Adjusting after Past Misdeeds
Earth: Sunset's POV
It's been almost two months since the events of the Fall Formal, and Sunset was having trouble adjusting to everything that happened. One moment she was at the top of the school, the next, she was struggling to blend in. No one was afraid of her now, or if they were, it was because they thought that Sunset would restart her cruelty on them. Currently, the school is looking forward to the Canterlot High School Musical Showcase. Sunset wasn't competing herself, she had no one to perform with, but her new friends, Rainbow, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie had all formed a band called the Rainbooms and would be in the Showcase.
Sunset walked into the gym where groups were preparing advertising posters. "Need some help?" Sunset asked Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo.
"Uh, no thanks. We're good," Apple Bloom answered. The freshman of the school didn't mind Sunset so much after her decision to change, but they had experienced her bad side and heard from other students what happened in the past.
"Oh. Okay," Sunset answered, slightly hurt, but she didn't show it.
"Sunset Shimmer! Over here!" Pinkie suddenly shouted. Other students that were busy working on their own posters looked over at Sunset as she embarrassingly went up to Pinkie and her friends.
Sunset sighed as she approached them. "I had no idea the whole school would be here," she admitted. Fluttershy put a supportive hand on Sunset's shoulder.
Rarity and Pinkie then picked up the poster they would be using. "Quite the eye-catching advertisement, if I do say so myself," Rarity said proudly.
"And it smells like cake!" Pinkie added.
"It does?" Fluttershy asked. Pinkie's response was to put the poster in Fluttershy's face.
"I used frosting instead of paste!" Pinkie said as she pulled back the poster to show Fluttershy had some glitter and a bit of frosting on her nose.
"Uh, Fluttershy, you've got a little somethin', uh…" Applejack started, pointing to her own nose.
Fluttershy wiped away some of the glitter. "Did I get it?" she asked.
Applejack let out a slight chuckle. "Heh, not exactly," Applejack answered. Sunset pulled out a cloth and wiped down Fluttershy's face.
"Good afternoon, students," Principal Celestia said as she entered the gym. "I just wanted to tell you all how pleased I am that so many of you are going to participate in the first-ever Canterlot High School Musical Showcase!" she added as she and Vice Principal Luna walked to the center of the gym. The student's cheered at her announcement. "This is a wonderful opportunity to raise money for all our after-school programs here at CHS. 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," Principal Celestia said. As soon as she finished her sentence, Sunset felt all eyes turn to her.
A short time later, Sunset and her friends were in the Rainboom's practice room that they had in the school. It wasn't official, none of the practice rooms were, but it was an unwritten rule that the students had. "Ugh! I am never gonna live that down," Sunset complained to herself more than anyone.
"You were pretty bad at the Fall Formal," Fluttershy said as she grabbed a tambourine.
"A demon. I turned into a raging she-demon," Sunset said bluntly.
"And tried to turn everyone here into teenage zombies for your own personal army!" Pinkie added. Sunset grimmest at that.
"Oh, darling, you have us, and we've forgiven you for your past... ahem... booboos," Rarity said as she picked up her electric keyboard. Rainbow and Applejack both had their guitars and Pinkie moved to her drumset.
"To be honest, I'd say the whole experience brought everyone at Canterlot High closer than ever before!" Applejack said.
"One, two, three!" Pinkie shouted, tapping her drumsticks together as she counted.
Rainbooms [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!
We are all together
(Ah, ah, oh-oh-oh-oh)
Now it's better than ever
(Ah, ah, oh-oh-oh-oh)
You can feel it, we are back (You... can... feel... it...)
And I'm so glad that we're better
Better than ever
Whoa-oh, oh-whoa-oh
Oh yeah, we're better than ever
Whoa-oh, oh-whoa-oh]
Rainbow [There was a time we couldn't see
Past the differences]
Applejack [That separated you and me
And it left us on our own]
Pinkie [But now you walk these halls
And friends are everywhere]
Rainbooms [Yeah, we're the Wondercolts forever, ah-oh, yeah!
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
Whoa-oh, oh-whoa-oh
Oh yeah, we're better than ever
Whoa-oh, oh-whoa-oh
Oh yeah, we're better than ever!]
As the Rainbooms sang, their body's shifted to look more like their Equestrian counterparts and once they finished, the transformation went away. Sunset clapped at the performance once the song ended.
"I still can't believe that happens when we play! 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," Rarity said, coming up with ideas on the spot.
"I just wonder why it happens. Prince Night and Princess Twilight took the Element back to Equestria. Shouldn't that mean she took all the magic back with her?" Applejack asked.
Sunset was about to voice her theories when Rainbow started talking. "Who cares why it happens? It makes my band totally awesome!" she said proudly.
"Oh! Your band?" Rarity asked, more out of surprise.
"Duh! It was my idea to start the Rainbooms so we could be in the showcase. Plus I'm the lead singer and guitarist," Rainbow answered.
They then heard a knock on the door and Flash Sentry stepped into the room. "Uh, heard you outside. You guys are sounding really tight," he complimented the Rainbooms.
"Uh, we're getting there. Rarity's still coming in a little late on the second verse, and Applejack's bass solo could use a little work. They'll get it together in time for the showcase," Rainbow said, not seeing the glares from the two she mentioned.
"How's your band coming along Flash?" Sunset asked.
"Really good. We'll be ready for the Showcase," he said proudly. Since Sunset's fall from grace in the school, she tried her best to distance herself from Flash. He was a bit lost at first, but he found his passion in music and started his own band that had gained minor popularity locally. Personally, Sunset was happy for him. "So, do we know if Twilight and Or… Night will be showing up at our charity event?" he asked everyone.
"Sorry Flash. I don't think either of them will be at Canterlot High anytime soon," Applejack told him.
Flash let out a small sigh. "Figured as much. Still hoping to apologize to Night for everything," he said as he started to leave the room. "Rock on," he added as he closed the door.
Sunset looked at the ground after he left. "You alright Sunset? I know you and Flash were an item at one point," Rarity asked.
"I'm fine. Flash is a great guy and all, but I never really liked-him liked him. Just someone to further old me's goals. She really was awful," Sunset replied. The girls nodded in agreement.
"But the important thing is that you've turned yourself around," Applejack said optimistically.
"Thanks, Applejack, but I'm not sure everyone else at CHS feels the same way," Sunset replied. Before anyone could say anything, the PA went off.
"Sunset Shimmer, please report to the main foyer," Vice Principal Luna's voice said thru the speakers.
"Gotta run. I volunteered to show some new students around the school. Thought it'd be good for them to get to know the new me before they heard all the stuff about the old me," Sunset said as she left the room.
Sunset made her way up to the foyer where three girls were waiting for her. The one in the center was slightly tanned with puffy ginger hair. The one on her right was slightly darker with purple hair tied up in two ponytails while the third was a bit pale with her blue hair in a single ponytail. One thing that Sunset noticed is that they all had matching red jewels around their necks, probably some kind of friendship thing. "Hi. Are you the girls I'm supposed to show around?" Sunset asked them.
"We are," the girl in the center said, almost evilly, but Sunset shrugged it off.
"I'm Sunset Shimmer. Welcome to Canterlot High," she introduced herself.
"I'm Adagio Dazzle," the center girl introduced herself. "And this is Aria Blaze and Sonata Dusk," Adagio added, pointing to the girl on her right and left respectively.
"Nice to meet you all. Canterlot High is a great school. You're really gonna love it," Sunset told the three.
"Oh, yes, we really sense there's something... magical about this place," Adagio said. Sunset wondered why she chose that word, but thought of it as a coincidence
Sunset started with a tour of the school. "That's the science lab. The computer lab is in there. Oh! We're having a big musical showcase this weekend! The whole school is pretty much rallying around it," Sunset said as they stopped near one of the advertising posters.
"A musical showcase?" Adagio asked, something in her voice sounded off, but Sunset ignored it.
"I'm sure since you're new, Principal Celestia would let you sign up if you're interested," Sunset told them.
"We have been known to sing from time to time," Aria said.
"Hello? We sing, like, all the time! It's how we get people to do what we want," Sonata added. Adagio turned and glared at her friend as Sunset looked at her suspiciously. "Wha-What did I say?" Sonata asked.
"What you meant to say was that being in a musical showcase sounds like a great way to meet other students," Adagio said.
"Ohhhh, yeah. Th-What she said I meant to say. That's what I meant. To say," Sonata shuttered out.
Aria scoffed. "And what you would have said if you weren't the worst," she said.
"You are!" Sonata countered.
"You'll have to excuse them. They're idiots," Adagio told Sunset as the other two girls huffed in annoyance.
Sunset let out a nervous chuckle before taking the conversation away from the musical and to the gems around their necks. "Those are pretty. Where did you—" Sunset started, stretching out her hand a bit and Adagio grabbed her arm quickly.
She then realized what she did and let go. "Sorry. These pendants mean an awful lot to us. We'd just hate for anything to happen to them," Adagio apologized. Sunset's suspicions were still there however, and she had a bad feeling about those girls.
After finishing the tour, Sunset joined her friends at lunch. "So how was the tour?" Applejack asked as Sunset sat down.
"I don't know. I mean, these girls, they were... There was something off about them," Sunset answered.
"Like, off like this? Or off like this? Or... Oh, oh! Like—" Pinkie started, using her hair and food as props.
"Maybe we should just let her tell us," Rainbow advised Pinkie.
"That's just it. I can't put my finger on it. They just acted sort of... strange around me. Maybe someone already talked to them. Told them about what I did," Sunset theorized before sighing. "So much for making a good first impression," she moaned, putting her head on the table.
"Uh-huh," Fluttershy said, quickly adding, "Oh, that's probably not it."
The doors to the hall then burst open and Sunset saw Adagio, Sonata, and Aria step in singing.
[Ah, ah-ah, ah-ahh
Ah, ah-ah, ah-ahh
Ah, ah-ah, ah-ahh
Ah, ah-ah, ah-ahh]
Adagio [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?]
Aria and Sonata [Shine brighter]
Adagio [Here's a chance to find your flame
Are you a loser or a fighter?]
Together [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?]
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]
Together [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]
The students then started chanting "Battle" as the three girls continued to sing.
[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?
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!]
When they finished, it was like someone set off a bomb in the cafeteria as students started fighting each other, Sunset and her friends the only ones acting normal.
"Ohhhh. They're that kind of "off"," Pinkie commented.
The group left the cafeteria and talked about what they all just saw. "Those three are definitely in possession of some kind of dark magic. How else could you explain what happened back there?" Sunset said.
"Don't worry, y'all. We'll let Principal Celestia know all about this and those girls will be kicked to the curb in no time. Last thing she needs is another CHS event almost ruined by some power-crazed lunatic," Applejack declared. She then looked at Sunset, who just had a plain look. "Er, no offense," she apologized.
Sunset sighed. "None taken," she replied, used to those kinds of comments from her friends.
The group headed to the Principal's office and explained what happened to Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna. "Dark magic? I find that very hard to believe. Those girls came into my office earlier and were absolutely delightful," Principal Celestia said when they finished.
"Ugh! Perhaps Sunset Shimmer is just eager to make someone else out to be a bad element, so that her actions at the Fall Formal will become old news," Vice Principal Luna thorized.
"I could see why you might think that, but—" Sunset started when Rainbow interrupted.
"That's not what's happening! We saw all of this go down in the cafeteria too!" she told the principals.
"Yes, but isn't your band supposed to be part of the Musical Showcase?" Principal Celestia asked.
"Yes," Rainbow answered reluctantly.
"Perhaps you're all just worried that the Dazzlings will steal your spotlight," Vice Principal Luna said.
"The "Dazzlings"?" Applejack asked.
"It's the name of their musical group. That's why they came by my office earlier – to sign up for the Showcase. Even sang a little song to Vice Principal Luna and I," Principal Celestia explained.
"They did?" Applejack questioned.
"Yes. And we think having a Battle of the Bands instead is a marvelous idea," Principal Celestia answered. Sunset could have sworn both principals' eyes flashed green, but it happened too quickly.
Realizing they were beaten, the girls left and went to the statue that contained the dormant portal to Equestria. "I can't believe they got to Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna too," Fluttershy said.
"They've gotten to everybody," Rainbow added.
"Not everybody!" Pinkie said, looking at the group.
"Pinkie Pie's right. We were there when the Dazzlings were singin' and we weren't affected. It was like we were protected somehow," Applejack realized.
"So let's take them down! It's not like we haven't tangled with dark magic before and totally whooped its sorry butt! Uh, no offense," Rainbow said, looking at Sunset for the last part.
"Again. None taken," Sunset said with a sigh.
"But that was when Twilight and Night were here. There may be some kind of 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," Fluttershy noted.
Rarity sighed. "If only we could get a message to Twilight. Maybe she could tell us how to break the spell the Dazzlings have cast on our friends," she said.
"Well, that's not gonna happen. The portal's closed," Rainbow said, tapping the podium of the statue. "And I get the feeling they don't exactly have cell phones where they're from," she added.
Sunset then remembered something she had. It was a long shot, but it was their best option. "I may have an idea how we can get in touch with Princess Twilight and Prince Night!" she told her friends. Sunset went to her locker with her friends right behind her and Sunset looked through it, finding a brown book with Sunset's cutie mark on it. "When I was Princess Celestia's student back in Equestria, she gave me this. Even after I abandoned my studies, I held onto it. Deep down, I guess I knew I was making a big mistake, and I wanted to still have a way to reach out to her. Maybe it still works," Sunset said wiping off some of the dust and opening the book to a blank page.
"That's a book, darling. What do you mean, "maybe still works"?" Rarity asked.
"It used to be that if I wrote something here, it would appear in the pages of a book back in Princess Celestia's library. I get a message to her, then she can get a message to Princess Twilight," Sunset explained.
"So what are you waiting for? Get to writing!" Rainbow said eagerly, giving Sunset a pen.
Sunset reluctantly took the pen. "Been a long time since I've written these words," she commented to herself and started writing her message.