Set in an alternate universe, Human Twilight protects her school from the Dazzlings
In an alternate universe, Human Twilight Sparkle tranfered to Canterlot High. during the first movie and taken Pony Twilight's place. After a crazy andventure where she made her first ever 6 friends (one in which came from Equestria and was an ex-villain), Twilight has gotten use to and is loving her new school life.
However, before the upcoming event that is the school's music festival, 3 mysterious new transfer students had appeared and is somehow manipulating the student body to be angry at each other. And to top it off, Twilight discover that her and her friends still retained their magical powers that they got during their last magical exploit.
Can Twilight protect her new school? Can she get the hang of her new powers? Will Sunset Shimmer fall back into a villain? And can Twilight find the magical voice that she has deep inside her?
Outside the Principal's office, Twilight was waiting anxiously and sitting on the waiting chairs. Both her body and her mind were feeling tense and the nearby clock that was ticking away wasn't helping. The only thing that Twilight could do while passing the time were twiddling her thumbs and hoping for the best.
But after a long and patient wait, Twilight's friend is now leaving the principal's office. As the door opens, Sunset Shimmer steps out and says to the people inside: "... And thank you so much for seeing me Principal Celestia."
Celestia then politely replies: "Your welcome Sunset."
Twilight shot up from her chair and asks Sunset: "How did it go?"
After a suspenseful moment for Sunset to build herself, she nervously reveals: "... I'm now Canterlot High's tour guide for new students."
Twilight, ecstatic upon hearing the good news, squealed joyfully and hugs Sunset in celebration. Despite feeling unsure with herself and were left surprised by the sudden hug, Sunset appreciated it and embrace the worm comfort of the hug.
_ _ _ _ _
Moments later, both Sunset Shimmer and Twilight Sparkle were walking down the lively halls of Canterlot High. The halls were actually more livelier than normal as there were more chatter amongst the students and the walls were covered with posters. Wanting to know more of the meeting, Twilight began to probe Sunset.
"So what was the meeting like? Were they surprised that you wanted to volunteer?"
Sunset sheepishly replied: "Yeah well... They were a little hesitant at first, which I don't blame them. But after a few questions, they finally let me be the tour guide."
"Well they must know that you are trying to change your image."
"I guess that's it. I'm still a little surprised that they said yes."
Obviously detecting that Sunset was being hard on herself, Twilight says to Sunset: "Hey, you need to lighten up a bit. They wouldn't give you the position if they didn't trust you."
However, Sunset rebutted: "Thanks for the vote of confidence Twilight, but it looks like you and the guys are like the only ones who giving me the time of day. Everyone else just thinks I'm the same monsters that I were before."
Having just about had it with her pessimism, Twilight stopped Sunset from moving, looked Sunset in the eye and tells her: "Hey! What you did before was really bad, but that is in the past. What you are now isn't the same Sunset from where we first met." Left surprised and flattered by her kind words, Sunset's couldn't stop herself from blushing.
A few moments later, the girls were coming up to Sunset's locker. But then, as they were about to arrive at it, the Crusaders (Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo) suddenly appeared and ran pass them. When they saw that they almost collided with Twilight, Apple Bloom looked back and yells: "Sorry Twilight!"
"No Problem Girls!" Twilight yells back. She then watches the freshmen as they continue running and disappear down the hall.
Twilight then look back at Sunset and thought out loud to her: "Have you notice that everyone seems to be livelier than usual?"
As she was putting in her combination, Sunset says to Twilight: "That's because the musical showcase is coming up and everyone is probably just trying to prepare."
"Musical Showcase?" says Twilight confusingly.
Sunset Shimmer explains: "Yeah, it's a school event that they do once in a while. Students often get together and form bands and do a musical performance."
"Oh! So it's like contest then?"
However, Sunset reiterate: "No, it's not a contest. It's just something that the school do for fun and you get gifts just for participating."
Once Sunset finally got her locker open, Twilight jokingly remarks: "Well that's good. I heard some of the Crusaders music and if the showcase was a contest, I'm afraid that they wouldn't get too far."
Giggling to Twilight's joke, Sunset added: "Who Knows! Maybe Flash Might Actually Come Out As A Winner!?"
But then, as both girls were laughing out loud, a book suddenly fell out of Sunset's locker. Startled, Twilight curiously picks the book up. When she had a look at it, she saw that the cover had the same sun symbol as what Sunset has on her shirt. "What's this?" she asked out loud.
Upon seeing it, Sunset became surprised as she takes the book off of Twilight. "Oh Wow!" she thought out loud. "I can't believe that I still have this!?"
"What is it?" Twilight asks.
Sunset replied: "It's a book that I use to use before I came here."
Upon hearing that fact, Twilight got up close Sunset and asks her: "Wait! So this book came from Equestria!?"
Seeing how excited that Twilight was getting, Sunset gleefully says to her: "Oh yes." She explains: "Back home, I use this book to contact my teacher; Princess Celestia. She would have a book similar to mine and whatever I wrote in here would appears in her book."
"Wow!" muttered Twilight, left in utter star-struck and amazement.
Seeing her so happy, Sunset asks Twilight: "Do you want it?"
"What!" she yells out in surprised.
"Yeah, the magic probably wouldn't work while it is over here and I don't see myself using it anytime soon."
Despite how much she wants it, Twilight tried to hold herself and replies: "Oh no, I can't..."
However, Sunset then says to her: "Oh come on Twilight. Consider it as a thank you present for all the time and effort that you put in for me."
Once she put it in like that, Twilight couldn't help but to accept it. Once Sunset handed her the book, she says to Sunset: "Thanks Sunset. I promise to keep it safe."
"No problem Twilight" Sunset replied.
But as she was putting her new book into her bag, Twilight suddenly realized that her phone was going off in her bag. Surprised, she thought out loud: "Oh wow! I guess one of the guys has been calling me." She then got it out and opens her phone.
As Twilight reads her message, Sunset curiously asks: "What it is about?"
However, as she was reading it, Twilight was slowly becoming shocked, confused and worry. She muttered "What!?" out loud which also cause Sunset to become worried. Twilight explains: "Rainbow says that something big has happened and that we need to head to the music room, "Pronto"!"
Seeing this as something important, Sunset tells her: "Well what are we waiting for!?"
Once they got their stuff together and Sunset shut her locker, both girls began to run and make their way to the music room. But as they were running, they ran pass 3 mysterious girls who were wearing hoodies indoors. Both groups didn't seem to notice the other and didn't pay it much thought. One of the hooded girls did stop and look back with curiosity, but continue to walk with her friends once they call out to her.
Inside the music room, instruments were being tuned and 5 friends were waiting for another friend to arrive. Rainbow Dash was tuning her guitar while often looking back at the door to see if Twilight has arrived yet. Applejack did something simulare, however she was being a bit more patient than Rainbow Dash. Rarity was more concerned with her appearance then her instrument, considering that it's an electrical keytar and doesn't need as much care. Fluttershy was sitting off by the side and was jotting different things into her notebook. But Pinkie Pie on the hand was so excited that she was jumping up-and-down by her drumset.
With the increasing noise from Pinkie, an irritated Applejack yells to her: "Will You Please Get A Hold Of Your Self Pinkie Pie!"
Seeing how annoyed she made Applejack, Pinkie replies: "I'm sorry Applejack, but I can't wait for when we tell Twilight about the big surprise!"
Trying the defuse the situation, Rainbow Dash steps in and says: "I know what you mean Pinkie, but we need to keep it cool and wait until the right minute."
"I'll try" Pinkie responded as she try to keep a hold of herself.
Seeing the commotion in front of her, Rarity says to Rainbow: "Honestly Rainbow, I can not understand why we need to keep this a secret from Twilight?"
Rainbow Dash replies: "Oh come on! Who doesn't like a good surprise?"
"I Don't!" yelled Pinkie.
But then, before anybody in the room could say anything else, the door slamed open and Twilight and Sunset came rushing inside. While trying to regain her and Sunset's breath, Twilight managed to ask: "We're Here... Rainbow Dash!... What is... The Problem!?"
Once they finally do regain their breath, Rainbow had a huge smirk across her mouth as she can't wait to break the news to them. She says to them: "You see Twilight, we... "
However, before she could finish, Applejack interupted her and says: "Rainbow here is trying to start band and we all were curious if you wanted to join?" Upon stealing her glory, Rainbow looked annoyed at AJ who in return has a cheeky grin on her face. "Scene stealer" whispered Rainbow Dash in frustration.
Upon the hearing the important news, a bewildered and slightly annoyed Twilight says: "Wait!? Is that why you call me here for? To join your band for the show case?"
Realizing what she must be feeling, Rarity steps forward and try to comfort Twilight. "We're sorry if we sent you the wrong impression dearie, but we thought this would be something that we can have fun together."
Once she began looking around the room, Twilight could see how prepared and enthusiastic everyone were for the thing. She could even see how this could be a fun experience for her. When she turn to Sunset Shimmer, she even mention: "This does sound interesting."
As everyone eyes were on Twilight, all hoping for her to say yes. However, despite feeling slight pressure from her friends, Twilight responded: "Thanks for the offer guys, but I have to decline." Simultaneously across the room, all the other girls began to moan and feel disappointed. Looks like they have to convince Twilight the heard way. Upon seeing her friends looking depressed, Twilight ask them: "I didn't know this was even your sort of thing."
Fluttershy explains: "Yeah well... It's more about doing something together after being apart for so long, rather then it is just playing music." At that moment, Sunset began to giggle awkwardly and hide behind Twilight (since she was the reason why they were apart).
Feeling guilty for disappointing her friends, Twilight told them: "I am sorry you guys, but if you all still want to do this, I'll be happy to help in any way that I can!"
However, not long after she said that, Rainbow Dash had a smile on her face and then says something else. "Actually Twilight, there is one more thing that we need to tell you."
Twilight raised an eyebrow. She couldn't described it, but it feels like she was about to receive information and that this is the reason why they called her. Rarity, Applejack and Fluttershy give glances to one another as they know what is going to happen while Pinkie Pie is so exited that she looks like that she might explode.
Rainbow Dash asks Twilight: "Do you remember those forms we had during the Fall Formal? You know, the ones which we used to stop Sunset Shimmer from destroying the school?" However, as soon as she said it, Dash suddenly realized that Sunset was right next to them. "Um... No offence" apologized an embarrassed Rainbow Dash.
However, despite feeling a bit sore, Sunset understands that it was a slip of the tongue. "None taken" she replied. "It was the only way from stopping me from being crazy."
After being surprised by how cooled Sunset took that comment, Twilight turns to Rainbow and says: "Yeah, what about?"
As Rainbow was about to tell Twilight, Pinkie appears beside her and was about to still her line. "WE Still Ha... !" However, not wanting her thunder to be stolen again, Dash quickly cover Pinkie's mouth and cut her off from speaking. Feeling chuffed, Rainbow Dash proudly proclaims: "We still have them!"
When she heard it, Twilight was so shocked and surprised that it caused a short delay before she leans forwards and ask: "... What!?"
Seeing that they got Twilight stuck in disbelief, everyone began to crowd around Rainbow who she explains: "Yeah! We still totally have them! Look!" Everyone then brought out and open their phones. After getting up the right videos, they all then show them to Twilight and Sunset.
At first, the only thing they saw was Rainbow and the rest playing their instruments and they were really good. But as they watch, they both fell into utter-awestruck when they saw the transformation. As the girls in the videos were reaching their respective climaxes, Twilight and Sunset saw their friends begin to emanate a mystic glow where they suddenly burst out into new appearances. Their ears grew pointy, their hair were extended and made pony-tails at the end and both Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy sprouted out wings. They look exactly how they were during the Formal.
Once the videos were finished and their phones were put away, everyone saw Twilight and Sunset looked completely speechless and their mouths were hanging open. Applejack ask them: "Hehe... So what do ya think?"
As they were finding the right words, Sunset muttered: "That was... " before Twilight yell out: "INSANE!"
As her friends were chuckling at Twilight as she was trying to comprehend it, she began asking out: "How... How Is This Even Possible!? How You Guys Still Have Magic!?"
"We're not entirely sure?" Rarity explains. "All we know is that it happens whenever we play some music?"
But then, Sunset suddenly thought of something. "Maybe... when the Element of Magic gave you some of it's power, a bit of its magic got left behind within you somehow?"
"I guess that's it?" agreed Twilight. However, she soon came to a realization of her own. "Wait! If you guys still have magic, would that mean that I... "
Once she see that Twilight was catching on, Applejack tells her: "That's what we like to find out."
"Ok... What do I do?"
Rainbow simply replies: "Well first; find an instrument. Second; you'd just play it."
As Twilight found that advice not too helpful, Pinkie quickly came up to her and start shooting her some random questions. "So what kind of instrument that you want? The violin? The theremin? Or how about a harmonica?" Pinkie was playing those exact instruments as she was suggesting them to demonstrate what they can do. But as she gotten around to the harmonica, she gotten carried away while and continued playing until somebody snapped her out of it.
As Twilight was confused, Sunset ask her: "Have you ever played an instrument Twilight?"
After thinking long and hard, Twilight replies: "Well... no. But while I was at my old school, I did audition for a play that invloved singing." She then has a personal flashback where she was still a Crystal Prep student. Around her freshmen year, a young Twilight Sparkle decided to audition for a school play for extra credit. She even remembers that Dean Cadence and Principal Cinch were also the judges and Cinch was very strict on the candidates. When it was Twilight's turn, she sung one of the play's songs and she was really good... That is until she mucked up one of notes and Principal Cinch quickly calls out for the next student. Twilight decides to never take part in another play at Crystal Prep ever again.
Back in the present, Twilight had finished telling her flashback to her friends and they quickly found out what to do. "Ok, so maybe your thing would be singing" Applejack proclaims. A microphone and stand then shot out from nowhere and landed by Twilight's side.
"Wait! You want me to sing right now?" asked a nervous Twilight. "But... I don't know what to sing?"
However, Fluttershy came up and tells her: "Don't worry Twilight." She then pass Twilight her notebook and explains: "I've already written up a song, just in case you were forced to sing."
Rarity then add: "And don't worry dearie. If this don't work out, we won't hold this against you." They all get to the seats and eagerly wait for Twilight's performance.
Even though she was still nervous with the whole, Twilight was touched by the kind sentiment and could see that her friends has much faith in her. After taking a deep breath and quickly look at the song, she tells them: "Ok... here I go." When Pinkie start the music on her MP3 player, Twilight looked at the lyrics and started singing.
"Back when I was new, loneliness was the thing I only knew. But when I found all of you, I also found something that is true. You helped me see, the me who I want to be. So come out and give us your deep hidden voice, So I or we help filled in that void. So come up, come on, and get back on your feet, because Friendship helps, makes it all complete!"
As they all listen to Twilight's singing, some of them couldn't help but show how much they love it. While some were able to give their happiest smiles (Rarity, Sunset and Fluttershy), some of them (namely Pinkie and Rainbow Dash) let out a few disruptive cheer. When Twilight was so surprised that she stopped from singing, a few of them cry out: "Keep On Going!" See how much they love it, an overjoyed Twilight decides to do so.
"As Fluttershy put my worries to rest, Rainbow Dash came along and called be the best. While Applejack stopped my world from becoming bleak, Rarity made me something that is chic and unique. And as Pinkie Pie filled my day with fun, Sunset will make me shine like the great red sun!"
And then, as Twilight joy and passion had reached it's peak, her magic slowly began to come out. While she didn't notice it at first, everyone sort of give her the sign that it was happening. She notice her ears grew long and pointy and then found her hair shot out the pony. Twilight did know what to feel at that moment, but decide to continue to the climax so her magical attachment would stay a little longer.
"So come up, come out, now it's the time to rejoice. Come on, let it out, because you just shown us your deep hidden voice. Come on and dance to the beat, because Friendship helps makes it all complete!
It Makes It All Complete!"
When she finished singing, Twilight shot her arms up in the air to show the end of the song. Her friends quickly gave her a round of applause and came up to congratulate her. "That was Amazing" Rainbow Dash complimented and everyone followed up with one of their own.
Flattered, Twilight replies: "Gee, thanks guys." But then, Twilight suddenly felt something strange. When her and her friends look at her back, they saw the pony ears and tail suddenly "popped" away.
"Yeah, they usually went away after we finish playing" Pinkie explain to Twilight, who was surprised, confused and secretly disappointed.
"So, they only appeared when you guys make music?" ask Twilight.
"We guess so?" Fluttershy replied. "They haven't shown up in anything else we do."
Confused, Twilight thought out loud: "But... that doesn't make sense?"
"Who cares that it doesn't make sense!" Rainbow responded. "With this new trick, we'll sure to be the best band at the musical showcase!"
"Dash... For the umpteenth, the Showcase is not a Contest!" says Applejack.
As Rainbow Dash was rolling her eyes, Twilight yell out: "Wait!? You guys gunna show this in the musical showcase!?"
Everyone then looked unease and sort of see how this could be a stupid idea. However, Rainbow Dash tell them all: "Hey don't worry about it. We can totally keep this under control." When Twilight looked undeterred, Rainbow whisperer to her: "Just thinks of this as an experiment."
Despite how much she still want think this as a bad idea, Twilight begrudgingly admits: "I do like experiments." When everyone point their eyes towards her, she quickly felt the pressure and yell out: "Fine! I'll Join!"
Everyone they chipped up and cheer as they finally pulled Twilight into the band. Even though Twilight still has some reservations about this, she like to see her friends happy and the who things does sounds like it could be fun.
As everyone finished congratulating themselves, Applejack exclaims: "I guess Twilight now is our lead singer."
"Wait! What!" yelled Rainbow Dash.
Rarity then adds: "And if you all don't mind, I would like to make us all some band outfits."
"Sure, we don't mind."
"No hang on a minute!" Dash says as she tries to interject.
Twilight then look towards Fluttershy and says: "And I think Fluttershy will be our song writer?"
Both surprised and happy, Fluttershy responded: "What! Really!?"
Pinkie explains: "Yeah, your song was amazing"
But as Fluttershy was being happy, Dash yells out: "HEY!!!" Grabbing everyone's attention, she tells them: "This band was my idea. Don't I have a say in all of this?"
Seeing how upset she was getting, Rarity tells her: "Oh fine Dash, you can name the band." Rainbow was about to say something to that, but as she stopped and think about it, she actually quite liked the idea.
Once everyone got their roles sorted, Sunset says out loud: "Alright! So what do you want me to do?" Everyone then looked towards her, remembering that she was there.
"Oh Sunset!" Rainbow thought out loud. She embarrassingly admits: "Um... We didn't really thought up a place for you." Sunset became shocked and saddened by that fact. She quickly realize that she might have asked for something more then she had thought. Seeing how upset Sunset is, Twilight nudge Rainbow with an elbow and silently tells her to do something for her. Not wanting to be mean, Rainbow ask Sunset: "Alright Sunset, what do you want to do?"
Realized she was given a chance, Sunset quickly looked around the room and try to come up with something. "Well... Um... " She quickly spotted a spare guitar. "Oh! I can play the guitar!" She quickly picks it up and play a "wicked" guitar chord. She played the chord so well, she left everyone speechless.
However, despite how impressed she was, a begrudged Rainbow Dash tells her: "Um Sunset... I'm sort of the lead guitarist."
"Oh!" says Sunset, falling back down to her depression.
Everyone then gave Rainbow a cold stare, unimpressed with how stubborn she was being. After that and seeing how sad Sunset was, Rainbow tells her: "Oh all right! If... one of us is sick or something, then I guess... you can fill in for them?"
Sunset was somewhat happy with that statement, but she knows that it was more in a sense of pity then anything else. However, her friends nevertheless still came around and comfort her, congratulating her for sort-of getting into the band.
Cloudsdale Mall, one of the most popular shopping centers in the city. A fair number of students often hang around the weekend to either shop, work or hang out with friends. Even Rarity's very own store: "Carousel Boutique" is just a few blocks away from here. With a store that suits for most shoppers, Cloudsmall Mall is a popular hotspot for teens or young adults to hang.
And on one of the escalators, Rainbow Dash and a few of her friends is climbing up to the music store. "Ok, so let me get this straight... " says Rarity to Rainbow Dash. "You are looking for a new guitar, so you form a band so you can take part in the musical showcase?"
Rainbow Dash proudly admits: "Yep!"
Rarity remarks: "You do know that the show case is not a contest, right?"
"What! I totally know that!" Rainbow Dash lied. To avoid any similar questions, Rainbow then asks back: "Do you have a problem with that?"
"Of course not" she replied. "I'm just curious, that's all."
"Yeah well, I already have AJ agreed to be my base. Isn't that right, Applejack!?"
"Yep" AJ replies.
"Yeah, so once I can find somebody who can play the drums, I'll be all set."
"You forgot one thing darling" Rarity retorted.
Confused, Rainbow asks: "Really! What?"
After giving off a quick smirk, Rarity loudly exclaims: "An Outfit Designer!" After getting pass the loud yell, everyone just rolled their eyes.
Once they got to the top, they quickly round the music store. Inside, Vinyl Scratch was pleasantly waiting behind the counter for customers as she is listening to her music through her headphones. As the girls enter the store, Rainbow tells Rarity: "Well the first thing first, I need to replace my old guitar."
"Whatever for, darling?"
Once she place the guitar case that she brought along on the counter, Rainbow opened it and shows everyone it's content. Inside was a broken guitar that was completely wrecked. All the strings were broke, a few tuning pegs were missing and the huge, noticeable injury of a broken neck. Everyone was shocked upon seeing it.
"Oh Dear!... " yelled Rarity and sounding frightened.
"Holy-Moly!" yelled Pinkie Pie in surprise. Even Vinyl when saw the guitar even give off a surprising whistle.
Shocked, Rarity asks: "Dash! What Did You Do To This Guitar!?"
Rainbow Dash embarrassingly admits: "Well... I was practicing and I slowly imagined myself at a live performance." Everyone quickly put 2 and 2 together. Seeing her friend’s disappointment, she tells them: "Well I know that I won't make that mistake again."
"You'd better" says Applejack.
Once she gave her old guitar to Vinyl, Rainbow then went off into the store and look for her new instrument. "Ok, so what to choose from?"
Pinkie then rushes around the store and begin looking for different guitars for Rainbow Dash. When she went back, she brought with her a guitar that was meant for children. "How about this one?" she asks.
"Nah, Too short."
Pinkie then went back and brought another guitar. "How about this one?" she asked again.
"Nah. That looks too heavy." And with that, Pinkie fell over due to the weight of the guitar. When she was somewhat unhappy, Rainbow tells everyone: "I want a guitar that is right for me. A guitar that screams "Rainbow Dash!" A guitar that is... “But then, she saw one that she likes. "... One That Is Awesome!"
Off on a wall, Rainbow Dash has just spotted cool red double-neck guitar sitting proudly on the wall. Rainbow didn't know what the technical name for it or even sure if she can play it. However, she believes that she can be the coolest girl at the showcase if she has it and has made up her mind on getting it. But when she rushes over and grabs one of the necks, she saw somebody else grabbing the other neck. When she saw who else that grabbed it, Rainbow became surprise on who it is.
"Trixie!"
"Rainbow Dash!"
Every girl in the store became surprised, confused and a little bit amazed by this turn of events. Trixie is another girl from Canterlot High. and they believe that she is in the same year as them. She is well known as a stage magician and doing amazing feats of "magic", as well as having a rather large ego to boot. A confused Rainbow asks her: "What are you doing here Trixie?"
Trixie replies: "I am getting instruments for the band that I am forming: "Trixie and the Illusions." What are you doing here Rainbow Dash?"
"I'm getting instruments for my band; Rainbow Dash and the... Um... " Rainbow Dash stuttered. She hadn't really come up with a name for her band yet and didn't thought about it until now. In a rush to come up with a clever name, she says: "The Rainbooms!"
"Rain-Brooms?" Trixie jokingly remarks.
"No! Rain-Boom! As in explosions" Rainbow angrily reiterate. She then tugs on the guitar and says to Trixie: "And if you excuse me, I'm going to get this guitar for the musical showcase."
"No, I Am Getting It For The Showcase!" she remarks as she tug the guitar back to her. "I already came up, like, 5 different tricks I can do with this guitar!"
"Like What!? Sawing It In Half!?"
As both girls began to look coldly into each other's eyes and almost have a go at tug-of-war with the guitar, Rarity appears and tries to break-up the tension. "Girls, Please! There must be a civilized way to solve this dispute." Even though they are still tense to each other, Rainbow and Trixie did calm down to find another solution.
"Ok... like what?"
As the girls try to come up with a good idea, Pinkie thought out loud to everyone: "Well... We are in a music store." After Rainbow and Trixie look around them and saw scattered guitars that were around, both of them came up with the same idea. Since they both want to be rock-stars, they think that they should settle it like rock-stars.
Rainbow Dash asks: "Shred-off?"
"Shred On!" Trixie replied.
Aside from Pinkie and Vinyl who excited for the shred-off, AJ and Rarity groaned, rolled their eyes and couldn't believe that this is the direction that they were heading. After the double-neck guitar was passed to Vinyl, Trixie grabbed a guitar that was nearby and Pinkie handed Rainbow a nice blue one. Once the guitars become connected to some nearby amps, the two girls began to "rock."
Rainbow Dash and Trixie then do increasingly good chords and try to out play the other. Everyone else was happily listen to the musical contest that were underway. Even the few who didn't totally approve were even enjoying themselves. Both Rainbow and Trixie were giving it all they got, but Trixie eventually went into the lead. But then, when Rainbow Dash decided that she wouldn't give up, a magic spark was light and magic began to emanate. To the amazement of everyone, Rainbow began to float into the air, wings sprout out of her and grew pony ears and a pony-tail. Once her transformation, Rainbow then slam down to the ground and ripped a wicked guitar shred that blew everyone away (more figuratively then literally).
"Yeah!" yelled a proud Rainbow Dash. However, she soon notices that everyone was completely speechless. "What?"
Managed to find the right words to speak, Rarity tells her: "Rainbow Dash... Your wings are back!"
"What!" Rainbow then quickly look behind her and see that her wings are indeed back. She remembers back at the Fall Formal, she had the greatest time flying around with them. She was high in the sky and didn't want to get back down to the ground. However, as Rainbow was excited to see her wings again, they quickly disappeared again.
After having her hopes dashed, Rainbow's friends quickly got around her and sort of congratulate her. Applejack asks her: "How did you do that?"
"I don't know?" she replied back.
"Can you do it again?" asked Pinkie Pie.
"I don't know?"
"Just What The Heck Was That!?" asked an infuriated Trixie.
Rainbow paused for a sec before she jokingly replies to Trixie: "... Magic." Everyone, aside from Trixie, burst out laughing.
Once she was sort of done, AJ remarks: "And to think: this was all about some little guitar."
At that moment, Rainbow suddenly remembered the shred-off. She then look down at the guitar that she was using and saw how it also had changed. She notice cooling looking lightning bolts going down along the frame and the guitar had a bit more shine. It was like it also transformed with her. Feeling attached to the guitar now, Rainbow tells everyone: "You know what; Trixie can have that guitar. I want this one." Everyone looked at Rainbow with an odd-proudness, almost like she did something mature.
_ _ _ _ _
A few days later, Rainbow was eating her lunch at school and was sitting in the cafeteria with Applejack and Pinkie Pie. They already gotten word that Twilight and Sunset had to skip lunch because they had to do a very important school project, but Rarity and Fluttershy should be coming soon. Pinkie for some reason was being hyper active, using her silverware as drum sticks and tapping on anything that she can find. However, Applejack notice that Rainbow Dash wasn't eating her lunch and was sort of lost in her own little world. Worried, she asks her: "Are you Alrigh' Dash?"
Realizing that AJ had asked her something, Rainbow tells: "Huh? Oh yeah, I'm fine AJ. It just that... I'm still amazing with myself about what I did the other day at Cloudsdale."
"I still can't believe that it happened" AJ remarks. "I thought that sort of thing was done with once Twilight took the crown back to that Equestria place?"
"Well maybe it just that one thing and it won't happen again" Rainbow says as she think out loud. "I sure hope not because they are awesome, but if it is... oh well."
This is indeed a confusing question and neither of them are sure if they can answer it. But then, once they decided to forget about it (for now) and try to dig into their lunch, Rarity and Fluttershy suddenly appears. Rainbow Dash and Applejack was about to great, but they looked like they have urgent news to tell.
"You guys will not believe what happened?" says Rarity as she takes a seat.
"What!?" ask Rainbow with intrigue and worry.
"Do you still remember what Rainbow did the other day!?"
"Of course" Applejack replied.
Rarity did one worried look at Fluttershy before tell everyone: "The same thing happened to Fluttershy!"
"What!" yelled a surprised Rainbow Dash and Applejack.
Fluttershy then tell everyone what happened. "Yesterday, me and Rarity helped out at the animal rescue shelter. I was lucky enough to be chosen to clean the hamster habitat while Rarity was meant to look after the hamsters while I clean." Everyone was confused for a sec since they can't understand why that would be considered lucky? "Once I was done cleaning, I went and check on Rarity to see how she was doing. But when I did, I saw all the hamsters were rioting!"
Rainbow Dash asks: "Wow Rarity! How did you managed that?"
She crossed her arms and replied: "You just won't understand the complex relations of hamsters."
They were skeptical with that answer, but Fluttershy soon tells them: "She dressed them up in tiny little outfits and named them." They quickly realize why now and they even chuck to Rarity's annoyance. However, Fluttershy then went back and finish her story.
"We try to calm them down and get them back into their habitat, but that was proven to be quite difficult. However, once they heard the sounds of my tambourine, they were willing to listen. I started using it and that when the magic happened."
Once they heard the whole story, both of them were left somewhat speechless. "Wow! Maybe it isn't a one-time thing after all?" AJ remarks.
Worried, Rarity asked everyone: "What do you think this all means?"
However, while everyone was frightened by this, Rainbow Dash more was more interested then worried. "Hey guys, this isn't something to get too worked up about."
Rainbow Dash thinks hard before talking. "Ok, so... I transformed when I played my guitar and Fluttershy transformed when she played her tambourine. It looks like these powers returns every time we play some sort of music."
AJ, Rarity and Fluttershy were both amazed and confused by that statement. Saying out loud, it does make some sort of sense. But that still doesn't explain everything else and to them it sounds a bit contrived.
But then, Rainbow came upon a realization. "Hold on! If me and Fluttershy can do this, can't all of you do this as well?"
Not sure what on to do or say, Fluttershy turn towards Pinkie and ask her: "What do you think about all of this Pink... iee!?"
Everyone turn towards Pinkie and see what was going on. And before their eyes, they see Pinkie ears grew longer as she was tapping away on the table. When she felt all of her friends looking at her, she looked back at them and asks: "I'm sorry, what are we all talking about?"
The next day, everyone was at the music room while no one else was around. They already found out that Rainbow, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie is able to transform and just wanting to see if Applejack and Rarity can do the same thing. AJ had gotten her base guitar from home and was giving a small performance to her friends. With just the base music alone, the sounds that she was making has a funky/jazzy style of music to it which was fun to listen to. While they were all enjoying Applejack's performance, they all was still amazed when they saw her transform. When Applejack finished playing and her pony ears and tail her went away, her friends still give her a round of applause.
Feeling somewhat chuffed with their applause, Applejack says to all of them: "You all should be glad that I managed to get my guitar away from Granny Smith before she had a chance to sell it."
After giving odd a few chuckles, Rainbow Dash says out loud: "Ok, the only person we have left is Rarity."
Rarity, who was more then willing to do this, got up from her seat and says to them: "Don't worry ladies, I know just the type of instrument that will work for me; The Grand Piano!" That statement alone raised a few red flag from amongst her friends.
Applejack says to Rarity: "A grand piano? I don't ever remember seeing a grand piano at CHS?"
However Rarity replies: "And you don't have to worry about that issue either, darling. I have one waiting for me back home."
"Really Rarity!? A Piano!?" commented Rainbow Dash. "Can't you choose something that's a little bit... "light"?"
Feeling somewhat offended: Rarity replies: "Oh heavens, no! The grand piano is the most refined and elegant of instruments. With it, I'm sure I will get those cute little pony ears."
Everyone was still reluctant to go with her choice. But then, Pinkie innocently suggests: "Why not use a keyboard for now? It's like a piano, but it's electric."
Seeing her friend's continued persistence, Rarity humbly submits: "Oh very well. If it makes you all happy." Even she personally admit to herself that it would be a bit of a hassle taking it to school.
They all then search around the music room to find a keyboard which they can use. But surprisingly (and very weirdly), they can't find one. However, Pinkie found and yell out: "Hey! How about a guitar-key!?" Everyone then look at Pinkie Pie with confused expressions and saw that the thing she was holding was a keytar.
"Um Pinkie... I think that thing is called a keytar" stated a sheepish Fluttershy.
Pinkie just shrugs and responds: "To-mey-to! Pa-ta-to!"
When the keytar was handed to Rarity, she was somewhat taken back by it's basic idea and design. Combining a piano and guitar seem like a brilliant and yet simple idea to her. When she put the strap around herself and starting to play, Rarity started to feel like it was resonating with her. "Oh My!" she said out loud. As she was playing, she became surprisingly good at it. She even began making a groovy techno beat that got everybody listening and shaking to the beat. Eventually, it unlocked Rarity's stored away magic and gave her the pony ears and tail that she wanted. It even produced a magical aura around her, that, once her tune ended, burst out and everyone/thing around began to sparkle like everything was coated in diamonds.
Once she was finished and the magical effects went away, Rarity told everyone while looking at the keytar: "Oh my! I think I'm gunna buy one of these "fine beauties" on my way home today."
"I think you should. You was really good with it" complemented Fluttershy.
"You think so?" Rarity joyfully asks.
"Oh heck yeah!" Applejack exclaims.
As everyone else was everyone was discussing what just happened as well as what is happening, Rainbow Dash had a happy and excited smile on her face. To her, it was like the universe had given her signs to do something awesome. "Ok! I Want All Of You To Be In My Band!" she shouted.
Everyone looked at Rainbow Dash with confusion. "Are you serious Rainbow?" AJ asks.
Rainbow Dash explains: "Don't you see? I think all of these are signs. Our powers are returning, they only appear when we play music and the showcase is just a few days away. I think this all means something."
That statment caused everyone paused in silence for a sec before Applejack replies: "I think you gone nuttier then Pinkie Pie." While one would expect Pinkie Pie to be offended by that remark, she just founds it funny and chuckles.
"Oh come on guys. I really want to you all in my band" says Rainbow as she sounds slightly heartbroken. She ask them: "Aside from helping Twilight with the Fall Formal, we haven't done anything as a group since we reunited?" When she said that, everyone suddenly became quiet as they slowly realize that she was sort of right. Even though they started to hang out with each other again, but like what Dash had said, they hadn't really did anything special as a group yet. She tell them: "I know this seems weird and confusing, but lets think of this as an excuse to do something fun together. Pinkie as our drummer, AJ as our base, Rarity can use the keytar and Fluttershy with her tambourine. If all we do this together, I'm sure we can do awesome music together!"
After hearing Rainbow's speech, they all feel inspired to do it. They found out that they are really good with their instruments and they are sure that they will be great together. They still worried about their powers returning, but at the some time, they don't feel like they would be a danger to anyone. They had one quick glance to one another and saw that all of them are leaning towards saying "yes". After one more moment to think about, they all gave Rainbow their answers.
"Ok Rainbow, you pulled me in again" replied Applejack.
"I'M IN!" yelled Pinkie Pie in excitement.
"You will have my full support" stated Rarity.
Fluttershy sheepishly replies: "Well... if we are doing this together, I think I'll be ok with it?"
See her friends agreeing to join, Rainbow Dash couldn't helped but to be overjoyed. With her friends beside her, she punched the air and shouts: "YEAH! And With All Of Us Together, We Will ROCK The Showcase!"
However, after Rainbow Dash made that proud proclamation, Pinkie curiously asks her: "What about Twilight?"
The room was filled with silence as they realize that Twilight should be as involved in this as they are. After feeling embarrased for a sec, Rainbow (with arm still in the air) points towards Pinkie and says out loud: "Thanks for mentioning that Pinkie."
A couple of days later, two girls were studying vigorously in the school library. Sunset, who was doing general school stuff, and Twilight, who trying to memorize a few song lyrics. Sitting side by side, they were trying their best to wrap their heads around their respective works.
However, Sunset just managed to get ahead of Twilight and stopped just so she can have a breather. When she saw Twilight having some slight difficulty memorizing, she says to her: "It must be tough memorizing all those words?"
Twilight jumped when her thoughts went back into the waking world. When she realized Sunset said something to her, Twilight replies: "Yeah, it sort of is." But then, she then grabs a separate sheet and says: "But then again, if we use Rainbow Dash's song; things would be much easier. She would have all the "complex" lines while the rest of use just shouts "Hey". Both girls had such a good chuckle, Cheerlie the librarian had to shoosh them.
Once the girls had their laugh, a sudden sombreness mood came over Sunset Shimmer. "Hey... Do you think the guys really want me?"
Shocked, Twilight asks her: "What! Why would you say that?"
"Well, it just that... everyone seems that they want to invite you to places while they hardly remember me. It's like that they only let me hang with them just so they can be polite." Sunset explains.
"What! That isn't true" Twilight replies. However, despite how much she would like to disagree, she knows that there is some truth to that. She can remember the numerous times where she had to remind her friends to invite Sunset as well when they were reluctant to let her join their group. When she see Sunset isn't convinced, Twilight tells her: "You need to stop worrying about this Sunset. They all are our friends and I know that they won't leave you behind." Sunset was still doubtful, but she is willing to believe.
As the two were having a touching moment, both suddenly heard the bell ring and signaling that it was the end of the period. As they were getting up from their seats, Twilight ask Sunset: "Hey, I heard that all the bands who joined the showcase will be at the gym today working on posters. I'm heading there right now. Would you like to come along?"
However, Sunset reply: "Hmm... Maybe later? Principals told me that some new students are arriving today and I have to show them around."
Becoming happily surprised, Twilight tells her: "Oh Wow! Good luck. I'm sure you would make a great first impression."
"Thanks, Twilight" replied an appreciative Sunset. Once they were out of the library, the two friends depart and head into separate directions. As she walking alone, Sunset slowly became nervous and worried about what might happen. However, she pushes that aside and began hoping for the best.
_ _ _ _ _
As she was making her way to the main hall, Sunset was becoming curious on what the new students are gonna be. The only thing that she knows about them is that it's gonna be three students and that will be "great additions to the school" (as described by Celestia and Luna). She is more concerned about what their hobbies and interests are, and more importantly if they are friendly enough to be her friends. As she was about to reach her destination, Sunset just has to see for herself.
When she arrived at the hall, Sunset quickly looks around to find the new students. She didn't have to look long however as she quickly spots three brightly colored girls standing by the main doors. They appeared to be discussing something amongst themselves and look like they were planning something. There was a girl with bright puffy hair and she tries to act like their leader. The 2nd girl has slightly darker colors with pig-tails (in fact, the colors reminded Sunset of Twilight) and looks very angry and resilient. The last girl, on the other hand, was blue and looks like she is lost within her own little world. Honestly, Sunset didn't know what to expect and when they spotted her she jumped. However, she sucked up her courage and try to be optimistic.
When she walked over towards them, Sunset cheerfully says to them: "Hi! Are you the girls that I'm supposed to show around?"
After a quick glance at each other, the girl with the puffy hair step forward and reply: "Yes, we are."
Trying to keep her cool, Sunset tells them: "Well, it's nice to meet you. My name is Sunset Shimmer." She then extends her arm and sees if she can get a handshake from them.
"Charmed" the girl politely reply as she gave the handshake. "I'm Adagio Dazzle and these two are... kind of like sisters."
"Sisters?" snarked the girl with the pig-tails.
After giving a cold glare at her, Adagio then try to introduce them. "The girl who just spoke is called Aria and the other one is named Sonata."
"HI!" waved Sonata very cheerfully.
"Um... hey?" Sunset replied, caught off guard by Sonata's cheerfulness.
But then, Aria came up and whisper into Sunset's ear: "And by the by; we're not actually sisters."
"Oh Give It A Rest Aria!" Adagio yelled in frustration.
"Um... that's ok?" Sunset responded. "I'm just glad that you picked Canterlot High." Once they were all calmed down, she then says to them: "Here, let me show you around the school." Even though not all of them were too enthusiastic about it, they all nether the less follow Sunset around the school.
As they were walking, Sunset tries to tell the girls a bunch of different things about the school. She said stuff like: "That's the cabinet where the school keeps all of its trophies" or "That way leads to all the different classrooms". However, neither Adagio, Aria or Sonata was excited by all of this. Sunset was slowly losing hope until she shows them the next point of interests.
As they all came through an intersection of the school, Sunset points towards one hallway and says: "And down there; you will find the cafeteria."
Suddenly, Sonata became excited and ask her: "Ooh! What kind of food do you serve her?"
Searching her mind, Sunset responded: "Um... I think they're serving tacos today?" Sonata started squeeing upon hearing it. Even though both Adagio and Aria were annoyed by it, Sunset was glad that she at least made one of them happy.
However, that was short-lived as the tour went back into silence. Sunset tried her best to keep them all captivated, but they all acted like they weren't very interested in the school. Sunset didn't know what else to do and wished that she has something else to talk about.
But then, as they were walking, Aria stopped as she spotted something on the wall. "What's this?" she asks out loud. Everyone then stopped and saw Aria looking at a poster. "Canterlot's High Musical Showcase?"
Seeing this as her chance, Sunset quickly came over and states: "Ah, Yes! That's a school event that is coming up in a few days."
"What is it?" Aria curiously ask.
Sonata interjects and says: "Well obviously it some sort of battle of the bands."
But as Sonata was feeling smart with herself, Sunset explains: "Oh No No No! It just an event where everybody just come together and plays music."
"Really? Now it doesn't sound fun anymore" Aria bluntly retorts.
While Sunset was initially upset by that remark, Adagio quickly added: "However, it does sound like something that would be interesting." As she said it, Adagio was rubbing her hands and look like she was scheming something.
Sunset tries to ignore the evil expression and try to be polite. "Oh! So you all like music?" she asks curiously.
Aria nonchalantly responds: "Well, we have been known to sing from time to time."
However, Sonata then quickly added: "Well Duh! We sing like all the time. That's how we get people to do what we want." Sunset instantly became confused by that remark and Aria and Adagio quickly became angry at Sonata.
Being very quick to fix Sonata's mistake, Adagio came between Sunset and Sonata and tells her: "What they meant to say was that we're singers and people just like listening to us. Isn't that right Sonata?"
Sonata was confused, but after Aria gave her a slight shove, she quickly responds: "YES! Th-That is what I meant to say."
Aria then silently remarks: "And what you would have said if you weren't stupid."
Offended, Sonata yell back: "NO! You're Stupid!"
But then, before Sunset was worried that they were about to have a fight, Adagio try to broke them up. She tells Sunset: "Don't worry about these two. They're both stupid."
"HEY!" yelled both Aria and Sonata.
Sunset was shocked by this and seeing how these girls treat each other. She was half expecting that all of them would get into a loud argument in the hall. However, despite how angry they are with each other, they stayed relatively cooled and weren't fighting. "Maybe it was just a part of their group dynamic," she thought to herself. The only they that Sunset could do was laugh awkwardly.
But then, as she was trying to think of something else, Sunset notice the girls were twiddling something around their necks. She saw bright red jewels and they look pretty exquisite. Curious, Sunset instinctively reaches out her hand and ask them: "Ooh, those look pretty. Can I have a loo... "
However, before she could, Adagio quickly grab Sunset's arm and didn't let it come any closer. When both girls realized what they were doing, they quickly retract and feel quite embarrassed. "Sorry about that" Adagio apologized. "These pendants are very important to use. Kind of like family heirlooms."
"I'm sorry too" Sunset apologize as well.
But then, as they calm down and try to put that into the past, a voice suddenly appeared. "I'd be careful if I was you." When they all look around and see who it was, they quickly spot Trixie nearby as well as two girls who were her entourage/bandmates. While Adagio, Aria, and Sonata were confused by this sudden appearance, Sunset was hoping that something like this wasn't going to happen.
"What do you want Trixie?" Sunset asks dreadfully.
Trixie response was: "I'm just making sure that you won't get your evil little claws into these nice, new transfer students."
Trying to keep her cool, Sunset says to her: "Look Trixie; I'm not trying to be mean or plotting something dastardly. I'm just showing these new students around the school and that's it."
"You would say that, wouldn't you" Trixie retorted. As she smuggling got up to Sunset's face, she says to her: "You try to make everybody think that "you changed" or "you're a better person now". But we all know that you're the same Sunset Shimmer that the school loves to hate."
Sunset tries her best to remain calm and composed, but Trixie's harsh words dug deep within her. She couldn't believe that she said something like that despite how hard she tries to change her image. It really upset her. However, Adagio, Aria, and Sonata was witnessing all of this and didn't like what they were seeing. They didn't know what was going on and they wouldn't even care in a situation like this, but they couldn't stand to watch this for some reason. As they didn't expect it, Aria came up behind Trixie. "Yeah... Back-Off!" she yelled before she pulls Trixie aside.
Trixie's two groupies quickly grab her before she could be slammed into some lockers. Shocked by this, Trixie yells to them: "Hey! I'm Trying To Help You!"
But Adagio quickly replies: "And we very much appreciates it. However, we don't need it and you can be on your way."
Upset by how they treated her, Trixie turns away and says to them: "Fine! This Was None Of Our Business Anyway!"
"If this was none of your business, why did you came over and try to "help" us?" sincerely asked Sonata. And with Sonata's literal question, Trixie became even angrier and Adagio and Aria were even more amused.
Sunset was left speechless. She never expected them to help her out like that. Sure, they were rougher than she would have liked it, but she still appreciated the help. Once Trixie and her groupies were finally gone, Sunset says to all of them: "Wow... thank you guys."
They all then turn back around towards Sunset and they looked like that they just remembered her. After a moment, Aria nonchalantly replies: "Eh... Whatever. It was no skin off our backs."
As she saw Sunset looking like she was still "shaken-up" by the experience, Adagio kindly says to her: "You know what, I think we can find our way around from here. You go do whatever it is you like doing and we search the school for ourselves."
"Really?" Sunset asks confusingly. Once she sees that they were confident with this, she hesitantly replies: "Um... ok?" As she was about to head off, she says to them: "I just hope you have a nice stay at Canterlot High."
"Don't worry, we will" Adagio reply.
They all waited until Sunset was gone. Once she did, Adagio quickly let go of her facade. "Oh-My-Gosh! I can't believe we helped somebody else like that" she said as she thinks out loud.
Aria groaned and responded: "I know, tell me about."
Sonata, think that was literal, says to her: "Ok, first; a girl named Trixie arrived and says..."
However, before she could continue, Aria blocked her mouth and tells her: "I was being sarcastic."
Once her mouth was free, Sonata quickly apologizes. "sorry."
_ _ _ _ _
Meanwhile, in the gymnasium, all the bands that joined are working on their preparations for the showcase. Some bands were working on posters and other promotional materials for their bands, others were just tuning their instruments and making sure that they're up to stuff. One other amazing thing that was happening was that groups were opening sharing things with one another and giving out advice. One group would see another that was having slight difficulty, offer some support and they would return the favor. As Principal Celestia Luna was monitoring and supervising the whole room, they are just proud of their students for acting like this.
And off onto one of the sides, Twilight and her friends were working on their own preparations. Rarity and Pinkie Pie was working and designing some posters, Rainbow Dash was bragging to anybody that walks that her band; "The Rainbooms" are awesome while Fluttershy and Applejack are making supply runs. Meanwhile, Twilight was by herself and still trying to memorize her lyrics. She would have them all pat down by now, but she is a slight perfectionist to this sort of thing and doesn't want to forget a thing.
And then, a voice appeared and tries to talk to her. "Hey, Twilight." The voice made Twilight jumped and make her lose her concentration. When she see who it was, she discovers that it was Flash Sentry. Flash Sentry is a popular boy at school and nearly all of the girls find him attractive. He has a massive crush on Twilight which would make any girl jealous, but Twilight seems like the only girl who isn't swayed by his good looks and currently only sees him as a friend. However, through Flash's persistent efforts, Twilight is slowly growing to like him more but there's no way she is going to admit it.
Trying to be polite, Twilight replies: "Oh hi Flash. What do you want?"
Flash responds: "I heard that you finally joined a band and I'm just wondering if you need any help?"
"Wait!? Where have you heard that I'm in a band?"
"I read about it in Pinkie's blog." Flash then takes out his and shows Twilight of said blog. In it, Twilight read
"AAAAHH! Twilight Has Finally Joined Our Band! Watch Out Showcase! The Rainbooms Are Gunna Rock Your House!"
Twilight then give an angry stair at Pinkie who realized that she made Twilight mad. Deciding not to get too upset, Twilight tries to ignore the blog thing and turn back to Flash.
Flash says to her: "And you know; since I'm in a band already, I'll be happy to share any tips or secrets that I learned over the years."
However, Twilight unfortunately reply to him: "*chuckle* Thanks for the offer Flash, but I don't think I need it. I pretty sure I got these lyrics down pat by now."
Flash, upon hearing her response, was disappointed that he couldn't help her (again). However, he tries to stay face and acts like he's proud of her. "Well that's great," he says. "Well if there is anything that you need help with, just let me know." As he walks back off, he says to Twilight: "And I Hope That The Rainbooms Will Be Great At The Showcase!"
"Thanks" Twilight responded. "And I hope... Wait? What's the name of your band again?"
Flash was frozen, shocked that she forgot the name of his band. He calmly tells her: "Flash Drive!"
"Oh... I hope Flash Drive does great too!" Once Flash Sentry was gone, Twilight notice that her friends were giving her cheeky looks at her. Angry, she yells to all of them: "Get Back To Work!"
A few moments later, Pinkie and Rarity finished their poster and stop and have a breather. When she looked up, Pinkie saw Sunset Shimmer walking in through the door. Excited, she quickly tells her friends: "Hey! Sunset Here!" and then yells out to Sunset: "HEY! WE'RE OVER HERE!" It took her mere moments for Sunset to spot where her friends were and cheerfully walk towards (albeit ignoring any cold stairs that she gets along the way.
When Sunset reached them, Applejack asks her: "Hey, Twilight says that you were showing some new students around the school. How did it go?"
"It went... ok" Sunset replied. "Trixie did found me and tried to spill the beans, but the new girls surprisingly ignored her."
"Well, at least they sound like good people" Rainbow Dash commented.
However, Sunset replies: "Yeah, they were nice an' all, but... I don't know? I just had a weird feeling about them?"
Confused, Twilight asks: "Really? like how?"
However, before Sunset could answer, Pinkie interrupts her and says: "Was it the kind of feeling that you met them before and you were just having day-ja-voo? Or was it like a tingling at the back of the neck and you can't explain why?" When she said it, she began to ticking Rarity's back and cause her to laugh.
"OOOH! PINKIE, STOP!" Rarity cried before she softly pushes Pinkie away.
After Pinkie was stopped, Sunset finally replied: "... I guess the second one, but maybe I'm just being paranoid?" Everyone wasn't sure on what to think, but they guess that they agree with Sunset about being paranoid. Once she finally let out her thoughts, Sunset cheerfully asks them: "Anyway, is there any jobs left that I can do?"
The girls look at everything around and quickly saw that they have everything under control. No more posters are needing to be made and there is nothing else that can be done for them. However, as they were trying to thinking of something that Sunset could do, Applejack quickly spotted some of in the distance. She tells her: "I think we got everything down here Sunset. However, I think our sisters might need your help?"
Everyone then looks at the direction that Applejack was facing and saw Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. They call themselves "The Crusaders" and they are the sisters of Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash respectively (although Rainbow Dash is just a big sister figure to Scootaloo since they aren't related). They saw that they are working on one big banner and they don't even look close to finishing. Not mind helping them, Sunset shrugs and decide to head over and some of her friends follow her.
When she reached them, Sunset stood over them and produced a big enough shadow for the girls to notice her. When they look up and saw her, Sunset ask them: "Would you like some help?"
Shocked and surprised upon seeing Sunset, Apple Bloom quickly replies: "Uh... No thanks, we're good."
However, a disappointed Applejack tells her: "Oh come on Apple Bloom. At least give her a chance."
"But... She's Sunset Shimmer!" says Scootaloo as she cries out.
"Now girls, that's not the way to be nice," says Fluttershy as she tries to be a stern mother to them.
The Crusaders were still very reluctant to let Sunset help them. However, as they see their role models being stern with them, Sweetie Belle begrudgingly admits. "Oh Fine! She can help." Sunset was sort of happy that they lettering her join them, however, she instead feels more guilty that it was by force. When she sat down to their level, Sweetie pass her a cup full of paint and a brush.
However, before she has a chance to get to work, Celestia's yelled out across the room. "May I Have Everyone's Attention Please!" she cried out and grabbing her student's attention. Once everyone in the gym was looking at their principal, Celestia says to all of them: "I just would like to state how happy and proud I am seeing you all working together like this. I can not remember the last time we had a Showcase that was this lively before. In fact, I'm sure this will be Canterlot High's Best Musical Showcase Yet!" When she finished speaking for a sec, everyone in the room began cheering and just showing off their excitement. "This will be your chance to show off any hidden talents that you may have!" When she said that, Rainbow Dash gave her friends a cheeky grin that they know that they have a "hidden talent" that they would like to show off.
Celestia then adds: "This will be Canterlot High's most exciting event since the Fall... " However, before she could finish, Celestia suddenly began hearing somebody shooshing her. When she looked around in confusion, she saw Twilight and her friends, signaling her not to finish her sentence. Celestia was confused at first, but then she notices that everybody else was slowly giving Sunset cold and angry stairs and making her feel ashamed and embarrassed. Realizing how mentioning the Fall Formal would make everybody feel, Celestia try to think up another example. "... The most exciting event since... uh..."
When she sees that her sister was having trouble thinking up a replacement event to say, Vice Principal Luna then whispers something into Celestia's ear. Realizing on what to say, Celestia then proudly claims: "Since that time where Rainbow Dash score that winning goal against Crystal Prep during freshmen year!"
At first, all the student was confused that Celestia mentioned an old event that happens a few years ago. However, they soon remember that it was one of few times that Canterlot High had won a match (any match) against Crystal Prep. Twilight was amazed that she mentioned something relating to her old school while Rainbow Dash's ego grew steadily as she remembers her past glory. At least they were glad that she didn't mention something that would remind them all of some hard turmoil. Even Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Apple Bloom realized that the Fall Formal was a hard event for Sunset to think about.
But meanwhile, as all the bands went back and began working on their projects again, Adagio, Aria, and Sonata were spying into the gym and imagining some big things that they have in store for the school.
After Celestia's awkward speech, the bands went back and continue the stuff that they are working on before. But outside the gym, the new transfer students were looking in and one was thinking of something dreadful. Adagio looks at Aria and Sonata and says to them: "Ok, are you two ready?"
However, Aria crossed her arms and negatively replied: "No. Remind me again why we're doing here?"
"Yeah, I totally forgot to" Sonata added, which somehow earned an angry look from Aria.
After Adagio face-palmed herself, she calmed herself down and explains to them: "We go in there, use our enchanting voices to get them all angry and then bend them to our will."
But as soon as Adagio finished explaining, Aria says back to her: "What!? That's like what we do in every other place we've been to! We didn't have to enroll as students to do that."
"Not quite" Adagio added. "Unlike any other place we been to, this school has something that we have been looking for. Something that would regain all of our lost power and free us from this accused dimension." After giving Aria and Sonata a menacing look, but they looked just as confused as before. After facepalming one more time: Adagio yells to them: "This Place Got Equestian Magic!"
At that moment, both Aria's and Sonata's as they slowly realize how serious this thing is. They gave one shared look to one another before they reluctantly decide to take Adagio's lead.
_ _ _ _ _
A few moments later, the students were still busy at work with posters and other stuff. And as this was happening, the Crusaders were having a conversation.
"... But as soon as we got there, Diamond Tiara told us we can't join the party because we weren't "popular" enough yet" Sweetie Belle angrily exclaimed.
Apple Bloom then reiterates: "So we're not popular enough to be at her stupid party, but the only way for us to be popular is to be in it!?"
Scootaloo then adds: "I swear, if Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon was just little bit worse, they'd be as bad as Sunset Shimm... " However, before she could finish, she saw Sunset sitting across from here and remembered that they were talking with here. Feeling greatly embarrassed, Scootaloo apologetically finished what she was speaking and said instead: "Um... No offence?"
Sunset, despite being shocked about what she was about to say, remained calm and understand that it was a slip of the toung. "It's alright girls" she said to them. "If Diamond Tiara ever does become as bad as me, just get your sisters to blast rainbow magic at her and wait until she calms down." Amused and amazed that she sort of made fun of herself, all of the Crusaders began to burst out laughing.
But then, as Sunset was proud of herself that she caused them all to laugh, she suddenly heard the doors being slammed open. When she looked to see who it was, she was surprise to see that it was Adagio, Aria and Sonata as they strut their way in. It caused such a commotion that it grabbed nearly everyone's attention in the room. Sunset was about to run up and great, but she saw a dark and arrogant look in their face that made her hesitant to speak to them.
As everyone looked confused to see these new students that they never seen before, Celestia quickly came up and introduce them. "Ah! Everyone, these are new students that will be joining CHS. They are... "
"That will be enough Principal Celestia" says Adagio as she interrupts Celestia, causing everyone to be bewildered. She then say to everyone: "We heard that you are having a musical event going on here and thought we would like to join!"
At first, the students didn't really cared what they think and thought that she didn't have to loud announced that. But then Aria said something else.
"I don't know Adagio. None of these groups look like they could even close to beating us."
Every student in the room was shocked. They couldn't believe that she said something so mean-spirited and sounding like she was trying to provoke them. Trying to keep his cool, Flash yell out to them: "Hey! This Isn't A Contest! There Is No Reason To Trash-Talk!"
Pretending to be surprised, Adagio responded: "Really! But what so wrong with a little competition?"
And then, as the groups were about to ignore them, Adagio, Aria and Sonata suddenly began to sing. At first, they were just making soothing sounds, grabbing everyone's attention and wondering what they were doing. Twilight, Sunset and the rest of their friends began to feel unnerved by all of this as they somehow sensing something wrong, but no one else was feeling the same way as them. And then the girls started to sing their lyrics.
"We heard you want to get together We heard you want to rock this school We've thought of something that is better Something that changes all the rules"
"Why pretend we're all the same When some of us shine brighter?"
While Sunset and the others were left confused by what was happening, they quickly spot that everybody else was sort of entranced. Their eyes wasn't looking away as their gaze fixated on the girl's performance. And then the moment got a little bit more darker.
"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? Are you afraid of failing the audition?"
And then suddenly, the crowd slowly began to get riled up. It wasn't like they were cheering for them or anything and more like they were accepting what they are singing: they want to have a "battle". Sunset, Twilight and their friends looked around in horror as they saw friendship and kindness was slowly being sapped from the room and being replaced by un-wanting competiveness and anger.
Sunset just looks on in horror, disbelieving to the stuff that are happening before her. But while she was frozen, she suddenly heard somebody hissing towards. She found that it was Twilight as she saw her and their friends were quietly leaving the gym without anybody else noticing. Seeing what they were doing, Sunset grab Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo and tells them: "Come on girls. we're getting out of her." She then pull the half daze Crusaders out of the gym before the song could finish.
"Lets Have A Battle!" the crowd sang as they sing along with siren-like singers. "We wanna win it! Let's have a battle, battle of the bands Let's have a battle, we'll go all in it Let's have a battle, battle, battle Battle of the bands!"
Once all of them were out of the gym, Twilight had one more look inside. She was hoping that the principals would calm down the riot. But unfortunately, they too were entranced by the song as Celestia shot up her hands and loudly announce: "Ok, We've Changed Our Minds! We Will Have A Competition After All!" Upon that declaration, everyone began to cheer wildly, sounding excited for the sudden change and were eager to have musical warfare against one another. And in the center of all of it, Adagio had devilish smirk across her face as she "feeds" in all the anger that she and her sisters had made.
_ _ _ _ _
Once they all were out and away from the gym, the Rainbooms said their farewells to their younger sisters as they want to go their separate ways. As they were walking about and try to clear their heads, they notice that the negative mood from the gym had spread out and seeping into the halls. The students was no longer warm to each other as an un-controlling passion was telling them to be hostile to one another. Seeing the unfriendly atmosphere, Sunset tells her friends that those girls in the gyms were the same ones that she met earlier.
"WHAT! Why Didn't You Tell Us That They Can Do That!?" Rainbow Dash yells out in frustration
"Hey! I'm As Confused As You Are Rainbow Dash" Sunset yells back.
Trying to defuse the tension, Applejack got in between Rainbow and Sunset and says to them: "Cool It Folks! It isn't like they could have a reason for them to sing to Sunset in the halls."
As Rainbow Dash was sulking a bit, Rarity try to cheerfully say to her: "Well on a brighter note; at least you get that competition that you wanted?"
Rainbow was appreciative towards Rarity for trying to cheer her up, but she reply to her: "Eh... sort of, but this isn't the kind of competition that I wanted. I wanted one where I can show off and have fun. Not this!"
Rainbow then point her hand off to the distance. There, they saw two boys that had bumbed into each other. One boy had glasses and look very "nirdish" while the other boy was taller and has a tornado on his t-shirt. "Watch Where You Going Point-Dexter!" yelled the tall boy. "Same To You Air-Head!" yelled the smaller boy in responce.
When the two boys angrilly walk away from each other, Twilight was distraught to what she had just seen. Not only was she sad since she could recall those two boys use to be good friends after the Fall Formal, but also because it gave her a flash back to her old school. "This wasn't the school that I wanted to transfer to" Twilight sadly remarks.
Seeing Twilight getting upset, everyone was getting frustrated as they couldn't understand what was happening. When Fluttershy suggests: "Why not convince the principals to turn it back into a showcase?", Sunset quickly responds: "After being hypnotize by those girls, it's unlikely that they will listen to us."
Applejack then thought out loud to everyone: "And speaking of which, can any one understands how those three girls could get everybody in the school to be under their spell?"
Pinkie then comments: "Yeah, It's kind of like magic!"
But then, after having a tiny realization, Sunset says to all of them: "Actually, I think it really was magic."
Everyone then turns to her and yell out what "WHAT!"
Trying to find the right words to use, Sunset lean herself against a locker and explains to them: "Call it an unicorn's intuition, but I just felt some sort of dark magic emanating off of them as they sing."
Everyone was slightly confused by the phrase: "Unicorn's Intuition", but they could understand what she meant. However, before Sunset could continue speaking, a random girl shown up and yell at her. "Hey! You are blocking me from my locker!" she yelled.
"Oh! Sorry" Sunset quickly apologizes as she gets out of the way.
"Whatever" the girl rudely reply as she get her stuff from her locker.
When the girl left them, Sunset points towards the girl and says to her friends: "See! Whatever those girls did, they somehow hypnotize the student body and got them do what they want."
As the rest of them were thinking about what Sunset said, Pinkie suddenly thought out loud: "Yeah, kind of like those creatures from history class?"
"What!?" ask Sunset, confused by her sudden comment.
As everyone's eyes were on Pinkie, she explains to them: "You know, those things in Greek mythology? Those things by the water that also have hypnotizing voices?" Pinkie then began to snap her fingers, struggling to remember the proper name.
"Do you mean sirens?" Fluttershy ask, seeing that she was struggling.
"Yeah! That's It!" Pinkie responded.
But then, as everyone was giving Pinkie a skeptical look, something suddenly clicked inside Sunset's head. She could vaguely recall hearing that name before but couldn't remember when. And then, as she was thinking, she spotted Adagio, Aria and Sonata walking down in the other end of the hall. When she saw them, Sunset came up with a plan but know it would be quite dangerous. As everyone was discussing Pinkie's suggestive theory, Sunset grab their attention and tells them: "Hey, I think I want go and investigate this by myself. Could we meet up later and discuss what we found?"
Surprised by Sunset's sudden request, Twilight hesitant reply: "Um... Sure Sunset? We can meet up later."
"Thanks Twilight" Sunset replied before she walk off.
As she was walking away, Rainbow Dash ask out loud to everyone: "Wonder where she's going?"
Fluttershy suggests: "Maybe she's going to the Library?"
"Yeah, and there's totally a book in this world that can fix this" Rainbow sarcastically remarks.
But then, at that moment, Twilight suddenly remembers something that caused her to snap her fingers. Surprised by the sudden reaction, they all look at Twilight as she tells them: "Actually, it might not be from this world, but I do know one that can help." Her friends became confused, but was confident enough to follow her.
Twilight's friends followed her until they got to Twilight's locker. There, Twilight opened her locker up and show them all a book... a book that she got from Sunset Shimmer.
Puzzled upon seeing the book, Applejack ask her: "What's that Twilight?"
"This book will help us to get into contact with Equestria!" Twilight boldly proclaims.
Upon hearing the daring statement, everyone simultaneously yelled out "What!". A Confused and curious Rainbow Dash ask Twilight: "Is that some kind of spell book or something?"
"OOOHH! Please Tell It's A Spell Book" Pinkie excitedly remarks.
Chuffed to see that she got her friends intrigued, Twilight explains to them: "Sadly, no. This is a book that Sunset gave to me and she said this is what she used to send messages to her teacher in Equestria. Supposedly, all she had to do is write a message into here and her teacher over there would get it in a simular book to this one."
When she heard the explanation, Rarity excitedly thought out loud: "Ooh! It's kind of like text messaging."
Upon hearing the comparison, Twilight thought about it and responded: "Um... I guess you can think of it like that?"
As everyone were gazing at the book, imagining it as a magic cell phone, Applejack quickly realize and ask Twilight: "Wait! How do we know if it'll work all the way over here?"
When everyone realized that and slowly become worried, Pinkie Pie jokingly remarks: "Maybe they have really good- "
"Reception?" said Fluttershy, cutting Pinkie Pie off of her joke.
Surprised, Pinkie turned to Fluttershy and went "HEY!". Fluttershy quickly felt ashamed and said "Sorry" to her. However, Pinkie put her arm around her shoulder and tells her: "No don't be. That was a good joke steal." Even though she still felt guilty for stealing her joke, Fluttershy was happy that Pinkie wasn't angry and was appreciating the hug.
Getting back to the topic at hand, Twilight replied: "I guess we just got to hope". Even though they don't like that response, Twilight friends still want to follow her and past her a pen. After being surprised by her friend's support, Twilight quickly turn to a free page and getting ready to write. "Well, here I go."
But as she was about to put her pen down to the paper, Twilight stopped and question herself on what she is going to write. Twilight already knows that Sunset's teacher was the Equestrian version of Principal Celestia, who is surprisingly a magical alicorn princess who rules the land. However, she felt that she can't write the message as herself, especial since her Equestrian self is also an alicorn princess and it could make things weird. But after thinking about it, Twilight come up with an appropriate plan.
Dear Princess Celestia, I apologize for not written to you for so long, as well as the incident that I caused several months ago, but I hope that you will be happy that things had gotten better for me. I have been making amends for the actions that I did and I've been slowly making friends.
Special mention for this world's version of Twilight Sparkle. She had been so kind and understanding.-
When she they saw what she had wrote, Twilight friends gave her a disapproving look. Twilight gave a guilty smile in response and continue writing.
- However, I am writing this message because I am of need of your help. Three mysterious girls appeared at my school and somehow take control of my new home. They had some sort of hypnotic voice that captivate everyone who listen to them and some make everyone angry towards one another. I know I may not be totally forgiven for endangering Equestria and for running away, but is there some way to help and protect the new friends that I made? From your loyal stuex-loyalapologetic From your former student: Sunset Shimmer.
When Twilight finished writing, she breathed a sigh a relief. But as everyone was about to talk, the book suddenly began to glow. The words that Twilight wrote were slowly flashing a tiny purple until it became you big light and then stop. When the book became dull and ordinary again to the average eye, Twilight remarks: "I guess that message was sent?"
"Ok, so now what?" Rainbow ask.
Twilight replies: "Well there is nothing else we can do but hope that they would get it and wait for a response.
"That's It!?" Rainbow Dash remarks. "We just gunna stand around and wait while the school is tearing itself apart!?"
Seeing that Rainbow was upset: AJ says to her: "Well let's be fair; the school isn't literally tearing itself apart yet. No one is bitting each other heads off or getting into any real fights yet. And hey, school is nearly over so at least people have a chance to clear their heads."
"Yeah, I guess you're right" Rainbow responded, sounding slight depressed and defeated. "But what do we do in the mean time?"
And then, before an awkward silence could take hold, Pinkie got to the centre and eagerly suggest to everyone: "Oh I Know! How about a slumber party at my house." All around her, her friends was liking the idea.
"That is a marvellous idea!" Rarity exclaimed. "I always enjoyed our evening get togethers that we used to have."
"Yeah! And do you still have those really comfy pillows?" Fluttershy ask to which Pinkie nods and went "Mm Hmm!"
Once it was settled and everyone decide to spend the night at Pinkie's house, Twilight packed away the book into her bag and was planning on her preparations for the night. There are at least one or two people that she would like to have at that slumber party as well.
_ _ _ _ _
Meanwhile, at another part of school, Adagio, Aria and Sonata were strolling down the halls and gleefully watching the strong tension between the students. The more aggression that they see, the bigger the smirk that was Adagio's face. While Aria and Sonata were perfectly content with what they did, they weren't as exited as Adagio was and finding her behaviour a bit creepy.
They stop by some lockers and Adagio says to them: "Can you look at this? Within a few short moments, we turned this pleasant little school to our own feeding ground of anger and aggression."
"Wait! I thought anger and aggression were the same thing?" Sonata asked, knocking Adagio off of her mood.
Remaining calm, Adagio told her and Aria: "The point being, we should be proud by how fast we made all of this happen."
But then Aria interjected: "Yeah, but even all of this won't restore all of our powers."
"Yes, but just enough for us to help us find the TRUE magical source here."
But then, as Adagio was about to went back to admiring their work, a sudden voice calls out to all of them. "Hey You Guys!" When they all were startled and see who it was, they all saw Sunset Shimmer and was nonchalantly leaning my a wall.
Surprised, Adagio says to her: "OH! Sunset! Surprised to see you here!?"
Sunset replied: "Oh you know; just want to see how the new students that I shown around were doing." While they all were still surprised, she went a bit closer and says: "I saw what you did in the gym and I honestly quite like your performance."
Upon hearing the nice compliment, Sonata cheerfully responded: "Oh thank you."
Sunset then adds: "But it's shame that nobody else seems to appreciated it. It's like everybody just wants to be angry for no adequately explained reason?"
"Yeah, that somehow always happen when we sing" Adagio non-discreetly relied.
But then, as they were trying to have a nice conversation, Aria quickly spotted something about Sunset. "And yet, you don't seem to act like anybody else?"
Adagio soon picked up what Aria had realized too became suspicious towards Sunset. "Yeah, that does seem a bit odd?"
Sunset was slightly startled. She wasn't prepared to be quickly suspected by them. However, she keep her cool and try to be mysterious towards them. "Hmm! I wonder why's that?"
"Let's see: Does the name "Equestria" ring any bells?" Adagio asks.
Again, Sunset was surprised by how fast that they figured her out, But she retained her persona and ask back: "Well that depends: you not happen to be into "Revenge against Equestria" are you?"
This time, the other girls were the ones who were shocked. Not only did Sunset not try to deny where she came from, but also seem to be on the same wavelength as them. Adagio and Sunset then began to stare at one another and try to decipher what the other is thinking. However, this means that Sunset's plan had worked as they invited her to hang out after school.
_ _ _ _ _
Later that evening, most of the Rainbooms were at Pinkie Pie's house and they all were enjoying themselves. Nearly all of them were at the kitchen as they were picking out snacks to bring it up to the bedroom. Fluttershy was by the fridge and was surprised by all of the whip cream that she found. AJ was searching through the pantry and found other delectable treats that they could have. And meanwhile, Pinkie Pie was with her sister: Maud Pie and tells her: "Thanks a lot sis for letting my friends hang out here tonight while mom and dad are away."
"No problem" Maud reply in a monotone voice. "Just don't make too much noice when Boulder is trying to sleep." (For those who are unaweare, Boulder is Maud's pet rock).
Meanwhile, while Applejack had her arms full of snakes, she spotted Rarity jotting some stuff down in her sketchbook. Curious, she went over to her and ask: "What are you doing there Rarity?"
Rarity reply: "Oh! This? Oh I'm just designing our outfits for our performance. It doesn't matter if it's a showcase or a battle of the band, nothing will stop from making my friends fabulous costumes to wear."
However, after seeing what she drawn, AJ tells her: "I appreciated the sentiment Rarity, but these are musical events. People aren't going to care what we wear."
However Rarity quickly responded: "Really!? So I don't suppose you mind going on stage with your p.j's on, would you dear?" Applejack was about to interject, but quickly stopped herself as she did admit to herself that that does sound pretty silly. As she couldn't come up with anything else to say, all she could is just stare angrelly at Rarity who was smirking at her small victory.
A few moments later, as everyone was taking the snakes upstairs, they all heard a knock at the door. "Coming!" Pinkie delightfully cry out. When Pinkie arrived and open the door, she was pleasently suprised to see that it was Twilight.
"Hello" Twilight greeted cheerfully.
"TWILIGHT!" cry all of her friends by the door. Rainbow then appeare at the top of the stairs after playing a few games and says to her: "Hey, what took you so long?"
Twilight reponce was: "Sorry you guys, but I just felt like bringing along a guest. At first, everyone were confused by who she meant and some were wondering if she meant Flash Sentry. However, Twilight moved out of the way and revealed that it was her dog Spike.
"Hey everyone! How are you all doing tonight?" said Spike as her imagined what her said in his head.
Upon seeing the cute little puppy dog again, both Rarity and Fluttershy cry out "Spike!" in an over excited joy and shushes over to pet. As he was being petted by all sides, Spike moaned: "Hey! Hey! Give Me Some Space! I'm just one dog."
After everyone had a chance to pet him, Twilight asked her friends: "Hey! Has Sunset Shimmer arrived yet?"
And then all of the happy noises in the house suddenly stopped. Everyone began looking at each other and slowly realize that none of them had even thought about her. When Twilight realized about this too, she then became concerned and worried about her friends. Rarity tell Twilight: "Well you see Twilight; I think some of us did try texting her and asking her to come, but we haven't got anything back from her."
"Strange?" a concerned Twilight remarks. "I couldn't get in contact with her either?"
"Maybe she didn't wanna come?" Applejack suggested.
But Twilight then responded: "No, if she wasn't able to come, I'm sure she would let us know about it."
Agreeing with Twilight, Pinkie then thought out loud: "Hmm!? I wonder what she must be doing instead?"
_ _ _ _ _
Meanwhile, in a dinner on the other end of town, Sunset was handing with Adagio, Aria and Sonata by one of the tables. The atmospher felt tense for her as she was sitting with the three girls that turned her school into a battle field. However, she try to be cool and just pretend to be their friend. She then spotted a waitress who gave Sonata a hot cup of co-co which she had ordered earlier. As she was sipping it, Sunset ask Sonata: "Are the drinks really that good?"
After drinking a mouth full, Sonata replied: "Oh yes. That's one of the reasons I like coming to this dinner."
As Sunset was trying to establish a small connection to Sonata, Adagio quickly grab both of their attentions by snapping her fingers and getting them to face her. "Yeah, yeah, yeah, whatever. So Sunset; you said you were ALSO banished from Equestia?"
Muster up whatever discontent that she have and pretend to be angry, Sunset tells them: "Oh yes, that was the worst. Right when I thought I claimed my victory, the princesses brought out magical new weapon that I never saw before and then swiftly defeated me."
Curious and a little bit doubtful, Aria ask her: "What did you do? Grab a magical amulet to boost your powers?"
"No. I stole one of THEIR amulets and use it to mind control the populace." Both Aria and Adagio believed her and they both became impressed with Sunset. Sunset then adds: "After they send me here, I try to take Canterlot High with whatever magic that I have left. But again, more goodie two-shoes show up and foiled my plans again."
Adagio sighed and remarks: "Yeah... Seems like those goodie-goods always seems to bring new stuff out of nowhere just to defeat us."
"I'm assuming that you have previous experiance with that happening?" asked Sunset curiously.
"You can say that again" Aria remarked.
Sunset was sort of happy with how the things are going. Not only are she getting onto friendly terms with all of them, but they are slowly opening themselves up to her. In order to get them to talk more, Sunset leans forward, grab all of their attention and says to them: "Look, if we really want to work together and find a way to get our full powers back, don't you think we should share what we know and learn more stuff about the other?"
Adagio, Aria and Sonata all became very cautious and nervous. They all look at Sunset and couldn't tell if she's genuinly on their side or not. They do definatly believe some of her stuff as they know that she's pretty infamous around the school and everybody seems to hate her. But as they are looking at her, they could sort of tell that she's trying to learn more about them. After sharing a glance to each other, Adagio cautiously reply to Sunset: "Sure... We'll tell you where we came from."
Inside, Sunset was finally excited as she had gotten them to talk.
_ _ _ _ _
Meanwhile, back at the party, all the girls were hanging out in Pinkie's room and having a good time. Applejack and Rainbow were finished playing a video game and AJ won before Rainbow Dash could turn off the consol. Twilight and Pinkie were laying on a the bed and sharing a box of pizza and Fluttershy is by a mountain of plushies and giving Spike a fuss.
And then, Rarity then got everyone's attention as she want to take a photo with everyone. She managed to get Twilight, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie into a huddle and got a picture with them with her phone. However, when they all take a look at the photo, they notice Spike in the background doing a goofy face. Everyone else found it funny while Rarity found it annoying and unsatisfying. She then try to get a photo of AJ and Rainbow Dash, but Spike photobombs that photo too.
After everyone had a laugh to Rarity's expense, Twilight could only wished that Sunset was there with them. And when that thought went into her head, a sudden surge of sombre flood across her body. She remember her saying that she isn't so sure that the rest of their friends like her and just trying to be polite to her. And as Twilight look at her friends right now, she notice that none of them seem to miss her.
When everyone's eyes were on Twilight, she ask them: "If I... didn't joined the band or one of use couldn't perform, would you all really let Sunset play with you guys?"
Everyone else in the room paused. They all want to say yes, but they know that they would be very hesitant about it and very reluctant. As Twilight was getting upset by how long her friends was forced to think, Pinkie quickly says to her: "Of course we would Twilight! What made you think that?"
"It just that you all don't seem to care if Sunset is with us or not" she replied. "She's starting to think that you all still don't like her." When she said that, everyone in the room slowly began feeling a bit guilty.
Applejack then turn her body around to face Twilight and she tells her: "I'll be honest with you Twilight: we still find it weird that Sunset wants to hang with us." When Twilight became surprised and yell out "What!", AJ explains: "It's just that Sunset had been a bully to us since freshmen year and she did some really nasty stuff to get what she did."
"Plus there is the fact that she is some sort of magic pony from an alternate universe and turned into a raging she demon to take over the school" Rainbow added that gained weird looks from her friends. "What!? It's the truth."
Applejack then sighed and says: "And the truth is that we don't hate Sunset, It's just we're finding it hard to forgive her yet."
When she heard that, Twilight became overcame with sadness and distraught. Not wanting to see her like that, Fluttershy got up close to her and says to her: "Don't worry Twilight. We know that Sunset has changed and trying to make amends. We just need a little more time to get use to her, that's all." Even though was still upset with her friends, she did find Fluttershy's words comforting and guess that this is only natural.
Still wanting to comfort her, Pinkie Pie added: "And the only real reason we started the band was so we can show off that we still have magic." But then, when she heard herself speak, something clicked in Pinkie's brain and shot up in realization. When her friends became surprised by her sudden action, Pinkie ask everyone: "Hang On! Shouldn't we had mentioned that to the ponies of Equestria?"
Very quickly, all her friends realized the same thing. They couldn't believe that they forgot to mention that and only now they remembered that have powers. Feeling a sudden urge to fix that mistake, Rainbow ask Twilight: "Twilight! Did you bring the book!?"
"Of Course I Did" she reply as she began searching the room for her bag. As everyone began their manhunt for Twilight's bag, Spike was sitting patiently in a corner. He felt slightly embarrassed as they all searching the wrong areas of the room. Founding it under a pile of pillows, he barked at everyone: "Hey! You Left It Over Here!" When they all saw that Spike has the bag, they all felt embarrassed that the dog found it while they couldn't. "Thank Spike" says Twilight as she pet Spike on the head.
Twilight soon got her back and everyone crowd around her as she takes out the book. But when she does, everybody became surprised when they saw the book glowing vibrating. Shocked, Twilight ask out loud: "Wha... What it's doing?"
"Well in my experience; phones vibrate when they get a message" replied Rarity.
Everyone was confused and not sure what this means. However, Twilight sucked up her courage and began flicking through the pages. Eventually, she found the page where she written and notice that the page after had a message. The Equestrian's had gotten their message and had replied to them. Excitement and anxiety was pulsing through the girls bodies as they couldn't believe that they gotten a message from another world. Calming herself, Twilight began reading out the message.
Dear Sunset Shimmer, I have received your message and I'm here to help. While I would like to know how have you been, I did some digging and I think I know who those girls might be. Aeons ago, during Equestria's early days, three magical creatures appeared called the sirens. They were beautiful but dangerous creatures that could charm ponies with their music. But in order to maintain that powers, they must feast on the negativity and distrust of others. The more of this negative energy they consumed, the stronger their voices became, and the farther they could spread their dark magic. They would have conquered Equestria with if they were left unchecked. However, one of Equestria's greatest wizards: Star Swirl the Bearded discovered their plans and tries to stop them. He fought them with everything that he got, but everyone loved the sirens voices and he was outmatched. In a last ditched effort, he sucked the sirens through a magic portal, to another world without magic and no one had saw them since. If they are attacking your school, they must be after something to regain their full power. My best advice for you Sunset is to free everyone from the negativity and cut the sirens off from their fuel source. Don't forget that your friends can support you and get you through things. I believe you can do it. From: Princes Celestia
When Twilight finished reading, everyone was taken back and began to process what they learned. At the same time, Sunset had also heard the same story from Adagio and even she was left speechless. After a long pause, Rainbow Dash thought out loud: "Wow... I can't believe Pinkie was right with that siren thing."
"I KNOW, RIGHT!?!?" yelled out Pinkie who was equally as surprised.
The girls then stood up and began to think it this. While Twilight started to pace around the room and was lost in thought, everyone else was having a discussion. "So what do we do now?" ask Fluttershy.
"What can we do!?" Applejack responded. "Princess Celestia said that "Star-Beard" only won because he pushed them all through a portal."
Pinkie yell out:"OOH! We Have A Portal!" But then she realizes and added: "Oh wait. It's close now for another year."
As everyone was left puzzled, something finally clicked inside Twilight's head. "That's It!" she yelled, startling the rest of her friends. She turns to them and says: "Remember what they said; The sirens could only retain their power if they feed on negativity. If cut off their fuel source, they will be totally powerless!"
"But how do we do that?" Fluttershy asked.
Her response was: "We may not be wizards, but we still have magic. We just need to know how to use free everyone from their spell."
"Oh Yeah!" said Pinkie as she remembered. Everyone was beginning to like her, however, Applejack then says to Twilight: "I hate to break it to you Twilight, but we can only use them if we play our music."
After think about it for a bit, Twilight then tells them: "I guess we got no other choice, we have to enter the battle of the bands." She explains: "Not only everyone to her use play, but it's also the place to cure everyone from their anger."
Rainbow Dash remarks: "I like it. It's kind of like fighting fire with fire."
AJ says to Rainbow: "I would disagree with that remark, but it the best plan we got. So... Yeah Let Do This!"
Once they all agree, they then got into a group huddle. After a small countdown, they shot their arms in the air and shouts: "GO RAINBOOMS!"
_ _ _ _ _
Back at the dinner, Sunset was finishing processing the sirens story. "Wow" she said. "So... you're doing all of this to get your full powers back?"
"Not quite" Adagio replied. "We can still feed and we can still manipulate people to some degree, but unless we get out hands on true Equestrian magic, that is about all that we can do."
So, Sunset quickly realized what they need: her friends. They are the only ones in the school who still have magic and if they could get their hands, she doesn't even want to imagine what they would do. All that Sunset thought it that if she could play nice with them find their weakness, she could pass it along her friends. She thought that plan could go smoothly until...
"So who is it?" Adagio ask.
"What!?"
"We know about your failed attempt to take over the school so you must know who stopped you" She explains. "So again; who is it at that school that have magic powers."
Sunset froze. She didn't expect to be asked that question and now she is stuck between a rock and a hard place. And as she was umming and ahhing: Aria then added: "And don't try to lie to us. We'll know by the sound of your voice." And now Sunset felt even more stress and she is told that can't lie. As all of their eyes were on her, Sunset was put in a very difficult decision.
The next day, school was cancelled because it was a public holiday. Most students who are spending that one-day holiday spending it at home, relaxing with friends or going out into town. However, for the bands who are in Canterlot High's (now) battle of the bands, they were hard at work perfecting their performances. These are what they did"
The Rainbooms After the slumber party at Pinkie's house, everyone decided to practice at Applejack's farm. They all rush back home, grab their instruments and rush back out before they could explain much to their parents. Once they meet up again at the AJ's garage, the Rainbooms then began to start practicing.
The first song that they worked on was Shake Your Tail co-written by Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy. It was a little difficult at first, being in sync with everyone and all that, but they eventually got the right groove. Even Spike and AJ's brother Big Mac was liking their music.
We don't know (we don't know) what's gonna happen We just know (we just know) it's gonna feel right All our friends are here And it's time to ignite the lights!
Shake your tail 'cause we're here to have a party tonight Shake your tail, shake your tail (x4)
Shake your tail 'cause we're here to have a party tonight!
Once they were done, Twilight took a deep breath and tells everyone: "Ok, take five everyone!" Feeling tired, everyone then began to scatter about was taking their breaks.
As Rainbow Dash was getting a drink from her bottle of water, she notice everyone else was sort of getting into pairs. Rarity and Applejack was together and they're looking like they were about to have a fight about outfits again. Twilight and Pinkie Pie was chatting and the conversation sounds like Pinkie pitching an idea to Twilight that she disapprove of. The only person that was left was Fluttershy who was jotting stuff down. After finishing her drink, Rainbow decides to head for Fluttershy.
When she got to her, Rainbow could tell that Fluttershy was "deep in the zone". Curious but have a slight idea what she's doing, she ask her: "whatcha doing?"
Rainbow question startled her, causing Fluttershy to almost drop her book. When she saw that it was Rainbow, she reply to her: "Oh Rainbow! Don't startled me like that."
"Sorry. I was just curious on what you're doing?"
"Oh! I'm just brainstorming more song ideas. That's all."
"My I have a look?"
"Oh course" Fluttershy answers.
Fluttershy let Rainbow to come up close and show her what she wrote. As she was reading it, Rainbow was letting out expressions that let out that she was impressed. Once she was finished, she said to Fluttershy: "All of this is really good... but can I make a few suggestions?"
Fluttershy squinted her eye, suspicious that this was her plan all along. Cautiously, she ask her: "Like what?"
Rainbow brought up a chair and she explains to Fluttershy: "Can I be the lead again in the next sing? Oh! And can it be something like being proud and glorious like when I score the winning point against..."
"RAINBOW!" Fluttershy yelled, causing Rainbow to stop. She says to her: "You already have a song based after you. why do you want another one?"
"Because forming the band was my idea" Rainbow replied. "I was the one who wanted to be in the showcase. I was the one who discovered that we still have magic and I was the one who said we should all do this together."
Still trying to be calm and understanding, Fluttershy sternly respond to her: "Well one thing about being in a band is that it's a team effort. Everyone should have equal say and not overshadow others in the group."
"Then what about me, eh? Twilight got my role as lead singer, you got the job of song writer and even Rarity job of making outfits and such. Where does that leave me?"
"Lead guitarist and the person which the band is named after" Fluttershy flatly remarks. As both girls was getting more agitated, she then tells her: "Look Rainbow, I know how you feel, but we are also trying to save the school here. We don't have time for you to be selfish."
Rainbow then angrily yell: "Selfish!?!? Everyone Is Trying To Take The Band Away From Me!"
As the two began to argue, everyone else started to began fighting as well. AJ and Rarity started their argument of clothing while Twilight and Pinkie were having their debate for the band. The whole room was then filled with argument and yelling that nobody could hear Spike barking or telling them to stop.
The Dazzlings Meanwhile, at a shared apartment across town, Sunset was with the Dazzlings as they practice their routine. They maybe magic stealing sirens, but even they had to practice to remain in shape. They try to remain the right amount of allure and hypnotizing while also trying to keep in sync with one another. Sunset wasn't practicing with them, nor could she since she isn't a siren. She was just casually watching by the side and seeing what they had in store.
As she was watching quietly, Sunset grew slightly bored and she decided to check her phone. When she opened it, she was alarmed by how many miscalls and texts that she hadn't notice until now by her friends. "Oh my" she whispered aloud to herself.
But as Sunset was thinking about texting her friends and telling them that she was alright, she was interrupted when a loud voice cry out. "You Missed A Line Again!!" When she looked up, she notice that Aria was looking angry, Adagio was looking annoyed and indifferent and Sonata was as confused as ever.
"It's: "You didn't know that you fell". Not: "You Don't know that you fallen"!" Aria angrily explains. "If You Don't Sing It Right, The Next Part Won't Rhyme!"
"I don't know why you're looking at me for? Sonata's the one who messed it up" Adagio reputed.
Sonata yells: "WHAT!?!? Don't blame this one me!"
Aria states: "For once, I have to agree with Sonata."
Seeing both Aria and Sonata against her, Adagio finally admits: "OK! FINE! It Was My Fault! I'm still memorizing the lyrics that you wrote!"
"Hey! It Was You Who Made Me Become The Groups Song Writer!"
"And Now I'm Thinking I Can Do A Better Job!"
"Oh Why I Oughta... " says Aria as she begin her fight with Adagio.
Seeing the two bickering, Sonata wave up her hands and says: "I can't take this anymore. I'm going to find a snack to eat."
As she was watching all of this, Sunset was left speechless by what she was seeing. She didn't know if she want to get involved or even if she could by how fiercely they're yelling. But even though how bitter or unfriendly they act with each other, Sunset couldn't help but think they share a rather strong family bond. How else do you explain them still sticking together after all this time. Sunset stop Sonata before she leave the room and ask her: "Do they always fight like this?"
After stopping and look back at Aria and Adagio, Sonata replies: "Oh no. They only act like this when we practice. Once were done, they'll forgive and make up."
When she left, Sunset was left wondering how true that was. She patiently waited, watching as Adagio and Aria was having their fight and going through the motions that they usually. Eventually, when both girls were out of breath and grew tired of arguing, they both became relatively calm. They both still look cross each other, but they doesn't look like they too upset either. After a moment to calm down, Adagio asks: "Ok... Are we done?"
"Yeah" Sonata calmly reply.
"Ok... I'm sorry for messing up the lines."
"And I'm sorry for calling you a horrible leader."
"Let's forget this and go back to practicing?"
"Yeah" Aria happily replies.
Once the two was now in a friendly mood again, they both went back into position and was about to start practicing again. It sort of left Sunset half impressed. However, after a moment, Adagio then realizes and ask out loud: "Where The Heck Is Sonata!?"
Flash Drive In another part of town, the band Flash Drive was about to finish it's song in Flash's garage. This was Flash Sentry's band which he formed with his friends a long time. However, ever since the showcase was changed to a battle of the bands, Flash has been pushing his band to practice not stop. As they were wrapping up, Flash sang out:
"If you let me be your knight Then We Will Have A Great night!"
Once they finished, Flash turns to his friends; Ringo and Brawly Beats and says to them: "Sweet! That was awesome you guys." Upon hearing the nice compliment, the two fall apart exhausted and was hoping that they had finished. Then Flash says: "Now let's do that again."
At that moment, both Ringo and Brawly Beats groaned and show their annoyance towards Flash. "What? You said we were awesome!?" ask Ringo in frustration.
Flash replies: "We were... but we have to keep practicing until it's perfect."
Brawly Beat moans: "Oh come on dude. We have been practicing for hours, our arms are tired and we can see that your hands are bright red."
When her look at them, Flash was surprised that his hands are red and his fingers very soar. This was because he had been playing his guitar with his fingers and not with his proper guitar pick. Ringo even remarks: "Really dude? You haven't found your pick yet?"
But then, Flash shook his head and says back to the two of them: "That doesn't matter. We have to be so good, everybody in that gym is going to be impressed with us."
But then, something click in both Ringo's and Beat's head. "Wait... This doesn't got something to do with Twilight, right?" Ringo asks.
"What! I-I don't know what you're talking about" Flash denied, trying and failing to hid his affection.
Annoyed as ever, Beats says to him: "Seriously dud, she is just one girl. Go out and find another."
Flash angrily responds: "NO! Twilight Isn't Like Any Other Girl! Sh-She's smart and intelligent and doesn't act like any other girl!" Flash and his band Flash Drive began to argue.
Trixie And The Illusions Meanwhile, in yet another part of town, Trixie and her two female friends came out of a store with all of the stuff that they purchased. They've brought a smoke machine, extra stage lights and a bunch of other stage and magician equipment that Trixie liked. As they were walking Trixie began to act all giddy and exclaims: "Ooh I can't wait to incorporate these into my performance!"
Both of her friends behind her passed looks of concern bewilderment to each other. Eventually, one of them grew brave enough to talk. "Um... Trixie?"
"What?"
"Do we really need all of this stuff."
Trixie turn towards with shock and surprise. "What! Of course we need all of this stuff. What makes you think otherwise?"
The other friend then explains: "Well you are spending all of this money on these lights and equipment instead of better instruments. Weren't you mad that you had to buy that old used guitar?"
Trixie rebuts: "I DID... but that thing slowly growing me. And what so wrong with all of the stuff that we brought?"
"We spend literally $300" one girl flatly remarks.
Annoyed, Trixie argues to them: "You two don't understand my vision of our perfect performance. The lights, the flares and everyone will be so amazed by use... they will surely give-up shortly afterwards."
"Not unless they find out we only know ONE song Trixie!"
"You Just Don't Understand!" Trixie yells. And surely enough, this band began their argument as well.
_ _ _ _ _
The Crusaders Back at Sweet Apple Acres (Applejack's house), Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo had arrived at the front gate and was greeted by Apple Bloom. "Hey Apple Bloom!" the two cheerily says to Apple Bloom.
Apple Bloom politely replies: "Hey you guys" but then says "Now come on! We need to get practicing while there still sun in the sky." She then ran off a head of them, leaving Sweetie and Scootaloo a lone and confused.
They didn't immediately ran after her, just calmly walking behind as they follow her. When she realize that they weren't running, Apple Bloom stopped by the house and wait for her friends to catch up. When they do, she then ask them: "What taking ya so long? Don't you want to win?"
Seeing Apple Bloom so excited and passionate caused Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo to become nervous. Eventually, Sweetie Belle tell her: "Actually Apple Bloom, we need to tell you something." When she says that, Apple Bloom grew slightly worried.
Scootaloo states: "We don't really want to be in the battle of the bands."
Shocked, Apple Bloom asks: "What!? Why Not!?"
Scootaloo explains: "Well it isn't because were terrible singers or anything..."
"But that is a slight factor" Sweetie Belle added.
"... It just that everybody have been acting weirdly. Everyone is arguing, is obsessed over winning and the whole thing just feels unpleasant."
Apple Bloom would normally make a retort, but even she could see that that was true. She admits to her worried friends: "Yeah... I see your point. The whole thing seems a lot more stress with everybody competing and everything."
Sweetie Belle chuckled and remarks: "Maybe that's why the showcase was never a competition?"
Apple Bloom chuckled along with Scootaloo, but then sheepishly ask: "But... can't we still try? Just for... fun or giggles?"
They all then silently think about it. But before they could come up with any decision, they all began hearing a loud ruckus coming for the garage. Curious, they then went off to go and investigate it. There, they look through the window and saw their older sisters and their friends all arguing with each other.
"No One Cares About The Darn Costumes Rarity!" yelled Applejack.
"I Care Applejack!" Rarity yelled back.
"Oh Come On Fluttershy! Just One More Song!" begged Rainbow.
"NO!" yelled Fluttershy as she refuses Rainbow Dash.
Twilight yells: "For The Last Time Pinkie: We're Not Having Confetti Canons On Stage With Us!"
Pinkie Pie then loudly insists: "There Called Party Canons Twilight!"
As they see them all arguing, the Crusaders were having second thoughts about maintaining the band for any longer. Apple Bloom then got Sweetie Belle's and Scootaloo's attention and says: "Ok, new rule: Let's dissolve the band and find something new says aye?"
"Aye!" says both Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo in unison.
"Let's go in there and stop our sisters from arguing?"
"Aye!"
After taking a long deep breath, the Crusaders sucked up their courage and enter the room.
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.
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.
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.
After the Rainboom's performance and their opposing band did theirs, Celestia and Luna declares that the Rainbooms had won and moved onto the next round. However, the band that they went against wasn't all that mad and actually wished them luck. This cheery and friendly mood carried on through out the battle of the bands... until it was The Dazzling's turn to sing.
When they sang, everyone went back under the siren's spell. They became distrustful and their drive to win was once again intensified. However, this wasn't unexpected as they knew it won't be an easy win. Predictably, they moved onto the next round.
And this is how the event went on. When either the Rainbooms or the Dazzlings perform, they'd use their magic to influence the students to make them friendly or unfriendly. This was confusing and tiring for everyone: tiring for the Rainbooms and Dazzlings since they have to use their magic and confusing for the students since they don't know why they're flip-flopping all the time. The Rainbooms didn't know how to permanently beat the sirens , but if they can make it through the battle of the bands, they at least thwart their evil plans for now.
After a few hours of battling, both groups were getting closer to the finals. The Rainbooms made it to the semi-finals, but their next opponents is Flash Drive (Flash Sentry's band). No one was happy when they discover that. When Twilight and Flash saw their positions on the leader board, they share a look of awkwardness and uncertainty. However, they still perform with their bands regardless.
As Flash Drive were performing their song ("Let Me Be You Knight"), the Dazzlings sat on in the bleachers and were stressed about the situation. Aria and Sonata could see things that their plans are in danger, but they are more worried about Adagio who looked like she is about to explode in anger. Sunset in the meanwhile try to keep good proximity around them as she petting Spike.
Aria sarcastically asks: "So what is our plan now Adagio? They figured out a way to counter our magic and they turning everything around for them."
Sonata then adds: "Yeah. And if we don't something, we won't have any negativity to feed on."
Adagio, stressed out to the breaking point, yells to the two of them: "Will You Two Be Quite! I Need To Think About This!" She then get off of bleachers and began pacing back and forth down below them.
As Adagio was deep in thought, Sunset thinks this is her opportunity to learn more stuff about the group. Seeing the closes siren near them, her and Spike moved closer towards Aria and try to spark a conversation with her. "So... I'm guessing Adagio is the leader in your little group?"
"Yeah" Aria sighed
"Has she always been your leader, or did somebody else filled that role for a time?"
"No, she has always filled those bossy leader shoes. Would it pain her to give us a break once in awhile?"
"Do you know what I think?... I think you should be the boss for once!"
Aria then suddenly became more alert as she began looking at Sunset in suspicious way. "Are you... trying to get us to fight?"
Sunset froze. She wanted to do something daring and try to trick them a little bit, but it blew up in her face... again. Her only chance now is try to save herself. "No... I just... putting it out there." As Aria was looking at with even more suspicion, Sunset was worried that the jig is up.
But as she was expecting the worst to happen, Sonata suddenly interrupt them to ask: "Hey! Where that dog come from?" Both Aria and Sonata looked at Spike with surprised expression. Nervous by the sudden staring, Spike charmingly barked and try to get onto their good sides. Fortunately for Sunset, Aria was distracted enough to lost her original thought.
Meanwhile, Adagio was looking around the hall to try to brainstorm some ideas. She spotted the Rainbooms at the far end of the hall by the door and her anger brew slight harder. She need to figure a way to stop them from stopping their efforts but knows a direct assault won't work for them. However, she notice the Twilight character looking very happily at the lead guitarist for Flash Drive. Adagio concocted a few evil ideas from there but believe that they weren't enough.
She then notice Trixie sitting amongst the crowd and remember meeting her on her first day of school. She then look back at Sunset and also realizes that she hadn't done much for them yet. A few thoughts later and Adagio has a menacing grin on her face.
As the band was on the last part of it's song, Adagio rushes back to her group. Still under the cloud of loud music, she began discussing her plans to her surprised friends. "Ok, listen up everyone. I got a few ideas that might work."
"Oh boy!" says an excited Sonata was the only one. Aria and Sunset on the other hand was worried that Adagio would give them a lot of work. Unfortunately for Sunset, Adagio looked at first.
"Ok Sunset, can you see that... Trixie girl over there?"
After spotting her, she hesitantly replies: "Yes?"
"When her group goes on stage, I want you to sabotage their performance!"
"WHAT!"
As Sunset was left speechless, Adagio explains: "Why not!? Think of it as payback to what happened a few day ago." Sunset stammered, didn't know who to respond or what to do. She was already regretting selling out her friends and can't feel like doing another bad thing. When Adagio saw her being indecisive and hesitant, she began squinting her eyes and becoming suspicious of Sunset. She says: "Unless you don't want revenge and have been using us the entire time?"
The other two sirens was now looking at her with suspicion too. Sunset was once again put back into a rock and a hard place as she is fears that her cover is being blowed. As their staring intensify, she quickly said something. "No, Of Course Not! I-I just... need to think what I'm going to do?"
"Yeah. You go do that" Adagio responded.
As the sirens continue to look at her intensely, Sunset nervously walks off and asking herself what she is going to do. Spike, knowing that she needs help, decides to follow her. After Sunset went away, Adagio then began disclosing the rest of her plans to Aria and Sonata... right went Flash Drive had finished playing.
_ _ _ _ _
After the song finished, Celestia and Luna took a minute to decide the winner. Everyone were in suspense, some more so then others. None were in more suspense however was Flash Sentry who was crossing his fingers and hoping he would win. But at the same time, a part of him also doesn't want Twilight to be too upset and that make things more conflicting for him.
Once they done thinking, Celestia got up from her judge chair, mic to her mouth and was about to declare the winner (of the round). "And the winners are..." After a moment of suspense, Celestia declares: "... The Rainbooms!"
A round of applause was then give to the Rainbooms who were just as ecstatic. They had made it to the finals and Flash had mix feelings over this. While he was very disappointed that he didn't win, he is also trying his best to be happy for Twilight.
But then, unaware of the people behind him, the sirens appeared and silently their hypnotizing song to him. Flash didn't notice it, but he soon was feeling differently from before. His nice inner voice was being suppressed and anger began to overgrow his mind. Not only was he feeling jealousy for the Rainbooms, but also a strong frustration towards Twilight. It got to the point that he storm off towards them, leaving the sirens with smiles on their faces.
Once both groups were in backstage, Flash snuck up to Twilight and grab her attention. Without anybody noticing, he told her: "We need to talk". Surprised and confused, Twilight reluctantly decide to follow him.
Meanwhile, Celestia announces the next round. "And in the next semi-final round: It's "Trixie and the Illusions" vs "The Dazzlings!""
_ _ _ _ _
A few moments later, Twilight and Flash were alone in the hallway having their private conversation. Annoyed from being dragged away all of a sudden, Twilight says to him: "Ok Flash, what is the deal that got you to drag me all the way out here?"
"THE DEAL, Twilight, Is That You Don't Respect Me!" Flash angrily explains.
"What do you mean!?"
"I Mean That I'm Doing Something To Impress You, But You Are Out There Showing Me Up!"
Even more annoyed and crossed, Twilight angrily explains to him: "Flash, I'm not doing this to show you up! I'm not even doing this to win! I'm doing this because somebody is manipulating the school to be angry and I'm the only one who can stop them!"
"THAT'S THE THING!" Flash yelled. "I'm always trying to help! Always trying to be useful to you! But every time that I do, you have already sorted everything and made everything I do completely pointless!"
When she heard that, Twilight soon realize how she made him feel. In a moment of genuine surprised, she mumbled: "Flash, I didn't..."
However, Flash interrupts her to angrily exclaims: "It's just so Frustrating, It... It... It Makes Me Wonder Why I Even Like You!"
Twilight froze, her emotions were genuinely hurt. She couldn't believe what he said. Even though he was just riled up, even though he is under the influence of the siren's spell, even when Flash realized what he said, it... was still very painful for her to hear. She may not have the same emotions towards Flash, but Twilight still remember his reason for liking her and she strongly heartfelt towards them. And him saying that he doesn't remember them... It just something that she doesn't want to handle right now.
Trying her best to hold back her emotions, an upset Twilight says to him: "Well if that's you feel..." She then got something from her pocket and shove it onto Flash, leaving him surprised. "Here! Take It! I Found Your Stupid Pick For You!"
When Flash saw what she gave him, he was utterly surprised to see that it was his pick. Several months ago, he lost his guitar pick that he used to play his guitar. He never found it, but instead he found Twilight as that was when he first met her. He couldn't believe that Twilight found it and kept it all this time.
And as he about to mumbled something, Twilight then ran off, hiding her tears while she run. Soon, almost as if the spell over him had ware off, Flash quickly realized what he had just done. Overcome with extreme regret, Flash ask himself: "What have I just done?"
Meanwhile, back in the gym, Trixie and her band was already performing their song; "Tricks Up My Sleave." Despite throwing a bunch of different stage effects, the audience was being wowed by Trixie's performance. However they do like her song and they are finding it entertaining to listen to.
But as the performance was happening, Sunset up in the scaffolding. As Sunset look down at Trixie and her band below, she was arguing with herself what is she to do. Is she going to sabotage the performance? And even if she is, how she is going to do it? There are just so many possibilities that it felt daunting on Sunset. But when she look at Spike beside her, he had a face that screams: "Are you sure you want to do this?"
Leaning over the railing, Sunset moans to Spike: "I don't know!" She then says to him: "I want to find a way to be useful to Twilight and the others, but I accidently became a minion to those sirens. And know, if I don't do what they want, I'm afraid what they are going to do to me." As she hangs her head in shame, Spike managed to got up to her and pat her on the back.
But then, as Sunset felt a little bit better from Spike's comfort, they suddenly sounds coming from the other end of the scaffolds. When they look up, they were surprised to Snip & Snails who were messing around with the lights. As they were chuckling and giggling to what they were doing, Sunset got up behind them and asks: "What are you two doing?"
Surprised, both of them screamed. "AH!" However, none of them were heard and no one realized they were up there yet. After taking a moment to recognize Sunset, Snips casually reply to her: "Oh Sunset, fancy meeting you here!?"
"The same. But back to my question: what you two nimrods doing here?"
Unaware or didn't care they were insulted, Snips explains: "Well, you see... We know that were not good singers when we performed..."
"You can say that again" Sunset commented. "You both dropped out in the first round."
After chuckling awkwardly, Snips continues. "-But we figured if we mess around with Trixie's performance, then people might think we weren't the worst performers of the day!"
Snails then add: "Yep and there's no way this could back fire."
Both Snips & Snails then went back to messing with the lights. When Sunset and Spike look down, they saw the main spotlight being dragged away from Trixie. When Trixie realized this, under the eagre to remain the centre of attention, she moved herself back under the spot light despite it still moving. As Sunset was watching this, a thought suddenly sparked in her head. Turning towards Spike. she says to him: "You know, this might work out for me." She explains: "The sirens down will think that I'm sabotaging the performance, while in fact it's these two who are doing it and I won't have to do a bad thing!"
Spike gave her a perplexed look. He was basically saying to her: "But if you're let this happen, won't it be just as bad as you doing it?"
As Sunset stare at the confused and disapproving dog, her conscious eventually got the better of her. "Augh! You're right." As Spike looked happy towards Sunset, she comments: "No wonder Twilight can't win a staring contest with you."
But then they suddenly heard something. They heard some sort of rattling sound and coming from the light that Snip and Snails was fiddling. When they saw what was happening, they notice the light's bolt had came loose and it was looking like it might fall. Shocked, she yell to them: "Stop What You Are Doing!"
Snips, unaware what they were doing, respond to Sunset: "Stop yelling! We know what we're do- WOW!" But then, as soon as he said that, his grip on the light suddenly slipped. The light was about to fall, but Snail just barely catch it. However, he didn't got a firm enough grip on it and it was slipping through his hands.
With the imminent fall of the light, Sunset was panicking that it might hit Trixie down below. With thinking, she instinctively shout down to the people below: "LOOK OUT!"
With that sudden and loud shout, Trixie was finally distracted enough to pull out of her performance and look up. "Ok, just what the heck is going on?" But when she did, she suddenly saw what was happening and was shocked. Snips and Snails holding onto the light with said light looking ready to fall and right next to them was Sunset who Trixie could see the panic in her eyes. Trixie was so confused that she froze in place.
"MOVE!" yelled Sunset again.
And with that, Trixie suddenly became awake enough to moved out of the way... right in the nick of time as Snails finally lost his grip. The light fell and came crashing down on stage. The music then abruptly stops and everyone else were in shocked to what happened.
I couldn't believe what they saw. To them, it looked like the light was meant to hit Trixie. Principal Celestia angrily grab her mic and says: "Who's Up There!" Snips, Snails and Sunset was left in fear, scared to what will happen to them.
And right at that moment, Twilight had finally came back into the gym. As she rip away the tears in her eyes, she suddenly saw what has happened. All the while, Adagio smiling by the bleachers, amazed that her plan gone more perfectly then she expected.
Sunset couldn't be even more embarrassed and ashamed of herself. Once Trixie's performance had end abruptly, the teachers quickly went up and caught everyone who were on the scaffolding. They pulled Snips, Snails and Sunset down to the ground and became surrounded by strong cold eyes. The Rainbooms watched on nearby them as they were confused by what has happened, but Twilight most of all as she had just returned to the gym. Snips and Snails were frighten out of their wit ends, but Sunset looked more defeated then anything else.
Celestia asked all of them: "What were you doing up in the scaffoldings!?"
Snips and Snails began to stumble between themselves. They almost sort of want to admit what they did, but were just too scared to come out and say it. Eventually Snails sorrowfully finally admits: "... We were up there sabotaging Trixie's performance."
"Do you know how much trouble you all are in?" Celestia sternly asked.
Fumbling a bit, Snips replies: "Bu-Bu-Bu... But We Didn't Want That Light To Fall! We just want to mess with the direction a little bit."
Luna then responds: "But the light wouldn't have fallen if you hadn't gone to mess with it!"
Sunset glimpsed at Snips and Snails and saw how timid and frighten they were by the principals. Feeling pity towards them, Sunset says to the principals: "Don't give them too much trouble. I'm the one who's mostly to blame." Everyone in the gym became shocked, Twilight most of all. When the principals looked at her and said what, Sunset explains: "I had gone up there to sabotage the performance... and well... Snips and Snails did do what they wanted..."
As the principals was left bewildered over Sunset's vague confession, everyone were left stunned. However, after a moment to think it over, the students soon became not that surprised that Sunset "did it". Everyone began to loudly whisper and say how they feel.
"I'm not surprised. She did try to take over the school." "Take Over The School!? More like take over the world then anything else!" "Let's not forget that she was an awful bully before hand!" "And look what she try to do! Tried to dropping a light on someone's head." "Despicable." "I don't know what she is even here!? Everybody here hates her!"
Soon, the crowd was passing out loud and spiteful whispers about Sunset. Some even made a few people stop and winced. As Sunset was bombarded with hurtful words in her ears, she did nothing but feel that she deserve it. That is until she heard a particular someone say her name.
"Sunset?"
When she look up, Sunset spotted her "friends" amongst the crowd and they too look not so pleased. Rainbow Dash and Applejack looked disappointed, Rarity looks like she crossed at Sunset while Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy just looked upset. But the person that Sunset really found disheartening to see was Twilight. Twilight's expression was a pool of confusion, disbelief and sadness. Twilight was Sunset's closest, most reliable friend who believed in her the most... and yet she let her down. See them look at her like this put so much strain on Sunset's heart, she couldn't take it anymore.
With tears beginning to leak from her eyes, Sunset said out loud: "I can't be here anymore" and runs off. She manage to get away from the principals, slip through the crowd and escape out to the halls.
As the rest of the students were saying to themselves good riddance, Twilight cry out "SUNSET!" before she chase after her along with Spike. Worrying for Twilight, her friends follow suit too. However, unbeknownst to them, Adagio, Aria and Sonata also follow silently behind them.
_ _ _ _ _
"SUNSET! WAIT UP!"
Twilight was running down the hall along with her trusted Spike, searching anxiously for Sunset Shimmer. Despite leaving just a few seconds behind her, they were having difficulty finding Sunset as she was nowhere in sight. But as Twilight's worry had just reached it's peak, she managed to spot her running down another hall. It was only for a second and she only got a small glimpse of her, but she knew that it was Sunset.
Twilight look down and Spike and she remembers that he is way faster then her. She tell him: "Spike, After Here! You Don't Have To Wait Up For Me!" Spike, understanding her command, nods, barks "Ok" and then runs to Sunset Shimmer.
But suddenly, as Spike had just gone out of sight, Twilight suddenly hear people calling out behind her. "TWILIGHT! WAIT!" When she looked behind her, she saw Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Rarity chasing up to her.
Confused, Twilight slow down and ask them: "Guys!? What is it?"
After they reached her, Rainbow Dash reply to her: "We don't want you running after Sunset."
"WHAT!" yelled and shocked Twilight.
Rarity explains to Twilight: "We know how much you care for her Twilight, but we can see that she is still a bad egg."
Pinkie Pie then adds: "Yeah, why else would she hang around she hang around those evil sirens?"
"Because She Is Just Spying On Them!" Twilight yelled them. "The Only Reason She Is hanging Around Them Is Because She Is Trying To Find Out Their Secrets And A Way For Us To Stop Them!"
But then, as the situation was getting even more heated, a certain group of siren suddenly arrived behind a corner. Holding their red jewel pendants in front of them, they watch as the argument unfolds.
"Did Sunset Tell You That!?" Rainbow Dash yelled/ask Twilight.
"Yes!" Twilight replied
"And You Believed Her!?"
"Yes, Because She Is Our Friend!"
AJ then argues: "Come On Twilight! If she was really our friend, she would be helping us instead of hanging with those no-good varmints!"
Pinkie Pie then sheepishly: "Yeah the last time that I checked; friends would help out other friends instead of varmints."
"Well Have You Been Friends To Her!" Twilight cried back. "Why would she trust the people who don't trust back or give her a second chance!?"
Upon hearing that, her friends stopped and paused. When they thought about it, they can sort of see why Sunset might not have wanted to come to them. Some of them even figured that they might do the same thing if they were in Sunset's shoes. But unbeknownst to them, as Twilight continue to argue, a certain enchanting mist began emanate from them and slowly drift to the siren's pendants.
"Sunset Was The One Who Wanted To Be In The Band, Not Me! I'm No Singer! I'm No Musician! But Sunset... (sniffle) She Wanted To! She Wanted Sing And Play! She Wanted To Perform Along With You Guys And Be Closer! But You Didn't Let Her! (sniffle) Is It Any Wonder She Would Go To The Dazzlings? You were... HORRIBLE FRIENDS"
The scene fall silent and the hall became filled with melancholy and pensive moods. Rainbow Dash, Rarity and the rest of them soon realized what they done and come to regret their actions. Twilight on the other hand also didn't felt too good about what she said herself. It made her remember another horrible time where she yelled and it felt as bad then as it is now.
When the moment became too hard for any of them to bare, Twilight says to them: "Some sorry guys... I need to be alone for awhile." And before any of them could respond, she ran off.
Left alone in the corridor, their consciousness grew heavy on their minds as they reflect upon their actions. They look at each other and see sorrow and regret in all of their faces. Fluttershy sheepishly asks: "Have we really been horrible friends?" And with that, Rainbow Dash lean against a locker, moaned: "Oh Man!" as they all can't deny what they have done.
And unfortunately, the sirens was finishing eating all of the negative fuelled gas from the scene. However, since this came from magically fuelled people, their red gems grew brightest that ever been in a long time and Adagio, Aria and Sonata felt absolutely energized.
"I can't believe Sunset was spying on us" Sonata commented.
Aria respond by saying: "Whatever. I knew she was hiding something."
Adagio then interrupts the two of them and tells them: "Whatever ladies. We got what we came her for and no one can stop us now." The three girls then walk off, leaving the Rainbooms feeling guilty with what they done.
_ _ _ _ _
After being ordered to run on ahead, Spike was running down the hall where he saw Sunset at. However, after a moment of searching, he couldn't find hide nor hair of her anywhere in that corridor. He tried sniffing around the general vicinity to find Sunset's scent, but soon remembers that his nose isn't built got tracking.
But as Spike anxiety grew to the point of hopelessness, he suddenly heard being slammed. Curious, he went and investigate the noise and found a interesting looking door that was properly shut and stairs that goes up onto the roof. Feeling/hoping that Sunset went this way, Spike build up his nerve on climb up the stairs.
When he got to the roof, Spike looked around and hope he could find a her there. Fortunately, Spike managed to find Sunset... standing towards the edge of the building! Worried what she might do, he ran over towards her and began barking out "SUNSET!" to get her to not move.
Sunset, upon hearing Spike's barks, was a startled a little bit and turn around and see him. Surprised, Sunset ask him: "Spike! H-How did you found me?" However, she only saw a worried expression on his little face. She was confused at first, but soon realize the scene that he must be seeing. Embarrassed, Sunset explains: "Oh I'm not... I-I wasn't to do anything!" and steps away from the edge. "... I was just looking up at the sky and... reflecting."
Intrigued, Spike look up to the sky and saw that it was slowly getting dark. The sun was on the horizon and the stars was slowly emerging in the sky. "I guess Sunset was looking at a sunset" he thought to himself.
But then, Sunset felt a sudden ache in her stomach as all of the guilt was swirling inside her. Couldn't take it any longer, she moved further away from the edge and sat by the skylight of the building. Seeing her sulk, Spike went over to her and try to comfort her as best as a young dog could. When she saw him, a sad Sunset pull him in to her arms and began spilling out her feeling on him.
"Oh man Spike, I really blew it. This was my one and only chance to impress everyone, show them that I really changed... but I blew it. I freaking blew it."
As Sunset was on verge of tears, she was ready wallow in her own misery. But then, as she was about to do so, she felt a sudden hand touching against her back. The sudden sensation startled her and caused her to jump. Spike was even knocked off of Sunset. When she look and see who it is, Sunset saw... an interesting looking girl.
She had neon blue hair with light green streak to it. She was wearing a white zipper top and skirt and funky looking purple leggings. However, some of the more distinctive features that were on her was her on-ear headphones, her purple shades and a music note stitched to her skirt. Along with the portable soundboard that she was playing with, she looked one of the contenders for the battle of the bands.
"Sorry! I didn't notice you there" Sunset apologized.
However, the girl didn't say anything. Instead, she swayed her hand to the side, almost like she was saying "It's cool bro."
Sunset was confused, but after searching her mind, she slowly thinks that she saw her before in school. See that she wasn't intimidated, angry or overly upset with being around her, Sunset felt comfortable enough to sit back down beside her. Curious about her, she ask her: "What are you doing up here?"
Again, the girl remained speechless. She then pulled out a photo then show it to Sunset. Looking at it, Sunset saw an elegant looking girl playing a cello. It took her a minute but Sunset realize what this is.
"Is that your friend?" Sunset ask. The girl replied with a silent nod. Sunset found it funny as she see the two girls as total opposites. "What happened to her?"
Lifting a finger, she dropped one photo and reals another. This time, the cello girl appeared angry and cross and looks like she was arguing with someone. It didn't took Sunset long to realize what it means.
"Oh. She's fighting like everybody else in the contest?"
The girl just re-adjust her headphones a began playing her music out loud. Sunset began feeling even more terrible then before as she felt responsible for what happened. But then, as the soft but catchy music was going through her ears, she suddenly felt a sudden urge to express her thoughts... through singing?
Redemption Is what I really want! Show them a side of me That I would like to be!
But when it was my time to shine It all came crashing down. And within a sea shun, I am left to drown!
Like a phoenix burning bright In the sky! The horrible stuff I did I can not deny
I may not know what the future holds But hear me when I say That my past does not define me 'Cause my past... is not today
She stopped singing after. Despite being sad and overall depressing, both Spike and the music really felt Sunset's emotions through those lyrics. But then, as Sunset was curling up into a ball, Spike finally came up with a plan to help Sunset. He began barking in front of her to get her notice him and when he did, he started jumping and barking some more.
"What are you doing Spike?" Sunset ask.
However the music girl was quick to get the message. She grabs Sunset attention, she her a(n old) musical showcase poster points to the word "SING!" that was on it. When she finally got the message, she was hesitant. But with Spike's constant insistence and the girl turning up the volume, Sunset reluctantly got up onto her feet and push herself to sing a bit more.
Power Was all I desired (I desired, all I desired) But all that grew inside me Was the darkness I acquired...
It didn't took her long for Sunset to give up singing again. Annoyed by her defeated attitude, Spike managed to got a hold of Sunset's phone and began to mess around with it. As she shouted "Hay!" and try to get it back, he got up a photo with her and Twilight along with the rest of their friends beside them. When she got a closer look at the photo, Sunset remembers the happy moment that happened in the photo and felt compeled enough to sing again.
When I began to fall And I lost the path ahead That's when your friendship found me And it lifted me instead!
Like a phoenix burning bright In the sky! I'll show there's another side to me You can't deny!
I may not know what the future holds But hear me when I say That my past does not define me 'Cause my past is not today!
This time, the verse was a lot more uplifting then last time. But as the girl and Spike was clapping to Sunset's performance, there was a strange feeling within Sunset that she could quite shake. She couldn't quite explain it, but it was like something was trying to get out and she felt energized to do more.
But no more will I be a victim to everyone's perceptions I will carve myself an image that they all will believe in!
And even if it's all gone And I found myself alone That's when you came and got me And it felt like I was home
But then, as she was singing, a sudden magical light began to emanate from Sunset. She didn't notice this herself as she was too caught up singing, but both Spike and the girl was awestruck to what was happening. And then certain features suddenly began popping onto Sunset.
Like a phoenix burning bright In the sky I'll show there's another side to me They can't deny
I may not know what the future holds But hear me when I say That my past does not define me 'Cause my past is not today!
When she was done, Sunset finally got that feeling out of her body. As she felt better and more relaxed, she turn around and see how her "friends" were doing. But when she look at them, she saw them with their mouths hanging up and looked frozen in amazement. She was confused at first, but she realize what was on her. Her ears grew longs, her hair had a pony-tail at the end of it now and she was surrounded with a mystical, magical glow. It took her a moment to see herself, but Sunset was in a ponified state like how her friends are in when they sing.
"I-I-I... I Can't Believe This!" Sunset thought out loud. "How is this possible? How did this happen?" Sunset thought that the reason that her friends could transform was because some of the Element of Magic's power got left behind in them. The last she used the same power, she turned into a she-demon. And if it is the Element's magic, she is left wondering why it turned her into this now?
However, Sunset's questions were soon drowned out by Spike's and the music girl's applause. "Woo-Hoo! Way To Go Sunset!" Spike barked. The girl remain to be silent but gave her a cool thumbs up. Despite not being a lot of people (and technically one's a dog), Sunset was overjoyed that people were cheering for her.
Then, as felt like they had enough on the roof, Sunset suddenly got a text message on her phone. She was hoping it might have been Twilight one other of her friends. But when she see who it is, her expression dropped a bit when she saw that it was Adagio.
Adagio: "Sunset, if you are no longer sore about what happened in the gym, meet us by the entrance way for backstage. We have a few things to discuss." Sonata: "Hi Sunset! :)" Adagio: "Get off the phone Sonata!"
When she read the message, a certain anxiety was welling up inside of her. However, when she look at Spike and the girl smiling at her, she felt like she can handle them now.
At Canterlot High, it was having it's Battle of the Bands contest inside the school. But outside the school however was three students: Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo was relaxing by the school's statue while the contest is going on inside. They wanted to participate, but after seeing how hectic and stressful the other bands were being, they decided not to and just hang instead.
All of them was sitting on the base of the statue and drinking boxes of fruit juice. With the soothing sounds of the wind and majestic sunset sky that hangs above them, they weren't regretting their decision one bit.
After letting out a relaxing sigh, Sweetie Belle ask the two of them: "Isn't this great? Are you two glad we're not participating in that battle of the bands?"
"Uh-Huh!" replied Apple Bloom.
"Absolutely!" replied Scootaloo. After taking another sip of her drink, Scootaloo says back to them: "Hey guys. Even though we didn't want to take part, should we at least cheer on Rainbow and her band?"
After that good question, both Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom thought about it for a bit. Eventually Apple Bloom response was: "We could, but I reckon they'd be ok on their own without us."
"Yeah, our sisters are really amazing people" Sweetie Belle commented.
"And let not forget Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and Twilight are with them too. Together, I bet they can handle a lot of stuff on their own" Scootaloo remarks.
After the crusaders took one full gulp of their drinks, something spark in Apple Blooms head that caused her to stop and think. When Scootaloo notice that Apple Bloom was looking slightly troubled, she ask her: "What's the matter Apple Bloom?"
After a moment, she says to the both of them: "Do you think Sunset Shimmer is playing along side them?"
Shocked, Sweetie Belle replies: "What! What makes you think of that?"
"Well it just that I remember seeing her a lot hanging around our sisters and trying to show everyone that she's a nice person now."
After realizing that, Scootaloo response was: "Huh! Maybe?"
After thinking about it again, Apple Bloom then ask them: "What do you two think of Sunset anyway?"
"What do you think her?" Scootaloo ask back.
"Well... I didn't really like her when she was a bully and she did some crazy stuff at the Fall Formal...-"
"Crazy... but also slightly awesome!" Begrudgingly, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle also agree.
"- but sort of think she really is trying to change."
"Yeah like how she helped us out with our banner!" said Sweetie Belle. "At first, I thought it was weird and that maybe she was secretly scheming something. But no! She was really nice and funny and said some interesting stuff."
Scootaloo remarks: "Hm. Maybe she isn't so bad after all."
All three then sit there quietly, thinking how Sunset was nice a kind. But then, as their thought was about how they misjudge her, they soon come and realize something else. "Hey, do you think everybody have the same idea on Sunset like we did?" Sweetie Belle thought out loud.
Both Apple Bloom and Scootaloo had the same thought. "... Maybe they giving her such a hard time because of it?" remarks Scootaloo. And with that said, all three girls were now imagining how hard Sunset's school life must be going and how she must be having a miserable time. It even made them feel sad and pity Sunset.
Once she saw their drinks were all gone, Apple Bloom jump off the statue and face Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. "Hey Crusaders! Why don't we go find Sunset and see if she wants to hand with us?" Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo looked at each other before they give a harmless shrug. "It won't hurt I suppose" Sweetie Belle thought out loud.
With their minds made up, The Crusaders threw their drinks in a nearby bin and decided to head off to find Sunset. Their first thought was that she might be at the contest in the gym. But if they couldn't find her there, they figured that she might be some where else in the school.
But then, as all three were about to head into the school, Sweetie Belle suddenly detected something with her ears. "Hey Guys! Wait A Sec!" she yelled out loud. As Apple Bloom and Scootaloo look back at her with confusion, Sweetie ask them: "Can you guys hear that?"
It took them a moment, but both soon began hearing the sound too. It was hard to make out at first, but they eventually recognize it as music and think somebody was singing too. Eventually, the music became loud enough for their to figure where it was coming from and it was coming from... the roof of the school? Confused, they all step back and try to see what was going on. And then, after a moment of looking, they spotted Sunset singing, much to their amazement. And then, while they were surprised enough to see her, Sunset then did something magical.
_ _ _ _ _
Meanwhile, back at the gym, Trixie was at a secluded part of the gym as she was thinking in private. She was really deep in thought too as she was swaying back and forth and debating with herself out loud.
"She was... No, she wouldn't... Would she? Hmmm!"
Her two band mates was nearby and over hear Trixie's loud thoughts. They thought she was distraught about the recent incident, but they could see that she was more confused then anything else. Concerned for their leader's well being, they went over to her and see how she it. "Are you alright Trixie?" one of them ask.
Startled, Trixie yell at them: "Oh! Don't Scare Me Like That!"
"Hey! We were just wondering if you were ok?"
Upon hearing that, Trixie couldn't be too mad at them but she still grumble to her over reaction. "Sorry, I was just... on edge with what just happened."
"I'm not surprised. I'd be frighten too if a stage light almost hit me on my head."
"Ok one; the great and powerful Trixie don't get frighten. And second; that isn't what I'm concerned." The two girl became confused and raised an eyebrow to one another. Hoping they could help her, Trixie ask the both of them: "Do you really think that Sunset Shimmer really tried to drop something on me?"
Shocked surprised, one girl ask back: "What!? What makes you think that?"
"Well it's just that before the light was about to fall on me, I heard a voice telling me to get out of the way. And when I look up, I think I saw Sunset Shimmer trying to stop the light from falling."
"And what? You think Sunset was trying to save you or something?"
"Now that's the that I'm most confused about!" Trixie stated. "Why would Sunset want to save me? I mean, it almost doesn't make any sense. I have been mean to her, I've tried to shame her in front of new students and I have been as much as a bully to her as she been to us. So why, even after all of that, would Sunset try to rescue me like that?"
After expressing all of them, Trixie went back to her thoughts as she try to make sense of it. She was even considering that she had Sunset all wrong. However, her two mates then tells her: "Oh Trixie, you're just over thinking this!"
"Yeah! NO WAY Sunset would EVER help another person like that!"
Trixie did not like that response. True, it would be something that she would like to hear. But at the same time, she also doesn't want to be wrong on this and thinks there's more to this. An annoyed Trixie tell them: "Oh you two aren't any help! I'm going out for some fresh air. If anybody ask about me, tell them I don't want to be disturb!" As she storm off from the room, her two assistants was left confused and bewildered.
When she was out in the hall, Trixie thought that the place would be quite enough for her to be alone with her thoughts. "Was Sunset really a nice person?" she thought. "Was she really not as a bad of a person as everyone thought she was?" These thought me her even more indecisive and confused as before and anxiously wants to find a answer for them. Either she finds Sunset Shimmer and get the truth out of her or she find somebody else who also has the answers that she wants . Either way, Trixie began wondering down the halls.
As she was walking, gone pass a few stuff that she didn't pay too much attention towards. A few lockers. The Rainbooms who all looked in inexplicably sad for some reason. Scattered change that she decided to pick up for herself. But along the way, she began to shiver for some reason. It wasn't cold or anything, but there was an ominous feeling in the air that just barely picked up.
And then Trixie began hearing laughter and cackling nearby. She didn't know what the laughter was about, she had a sinking feeling in her stomach. Wondering what was going on, Trixie went over and investigate. She peaked around a corner and found that she come across the Dazzlings. However, one thing weird about them is that they were glowing... latterly. They had a weird aura that shows off how energised they were and their gems around their necks were shining an unnerving red light not. Not wanting to be scene, Trixie kept her head behind the corner and only decided eavesdrop on them instead of seeing what they are doing.
"Oh Man! I haven't felt this great in ages!" Aria exclaims out loud. "I'll be honest Adagio, I'm really glad that we went along with you plan this time."
"Well you should be" Adagio cheerfully responded. "If it wasn't for me and my plans, we would have regained our full plans."
However, Sonata interjected. "Actually, a part of it was thanks to Sunset. If you hadn't got her to sabotage Trixie's performance, there wouldn't be enough negativity around for us to absorb to regain our powers."
"Wha...!" Trixie tries her best to hold back her surprise and not blow her cover. But she couldn't believe what she heard. "So it was their fault that her performance was ruined?" she thought to herself. It was only then that she recognize them as the new students that she met while mocking Sunset and she could believe they were responsible.
"Well it's her fault for spying on us in the first place" Adagio said back to Sonata. "She thought she could infiltrate our little group and try to uncover our secrets? What a fool."
"Yeah, she was so weak willed, we managed to get her to do whatever we want" Aria added. But as she and Adagio was laughing out loud, she notice that Sonata was laughing with them. "What's wrong? Don't tell me you miss her?"
"... Yeah" Sonata admitted. "Even though I HATE her for being a mole, I actually thought she was pretty cool."
At first, Adagio and Aria wanted to slap Sonata for even saying such a thing. However, after thinking about it for a bit, they begrudgingly admit that they feel a similar thing. "*huff* Yeah... her company did make things a bit more interesting for a bit" Aria expressed.
Seeing her two cohorts like this, Adagio says to the both of them: "Oh Fine! I'll give her call and see if she still want to serve. If so; great and we get our own personal minion. If not; we'll get rid of her. Deal?"
"Deal!"
"Deal!"
As Adagio got out her phone and all three of them walk off, Trixie was left in shock. She know who she point her revenge towards, but she was not sure if she was strong enough. It seemed like they had magic, real magic like what Rainbow Dash and her friends has. Buy as she was thinking up what she was going to do, Trixie could help but fear what they were going to do with Sunset. It sounded like they were going to do something terrible to her and she doesn't want that to happen. They said they were going to met up with Sunset and see if she still want to be with them. To find out where that meeting point is, Trixie began to secretly trail behind them and see where they would be going.
With Spike by her side, Sunset was walking down the hall and making her way to meet sirens. Her pony features went away so she has something up her sleeve if something happens. She also parted ways with that music girl that she became friends with on the roof but she will help her out if she gives her a call. Clenching her phone in her hand, Sunset wasn't what was going to happen, but she wasn't scared anymore.
Sunset eventually made it to the meeting point as she saw the Dazzlings standing about by the backstage door. When Adagio spotted her, she called her out. "There You Are Sunset!"
"Yep, here I am" Sunset responded, sounding quite callous about it. "What do you want?"
As Sunset got closer to the group, Adagio explains to her: "Listen: all things are set for us to take over this pathetic little school and it's students."
"Really!?" Sunset asked.
Sonata responds: "Yep! After that fiasco that caused everyone to hate you, we absorb enough negative energy to totally restore our power. Isn't That Great!?"
"What! So you were just using me to restore your magic?"
"Well if you put it like that, it sounds like we intentionally set you up for the fall" Aria remarks.
While she and Adagio was smiling, Sonata tries to confess: "Well... We kind of sort of Di..."
"SONATA!" Adagio shout, cutting her off from finishing. Sonata then shuts her mouth and try not to incur her wrath again. After breathing out her frustration, she turn back to Sunset and tell her: "So yeah, while we win this pointless contest that we set up, we want you to make a list for all the stuff we need for went we invade Equestria."
But then, as the three was about head in for their semi-final performance, Sunset said something that shocked all of them. "NO!"
"What was that?" Adagio replied as she look back with great anger.
"NO!" Sunset reiterate. "I'm not gunna do!"
While Sunset was testing Adagio's patience, Adagio still try to play the nice. "Look, if you are still upset with that incident that we put you through, we're sorry. Happy now?"
However, Sunset responds: "No, I'm not happy. You waltz right in, muss up my school and try to make everybody into your mindless slave. I'm not gunna be a part of that plan any longer." When he saw Sunset standing her ground, Spike couldn't help but give her a smile.
"Tough talk for somebody who had the same plan" Adagio retorted.
"I... may had the same plan, but that's behind me now. I now know what's really important: my friends! They helped save me from being a monster and together, we will stop you!"
She paused for a bit, but Adagio let out a large sigh to show of frustration. She then began walking towards Sunset with a menacing glare and face full of fury. Even Aria or Sonata had seen her this angry before. "Listen Sunset, you really don't have the high ground here. We knew you were being a spy on us and try to relate our secrets back to your friends. And speaking about your friends, they hate you now. They never believed that you changed and think you are as bad as us."
Sunset slightly intimidated for a sec, but she stood her ground and fought back. "That maybe true, but I won't blame or hold it against them. I might not have show it off to them yet how much I changed, but I know at least Twilight trust me!"
When she said that, Adagio burst out laughing. Even Aria and Sonata was chuckling to Sunset's confusion. "Twilight?" Adagio said as the last few laughs went out of her system. She then states: "We already took care of her."
"What?" asked a confused and worried Sunset.
She explains: "Let's just say we put her in a place where you can't find or get to her. And even if you could, you won't be able to bring her back in time to save the day."
Sunset couldn't believe it. Fears were running in her head on what they might have done to Twilight. Did they hurt her? Did they hypnotise her? These fears were racking her nerves and want to know what happened to her. However, before she could anything, the three sirens had her surrounded and they all look pretty angry at her.
Adagio tell her: "Face it Sunset, you've failed!"
Sunset was pinned in a corner and she must think of something fast. Even though Spike was growling fiercely at them, Sunset knew she couldn't take them all in a fight. It's 3 against 1 and she isn't sure if she can pony-up in time. Her best bet is to find her way out of there and relocate somewhere else. Adagio said that she has failed in her mission. While she did in fact not find out much else about them, there was something that Sunset managed to pick up that she was pretty sure about.
In one short breath, Sunset quickly shouted out: "You-Pendents-Are-Your-Weakness!"
Startled, Adagio ask: "What!?"
"Your pendents are your weakness! With out them, you are pretty much powerless."
Adagio was honestly quite surprised by this event. What Sunset said was 100% true and she could understand how she knew. She figured that she was bluffing, but she want to make sure want to convince her the fact wasn't true. "What! W-What gives you that idea?"
"... Sonata told me."
"SONATA!" yelled both Adagio and Aria furiously.
Surprised, Sonata frantically says back to them: "Wait! I-I Didn't!"
And then, while all of them were distracted, they heard "She Didn't!" coming from down the hall. When they look towards the direction, they saw Sunset and Spike running away and she yells to them: "But You All Pretty Much Confirm It!" They all were shocked. They couldn't believe that Sunset has out played them like that. When Adagio finally snapped out from being surprised, she saw her getting away. Raged beyond belief, she yell to Aria and Sonata: "AFTER HER!" and all of them game chase.
Sunset was running as fast as her legs could carry here. She sure that she had a good head start, but one look behind her and she notice that the sirens were not far behind her. She thought she could lose them by making some sharp turns and nocking over some deserted stands for good measure, but she couldn't shake them. And then, much to her horror, they actually were catching up. As the gap between them were getting closer, Sunset thought her goose were cooked.
But then, something weird happen. As the sirens were a few meters away, a great puff of blue smoke suddenly erupted in front of them. Before any of them could react to what happen, all of them ran right into the smoke and their sight became obscured. There was then loud crash and when the smoke finally cleared, Adagio, Aria and Sonata were lying on top of each other on the floor with aching bodies. When the sirens were finally well enough to stand, they found themselves in the middle of a interaction. They look around at everyone direction and Sunset was nowhere in sight. Baffled and angry, Adagio yell out: "WHERE DID SHE GO!"
Meanwhile, in a nearby classroom, Sunset and Spike was also on the floor and reeling with what happened. "What just happened?" she asked herself.
But then, three hands cover her mouth and people told her to shush. When Sunset saw who it was, she saw that it was Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, much to her surprise. Before she could comprehend what was going on, Sunset saw notice Adagio in the doorway window. She wasn't looking in, but if any of them make a noise, she might. They all remained to be silent until they saw all of the sirens had went away. Once they felt they were sure that all of them were gone, the Crusaders let go of Sunset's mouth and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Finally having attention on them, Sunset ask the crusaders: "Girls, what were you..."
But before she could finish, all there pounce her with hugs. "SUNSET!" they all cry out to here.
"SHHHH! They might come back" she told them.
"Sorry" Apple Bloom apologized. "We wanted to come find you to see if you wanted to hang with us."
Sweetie Belle the tells her: "Yeah, but then we saw you singing on the roof and we thought that was amazing!"
"Really!" said Sunset, feeling slightly embarrassed about it.
"Yep" Scootaloo replied. "But then we saw your meeting with those girls out there and how it went sour. We thought about saving you so we pulled you into this classroom."
"Aww" Sunset responded, touched by their kind assistance. But then, she then thought of something. "Wait. So it was you three that caused that puff of smoke?"
The three girls then pull back with some slightly awkward faces. Sweetie Belle explains: "Actually Sunset, we're just the ones who pulled you in. She was the one who caused the smoke." She then point to a certain individual behind them.
When look and see, Sunset became utterly surprised when she saw who it was. "Trixie!" Yes, it was Trixie. She standing about a meter away and was waiting patiently for her to notice her. When she got up from the ground, Sunset ask her: "Why would you...?"
"A-Bub-Bub-Bub!" Trixie interjected. Before you say anything Sunset Shimmer, let gets a few things straight! Yes, I knows that those three girls were the one who put you up to it."
"How did you...? "
"AND... I also know that those three are also planning something bad for the school and you are trying to stop it."
"That's great that you know, but..."
"HOWEVER... Even though you tried to save me, you're still partly responsible for ruining my performance! So unless I hear a really good apology from you, this is as far as this little "friendship" will go."
"Now Hang On A Minute!" said Apple Bloom as she raised her voice.
However, before Apple Bloom or her friends could do anything, Sunset stop them. "That's alright girl, she right" Sunset told them. "Even though I did try to help her in the last minute, I could've prevented the thing from happening." As she said that however, Apple Bloom and the other Crusaders were confused as they weren't around while that happened. Sunset then turn to face Trixie who had her arms cross and waiting patiently. "Listen Trixie, I know we don't eye to eye much and we don't get along, but I never really thought anything bad about you. And even if you still hate me afterwards, I'm sorry..."
Trixie didn't respond.
"... to the Great and All-Powerful Trixie!"
"... Eh. Good enough." She didn't like to show it, but Trixie was doing her best to hid her smile (even though a few of them could still see it).
As they all were enjoying the happy moment, a sudden buzzing rang out in the room. When they all check their phones, it turns out that Sunset got a phone call. However, when she checked the caller ID, she was surprised to see it was Rainbow Dash. "Sorry. Let me get this" she said before she answer the call. "Hello?"
"... Hi Sunset" Rainbow responded over the phone. By the sound of her voice, Sunset could tell that Rainbow wasn't in the brightest of moods. "How are you doing?"
"Um? I'm doing good thank you" Sunset responded, not knowing what else to say.
For a second, the scene was about to fall into an awkward as either person didn't know what to say to the other. But then, Sunset suddenly heard Pinkie over the phone.
"I'M SORRY SUNSET!"
"Pinkie, Calm Down!" Rainbow yelled.
"I'm Sorry Too Subset!" yelled a voice that sounded like Fluttershy.
Applejack voice the came on the phone and said: "Dagnabbit Rainbow! Give It Here!"
"I'm Getting To It AJ!"
"Then Do It Already!"
After a large huff, Rainbow ask Sunset: "Listen Sunset... do you want to be band's lead singer?"
Sunset froze for a sec before responding. "... What!?"
Rainbow explains to her: "Yeah, we sort of realize that we have been real jerks to you."
Rarity then squeeze her voice in and says: "We haven't really thought about your feelings."
"Or giving you a second chance" said Applejack.
Rainbow then tells her "I know you went and hang with the sirens so you can get dirt on them and stuff, but we made you feel like that you had to do it in the first place. If we were more nicer to you, then you might have..."
"Now hang on for a minute Rainbow!" Sunset interjected. "It's my responsibility for getting myself in this mess in the face. You all shouldn't feel ashamed of yourselves because of me."
"But... we are ashamed" Rainbow replied. "We were purposed to be your friends!"
"Yeah, friends who should have seen the bright side of you!" said Fluttershy.
Rainbow says: "Twilight said that she didn't want to sing no more, so we thought..."
"Since your our back-up bandmate and all..." added Rarity.
"... We thought we give the open space to you... if you want it."
"Wow guys..." muttered Sunset. After hearing all of that, Sunset felt so moved that she was on the verge of joyful tears. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle, who over heard parts of the conversation, also felt moved by. Not so much from Trixie and Scootaloo who thought it was a bit too much sappy for their taste.
However, as she was about to accept their offer, Sunset remembered something. "Wait, Twilight! Where's Twilight!" Sunset asked.
Startled by the sudden question, Rainbow Dash replied: "Oh Twilight!? She sort of ran after you after what happened at the gym. Why, she isn't there with you?"
"No!" she responded with a certain fright in her voice. Sunset slowly began to panic and the other people in the room with was slowly seeing he worry. "Listen! I think something bad happened to Twilight!"
"What!"
"I think the sirens said they were locking her up somewhere and keeping her until after to competition."
"WHAT!" yelled everybody from over the phone.
"Aren't you still friends with the... Wait, I mean: "friends" with the sirens? Don't you know where she is?" AJ ask her.
Sunset explains to them: "Let just say that I'm no longer on the best of terms with them anymore and we're no longer "friends."" She then hear moaning from the other side as they realized that she broke with them.
Rainbow then states: "Don't worry, we will come and help you look for her."
"No!" Sunset responded. "You need to get ready for the finals."
"But I don't think we would be as strong without you or Twilight!"
Sunset stopped and weigh her options. She don't want anything bad happen to Twilight, but at the same time, the Dazzlings also needed to be stop. She could look for Twilight by herself, but she realized that would take too long. But then, Sunset looked and see her friends that she made in the room and could see that they were very worried. She then got an idea.
"Listen! You go and get ready while I go out and rescue Twilight!"
"But CHS is a big school!" Rarity responded. "Do you think you can find her in time?"
"Not to worry" Sunset replied. She look at her Trixie and the Crusaders and tells her friends on the phone: "I have a few people who might be willing to help."
Her friends on the phone weren't quite sure what she meant, but they know that she is sounded confident about it. "Ok Sunset. If you think you can handle it, we put our trust in you."
"Thanks guys" Sunset replied with a smile.
After telling Sunset that she should meet them by the big stadium by the field, they were about to hang up the phone. However, felt like she had one more thing to say. "Oh Sunset! One more thing!"
"Yeah?"
"By the time that you arrive, I should have made your new outfit by then." As she heard a few annoyed moans on the phone, Sunset paused and smile.
_ _ _ _ _
After the phone call, she gathered the Crusaders, Trixie and Spike around her as she stood in front of the whiteboard. She knew that Spike will probably help her but she didn't knew if the others would. However, even before she asked, they seemed ready and willing to help her. With her team in front of her, Sunset went over their "mission".
"Ok, the finals for the Battle of the Bands is gunna start in like... [checking the clock] 20 Minutes! We have find Twilight by then and bring her back."
But then Sweetie Belle raised a question. "Yeah, but she could be anywhere. Could we even bring her back in time."
With her hand on her chin and with a thinking expression, Sunset tell her: "I don't think they could have taken her far. Hopefully, she is still somewhere on campus."
"Still, that is a pretty big place to find somebody" Apple Bloom pointed out.
Everyone were then deep in thought as they try to brain storm on where Twilight could be. She could be in the school's supply shed on the field, one of the janitor's closets across the school or even the school's basement. They could split up, but it's likely that the Dazzlings would set up countermeasures for anybody who try to get Twilight or Twilight try to escape herself.
But then, as everyone was still thinking, they began hearing Trixie chuckling to herself. Confused and distracted, Scootaloo ask her: "What's so funny Trixie?"
Getting the few laughs out of system, Trixie says to all of them: "Sorry. It's just that while you all were thinking "where is Twilight Sparkle?", I already have a clue on where she maybe."
"YOU DO!" yelled everybody in surprise.
"Tell Us!" begged Sunset.
After getting over the initial surprise of the yell, Trixie explains: "After I found out what those girls were up to no good, I thought I secretly follow behind them and see what they were planning. Along the way, I heard them talking about placing a guard by the door."
"Did they say where?" Apple Bloom ask her.
Searching her memories, Trixie thought out loud. "Let see um; The blue one were wondering if she could escape, the other two said it's unlikely that she could and... OH!" But then, as she thought harder, Trixie finally remember what they said exactly. Excited, she loud proclaims: "They Said There's No Way She Could Escape From Under The Theatre!"
"The Theatre!?" Apple Bloom exclaims.
"I didn't thought CHS has a theatre?" Scootaloo ask out loud.
Sweetie Belle then explains to the both of them: "Yeah, it's outdoors and on the far end of the field."
"And also the stage for the finales" Sunset added. "It's a long shot, but it's the only place that we have."
With an idea on where to search, everyone then rushes out of the classroom and hopefully go to the place where Twilight is.
_ _ _ _ _
Later, a crowd of students had already amass by the theatre and were waiting patiently for the finals. Everyone was anxious as the incident at the gym was still fresh in their heads. However, they were still excited to hear the two bands face off in the finals and see who could come out on top.
And behind the curtains, both the Rainbooms and the Dazzling were preparing for their biggest performances yet. The Rainbooms were trying their best to get themselves bumped, but with Twilight being held hostage, it's hard to keep their spirits high. With their minds distracted, they don't think could transform into their pony forms. I also didn't help matter when Adagio says as she and her group walk pass them: "Oh! Where's your lead singer?" Rainbow Dash was rolling up her sleeves and was ready to deck them, but her friends hold her back and calm her down.
But meanwhile, at the back end of the theatre, Sunset, Spike, Trixie and the Crusaders were peaking their heads out of the bushes to the entrance for under the theatre's stage. There, they saw that the sirens indeed put up a guard: Bulk Biceps. Bulk is a big and burly student with a lot of muscles in his arms and heart but not so much in her brain area. Normally, you wouldn't expect kind-hearted Bulk to help evil people like the sirens but he is easily, hypnotising voice magic or not.
Looking at how sentry-like Bulk Biceps was in front of the door, Sunset wonders out loud: "Hmm... How can we get him to move away from the door?"
Searching out her pockets, Trixie suggests: "Maybe I could distract him with some of my magic tricks?"
As they were contemplating the thought, Scootaloo suddenly got an idea. She ask Trixie: "Hang on! Trixie, do have any invisible string?"
Offended, Trixie replies: "What! Of course I do! I never leave home without it." She then pulls out and show them a roll.
Wondering what Scootaloo was thinking, they listen when she said: "I have an idea."
A few moment later, Bulk Biceps still stand firmly in front of the door. Aside from looking side to side, he wasn't moving a muscle. But then, something peculiar happened. Out from the bushes, Spike came rushing and jumping out and ran pass him. And then, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo appeared and chased after him.
"Come Back Spike!" screamed Sweetie Belle.
"Leave The Squires Alone!" yelled Apple Bloom.
After they ran pass him, Bulk Biceps scratch his head in bewilderment. But then he felt something down by his feet. When her look down, he saw a lucky $10 note sitting by his feet. He didn't knew where it came from, but Bulk felt like a very lucky person. However, as soon as he bend down and grab it, it slip right through his fingers and blew a meter away from him. Bulk try to grab it again but it moved yet again as soon as he got near it. Properly annoyed and distracted, Bulk Biceps then began chasing the money the keep moving away from him.
Unbeknownst Bulk however is that the money was connected to Spike's collar through invisible String. As soon as Bulk is about to grab the money, the Crusader moving away from him and the money would escape Bulk Bicep's grasp.
With Bulk moved away from his post, Sunset and Trixie finally came out of the bushes and was at the under-stage door. "Way-to-go girls" Sunset happily exclaims. However, she then told herself now wasn't the time to celebrate as they still need to get Twilight out.
They first try opening the door, but predictably it's locked. Sunset then try banging on and yelling out to Twilight. "Twilight! Are You There!?" There was no response. She try banging on the door and yells: "If You're In There Twilight, Please Say Something!" For an instance, it seemed like nobody was on the other side... but then cry out
"Sunset!?"
Recognizing it as Twilight's voice, Sunset yells to her: "Yes! It's Me Twilight!"
"Oh It's So Good To Hear You!" screamed Twilight. "I've Been Trying To Open The Door From Here But Nothing Is Working!"
"Don't Worry Twilight! We'll Get You Out!" But as soon as she said that, Sunset soon realize that there's no other lock on the door other then the one that requires a key. Let with no other option, Sunset then try to bust down the door.
On the first couple of attempts, Sunset tried slamming her side against the door. When the door wasn't budging and Sunset was looking like she hurt, Trixie got her to stop so she can bust down the door... with equally the same results. They then try to bust it down together, they felt something dislodge a little bit but not enough to get it down quickly. Then, as Sunset was getting tired and injured, a sudden voice from behind her ask her something.
"What are you girls doing?"
Surprised, both Sunset and Trixie screams "AH!" and quickly turn around and got into fighting stances. However, when they saw who it was, they became utterly surprised.
"Flash!?" Sunset cry out.
"Yes, It's Me!" Flash replies, taken back their sudden fighting stances.
After letting down their guards, Sunset tells him: "Sorry, you just startled us. What are you doing here?"
Suddenly appearing more melancholy, Flash told them: "I was thinking about... what I'm gunna do." When he got a confused look from Sunset and Trixie, he explains: "Me and Twilight got into this big fight. We both said something and we got very angry, but I can't remember what cause me to be angry in the first place!" Getting more frantic, he then says: "Now I said some stuff that I wish I could take back but now Twilight hates me and probably wouldn't even want to speak to me. I now want to make it up to her, b-b-but I don't know what to do or say to her!?"
Both Sunset and Trixie were quite speechless by how distraught Flash was. But as they process how much her want to make things up with Twilight, they both got an idea on how to get the door down much easier.
On the other side of the door, Twilight was wondering why the banging stopped. She was keeping a safe distance away just to be safe, but she started wondering if Sunset is having a bit of trouble. But then, the banging resumed and they sounded more forceful then ever. It sounded like the person on the other side was throwing their whole bodies at the door. Eventually, the door's hinges finally snap off and the door topple. Flash, severely battered by all the slamming that he did, soon collapse over the fallen door.
"Don't worry FLASH! TWILIGHT Is here to RESCUE you!" muttered a delirious Flash Sentry.
"Flash!" Twilight gasped.
However Flash's presence was forgotten as Sunset Shimmer came into the room and rushes over to Twilight. "Twilight!" she cried out.
Upon seeing her friend, Twilight happily cried back: "Sunset!"
The two girls happily reunited together with a strong and joy filled hug and rejoicing that the other is well. The hug eventually ended as they soon realize that Flash was still one the ground and need help getting. But as they got him on his feet, Trixie made her presence known.
"AHEM! Where's my "thank you"?"
Twilight, only just noticing that Trixie was there, stumbles for a response and says to her: "Oh um... Trixie was it? Thanks a lot for saving." Trixie didn't like it that she didn't remember her name right away, but still appreciated it regardless.
The happy celebration was cut short as Sunset soon realize the time. "Ok guys, this happy moment is nice and all, but we got no time." She then turn to Twilight and tells her: "Twilight! We need to get back to the others and stop the sirens."
"Ok" Twilight replied, both feeling happy and focused.
With Flash being well on his feet and Trixie by their side, all of them then run out of the room and head to the theatre where the final battle is about to unfold.
Chapter 9- Super Equestrian Magic Music Battle Of Awesomeness!
With the important friend is now rescued, Sunset and Twilight (along with Trixie and Flash) was running like the wind to meet up with their friends. With the finals only a few minutes away, they have to get there before either the sirens or Rainbow and the gang could play. Along the way, the Crusaders and Spike manged to catch up to them after giving Bulk Biceps (as well the money he was chasing) the slip. With everyone together, they all make a mad dash to the theater's backstage.
Meanwhile, the Rainbooms was getting anxious and hoping that Sunset would bring Twilight back in time. As they were checking the time, they could see that they have almost no time left. This was further evident when Celestia and Luna came backstage and declares: "Alright girls, it's time to perform!"
Wanting to stall for time, Rainbow Dash came up to them and ask them "Um... Principal Celestia and Luna, can we hold off for the finals for just a few more minutes?"
"Whatever for Rainbow?" Luna asked back.
As Rainbow was stumbling for an answer, Rarity reply in her stead: "A few of our members are running late and we can't perform without them."
However, the usual sympathetic principals Celestia explains: "I'm sorry girls, but it's your own fault for not being prepared. If you are not willing to perform then you have to forfeit the finals."
Rainbow and the others didn't want to hear that. They didn't want to go onstage without either Sunset or Twilight to be their lead singers and even if they would, they not sure if they would be focus enough to go into their magical forms. But then Adagio, the one person that they really didn't want to hear, comes up and says:
"Don't worry principals. Well be happy to perform first and give the Rainbooms the little bit extra time to sort themselves out. Assuming if they can in time."
While Rainbow and the others spark up in frustrations, Celestia says to them: "Well that's a lovely idea Adagio."
"No problem. It's my pleasure to help" Adagio lied.
Some of the Rainbooms grind their teeth towards Adagio while others were restrained just to stair at her angrily. Their rage were only tempered with the fact that they aren't the type of people who simply attack somebody just for being intentionally provoked (that and they would be disqualified otherwise). As the Dazzlings follow Celestia and Luna towards the stage, everyone were left what they were going to do.
But then, as the Rainbooms were the only ones in the room, they suddenly heard the door slamming open. When they saw what it was, much to their joyful surprise, they saw Sunset and Twilight standing by the doorway exhaustively. "Guys!" Twilight yelled as she was catching her breath.
Ecstatic to see them, they all yelled: "TWILIGHT! SUNSET!" and rushes towards them. They got them and pull them into a group hug as they were worried about them. As Twilight and Sunset was being squeezed in all directions, they just relax as they soak in all the hugs. However the moment was ruined however when they heard somebody saying:
"Are we intruding on something?"
When they look, they saw everybody else that Twilight had brought along: Flash, Trixie, the Crusaders and then Spike. One at a time, they yell out their names in surprise.
"Trixie!? Flash!?" yelled Rainbow Dash.
"Sweetie Belle!?" yelled Rarity.
"Apple Bloom and Scootaloo too!? yelled Applejack.
Left with nobody else, Pinkie yelled out "Spike!" just for the fun of it.
"What are they doing here?" Rainbow Dash asked to Sunset and Twilight.
Sunset explains to them: "It's a long story, but lets just say they helped be to get back Twilight."
"Wow. I'm amazed how many people you got helping ya Sunset" AJ responded.
"Even Trixie" Rainbow Dash added.
Trixie angrily responds by saying: "I can be nice too Rainbow Dash!"
As a few of them was chucking to the moment, Rarity got Sunset's attention. "By the way dear, I finished your outfit just like I said I would." Rarity then handed Sunset a charming looking ruffled-top along with a pair a pants with flames down the side. The ruffled-top was red, orange and yellow in descending order that helps complement Sunset's sun motif. While Sunset was left stunned by it, Rarity explains: "It's the best that I can do in short notice."
Confused, Twilight ask her "What is this for Rarity?" Her friends saw her being out of the loop.
"Well do you remember how you said you didn't really wanted to be in the band?" Rainbow asked.
Twilight did and it also caused her to remember the other stuff that she yelled at them. "Yes?"
"Well we thought about it..." AJ said.
"And we didn't want you to do something that you didn't want to do..." Fluttershy continued.
And Pinkie Pie conclude the sentence by saying: "So we ask Sunset to be out singer instead!"
"Wow you guys" Twilight responded, sounding surprised. "I couldn't believe you did that."
Applejack explains "Well you were right Twilight. We haven't be as good friends as we thought we wore. So we wanted to the right thing and..."
"I don't want to do it" Sunset interrupted.
When they all heard her saying that, everyone became shocked and yelled: "WHAT!" Even the people that they brought along were speechless.
"But Sunset, I thought this is what you wanted?" Fluttershy asked her.
But then, Sunset tell her: "Hang on, let me finish." Confused, they were silent to hear her speak. "I will only do it... if Twilight is there and sings along side me." She then place her arm on Twilight's shoulder who was shocked.
"Wait! What!"
Everyone were surprised by Sunset's request but it was one that they like. Twilight look around her and she sees they all looking at her smirking expressions and faces that begs her to accept. She still prefer to some other way beside singing, but it looks like they won't let her have a choice. Begrudged into submission, Twilight says out loud: "Well, I guess you all like hearing me sing."
"Of course we do! We think it's awesome!" Flash said loudly, hoping it would convince her. Unfortunately, it didn't much else except to cause Twilight to blush and everyone started giggling.
But then, when everyone felt assured that Twilight would sing, they all heard somebody speaking over the speakers. "May I have you attention please!" said the voice that sounded like Celestia. "Thank you all for coming and making this a wonderful CHS event."
As the voice continue talking, Apple Bloom asks: "What's that?"
Pinkie explains: "Oh that's probably Celestia introducing the Dazzlings"
"The Dazzlings?" Apple Bloom asked again.
"Yep."
The Crusaders quickly looked at each other as they were thinking the same thing. "They're the "sirens" that are trying to hypnotize the school?" Sweetie Belle asked her.
"Yeah."
"The ones that can hypnotize you when you hear their voice?"
"Yeah."
"And your music are the only thing that can cure them?"
"Yeah?" Pinkie replied and starting to sound worried.
As she was starting to have a bad feeling, Applejack ask them: "What are you going on about girls?"
They didn't like to say it to them, but it something that they should. Scootaloo says to them: "Well if your music are the only thing that can cure everyone from the hypnosis, do you think they will let you get on stage and use the stage equipment?"
Rainbow's, AJ's, Pinkie's, Rarity's and Fluttershy's eyes widened and realize what they said. They were absolutely right and there is no way the Dazzlings would give them the chance to free the people under their control. If they knew that before hand, they might have work harder to stall for time. They only thing that could do know what face palm themselves in embarrassment.
But while the moment was bad for them, Sunset wasn't all that too upset. She suddenly remembered the girl that she met on the roof and remembers that she's a bit tech savvy with musical equipment. Luckily enough, she also got the girl on her contacts list. With her phone out, she got everyone's attention when she told them: "Don't worry girls. I think I got someone who can help."
_ _ _ _ _
A little while later, the Rainbooms along with their associates (with extra prodding for Trixie) were climbing up a large slope overlooking the theater. They were carrying their equipment to the place where Sunset's friend would said she would be. It supposedly the closest place where she could get her "Master Speaker System" in place and where everybody could hear them. When they look back to the theater stage, they could see that Celestia was still on stage introducing the Dazzlings.
"However, all of this wouldn't have happened without the motivation of our three new transfer students. If it wasn't for them and motivate us to change the status quo, everyone wouldn't have been as passionate than..."
Everyone was understandably getting bored by this. Adagio, who was behind the curtain, was getting infuriated that they are not singing already. "What is she doing? Stalling or something?" she asked out loud to Aria and Sonata who was feeling the same way. However, even though Adagio said that out of frustration, she realize that that's what she's doing. With their request for more time fresh in their minds, maybe she was stalling just so she could give the Rainbooms a few more minute to prepare. When she realize that, Adagio poked her out of the curtain, grab Celestia's attention and tells her: "Hey Teach! Can we get a move on already!?"
"Sorry" Celestia apologized.
With time running short, the Rainbooms climb a little fast to get to the top of the hill. It didn't took them long however as the manage to get there with seconds to spare. But when they got there, they found Sunset's friend waiting there for them (which Sunset was happy to see) but the only thing she has was a white car that she's leaning against.
"This Is It!?" Rainbow yelled out. "Where is all the speakers and equipment that we need to play our music?"
However, the girl wasn't too fazed by Rainbow's outburst question. Instead, she pushed something from inside the dashboard. For a moment nothing happened. But then, much to the amazed and bewilderment to everyone that saw, it began to transform. Parts started moving, the object reconfigure itself and something that looked like a car at first now became a state of the art sound, music and DJ system.
Baffled with what she just saw, Rainbow yelled out in amazement: "WOW! Her Car Can Do That!?"
But then, Pinkie suddenly appears beside her and told her: "Don't be silly Dashie. It just her DJ system that looks like a car to move it around and stuff." They didn't know if that was true or not, but her friends and everybody else was still speechless regardless.
However, with that out of the way, the girls now have their speaker system. With that, they could now counteract the siren's song for when they play.
A moment or two after Celestia had left the stage, the show lights went on, the music finally began playing and the crowd was getting excited that the show was finally on a roll. But when the curtains opened and show the Dazzlings behind it, their menacing expressions sort of changed the mood that they didn't expect. That along with the ominous beat of the music, anybody else watching this would have a bad feeling going down their spine.
After the Dazzling walked closer and did their "Ahh, ah-ah, ahh" vocals, they began to sing their lyrics.
Adagio: "Welcome to the show
We're here to let you know." Aria: "Our time is now." Sonata: "And yours are running out."
And then, as the crowd was listening to them sing, something slowly happens to their brains. They didn't became angry or negative or be over excited to hear their music. Instead, it was like their minds were slowly being turned off and their eyes were in a fixed hypnotic trance. They didn't want to be angry and instead want to follow the Dazzlings commands... just like what the sirens wanted.
"Feel the wave of sound As it crashes down You can't turn away We'll make you wanna sta-a-a-at!"
And then something begin to happen to Adagio, Aria and Sonata. In a simular vain on how the Rainbooms transform, they went through a metamorphosis where the gain magical appendages. However, even though the transformations look a like, they weren't exactly the same. They gain equine-like ears but that was about the only similarity. Their hair grew longer but it didn't formed into a ponytail. And instead of growing wings with feathers that would look like angel or pegasus wings, their wings were more "funny" and aquatic like. It was like the sirens were regaining appendages that they haven't had in a long time.
"We will be adored Tell us that you want us We won't be ignored It's time for our reward!"
"Now you need us Come and heed us Nothing can stop us now!"
At that moment, the sirens thought they had won. The school is now under their control, they have regained their full powers and thinks that they can spread their influence to as far as they can imagine. But as they were thinking that no one can stop, defiant music suddenly rang out and interrupt their performance.
"Oh-oh, oh-whoa-oh I've got the music in me Oh-oh, oh-whoa-oh!"
They look around and they saw people on top of the hill. After focusing their eyesight, they notice it was Sunset, Twilight and the rest of their friends in snazzy new outfits. Sunset and Twilight both have microphones and singing along in unison while Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Fluttershy and Rarity were playing their instruments and supporting them. Meanwhile, Flash, Trixie, the Crusaders and Spike were near them and cheering for them.
Sunset: "Don't need to hear a crowd cheering out my name" Twilight: "I didn't come here seeking infamy or fame!"
All: "The one and only thing That I am here to bring Is music, is the music Is the music in my soul!"
And then, just like the Dazzlings, they went into their pony transformations to. They gain their ears, grew their pony-tails and Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash grow their wings. However, the one thing that none of them were expecting was Sunset transforming right along with them. her friends had their mind blown when they saw her got the same magical powers as them and where just speechless. When she notice their reactions, Sunset turn her face and tells them: "Don't Slow Down! Keep It Up!" With their minds reset, they all producing their friendship magic powered music.
"Gonna break out (Out!) Set myself free, yeah Let it all go (Go!) Just let it be, yeah!
Find the music in your heart Let the music make you start To set yourself apart!"
Adagio, Aria and Sonata couldn't believe their eyes. Especially with Sunset who didn't thought she has the same magical potential as her friends. They then also notice that the students who were under their control was slowly breaking free of their spell and began facing and enjoying the Rainbooms music.
Peeved, Adagio says out loud: "Ok Then! If They Want A Real Battle Of The Bands, Then Bring it!" And just like that, the sirens went on a counteroffensive.
"What we have in store All we want and more! We will break on through Now it's time to finish you!"
And then, as Adagio, Aria and Sonata were focusing on their magical powers, something crazy/awesome happened. Formed out of the magical essence that was emanating from them, they somehow constructed a giant siren. But it doesn't look like any siren that they saw before. The lower half of it was indeed fish-like or mermaid-like, but the upper half of it was equine like with hooves and a muzzle. The Rainbooms didn't know they could do that.
However the Rainbooms weren't undeterred from their goal. For some reason, since the sirens could summon their own creature, they thought they could do the same thing. They poured all their thoughts and all of their magic into their own creature and the first thing they seem to think of is an equine. Mixing all the powers of Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Fluttershy and Sunset, they managed to form an ethereal alicorn that they can control. And like the most "metal" thing you can imagine, both the alicorn and the siren battled.
Adagio: "Give up girls you are gunna lose this fight." Sunset: "We'll won't stop until We make you see the light."
Twilight: "While you gain your for fame and lust Our magic is formed through fellowship and trust." Adagio: "Then We Gunna Grind That Into Dust!"
Both magical music creatures were circling around each other in the sky, trying to outmaneuver and flank the other when they have the chance. The alicorn tries to thrust it horn but the siren moves out of the way. The siren tries to shoot a sound wave but it is blocked when the alicorn forms a protective barrier around itself. Despite one group has double the numbers, both Rainbooms and the Dazzlings were evenly matched. However, Sunset remembers one advantage that they know.
"Aim For The Gems Around Their Necks! It's The Source Of Their Energy!" Sunset shouted as she informed her friends.
With their weakness are now known, they put all their efforts in targeting the siren's gems. However, the sirens themselves won't take this sitting down and put up an effort into protecting them.
Rainbooms: "Our music comes from our heart!" Dazzlings: "Our reign Is just about to start!"
Sunset and Twilight: "We will set our friends free 'Cause we are..." "Adagio: "We're gunna finish you!"
But then, as the alicorn was about to have a decisive blast that would've hit the siren's gems, the giant ethereal siren intercepts it and prevents it from happening. And then, as the alicorn and the girls who control it was regaining their bearings, the siren/s did a music blast towards them and it successfully hit them.
The blast knocked them all down and scattered them about. The girls were lying sore on the ground and were away from their instruments. With the heroes down to the ground, it looks like the bad guys has won. Sunset was asking herself what went wrong? Even though Adagio, Aria and Sonata were slightly tired and out of breath, they are still standing and seeing their victory. It was especially shocking for Flash, Trixie and the others who seeing their friends and family being defeated like this. Even the music girl who was by her music machine had to put up her glasses to show her truly surprised expression. It looks like all hopes were lost.
However, the fire to fight back wasn't lost on them. As he saw his beloved Twilight trying to pick herself up, Flash notices Rainbow Dash's guitar sitting by his feet. A certain idea light up inside his head and it something that could be his most daring, most brave and/or most craziest idea he had yet. Trixie notice Flash picking up the guitar and wondering what he's doing. When he put the strap over his shoulder, pulls out his guitar pick and signal the music girl to keep playing, everyone found out what it is.
"You're never gunna bring us down you're never gunna break our spirits, oh"
Twilight, Sunset, Rainbow, Adagio and everybody else heard Flash began playing and none of them understands why he's doing it. However, even while the giant siren was still looming in the sky, Flash wasn't scared and had a strong and determined expression on his face. Inspired by his determination, Trixie picks up Rarity's keytar and follows Flash's idea.
"We're gunna turn this 'round and show you this ain't over!"
Following their example, the Crusaders got a few of their sisters instruments and try to help them as well. Apple Bloom went behind Pinkie's drums, Sweetie Belle got Fluttershy's tambourine and Scootaloo picks up Applejack base guitar and they all play alongside Flash and Trixie.
Crusaders: "We're here to let you know That we won't let it go"
Flash, Trixie and the Crusaders: "Our music is a bomb and it's about to blow!"
All of them continue playing where the Rainbooms had left off and tries their best to fight in their stead. For the Dazzlings, it was a silly idea and a futile attempt to resist. But for Twilight, Sunset and the rest of them, it was incredibly heart-warming and inspiring. So much so, they quickly pick themselves up sing along side their friends.
"And you can try to fight But we have got the light of Friendship on our side!"
The Dazzlings, not liking the scene of them getting back up, commands their siren to attack and finish them off. But as soon as the siren got close to them, it was instantly got repelled when they suddenly produced a rainbow and pushed it back. And not only did the rainbow weakened them a bit, but it also free everybody from the mind control. The audience was confused at first, but they soon notice the Rainbooms and began cheering for them.
"Got the music in our hearts We're here to blow this thing apart And together, we will never Be afraid of the dark"
"Here to sing our song out loud Get you dancing with the crowd As the music of our friendship Survives, survives!"
And then something truly magical happened. Flash, Trixie, the Crusaders and the music girl suddenly have a magical aura around them and were beginning to glow. They weren't transforming in the same way as the Rainbooms or the Dazzlings, but it's like the magic of friendship were enchanting them in someway. These auras formed pony-ears around all of their heads, gave both Flash and Scootaloo something that looks like wings behind their backs and made tiny pony tails for all of them. No one notice these however as they all were sort of enjoying themselves singing along with their friends.
The Dazzlings were shocked and confused as now it seems like they are on the losing side. And as the crowd were cheering and singing along with the Rainbooms, the giant alicorn reemerged and reshaped itself. Hooves became hands, the muzzle became a nose and then a face and it began standing up straight like a human(although it lost it legs so it looks like a upper half of a person). However it never lost it's wings or its horn so it became a hybrid between a human and a Equestrian pony. And This new magical creature was being powered by all the friendship and trust from the people around it who are supporting our main heroines.
"Got the music in our hearts We're here to blow this thing apart And together, we will never Be afraid of the dark
Here to sing our song out loud Get you dancing with the crowd As the music of our friendship Survives, Survives Survives!"
And then the magical hybrid creature forms a magical ball of energy over its head which it then throws at the sirens. The giant siren that they made was destroyed and Adagio, Aria and Sonata was being bombarded by all the magic and trust from the people that they try to enslave. It wasn't excruciating, but they were being hurt for all the pain and suffering that they caused and they can feel all the powers that they gained was being sapped away. And in the height of all of this, the gems around their necks finally shatter.
As the song and the battle has finally finished, there was a calm silence that cover the area. The magical creature that left standing slowly dissipate as the heroes who summon/made it were out of energy and out of breath. Everyone look towards the stage as they try to see the current state of the sirens who all was on the floor.
"Augh... What was that?" Aria moaned as she was picking herself up.
"I think we were hit with a magical rainbow blast" Sonata replied.
"For once Sonata, figure out when I'm being rhetorical."
"Shut It You Two!" Adagio yell out. "Picks Yourselves Up And Continue Singing!"
The three girls managed to get onto their feet and continue singing. However what they sang out wasn't the quality that they were expecting.
"We WILl bE adoreD teLl us that YOu want us wE won't be ignored It's tIMe for oUr reward..."
They were absolutely shocked when they heard themselves. Their singing were off key, they sounded like they had raspy voices and has none of musical that they normally have. It was like as if more then just the powers that they stole got taken from them.
Realizing what happened, Adagio cries out in panic: "Our voices!? Our Singing Voices!?!?"
And then, when they could see that they have nothing else to offer, the crowd began booing and throwing their stuff at the sirens. They couldn't believe it but their plan has failed. When they can no longer bare standing there any more (mainly because of the barrage of stuff being thrown at them), Adagio, Aria and Sonata retreats and run off into the nights.
Meanwhile, Sunset was looking over looking over the scene on top of the hill. She was smiling but because she helped save the school. It was more like that she was proud of herself for accomplishing something that was worthwhile to her. Before, she couldn't remember anybody besides Twilight who would give her the time of day. She felt like she was alone and thought she had to do things on her own. But now, as Twilight, Rainbow, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Flash, Trixie, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, the music girl and Spike gather around her, she can see and feel the progress she made around her.
Several days has passed since the Battle of the Bands and I'm happy to say that peace and harmony was restored to the school. There was no declared winner to the contest, but it was pretty much obvious that we were the winners in the whole event. All of this was accomplished thanks to me and all of the friends that I had made.
My friends had told me that they wrote to you in how to defeat the sirens. Oh yeah! It was them who wrote to you last time and not me. I was still amazed that this book still works over her and that you wrote back as soon as you could. I'm touched.
Now as for how I am doing, I'm glad to tell you that nearly everybody no longer see me as the "old Sunset Shimmer" anymore. There have been a few times when somebody mentions my demon transformation and not everybody has totally forgiven me yet, but I'm not gunna hold it against them. Even my friends took some time to sort out their feelings about. But now, everyone is now more open and friendly to me and things are getting better everyday.
And if you are wondering about that sirens, well...
_ _ _ _ _
Sunset then flashes back last weekend. She was walking down the street with Twilight as they were chatting and meeting up with the rest of their friends. One particular topic that they were talking was about Flash Sentry.
"... and then he gave the most sappy and heartfelt apology that I have ever heard!" Twilight exclaims much to both girls amusement.
"Really?" Sunset chuckled.
"Yep. I told him it was ok but her still felt so sorry for what he did."
"Wow. If he was like that when we were dating, I might be tempted to stick it out a bit longer."
"Yeah well..."
Twilight then became nervous all of a sudden. She look all around and try to see if anybody she know is around. When Sunset notice her acting cautious, Twilight ask her: "Can you keep a secret?"
"Sure, what is it?"
Twilight got up close and whisper into her ear so nobody else can hear. "... I think Flash is growing on me a little bit."
Sunset step back in surprise. "Oooh!" she exclaimed in surprise.
Blushing and feeling embarrased, Twilight tells her: "Shush! I don't want anybody else to know about this. Especially The Rest Of The Guys!"
Still smirking, Sunset replied: "Don't worry. You secret is safe with me." Twilight like it that she said that. However, for some reason, Twilight just had a sinking feeling that her friends knew that she said that.
But then, as they were enjoying the moment, Sunset suddenly got a strange feeling too. She couldn't quite explained it, but just where they were standing in that part of town just tells her that she been there recently. She looked around at the buildings surrounding them and see if can find the one that's causing this feeling with in her. Twilight notice Sunset's sudden mood shift but she remain quiet and let Sunset look. Eventually, she found the one that she was looking for: a certain diner that she recognizes. And inside that diner, she saw 3 familiar girls by the window arguing their heads off.
"What the matter?" Twilight finally asks her. However, Sunset didn't respond to her. Instead, she secretly smirks and walks towards the diner. Confused and intrigued, she follow Sunset and see where this all leads.
When Sunset and Twilight arrived at the diner and open the doors, they began hearing all the loud shouting that was packed inside it. None of the other patrons were arguing but they were sure annoyed at the people who were. It also didn't took long for Twilight to recognize whose voices the. She and Sunset looks towards the corner where the girls are at.
"This Is All Your Fault Adagio!"
"How Is It My Fault Aria!?"
"HOW!? Let's see: It was Your idea to go to that school in the first place, It was Your idea to change that event into the Battle of the Bands and it was YOU who let Sunset to hang with us in the first place!"
"She right you know. Those all were your ideas."
"HEY! I distinctly remember you two begging me to let hang her with us more! And If It Wasn't Me, We Wouldn't Have Regained Out Full Powers!"
"A Lot Of Good That Did Us When Those Rainbooms Thrashed Us AND TOOK OUR VOICES!!"
"And Whose Fault Is That, Hmm!? I'm Blaming You For Not Making A Better Song And You For Gorging Yourself On Food!"
"HEY! It Was You Two Who Exposed Our Weakness To Sunset Who... Oh hi Sunset!"
"WHAT!" yelled both Aria and Adagio. They looked behind them and saw Sunset standing her and Twilight right behind her. Understandably, all of them were pretty shocked when they saw her there.
Despite the scene feeling awkward and nerves was swelling up in her throat, Sunset puts on a friendly persona and says to them: "Hi?"
"You Got Some Nerve Coming Here To Us!" Adagio yelled to her.
"Yeah! Are you here to gloat or something!?" Aria added.
Seeing them all agitated, Sunset calmly reply to them: "No, no, no. I'm not here to gloat. I'm here to tell you something."
Aria, Adagio and Sonata was all confused. They were all still very much angry with Sunset and seeing her now wasn't making it even better (even Sonata wasn't that happy to see her), but they could tell that she was there for a reason and they want to know what that reason is.
"I can understand that you all are still very sore about us foiling your plans and that..."
"And that you ruin our singing voices" Sonata pointed out.
"And that... but, I talked it over with Principal Celestia so if any of you wanted to come back, we'll be happy to welcome you with open arms.
All of them were outright shocked when they heard that. "Us!? Going back to that school!?"
"Well you three are still enrolled at CHS and none you caused any grounds for expulsion."
"We tried to took over the school with magic!" Aria pointed out.
But Sunset explains to them that: "Yeah, but since it was magic and this world doesn't believe in it, the school can be pretty lenient on the thing. That's how they let me stick around."
All three girls were left utter speechless. Not only for the fact of Sunset's explanation for not being expelled but also because of their willingness to take them back in the first place. But despite their anger and contempt for the school and the person who is telling them, the offer did had some appeal to it. They are alone and powerless, more so then they had been before. And now, after everything they done to them, hearing them wanting them back sounds both heart-warming and a little bit tempting. None of them is going to admit considering the idea, but they were looking at each other and wondering what they might do.
Detecting the unsure-ness in the fallen enemies, Sunset tells them: "Look, I'm not saying you have to comeback. Some of the other students will probably not gunna be happy when they see you again and if you don't want to comeback that's ok. I'm just here to tell you that the option is still on the table and some of us are willing to give you a second chance."
Sunset then left Adagio, Aria and Sonata alone with their thoughts and was heading back out of the diner. Not wanting to be alone with the three recently defeated villains (who kidnapped her by the way), Twilight quickly waved goodbye to them and ran off to catch up to Sunset. When they got outside, Twilight said to Sunset:
"Wow. Do you really think they gunna take you up on your offer?"
"I don't know Twilight" Sunset replied. "I just told them the option is still there and that is that." But then, in a simular vain to Twilight's confession earlier, she got up to Twilight's ear and whispers: "But I got to admit, that have been growing on me."
Twilight stepped back in amazement and shocked that she said such a thing. But when she notice the similarity to Sunset's confession and hers from earlier, she couldn't help but spill out laughing. And as the two girls was walking down the street in laughter, Adagio, Aria and Sonata watch on from the window in utter confusion.
_ _ _ _ _
So yeah. I told them the door is open for them and left them to decide if they want to take it or not. Honestly, I do hope they take it if only I can see them be better people. But if they decide to do something else, I guess it's their choice to do it.
But then, as Sunset was going down the hall and writing into the (phone) book, she caught something in some windows that she was walking pass. Looking outside into the school's front lawn, she saw Adagio, Aria and Sonata contemplating on whether or not to step onto school grounds. They were about to but their nerves got the best of them and some of them wanted to turn back. As they were start arguing again, Sunset just smiles and went back to writing.
However I'm sure they're thinking long and hard about.
Anyway, I hope things are ok back at Equestria. Someday I would like to return, but feel like waiting just a little bit longer.
You grateful student Sunset Shimmer
As Sunset had just finished writing, she had just arrived to the door of the music room. The rest of her friends are inside and they are waiting for her to start band practice. But as she was about to open the door, her book suddenly began glowing and vibrating, indicating that it got a message. Sunset was amazed that she got a return message this ridiculously soon. She open the book and see what the message says.
Dear Sunset Shimmer
I'm happy hear that you managed to protect your new school and home just fine. I knew that if you put all of your hearts into it and trust the magic of friendship, you all could overcome that challenge. I'm also glad that you try to reform the sirens and let them know there is still hope for them in the future. I'm sure the old you would never do that so that must means you are on the right track yourself.
Also, don't worry about your friends writing to me last time. Tell the me from that world that I could tell when it is my (hand)writing.
From the "kind and understanding princess of friendship Twilight Sparkle
When Sunset read that, she had a massive smile on her face and was about to burst out into the laughter. But she remained her composer and open the door to the music room.
Inside, Twilight, Rainbow, Pinkie, Fluttershy, Rarity and Applejack and busy minding their own things and was getting ready for band practice. When she heard Sunset coming into the room, they all were overjoyed to see her.
"Hey everyone" Sunset greeted.
"Hey Sunset! Come on in" Rainbow Dash greeted in return.
"Hi Sunset" said Fluttershy.
"Where've you been?" Pinkie Pie cheerfully asked.
"Howdy Sunset" said Applejack
"Hello Dearie" replied Rarity.
"Hi Sunset" Twilight replied.
"Oh Twilight, thanks for letting me use the book again."
As Sunset gave back the message book to Twilight, Twilight told her: "It did belong to you originally."
As Sunset picks up a guitar, everyone else picks up their instruments and was ready to start practice. Twilight sat comfortably was content with watching them play. However, she soon notice Spike was passing to her a microphone. Her friends didn't say anything but they were secretly hoping she would take it. Even though she still doesn't have a passion for singing, Twilight knows what her friends were thinking and take the microphone and go up beside them.
When they all were standing together as a group, Pinkie tap her drum sticks above her head and yells: "THREE! TWO! ONE!"
In the weeks to come, the sirens eventually return to CHS one at a time. First it was Sonata which her curiosity led her to going to the school on her own. The students were shocked to see her at first but they mostly accept her thanks to her quirky and friendly personality. Second was Aria who was begrudgingly come thanks to Sonata's assistance. Her standoff-ish nature didn't help her in making any friends but at least it was better then she thought. And last but not least was Adagio. She really didn't want to come because it feels pathetic and defective to her. However, with Aria and Sonata are now there, she really have nothing else to do but go along with her friends.
In the following weeks since the Battle of the Bands, everything was mostly peaceful and quiet. Things was a little bit uneasy with the sirens now attending and causing ruckus every now and then, but it wasn't anything too serious. Twilight Sparkle and the rest of her entourage was also enjoying their highschool like even though they still getting use to with their new magical abilities. Things were slowly changing and developing for Canterlot High but things are still enjoyable and safe.
However, on the other side of town, things aren't as carefree and spirited as they would like to be. Crystal Prep is a prestigious school that prides itself with its high reputation and its high academic scores. It also has high expectation on its students as only the smartest and the fittest are allowed to enrol there. While you would call Canterlot High a place to get good memories, Crystal Prep is a place where you aim to get high qualifications.
And today there is a special announcement for the students. In the main hall of the school building, the room was packed with students and chairs lining up for an important assembly. The room was also filled with loud noise of chatter as some were wondering what the assembly would be about. Meanwhile, other students didn't really care as much, prefer to do something productive or just listing to their music on their headphone. Meanwhile also was a girl by the name of Moon Dancer who felt isolated and alone within the sea of students.
Eventually, Dean Cadence (the vice principal of the school) appear on stage with a microphone. When the students hadn't notice her and continue talking, Cadence speak out loud through the speakers. "May I have you attention please?" she said and calmly and clearly as she can be. The Crystal Prep students stopped what they were doing and Cadence grabbed their focus. "Principal Cinch would like to make an announcement."
And with that, Principal Cinch walked on stage... along with a mysterious student who is covering their face with a hoodie. The crowd didn't know what is up with the person in the hoodie but they all know their principal. Cinch is the person who made Crystal Prep what it is today and the person that they all try to impress. She's the one who has the highest expectation on her student and makes sure all of them acts efficiently and brilliantly.
When Principal Cinch and the student was on centre stage, Cadence handed her the microphone and everyone's attention were on her. After clearing her voice, Cinch began her announcement to her student.
"Good morning everyone. I'm glad you made it here today. I'm sure some of you are aware of this but we are steadily approaching this year's Friendship Games."
And with that, all the students lost interest with the assembly. The "Friendship Games" is an annual event that they do with Canterlot High which they compete in several events. The reason because they aren't eager about it is because they have always win every year and slowly becomes boring onto them.
Upon seeing their reactions, Principal Cinch tells her students: "Yes, yes. I can see why you all might feel the games has become monotonous to your all and such-"
"Yeah! That Because We Always Win!" one girl shouted out and causing the teens around her to laugh.
"Indigo Zap- You Are Spending This Afternoon In Detention!" said Cinch as she shouted out to her. Indigo still felt it was worth it
Getting things back on track, Principal Cinch explains to them: "However! Crystal Prep will always pride in itself with it high accomplishments and it's reputation. By not putting in the effort, you are welcoming in failure and poor results. Like always, I know you all would make your school proud and the students who will participate will get accolades from me and the rest of the school."
With their principal complementing them, they felt slight better about their games. They know they will win and achieve all of the rewards that they earn. So why not have a little fun when they do it. But as their spirits were getting high, Cinch reset the mood again when she says:
"But! What some of you may not be aware of is that one of you have transferred away; Twilight Sparkle."
At first the student were a little bit perplexed. Most of them didn't knew Twilight and for those who do saw no real point brining it up. But for Moon Dancer, this digging up an old wound for her. Hearing her name call out caused Moon Dancer to bring out a old photo that she has in her pocket where her and Twilight had won a science fair during their freshmen year. Turmoil emotions raging inside of her as she felt cold and bitter.
"Now I'm ok with miss Sparkle deciding to seek her education elsewhere. I was ok even when I knew which school she decided to go to. But that school which she decided to go to was Canterlot High and things are no longer ok!" Cinch explains: "Since the time that Twilight had moved there, I slowly began to notice a steady increase in activity going on over there. Their test scores are rising as well as their grades. Even their athletics are making a sharp improvement. It's like they are experience their own sort of a renaissance!"
Everyone was somewhat amazed when they heard all of that. They couldn't believe that one student from Crystal Prep, let alone one that they couldn't remember, could improve their rival school so much. Some of them were intrigued on how she made that happen.
"I know it seems ridiculous that one student did all of this, but wether or not it's true doesn't matter. Their results are slowly approaching ours and this can not happen... that's why I'm declaring we are having a new student."
With the mysterious student behind her getting more prominence, Principal Cinch explains: "I have been scouting for a new student that could fill the gap left by Twilight. One that got all the grades and skills that I want and improve our overall test scores. And fortunately, not only did I found one that met all of my expectation, but also far exceeding them. Let me introduce the newest member of Crystal Prep's curriculum."
The student then walks in front and all their eyes where on them. Suspense was in the air as they all were wondering what was underneath. The student pull back their hoodie... revealing a long red and yellow hair colour.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I would like you to meet: Sunset Shimmer!"
Sunset just smirks and says to all of them: "Hello everyone! How Are You All Doing Tonight!?"
"
