The spotlights went out as Big McIntosh began breaking down the stage area where the Canterlot High battle of the bands had just finished. He hummed happily to himself as three dejected figures made their exit at the left of the stage.
“That performance was horrible. I’ve never been so humiliated in my life.” Adagio Dazzle growled to her associates backstage.
“Yeah it really was awful wasn’t it?” Sonata Dusk agreed.
“That’s an understatement.” Adagio muttered sullenly. “We had the school and the Rainbooms beat we should have won that battle.”
“You weren’t any help Sonata, you haven’t been able to focus since we enrolled in Canterlot High.” Aria pointed out spitefully
Adagio scowled at Sonata as she though over Aria’s accusation, “She’s right you’ve been holding us back this whole time.”
Sonata’s opened her mouth several times to try and defend herself but she couldn’t deny Aria’s claim and her protests were stuck in her throat.
“Forget it Aria she doesn’t even deserve a chance to answer. Sonata we’re through don’t bother coming after us you are no longer a Dazzling.”
Sonata didn’t know what to do she was in too much shock, she wasn’t sad, or angry, or lonely. She just felt numb and abandoned which is far worse. She was losing the closest thing she had to friends. After what they had said there could be no mistaking Adagio and Aria were leaving her for good. When the hurt finally hit Sonata she couldn’t even express it, it was too painful. She just stood taller with her head high keeping a straight face as she watched her partners walk away.
What could Sonata do now? The Dazzlings were the only good thing she had going for herself even though they were mean to each other most of the time at least they looked out for each other. Sonata also didn’t feel right going to the Rainbooms for help she had just fought with them and lost for control of the school, then who could she turn to?
Sonata began to break down as her vision blurred and her mouth began shuddering. She had no options everything had depended on the battle of the bands and she had failed.
Sonata stood behind the stage fighting for control when a muffin appeared in front of her face. Looking up she saw two lazy golden eyes and a smiling face that was so bafflingly happy she couldn’t help but smile back at the kindness of the offer.
“Don’t be sad, things can only get better now.”
“Thank you.” Was all Sonata could manage to say with composure.
The kind girl was right, this was not the end of Sonata Dusk not by a long shot. Looking contemplatively at the muffin she took a bite and decided that since she had no one to impress anymore she would also be a nicer person. One act of kindness deserves another.
As the kind girl turned to leave she elbowed Sonata in the gut spewing muffin crumbs and doubling her over,
“Whoops sorry.” The kind girl said turning around and poking Sonata in the eye.
“Oh I’m really sorry about that.” The girl apologized again as Sonata whimpered holding her face. “Should I take you to the nurse’s office?” She asked putting a hand on Sonata’s shoulder giving her a startling static shock.
Sonata quickly backed away clearing the tears out of her eyes, “NO!!! No I’m fine, thank you for the muffin but I should probably leave now.”
The kind girl frowned for a fraction of a second before she went right back to her beaming smile, “Oh ok, by the way I really liked your song tonight you have a really pretty voice.”
“For realsies? Well thank you very much.” Sonata said taking the bow she never had the chance to take earlier.
“Are you in Miss Shores’ choir class?” The girl asked.
“I didn’t know there was a choir class.” Sonata said, her interest piqued.
“You could probably talk to Vice Principal Luna if you want to transfer a class to choir. Miss Shores is awesome.”
“I think I’ll do that.” Sonata replied grateful for the information.
A choir class could be good for her. It might even sharpen the skills she already had while she figured out what she wanted to do since conquering Canterlot High was out of the question.
In the meantime she needed to find a place to sleep, Adagio had already made it clear she was no longer welcome with the Dazzlings so the hotel room they had been staying in was closed to her.
Looking around she found a door under the stage that was open. “Huh, that’s weird I thought I saw that Trixie girl lock this door before the show. Oh well I’ll take what I can get.”
Walking through it took a few seconds for Sonata’s eyes to adjust to the darkness then she began looking for materials to put together an impromptu bed. Fortunately there was a stack of soundproofing foam in one corner and she could use the piano cover as a blanket.
It wasn’t the Ritz Cloperton but what choice did she have?
Beating the dust out of the foam and screaming while she stomped the living daylights out of the roaches and spiders that had taken up residence under the stage took no less than fifteen minutes.
As Sonata lay down she was acutely aware that the soundproofing foam was annoyingly scratchy and grainy. It made her skin crawl to think what creatures might still be lurking within. She could also still feel the hard concrete floor underneath. The piano cover was much too rough to be considered a blanket by any standards but it kept her warm.
Once Sonata settled in she was out like a light before she knew it. The next thing she saw was the sun shining through the narrow crack of the door directly into her eyes.
“Ugh, of course my bed would be directly facing the sunrise.” Sonata pulled the piano cover over her head, she felt awful. There was a bad crick in her neck and she didn’t feel like she had slept at all. She clung to the simple comfort of her warm piano cover.
Time to get up and face a new day at Canterlot High, alone and very afraid.
Sonata looked up at Vice Principal Luna’s office door like it was a 10,000 foot high incinerator door. Starting the morning without breakfast or a shower Sonata was not feeling the least bit personable but she needed to make a good impression and attempt to recover her reputation.
As Sonata reached for the door knob the door came flying open and she was almost trampled as Vice Principal Luna burst out of her office. Gasping, putting her hand to her chest and the other on her door Vice Principal Luna steadied herself.
“Heavens to Faust are you trying to give me a heart attack?”
“No ma’am, actually I wanted to talk to you about transferring a class over to Ms. Shore’s Choir.”
Vice Principal Luna scowled in annoyance, “I would help you if I had the time, but I have to prepare the school announcements for today. Principal Celestia got caught up in an impromptu PTA meeting last night explaining to the student’s parents why their children were brainwashed by demon sea-pony girls again and she wasn’t able to finish the announcements.”
“Oh.” Was all Sonata could say wishing she could disappear into the checkered tiles she was staring at.
“I really want to help you but I’ve got to go. Counselor Cadence will be able to transfer a class over to Ms. Shores for you.” Vice Principal Luna said in a more sympathetic tone as she walked away.
Sonata’s walk from Luna’s office to Counselor Cadence’s office was slightly intimidating. It was so different without Adagio and Aria with her Sonata felt isolated from the rest of the students. Even the way she saw them was different now that they were no longer minds to be controlled she saw that they all had interests, goals, hopes, and lives of their own. It was like Sonata was seeing Canterlot High for the first time and it was unnerving.
Thankfully most of the glances in her direction were looks of disinterest and not hostility. Sonata hoped that she had at least one class with that klutzy girl, she seemed like she could be a great friend.
Sonata found herself in front of Counselor Cadence’s office before she realized it. Cadence’s office was a vivid contrast to Luna’s office. Where Luna’s office was dark and forbidding Cadence’s office was bright and excessively girly but in a good way.
Sonata knocked respectfully. “Come in.” came Cadence’s reply.
Her office was decorated all around with student’s projects everything from pencil sketches to sculptures. Everything in the office seemed to be centered around a picture of Cadence and someone who looked like the school security officer in full blues at their wedding. Sonata wasn’t sure if the glow in the photo was from the editing or if it was that way naturally but the looks on their faces was downright radiant.
Sonata must have spaced out staring at the picture because Counselor Cadence raised an eye brow and leaned forward to ask, “Can I help you?”
“Yes!” Sonata flustered, “Vice Principal Luna sent me to ask you about transferring a class over to Ms. Shores Choir.”
Counselor Cadence gave a small chuckle, “Oh poor auntie Luna, she’s too busy for her own good. No offense to her she picks up a lot of the slack around this school. If you need any help in the future just stop by my office it’s always open. A class transfer let me see…” Cadence pulled out her class rosters, “Your name is?”
“Sonata Dusk.”
Cadence looked at Sonata and frowned contemplatively, “I feel like I know you from somewhere and it’s going to bug me all day if I can’t figure it out.”
Sonata fiddled with her collar under the scrutinizing gaze of Counselor Cadence, but kept her mouth shut.
Cadence shook her head, “I’m sure I’ve seen you before.”
“I don’t think that you have, I’m actually new to Canterlot High. My first day in class was Tuesday.”
“Well that would explain it, I didn’t even have you on my attendance rosters. Which classes were you in?”
Sonata was amazed, Cadence had hardly glanced at the rosters but already knew Sonata wasn’t on them? That was a problem Sonata wasn’t even sure which classes she had been in before, the whole goal of the Dazzlings had been conquering the school.
“I’m not sure ma’am.”
“Well I should have your enrollment profile.” Cadence said going through her file cabinet. “S. S. S. Scootaloo, Silver Spoon, Snails, Snips, Snowflake, ah Sonata Dusk. Well it appears that you are indeed a student at this school, I can’t understand why you weren’t on any of the attendance rosters though.” Cadence said scratching her head.
Sitting down with the rosters again Cadence began filling Sonata’s name in, “English, Reading, Algebra, Science, Social Studies, and P.E. are all requirements. Unless you want to try calculus, trigonometry, chemistry, or physics.”
“No! No thank you.” Sonata said a little too enthusiastically.
“You have a choice of two electives, one of which will be Ms. Shores choir class. You have one class left, take your pick.” Cadence handed Sonata a list of electives available at Canterlot High.
Sonata didn't really care what the last class was, it would just be something to pass the time. She closed her eyes and ran her finger down the list. Opening her eyes she looked at what she would be stuck with for the rest of the school year. “Culinary Arts.”
“Are you sure?” Cadence asked.
“Yes.” Sonata replied. She had nothing against Counselor Cadence who had been more than friendly. Sonata just wanted to get started on her school day, so she could have some time to think about what her plan was now that Adagio and Aria were gone.
Sonata had been gone from Equestria for so long sometimes it was hard to remember she was trying to get back. If she made friends here in Canterlot High would she really want to go back alone? She couldn’t worry about that right now, she would have to make friends if she wanted to go back. She would cross that bridge when she came to it.
“Alright your schedule is complete, your first class is P.E. with Coach Spitfire. You know where the gym is correct?” Cadence asked handing Sonata a copy of her schedule.
“Yes ma’am.” Sonata grimaced as she left Counselor Cadence’s office. Bleah P.E., at least she would be taking care of the lousy class first. It was a tossup which class Sonata hated more P.E. or Algebra.
With P.E. as the first class meant that meant she would have to cut breakfast out of her mornings or save something for after P.E. Sonata almost drooled thinking about it, she was so hungry. It was going to be a long day.
Sonata stopped by the cafeteria on the way to the gym the all too short breakfast hour which was really more like fifteen minutes.
Canterlot High was required by the district to make a morning meal available to the students. Considering all of the preparation time that went into the breakfast by the time students actually arrived most only had time to throw their packs in their lockers and wade through the stampedes in the halls to class. So the majority of breakfast got tossed in the dumpsters.
The old cook lady was attempting to clean up the hot cooked food but was being harassed by two midgets with beady eyes. Either they were midgets or under aged. Sonata was positive she was still at Canterlot High School.
“Hey old lady, bring that tray back! We didn’t even get any food! We at least get a to go box right?” Said the midget with the orange hair and the scissors t-shirt.
“Yeah a to go box.” Repeated the midget with the turquoise hair and snail shirt.
“Ya youngins missed yer chance, this food’s goin to the dumpster raght now.”
“Listen lady it’s not our fault the bus driver made us do fire drills until we could get off in less than fifteen seconds!”
The snail midget shuddered, “That bus driver is crazy.”
“What seems to be the problem that makes you young ones scream like goblins?” Asked a girl with a white Mohawk, a stack of brass necklaces, and zebra print blouse.
“Granny Smith won’t give us any breakfast!” Accused the scissors midget.
“Ah ain’t yer granny yah little snot! Not even on yer best day, that’s Mrs. Smith ta you!”
“Peace Mrs. Smith do not allow yourself to be miffed. These little ones know not whom they are speaking with.” The Mohawk girl said with a menacing smile.
“Are they disrespecting us Snips?” The snail midget whispered loudly behind his hand.
“I think they are Snails, they’re dissing on us.” Snips said thumbing his nose.
“Time to let them know what time it is, right MC Snips?” Snails said crossing his arms in an x and throwing them down.
“You know it Snazzy Snails!”
“Hey everyone there’s about to be a rap battle over here!” somebody from the hallway shouted.
Within seconds there was a crowd circled around MC Snips, Snazzy Snails, and the Mohawk girl.
To top it all off the DJ girl in the white skirt and blouse that had crushed the Dazzlings with her stereo at the battle of the bands parted the crowd. She set up her turntables and a ghetto blaster before Sonata could blink.
“What is this some sort of High School Musical, does this regularly happen here?” Sonata asked to no one in particular.
The DJ girl handed a microphone to Snips and showed him his time on the stop clock then spun up her tables to start mixing. The beat kicked in and the battle started.
Between the two of them Snips and Snails hadn’t even used a quarter of the time on their clock. Snails had hardly finished before the Mohawk girl snatched up the microphone and cut in with a vengeance.
The crowd went nuts at the end of the Mohawk girl’s the verbal exhibition hollering, whistling, and throwing their hands in the air. It wasn’t just the words themselves but the way they were delivered almost as if they had been physical blows.
The Mohawk girl polished her nails on her collar as if nothing was out of the ordinary. Like she battle rapped just for the fun of it and she was pulling her punches out of pity.
“Remind me to never make her angry again.” Snips whispered to Snails.
Closing her eyes and taking a few deep breaths the Mohawk girl apologized for her outburst, “Forgive me if my words were harsh I cannot control myself when courtesy is sparse.”
“We were just leaving anyways. Come on Snails let’s just skip breakfast.”
“But.” Snails was about to protest but was dragged off by Snips.
“Come on Snails!”
“Ya’ll get on ta class now ya hear?” Granny Smith waved off the flash mob that had invaded her cafeteria.
“Do you mind if I grab some snacks to go ma’am?” Sonata asked taking special care to be polite after the ordeal that had just occurred.
“Help yerself sugar, just make it quick.” Granny Smith replied stacking the food trays to take back to the wash room.
Sonata grabbed some granola bars and an apple to tide her over until lunch.
“Thank you ma’am!” Sonata said stuffing the granola bars in her pockets and waving.
“You take care now youngin’.” The old lady waved back.
Sonata was on her way to the hall when she was stopped by the Mohawk girl.
“It does my heart good to see someone grateful for their food. Where I come from people are much more courteous, please tell me your name I am curious.”
Sonata rubbed her arm slightly nervous after the Mohawk girl’s performance, “My name is Sonata Dusk.”
“Well met Sonata Dusk, I am Zecora from the land of the big dust.” Zecora offered her hand, Sonata took it and was nearly crushed with a hefty hand shake.
“Welcome to Canterlot High make yourself comfortable don’t be shy.”
“I’ll try... Hey that rhymed.” Sonata chuckled at her little joke but really wishing she had half of the strength of Zecora.
The five minute bell rang signaling the first class was about to start. “I’ve got to go, it was nice to meet you Zecora. Did you want to meet up for lunch?”
“When the time comes let us go I will be outside at the gazebo.”
Sonata left for the gym with a spring in her step, she now had a friend and lunch to look forward to. Now to get through the morning.
Sonata rushed into the locker room as the bell rung marking the beginning of the first class breathing a sigh that she hadn’t arrived any later. Even though she could get some grace because it was her first day she didn’t want to push her luck.
Approaching Coach Spitfire’s office Sonata was surprised to see her stretching at her desk as though she were planning on exercising with the students. Sonata had never heard of a coach that did that.
Coach Spitfire had a swept back red and orange hair style with aviators sitting on her forehead a whistle hung around her neck and she wore a light blue track suit. Everything about Coach Spitfire said professional and fast.
Spitfire saw Sonata coming and asked, “What are you here for?”
“I’ve been assigned to your class coach.” Sonata said showing the schedule she had been given.
“Sonata Dusk huh? Alright the t-shirts, shorts, and sweats are in those cardboard boxes over there. You can grab one of each.”
Sonata could have kissed Coach Spitfire as she did a mental victory dance. A sweat suit was going to be gold compared to the piano cover she had slept under last night. Best of all it was brand new, even if it was saggy.
One of the benefits of arriving slightly late to P.E. was that Sonata was able to change in privacy.
Walking out of the locker room Sonata was faced with the entire class standing in a box on the basketball court, most of them looking at her. Sonata froze and gulped unintentionally.
Thankfully Coach Spitfire walked out right behind her, and introduced her as if it had been planned. “Class this is Sonata Dusk, she’ll be joining us for the rest of the year so be sure to make her feel welcome.”
The class responded in a lethargic cacophony, “Yes coach.”
Coach Spitfire muttered a few choice words about motivating slackers that made Sonata’s skin crawl. Then she looked at Sonata, “Hurry up and stand at the back right and we’ll get started.”
As Sonata was walking to her place a gray boy with a white Mohawk and yellow eyes in the front row gave a big smile in her direction as she passed. Sonata checked over her shoulder to make sure no one was behind her then back at the Mohawk boy. She smiled back quickly then lowered her head to hide her blush.
The butterflies in her stomach were quickly squashed when she saw who she would be standing next to. Snips and Snails eyed her maliciously as she walked up.
“Hey guys, fancy seeing you again.” Sonata whispered nervously.
The pair only scowled deeper and ignored her.
Coach Spitfire began calling roll fairly quickly despite the class’s apparent drowsiness.
“Hey.” Sonata hissed out the side of her mouth tapping Snips on the shoulder with two of the granola bars she had gotten earlier.
Snips gave a surprised look then shook his head, “No thanks lady. You look like you need those more than we do.”
Sonata wasn’t sure if she should take that as a compliment for being skinny or if she just looked like Tartarus but she shrugged and put the granola bars away. She had made the offer so they couldn’t blame her that they were hungry.
Coach Spitfire finished roll call and announced, “Today we will be playing basketball, Thunderlane warm them up and stretch them out then we’ll pick teams.”
“Yes coach.” The gray Mohawk kid replied stepping in front of the class.
“Ok let’s start off with some jumping jacks we’ll do twenty. Make sure you have some room, we’re not trying to knock out any teeth this morning.”
The class chuckled quietly looking at... the klutzy girl. Sonata hadn’t noticed before but the klutzy girl was standing two rows in front of her. Sonata could tell even standing behind her that the klutzy girl was trying to disappear into her sweater from embarrassment.
The class scattered out and did their jumping jacks, some fast, some slow, some just waved their arms.
Coach Spitfire put a hand to her face and went back to the locker room.
Sonata moved closer to the klutzy girl, she looked very lonely all by herself. The klutzy girl smiled as Sonata came over.
“Hey, it’s good to see you again. Are you feeling better this morning?”
“Better than I was last night, thank you… Sorry I haven’t asked your name yet.”
“That’s all right it’s Derpy Boots.” She replied with a glowing smile.
Sonata had the sudden feeling she was being watched and looked around. She didn’t want to get her hopes too high but when she saw Thunderlane watching her intently she smiled and quickly turned back to Derpy Boots.
“It looks like Thunderlane is checking you out.” Derpy Boots said waggling an eyebrow.
“Yeaaaaaaahhhhhh.” Sonata answered with a goofy smile on her face.
“You two are so weird.” Snips said.
“Yeah weird.” Snails agreed.
“The next warm up will be steam engines, we’ll do another twenty.” Thunderlane shouted when it looked like those who would finish the jumping jacks had done so.
Once the warm up and stretches were finished it seemed like Thunderlane had worked his way closer to where Sonata and Derpy were.
Then Thunderlane looked her straight in the eyes and said, “Sonata.”
“YES!” Sonata replied a little too enthusiastically surprising even herself.
“Could you go let Coach Spitfire know we’re done with warmup? I know she’ll want to be one of the team Captains.” “Alright.”
“Coach Spitfire!” Sonata shouted, not wanting to startle her by sneaking up on her.
“Yes!?” Coach Spitfire asked freezing in mid leap.
“Thunderlane sent me to let you know the class is all warmed up.”
“Alright I’ll be right out.”
Sonata turned to leave.
“If you tell anyone I’ll give you a towel smack you won’t forget.”
Sonata tried, she really tried to hide her giggle but she couldn’t help it. The threat of retribution aside the situation was too ridiculous not to laugh.
“Don’t worry Coach your secret’s safe with me.”
Sonata’s morning was seeming better already, there was a boy she was pretty sure had a crush on her, a friend that she knew in the class, and a P.E. Coach that played with model planes. Maybe this P.E. wouldn't be so bad after all.
