybody. We totally rocked that one. Just need some adjustments to rhythm and we’ll be golden!”

“Well yeah. We are marrying several different genres and tempos,” Twilight observed thoughtfully. “So it’s understandable that we wouldn’t hit it perfectly on the first try.”

“Either way!” Rainbow said, taking off her guitar and grinning. “My band is totally going to ROCK!” She cheered, and then saw the frowning faces of her fellow bandmates.

“Uhm… Isn’t this a group effort? I mean, sure, it was your idea, but everybody’s contributing,” Sunset asked.

“Yeah, but don’tcha think her and Twilight kind of sound alike?” Pinkie asked, balancing one of her drum sticks on her nose.

“My voice is a little deeper,” Sunset said. “Twilight’s is higher, and a little lighter.”

“Still though, I’d think you guys would be able to mimic each other, at least when singing,” Pinkie said thoughtfully. “OH! That could be the most amazing party game! We can call it Twilly or Sunny!”

“Well, at least you have a backup if Twilight gets laryngitis, or something,” Sunset said with a laugh.

The door opened, Private stuck his head in. “Mind if I step in gir-” He suddenly turns around as students tried desperately to get in. “Aww geez, one song in and you already have fans.” He then yelled outside. “Mac! Clear them out will ya!?”

“Eeyup,” Mac said, shooing the students off, and pushing the door closed, with some effort having to fight some of the more stubborn students. “‘Parrently, y’all are jus’ that good…”

“Of course big guy!” Rainbow said, smirking. “After all, we are totally awesome!”

“Thank you for helping Mackey…” Fluttershy said, sweetly smiling at Mac, who blushed a little in turn.

“Geez, if it gets any worse I’ll have to hire you full time Mac.” Private said, then came over to a small table with the girls. “I got your first major gig girls, snagged this from Celestia’s office while she was busy...talking to Voidera on the phone.” He reached into his trenchcoat and pulled out a stylized poster for this year’s Talent Show.

CHS’ Talent Show!
Sign up now!
Music! Drama! We’ll allow it all!
On a side note, Raiden Bolt is banned from this year’s show due to excessive use of fire in last year’s act.

“Isn’t that open to anybody who fills out a form? Well not anybody. Apparently Raiden can’t participate,” Sunset observed. “Yeeeah… I remember that… He nearly set the gym on fire…”

“Last time anybody lets him use pyrotechnics in the school,” Rarity said, shaking her head.

“I’m thinking this could be a good jump off point.” Private explained. “You guys won’t get too much exposure by sitting in the music room all day. Not to mention that some parents are going to be at the talent show. It can only help get the word out.”

“Chance to show off a cool band and get exposure in the process?” Rainbow said, then grinned. “Yeah, sign us up!”

“Ooooh! I must design us costumes! Hm. Which look should we go for? Something vintage, or something more edgy and modern?” Rarity mused, looking thoughtful.

“Well so long as it’s functional and can allow you guys to play without incident.” Private said. “In other words, we can reject your initial design Rainbow.” He held up a crude drawing of Rainbow in a ridiculously epic outfit...and the other girls wearing t-shirts.

“Rainbow, darling, I know this was originally a way to show up Raiden Bolt, but would you get it through your head that the band is not just about you?” Rarity asked, sounding a touch fed-up.

“Wait… This was an effort to show up Raiden Bolt? Has he stopped being a pervy horndog?” Sunset asked. “Even the old me wouldn’t touch him with a ten-foot-pole, no matter how popular dating him would have made me.”

“Like I told everybody else a dozen times!” Rainbow yelled, “This is not a way to show up that pervy jerk!”

“Let’s try to keep our heads,” Private said, shaking his head. “I managed to snag some sign up sheets too. Who’s up for paper-”

“At least it’s not Rainbow handling it,” Rarity whispered. “She’d probably sign herself up, and forget all about us.”

“We… really shouldn’t be talking about Rainbow behind her back, like this,” Sunset whispered back, shaking her head.

“I’m sorry, but… Ever since this started…” Rarity said, trailing off, and making a face at a particularly bad memory.

"Uh...Rainbow...the only thang ya have us do in this song is say 'hey' in rhtyhm.."

“Alright guys! Let’s get to work! Lots of rehearsal before we rock that Talent Show!” Rainbow said.

“Hey, Rainbow? Do you think there’s room for a rhythm guitarist?” Sunset asked.

“Oh? Well, all our music we made so far just has the lead guitar…” Rainbow said, obviously trying to avoid a touchy subject.

“Well… Everybody was contributing to the band effort, and I can play guitar, so… I was hoping to help out…” Sunset said, rubbing the back of her head.

“Well um, see Sunset…” Rainbow said awkwardly. “You, well...have only been back for a little while...and if you get on stage...well…”

“Ugh… Typical. You think you’ll get booed off the stage, if I’m there? HOW am I supposed to show everyone that I’ve CHANGED if nobody will give me a freaking CHANCE!?! I thought you trusted me but apparently NOT!” Sunset yelled, turning on her heel, and storming out of the music room.

“I..” Rainbow said, watching Sunset leave. She turned to see the others glaring at her again. “Guys...come on…”

“That was very mean Rainbow Marietta Dash!” Fluttershy said, stomping over to Rainbow.

“You know how sensitive Sunset is about what happened!” Fluttershy yelled at her friend.

“No you weren’t thinking of the band,” Fluttershy said firmly, then pointed to the door. “You are going out there and march right up to Sunset and apologize for what you did! Friends come above any sort of band!”

Fluttershy let out a breath, and turned to her stunned friends. “What?” She said, tilting her head.

“That there’s somethin’ ta remember. Get Fluttershy ta reign in Rainbow when she’s goin’ all major ego on us,” Applejack observed.

“Hm. Twould seem to be an excellent idea, darling,” Rarity observed with a nod.
_________________________________________________________________

Sunset stalked the halls, ignoring the stares, and whispers, as she grumbled to herself about Rainbow’s ego, huddled in her jacket as if using it as a shield from the world.She hated to admit it, but Rainbow still had a point. If she even so much as peeked onto that stage her friends would be booed off.

Just seemed like she was building a sandcastle that fell apart every five seconds. She just wished that this nightmare of a day would end so…

“Huh?” Sunset uttered, coming out of her reverie, and looking toward the source of the voice. Then she couldn’t help but stare. The girl who had spoke was beautiful with waist length curly orange hair with gold highlights, and intense lavender eyes. Sure her outfit looked like she had just stepped out of an eighties music video, but she wore it very well. The outfit consisted of a sleeveless purple romper, a lilac bolero jacket worn over it, a gold spiky belt with a gem-like belt buckle around her waist, a pair of lilac stockings decorated with periwinkle triangles, and a pair of calf-high purple boots with gold spiked ankle bracelets and spiked heels. “Wow…” Sunset whispered, running her fingers through her hair.

The girl tilted her head and laid a hand on her hip. “Are you actually going to say something back or are you unable to?” She asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Huh? Oh! Sorry, my bad,” Sunset said with a sheepish grin. “Hello. I didn’t mean to space out on you, there. Are you a new student?”

“Well, you could say me and my… companions are prospective students.” The girl said, and gestured to a pair of girls that came over to flank her. “I’m Adagio, this is Aria and Sonata.” She said, smiling, gesturing to herself, a sour looking girl in pigtails and a...bit of a ditzy one with a ponytail.

“Man, how did I not see those two?” Sunset asked herself, shaking her head. She then looked over the others, who were apparently Adagio’s friends. The sour-looking one had purple eyes, and purple hair with light blue highlights worn in pigtails held by star-shaped hair decorations. Her teal blue overshirt sported torn sleeves and covered a sort of gray tank top. Her purple pants had been bedazzled along the the pockets, and were held up by a double belt with a five-pointed-star buckle. Her calf-high boots were a grape purple with straps around the instep at the ankle and mid-calf.

“She looks cheerful,” Sunset thought to herself with no little sarcasm. She then looked to the ditzy looking girl with the ponytail. In contrast to Aria, Sonata seemed to be genuinely cheerful, from happy purple eyes, to goofy smile. She wore a mauve shirt with silver chained buttons, purple and light blue spiked bracelets, and a light purple-pink skirt. To finish off Sonata’s unique look, she wore knee-high sneaker-boots in pink.

“Nice to meet you all,” Sunset said, after looking them over, and taking the opportunity to look over Adagio again because why not? “I’m Sunset. Sunset Shimmer. Uh… Do you need somebody to show you to the administration office?”

Adagio just rolled her eyes and ignored Sonata. “What I was hoping for actually, was that you could show us around first.” She said to Sunset. “You seem to know this place quite well.”

“Can you tell us where taco’s ar-” Sonata said, only to be interrupted by Aria pulling on her ponytail.

“Ignore her,” Aria said grouchily. “She hit her head on the way here, and she was already an airhead to begin with.”

“Does she need to see the nurse?” Sunset asked, concerned. “Though, the cafeteria does serve tacos every other Tuesday or so, if she likes them so much. This next Tuesday, in fact.”

“Taco Tuesday?” Sonata said perking up. “I’m SO there! But I don’t need to see the nurse or anything. I’m okay, now.”

“If you’re sure…” Sunset said then chuckled. “Why do I think you and Pinkie would be besties?”

“Friend of mine. If I get the chance I’ll introduce you,” Sunset said leading them on the tour of the school, pointing out landmarks, and classrooms. “CHS is a great school, with all sorts of clubs and extracurriculars. I think you’ll like it here.”

As they walked, Adagio kept looking around. “There was so much magic here...but by all accounts it seems like a normal high school…” She thought to herself. She stopped at a nearby poster for the Talent Show. “Tell me, what’s this all about, Sunset?” Adagio asked.

“Oh, that’s for the school’s Talent Show. It’s open for anybody who applies, if you’re interested. Should be pretty interesting if Trixie does that magic act of her’s. Though the real highlight would probably be my friends’ band, the Rainbooms,” Sunset explained.

“Anyone who applies you say…” Adagio said, in thought. As she was thinking, Sunset noticed the rather beautiful red pendants they all were wearing.

“Those are neat. Where did you get-” Sunset started to ask, reaching out to get a closer look at the mysterious ruby red gem.

Adagio suddenly slaps Sunset’s hand away. “Don’t touch them!” She yelled.

Adagio regained her cool, and said, “Forgive me, these pendants are just precious to the three of us… I would be devastated if something happened to them.”

“Oh. Okay I can see that,” Sunset said nodding. “Well here’s the office. You can get your registration taken care of, and sign up for the talent show, here.”

“Thank you so much for the tour,” Adagio said smoothly. “We have some, applications to fill out it seems.” She and the other two went inside the office.

Sunset watched Adagio go into the office, then backed up to lean against the wall. She stood there, grinning a bit goofily. “That Adagio… She is… smoking hot,” Sunset said to herself. “Probably would never be interested… But… wow…” Sunset pushed herself off the wall, and started to wander in the general direction of her next class, still in a rosy haze from her newly-developed crush.

“Yes. You were. And that’s coming from somebody who used to be better at it than you were,” Sunset retorted. “Please understand I say this as a friend, Rainbow, but you have a nasty habit of being a jerk at the worst possible times.”

“I was being stupid and thinking of the band above how you were going to feel…” Rainbow explained. “You aren’t bad anymore, I know that. I shouldn’t have shot you down like that.”

“I… can kind of see your point, too,” Sunset said with a huge sigh. “It’s going to take a lot of time for everybody to accept me, again. I was kind of hoping that playing with you guys would be a way to show that I’m not a bad person. But if people won’t give me a chance, just because of my reputation… I haven’t had the best day, today, with with all the stares and whispers… I shouldn’t have taken my frustration out on you.”

“So? Still friends? I can tell Fluttershy she can stop saying my middle name now?” Rainbow asked, shuddering.

“Never stopped being friends, Rainbow. I was just mad, that’s all. Friends can argue, and still be friends,” Sunset said with a shrug. “Just got to remember to communicate. You guys didn’t do that, and that was how I was able to tear you all apart that time, remember?”

“Yeah, come on, let’s head to class, I’ll meet you guys at lunch.” Rainbow said, walking off. “And why were you getting all starry eyed before I came around?”

“Uh… new girl,” Sunset explained. “Just…” She smiled a little. “Some girl…”

"Bisexual. Twice the chance for dates, twice the chance for rejection," Sunset replied cheerfully.

“No, Rainbow. Sorry, but you’re not exactly my type,” Sunset replied with a kind smile much to Rainbow’s relief.
_______________________________________________________

At lunch time the seven friends gathered together in the cafeteria. They got their lunches, sat down at their usual table and commenced to eating, and chatting.

“Uhm… Sunset? I hope that Rainbow found you to apologize,” Fluttershy said as they ate.

Things were going fairly normally, until the door burst open revealing the trio that Sunset had given the tour to, earlier.

“Way to make an entrance, Adagio,” Sunset murmured looking kind of starry-eyed.

“Oooooh, Sunny’s crushing!” Pinkie declared happily. Then… Something strange happened. The trio began to sing in a rather good three-part-harmony.

The singing immediately got the attention of the students, they all turning to look at the trio of singing girls curiously.

Adagio and the others started moving through the crowd, all three singing, while Adagio took the lead. All three just seemed to draw the eye, with their swaying hips, and alluring walks. Adagio seemed eager to draw more attention herself by caressing the hair and headgear as she passed by.

”We heard you want to get together. We heard you wanna rock the school.. We thought of something that is better...Something that changes all the rules...” Adagio met her cohorts in the middle of the cafeteria standing back-to-back with them.

”Why pretend we’re all the same, when some of us shine brighter?” Adagio sang.

”Here’s a chance to find your flame” Adagio sang, coming up beside the math nerd with the square root heart button. She tilted his chin up, and seemed to sing right into his ear: ”Are you a loser or a fighter?” Adagio left the boy looking thoughtful, she seeming to smile at this small change in demeanor. She met up with the other two, again, and began to a choreographed set of gestures to the next part of the song.

”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?” they sang, then sat down, legs crossed, in three chairs. ”Are you afraid of failing the audition?” The trio sang as they, one-by-one, uncrossed their legs, and displayed a thumb’s down.

The atmosphere in the cafeteria was slowly changing. Friends were eyeing each other in suspicion. Small arguments were starting to break out, here and there, and the general atmosphere just seemed more aggressive.

“... They’re… causing this?” Sunset asked, looking from the arguments to the trio that included her new crush.

“Funny, I don’t feel any different.” Pinkie said, sniffing the mist. “Just smells kinda like...seawater?”

“It… looks like it’s coming out of everybody who’s arguing,” Twilight said, as she watched, carefully. “And… It’s going into those three girls’ pendants.”

Sunset groaned, and plopped her head on her arms. “I finally get an actual, honest to goodness crush… and it’s on a baddie?”

“Let’s go get Principal Celestia!” Rarity said. “She’ll put a stop to all this nonsense about a competition!”

“I agree,” Twilight said. “This was supposed to be a friendly little talent show to help raise money for after-school activities, not some kind of… battle of the bands.”

The girls all got up, and rushed towards the Principal’s office. Not knowing that their troubles, were only just beginning.

Equestria Guardians

by Jacoboby1

Chapter 18 "Rainbow Rocks Part 1"