//------------------------------// // Chapter 5- The Battle Begins // Story: Rainbow Rocks: Friendship Makes Magic // by ImNoPony //------------------------------// On the morning of the battle of the bands, Sunset stood nervously in front of the school. She haven't met her friends all day yesterday and the best that she could do was sending a text message saying she was ok and she will meet them at school. Doubts were swimming in her mind. "Did I made the right decision?" "Was I going way over my head executing this plan?" "What will the others think of me?". She was almost considering not going into school today, but not only did Sunset refused to back down now, but somebody went up to her, pat her on the back and says to her: "What are you waiting for partner?" says Adagio as she ask excitedly to Sunset. "You'll miss all the fun." As Adagio went off a head of her, but Aria and Sonata also follow suit. Even though Sunset felt very uncomfortable and not so sure about her plan anymore, but she suck up her courage and trod forwardly. First thing was to head for the gym. All participating groups of the (now) battle of the bands were asked to wait and prepare at the gym. When Sunset and the Dazzlings (AKA the sirens) arrived at the gym, they were greeted with a tense atmosphere as nearly all the bands were already there. No one were fighting fortunately, but everyone were giving shifty eyes to one another and they all were secluding themselves to their own groups. When Sunset saw this, she was saddened by how everyone was acting. However, when she look at the Dazzlings, she notice that they were pleased as ever. Adagio then comments: "Will you look at this? This is a hot filled buffet up in here." "And there's and actual buffet right over there!" says Sonata as she points towards the food table. But while Aria moans and facepalms herself, Adagio then calmly remarks: "Yes... but it won't give us the power we need." All three girls then did their feeding ritual. Sunset stood there in aw and in confusion as they brings their arms up close to the gems that they wear at start silently sing. And then, Sunset notice an earie green mist emerging from the other bands and being sucked up by the sirens. And as absorb this hate filled mist, their gems began shin. When they stop, the red gems had a bit more colour to them now and the girls looked a bit more energized. "There" Adagio says out loud. "Now we'll wait until the battle starts and we get our chance to sing." As they walk off into the gym, a slightly optimistic Sunset thinks she might discover something. _ _ _ _ _ A few moments later, the last band was making their way to the gym. "Come on you guys. Were late!" says an anxious Twilight. "Ouch! Be look out were you stepping Fluttershy" says Rainbow Dash when Fluttershy accidently step on her foot. "Sorry Rainbow" apologized Fluttershy. "Honestly Rarity, I can not believe you got us to wear these" Applejack remarks. Rarity replies: "Oh hush dear. You all look fabulous." As the two were about to have another argument, Spike began barking and Pinkie then tells everyone: "Oh hang on you guys! Spike Says Were Here!" Meanwhile, back inside the gym were quietly waiting and preparing until they heard the doors being opened. When they all look and see who it was, they all saw the Rainbooms... wearing very interesting outfits. While the Rainbooms were standing in the doorway, they all notice that everyone were staring at them with astonished faces. They were wearing outfits that Rarity made; which were brightly coloured, very glittery and noticeable for all the wrong reasons. For the readers convenience: they are wearing the outfits that they wore for the movies promotional material As everyone were left speechless the Rainbooms felt slightly embarrassed, Sunset easily notice them by the food table (while Sonata was about to complain about the punch). "HEY YOU GUYS!" Sunset called out. When they saw who it was, a happy and surprised Twilight calls back: "SUNSET! OVER HERE!" Eagerly, Sunset went off and meet them. When she got to them, Sunset cheerfully says to them: "Hey guys. I'm glad you all made it in time." "Me too" Twilight replied. Applejack explains: "Sorry we were almost late. Rarity here got us to put on these silly outfits." "There Not Silly Applejack!" cried an offended Rarity. However, upon remembering how everyone were looking from earlier, she hesitantly ask: "Unless... you all think so?" Everyone tried to be polite and be silent, but they all couldn't hold it and admit that it look silly. Even the students nearby were voicing their opinion and Even Spike "says" to his love interest: "Sorry, but they look pretty silly." Upon seeing everyone's reactions, Rarity finally admits: "Ok... maybe I should tone it down a bit in the future." "You think?" Sunset jokingly remarks before everyone began bursting out laughing. But then, after everyone had their laugh at Rarity dispense, they all calm down and Twilight ask Sunset: "By the way: where have you been? We've tried calling you." Sunset was about to answer that, but a sudden chill went down her spine when she felt a female arm lean against here. When she looked, she was that it was Adagio, much to her horror. Adagio reveals: "She has been with us." "WHAT!" screamed all of her friends. Aria and Sonata then appeared beside Sunset, making the situation a whole lot worse for her. "Yeah, and she has been telling us SO much about you" says Aria, exposing more of Sunset's secrets. While everyone was shocked and speechless, Pinkie cries: "And again: WHAT!" Starting with Pinkie Pie, Adagio began pointing to all of them and says: "Ah! You must be Pinkie the crazy one. You must Fluttershy, the shy one. Applejack the cowgirl, Rarity the fashionista, Rainbow Dash the sports competitive one... and Twilight; the bookworm." Even more shocked, Rainbow yells to Sunset: "You Told Them About Us!?" Before Sunset could respond, Sonata responds: "She sure did, and we know all of your little quir..." However, she suddenly stopped when she began smelling something sweet. She then notice a poster that Pinkie was holding and became fixated on it. "Wait! Is there frosting on that poster?" Surprised, Pinkie cheerfully replies: "Why of course." When she could see that Sonata was even more enamoured with it, she then added: "The paper is even edible. Want to try some?" "DO I !?!?" yelled Sonata very excited. However, before she could try a piece, Adagio yelled out "SONATA!", signalling that she can't have it. Both Pinkie Pie and Sonata then became depressed. After that weird moment was over, an upset Rainbow Dash looks addresses Sunset and ask her: "Sunset! How could you!?" Sunset was becoming very ashamed of herself, but still try to say something to them. However, Adagio cut her off again and tells them: "Sunset is with us now." Everyone then became so upset and crossed with Sunset, that they all began leaving one by one to another part of the gym. Sunset couldn't what was happening. Her friends were leaving and while it's warranted, she needs to tell them the truth. While Adagio and the Dazzling were heading back to the food table, Sunset seizes the opportunity to grab Twilight so she can say something privately to her. Twilight was shocked, but she still have some faith in Sunset so she stayed. "Listen to me Twilight: I am hanging out with them, but that's just a cover just so I can get close them." "WHAT!" yelled out Twilight in surprised. Sunset explains: "Those three are sirens from Equestria and they are making everybody angry so they can feed on their negativity." On one hand, Twilight was relieved that Sunset hadn't really betray her or their friends. But on the other hands, she also felt embarrassment for her for what she about to reveal. "Um... That's great Sunset, but... " "BUT!" "But we already found that out ourselves." Shocked and horrified, Sunset asks: "What! But How!?" Twilight explains: "Because of the book that you gave. The one that you used back in Equestria." At first, Sunset was speechless. However, she rhetorically asks: "Wait? That still works?" Twilight nods and apologies. When she saw her devastated, she says to Sunset: "Hey, still do what you're doing and find out anything else about them." Still feeling very destroyed, Sunset replies: "Ok. I'll try." Twilight gave her smile, wished her luck and ran off to the rest of her friends. When Sunset was alone, she couldn't believe what she did was a waste of time. Unbeknownst to her, Flash Sentry walked up behind her. "Wow" Sunset said to herself. "You try to help out a friend, only to discover they already got it sorted." "Tell be about it" Flash remarks. Startled, Sunset jumped and screamed "AHHH!" right in Flash's ear. When she calm down, she realized that it was Flash, who was recovering from the yell. "Oh Flash, you startled me!" "Sorry" Flash apologized, trying to rub his pour eardrums. Today wasn't Sunset's day. _ _ _ _ _ Minutes passed and the principals finally arrived at the gym. Celestia says to everyone: "Welcome to the first ever Canterlot High's Battle of the Bands. I believe I speak for everyone when I say it is by far the greatest thing we have ever done here at this school!" And as expected, everyone began cheering to what she said. "We are so glad our three newest students encouraged us to turn this event into something exciting!" A round of cheers was then sent to the Dazzling and as they were soaking it all up, The Rainbooms on the other side of the room looked on with contempt and annoyance. But then, Celestia then passes the microphone to Luna states: "But, as this is now a competition, we can only choose one winner." She then shows everyone a giant object with a blanked over it which she swiftly pulls off. Underneath, it was revealed to be a large board with tournament trees from both sides aiming towards the centre. Luna explains "We'll be following a tournament format. Two bands give out their best performances, and who ever we is think is better will move onto the next round. We'll keep going until we find out who will be the winner. You'd best to find your band's symbol to see who you will be facing off first." Everyone then began hurtling around the board to find where they are. Turns out the Rainbooms are in "A-Block" while the Dazzlings are in "B-Block", so they would face each other unless they would be in the finals. Both Rainbooms and Dazzlings had mixed feelings about this but just accepts its. Other bands in B-Block is "Trixie and the Illusion" and Snips & Snails: "The Non-Gift Rapping Rappers". Sunset couldn't believe what "her" group is up against. For A-Block, there's "Flash Drive" (Flash Sentry's band) and "Derpy and Mystic Musicians". Strangely, the mark for the Crusaders were already crossed out. Luna and Celestia explains that they got a call that they want to drop out of the contest. It was confusing, but the band that would face against them was glad that they can skip around. Once everyone had a chance to look at the board, Celestia then announces: "Alright folks, time to get the show on the road." She pulls out an envelope and says: "The first group that will be performing is... " She pulls out the card and says: "... The Rainbooms!" "YES!" shouted Rainbow Dash in excitement. Everyone gave a round a applauds to them, but it was out of courtesy and wasn't very energetic about it. As the Rainbooms were preparing the equipment on stage, Adagio and the Dazzlings were watching curiously on top of the bleachers and Sunset sitting nearby they. "I wonder who this will go?" Adagio thought out loud. Sunset secretly crossing her fingers and wishing them luck. Once everyone were ready, Twilight turn and ask her friends: "Are you ready guys?" Once they all voice their readiness, Pinkie shouted: "One, Two, Three Four!" and they began playing. Better Then Ever There was a time we were apart But that's behind us now See how we've made a brand new start And the future's lookin' up, ah-oh, ah-oh And when you walk these halls You feel it everywhere Yeah, we're the Wondercolts forever, ah-oh, yeah! At first, everyone were mostly unimpressed aside from Celestia and Luna who were the judges. The students were still so self centered by the sirens spell that they didn't care for anyone besides themselves. But then the magic happens. As they were playing, the Rainbooms sprouted out their magical pony ears and tails and Rainbow and Fluttershy got their wings back. When everyone notice this, they were all flabbergasted to what they were seeing. Even Sunset and the Dazzlings were astonish by this. Adagio chuckled and says: "Look at them! They're not even trying to hide it!" "Yeah, not a bright move for them" Aria replied. Even Sunset was asking herself what they were thinking. There was a time we couldn't see Past the differences. (Rainbow Dash) That separated you and me And it left us on our own. (Applejack) But now you walk these halls And friends are everywhere (Pinkie Pie) But something unexpected happens. As she was thinking their plan was getting even more perfect, Adagio began noticing a sudden shift within the students. They weren't so tense anymore and becoming less angry. Some even began looking apologetically at one another and began apologizing. Adagio, Aria and Sonata couldn't believe what they were seeing Sunset was left amazed by where her friends were doing. We are all together (Ah, ah, oh-oh-oh-oh) Now it's better than ever (Ah, ah, oh-oh-oh-oh) Now that we are back on track (Now... that... we... are...) Yes, I'm so glad that we're better Better than ever Whoa-oh, oh-whoa-oh Oh yeah, we're better than ever! Once they went away, their magical appendages eventually went away. But they didn't care too much as they were distracted by the loud applauds by everyone in the gym. The Rainbooms witness first hand the positive effects of their music as they erased all negativity in the students. Overjoyed, Pinkie shouted "WOOHOO! It Works!" However, as they were petting themselves on the back, Twilight quickly tells them: "But don't get too excited everybody. I'm sure the sirens won't let this go sitting down." And sure enough, they spotted the Dazzling way off in the back of the preachers looking not very pleased. Adagio was looking absolutely frustrated, much to Sonata's, Aria's and Sunset's worry. "I Can't Believe This! They Some Turn Everything!?" she shouted. "Aria! Get to work at writing a better song" Adagio ordered. Aria got out her notebook and says: "I'm on it!" "Sonata! Be ready for when we get to perform. We need to work harder if we want to get everybody angry again." "Ok" Sonata replied as she put away the snacks that she was eating. "And Sunset..." However, when she got to Sunset, Adagio couldn't think of any orders to give to her. She eventually says: "Just... get ready for when I know what to do with you." "Um... Ok?" Sunset replied. She was somewhat glad that she didn't get an order as she was secretly routing for her friends to win. She was even a little bit amazed with their plan as she can see everybody is happy again. As Sunset holding back her joy, she suddenly felt something by her legs. When she look down, she notice Spike sitting by her. She whispers: "Spike! What are doing here?" "Twilight told me to go to you for emotional support" Spike replied. He then got up onto Sunset's lap and try to give her some comfort. Feeling happy, Sunset began to pet Spike and was wondering things might go well today.