Chapter 2: Meet The Shadow Walkers

The next day, everyone are outside the Convention Center, waiting in line to see the talent show. Those who are participating are already inside. Sun and the gang are waiting at the side lines as Rainbow checks in. The girls make sure they have their clothes, instruments, and other supplies they need.

"I am so excited, we're finally going to perform on t.v! Who's excited?! Who's excited?!" Pinkie cheers.

"I think we're all excited to be part of the show and playing on stage," Sun says.

"Yeah. I think everyone else knows it as well," Wire Wolf adds.

"You can say that again," Applejack says.

Pinkie looks to see many people are staring at them. Then they start to giggle with smiles on their faces. Rainbow comes back to the ground with a few pieces of paper stapled together.

"Okay, we're all set. All we have to do is get backstage to get our instruments set," Rainbow says.

"So when do we perform?" Fluttershy asks.

Rainbow looks at the schedule, "It said that we'll be performing later in the afternoon. The music category starts at 4 p.m. and the final round for Best in Show starts at eight."

"Aw man, this is going to be boring," Sonata says.

"I'm sure there is something we can do until then," Falling Star says.

"Yeah. We are so going to win this contest," Rainbow says with pride.

Twilight says, "Remember, they're going to be some competition today, so we shouldn't let our confidence get the better of us."

"Yeah. you wouldn't want a repeat with the Battle of the Bands," Aria says with a smirk on her face.

Rainbow groans, "Shut up Aria!"

"Alright you two, we don't want to have a fight before the show. Of course, that is something you wouldn't expect me to say," Adagio says.

"Oh Dagi," Sonata replies.

"But still, I'm hoping we get the chance to rock the house and spread some Christmas cheers to everyone around the world. Who knows, maybe we could win if we spread christmas cheers around," Pinkie says.

"Never gonna happen," A mysterious voice says.

A female's voice says, "That's right, cause we're going to win."

Sun and her friends turn their heads to see five students. Three boys and two girls.

The first girl, has gray hair, dark gray eyes, with gray skin and is wearing a black bodysuit with a red crystal patterns on the bottom.

The second girl has black hair with white streaks, white eyes, and dark skin.

The first boy is has black hair with red stripes, red eyes, black skin. He is wearing a white shirt, a black leather jacket, black paints, and boots.

The second boy, has light gray skin, dark purple hair, and dark blue eyes. He is wearing a dray shirt, with black paints, and black shoes.

The one in the middle has moderate gray skin, black hair, and red eyes. This one is wearing a black shirt, black pants, a red jacket, and gray shoes. He is also wearing a red horn with silver chain around his neck.

The girl with gray hair says, " You kiddies can enjoy your Christmas cheers, but that won't be enough to beat us."

"Who are you supposed to me?" Applejack asks.

"We're The Shadow Walkers, and we're going to cast you runts in the shadows. I'm Dark Moon," The boy with the purple hair says.

"The name is Gray Quartz," The girl with gray hair says.

The girl with the black and red hair says, "I'm Phantom Ruby, and this is my brother Carbonado."

"I'm the leader of The Shadow Walkers, Shadow," The leader says.

Sun looks at the group, and could have sworn she sees the horn around his neck blow a strange color.

"Well, glad to see that we've meet The Rainbooms, but you won't be winning this competition that easily," Shadow says.

Then the five take their leave.

Fluttershy hugs herself, and shivers in fright, "Those guys are kind of scary."

"Yes. I don't really like those creeps so much," Adagio says.

"I agree," Aria replies.

"Let's not get too focus on those guys, we're here to win the competition and have some fun doing it," Rainbow says.

"I agree. I can't wait for it to get started," Pinkie happily says.

The gang then walks to the backstage with their instruments and other supplies. But are not aware that Shadow is standing in the shadows watching the group leave the scene. He growls in anger as he clutches his hand. His eyes begins to admit purple and green color smile as his horn glows the same colors.

He then leaves without uttering another word.

In one of the dressing room, Sun and the others decide to get into a little practice. Adagio turns on the t.v in the room to see the show is getting started right now.

They see the stage has a big star in the middle that has purple writing, "TALENTMANIA" in the middle.

Just then, an announcement says, "Hello everyone, and welcome to Talent Mania! Please remember to keep your phones off or low volume, not flash photography and no video recording! And here is your host… Star Go Getter!"

Just then, a man with brown skin, short black hair, and is wearing a blue suit appears on the stage.

"Hello everyone, I'm Star Go Getter your host, but you can call me Go Getter. I'm here to you live from Canterlot City to see talents from around the country. We have talent young and old performing their own talent aiming to be the top prize. Remember, at the end of each category, the audience will choose the winner, from on your seats on on your computer. The two from each category with the most votes will move on to the final round for Best in Show" Star says.

Adagio turns off the t.v, "This is going to take a little while."

"I know, maybe we can start practicing until the music Category comes up. It won't be until two more hours," Sonata says.

"Good idea," Fluttershy says.

"But we already got our instruments plugged in backstage," Applejack says.

Sun suggests, "We got all our music recorded on our devices and instrument versions. Maybe we can practice our sining."

"Good idea," Falling Star says.

Pinkie brings out a boombox, and plugs her phone to it, "We'll be doing Cherish the Moment. So who is going to be singing it?"

Twilight steps in, "I'll do it."

"Me too," Rarity says.

"I'll do it," Fluttershy says.

Adagio says, "And I think your lead sining should do it top."

"I second it," sonata says.

Sun giggles, and says, "Alright, I'll do it."

Sun, Twilight, Rarity, and Fluttershy get in the middle of the room. Pinkie turns on her boombox with her phone, and the song begins to play. Soon the girls begin to sing along.

Sun, Twilight, Fluttershy, and Rarity:

La la la la

La la la la

La la la la

La la la la

La la la la la la

Sun

Oh baby cherish the moment

Sun, Twilight, Fluttershy, and Rarity:

La la la la

La la la la

La la la la la la la la!

Rarity:

You, you know the kind

That finger pointing criticize

Twilight Sparkle:

They can see, or read the sign

That life is really bigger than you and I

Sun, Twilight, Fluttershy, and Rarity:

But if time, all time

We realize

Were gonna find

That we should all

The girls begin to glow and pony up with their ears, and extended hair with most have wings.

Sun, Twilight, Fluttershy, and Rarity:

Cherish the moment

Live for today

We won't get lost

Just don't push away

We all love the sun

But we still need the rain

So what good is it to run away

It don't change a thing

While the girls are singing, Shadow is secretly watching them through the crack in the window.

Fluttershy:

In this world

There is a flow

You can feel it if you just let go

Sun:

And if you want

To feel your heart

It will happen if you just don't try so hard

Sun, Twilight, Fluttershy, and Rarity:

Break it down

Hear the sound

In your soul

Let it surround

All love and we should just

Shadow continues to watch and is specially watching Twilight, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie. Meanwhile, the others are enjoying the show.

Sun, Twilight, Fluttershy, and Rarity:

Cherish the moment

Live for today

We won't get lost

Just don't push away

We all love the sun

But we still need the rain

So what good is it to run away

It don't change a thing

Sun:

There is only so much time

So why not enjoy it

Rarity:

Why not enjoy the ride, the ride!

Sun, Twilight, Fluttershy, and Rarity:

La la la la

La la la la

La la la la

La la la la

La la la la la la la

Soon everyone begins to get up and dancing to the music. Sun and Wire Wolf end up ball dancing in the middle.

Sun:

Oh baby cherish the moment

Sun, Twilight, Fluttershy, and Rarity:

La la la la

La la la la

La la la la

La la la la

La la la la la la la la!

Soon everyone begin their transformation , their ears, wings, and extended hair. Wire Wolf gain his robotic ears and tail.

Sun, Twilight, Fluttershy, and Rarity:

Cherish the moment

Live for today

We won't get lost

Just don't push away

We all love the sun

But we still need the rain

So what good is it to run away

It don't change a thing

Shadow is shocked to see them have magic. He then begins to hear footsteps and leaves the door before he is seen.

The the dressing room, the gang continue to dance to the music.

Sun, Twilight, Fluttershy, and Rarity:

Cherish the moment

Live for today

We won't get lost

Just don't push away

We all love the sun

But we still need the rain

So what good is it to run away

It don't change a thing

The group of friends continue to dance as the music is coming to an end. Suddenly, they hear two hands clapping. Everyone turn their heads to see Shining Armor and Cadence who is sitting on a wheelchair.

"Cadence? Shining Armor? What are you doing here?" Twilight asks with a surprised smile.

Twilight run over and gives them both a hug.

"We thought we see you before he come on stage, and then we heard you all sining," Shining Armor says.

"You all sing and dance wonderful. You have a great chance of winning," Cadence says.

"Of course we do, we're The Rainbooms for crying out loud," Rainbow says with confidence.

"Let's not count your chickens before they hatch yet Rainbow Dash. We still need to perform for the audience and see what they think," Applejack says.

Rainbow groans, "Fine."

"How is the baby doing?" fluttershy asks.

"The baby is doing fine, and I'm sure the baby can't wait for you to perform," Cadence says.

"I know the baby will, because we're going to give it early christma cheers, and it will be happy, and will be merry and…" Pinkie says.

Fluttershy calmly says, "Pinkie."

"Fine," Pinkie says.

"Either way, we can't wait to see you perform. We'll be sitting close to the stage so that we can see each other," Shining Armor says.

"Bye," The gang say.

Shining Armor leaves the room strolling Cadence. Cadence continues to hold her stomach with a smile on her face, knowing that soon she is going to be a mother. Shining Armor is happy as well.

As the two walk to the the theater, Shadow is watching the two walk away. He grits his teeth, as he clothes his hands, and his eyes and horn amit purple and green smoke.

A deep voice says, "So Those royal couple along with those six ponies are here. I'll make them pay for interfering with my plans. I also need to get those other ones out of the way, before they discover my plans."

Shadow then disappears into the dark corner before his band mates become suspicious. He has plans for Shining Armor, Cadence, and six of Sun's friends.

Cherish the Moment by The Cheetah Girls