It's time to rock. But a musical trio is coming to CHS. Can the Rainbooms defeat this new evil?
It time for the Musical Showcase at CHS. A trio of teenage girls have just enrolled, and there's more to them then meets the eyes. Can the Rainbooms put a stop whatever plots are in motion? Let's find out
On a clear night, in a small town near Canterlot City. All seemed quiet, except for a small restaurant, where everyone was arguing. As they argued a barely visible green mist was slowly coming off the patrons. The green mist made its way over to a corner booth, where three teenage girls were vocalising and the red gems on their neck chokers absorbed the mist. After the mist was fully absorbed, the teens took their hoods off.
“That was barely worth the effort, Adagio,” the purple haired one sighed as she slumped in her seat. “I’m tired of all this fast foot. I need a meal.”
“As we have discovered in the last month since coming here, Aria,” Adagio glared at her. “The energy in this world isn’t the same as in Equestria. We can only gain so much power here.”
“I wish we’d never been banished to this awful place!” Aria growled, crossing her arms.
“Really? I love it here!” Adagio said sarcastically in a sweet voice.
“For realsies?” the third blue-haired member asked, tilting her head in confusion. “Because I think this place is the worst.”
“I think you’re the worst, Sonata,” Aria glared at her, none of them noticing the clouds gathering fast in the distance.
“Oh, yeah?” Sonata went to argue, closing her eyes and trying to look important. “Well, I think you’re…”
“I’ll tell you one thing,” Adagio interrupted them, rubbing her forehead, and clenching her teeth. “Being stuck here with you two isn’t making this world any more bearable!”
Any other conversation was stopped when what sounded like loud thunder was heard in the distance. They turned to the window as a massive beam of bright energy shot into the sky. They ran outside as the beam disappeared for a moment, only to be replaced with an even more brighter rainbow beam went up, then came down on something before also disappearing.
Adagio’s eyes widen when she felt something. “Did you feel that?!” She gasped before smirking as she turned to the other two. “Do you know what that is?”
“I dunno,” Sonata mumbled shrugging, while Aria shrugged as well.
“It’s Equestrian magic!” Adagio glared as she grabbed Aria by the front of her hoodie.
“But this world doesn’t have Equestrian magic,” Aria pointed out annoyingly, as she pushed Adagio’s hands off her.
“It does now,” Adagio was once again smirking smugly, as she looked over towards the direction the magic came from. “And we’re going to use it to make everyone in this pathetic little world adore us!”
Nearby, a man sat in his car, where he had been watching and taking photos of the trio. He had watched the entire scene, from the green mist to just now. He wrote in his notebook, before reaching for his phone.
“Sir,” he said after his boss picked up. “It looks like the subjects feed off negative emotions and seem to have the ability to control minds to an extent.”
“I see,” his boss sighed. “What else, David?”
“Well, sir,” David looked over to where the bursts of magic had been. “Did something happen over in Canterlot City? Because we just saw some energy emitting from there.”
“Don’t worry,” the boss assured. “I just got word about what happened, and it’s all taken care of.”
“Not fast enough, sir,” David warned. “It seems the bursts of magic caught the subjects’ attention. Like moths to a flame. They will probably be heading your way.”
“Thank you for the warning, David,” the boss said appreciatively. “We’ll keep our eyes peeled for them.”
Once the man had hung up, Tirek turned to his computer, looking at the email from Celestia, with photos of a she-demon, a pony-turned-human princess, a group of girls with new additions to their persons, including her daughter Sunset. “Well, things have just gotten interesting.”
Sunset looked into the mirror and watched her ear twitch. She had been practising a song that she had recently started writing and in the middle of the chorus, she had 'pony-upped', as her friends had began calling it.
It had only a few weeks since the Fall Formal and she couldn't believe what had happened that night. Not only did she get half her memories back, but she had pony-upped into an Alicorn!
It had taken sometime to adjust to the new/old memories. She had explained some of the memories to her parents and friends. She had eyed her mum in concern, when she saw her muttering about having a 'talk' with her pony princess counterpart if she ever met her.
Sunset had also given a report on what she could remember about Equestria to Chrysalis, to add to the Portal Agency's files on the CHS portal. Chrysalis, Tirek, Uncle Discord, Aunt Luna and her dad, Sombra, all had laughed and joked together when they heard that their Equestrian counterparts were all villains in some way.
And Rainbow's semi prediction had came true. She really did become CHS's official Phoenix Princess. To the point that, after getting Celestia’s and her permission some of the school's artists had painted her in her Fall Formal dress onto her locker, and on the top and bottom, had written 'Phoenix Princess of CHS'.
Thankfully, she wasn't alone. They had done the same to her boyfriend Zuko's locker. Only his said 'Dragon Prince of CHS'. The Dragon Prince and the Phoenix Princess. It sounded like the start of one those cliché romance movies.
She shook her head at the thought and concentrated, feeling her pony up additions fade away, leaving her completely human. After they began to pony up when playing music and at random sometimes, they started working on ways to control it, through trial and error.
A lot of trial and error, mainly due to Rainbow's need to show off a bit. Thank god for headache potions and skelegro.
Sunset looked at her clock to see it was time for dinner. She needed an early night, so she and her mum could arrive at school early. Her mum had asked her to show some new students around tomorrow and she had said 'yes'.
"I can't wait to meet them," Sunset thought aloud as she fed Hedwig and Ray. "I just hope that they are nice."
The was a beautiful day in Canterlot City, and over at Canterlot High, students were getting ready for the Musical Showcase. Many of the participants were currently in the auditorium making their band posters. Sunset was walking around, helping the Junior High students, finishing up where the Creative Mind Club, or CMC for short, sat.
“Hey, girls,” she smiled at her friends’ sisters. “Need any help?”
“No, thanks, Sunset,” Apple Bloom smiled back. “We’re good.”
“Ok,” Sunset started walking towards her friends. “If you do need any help, you know where to find me.”
“Will do Phoenix,” Scootaloo called after her.
Sunset rolled her eyes and shook her head at the nickname that a lot of the other students had been calling her. When her dad called her Phoenix, it was endearing. When her fellow students called her that, well, it was starting to get a little annoying.
“Sunset!” Pinkie called to her, waving at her. “Over here!”
When she reached her friends, Pinkie and Rarity held up the finished poster. “What do you think, darling?” Rarity asked dramatically. “Quite the eye-catching advertisement, if I do say so myself.”
“And it smells like cake!” Pinkie added.
“It does?” Fluttershy asked leaning over to sniff the poster, only for Pinkie to push it into her face.
“I used frosting instead of paste!” Pinkie removed the poster to reveal a bit of the frost on Fluttershy’s nose.
“Uh, Fluttershy,” Applejack pointed at her own nose. “You’ve got a little somethin’, uh…”
Fluttershy wiped her cheek instead. “Did I get it?”
“Heh, not exactly,” Applejack chuckled, while Sunset pulled out her handkerchief and gently wiped Fluttershy’s face.
“Good afternoon, students,” Celestia announced as she walked through the doors and to the middle of the room. “I just wanted to tell you how pleased I am that so many of you are going to participate in the first ever Canterlot High School Musical Showcase!” All the students cheered in excitement
“This is a wonderful opportunity to raise money for all our after-school programs here at CHS,” Luna continued for her sister. “So, keep working on those signs and posters. I think it’s going to be one of the most exciting events we’ve had at CHS since the Fall Formal.” Sunset blushed when she noticed a lot of adoring eyes looking her way.
“I’m never going to live that down,” Sunset complained, referring to the formal, as the Rainbooms set up for some music.
“Well, it is hard to live down turning into a phoenix human alicorn princess like you did,” Fluttershy pointed out, as she picked up her tambourine.
“And a beautiful one at that,” Rarity gashed, remembering the gorgeous wings that went so well with the dress she made for Sunset
“And to be honest,” Applejack said, tuning her guitar. “I’d say the whole experience brought everyone at CHS closer than ever before!”
“And made CHS a 100 per cent more cooler,” Rainbow pumped her fist.
“And soon, we’ll be having another super-doper fun musical party,” Pinkie bounced in her seat behind her drums. “Now let’s practice!” She tapped her drumsticks together. “One, two, three!”
Shake your tail ‘cause we’re here to have a party tonight
Shake your tail, shake your tail
Shake your tail ‘cause we’re here to have a party tonight
Shake your tail, shake your tail”
As they sang, they all felt themselves pony-up. The girls standing started to sway along with the music, as they played their instruments
“Sunset:
So what you didn’t get it right the first time
Pinkie:
Laugh it off, no one said it is a crime
Rarity:
Do your thing, you know you’re an original
Applejack:
Your ideas are so funny that they’re criminal
Rainbooms:
Ohhh-ahh!
We’ve just got the day to get ready
And there’s only so much time to lose
Because tonight, yeah, we’re here to party
So let’s think of something fun to do
We don’t (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
Shake your tail ‘cause we’re here to have a party tonight
Shake your tail, shake your tail
Shake your tail ‘cause we’re here to have a party tonight
Shake your tail, shake your tail
Shake your tail ‘cause we’re here to have a party tonight
Shake your tail, shake your tail
Shake your tail ‘cause we’re here to have a party tonight!”
After they finished playing, their pony features faded away. They smiled and applauded each other for a good song, patting each other’s back.
“I still can’t believe that happens when we play!” Rarity laughed and then she started thinking. “Ooh! I’ve got to look into some new accessories! Something that looks good in a longer ponytail. Ooh! Maybe some clip-on earrings for when I get those adorable pony ears”
“I just wonder why it happens,” Applejack said placing her guitar down. “Princess Twilight took her crown back to Equestria. Shouldn’t that mean she took all the Equestrian magic back with her?”
“Who cares. I’m just glad we found a way to control it,” Rainbow said, much to the shock of her friends. She shrugged at them. “What? I may like winning as much as the next person, but people will think we’re cheating with these pony-ups, and I don’t won’t to win with people thinking that”
“Fair enough,” Sunset shrugged, tuning her guitar
They turned to the doors when they heard a knock, and it open to reveal Flash. “Uh, heard you outside. You guys are sounding really tight”
“Thanks, Flash,” Rainbow smiled at him. “Still need a little work, but we’ll be ready for the showcase”
“Uh,” Flash blushed nervously. “I don’t suppose any of our friends from, uh… out of town might come? Uh, it being a special charity event and all”
“Sorry, Flash,” Applejack said, seeing where he was going with this. “I don’t think Twilight’s gonna be back at Canterlot High any time soon”
“Oh, yeah,” Flash laughed nervously. “Okay. I just, you know, thought I’d ask. uh, k-keep on rockin’ it.” He left quickly
“Well,” Rarity giggled with the others. “Someone is quite the smitten kitten.”
Just as they were about to start another song, they heard Luna’s voice over the PA. “Sunset King, please report to the main foyer”
“Oh shoot, I totally forgot,” Sunset placed her guitar on its stand and turned apologetically to her friends. “Sorry, girls. I forgot that I volunteered to show some new students around the school today”
“That’s okay, Sunny,” Pinkie said, balance one of her cymbals on her head. “We’ll see you at lunch.” The others nodded in agreement
“Okay, see you then,” Sunset waved at them before walking out the door. She walked to the front foyer and spotted three teenage girls standing near the front doors. “Hi, I’m Sunset King,” She waved to them. “Are you the girls I’m supposed to show around?”
“We are,” the girl with a lot of curls smirked and gestured to the other two. “I’m Adagio Dazzle. These are Aria Blaze and Sonata Dusk”
“Hi!” Sonata smiled widely at her, reminding her of Pinkie.
“Canterlot High is a great school,” Sunset said as she led them around. “You’re really gonna love it”
“Oh, yes,” Adagio commented, exchanging a smirk with her companions. “We really sense there’s something… magical about this place”
Sunset started showing them around, not mentioning the magic classes. For some reason, she felt like she shouldn’t mention them to these girls. She shrugged to herself; she’ll figure it out later
“That’s the science lab. Computer lab is in there,” she pointed out said classrooms. She spotted one of the posters and showed it to the girls. “Oh! We’re having a big musical showcase this weekend! The whole school is pretty much rallying around it”
“A musical showcase?” Adagio exchange a look with her sisters
“I’m sure since you’re new, Principal Celestia would let you sign up if you’re interested,” Sunset smiled at them
“We have been known to sing from time to time,” Aria looked at her hand
“Hello? We sing, like, all the time!” Sonata said, oblivious to the looks Adagio and Aria were sending her. “It’s how we get people to do what we want.” She saw Adagio and Aria silently growling at her, while Sunset looked confused. “Wha-what did I say?”
“What you meant to say was that being in a musical showcase sounds like a great way to meet other students,” Adagio covered her slip
“Ohhhh, yeah,” Sonata nodded. “Th-what she said I meant to say. That’s what I meant. To say”
“And what you would have said if you weren’t the worst,” Aria scoffed at her
“You are!” Sonata argued
“You’ll have to excuse them,” Adagio interrupted their fight and glared at them. “They’re idiots”
They all fell into an awkward silence. Sunset spotted the red gems on the girls’ chokers. She pointed at them. “Those are pretty. Where did you-”
Adagio grabbed her wrist tight. Once she realised what she was doing, she let go. “Sorry,” she laughed nervously as Sunset rubbed her wrist. “These pendants mean an awful lot to us. We’d just hate for anything to happen to them”
“Fair enough,” Sunset smiled at them, placing her hand where one of her bracelets sat under her jacket. “I feel the same way about my charm bracelets.” Sunset looked to see the time. “Anyway, that’s about all I can show you. If you need to know anything else, you know where Principal Celestia’s office is”
“Of course,” Adagio nodded before leading her sisters away, Sunset looking on after them, rubbing her chin in suspicion.
Sunset sat down next Zuko, at the Rainbooms usual table, after picking up her lunch from Granny Smith. She smiled when she felt Zuko kiss her cheek. “So how was the tour?” He asked.
“I don’t know,” She shrugged, looking concerned. “I mean, these girls, they were… There was something off about them.”
“Like, off like this?” Pinkie asked, moving her hair around to look like a beard before placing two carrots in her mouth and lettuce over her eyebrows. “Or off like this? Or… Oh, oh! Like…”
“Maybe we should just let her tell us,” Rainbow suggested, before waving for Sunset to continue.
“That just it. I can’t put my finger on it. They just acted sort of…” She thought of the right word. “Strange around me. And even weirder, is that you know how whenever I show new students around, I never miss mentioning the magic classes.” They all nodded. “Well, for some reason, I got this gut feeling that told me not to tell them.”
“Hmm, that is strange,” Rarity said. “And your gut feelings are just as good as Pinkie’s hunches and Pinkie sense. So, if you feel that there’s something off with these new girls, then we’ll just have to keep an eye on them.”
The rest of the girls and Zuko agreed to that plan. Before they could say anything else, the three new girls walked into the cafeteria, vocalising as they walked among the students.
Some of the CHS students started to look at each other in suspicion or looked like they were seriously thinking over what the new girls were singing.
“Adagio:
You’re a star and you should know it
Yeah, you rise above the rest
It doesn’t matter who you hurt
If you’re just proving you’re the best
Dazzlings:
Ah, ahh-ahh-ahhh
Battle! You 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”
Zuko and The Rainbooms watch in horror as their fellow students started arguing and fighting between each other. Sunset’s eyes narrowed when she spotted a weird mist starting to come of the students.
“Dazzlings and students:
Battle! I can beat you!
Battle! Ha! You wish!
Battle! I so want this!
Battle! Not if I get it first!
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?
I’m going out and winning the audition
Battle! 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!”
“Ohhhh. They’re that kind of off” Pinkie said as the students continued to argue.
“Those three are definitely in possession of some kind of dark magic,” Sunset theorised as they walk towards the principal’s office. “How else could you explain what happened back there?”
“Yeah, is it just me, or did that look kinda like what they said the imperious curse would look like?” Rainbow asked.
“It certainly did,” Rarity agreed.
“Don’t worry, y’all,” Applejack tried to reassure them. “I’m sure Principal Celestia will know what to do with them.”
“Wait,” Sunset stopped walking, and facepalmed. “I just remembered. When I finished showing them around, I saw them heading towards Mum’s office.”
“So, there’s a chance that they’re already control our principals?” Fluttershy concluded.
“Yes,” Sunset replied. “So, I think it might be a good idea if I go in alone and see what their condition is.” They all agreed to the plan. Sunset knocked on her mother’s door and walked. “Hey, Mum. Just came to see if you needed any help with the musical showcase.” She looked closely at her mother and aunt and spotted the same green tint in their eyes that she had seen in the students.
“No, Sunset,” Celestia said as she looked at her daughter. “There isn’t. And those nice new girls who visited us, The Dazzlings, suggested we have a Battle of the Bands instead of a showcase. They even sang us a little song.”
“Battle of the Bands?” Sunset pretended that it was the first time hearing it. “That’s sound kinda cool.” She started walking towards the door. “Well, if you don’t need any help. Oh, and don’t forget, I’m staying with the girls at Pinkie’s tonight. So, don’t wait for me.”
“Very good,” Celestia and Luna went back to their paperwork. “Have fun.”
“I will,” Sunset waved as she closed the door. She turned to her friends. “Well, Mum and Aunt Luna aren’t going to be any help. Looks like the ‘Dazzlings’ got to them.”
“The Dazzlings?” Applejack raised an eyebrow at her.
“That’s the name they go by,” Sunset shrugged.
“Hey, girls,” Zuko walked up to them. “You remember Chrysalis telling us about that time delayed portal opening nearby, right?”
“Yea,” Applejack answered. “What’s that got to do with anythin’?”
“Well,” Zuko started. “I just got off the phone with my dad. He said his men have been keeping a close eye on the Dazzlings since they came through it.”
“They came from that portal?” Rainbow asked. “Then how are we supposed to defeat them, if they are not from here and we don’t know where they came from.”
“Actually,” Sunset got their attention. “It was quick, but as I was talking to Mum and Aunt Luna, I picked up on the magic controlling them and I swear it felt like the magic Stormy CloudSwirl used at the Fall Formal.”
“So, there’s a possibility that they are from Equestria,” Rarity said, thinking over the information.
“Maybe that’s why they were giving me weird vibes,” Sunset pointed out. “It was their Equestrian magic I was picking up on.”
“I still can’t believe they got Celestia and Luna too,” Fluttershy said concerned.
“They’ve gotten to everybody,” Rainbow pointed out.
“Not everybody!” Pinkie exclaimed.
“Pinkie’s right,” Applejack said. “We were there when the Dazzlings were singin’ and we weren’t affected. It was like we were protected somehow.”
“Maybe it was our own Equestrian magic,” Rarity suggested.
“If it was, how was Zuko not affected,” Applejack pointed to the boy next to Sunset.
“Maybe it was our soul bond,” Zuko thought for a second, smiling as he took Sunset’s hand. “Soul mates are known to share protection between each other via the bond.”
“So, we’re all protected! Let’s take them down then!” Rainbow announced, pumping her fist in the air. “It’s not like we haven’t tangle with dark magic before and totally whooped its sorry butt!”
“But that was when Twilight was here,” Fluttershy pointed out. “There may be Equestrian magic inside us, but it only comes out when we play music. I sure don’t know how to use it to… whoop anybody’s butt.”
“If only we could get a message to Twilight,” Rarity sighed. “Maybe she could tell us how to break the spell the Dazzlings have cast on our friends.”
“Well, that’s not gonna happen. The portal’s closed,” Rainbow sighed in defeat. “And I get the feeling they don’t exactly have cell phones where she’s from.”
Sunset suddenly stopped mid step as a pain shot through her mind. New memories flooded her mind, and she was glad that they were closed to her locker when she spotted something in the memories.
“Sunset, are you alright?” She looked up at her boyfriend, who looked at her in concern. “New memories?”
“Yeah, and ones that could help us,” Sunset smiled at them. “One of the memories show me how we can get in touch with Princess Twilight!”
“How, darling?” Rarity asked as they walked over to Sunset’s locker.
“You all remember that tome book that was with me when I first came through the portal, right?” She asked as she opened her locker and started looking through it.
“Yeah,” Applejack nodded.
“Well, I remembered that Princess Celestia gave it to me,” Sunset explained as she pulled the tome out of her locker. “And basically, it works like text messaging, whatever I wrote in it, it would appear in another book in Princess Celestia’s study. If I get a message to her, she could get a message to Princess Twilight.”
“Well, what are you waiting for?” Rainbow passed a pen over to Sunset. “Get to writing!”
Rarity hit the rainbow haired girl over the head, “A simple please would be nice once in a while, Dash.”
“Sorry,” Rainbow apologised, rubbing her head.
“It’s okay,” Sunset clicked the pen, and placed the tip on the page in front of her. “Been a long time since I’ve written these words. Dear Princess Celestia…”
After Sunset finished writing the message, she texted her dad to let him know the situation and so he wouldn’t freak out when mum got home later that day. The group all agreed to meet in front of the Wondercolt Statue after school. They split up to go to their respective classes, all thinking of ideas on what to do if Princess Twilight or Princess Celestia didn’t reply.
The Rainbooms and Zuko met up in front of the Wondercolt Statue, to wait and see if Princess Twilight or someone on the other side of the portal answered the message. Rarity was doing Fluttershy’s nails, Applejack and Pinkie were playing cards, Rainbow was messing around with her soccer ball, and Sunset and Zuko were going through her old tome.
“I’m starting to think she’s not coming,” Rainbow barely finished her sentence when to body came flying out of the statue’s base.
They looked over to see, “Twilight!” They shouted as they ran over to give her a hug.
“I’m back,” Twilight said as they let go. “And I’ve got some bad news about those new girls.”
They led her to the Sweet Café where Twilight told them about her new title and what she had learned about the sirens. Her eyes widen when Rainbow showed her a video of her pony-up while play guitar.
“Hmm,” Twilight thought for a moment. “My crown was returned to Equestria, but some of its magic must have remained here at Canterlot High.”
“And mixed with our human magic, giving it a boost,” Pinkie smiled at the thought
“Human magic?” Twilight was shocked. “Humans have their own magic”
“Oh yeah, you don’t know about that, do you?” Rainbow rubbed the back of her head.
“I guess we better fill you in,” Rarity said where she sat next to Twilight.
“Mind you, we’ll give you the basics for now. We’ll tell you more at Pinkie’s house tonight, after that party for the showcase bands we have,” Applejack pointed out
They finished their drinks and started walking towards the school, all the while explaining some of their magic to Twilight. They explained about the magic, some of the magical subjects at the school and about Sunset and Zuko’s soul bond.
“So, that’s why you weren’t affected by their magic,” Twilight concluded.
“That’s our guess as well,” Zuko said, as he and Sunset smiled at each other.
“Also, because of our lessons, we’ve figured out to somewhat control our ‘pony-ups’,” Rainbow said. “Well, at least, how to prevent the pony-ups, not so much on how to pony up at will”
They continued to explain as much as they could as they finally made it to the school auditorium. They walked in to see that everyone was still arguing and eyeing each other in suspicion. Then Flash and Twilight collided with each other.
“Twilight?” Flash asked, having caught her before she fell
“Eh,” Twilight started getting her words mixed. “Eh, bumped, into, always, doing?”
“What are you doing here?” Flash asked. “You came back for the big competition, right?”
“Something like that,” Twilight answered, placing her arms behind her back
“Huh. Not that there’s gonna be any real competition,” Flash bragged. “No one here wants this as bad as my band does!”
Twilight was about to reply when she felt something land in her hair and she turned to see Rainbow gesturing to the doors, where she spotted the three new girls that had just walked in. “Can you excuse me for just a minute?” She asked Flash, who just shrugged.
After trying to use the ‘Magic of Friendship’, and failing, the group moved outside. On the way out, Sunset had spotted the Dazzlings’ leader Adagio eyeing them with a look of realisation and greed.
They walked outside to sit on the front steps. They started discussing what just happened. Twilight started pacing.
“It doesn’t make any sense,” she said. “I should have been able to create the spark that would help us break their spell. That’s how it worked before”
“But to defeat Stormy, you drew magic from the crown she was wearing,” Sunset pointed out. “The sirens’ magic comes from their music. So maybe we have to use the same kind of magic to defeat them”
“Sunset, I think you’re onto something,” Twilight said after a moment in thought. “It’s when you play music that you transform now, right?”
“Yup,” Applejack answered. “Ears, tails, the whole shebang”
“So maybe the way to use that magic to defeat the sirens is by playing a musical counter-spell!” Twilight concluded
“You mean like a song?” Fluttershy asked
“Uh-huh,” Twilight nodded. “And in order to free everyone who’s been exposed to the sirens’ spell, we’ll need them all to hear it”
“The band competition!” Rarity exclaimed. “That’s the next time we can be certain everyone will be in the same place at the same time”
“You’re right,” Applejack agreed. “It’ll be the best time to do the song”
“Before you do that, I have a suggestion,” Zuko got their attention. “Maybe we could ask Miss Zecora if she has a potion that could help”
“Yeah, we could,” Rainbow agreed, standing up and gesturing to them to follow. “Come on”
“There’s a Zecora here?” Twilight asked as they followed Rainbow.
“Yep,” Pinkie answered, eating a cookie. “She’s our potions teacher”
Soon they made it to Zecora’s office and knocked. “Come in, my dears,” Zecora said as she opened the door. “I already know why you are here”
“How?” Twilight was confused
“Zecora is a seer,” Pinkie explained. “She sometimes can see the future and sometimes she just knows things”
“Oh,” was all Twilight could say
“I have made a potion that should help loosen the spell’s hold,” Zecora said as she brought forth a vial. “However, I could only make a certain amount in the time I had”
“I think we should place the potion in Celestia and Luna’s drinks,” Applejack suggested.
“Good idea, Applejack,” Rarity complimented. “But what about the students”
“I’ve been thinking about that,” Sunset said, placing the vial in her pocket. “I noticed as we were leaving, that the sirens have picked up on the fact that we aren’t effected by their spell.”
“Where are you going with this Sunset?” Rainbow asked
“Well, according to Zuko’s dad, they are after Equestrian magic,” Sunset explained. “And I’m sure like any magic, using too much must be draining. They’re trying to control a lot of students. So, if we were to tempt them into trying to control us while also keeping control of the others…”
“They’re magic will be too spread out, and will have more strain,” Rarity concluded. “And with their focus on us, their hold on the students will begin to weaken”
“Right,” Sunset nodded, before thinking for a minute. “But let’s not make it too easy for them. the first song could be Rainbow’s ‘Awesome as I want to be’. Because it sounds a little selfish, they will think their spell is working, until the end where we can just let ourselves glow a little, start drawing their attention”
“And during the song,” Zuko piped up. “I could use a swap spell to replace the principles’ drinks with ones that contain the potion”
“Oh, and while we compete in the competition,” Rarity smiled at the Twilight. “Twilight can work on a counter spell song”
“Well, I don’t know any,” Twilight admitted. “But I’m sure I could figure out how to write one”
“Totally! Twilight can write a spell like it’s nobody’s business,” Spike boasted. “That’s pretty much how she got to become a princess in Equestria”
“Technically, I helped finish a spell,” Twilight corrected him. “And there was a little more to it than that, Spike”
“Yeah, whatever,” Spike shrugged
“I’ve got this,” Twilight said as they started to leave the potions room
“Awesome,” Rainbow said, smiling. “We now have a game plan”
“Hey Twilight,” Applejack got her attention, after noticing Twilight heading the opposite direction to them. “Where’re you goin’?”
“Well, last time we were here,” Twilight answered. “Spike and I spent the night in the library”
“Are you crazy?!” Pinkie exclaimed, grabbing a hold of Twilight. “We’re besties now! Slumber party at my house!”
The girls were all sitting around Pinkie’s room doing different things. Pinkie was currently on her laptop going through her social media. “Status update: ‘Okie-dokie-lokie’.” She said as she typed
Fluttershy, Rarity and Sunset were taking selfies. After one of the selfies, the girls noticed Spike in the background making a funny face with his dog biscuit. Rarity turned to glare at him while Fluttershy and Sunset snickered
Rainbow and Applejack were playing a video game. Applejack was winning before Rainbow slammed the console, causing the connection to the controllers to be lost.
“Hey!” Applejack glared at her. “I was about to beat you!”
“I doubt that,” Rainbow smirked before turning to Twilight sitting on the bed. “So, Twilight, how is that counter-spell comin’?”
“Huh? Oh, uh, good. Great,” Twilight nervously holding the book she was using close to her chest. “Thanks for letting me use your notebook, Fluttershy. I really like the song you wrote for the Rainbooms”
“Thanks,” Fluttershy said smiled, as she hugged Pinkie’s Gummy plushie. “We’ve almost got it perfect. I can’t wait to play it later this week”
Rarity then sat next to Twilight. “Twilight, I think I speak for all of us when I say I don’t know what we would have done if you hadn’t come back to help us,” she said with the other girls nodding in agreement. They then heard the doorbell ring.
“Pizza’s here!” Pinkie announced, causing all but Twilight to rush out the room. Twilight sighed as she looked down at the mess, she had made on the notebook page. She looked up when Pinkie came back in with a pizza slice in her mouth. “Don’t you want any pizza?” She asked around the pizza.
Twilight nodded before placing the notebook in the bedside table drawer and following Pinkie out to the kitchen. After dinner and dessert, the girls headed back up to the bedroom, where Sunset brought out some games and DVDs.
“No way,” Fluttershy said loudly in excitement, staring at the top two DVDs. “Is that Demon Slayer?”
“Yep,” Sunset picked the two DVDs up for the other girls to see. “And they’re the dubbed ones, for those who don’t like to watch the subs”
“Awesome!” Rainbow pumped her fist in the air.
“I was going to suggest watching them tonight,” She held up the two DVDs. “But then I remembered that these sorts of things are not something that Equestrians would be about to handle”
“What do you mean?” Twilight asked
“Well,” Sunset answered. “There’s the fact that I was teased for eating meat as a pony, even ordered to stop, and last I checked, ponies don’t like the sight of blood”
“Don’t be silly, Sunset,” Twilight waved her off. “Ponies bleed while in hospital, and griffons eat meat too, so I’m sure I can handle it”
“If you’re sure,” Sunset raised an eyebrow, as she passed the two DVDs to Pinkie to put in the DVD player.
“Positive,” Twilight nodded, confidently. “Besides if Fluttershy can handle it, so can I”
“Just because Fluttershy seems shy and timid, doesn’t mean she is all the time,” Rainbow whispered to Rarity and Pinkie
“Yes,” Rarity nodded in agreement. “It seems Twilight has not heard the phrase ‘it’s always the quiet ones’”
“Ok, let us know if you change your mind,” Sunset shrugged as Pinkie pressed play.
After the first few episodes Twilight regret thinking she could handle it, she did not like it. Spike liked it, but after seeing Twilight’s face, deciding against admitting it. After changing the DVDs and watching a couple of episodes of Ouran High School Host Club, all the innuendos going over Twilight’s head, making her confused when her human friends burst out laughing at certain things
A couple of hours later saw Twilight still awake while her friends, including Spike, slept soundly. She quietly got up, took the notebook out of the draw and tip toed down to the kitchen. She sat the notebook on the countertop and placed her pen in her mouth so she could write like a pony.
“No,” Twilight said after spitting the pen out. “That’s not gonna work”
“Hey, Twilight,” Twilight looked over to the doorway to see Sunset leaning against the frame. “You’re up late. The Demon Slayer episodes give you nightmares or something?”
“No,” Twilight shook her head, putting an arm over the notebook to hide the mess on the pages. “Just looking over the counter spell. We only get one shot at this. It has to be perfect”
“We really are lucky you’re here,” Sunset commented as she opened the nearby fridge.
“That’s what everyone keeps telling me,” Twilight said, not convinced
“We really need to talk to Pinkie about her whipped cream addiction,” Sunset said to herself, looking at the shelves of the cream in the fridge, before shrugging and taking a can out. “But yeah, while I do know some about Equestrian magic, I’m still regaining my memories, while you have a whole library from Spike says. Must be handy when people come to you for answers to their problems”
“Yeah, well,” Twilight said. “Just because everyone expects something from you doesn’t mean it’s guaranteed to happen”
“Fair enough,” Sunset said after placing the cream back into the fridge. “But as long as you have help, anything’s possible.” Sunset jumped back when she found Pinkie’s sister Maud stand behind the fridge door. “Oh, hey Maud”
“Boulder was hungry,” Maud monotoned, sprinkling her pet rock with crackers before leaving the kitchen.
“Maud just being Maud,” Sunset shrugged, heading to the doorway while yawning.
“I better get some sleep. Good luck with the counter-spell. Just let us know if you need any help with it”
“Sunset Shimmer?” Twilight called after her, Sunset turning to her in question. “Never mind. It’s not important”
“Are you sure?” Sunset raised an eyebrow at her
“Yep,” Twilight waved her off, turning back to the notebook. “No, I have to be able to do this by myself. I have to”
The next morning saw the girls practicing in the music room. The plan was to have Twilight as reserve singer, so she could focus on the counter-spell. In the finals they would have Twilight stand in for Sunset, hoping by having just the human versions of the Elements of Harmony would be enough. They were currently letting twilight practice what she had so far, which wasn’t much and wasn’t sounding great.
After another failed go they all decided to take a break.
“Eh, that sounded…” Spike tried to cheer up Twilight. “Way better than the last… five times you’ve played it.”
“How about we take a short break,” Rarity suggested, walking over to a rack of suit bags on it.
“And maybe try some of the wardrobe choices I’ve put together. I’m particularly fond of this one.” She showed off the pink and gold jacket she had just put on, before pulling out a full body suit with electronic helmet. “Eh, of course we could always go with something a bit more modern.”
“Um Rarity,” Fluttershy pointed at the jacket. “Didn’t you say you were going to save that jacket for when we eventually do our Friendship Through the Ages song”
“I was, wasn’t I?” Rarity nodded, placing the jacket back on the rack. “Thanks for reminding me, Fluttershy”
They heard a knock on the doors and watched as Zuko opened one of the doors and leaned against the opening. “Hey, girls,” he said, smiling at them in a ‘I know something you don’t’ way. “You would not believe who I bumped into on my way in.”
“Who?” Pinkie asked, as she placed her drumsticks in her hair.
“Is your boyfriend, Fluttershy,” Zuko answered, motioning to someone behind the other door.
“What?! Fluttershy has a boyfriend!” Twilight exclaimed, as a boy of 16, with dark brown hair and green eyes.
“Eren!” Fluttershy shouted excitedly, running over and hugging him tight. “I missed you so much”
“Hey, Flutters, I missed you, too,” Eren greeted, before turning to the others. “Zuko has already filled me in one what’s going on. Let me know how I can help”
“We will,” Sunset smiled at him as she went to give Zuko a hug, looking over at Twilight. “And that’s right, Eren’s been away for the last two months, so you didn’t get to meet him last time you were here. Wait, didn’t we tell you about him?”
“No, you didn’t,” Twilight raised an eyebrow at her.
“Oh, well, Twilight, this is Eren Yeager,” Sunset introduced him.
“Hi,” Eren smiled at the princess, as he wrapped an arm around Fluttershy’s shoulder. “You’re Twilight Sparkle, right? Fluttershy told me about you.”
“Eren here is like Zuko,” Rarity explained after introductions. “He’s from a different world.”
“Really?” Twilight was intrigued.
“Sure am,” Eren nodded, looking at his watch. “I’ve been back in my world the last couple of months doing different things. Things that I can explain in full later because it’s almost time for classes”
“Shoot!” Applejack exclaimed, looking at her phone. “He’s right. We got to get going.”
“Will you be fine by yourself Twilight, or would you like to join us for some of our classes?” Rarity asked her, while she put away her keytar
“I think I will join you,” Twilight answered, picking up Spike and placing him in the backpack she was borrowing from Sunset. “I’m curious to see what sort of classes you have”
“Cool,” Rainbow shrugged. “You can go with Sunset and Zuko and work off their timetable.”
“Ok,” Twilight nodded, turning to the two mentioned. “So, where to first”
“First, we have Potions followed by History,” Zuko answered, looking at his timetable.
“I suggest we have lunch here,” Sunset suggested. “So, after we finished eating, we can have a quick practice of the songs for this afternoon.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Rainbow said, walking out of the music room, followed by everyone else.
Soon it was time for the Battle of the Bands. Eren managed to get help from some of the teachers that were not affected by the sirens’ spell to place invisible shields up around the stage. The teachers agreed it would be for the best, the spell might cause some of the students to perform sabotage that could cause injury. The teachers managed to put the shields up and leave before the Dazzlings to enter the auditorium.
Out of sight of the Dazzlings, Sunset passed the potion vial to Zuko, who was in hidden away, ready to spell the potion into the principals’ drinks. He was also going to place a compulsion spell on the drinks, to ensure that they would drink both the water and potion
After the students had taken their seats and the bands were ready, Principal Celestia took the microphone. “Welcome to the first ever CHS 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!” Celestia announced cheerfully, causing a loud cheer from the students. “We are so glad our three newest students encouraged us to turn this event into something exciting!” She gestured towards where the Dazzlings were sitting, causing the three to smirk
Luna took the microphone next. “But, as this is now a competition, we can only choose one winner. Who is it going to be?”
This caused the students to start arguing amongst themselves, while in the corner the Dazzlings discussed how they were going to let the students indirectly help push the Rainbooms into being placed under their spell, not knowing that the Rainbooms had planned for it.
After a badly sung rap from Snips and Snails, it was the Rainbooms’ turn. They first made sure Twilight was comfortable where she was sitting off stage, they then walked onto the stage and began to sing with Pinkie counting them in:
As planned, while coming to the end of the song, the singing girls started to let off a soft glow, just enough to tempt the Dazzlings. It worked, as the crowd applauded their performance, they noticed the sirens’ eyeing them in greed and hunger.
Just out of sight of the Dazzlings and everyone else, Zuko spelled most of the potion into the water in front of Celestia and Luna, including the compulsion spell. And while helping the teachers before, Eren had written on the top of the principals’ papers in front of them, telling them to place their occlumency shield up, in hopes that they would help stop the mind control and they can just pretend to still be under the sirens’ spell.
After a small confrontation backstage with Flash that left Twilight in tears, the girls comforted the princess while they watched Trixie performed. While the Illusionist and her was performing, Sunset was happy to see the green magic tint in her mother and aunt’s eyes disappear and see the note Eren had written on the papers. As Trixie finished, Sunset breathed a sigh of relief as she noticed Celestia and Luna nod at each other for a second and turned back looking like they were still under the spell, but Sunset could just tell they had their occlumency barriers up.
“Ok, looks like the potion is working,” Sunset turned to her friends. “And it seems the Dazzlings have taken the bait”
“That’s good news,” Zuko walked over to them with Eren just behind him. “And there’s a little bit of potion left.”
“Why did you keep some, Zuko?” Rainbow asked, raising an eyebrow at him
“Because the Dazzlings are about to sing,” Zuko explained, pouring the rest of the potion into a cup of water. “And we don’t know if their spell will effect Eren.” Eren nodded in agreement.
“Good point,” Fluttershy said, walking over to stand next to Eren and Zuko, just in case.
“Well, we’re about to find out,” Applejack pointed to the stage. “Because the Dazzlings are about to start.” They watched as the three girls walked on stage and started to sing:
As the Dazzlings sang, Eren felt their magic trying to take control of his mind. Much to his relief, the magic retreated after coming up against something in the back of his mind that growled menacingly at it. He gave the others a thumbs up to let them know that he wasn’t under the Dazzlings’ spell before turning to watch the rest of the performance
“Adagio:
Listen to the sound of my voice
Sonata and Aria:
Oh-oh, whoa-oh-oh
Adagio:
Soon you’ll find you don’t have a choice
Sonata and Aria:
Oh-oh, whoa-oh-oh
Adagio:
Captured in the web of my song
Sonata and Aria:
Oh-oh, whoa-oh-oh
Adagio:
Soon you’ll all be singing along
Sonata and Aria:
Oh, whoa, oh
The Dazzlings:
We’ve got the music, makes you move it
Got the song that makes you lose it
We say ‘jump’, you say ‘how high?’
Put your hands up to the sky
We’ve got the music, makes you move it
Got the song that makes you lose it
We say ‘jump’, you say ‘how high?’
Put your hands up to the sky
Oh-whoa-oh, oh-whoa-oh
You didn’t know that you fell
Oh-whoa-oh, oh-whoa-oh
Now that you’re under our spell
Oh-whoa-oh, oh-whoa-oh
You didn’t know that you fell
Oh-whoa-oh, oh-whoa-oh
Now that you’re under our…
Adagio:
Spell”
The Rainbooms, Eren and Zuko watched as the Dazzlings walked off stage wearing large smirks on their faces. They then looked over to see the other bands fighting with each other. The group turned to each other, it was going to be a long competition
The Rainbooms, Eren and Zuko gathered in the music, getting ready for the semi-finals. Whilst tuning her guitar, Sunset explain a bit about Zuko’s birth world. She told Twilight about how her and the girls had gone to that world to see what element they could use. She had just finished telling her and Zuko’s trip to see the Firebending masters Ran and Shaw when there was a knock on the door, and they turned to see Celestia, and Luna walk in. They both ran over to hug Sunset.
“Oh, little phoenix,” Celestia cried a little. “I’m sorry. I don’t know how those girls managed to control me”
“It’s ok mum, aunty Luna” Sunset hugged them back before motioning over to Twilight. “As you can see, we managed to get help”
“Oh,” Celestia blinked at seeing the princess. “It’s good to see you again, Princess Twilight, Spike”
“You too, Principal Celestia,” Twilight smiled at the older woman, Spike simply nodded in greeting
“And nice to see you back at CHS, Eren,” Luna turned to the boy standing next to Fluttershy
“Thanks VP Luna,” Eren nodded in greeting before remembering something. “Oh, and before I forget, due some events back in my world, you might be getting some more students soon.”
“Thank you for the warning,” Luna said, putting the information in her tablet
The teens explained the situation to Luna and Celestia. After the explanation, the principals agreed to keep up the façade in front of the Dazzlings. After a while, the principals left as the teens started getting things ready for the semi-finals
“This is it!” Sunset encouraged. “Last round and we’re hopefully in the finals! Unless you think the counter-spell is ready to be played now”
“Not yet,” Twilight said nervously
“Don’t worry Twilight,” Applejack smiled at the princess. “Finals aren’t until tonight. We’ll play our next song, with a bit more magic, gaining more of the Dazzlings’ attention. We won’t let you down!” The other girls nodded in agreement, only Sunset and Zuko noticed Twilight getting even more worried about the counter spell
Soon, it was time for the semi-finals. After a bit of teasing from Trixie, which they ignored, knowing that she wasn’t in her right mind. After her performance, it was the Rainbooms turn.
“Next up, the Rainbooms!” Celestia announced
“Knock ‘em dead, Rainbooms!” Spike called out
“And I’ll be here watching,” Twilight fidgeted with her notebook. “And working on the counter-spell.”
Once they were set up, the Rainbooms started playing:
And that’s because everything we need is all right here
When we’re with our team”
The girls started to glow and were happy when they noticed the Dazzlings’ hold on the students were starting to lessen. Not that the sirens noticed as they were too busy staring at the Rainbooms in greed
“Sunset:
I simply can’t imagine there’d be a day
Where I wouldn’t want to be walking your way
Whatever new problems there may be, may be
Our friendship is always the door with a key
Rarity:
You are the jewels in my friendship crown
Sunset:
The sparks that make my world go ‘round
Rainbooms:
We bring the best out, that’s our goal
There’s no telling how far we’ll go
Best friends until the end of time
We’ll have each other’s backs
And let our true selves shine
And that’s because everything we need is all right here
When we’re with our team!”
They finished the song, with just their pony ears showing, they didn’t want to show all their magic just yet. They had decided to save the full pony ups for the finals. They walked off stage as Luna announced the finalists, which were the Dazzlings and the Rainbooms
“Congratulations, girls,” Celestia said to the two bands. “You deserve it.” She walked off with Luna to prepare for tonight’s finals
“See you at tonight’s big show, Rainbooms,” Adagio smirked at them. “We are really looking forward to it”
“Yeah, well…” Rainbow shot back. “Not as much as we are!” As the Rainbooms walked out of the auditorium, Zuko and Eren caught up with them.
“Hey girls,” Zuko smiled at them as walked up and kissed Sunset’s cheek. “I just got off the phone to my dad and he said he’ll be sending some agents over for the finals”
“Why?” Twilight was confused. “Why would he need to send agents”
“To take the sirens into custody afterwards,” Eren answered. “And to see if their current theory that the sirens’ need to feed on negative emotions is the reason for their attitude”
“Basically, a case of ‘you are what you eat’,” Zuko continued. “If it turns out to be true, then the sirens’ will be placed in rehabilitation while the scientists figure out a new way for them to feed, without any negative effects to them or anyone around them”
“That’s actually a pretty good plan,” Applejack said, after thinking about it.
“Now, we have some time before the finals tonight,” Rarity said. “So, how about we head over to the Sweet Café and Eren can give Twilight explanation that he promised”
After they found a booth to all sit in and ordered their drinks. Eren began to explain how he comes from a world, where giants called titans eat people and he was born behind giant walls protecting them from said titans. About a year ago, he found out that he could transform into one of the titans. Despite using his newly discovered ability to help seal a breach, he was banished from the walls for being the thing everyone hates.
“My friends and some of the higher ups did try to defend me,” Eren smiled sadly. “But, in the end, it was either banishment from the walls or becoming a lab rat before being executed”
“That’s terrible,” was the only thing Twilight could say now.
“It was, but I wasn’t alone,” Eren continued. “The local titan expert, Hange Zoe and her squad was banished with me. We think it’s because they were getting too close some kinda of truth. But we eventually found the portal to this world. When we came through, I didn’t want to be close to the portal back to my world, so we move here to Canterlot City. While I was here, I gain memories from my father.”
“How?” Twilight tilted her head in curiosity
Eren explained how when one becomes a shifter, they gained the memories of the shifter before them. Among the memories from his father, he had discovered that titans were once humans. One of the reasons he was away, was because he was helping Hange spread a cure they had created to turn the titans back to human. One of the titans they had cured in previous tests, turned out to be Eren’s stepmother from his father’s first marriage.
“Really?!” Twilight was glad for the happier ending there
“Yep,” Eren nodded. “Though, our last trip back to my world, while we were curing the mindless titans, we came across some people.” He took a sip of his drink. “It turns out I wasn’t the only titan-shifter in the 104th cadets. One of the girls, Ymir, revealed her titan form to save her friend. Only this time when they banished her, they banished a lot more people this time.”
“Anyone you know?” Rainbow asked curiously. “I mean, other than this Ymir person”
“Well, there’s Ymir’s girlfriend, Historia,” Eren answered after a moment to remember. “There’s my friend Armin and my adopted sister Mikasa”
“Oh,” Fluttershy perked up at the last name. “You mean I get to finally meet the rest of your family”
“Yep,” Eren nodded, just as excited as her. “Now, who else, hmm,” he thought for a second before continuing. “There’s Connie, Sasha and Jean. And that’s just the teens,” he laughed a little.
“Any adults?” Rarity asked, taking a sip of her drink.
“Yeah, and I can’t help but think my people really shot themselves in the foot when they banished these adults,” Eren shook his head at the thought. “They actually decided to banished Levi, the island’s strongest soldier and his squad. And Erwin Smith, the best of best in terms of Commanders. Absolutely crazy,” Eren checked his watch. “Anyway, there’s enough explaining for now. it’s almost time for the finals”
“He’s right,” Zuko agreed as he stood up, bringing Sunset up with him, the other girls and Eren following suit. “We better head over to the Canterlot City Amphitheatre, where the finals are being held”
“The next bus heading that way is in fifteen minutes,” Applejack said, looking at the timetable on her phone.
They all headed to the bus stop and caught the bus. When they got to the Amphitheatre, the boys split from the group, saying that Zuko’s dad had asked to them to meet him, his men, and a few others near the back, to finalise a plan to catch the sirens after they were defeated. The girls walked up on to the stage where their instruments were and started setting themselves up
“Check, one, two,” Rainbow spoke into the microphone. “Testing, testing…” she tapped it. “Testing…!” she pulled back at the microphone feedback
“I just hope we can beat the sirens tonight,” Fluttershy said as she checked her tambourine, making sure it was in working order. “I’m glad we made it to the finals”
“Well, I’m not,” they all turned to see Trixie and her friends glaring at them, their eyes still had a green tint in them. Trixie and her friends were still under the siren’s control.
“Are you alright, Trixie?” Rainbow asked, concerned. “You don’t look so good”
“I’m perfectly fine, I just can’t believe you losers are in finals instead of me,” Trixie sneered at them. “The Great and Powerful Trixie is the most talented girl at Canterlot High. It is I who deserves to be in the finals. And I will not be denied!” She snapped her fingers at her two friends, who pulled at the nearby lever. The floor under the Rainbooms opened, sending them screaming down under the stage. “See you never!” Trixie laughed as her group left, not noticing the Dazzlings nearby, smirking as the poor young magician did their dirty work
As the girls landed under the stage, all the humans could think about was, ‘thank goodness for cushioning charms!’ While there were a few injuries, Sunset and Fluttershy were about to heal everyone quickly.
“Looks like they still have some control over the students,” Applejack commented.
“Thankfully, getting out of here will be easy,” Rainbow said as she headed over to the nearby door.
“Before we do,” Sunset said, pulling out a crystal that looked like the night sky. “Zuko gave me this. It’s a mood crystal and it absorbs emotions. It has a time delayed spell on it to release whatever emotion and magic in it.”
“I see,” Rarity looked closer at the crystal. “So, we fill it with our negative emotions and magic, and leave it here, so that when the sirens come on, it releases everything, giving them a small boost, making them think that we are still under here and they have won.”
“You got it,” Sunset placed the crystal in the middle of the group as the others sat around it. “And don’t worry, all you have to do is think of your frustrations and other negative thoughts. No need to say anything we might regret.”
They all nodded and started to think and release their negative emotions, a green mist flowing from them and into the crystal. Out of all the girls, Twilight had the thickest and solid mist coming from her. The others figured it would be the case, being a princess must come with its own set of frustrations.
Twilight was curious about why the girls didn’t have much of the green negative mist coming off them. After filling the crystal and placing it somewhere close to where the sirens will be later, she asked why the others didn’t have much negativity to give to the crystal.
“That would be because of our meditation classes with Zuko’s grandpa, Roku,” Fluttershy answered, looking through her music book, after they decided to sing one of her songs. “A clear mind helps with spellcasting and meditating really helps with getting that clear mind.”
“But I noticed Sunset has the least amount of mist coming from her,” Twilight pointed out. “Why is that? Is it just from the meditation?”
“While the meditation does help,” Sunset explained. “I do kung fu classes at least once a week and you’ll be amazed at how liberating it is to hit and punch a bunch of dummies.”
“Um, ok,” Twilight nodded nervously, not liking the idea of violence, but didn’t want to say anything.
“Come on girls!” Rainbow shouted, using her magic to open the under-stage door. “Let’s go and kick some siren butt!” The girls followed her out the door with their own cheer.
The girls managed to sneak around to where their changing rooms were, making sure the sirens didn’t see them, to keep them thinking the Rainbooms were still under the stage. As they were changing, Sunset and Fluttershy got texts with information from their respective boyfriends.
“Zuko says he managed to get Vinyl to set up her DJ system on the nearby hill for us, so we can project the song better,” Sunset said after reading her text.
“And Eren’s text is for you Twilight,” Fluttershy got the princess’ attention. “He says during the ‘battle’, don’t freak out when you see a streak of golden lightning behind the stage. It’s just him transforming.”
“Transforming?” Twilight was confused.
“Yeah,” Fluttershy nodded, as she put her shoes on. “They’re going to use his titan form to help catch the sirens after the show.”
Once dressed, the Rainbooms headed out and up the hill Zuko mentioned. Just as he had said, Vinyl was waiting for them, with her DJ system set up and she had also managed to get help bringing their instruments up to a spot overlooking the stage and audience.
They turned to watch Trixie finished her unscheduled performance. After Trixie had left the stage, a green mist started to move across the stage, as the Dazzlings started singing, as they walked on stage.
Sunset turned to Vinyl, “Are you ready?” Vinyl nodded in answer. “Awesome!” They turned back to watch the Dazzlings continue singing and starting to send waves of magic down onto the audience, tightening their control.
“Dazzlings:
Feel the wave of sound
As it crashes down
You can’t turn away
We’ll make you wanna sta-a-a-ay”
As the Dazzlings were lifted and encased in magic as they transformed, Twilight jumped a little when a bolt of golden lightning shot down behind the stage. She was about to freaked out when she remembered Fluttershy mentioning that it just meant that Eren had transformed into his titan form. She looked back down at the stage to see the sirens with pony ears and fin-like wings.
“Dazzlings:
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”
The Rainbooms began to play, causing the Dazzlings to stop singing. The Dazzlings looked around until they spotted the Rainbooms on the nearby hill and glared up at them. Twilight then began singing.
“Rainbooms:
Oh-oh, oh-whoa-oh
I’ve got the music in me
Oh-oh, oh-whoa-oh
Twilight:
Don’t need to hear a crowd
Cheering out my name
I didn’t come here seeking
Infamy or fame
Rainbooms:
The one and only thing
That I am here to bring
Is music, is the music
Is the music in my soul”
The Rainbooms all felt a surge of magic run through their bodies and smiled even more as they pony upped.
“Rainbooms:
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!”
The Sirens scowled up at them, before Adagio smirked, “So, the Rainbooms want to turn this into a real Battle of the Bands? Then let’s battle!”
“Dazzling:
What we have in store (ah-ah)
All we want and more (ah-ah)
We will break on through (ah-ah)
Now it’s time to finish you!”
The Rainbooms watched in horror as the Dazzlings summoned avatars of what looked like hybrids of horse and fish. As the Sirens’ avatars charged at the girls, they started powering up their powers. Once the sirens were close enough, the girls shot their magic at them. The most damage done was by Twilight’s stars and Sunset’s flames. Unfortunately, the Dazzlings managed to push them back with a strong vocal soundwave, amplified by there being three of them.
The soundwaves send the girls crushing to the ground, the only one still standing was Sunset. She looked around at her fallen friends and then looked down at the microphone that had been knocked out of Twilight’s hand, picking it up. She glared at the Dazzlings as she walked to the front of the band, her friends watching her as they stood back up and readied their instruments, she was not going to let these sirens harm her friends and family. She nodded to Pinkie and Vinyl to start the music again as Twilight stood next to her.
“Sunset:
You’re never gonna bring me down
You’re never gonna break this part of me
My friends are here to bring me ‘round
Not singing just for popularity”
Sunset smiled at Twilight when she placed a hand on the bottom of the microphone as they sang together
“Sunset and Twilight:
We’re here to let you know
That we won’t let it go
Rainbooms:
Our music is a bomb and it’s about to blow
Sunset and Twilight:
And you can try to fight
But we have got the light of
Rainbooms:
Friendship on our side!”
Sunset and Twilight touched their hands together as they and their friends started to glow again and sent a rainbow wave towards the sirens, pushing back their avatars and weakening their hold. Sunset started to glow more, and as she sang, she felt a weight on her head, which she ignored. She would see what the weight was after they defeated the Dazzlings.
“Rainbooms:
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!”
The Dazzlings’ spell was broken, giving everyone’s free will back. The audience, most having heard the Rainbooms practice this song in the music room a few times, started singing along. As they sang, the Rainbooms were lifted into the air, as their magic created a rainbow that shoot into the sky, making a swirling ball of magic.
“Rainbooms and audience:
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!”
From the swirling ball of magic, came a giant golden alicorn avatar with a rainbow making up its mane. As the song came to an end, the alicorn reared up and came back down as it shot a beam of rainbow magic at the Dazzlings, destroying their avatars and shattering their red gems. Its job done, the alicorn disappeared and the Rainbooms floated down to near the stage as the Dazzlings tried to sing again, only to come out off-key.
The crowd started booing at them, causing them to run off the stage. Just as they got off the steps, they were suddenly surrounded by two giant hands! Their eyes followed the hands, up two arms that were attached to a 15-metre-tall naked humanoid giant. It’s glowing green eyes glared down at them, as a wisp of steam and a deep growl left its lipless mouth.
“Don’t move!” They jumped and looked to the gap between the hands, to see three men dress in black police gear and pointing those human gun things at them. Adagio stepped back a little when she found a sword covered with flames pointed at her neck, being held by the boy with a scar on his face that they had seen hanging around the Rainbooms, another sword in his other hand. He was the one who spoke. “Put your hands behind your heads, and don’t even think about doing anything else, the consequences will not be pretty.”
Not seeing any way out of it, the Dazzlings did as they were told. They were marched from out of the hands and over to where the Rainbooms stood next a man and woman.
“Good work men, Zuko, Eren,” the man said, nodding at the men, Zuko and behemoth behind them. “Sirens of Equestria, you are under arrest for mass mind control. Due to being from a different world, you’ll be place under the custody of the Portal Agency. For now, you’ll be taken to the holding cells at our facility.”
“As if your pathetic human cells could hold us,” Adagio smirked, getting some of her bravo back. “You have no magic.”
“Then how do you explain our friend Eren behind you?” Rainbow pointed out, “Or Zuko’s flaming swords?” The sirens nervously look back at the gigantic beast and scarred boy behind them.
“We humans may not have Equestrian magic,” Sunset stepped forward. “But humans have their own magic. If you had stopped to look, you would have noticed that.”
The Dazzlings were shocked into silence at the revelation, allowing the men in black behind them to lead them to the nearby van, placing them in the back. The sirens watched as the man and woman walked over to the stage as the van’s engine started up.
As the van pulled away, heading to HQ, Twilight and Spike was currently staring up in shock and awe at Eren’s titan form. They watched as the titan laid down on its front, and a jet of steam raised from the back of its neck, as Eren pulled himself from the nape. Once he was fully detached from the giant form, it started to rapidly deteriorate.
“That was awesome,” Spike commented, tail wagging as Eren walked over to them, straight red lines going down his cheeks from his eyes, leather straps on top of his clothes and some sort of metal attachments on his hips.
“Thanks,” Eren hugged Fluttershy, before looking over at Sunset. “Nice crown, Sunset”
“What?” Sunset raised a hand to her head, suddenly remembering the weight she had felt during the song. Sure enough, her fingers touched something that felt like metal. She took it off her head, and in her hands was indeed a crown. In the middle was a big gem in the shape of her cutie mark, made of ruby and amber topaz, with the arms of the crown shaped into golden phoenix wings.
“Oh my,” Rarity admired the crown in Sunset’s hands. “It’s gorgeous!”
“But” Sunset was having trouble finding words as she stared at the crown. “How?”
“It would seem that the Elements of Harmony decided you needed a crown to go with you Alicornhood,” Twilight said with a big smile on her face. “I can’t wait to tell Princess Celestia.”
“She’ll probably insist on setting up a coronation for you,” Spike added.
“C-Cor-Coronation?!” Sunset exclaimed, eyes widening in shock.
“Well, to be honest,” Twilight said nervously. “I think Celestia has already been sorting out things for a coronation for you. Of course, we thought it would be a few years before the mirror opened again, but now we can open it whenever we want, we can have it sooner.”
“But I don’t know the first thing about being a princess!” Sunset exclaimed, freaking out a little
“Sunset,” Zuko got her attention, placing a hand on her shoulder, smiling calmly at his girlfriend. “Remember, I used to be a prince back in my world. While I’m sure Equestria has a different society and it has been a while since I was a prince, I do remember some of the basics about being a royal I could tell you.”
“Thank you, Zuko,” Sunset kissed him on the cheek, before turning to Rarity. “Rarity, if I do have a coronation, I would like you to make my dress.”
“Me? Make a coronation dress for a princess?” Rarity got a dreamy look in her eyes. “I would be absolutely honoured, darling!”
“But Sunset,” Twilight spoke up. “Wouldn’t it be better to have the dress done by my Rarity? Because no offence to this Rarity, but she doesn’t have experience in making dresses for ponies.”
“But I was born human,” Sunset was confused. “So, wouldn’t that make me the first alicorn princess that was not born a pony? Don’t the ponies of Equestria have the right to know that? And wouldn’t it be more appropriate to show that by being crowned as a human?”
“But once you cross through the mirror, you’ll be a pony,” Twilight pointed out.
“So?” Sunset raised an eyebrow at her. “There is such thing as magic over there. There’s bound to be a spell to change one’s shape, or in this case, species somewhere.”
“I guess,” Twilight was not sure how to respond to that.
“Besides,” Applejack spoke up. “It’ll probably be at least a few months before everything is ready.”
“Anyway, that’s a conversation for another day, we should probably go and check on everyone,” Sunset said, the Rainbooms, Eren and Zuko nodding in agreement.
They walked to the front of the stage where Celestia and Luna were standing talking to Tirek and Chrysalis. Before they could walk up the stairs to the stage, their way was blocked by Trixie.
“Trixie wants to say,” Trixie said, head bowed. “That Trixie is… No, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to drop you under the stage like that. I know that it could’ve cause some serious injuries.”
“Trixie,” Sunset got the girl’s attention. “It’s okay, there were cushioning charms under stage and you were under the sirens’ control at the time.”
“Still,” Trixie said. “Trixie thought she was doing better and doing good. Trying to push down her ego.”
“You are doing better, Trixie,” Pinkie bounced over to hug her. “Like Sunny said, it was the sirens.” Pinkie got a thoughtful look on her face for a few second before a large grin form on her face. “But if it puts a smile back on your face, just think of all those kids at the children ward at the hospital and how you sometimes help Sunset and I with putting smiles on their face.”
“And you are doing better when it comes to your ego,” Sunset assured her. “You’ve learnt when it’s appropriate to show off and when not. Besides, you’re allowed to have a little ego. You wouldn’t be ‘The Great and Powerful Trixie’ without a little ego.”
“That is true,” Trixie nodded, after thinking about it for a few seconds. Twilight was amazed at how less arrogant and slightly humble this Trixie was.
Sunset noticed that Trixie was still feeling guilty. “If it makes you feel better, we forgive you,” Sunset smiled, gesturing to her friends, who were nodding in agreement.
“Thank you,” Trixie smiled before moving over to where her friends were standing, allowing Eren, Zuko and the Rainbooms to walk up the stairs to the stage.
“Mum!” Sunset shouted as she ran over to Celestia.
“Sunset, sweetie,” Celestia smiled as she hugged her daughter, noticing the crown, but not saying anything about it. She turned to the rest of the group.
“Eren and Zuko, thank you for helping the girls with everything.”
“No problem, Principal Celestia,” Zuko smiled, Eren nodding behind him, as Tirek and Chrysalis smiled proudly at the boys.
“Now, I think it’s time we all headed home and rest after a tiring week,” Celestia suggested, seeing the tired looks in everyone’s faces. Everyone agreed, they all got in cars as the boys headed to Eren’s place, while the girls headed to Sunset’s, for a good sleep.
