Hello, fellow readers! Welcome back to Harmonic Hearts! Getting right into it, what do we have:
Nisha: Thank you, I'm glad my efforts are paying off! Though please keep doing these reviews, I love reading them!
Raximus: My friend, you suggested the idea. You better be prepared with what I cooked up from it.
johannvanguard: I thought you'll recognize the boys! Now let's find out!
Thanks for the feedback! Now let's go!
Visit 3-2: Familiar Faces
Sora and Riku gave a brief summary of their current job to Ventus, who didn't mind lending an extra hand for the event. The principals made sure every Crystal Prep student was accounted for before Cinch asks the obvious:
"So, those were the 'Heartless' creatures you were talking about?"
"Yes. Sora and his friends told us that they are capable of destroying worlds. Thankfully, they managed to keep ours safe before that happened." Celestia answers.
"How about we discuss this more during the welcome party?" Luna suggests, "We did reserve the gymnasium for the occasion."
"And while our students are getting acquainted, how about we give you a small tour of the school?" Celestia adds, "Things have changed since the last time you visited."
"Very well, but I expect some answers as to what's been going on here." Cinch agrees.
As Celestia left with Cinch to do said tour, Dean Cadance was left in charge of the CPA students as Luna escorts them to said gymnasium. Things have calmed down for now, leaving the keyblade boys to do their own thing. Ventus soon suggests the obvious option:
"Let's go tell the Rainbooms what happened."
Sora then notices a certain someone wasn't with the CPA students, "Wait, where did Twilight go?"
"She likely didn't go far." Riku answers, "Although, I have a hunch as to where."
The Rainbooms wanted to figure out how their Elements activate, but they had to make sure music still works. After playing two songs to double check, Rainbow couldn't help but gloat a bit:
"I hope there's a music section this year, we'd shred it!"
"No magic IN the Games, remember?" Sunset reminds her, making the lead guitarist groan a bit.
"In any case, how about we take a small break?" Rarity suggests, "I can use this chance to show you all what uniforms we can wear for the Games!"
In no time, she brings out five rolling coat-hangers worth of clothes, where a lot of it wasn't related to uniform wear. If anything, they're more like costumes for parties and the like.
"Uh Rarity, did you really have to make all these?" AJ questions, "A lot of these are dresses, which isn't good for sports!"
"I couldn't help it, darling! I was making uniforms, but when the thought of giving you all such garments crossed my mind, I just burst with energy!"
Upon Rarity finishing her sentence, an aura surrounds her that activates her transformation, making her float in the air.
"Now we know how you make them all." Sunset points out before noting, "That's two of the six..."
Unbeknownst to them, Twilight was walking down the hall nearby, following her new device's tracker. She stops when it opens itself, meaning there's a source nearby, before seeing a trail of energy leave a nearby room. It absorbs said energy, converting it into an orb in the center before closing shut.
Rarity felt herself rather tired suddenly, feeling out of breath as AJ quickly helps her to a chair:
"You feeling all right, sugarcube?" The latter asks the former.
"Y-Yes, but I feel a bit drained after that transformation."
"Drained?" Sunset repeats before turning to Rainbow, "I didn't see you tired after the pep rally."
"No, I felt fine. Maybe there's a side effect or something?" The latter guesses.
"I doubt it."
Before they could linger on the idea, they heard the door to the band room open, seeing a student wander in before stopping. They immediately recognized her and smiled:
"Twilight!?"
"Uh, yes?" Twilight was rather confused on this as AJ walks over to her:
"Well I'll be! We didn't know you were coming over today."
"I hope you don't mind me asking, but what are you wearing?" Rarity couldn't help but point out her attire.
"...My Crystal Prep uniform."
The Rainbooms were now confused before they heard a familiar voice from the doorway:
"I thought so."
The girls look to see Riku, with Sora and a new face standing by him as they entered the room. During their walk here, Riku told the two to let him do the talking, as to not overwhelm her with information.
"You thought what?" Fluttershy wonders.
"This isn't the Twilight we know, she's from this side."
That surprised them, except for Twilight who was still wondering what they're talking about. Riku looks right at her before starting the conversation off:
"This will sound strange, depending on what you believe in. But we should introduce ourselves first, the name's Riku."
"I'm Sora!" Sora eagerly said.
"I'm Ventus, Ven for short." Their new friend said, which the Rainbooms recognize before Riku continues said introductions:
"That's Sunset, Rainbow, Pinkie, Applejack, Rarity, and Fluttershy. You have questions as to how we know you, right?"
"D-Definitely, since I don't know any of you." She answers, looking around the room at the others.
"In that case, do you believe in parallel worlds?"
"...Considering those Heartless, and in turn the magic-related events happening here, are real..."
"All right. Well there's a parallel world connected to this one, one that has a counterpart of you. That's the one we know."
"My counterpart? In what way?"
"Try an... Alicorn 'Princess of Friendship'." He summarizes from what he know of Princess Twilight, which was the main difference between the two.
She was silent after that, mainly processing what he just say, before speaking once more:
"That's an... interesting profession."
"It's normal in a world of magical talking ponies." He couldn't help remarking, "Even has a companion named Spike."
Upon saying the name, her puppy pops his head out of her backpack with a happy bark. Fluttershy pets the pup as Sora casually clarifies:
"Though Spike over there is a baby dragon."
"...I-I see." Twilight then walks over to the nearby steps, "I... I need to sit down for a minute..."
"Take your time." Riku assures her as she sat down on said steps.
With that out of the way, Sunset soon addresses the new keyblade wielder:
"So, you're Ventus?"
"This may sound weird, but I already met you guys before when-"
"Oh yeah!" Pinkie suddenly exclaims before rapidly speaking:
"You're the heart that was in Sora's to heal over the years before getting returned to your original body after saving your friends Terra and Aqua, who are currently training another friend of theirs to become a keyblade wielder too!"
Ven was impressed by her accuracy, "Pretty much, yeah."
Sunset holds her hand out to shake hands, which he gladly returns the gesture:
"Well it's nice to officially meet you, Ven."
"Likewise."
"Aren't you supposed to be a bit older though?" Rainbow points out, "You said you're from like, a decade ago, right?"
"So is Vanitas, but he hadn't aged himself." Ven casually retorts.
The group then heard the loudspeaker turn on before hearing Principal Celestia's voice:
"All CHS students, please come to the gymnasium as we welcome Crystal Prep for the Friendship Games!"
"Oh right, the party!" Pinkie exclaims, "Come on!"
"Actually, I just remembered I made some dresses for the occasion." Rarity recalls before looking over to Twilight, "I insist I make you one too. At least something different from your uniform."
"Really? Why?" Twilight questions, "Aren't we on opposing teams?"
"Competition or not, you're our friend now." Rainbow answers.
Twilight liked the idea before a thought crosses her mind, one that made her feel conflicted:
"Is it because I look like her?"
The others were taken aback by the question as she stood up, "You're only nice to me because I remind you of 'Princess Twilight', isn't it?"
The girls didn't know how to respond to that, but Sora luckily steps in to answer:
"Of course not! Yes you do look like her, but you're still you! Ven here looks exactly like my Nobody Roxas, but I know they're different people who lived different lives. You shouldn't let that stop you from being friends with us."
Twilight was honestly touched by such words, "Y-You... really want to be friends?"
Ven smiles to assure her, "Of course!"
The others are in agreement with that, making Twilight realize the opportunity she has here before turning to Rarity:
"In that case, I accept your offer."
"Excellent, darling!"
"Quite the party, huh?"
Levin's group looks around the gym as he asks this rhetorical question. They then see one of their teammates staring at three CHS students, crushing her empty plastic cup to show dominance. The CHS students didn't like that as they just glare back at her.
"Yeah, that's attractive." Visor comments before taking a sip of his drink.
"If our principal wasn't such a stick in the mud, we'd actually be having fun." Shade states.
"Where are the Rainbooms? I thought they were apart of this year's Wondercolt team." Ventus points out, to which his question was immediately answered.
The keyblade boys soon walk into the gym with the Rainbooms following behind them. The girls were now wearing special dresses for the welcome party, which looked quite nice. To their surprise, Twilight was also wearing a dress of her own, which was a simple design of a purple striped blouse and skirt with pink six-sided stars on the latter. Rarity puts on the finishing touch as she smiles:
"There we go. I say it came out quite nicely."
"Y-Yes it did." Twilight agrees, still taken aback by her skillful sewing.
"I don't recall setting up this party." Pinkie mutters to herself before suddenly exclaiming, "Be right back!"
The pink party girl zooms off, though the others didn't pay no mind except for Twilight, who was curious on her cartoony behavior. Her thoughts were then interrupted as she hears Sunset ask something:
"So, you sound like you know about the magic here. How did you learn about it?"
Twilight was understandably hesitant, "Y-You know, rumors and research. Plus, those viral videos of Sora fighting Heartless!"
"True, that's not really subtle."
The two reach the large food table with Sora and Riku doing the same, where Levin's group was hanging around as he comments on Twilight's new look:
"Hey, Twilight! Like your new dress!"
Twilight felt heat rise in her cheeks at the compliment, "T-Thank you, Rarity made it."
"Wait, Rarity?" Ventus recalls, "As in the one who made the 'Sora's Drive Line'... line?"
Riku overheard that and raises an eyebrow at his spiky-haired friend, who quickly clarifies the context:
"Her idea, not mine."
"Sora has a fashion line?" Twilight wonders.
"Yep. We even have our picks at home, plus the original outfit." Levin mentions, "I have Limit Form."
"Valor." Visor chimes in.
"Wisdom." Shade chimes in.
"Valor." Stylite high fives Visor after saying that.
"Master." Ventus casually said.
"I-I have yet to decide..." Pixel admits.
Riku smirks as he calls out to him, "Good, Sora just got another form recently!"
"He did!?" Rarity overheard that before she ran over, "What is it!? Show me!"
"I-I can't, now's not the time!" Sora points out.
They soon notice the lights dim in the gymnasium, leaving a spotlight to shine on a disco ball above. They also just realized that the food was already replaced with various treats and sweets. Music then starts playing from the resident DJ, getting the other students into the groove.
In seconds, Pinkie broke the tension as she casually zooms back to the group:
"Now this is a party! Actually, it's missing one thing..."
She then pulls out two cannons, which raised concern as AJ asks her:
"Whoa Pinkie, there's no need for cannonballs!"
"Of course not silly, those are for pools! These have confetti!" Upon finishing her sentence, she pulls the strings attached to said cannons, setting them off.
The raining confetti was enough to make the students come together, conversing among one another and even sharing the dance floor. Pinkie then felt magical energy bubble up within her, activating her transformation as she giggles:
"Ooo, floaty!"
The others notice this as Sunset casually comments, "And that makes three..."
Levin's group was curious as to what this was, but none was more intrigued than Twilight, who barely noticed her device opening. Upon it doing so, it absorbs Pinkie's energy enough to revert her back, along with leaving her drained as Fluttershy helps her stay standing:
"Whoa... so this is being party pooped."
Twilight quickly snaps her device shut, hoping no one else saw what just happened. The only one who did was Riku, who's now curious of such a device before sudden cheering got their attention:
"Go Ven, go Ven, go Ven, go Ven!" The students were cheering on the keyblade wielder as he shreds the dance floor, breakdancing like no one's business.
"There's another Ventus?" Ventus wonders, which his friends soon realize the confusion that might arise.
As this was going down, the principals enter the gym to see such a sight. While Celestia and Luna were impressed, Cinch just stares on with disinterest:
"I see how serious they're taking their jobs."
"Well at the end of the day, they are still teens like the other students here." Celestia points out, "Besides, nothing's wrong with having a little fun before the Games."
"Fun?"
"Yes. I know you remember having fun when you were their age." Luna adds.
Cinch looks back at the students, who were having a grand time as they soon form a conga line and walk through the crowd. She won't admit it out loud, but she does miss those times. Times when she didn't have to worry about a... reputation.
"I suppose you're right." She eventually said, adjusting her glasses.
The party eventually calmed down enough for the students to be allowed to leave. However, the rooms for the academic round were still setting up, so they had some time before the Games officially started.
Using this time, the keyblade boys went ahead to scout the school grounds for any Heartless. This left the Rainbooms to get to know Twilight, who was starting to slowly warm up to the group. Also helps that her pup Spike likes them too, which she was rather happy about.
Walking out into the courtyard, Rarity realizes that she was wearing a strange necklace:
"What is that, darling? I never seen an accessory like it."
"Oh this? It's something I made myself, and it's not for fashion." Twilight answers.
"Then what is it exactly?" Sunset wonders as they stopped in their tracks.
"It's a device I made to track special frequencies, mainly anomalies such as... magic."
"Well, looks like you have some competition." AJ teases Sunset about, making Twilight curious:
"How so?"
"I also made devices that detect magic. I even tried figuring out our own magic yesterday." Sunset admits.
Before Twilight could ask about it, they heard someone call out her name:
"Twilight!"
The Rainbooms turn to see a group of girls approach them, where they took the time to take in their appearances. While they wore their school uniforms, with slight differences to distinguish their styles, that was the only matching detail between them.
The one that called out to them has light amberish gray skin, brilliant gamboge eyes, and dark blue hair with streaks of cerulean and arctic blue. She had a personal pair of orange goggles, worn on her head like a headband.
The blunt girl has light bluish gray skin, grayish orchid eyes, and light gray hair with light bluish gray streaks neatly styled in pigtails. She wears a pair of rectangular glasses with thick orange frames, which she casually pushes up to adjust.
One of them was in the back, casually listening to her music from her headphones. She has pale light amaranth skin with grayish arctic blue eyeshadow, light brilliant amber eyes, and light pistachio hair with streaks of pale grayish green and light lime green.
The girl next to her had moderate rose-colored hair in a ponytail, complete with a grayish aquamarine streak running down the middle. Her moderate indigo eyes stare with indifference, complimented by grayish aquamarine eyeshadow and pale grayish gold skin.
Their last teammate had grayish mulberry short hair with light raspberry streaks, light turquoise gray skin, and moderate cerise eyes complimented by dark indigo eyeshadow. She had a small smirk looking among them, likely confident about winning the Games.
"Principal Cinch said to change back into your uniform, the Games are about to start."
"O-Oh." Twilight saddens upon hearing that, but Rarity assures her:
"Keep the dress as your gift from us, darling."
"Thanks." Twilight smiles before going to change.
As she went into the school, the CPA girls had a small staredown with the Rainbooms before the girl with glasses asks them:
"You all are on the Wondercolts team this year?"
"That's right, who's asking?" Rainbow questions.
"Only the best of the best at Crystal Prep Academy!" The girl with goggles confidently answers, "Name's Indigo Zap!"
"Sugarcoat." The glasses girl follows up with.
"Sunny Flare." The short-haired girl brushes said hair as she spoke with a condescending tone.
"I'm Sour Sweet!" The ponytail girl cheerfully said before suddenly shifting tone, "The annoying rocker's Lemon Zest."
The Rainbooms were intrigued at the tiny sense of deja vu, but shrug it off as Sunset spoke:
"Nice to meet all of you."
"It's not for us. We're just here to see who the losers will be." Sugarcoat bluntly states.
"That's not very nice." Fluttershy points out.
"Sorry, 'dearie'. The Games aren't about playing nice." Sunny condescendingly remarks.
"Well, it doesn't hurt to have a little tact." Rarity advises.
"Please, you clearly can take your losses gracefully." Sour Sweet mocks before Applejack steps in:
"All right, we get it. Ya'll want to rub in your winning streak. Is there anything else ya'll want to say, or would you rather wait until the Games to eat your own words?"
Rainbow couldn't help but smirk at that, which Indigo immediately rebuttals:
"At least we actually have a streak! Even IF you win this time, it'll be one victory over MANY losses!"
"But then your streak will be broken, which means you LOSE said streak!" Pinkie shot back with a smile.
The two groups then heard the loudspeaker turn on before Luna makes an announcement:
"All students, report to the main foyer as we begin the first round of the Friendship Games!"
"Hope you're ready to lose!" Rainbow comments, making Indigo smirk this time:
"Took the words right out of my mouth!"
Earlier...
She walks through the school halls, back in her school uniform as she had put her new dress neatly in her backpack. It wasn't until she was changing that she realized she left Spike with Fluttershy, but wasn't too concerned about it. She did say she likes animals-
Her device suddenly springs to life, tracking a signature as she quickly follows to where it might be. Exiting the school, she eventually follows it to the CHS courtyard statue. She was kinda confused at first until she brushes her hand across the surface:
The concrete ripples like water.
Right after she did that, her device snaps open before it absorbs the magic within the statue. She quickly closes it soon after, seeing it pulse twice before going dormant. Before she can wonder about this development, she hears the loudspeakers turn on:
"All students, report to the main foyer as we begin the first round of the Friendship Games!"
She sighs as she glances at her device again, not knowing that Sunset saw what happened from the entrance. Looks like that device doesn't just detect magic like her tech. Before she could try approaching her, Rainbow noticed she was still outside:
"Sunset, come on!"
Guess her questions had to wait a bit longer as she heads inside.
With the Keyblade Boys
Ven lands on the school roof after doing sky-high recon, his glider vanishing before Sora and Riku arrived. He soon reports his findings from his search:
"No Heartless in the perimeter, but I saw the track field got some serious renovations."
"Probably just for the Games." Riku points out, "Anyways, I found no Heartless on the first floor."
"None on the second floor, but they'll show up sooner or later." Sora adds.
Right after he said that, the three got suddenly surrounded by a Heartless horde. Mainly Neoshadows with a few Soldiers and Shadows.
"Like now." Sora casually said before summoning his keyblade.
Riku and Ventus does the same as the trio go right in, swiftly taking them out in rapid succession. Ven felt his body moving kinda slow, most likely due to his skills lacking practice. Thankfully, Sora and Riku kept him covered whenever he started slacking.
As a second horde comes in, he quickly got into the groove. Fast slashes, quick jabs, even busts out his variations of Strike Raids and Aero spells before unleashing Ars Arcanum. After landing the full combo, the three face one more horde.
They didn't last long as Ven unleashes powerful spells of wind and light. He performs a string of whirlwind slashes before summoning a literal tornado, catching Heartless in its wake. With his prey trapped, he conjures pillars of light that soon spirals around him, finishing them off.
Making sure the coast is clear, the trio share fist bumps for their small victory:
"That was awesome, Ven!" Sora compliments, making him smile:
"Thanks! Looks like I still got it!"
Riku was kinda confused before remembering he's older than he looks, plus his decade-long slumber. The trio soon heard the loudspeakers turn on:
"All students, report to the main foyer as we begin the first round of the Friendship Games!"
"Just in time, come on!" Sora lead the way as they headed to the event.
Current time
The two schools are there with their respective teams lined up as Dean Cadence starts them off:
"Welcome to the first event, the Academic Decathlon! You'll be scored on Chemistry, Home Ed, and everything in between! Remember, only six students of the highest points earned can move on to round two! Good luck!"
The keyblade boys watch on with the others as the two sides compete. Needless to say, it got rather interesting:
Ho! We're gonna take you down
Ho! We're gonna take you down!
Take you down! (Ho! We're gonna take you down!)
Take you down! (Down, down, down)
(Oh oh!) We're here to take you out
(Aw aw!) We're here to take you out (Aw aw!)
Take you out! (We're here to take you out!)
Take you out!
Chemistry flew by as they reach Home Ed, where they have to make a cake. Some were OK, some bad, one was straight up bread, but there was a clear winner:
(Wondercolts)
We're not about to let you win, so get out of our way
Think you got us beat, but we're here to stay
United strong, yeah, we'll take you down
You're not so tough, now you're in our town
All of the times we lost before
Not about to give up, we're only bringin' it more
We can smell your fear, we can see your sweat
Hope you didn't spend money cause you're losin' this bet!
The Shadowbolts had a really good contender with Levin's cake, one he made with Visor. However, Pinkie shut everyone down with hers, which had a perfect picture of the Mona Lisa inside! Jaws dropped and minds were blown before Visor eventually mouthed:
"HOW!?"
You've got nothin' on us, na-na, na-na-na, na
Let's go, Wondercolts!
You've got nothin' on us, na-na, na-na-na, na
Let's go, Wondercolts!
Principal Cinch didn't like the loss, but couldn't help but be impressed. The next event was Woodshop, where the Shadowbolts made sure to bring their best. Some were good, some were bad, one looked to have been put together with tape. Once again though, there was a clear winner:
(Shadowbolts)
Talk a little too much for a school that never wins
Maybe you should just stop 'fore you even begin
We are Crystal Prep High and we have a reputation
Every little moment is about our education
Put your ear to the ground
Listen to that sound, you're a house of cards
And it's about to fall down (fall down)
About to fall down (fall down), hit the ground
Sugarcoat and Indigo revealed their two-story birdhouse, making the judges drop their clipboards. Two of the Wondercolts didn't hang on the loss for long, but the two decided to rub it in by brushing their 'birdhouse' into the trash. The judges didn't see it, but the keyblade boys were baffled at such an action:
You've got nothin' on us, na-na, na-na-na, na
Let's go, Shadowbolts!
You've got nothin' on us, na-na, na-na-na, na
Let's go, Shadowbolts!
The next event was a spelling bee, which only spells doom for most. The words ranged from simple, short, long, to even those that didn't sound like actual words. One by one, the two sides started losing members further down the line:
(Wondercolts)
Pressure's on, now we're gonna beat you
Step aside, it's time that we defeat you
Crystal Prep yourself cause you're about to go
Down, down, down, down
(Shadowbolts)
Pressure's on, you know we're gonna take you
Just give up before we have to break you
Canter-not-a-lot, you're about to go
Down, down, down, down
The last two standing were Sunset on the Wondercolts and Twilight on the Shadowbolts, leading to the final academic event. The two were given a complex equation to solve, the one who gets it correct will win the round for their team.
(Wondercolts)
Take it up to the top, 'cause we know we can win
(Shadowbolts)
Maybe you should just stop, 'cause we've seen you give in
(Wondercolts)
We believe in ourselves and we've got what it takes
(Both)
And we're not gonna STOP!
Before they started the event, the two couldn't help but retreat into their own thoughts:
(Twilight Sparkle)
I can't wait 'til this is all over
There's so much more that's going on
(Sunset Shimmer)
Before these games are finally over
I'll find out just what she's done
The event starts, snapping them back to reality as they start their work. Sunset was quite smart, as the Rainbooms and Sora seen first-hand, but it's clear that this side's Twilight was no slouch. Principal Cinch smirks, knowing that Twilight is capable of solving even the hardest equations. Surprisingly enough, this was the most tense the Games gotten so far:
(Wondercolts/Shadowbolts)
Can she do it? Will she make it?
Who will win it? Who will take it?
Can she do it? Who will take it?
Did she win it? Did she make it?
Who's the winner? Who's the reject?
How did she answer!?
The two finish as the audience reach that last question, which is soon answered. Principal Cinch looks over their work before pointing at Sunset:
"Incorrect."
The Rainbooms and Sora were surprised until Cinch showed their work side by side. Turns out, Sunset slipped up halfway through and was off by ten with her final answer. The judges rallied up the total points before Luna stood up to announce the winner:
"The winning round of the academics goes to, Twilight Sparkle of Crystal Prep!"
Twilight was honestly glad she made it through, but her classmates didn't share the same enthusiasm. Well, most of them as a certain group cheers from the back:
"YEAH! Let's go, Twilight!" Levin shouts before seeing CPA look at them, which Shade bluntly jokes to CHS:
"I swear they put the 'fun' in 'funeral', people!" That got him chuckles and even laughs from the CHS side, with only glares from the CPA side.
She was quite taken aback by all that, only showing a nervous smile in response. Sunset couldn't help but smile at their antic before Rainbow puts her arm on her shoulders:
"That was awesome!"
"Truly amazing!" Rarity adds.
"But we didn't win." Sunset points out, which AJ counters:
"That's as close to winning that Canterlot has ever been."
The Rainbooms stood on one side of the stage as the girls on Twilight's team walk onto the other side, with Dean Cadance standing in the middle to reveal the top six:
"After carefully rallying up the total points for each student, we like to present the six on each team who proved the most qualified for the next round!"
The Rainbooms cheered upon hearing that, but the Crystal Five didn't so much as smile at this. Twilight looks over to the Rainbooms, getting a strange feeling in her heart. She wasn't sure what it was, but that thought was interrupted as Principal Cinch spoke up:
"If I may interject, I recall there's a certain rule in the Games that allows a student to be switched out with another?"
"Y-Yes, there is." Celestia was intrigued by this sudden mention.
"I'll be honest. Twilight Sparkle was a last-minute replacement for another student I chose, but she had fallen ill at the last minute. On such short notice, I picked a student who excels at academics and lacks in athletics. Therefore, I request a switch between her and another student."
The principals knew the rules to the Games, but didn't expect Cinch to consider such a decision. Still, her side did just win the first round and she's likely feeling confident for another win.
"Very well. Who will replace Twilight Sparkle?" Luna asks her.
Principal Cinch looks over to the boys, calling out the first one she saw:
"Levin Reed! You will take Twilight's place in the athletics!"
"Y-Yes, ma'am!" He quickly calls back.
"You got this, cousin!" Stylite pats him on the back for reassurance, with the others giving him high-fives.
Twilight was glad she kept her end of the bargain before seeing her classmates walk off the stage. Now that the first round was finished, she has time to continue her investigation. Walking off the stage to do that, she was approached by Levin:
"Great job on the win, by the way! We were thinking of celebrating it at the Sweet Shoppe, wanna come along?"
She was honestly tempted by the offer, but her device suddenly springs to life. Holding it up, she sees that it was detecting a faint signature.
"I-I'm sorry, excuse me!" She soon took off, kinda confusing him before he shrugs:
"OK, maybe later?"
The Rainbooms were conversing with Sora and Ventus as Riku saw what happened. Taking this chance to find answers, he quickly tails her to see what she's up to.
In the school halls, Twilight was following her device's signature as Riku kept his distance. She eventually reaches a corner that only had two ways, where she hears a familiar voice:
"How's your little hunt coming along?"
"Y-You! Where did you go?" She couldn't help but ask the hooded man.
Riku hid behind one of the walls, out of view as he peeks around the corner. His eyes widen upon seeing the familiar black coat, but stays focused to hear the two converse:
"I had something to take care of. Now back to my question..."
"Oh, I'm doing fine. I found out that the school isn't the only magical source here."
"Is that right?"
"Well, it seems that some of the students are able to transform from it. I don't know the exact method yet, but-"
"You'll find out soon enough. I'll return when the time is right, but for now..."
He suddenly fires a magic shot down the hall, specifically towards where Riku was peeking from. The latter quickly takes cover behind the corner as the hooded man continues:
"You have a sneaky rat." With that said, he took his leave by vanishing into thin air.
Twilight recovers from what just happened before turning to where he fired. Taking a couple of steps towards the corner, she calls out:
"Who's there?"
Silence was met as her answer, making her a bit uneasy before she sees Riku walk around the corner. He was rather casual about it though:
"I was wondering who was down here."
She doesn't exactly buy that, "Were you eavesdropping on me?"
"I was patrolling for any Heartless before I heard voices." He answers, making it sound truthful without being suspicious.
Thankfully it was enough before she continues, "What did you hear?"
"I saw you talking with someone in a black coat. Who was that?"
"...Someone who's helping me." That made Riku raise an eyebrow as she clarifies, "He's why I was able to complete my device."
He couldn't shake off a sinking feeling as he makes a good point:
"He likely has an ulterior motive. Trust me, me and my friends had recently dealt with an organization who wore them. Long story short, they weren't the nicest people to get along with."
She grew concerned over this new info. If this is true, then what would that man have to gain from helping her?
"Do you even know his name?" He questions, which she couldn't answer due to not knowing it.
He sees her face clearly show doubt, even a bit of fear before she suddenly blurts out:
"H-He just appeared in my lab one day, vaguely mentioning some time rift and me having this 'grand destiny'! I-I didn't believe such nonsense about worlds beyond and magic being real, the latter he proved by giving my device a magic core, but I can't help but be curious about all of it! I-I-I-"
He places his hand on her shoulder, stopping her rambling as he assures her:
"Don't worry, we'll stop whatever he's planning." He then realizes what he just said and chuckles, "Great, now I'm sounding like Sora..."
She recalls his friend and couldn't help but smile a bit, thanks to his little speech earlier. Her mind then wanders to the Rainbooms, where she couldn't help but ask:
"What do you know about the girls?"
"The Rainbooms? Well I heard about them from my friend Sora, so I recommend asking him for the full story. I think I saw them heading to the courtyard."
"OK, I don't know where that might be..." She admits, due to not knowing the school layout.
"I know the way back to the entrance. Come on."
The two then took their leave, unbeknownst to the pair that the hooded man only made himself invisible. Overhearing the entire conversation, he simply smirks:
"How unfortunate, Twilight Sparkle. You could had a bright future, but chose to have a grim fate."
And done! I'm surprised on how much I got from these scenes, so let's go down the list:
A. The scene where Sci-Twi met the Rainbooms is just dumb. Like, Pinkie literally knows who she is, but doesn't say it until AFTER Sci-Twi is taken away by Principal Cinch! Actually, a lot of this movie could have been avoided if they weren't written to be idiots! But I digress...
What I did was be right up front. Sci-Twi enters to meet the Rainbooms, where she's understandably confused until the keyblade boys enter to answer said question. After that, I then had an amazing idea that I wish they did in the movie:
Can you imagine meeting people you didn't know, who treat you like a close friend, before being told that you look EXACTLY like another friend of theirs? Even sharing the same face and name? I wouldn't blame Sci-Twi for having doubts about their 'friendship' being made JUST on that aspect.
That could have been the conflict between her and Sunset in the movie, instead of retreading the 'Science of Magic' short plot point.
B. The party scene was very fun to write. The continuation of 'Sora's Drive Line' fashion and Ven's 'Break Time' breakdance being the highlights, along with this being the shift on how I'm writing Principal Cinch this time.
C. The ONLY scene where the Rainbooms and the Crystal Five exchange words in the movie, mostly happens in the background! Fixed that here, where I decided to expand their interactions. It's seriously sad that they were made to be their parallels, yet they barely get any time to shine in their debut and even in Dance Magic.
And real quick, am I the only one who wanted to see their return in Spring Breakdown? Seriously, they wanted a 'spring dance on a yacht' and the setting of the special was on a YACHT! Come on, people!
D. The scene of Sci-Twi finding the portal was gonna be longer, but I cut it down since it wasn't going the way I wanted it. I kept it so that Sunset sees what she's up to, plus making a later song make sense in context.
E. Speaking of the song, I was originally gonna do what I did in Rainbow Rocks, making an optional battle theme as the Games took place. But I decided to keep said battle short for the boys and had them watch the Games' academic round. Plus, the idea of them seeing Pinkie's cake, especially after everything they experienced, is just hilarious to me.
F. The last scene was added to keep you-know-who relevant, but then I realized that since Sci-Twi is out of the Games this time, I now have more flexibility on what she can do. You'll see what I mean.
Now with ALL of that said, thanks for reading and I'll see you all next chapter!