"Welcome to the first ever Canterlot High School Battle of the Bands," Principal Celestia announces. "I believe I speak for everyone when I say it is by far the greatest thing we have ever done here at this school!" All of the students cheer. "We are so glad our three newest students encouraged us to turn this event into something exciting!"
"But, as this is now a competition," Vice Principal Luna says, "we can only choose one winner. Who is it going to be?"
The students begin arguing again. I notice the green mist from the cafeteria returning, and it flows into the red jewels on the Dazzlings' necklaces.
"You feel that, girls?" Adagio says. "Our true power is being restored." The other two laugh. The girls from earlier enter the gym, and the Dazzlings stop laughing. "And that's before we've tapped into the strongest magic here."
"But the Rainblossoms, or whatever they're called, aren't under our spell," Aria says. "How exactly are we supposed to get to their magic?"
"The Rainbooms are just as capable of falling apart as anyone else," Adagio says. "They just need a little push in the wrong direction. I have a feeling everyone here is going to be lining up to give them a shove."
Again with magic... "So what's the deal with this 'magic' stuff?"
"Hmm... I think we should tell him," Sonata says, "since he's on our side."
"I agree," Aria says. "It's not like he could do anything, anyway."
Adagio thinks for a moment. "Yeah, why not?" Now I'm thinking I probably shouldn't have asked.
"We're not actually from this world. We're from a place called Equestria, where the inhabitants are colorful, talking ponies."
I take it back. There's no way that's a thing. "So, let me guess. You three were ponies?"
Adagio scoffs. "Yeah, right... We were what they call the sirens."
Sirens? "You mean like the mythical creatures that would lure sailors to their deaths with their singing?"
"Not quite," Aria says. "Our singing would cause the ponies to start fighting with each other, and we feed off of that hatred and distrust." Okay, now it's making a bit more sense...
"Until that stupid Star Swirl the Bearded banished us to this place..." Sonata angrily says.
"You're not feeding off of my hatred for the school, are you?"
"As we said, you don't have any magic," Adagio says. "The ponies in Equestria, and for some reason the inhabitants of this school, do."
"Right. And you're absolutely certain this can get the school to stop bullying me?"
"Don't worry," Sonata says as she puts a hand on my shoulder. "When we have our true power again, going after you will be the last thing on their minds."
They begin laughing evilly. I join in, eager to see everybody pay.
"The first group is... 'MC Snips and DJ Snazzy Snails'." Seriously? Those two? Well, this should be interesting...
They start out trying to beatbox, then lead into the actual rapping. Oh boy...
Can I throw "DJ Snazzy Snails" out the door? I feel like that'd be doing everybody a favor. I think the only thing worse than these lyrics is their nonsensical freestyling.
After their performance, they proceed to drop the mics. Well, they were right about one thing. That just happened... whatever "that" was.
"Please do not drop the microphones," Principal Celestia says in a deadpan tone.
"I'm... not sure how they think they actually will move on," I say.
"I thought it was good," Sonata says.
Wait, what? "Seriously?"
"Yeah. I like freestyling."
"That's what you..." She didn't even pay attention to the lyrics. I quietly ask Aria, "Is she always this absent-minded?"
"You don't know the half of it," she says.
The Rainbooms take the stage. They seem a bit nervous, and as I look around at the other people in the audience, I can see why. None are too pleased to see them.
I spot a girl with blue hair sitting on the other side of the bleachers. She's bobbing her head to... Uh, why is she wearing headphones? I know she wears them around school all the time, or at least all the times I've seen her, but why would you attend a musical competition and not listen to the bands' music? That's like going to a Wondercolts football game and watching their softball team on your phone.
The Rainbooms start playing. Okay, what's up with the keytarist's outfit? I admit, it makes her look stunning, but it's only the first round. Save the flashy stuff for the finals. Also, I'm not sure if the headband is necessary.
As they reach the chorus, a pair of... Are those magnets? A couple magnets on strings latch onto the things hanging off of the keytarist's jacket... dress... thing... and start controlling her movements like a puppet. Is this what the Dazzlings meant by giving them a push?
The drummer turns one of the drum heads around and hits it with the kick pedal, causing confetti to fly out. Time and place, people... The keytarist is dragged toward the bassist, who kicks her away. A piece of confetti gets stuck in the singer's throat, and she starts coughing. The tambourine player hits her in the back with the tambourine and she coughs up the confetti piece.
I can tell this isn't going how they were hoping. Suddenly, a spotlight shines on the tambourine player, who tries running away from it. After some time, she's able to fake out the light and hide behind the drummer's podium. As the song ends, the keytarist is able to break free from the magnets, but her outfit rips. She starts crying.
Well... That was... something... The judges are the only ones applauding. At least the song was better than the S&S crap duo.
"Told you everyone would give them a shove," Adagio says as we're walking backstage.
"That was one hell of a shove..." I say.
I hear a couple people talking. As we get closer to them, one of them seems to be arguing.
"I want this, Twilight, and you're trying to take it from me! Some friend..."
"That's not why -"
A third voice chimes in. "Come on, Twilight. We've got things to do."
"You really think you're gonna help them?!" the male voice says. "Ha! I bet you have no idea what you're even doing!"
As they walk past us, the purple Rainbooms member starts crying. This is exactly what other students have done to me...
Adagio chuckles. "Tears already? This is only the first round." The others laugh.
"I... I'm not sure if this is better than them picking on me..."
"Of course it's better," Adagio says. "Now, instead of going after you, they're going after each other. And remember, the Rainbooms are the biggest threat to our plan."
I still don't like it, but I decide to just go with it. "I guess you're right."
"The next band to take the stage will be Trixie and the Illusions," Principal Celestia announces over the intercom.
"Better head back," Adagio says. "We're supposed to go on after Trixie."
As we approach the entrance to the backstage area, someone's standing in the corner. It looks like...
You!
"You're never gonna get away with this."
"Why? Because you didn't?" I feel the anger building. I can barely focus on what Adagio is saying. "Oh, we know all about you, Sunset Shimmer. You've got quite the reputation at Canterlot High."
"I've changed! I'm in a much better place now!" What a bunch of crap!
"Waiting in the wings while your friends have all the fun?"
"Oh, yes, you girls are so tight. And yet... they didn't ask you to be in the band." Rage... Building...
"Probably afraid no one will want to see them play if she was in the group."
"Too bad! So sad!"
"If it's any consolation, no one is going to remember you at all by the time we're done."
That line did it. I have to confront her now. "Do you remember me? Huh? Do you?"
"No, I... I've never seen you until yesterday."
Why doesn't she... "Fine, I'll refresh your memory. Hey, everybody! You know that crippled freak? Some loser's actually dating her!"
"...Cloudflare?!"
"That's right. My last 6 months at CHS has been an absolute nightmare! I've been laughed at, picked on, and even beaten up. All because of you!"
"I... I'm sorry..."
"Sorry?!" I start to lose control. I grab her by the jacket. "You take over this school for three years and make my life a living hell, and now you're sorry?! You think I buy that crap?!" I feel the Dazzlings place their hands on my shoulders. I'm definitely going a bit far. I take a deep breath. "I don't know what the Rainboobs are planning, but they're not gonna stand in the way of me getting revenge on you and this entire school. You can count on that!" I give her a shove as I let go of her jacket, and I leave with the Dazzlings.
We take the stage for round one. "Remember, girls," I hear Adagio tell the other. "We want to save the good stuff for when our full power has been restored." I'm curious to know exactly what they mean, but this isn't the time to press the issue. They look at me, and I give a thumbs-up to signal I'm ready. This is the first time I've played in front of a crowd. Better not blow it. Sonata does a count-in, and we begin playing.
Since the versions I worked with had them vocalizing instead of actual singing, this is the first time I'm hearing the lyrics. Not exactly subtle, what with "Now you've fallen under our spell".
Adagio finishes the song with an evil laugh. The crowd cheers. That performance was perfect. Easily the best so far, and I'm not just saying that because I'm in the group.
We head to the back as the next group sets up.
The crowd cheers Trixie's performance. Honestly, based on the Rainbooms' other songs, she doesn't stand a chance at getting into the final round.
"Next up: The Rainbooms."
The band takes the stage and begin their song. "Awesome as I wanna be", huh? So much arrogance in this competition...
Rainbow Dash, the lead guitarist/singer is all over the place on-stage, and the rest of the band clearly isn't liking it. Following the chorus, all lights shine on her as she does a guitar solo. My hunch was right. Even though they're both arrogant, this song's miles better than Trixie's.
I notice something happening on her head. Something's glowing... Are those... Are those animal ears? Is this the magic that the Dazzlings were talking about?
Suddenly, somebody tackles her and they stop playing. As the lights come on and the tambourine player runs away, I see it's...
Sunset Shimmer...
I knew she hadn't changed! That whole "I'm sorry" thing was just an act. She's just as rotten as ever.
"Now that's the bad girl we love to hate!" The crowd starts booing.
"I knew she was still trouble!"
"The real Sunset Shimmer is back!"
I see all of us are in agreement.
As we walk past the principals, the Dazzlings start vocalizing.
"What was that about?"
"Just a little... assurance," Adagio says.
Principal Celestia grabs a mic. "The band that will be joining the Dazzlings in tonight's finals..."
Why the pause? Obviously it's Trix-
"The Rainbooms!"
Huh?!
"What?!"
"Huh?"
I'm with them. "I'm sorry, did she say..."
"This isn't over!"
How... Why did...
"Congratulations, girls. You deserve it."
I... Okay, I know the Dazzlings are behind this. But... why?
"Seriously?! We didn't even finish our-" Rainbow elbows Pinkie to get her to stop talking.
We walk onto the stage. "See you at tonight's big show, Rainbooms," Adagio says. "We are really looking forward to it." They start walking away, and I join them, still confused over this whole thing.
"Yeah, well not as much as we are!" I hear the crowd booing.
As we walk through the crowd, I hear Trixie complaining. "This is a travesty. A travesty!"
"It really is!" Adagio says. "The Rainbooms don't deserve to be in the finals. Not when your band was so much better in the semis."
"And wanted it so much more," Aria says.
"Apparently this competition has no rules against physical confrontations," I say. I know they're not being sincere, but I am.
"Alas, this is the way it's going to be. Dazzlings vs. Rainbooms," Adagio says.
"Unless, of course, the Rainbooms don't manage to make it to their set or get held up for some reason," Sonata says.
Trixie laughs sinisterly. What was that about...
We arrive at the stage for the final round. The Rainbooms are currently setting up.
"Shouldn't I be coming up with the drum line for the song we're doing?"
"Relax," Adagio says. "You'll have plenty of time for that."
After they finish setting up, Trixie and her band confront them. We're too far away to hear what they're talking about.
I see her snap her fingers, one of her band members pulls a lever, and suddenly the Rainbooms disappear into the stage. Seriously?
Adagio chuckles. "Told you someone would give them a shove."
"She didn't shove them," Sonata says. "She pulled a lever."
Aria sighs. "Go back to sleep, Sonata."
This is absurd. "This was your plan all along? Have the Rainbooms move on, only to have Trixie trap them so they can't advance? That's unnecessarily complicated. Why not just let the judges move Trixie into the finals? It accomplishes the same damn thing!"
"Look, human..." Adagio says angrily. "We can't get ahold of their magic the way they are. We have to break them."
"This was the best way to do it," Aria says. "And with them trapped, they're completely out of the way."
"Even though nobody told me she was gonna pull a lever," Sonata says.
"Shut up, Sonata," all 3 of us say.
I sigh. "Okay, I guess that makes sense."
"Let's go," Adagio says. "You need to practice the last song."