The next night, the Rainbooms went up against a bagpipe playing vole and won easily. But the Dazzlings won their challenge too. Now there were only four acts left in the contest.

"Woohoo!" Rainbow Dash cheered as they headed back inside. "Now we're in the semifinals!"

"We'll beat those Dazzlings yet," Joshy declared confidently.

They all said goodnight and went their separate ways.

Samkim was at the door of his bedroom when he heard somebeast call out his name. "Samkim!"

He turned around to see Aria, the Siren who was pretending to be a squirrel. "What do you want?" Samkim asked suspiciously.

"I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed your flute playing tonight."

Although Samkim mistrusted her, he was flattered by the praise nonetheless. "Really? Thanks."

"'Course, that guitar playing Pegasus gets all the attention, but I think you're the most talented one in the band," Aria said. "And handsome, too. The full package."

Samkim blushed in spite of himself. "You shouldn't be saying these things."

Aria giggled. "Why not? You are handsome. And what about me? Don't you think I'm pretty?"

Samkim couldn't lie. "Well, yes. You are pretty."

"You know, we're a lot alike. You're living in Rainbow Dash's shadow, just like I have to live in Adagio's. She always tells me what to do and I'm sick of it. I should be in charge of the Dazzlings… and you ought to be in charge of your band."

She leaned in and gave Samkim a quick kiss on the lips. "See you tomorrow, big boy."

She walked away. As soon as she was out of sight, though, she wiped her lips off in disgust. She didn't really like him at all; she was just trying to turn him against his friends.

Samkim went into his room and lay down on his bed, thinking, She's right. I should be in charge. This band was my idea and Rainbow Dash came in and took it over.

Meanwhile, Joshy went down to the kitchen to fix himself a snack before bed. As he rummaged through the cupboards, he quietly sang his song about eating to himself.

"That's a nice song," said a voice at his side. Joshy jumped and dropped the bag of candied chestnuts he was holding. Sonata the otter was standing right next to him!

"Blimey, you nearly gave me a flippin' heart attack!" Joshy exclaimed, stooping down to pick up the chestnuts that were all over the floor now. "I say, how did you get in here without my seein' you?"

"Did you write that song yourself?" Sonata asked.

"Well, yes, I did, but I don't see what that has to do with…"

"Do you write all the songs for the Rainbooms?"

Joshy's face fell. "Sadly, no. Rainbow Dash writes 'em."

"That's a shame," said Sonata. "If they used your songs, you'd have no trouble beating us."

"You really think so, wot?" Joshy asked, brightening.

"I do. I know just how you feel. I write songs too, but Adagio and Aria always hate them." She glided out of the kitchen, leaving Joshy alone with his thoughts.

I should jolly well be the blinkin' songwriter, he told himself. My friends don't recognize my talents, wot wot.

When Rainbow Dash went to her room she found Adagio lying right on the bed. "It's not nice to go into other creatures' rooms without permission," she snapped, stomping her hoof on the floor.

"Chill," Adagio said. "I just wanted to congratulate you on your win. Us Dazzlings are gonna have our work cut out for us."

"That's a surprisingly nice thing for you to say," Rainbow Dash said. "I thought you guys hated us."

"I hate the other Rainbooms, but not you. You're awesome, just like me. You remind me of myself in so many ways. We both have less talented friends holding us back."

"My friends aren't holding me back," Rainbow Dash insisted. "Now go back to your own room."

"Whatever you say." Adagio left and Rainbow Dash flopped down on the bed. But she couldn't get the Siren's words out of her head. Maybe my friends are holding me back, she thought.