It was a nice day at Canterlot City as we head towards the Canterlot Mall where a lot of people are seen walking around, buying stuffs or having snacks at tables scattered around the main square.
Amongs the people walking around the mall are Rarity Belle and Raya Amanda.
Earlier today, the two girls alongside Sunset Shimmer, Applejack, Fluttershy, Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash having a car wash fundraiser in front of Canterlot High School to raise money for reparations to Camp Everfree. However, after washing Big McIntosh's car and having exhausted all other ideas to make money, the girls have only raised half the amount that they need, and the camp's fundraising deadline is one week away. Rarity claims that she has a great idea and tells her friends to meet her in the school music room later.
As the girls leave, Spike - Twilight's puppy, asks Rarity about her supposed idea, and she reveals she doesn't actually have one.
After a few hours of window-shopping at the Canterlot Mall, Rarity is still unable to come up with an idea to raise money for Camp Everfree.
"Oh, rats." Rarity spoke, "Three hours and still no ideas for a lucrative last-minute fundraiser." she said, "Usually, window-shopping inspires me." she pointed out.
"Relax... you'll figure something out." Raya reassured, "You know... getting money for that camp you guys love would've been easier if you just let us donate some money in this fundraiser of yours.'' she pointed out.
"We appreciate the thoughts, darling, but we can't take the money that you worked hard for." Rarity replied in gratitude, "But this is something the girls and I had to do with ourselves.'' she declared with Raya shaking her head in amusement.
The two kept walking when they heard a voice, "Are you a musician?" the voice asked as the two turns to see a television screen hanging above a jewelry store while showing some sort of promo, "Do you and friends love to dance?" the announcer asked.
"Yes..." Rarity replied with a raised eyebrow.
"Are you unique, cool, stylish?" the announcer listed off.
"Yes, yes, yes, and... obviously!" Rarity replied boastfully while waving her index finger as Raya rolled her eyes in amusement.
"Do you want to win a cash prize?" the announcer asked.
Rarity's eyes widen in astonishment, "Yes!" she yelped happily with a bright smile as Raya crosses her arms in curiosity.
"Then enter the Canterlot Mall Chance to Prance Competition!" the announcer advised, "All you need is a music video of your own original song and dance." he explained, "Then you could be prancing your way to first prize!" he exclaimed, "Sign up now at the booth near the Aunt Orange smoothie kiosk." he instructed.
Raya smirks, "Looks like we found the answer to your current dilemma.'' she mused.
Both girls immediately run off but they suddenly screeched to a halt once Rarity noticed a sparkling red dress in the window of another shop, looking at it in awe while grinning widely, "Oh, we're certain to win!" she declared proudly as she put her hands up to her cheeks while looking at Raya.
"You got this in the bag, Rare." Raya declared with a grin.
The two arrives at the Aunt Orange Smoothie kiosk with a table with the sign-up cards and entry box in front, Rarity wasted no time signing up a card when four girls arrives and took notice of her.
The first girl has a light-turquoise gray skin tone, she has a grayish mulberry with light raspberry streaks short bobcut hair and has moderate cerise eyes. She wears a purple school blazer jacket over a dark undershirt with a black ribbon tie, a dark purple plaid skirt, dark-purple frilled socks and black leather shoes. She wears a grayish-purple Pip Boys on each wrist. This is Sunny Flare.
Crystal Prep Student
Sunny Flare
The second has a pale, light grayish gold skin tone, she has a long moderate rose with lighter moderate rose and grayish aquamarine streaks tied in a high ponytail, she has moderate indigo eyes and has freckles on her face. She wears a purple buttoned vest over a blue short-sleeved shirt with a black ribbon tie, a dark purple plaid skirt, dark-purple frilled high socks and black leather shoes. This is Sour Sweet.
Crystal Prep Student
Sour Sweet
The third girl has a light phthalo bluish gray skin tone, she has a long light opalish gray hair with light arctic bluish gray streaks which is tied in a bun and two low pigtails, she has a grayish orchid eyes and wears orange-rimmed glasses. She wears a purple school blazer jacket over a dark undershirt with a black ribbon tie, a dark purple plaid skirt over a black pantyhose, dark-purple frilled socks and black leather shoes. This is Sugarcoat.
Crystal Prep Student
Sugarcoat
The fourth girl has a pale, light grayish amaranth skin tone, she has a long light pistachio hair with pale, light grayish green and light brilliant lime green streaks and has light brilliant amber eyes. She wears a purple school blazer jacket with folded sleeves over a light-blue high collar shirt and a black ribbon tie, a dark purple plaid skirt, dark-purple frilled high socks and black leather shoes. She wears pinkish-red headphones. This is Lemon Zest.
Crystal Prep Student
Lemon Zest
"Rarity!" Sour called out getting Rarity and Raya's attention as the four approaches them, "What a nice surprise!" she greeted sweetly with a wave of her hand, "Not..." she whispered sourly through the side of her mouth.
Raya crosses her arms, "Who are these chix?" she asked.
"Sour Sweet! Sunny Flare!" Rarity greeted with a gasp, "Why, it's been ages." she pointed out with a smile.
"It's only been about whole summer and a month since the Friendship Games." Sugarcoat pointed out rather bluntly.
"Is that all?" Rarity questioned, "Wow!" she said with a giggle, "How is everything over at Crystal Prep Academy?" she asked.
"Oh, things at CPA have never been better since Principal Cadance took over." Sunny replied with a smile.
"Yeah." Sour spoke in agreement, "She's going to let us have the fall dance on a yacht." she boasted with a proud look, "If we raise the money..." she admitted.
"Ooh, sounds divine." Rarity complimented.
Lemon then took notice of Raya, "By the way... who's your friend?'' she asked.
Raya tips her shades down, "Greetings, sweethearts, my name is Raya Amanda." she introduced, "I'm fashion designer and a model, and a good friend of Rarity.'' she added with a smirk.
"Nice to meet you." Lemon greeted back before turning to Rarity, "Are you signing up for the 'Chance to Prance' contest, too?" she asked.
"I am!" Rarity replied with a giggle as she placed her sign-up card into the box, "Are you girls here to sign up for the competition?" she asked.
"We definitely aren't here because we like standing in lines." Sugarcoat pointed out bluntly.
Raya chuckled, "Ain't you blunt cutie.'' she mused.
"I assume you already have a video concept figured out." Sour inquired, "The competition's going to be pret-ty fierce." she pointed out.
"Yes, it came to me as soon as I saw that gorgeous red ruffled ensemble on the way over here." Rarity replied.
Sour let's out a grin, "Oh." she uttered, "Tell me more." she said while her friends let's out some devious smiles on their faces.
Raya took notice of this and raised an eyebrow as Rarity spoke, "Oh!" she yelped while flipping her hair back with her hand, "Well, each member of the Rainbooms is going to dance in a different style, like flamenco, hip-hop, or street ballet." she listed off, with matching dance poses, "... and we'll wear costumes to match each genre." she finished, "Designed by yours truly, of course." she added with a giggle.
"That sounds like a very good concept." Sugarcoat commented.
Sour let's out another devious grin as she spoke, "Yeah, heh, I guess it's okay." she admitted with a laugh, "If you're going for way too over-the-top." she whispered as Raya crosses her arms.
"Thanks!" Rarity replied with a giggle, "So, what's your concept?" she asked.
"Nothing." Sugarcoat answered bluntly, much to her friend's surprise, "We don't have one yet," she pointed out.
"What she means is it's a surprise!" Sour corrected, "But it's a-ma-zing~" she mused with a wave of her hands, "So original." she added.
"Oh, well, I can't wait to see it." Rarity said with a smile, "Good luck!" she said before walking off with Raya following suit.
"You, too!" Sour responded with a sly smile.
Raya slightly looks back at them, "Hmm... could those girls be Indigo's former friends? If so... then Indigo had great reasons to be angry at them.'' she thought.
Rarity then noticed that Raya has been awfully quiet, "Raya, darling? Is there's something the matter?'' she asked.
Raya shook her head, "Nothing important." she replied.
Bzzzttt...
Later that day at Canterlot High, we see Edwin Horace "Ed" Williams, Trixie Lulamoon, Lavender Lace and Fuchsia Blush walking down the hallways, passing-by the music room. Inside the music room, Rarity and Raya are seen having a conversation with Sunset Shimmer, Applejack, Fluttershy, Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash and a puppy named Spike.
Twilight's Pet
Spike
Spike has a light mulberry fur with a light spring budish gray underbelly and light lime green 'ears, with moderate pistachio eyes and moderate harlequin hair. He also wears a dark-blue collar with spikes and rings.
"See?" Rarity spoke, "It's a wonderful plan." she declared, "We'll write some lyrics for our new song band we'll choreograph some dance moves and then our video will win a cash prize, and voilà!" she finished explaining with outstretched arms.
"You make it sound simple as pie." Applejack pointed out in concern.
"That's because it is!" Rarity reassured, "The girls at Crystal Prep even agree, they're making a video, too." she mentioned which got everyone in surprise when she mentioned Crystal Prep.
"They are?" Twilight asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I-Is that a problem, darling?" Rarity asked in concern.
Twilight shook her head, "Oh, no, it's not." she assured, "Just haven't heard much about my old school since I left, I guess..." she stated while rubbing the back of her neck.
"Haven't you tried asking Indigo about that?'' Raya asked.
Twilight shook her head again, "I tried but she won't say anything." she replied.
Raya's eyes narrowed behind her shades, "So I was right. Those girls are indeed Indigo's former friends.'' she thought.
Spike then spoke, "Well, if you ask me." he chimed in, "Crystal Prep has got nothin' on CHS!" he said with a smile, "I love it here!" he exclaimed as Fluttershy scratches his chin, much to his delight, "See what I mean?" he pointed out as the animal lover giggled.
"Okay..." Rarity spoke, "... before we get started with the choreographing of our dance moves and eh, heh, heh..." she mumbled while waving her left hand around nervously, "... there's just one tiny, teeny-weensy, little thing I forgot to mention..." she confessed with a sheepish smile.
"What's that?" Sunset asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Uhhhh..." Rarity uttered anxiously, "I would need to use our fundraiser money to buy costume materials for the video!" she explained rather quickly as everyone looks at her.
Sunset then thought about it, "How much is the grand prize worth?" she asked.
"More than double what we need to fix up Camp Everfree!" Raya replied with a grin.
Rainbow then let's out a laugh, "Hah!" she said while standing up, "Then of course you can use the money for costumes!" she concurred.
Applejack sighed, "Oh, what the hay?" she muttered while standing up and taking the cash box into her hands, "Why not?" she agreed with a smile.
Rainbow pumps her fist, "Sweet!" she exclaimed.
Pinkie zooms over Rarity, "Whee-hee!" she cheered and embraced the fashionsita as Sunset walks toward them with a smile.
Twilight then spoke, "According to my calculations, if we lend Rarity the funds we've already raised..." she began with a calculator in hand, "... we stand to gain four times as much money as we have now!" she exclaimed as everyone let's out a cheer, "But if we lose the video contest..." she chimed while adjusting her glasses, "... we'll be completely back to square one and zero dollars." she pointed out, "Anyone else think this is an awfully risky endeavor?" she asked as everyone looks at her with nervous looks, "I mean, um, heh... me neither..." she claimed with a nervous smile.
Raya then spoke, "With great risk often comes great reward." she said, "There are failures, setbacks and even complete start-over's along the way, but if you don't risk something, you'll never gain anything. Take a chance and see what rewards might come out of that courageous decision." she said with a grin as everyone smiles at her while nodding to each other.
"All right, girls." Rarity chimed in with her hands together, "Who's ready to shoot our winning dance music video?" she asked as everyone let's out a cheer of excitement while Applejack handed the cash box to the fashionista. Rarity let's out an excited giggle, "Looks like I have some fabric shopping to do!" she mused before turning to Raya, "Would you lend me a hand?'' she requested.
Raya let's out a grin, "Certainly.'' she replied.
The next day at the Canterlot High's gymnasium, with the exception of Raya and Rarity, the rest of the girls are wearing various dancing attires, they even asked a girl named Photo Finish to film their video.
Canterlot High Student
Photo Finish
Photo has a pale, light grayish cerulean skin tone, a shoulder-length light gray hair and has grayish violet eyes hidden behind her purple glasses. She is currently wearing a black & white pint-striped blouse with purple ribbon tie, black knee-length skirt and black boots.
Rarity attempts to direct and choreograph the girls' dance routines, but they make little progress. Twilight guarantees that the Shadowbolts will not only have better dance moves but also a more competitive edge. During their next practice take, Sunset Shimmer accidentally tears through Rainbow Dash's jacket with her shoe heel, and Rarity has to return to the mall to buy more fabric to fix it while Raya in-charge of the choreography while she's gone.
So, in the mall, we see Rarity running out of a store with bag of material in hand.
"Oh, thank goodness I budgeted for backup fabric..." Rarity said in relief when we she let's out a gasp when she saw something. By the mall's fountain, she saw Sour, Sunny, Lemon and Sugarcoat, all four wearing dance attires, dancing around the fountain while being recorded by a video camera. Rarity rubs her eyes as she got a good look of what they're doing, "Is that a disco-inspired look?" she pointed out while looking at Sour, "And a street ballet tutu?!" she shrieked taking notice of Sugarcoat, "I don't believe it..." she uttered in shock, "They stole my brilliant idea!" she exclaimed with quivering lips.
A/N: Inspired from someonestupED, damnlastwords, Hope the Victor and Ace Neptune. All OCs and concepts not created by moi were given permission for me to use by it's respected creators.