Author's Note

Hello all! For anyone that was following before, this little Sidestep may seem familiar, as I literally took the original version and reworked it to work with this version of the story, mainly cause I think that it was the best scene in the original story.

I'm probably going to be getting vocal and responding to you all again, as I miss doing that like I did before, so expect lots of comments from me tomorrow~

Sidestep 5

The generic jingle played over the four as they rode the elevator up to the fourth floor, where all the electronic stores were, exiting as the door opened.

“Please tell me this is the last stop?” Fireside asked as she looked back at her sisters, all of them looking as tired as the other.

“Yes, but there is someone who is meeting us here to help make things easier.” Adagio said as she leaned onto the wall. “She insisted that she be here for this.”

“She?” Fireside asked, huffing as she tried to lean on her crutches. “Can you stop playing the pronoun game and tell me who she is?”

“Fireside!”

The mentioned girl turned towards the voice that had come from the lavender girl with glasses who was rushing towards them.

“I’m so sorry that I’m late!” Twilight Sparkle said, huffing as she bent over to catch her breath. “Mom got super into the current chapter of her next book and I could barely pry her away for this.”

“Don’t you worry.” Fireside said, smiling as the girl straightened up with one last gasp of air. “It makes sense that you would be here to help with the technology purchases.”

“I just like to make sure that my friends get the best available is all.” the girl smiled awkwardly as she straightened her glasses. “But I will warn you four that the owner can be a bit…” Twilight hesitated as she searched for the right word before settling on one with a shake of her head “Unique? Look, just don’t treat her any different then you would anyone else, alright?”

It wasn’t long before the quintet stood before a rather garish looking storefront, native masked made of different colours of lights pulsed in the windows, the doorway covered by beads.

“Everfree Electronics. Points for alliteration.” Fireside muttered as she stood watching as Twilight made her way in, pushing the beads from her way. The four others looked at each other and shrugged, following after their apparent leader.

“Ah, welcome dear Twilight! It is odd to see you at this time of night.”

Fireside’s eyes took a minute to adjust to the different colours of light that flooded the room, washing it in an ethereal glow.

“And I see you bring guests! What are you needing to complete your quests?”

Fireside finally made out a dark brown figure with a large black and white mohawk, obviously the owner Twilight had informed them about.

“Zecora! Sorry I haven’t been around of late,” Twilight walked up and gave the tall woman a hug. “School had a bunch of studying to get done over the winter break.”

“You do not have to worry about such things, but I am guessing you are here for something that rings?”

“How did she know that!?” Sonata gasped out loud, “Is she a mind reader?”

The tall woman chortled gaily, obviously enjoying the comments from Sonata.

“I would be lying if I said yes, but we have other things that we must address.” She turned to look at Fireside, “Now seeing as your pocket is not bulging, are you the one i should be indulging?”

Fireside stepped forward, nodding. “Yup, I need a new phone, as I have been sans one for awhile now.”

“Ah, my apology! I cannot fathom living without such a handy piece of technology. Now if you would follow me, I shall assist you in finding a device that will fill you with glee.” She started towards one of the back walls. She grabbed a phone off the stand and handed it to the following Fireside. “This one has a sturdy case, it is unlikely to break even if tossed through a vase.”

Fireside looked it over, subtly glancing at the the price tag. “Hm, I think I will pass, thank you though. Would it be find if I asked Twilight and my friends their opinions as well?”

“Worry not, it is best that they are not forgot.” Zecora replied as Fireside beckoned to the other teens.

“What ones catch your eyes girls?” Fireside asked, though she immediately regretted doing so.

“How about this one?” Sonata squee'd, holding up a bright pink flip-phone that looked like a butterfly when it was open.

“A little childish for me Sonata, sorry.” Sonata chuckled as her sister shrugged, before she proceeded to walk through the store pretending to fly with the phone.

“That girl will never grow up.” Aria said with a chuckle, before showing Fireside her recommendation. “Maybe a smartphone is more your style?”

Fireside noticed this one had a high price tag, and thankfully she was able to let Aria down softly by saying something about it being too large for her hands. Aria shrugged and put it back, but not before showing that it was the right size for her.

“Whatever you pick I can probably modify, so I don’t really have a suggestion.” Twilight said, rather distracted by some of the other gadgets Zecora had on display. That left Adagio, who stood before Fireside, arms crossed under her chest.

“I know you want cheap, but that isn’t going to cut it.” She turned to Zecora, motioning her over. “We will be taking that one.” She said, pointing to the most expensive one, Fireside’s eyes bulging out of her skull at the price tag.

“I see you intend to not twaddle, you have chosen the newest model.” Zecora unlocked the display, before reaching in and pulling out a box, “The only colour that I have is red, unless you would like something else instead?”

“It will be fine, right, Fireside?” Fireside shivered at the absolutely devious grin she received, Adagio was not to be messed with.

“More than.” She replied, putting her best fake smile on.

“Then if you will follow me to the till, I shall ring you up your bill.” She made her way to the front end of the shop, sliding up easily behind the register and scanned the device.

“Now I know likely of Twilight’s different plans, and you shall be glad to know it will result in no bans.”

That number was too high! No way she could make Adagio and her sisters pay for it! Especially after everything else today!

“Is cash okay?” Adagio asked, reaching into her purse and pulling out a large stack of bills.

“Should you wish to pay with cash, there shall be no kind of clash.”

Fireside was being ignored by this point, she slowly slipped down to her side, her injured leg protesting slightly, before laying on her side and poking at the floor.

“You’ll at least listen to me, won’t you mister tile?”