CHAPTER ONE:
It was 3:00 after class at Canterlot High. The members of the Rainbooms were gathered in the music room, about to rehearse Sunset’s first singing part. The faint sound of Lyra practicing the piano in the neighboring room could be heard as the crew readied their instruments.
“Are you sure you’re ready for this?” Applejack asked.
Sunset nodded. “Count us in Pinkie Pie!”
Pinkie clicked her sticks in time, “One! Two! One Two Three Four!”
The next three minutes were filled with catchy guitar riffs, Sunset singing and Rainbow Dash harmonizing, and a shining moment for each member. Before the last chorus, the Equestrian Magic was taking effect and their ears turned into pony ears and their ponytails grew really long. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy even grew wings. On the final riff, their ears, tails, and wings disappeared again.
“That sounded awesome, you guys!” Rainbow cheered. “But I couldn’t hear the bass at all. What’s up Applejack?”
“Sorry, Dash. Must be a bum cord. Let’s see if I can wrangle another one.” Applejack coiled up the damaged cord and went back into storage to look for a fresh one.
In the down time, Sunset asked, “So, how did I do?”
“Oh,” Fluttershy spoke up, “I thought you sounded wonderful.”
Rarity nodded in agreement. “Indeed. I too would soon compare your voice to the finest diamond I have in my shop!” Sunset blushed but smiled. “Oh!” she continued, “That just gave me an idea for our next show! Do you mind sequins?”
Sunset didn’t really care how she looked on stage, but decided to humor Rarity anyway. “Not at all. Whatever you decide is best.”
Applejack came back with a new chord. “I don’t want to be too picky, but since I couldn’t hear my own instrument, I was listenin’ to y’all and, Rainbow, your guitar solo is starting to cut into the last chorus.”
“So?” asked Rainbow, throwing her hands up.
“So,” Applejack continued, “The lyrics in this song are very important. And with the guitar solo running into the chorus like that, the audience won’t be able to hear a darn thing Sunset’s singing.”
“Psh. They already heard the chorus 2 times by now. It’s not that big of a deal.”
“Whatever you say Rainbow.” Applejack frowned. Since Sunset became lead vocalist, Rainbow Dash receded into pouring all her “awesomeness” into her guitar. The guitar can bring a lot of flavor to a song but Rainbow’s lengthy guitar solos were starting to overstay their welcome.
“So now that we got the right bass cord,” Pinkie hit her snare twice and crashed the symbol, “Hehe, ‘bass chord.’ Shall we run through it one more time?”
They all agreed.
This time, when it was Rainbow’s turn for the solo, she was running through her regular routine, but remembered what Applejack had said about it running into the solo, so she cut it short. But… it didn’t sound right. It sounded, unfinished. Unsatisfied, she tried to fill in the little gaps in between the chorus with short flourishes. That outta even things out.
When it was done, they all smiled; all except for Applejack.
“Rainbow, what was that?! I thought I told you you need to cut back on the soloin’!”
“I did! I cut the solo out right before the chorus. Just like you asked!”
“Yes, but what was all of that riffin’ and scufflin’?”
“I thought the chorus could use a little… spicing up. I didn’t cover any of Sunset’s singing.”
Sunset, noticing how she was right in between Dash and Applejack, backed away carefully.
“What you call ‘spicing up’,” Applejack continued, “I call distractin’.”
“Well fine! If you don’t like how I play,” she pulled the strap over her head, “then YOU play guitar!”
“I can’t, I play bass.”
“Fine, then I’ll take the bass.”
Applejack was reluctant to hand over the bass she had played since she was small. But she gave in. “Fine!” she grabbed the guitar and handed the bass over.
Fluttershy whispered to Sunset, Pinkie and Rarity, “I thought we all sounded pretty good. I liked those little, hmm, ‘spices.’”
“Yeah,” Rarity confirmed. “I wonder why those two are always going at it like this. It’s very uncivilized.”
“Being in a band is supposed to be fun. But those two are making it really hard for the rest of us,” Pinkie added.
Sunset hung her head. “I can’t help feeling that I’m somewhat responsible for this.”
“How so, darling?”
“Well, you see. Rainbow Dash used to be the face of the band. Lead singer, lead guitarist, lead-er. But now I come in and… mess everything up.”
“It’s not your fault.” Fluttershy put a sympathetic hand on her arm. “Rainbow Dash just isn’t used to accommodating new members into the band. Like, when I was starting off…” She was abruptly cut off by Rainbow.
“Fine! Are we doing this or not?”
Hesitantly, Pinkie counted in.
This time around didn’t sound bad. But with Applejack and Rainbow Dash on the wrong instruments, there was bound to be a few mistakes.
“Ugh. I don’t like this. The strings are too thick. I can barely even pluck them!”
“Agree to tone down to soloin’ and I’ll give you back your guitar.” Applejack held it out teasingly.
Rainbow grimaced, but handed over the bass in return for her guitar once again.
“Ready to go one more time?”
“Umm, actually…” Fluttershy pointed to the clock. It was 5:00 already. They had been fighting so long there was barely any time to practice.
“Alright,” Rainbow sighed, defeated. “Let’s call it a day. Let’s make sure we bring our A game tomorrow. We sounded good, but we are still far from perfect.”
“Jee, I wonder why,” Applejack said under her breath.
“Rainbooms Rock!” She yelled, punching a fist into the air. The group lazily returned it.
One by one the Rainbooms left; Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and then Sunset and Fluttershy at the caboose.
“So, you were telling me about when you came into the band?”
“Oh, yes. Well it all started when Rarity was helping me clean the hamster cage…”
The door closed, leaving Applejack, who had taken extra time to put away the cord she borrowed from storage, and to mumble about Rainbow to herself.
“…always has to be in the spotlight… …showboatin’ n’ stuff…”
“Hey there.”
“Nyaah!” Applejack jumped, dropping the cord. It uncoiled on the floor.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Lyra said. “Let me get that.”
“Sorry ‘bout the scare.” Applejack caught her breath. “I didn’t realize I wasn’t alone. Uh… you didn’t hear anything, did you?”
“Just something about Rainbow Dash and show boatin’” she said mimicking Applejack’s southern accent perfectly.
She blushed. “Oh. That.”
Lyra smiled. “Hey, don’t worry about it. Bon Bon and I sometimes fight over parts of songs too. It’s normal band stuff. But… I am concerned about one thing.”
“What’s that then?” Applejack gave a suspicious look.
“Why do you let Sunset Shimmer hang out with you guys?”
“Cause she’s our friend.” She said, taking back the coiled cord. “What’s it concerning you?”
“It’s just. I over hear you practicing and I noticed that, ever since Sunset joined the group, there’s been a lot of tension. Now I’m just saying, given Sunset’s history…”
“Look! The group fighting has nothing to do with Sunset! Rainbow Dash is too stubborn to admit that she needs to tone down the guitar and that’s final!”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you,” Lyra said, keeping her ground. “I was just concerned about the state of the band, that’s all.”
“Well. I appreciate it but don’t be.” Applejack turned to put the cord away. “And as for Sunset Shimmer. She is making a real difference in turning her life around. She has been nothing but helpful since she joined the band and even introduced us to someone with a recording studio.”
“You’re recording an album?”
“Eh… We’re getting’ there. The band is still far from perfect yet. But the point is, Sunset is helping. She’s a real good friend. Maybe you should take the time to get to know her.
“Maybe.” Lyra tried to see Sunset happy and smiling, but all she could picture was that demonic face laughing as she turned the entire school into her slaves.
“Listen, I gotta go,” Applejack said, hoisting her bass case. “Take care.”
“Sure.”
Author's Note
I am currently working on the second chapter now. I have many ideas for this story but piecing them all together will be a bit tricky for me. I hope you like this story and will stick with me till the end. Thnk you ^^
CHAPTER 2:
“... and Rainbow Dash thought the tambourine was a pointless addition to the band but Applejack backed me up, saying that it gave the music flavor.” During their walk, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie all left for their respective homes. Sunset Shimmer stuck with Fluttershy to walk her home and to hear the rest of her story.
“Wow,” Sunset said. “So Rainbow Dash and Applejack have been fighting even before I joined the group?”
“Even longer than that,” Fluttershy reminisced. “I remember when Applejack first came here in 6th grade. Rainbow wanted to see what she had to offer so she challenged Applejack to a soccer match.”
“Boy, I bet Applejack got handed it to her big time.” Sunset could imagine a younger Rainbow destroying Applejack on the field.
“Actually, no.” Sunset’s dream bubble popped. “Applejack was pretty skilled with a ball. Any ball really. Rainbow Dash couldn’t beat her at soccer, football, or softball. She was pretty sore that day, but Applejack made it up to her by taking them both to Pizza Den.”
“And they’ve been friends ever since?” Sunset asked.
Fluttershy nodded. “They are like peanut butter and jelly. But they also had their fair share of fights. I guess they sort of like having someone to butt heads with.”
“Hmm. When you put it that way, I understand why they would fight. I just wish I didn’t have to be in the middle of it.”
“I’ve been there. I usually just sit back and stay calm until it passes.” They finally arrived at Fluttershy’s house. “Oh, would you like to come in for a bit? We’ve got lemonade.”
Sunset smiled but declined the offer. “Sorry, I can’t. I have to get ready for work soon.”
“Oh, right. I forgot you have a job now. Well, hope you have fun.”
Although Sunset knew that work and fun didn’t go hand in hand, she still smiled at the sentiment. She wave goodbye as Fluttershy closed the door. As the set over the horizon, bathing the land in twilight, Shimmer thought of her pony friend back in Equestria.
“I wish I could talk to you,” she mused. There was so much she wanted to say. Sure she had her journal that could communicate with a similar book that Twilight possessed in Equestria, but it’s not quite the same. She missed those big purple understanding eyes.
In no time at all, Sunset Shimmer was back at her apartment. As she entered her door up on the 2nd floor, she passed 3 jars full of change and single bills. One was marked “RENT”, another was marked “DEPT”, and the last was marked “FRIENDS.”
She pulled out any loose cash she could muster from her pocket. She sighed at the RENT jar. It was due at the end of the week on Saturday. Hopefully there will be enough in her paycheck on Friday to fill the quota. She split the pocket change and put a dollar in the RENT Jar.
She frowned at the DEPT jar. So many people, so much money she had to pay back from what she stole from her fellow school-mates. It was the only way she could gather money back in the bad days. Though the jar was nearly, full, she still had a lot to pay back. She put a dollar and 2 quarters in that one.
Finally, she smiled at her FRIENDS jar. This was the money she planned on spending on nights out with her friends at the movies and dinners. It was the jar she cherished the most, but also the jar that was the most lacking. She needed her rent to keep living here, and she needed to clear her dept to clear her conscience. But while her friends were very near and dear to her heart, and she would love to treat them all to a nice dinner at Steaming Lobster, she could not afford it. Sadly, she only had 2 dimes a nickel to drop in the FRIENDS jar.
“I’m getting there,” she sighed. Bits were never this hard to come across in Equestria. At least she had money there. She thought Equestrian bits would turn into human money when she went through the portal, which it did. But, it turns out 20 bits in Equestria was only 2 dollars in dimes in the human world.
With money on her mind, she remembered what she was doing to make money. Her shift started at 6:00 and it was now 5:55.
“Shoot! I’m going to be late!” She hurriedly rummaged through her closet for her uniform, threw it on, and sprinted out the door.
She was sweating by the time she made it to Applejay’s family restaurant. Her manager yelled from the backroom, “You’re late!”
Indeed it was 6:01 by the time she clocked in. “I know, I’m sorry. I was walking my friend home.”
“Well sorry doesn’t make up for the dinner rush. Quick, there is a group who just sat down at table 7.”
Sunset looked around for table 7, nodded, and grabbed her notebook. “Hello, my name is Sunset Shimmer. Can I get you guys something to…”
“Sunset Shimmer?!”
Finally it registered to her just who was sitting at table 7. There, Lyra, Bon Bon, Octavia, and Vinyl were all looking up at her in amazement. Sunset blushed as red as her hair.
“Wow! I had no idea you worked here,” Octavia said.
“Um, should we eat someplace else?” Bon Bon whispered to Lyra.
Lyra gave an unsure look, but remembered what Applejack had said. Hesitantly, she said, “No, it’s fine. Um you were saying?”
Vinyl just bobbed her head to the music playing in the background.
After a pause, she continued. “Could I get you all something to drink?”
In the round, they ordered 2 sodas, an iced tea, and a fruit smoothie. Sunset wrote it all down and raced back to the kitchen. “Can someone else please take table 7,” she pleaded. “They hate me.”
Her manager shook her head. “No, you are already their waitress. Unless they request a new waitress, you’re staying. Now put on a smile and get their drinks.”
Sunset hung her head and did as she was told. She tried to keep her hands steady as she brought the girls their drinks. As she made it to the table, she could hear the remnants of a conversation.
“… I know what she did in the past, but Applejack told me we can trust her.”
“Yeah, but, don’t you find it weird that Sunset is spending so much time with them now? I mean, she is the one who broke them up in the first place. Maybe she’s just edging her way in to tear them down harder.”
“I don’t know. She doesn’t seem…”
“Here are your drinks!” Sunset handed out the drinks, pretending she didn’t hear any of it.
“Thank you,” they said in unison, except Vinyl who had promptly started sipping her smoothie upon possession.
“Are you girls ready to order?”
She took down their order, handed it to the kitchen, and then when the time had come, she brought out the giant tray full of their meals. Sunset was sure to pop up time to time to refill drinks too. She wanted to make a good impression on them, to really show that she had changed for the better, and to finally put the past behind her.
When the check came, they all paid their part. Then they all left for the car, all except for Lyra. “Sunset?” she called out.
Oh great, what could she want now? Her imagination was getting the best of her as Sunset pictured Lyra doing many hateful and increasingly outrageous things to her. But what had come next was beyond her wildest dreams.
“Can I buy a cup of coffee sometime?”
Sunset scanned her for any sign of malice, but her request seemed sincere. Finally, Sunset smiled. “Sure. I would love that.”
“When does your shift end?”
“At 9:00. Isn’t that a little late for coffee?”
“Psh, I get decaf anyway.”
“Okay. See you at 9 then?”
“Yep. See ya.” They waved each other goodbye as Lyra exited the restaurant.
Sunset paused for a second. “… What just happened?”
