I am waiting for Rainbow to get out of the classroom, we are still in good time though. But, I have no idea why she is taking so long to get suit up. I knocked several times but she keeps saying that she will be ready soon, and that if I dare to enter she will kick my butt.

After a few minutes, Rainbow finally opens the door. Goddesses, I know I have seen her before with that outfit, but this time she looks more beautiful. She did her hair with a long ponytail this time. I could not help but to look down and well, she is wearing her boots. I was going to say something but it just the way she is.

“What took you so long?” I asked.

“I had…a small problem with the skirt. I am ready now, so let’s get moving already.” Rainbow replied taking my arm. She seems…nervously, it might be because she is not used to that type of outfit or…nah she as performed several times with The Rainbooms before. But, then what is the thing that is troubling her. “They have not arrived, they are not here, they are not here.”

Uh? Is she mumbling something?. “Hey… Rainbow. May I know why you are nervous-“

“I am not n-nervous, Ignis. I am just… singing the song on my mind.” She replied staring at me with her deadly eyes.

“S-Sure…if you say so.”

Things got weird when at every corner she stopped and took a quick glance at the surroundings. Is she trying for someone not to see her? What is the point? Everyone is going to see her anyway. Unless… she is trying to evade someone or her pa-

“MY PARENTS ARE HERE!” She yelled as she also scared the shit out of me. We encountered them right at the entrance of the school.

“That is our girl! Dashie! We have been looking for you since we came!” First, I never thought that they call her ‘Dashie’. Second, if she sees me laughing at that she will kill me. Third, they are both carrying cameras and… they are looking at me. “Is that your friend for the musical, my girl?”

Her mother started to giggle and she just took a picture of us. “He looks more like his boyfriend! Our baby girl sure has grown up!”

… If I laugh, she will kill me. If I laugh, she will kill me.If I laugh, she will kill me.So I just kept my best straight face.

“MOM! DAD! You are embarrassing me!” Rainbow yelled. “AND HE IS A FRIEND!” Rainbow then sighs and tries to keep her head cool. “Mom, Dad. This is Ignis Blazingsol. He is captain of the soccer team and my partner for the musical.”

“H-Hello, nice to meet you.” I said extending my arm to them.

“My name is Windy Whistles, I am the proud mother of my Rainbow Dash.” She said shaking hands with me, and then she leans to her husband. “Rainbow never said that he was this good looking.”

What?

“The honor is ours, kid. I am Bow Hotfoof.” He then pulls my arm and gives me quite lethal hug bear. “He is also well-toned!” He let go of me and pats my back. He then moves my body next to Rainbow and they both started to take pictures. “C’mon guys! Smile to the camera!”

“This one sure is going for the album!” Windy said looking at the camera.

“My daughter looks like a bride on that beautiful dress!” Her father commented as he brushes off a tear from her cheek.

“WE LOVE YOU RAINBOW DASH!” They both yelled.

Rainbow suddenly ran to them and made a group talk. “Mom, Dad! Stop this! You are embarrassing me in front if Ignis! Could you please be more…I do not know… discreet?”

“Sure darling! Anything four our little rainbow!” Her mom said hugging her.

“I can’t wait to see your performance!” Bow said hitting Rainbow’s side. “Your friend sure looks like a good guy!”

“That time will come, go and find your seats. Like now. Please.” Rainbow said dragging them to the entrance of the school. “I will see you later.” She said closing the doors. She then wipes her forehead with an arm. “Goddesses…they arrived sooner than I thought.”

I am leaning against the wall and trying not to laugh. “Your parents sure are… good persons.”

“They are crazy! It just that-“

“They care for you, for them you are the most amazing girl all over the planet.” I said with a smirk making her blush.

“Wow, you really think that? I mean, well, you are right but still it is a little frustrating when they act like that. Can you imagine that they have an album of all of my greatest achievements?! That is including the silly ones!”

“They did it because they love you, Rainbow. There is no need to be embarrassed.” I replied.

“Also… they kind of seemed to like you.” She added.

“My Father always says that is the first impression that matters.”

“Well, you sure did a good impression. Let’s just get this over with.”

We continue walking until we reached the auditorium. Oh boy, just in time to see the last scene for the play. As soon as we stepped inside, Rainbow’s parents started to wave at us and took a picture. The flash distracted everyone on that row.

I brushed my eyes several times until I recover my sight. Just to see Astral ‘Romeo’ drinking the poison from the little bottle.

After a couple of seconds, Applejack ‘Juliet’ wakes up and sees him lying death on her lap.

“Noooo! Romeo! Why?!” She then pulls out a knife and plunged it on her belly. “I… will love you my Romeo. Soon I will be with you.” She said brushing his hair as they both are already death.

The red curtain closes as the spectators are applauding and soon after all of the actors are on the scene and performed a bow.

I was clapping alongside Rainbow when Rarity showed up. “Good you are both here! Follow me!”We followed Rarity to the backstage. There, we found Pinkie, Applejack and Sunset tuning their respective instruments. They are wearing a long red dress; it has some similarities with Rainbow’s.

“You guys ready?” Applejack said.

I nodded and put on my face mask. “Let’s hit it.”

A few seconds passed when I heard Arctika voice. “Ladies and Gentleman as our final act, the students Rainbow Dash and Ignis Blazingsol are going to perform The Phantom of the Opera. But, we have a surprise. Members of the local band, The Rainbooms alongside Octavia are going to join them as part of this version. Please, let’s give them a big applause.”

You already know who plays which instrument, but let me remind you. Applejack plays the bass guitar, Sunset will be the lead guitarist, Pinkie is on the drums and Octavia on the organ.

I looked at Rainbow and she is now calmly. Not to mention that she looks like an angel. I snapped out of my daydreaming as AJ hit my side with her bass. The girls took their positions as the music starts.

Rainbow walks to the front and extends her arms, slowly making a few spins, looking at the ground she then lifts her head to the ceiling and placing her hands together, after that, she stands still as I make my entry from behind covering my face with the cloak.

In sleep he sang to me
In dreams he came
That voice which calls to me and speaks my name
And do I dream again for now I find
The Phantom of the Opera is there
Inside my mind

I shake off the cloak revealing my facemask to her and the crowd.

Sing once again with me
Our strange duet
My power over you grows stronger yet
And though you turn from me to a glance behind
The Phantom of the Opera is there
Inside your mind.

I finished my part pointing at her with two fingers and closing my fist.

Once Rainbow starts to sing again, I am suppose to walk around a few times, then she runs to the left side, she then lifts her arm and points at me and then runs a hand on her face, looking scared.

Those who have seen your face
Draw back in fear
I am the mask you wear

It's me they hear...I raised my arms; Finally I got close to her and hold her hand.

Your/My spirit and my/your voice in one combined
The Phantom of the Opera is there/here
Inside my/your mind1

He's there, the phantom of the opera!
Beware, the phantom of the opera!
He's there, the phantom of the opera!

Afterwards I am set to point at her and closed my fist, as if I am trying to make her fell for me like if I was casting a spell.

Sing my angel of music!

Sing my angel! Sing for me!
Sing my angel!
Sing!
Sing my angel! Sing for me!

Rainbow sure made a lot of effort to sing that high. At the final part, Rainbow falls into my arms and improvised taking off my mask and places it in front of her own face looking at the crowd, I looked away to my left and…silence.

The first ones to get up were Rainbow’s parents. They started to applaud, slowly but steady. Soon everyone joined them.

I looked at Rainbow and she is breathing heavily. “Guess they liked it.” I said with a smile.

“They better.” She replied. “My...throat, it kind of hurts.” She said giggling.

She put on my mask as all of us hold hands and performed a bow to the crowd. I saw her parents waving, jumping and whistling. I giggled at the sight and so did Rainbow.

“You think they are going to ask us for more pictures?” I asked at her.

“I am sure they will.” She replied with a sigh. “But hey, after that, we can enjoy the festival.”

She is right; this day sure is going well. “Pizza here I come!”

We reunited with Rainbow’s parents in the hallway; Rarity and Arctika are here too. So Rainbow’s parents took a lot of pictures with all of us. My eyes are stunned by their flash. Goddesses this sure is taking long. I can hear my stomach grumping like a fricking T-Rex.

“C’mon Rainbow! Can you pose with Ignis-boy like in the poster?” Windy said with that big smile on her face. I looked at Rainbow and she wasted no time in taking my arm and placing it on her lower back. “Good! Oh my Gosh you guys look so adorable!”

And there go my cheeks and her cheeks turning red. Not gonna lie. She…looks cute when she is blushing. I also heard Rarity and Arctika giggling.

Finally! This photo session is over. Her parents then gave us a group hug. Bow kissed Rainbow on her forehead. “You were great, both of you. Sadly…we have to go, Rainbow.”

“Where are you going? What about the festival?” She asked.

“We would like to stay, honey. But, your Father and I want to move out to Las Pegasus. You know since he got that job we…arranged to move there.”

“Wow, I was not expecting that.” Rainbow replied giving a hug to her parents. “Well, it was fun while it last.”

“We will see you soon…baby girl.” Bow said patting her head. Rainbow turned red almost instantly.

“DAD! You are not supposed to call me like that anymore!” She yelled punching him on the shoulder with both hands. It is kind of funny because her Father is as tall as me and she is small. It was like watching a puppy scratching a pair of curtains.

After that little, cute show her Father gave her a hug. She then crossed her arms and sighs as she talks with her mother. Bow then walked to where I am and leaned forward.

“Ignis…you are a good boy.” He said placing a hand on my shoulder. “I… want you to take care of her. Will you do that for me?”

“Sir yes sir! You can count on me.” I replied.

We are shaking hands when he whispered at my ear something I truly did not see coming. “Oh, and I will be glad if you end up as her boyfriend.” He said with a smile and tapping my back.

Her parents left the school and they waved at us. Rainbow waved at them back, and then she turns her torso and stares at me. She rose an eyebrow and snapped her fingers right in front of my face.

“Hey Ignis, you there? Yoo-hoo, Earth to Ignis…wake up!” She then hits me on the belly.

“Houston I am here! I mean, sure, I am OK… baby girl.” I knew I should not have said that, she closes her fist in anger and hits me once again on the belly, harder this time. I am trying to recover from that blow and she is blushing angrily.

“Let’s just get something to eat, Torchie.”

We all nodded and head outside. The moment we stepped outside we saw al lot of booths in the soccer field and parking lot. I was looking at which booth could be Pinkie’s when Rainbow hit my side.

“Remember that we have a deal, moron.” She said taking my arm and dragged me to wherever she is taking me.

“Have fun you two!” Arctika yelled as she waved at us.

Once Rainbow let go of me, we ended up on Pinkie’s booth and ordered a pizza. Now, we are taking sit on the bench. I could notice that Rainbow is looking at me with a curious look. I lifted up my head asking what is up. She just shrugged her shoulders.

“What is it guys? Are you tired for the soccer games?” Pinkie said as she places a dish to each one of us with a slice of pizza.

“I am starving, that’s it.” I said giving a bite to the pizza. “Goddesses this is so good!”

Rainbow also gave a bite and her eyes widened. “Everything that Pinkie cooks is delicious, can I have another one?”

“Sure! Here you go Dashie!”

Wow, she is on her second slice. Better keep up with her.

***

“My… stomach…too much pizza.” I said finishing the last slice on my dish. “Totally worth it.”

Rainbow tapped my shoulder and crossed her arms. “You ate like a champ, Ignis.”

“What can I say? Best pizza in Canterlot!”

After having something to eat, Rainbow and I decided to explore other booths. There were not only food stands; there were also games and other stuff. We found a game where you use toy guns like from the cowboys and you have to shoot down pins.

“Hey Ignis, would you like to play this?” She asked as she takes the toy gun.

“Sure, I have been waiting for the second round.” I replied with a smirk. “Let’ go!”

We fist-bumped each other as the pins started to appear in front of us, some of them appeared faster than I expected and some of them moved from right to left or vice versa. I have been watched a lot of cowboys movies, so I feel confident about this.

I was the first to put down the rifle on the table.

The dude counted the ones I shot down. “Alrgiht… you got 13. Here is your prize.”

He gave me a little charm with the looks of a star. Great. I can now say that I am the sheriff around here.

“That is cool!” Rainbow said.

“You got 12, here is your prize.” He gave her a red horseshoe. I almost burst into laugh once she took it and gave me her best WTF face. Who could have guess that one pin can make the difference between a nice prize and such a lame prize.

But hey, I managed to beat Rainbow in something at least. You have to taste the small victories.

And so Rainbow and I moved on to start something to drink. Lucky us, we found Applejack’s booth. She is serving some apple cider, even her young sister is with her. She seems to be serving to the kids and students as for Applejack, she is serving the seniors and adults. I wonder why.

“Well, well, look who came to say hi. The Phantom and the Muse.” AJ said with a smirk. “What can I do for you fellas?”

“You can give us your best apple cider!” Rainbow replied, Applebloom nodded as she took two cups and placed them under a big barrel but nothing came out.

“UH… sis? We are out of apple cider.” She said knocking at the barrel.

“Wait here, I will bring another one.” Applejack added, she goes to the back of her booth.

Guess we wait here. But, Applebloom took the cups and filled them with the barrel where Applejack was.

“There you go fellas!”

We took our cups and lifted them on the air.

“To the Wondercolts!” Rainbow and I said before pouring the cup inside our mouths. I almost spit it since the taste was…strong but at the same time delicious. I looked at Rainbow and she is asking for her second round. Damn, this girl sure knows her stuff.

Applejack showed up with the barrel, she then took my cup and filled it. I gave it a sip and this one taste a little different, sweeter and smooth.

“This is the good stuff!” Rainbow said as she takes a gulp at her cup. Her lips got covered in foam from her drink.

“Rainbow…you have… on your lips.” It was it that moment when she looked at me with those magenta eyes of hers. But, there was something else; she smirked as she ran a finger on her lips.

“Clean them for me.” she said narrowing her eyes.

What?

I blushed as I took a napkin and ran it on her lips. Well, that…was unexpected. Rainbow then asked for another one. I lost count of how many she has taken but she knows looks…different. Applejack is busy arranging the wasted barrels so… Applebloom is the one serving us. The thing is…She has been serving Rainbow from a different barrel than mine.

“Hey…Rainbow? Are you OK?” I asked as she suddenly lays her head on my shoulder.

“I am more than OK, Ignis. I am happy.” She said getting up and suddenly taking my arm. She then dragged me to a post and just stared at me for a while. “I am…happy because you are here…”

“Well, we kind of planned this.” I said rubbing the back of my head.

Rainbow shook her head to the sides as she gave the final sip to her drink. “What I meant was… I am happy because you are here with me and not with another girl.” She said leaning a little bit forward. It was in that moment when a certain smell reached my nose.

“Woah…hold on.” I grabbed her by the shoulders and stared at her. “Did she…drink apple cider with…alcohol?”

“What are you looking at?” She asked.

“N-Nothing… just… Rainbow. How are you feeling?”

“With you… I feel like the happiest girl in CHS.” She said wrapping my neck with her arms. I instantly started to look around. Some of the people are looking at us on a weird way.

“Goddesses, Rainbow! Are you…drunk?!”

“Possibly… you once said that you can handle a girl like me. Why are you so nervous?” She said leaning forward.

“C’mon Rainbow! People are looking at us!”

She then stopped her movement and smirked. “Then let’s go somewhere where they cannot…disturb us.”

What?

She grabbed my arm and dragged inside the school. Damn, she runs fast. But, most importantly… where the hell is she taking me?!

“Rainbow! C’mon, you have to control yourself!” She just ignored me. “Rainbow Dash! What are you doing?!” I asked astonished as she kicked the door of the janitor’s room. She checked to see if it was clear and pulled me inside.

It was a bit dark but I found the switch. So, I turned the light on. Just to see Rainbow sitting down on top of a small table. I tried to say something but she grabbed my jacket and pulled me closer to her.

“What is it Torchie? Are you…scared?” She said rubbing my chest with a hand.

“You bet I am, I mean, Rainbow… w-what are you doing?”

“You know what I am doing!” She said on a seductive tune and again, she wraps my neck with her arms. “Now… be quiet.”

She leaned forward as if she is going to kiss me. Goddesses, this is what I been wanting since I met her but…no. This is not right. I know that Rainbow is not being herself, and just what is she thinking? Could this be her hidden side or something?

I placed a finger on her lips and looked at her. “Rainbow…you are drunk. This is not you.” She looked shocked by what I just said. Rainbow then looked down and… well, she started to sob. DID I JUST MAKE HER CRY?! “Oh shit! No, Rainbow please! Do not cry!”

“I knew it! I know that I am ugly for you!” She said burring her face on my shoulder.

“What?! O-Of course not! Rainbow… I think that you are…cute.” I said with my cheeks burning.

She slowly rises up her head and brushes away some tears from her face. “Y-You serious?”

“Death Serious.” I replied.

“You are just saying that so you could get laid.”

WHAT?!

“R-Rainbow! W-What? NO! It is the true!” Crap, I have no idea what to say. This sure has become quite the scene, doesn’t it? “Look, Rainbow. I said grabbing her hips. “Right know you are not…being you. You are under the control of the drink you just had. Look, this is what we are going to do, first I am going to get you a-“

“You have beautiful green eyes, Ignis.” She just cut off my plan.

“Uh… what? I mean thanks. Now, where was I? Oh yes. You stay here while I get you something to make you feel better.”

“A-Are you saying that… you are going to dump me here? All by myself?” She said with that cute puppy face. Why are you punishing me like this?!

“NO! I meant, if you put it like this… it sounds bad. But…” I took a deep breath and looked at Rainbow. She is smiling and twirling her hair. “Alright, you are coming with me. But, try to keep it cool, got it?”

“Yes sir!” She replied with salute.

“Good.” I turned around and slowly opened the door. No one seems to be around. I took Rainbow’s hand and get out of the room. I just hope we did not make such a chaos in there. I realized that I am the one dragging Rainbow. She seems to be calmer. “Calm down Ignis. Maybe Arctika or someone can help.” I thought. I turned my neck to see how Rainbow is holding up; she just waved at me and also winked at me.

“Hello there.” She said.

“Hi, how are you feeling?”

“I am starving.” She replied.

“Wait, what?”

She let go my hand and crossed her arms. “Feed me or I will punch you. Hard.”

Just what the fricking…hell just happened. A moment ago she was all lovely and sweet and now she wants to kill me. Wait… the last past sounds more like her, though.

“I heard you, Rainbow.” I sigh and now she is staring at me with a fierce look on her eyes, gotta move fast if I want to keep breathing. I found the vending machine! This should do the trick! I chose to give her some cookies. Once I kneeled to grab them she just jumped at my back. I almost hit my face with the glass of the vending machine. “Holy… Rainbow! I, we almost fell!”

“You are good boy for getting some food!” She said taking the pack of cookies and opened them. “Thanks a lot!”

“Glad I could help.” I said placing my arms beneath her legs so I can have a firm grip as she continues…riding me.

I was hoping for encountering someone here but we got nothing. Everyone must be outside. Not even a sign from Astral or my sister. I looked at the clock and its fricking 6:43 pm. Damn, is it that late? Then I felt Rainbow head resting her head on my shoulder and her breathing on my neck. Did she… just fell asleep?

“No Mom, I do want more pancakes.” Rainbow said that on her sleep.

Well, that answered my question. I sighed but also giggled. I have Rainbow sleeping peacefully on my back. I was thinking on what to do when I saw Arctika and Sunset talking near the entrance of the parking lot.

“Can I have a copy of the video, Arc?” Sunset asked.

“Sure! I am planning on giving a copy to the girls and-“ Heh, she just spotted me. “What the heck?”

Sunset then turns around and sees me. “Oh, what happened?”

I reached them and just smiled at them. “You are not going to believe this, I was with Rainbow eating and shooting down some pins when we decided to drink something. Now, I did not know that Applejack serves applecider with alcohol on it and well, looks like Rainbow did not know both so… she drank like a Viking and here is the result.”

The girls just stared at me, confused; the first one to break the silence was Sunset as she chuckled. She covered her mouth and then coughed.

“I supposed that… nothing else happened between you two?” She asked curiously.

“N-Nope! As an honest man I stood my ground.” I replied.

“You better.” Arctika said taking a deep breath. “You are going to have to drive her home, brother. It was your fault she ended up like this.”

“My fault? Why are you saying that?!”

“Just do it. I will see you at the parking lot. She is going to need her helmet.” Arctika said heading to the lockers. Sunset hit my shoulder and smiled.

“You did good, Blazingsol. Other boys could have taken that chance to do… things. But, you did not. That says a lot about you.”

“Yeah, well. There is also a promise that I made to her Father. I will watch over her. Guess that did not went well, right?”

“Well… You could say that she got lucky that it was you when she got like this. Rainbow can act weird when she is… on that situation.”

“Wait, you are saying that this is not the first time she gets…drunk?”

Sunset blushed a little bit and giggled, not the answer I was expecting but… yeah. “It is like when you are on sugar rush. You also are like another person.”

“You are right.” I said as we both chuckled. I saw Arctika carrying Rainbow’s helmet, she then points at the parking lot. “Well, duty calls. See you later, Shimmer.”

“Safe travel, Blazingsol.” She replied.

I arrived at the parking lot, lucky me none of the teachers saw Rainbow in that situation. Arctika helped me on putting us our helmets and not to fall once I hopped on my motorcycle. It is amazing that Rainbow did not wake up after that.

“I still cannot believe this.” Arctika said with a face-palm. “Anyway, you must keep her safe brother.”

“I will, there is nothing to worry about.” I said tapping down my visor. I waved at Arctika as I leave her behind.

It was a matter of time before Rainbow tightened her grip on my waist.

“Wow… what? Ignis?”

“I am here, Rainbow.” I said as we stopped at a red light. “How are you feeling?”

“I feel a little bit dizzy; did I… do something stupid?”

“Nope, you just drank some applecider with alcohol.”

“I mean, after that. I know I drank that.” She replied.

“Not really, most of the time you were… trying to kill me.” I said laughing.

She said nothing but I heard her chuckling. The trip was calm and smooth. I also felt her helmet clanking with the back of mine. We reached her home sooner than I thought, driving is better than walking I suppose. Once she found her keys and opened the main door, she turned her torso.

“Do you… want something before you go?” She asked.

“No, thanks Rainbow.” I replied lifting up my visor. “I suppose you are OK?”

“I do feel better.” She said walking to where I am. “Thanks, Ignis.”

“It was nothing.” I said laughing. “Sorry, it just that you said that I should be the one getting into sugar rush. Instead, you got-“

She quickly hit my shoulder as we both laughed. “Don’t you dare to say that.” She said rubbing her head. “Before you go, I have something to tell you.”

“Go on.”

“If you mention any of these back at CHS, I will kill you.” She said with a smile but menacing.

“I will keep my mouth shut.” My life now rest with Arctika and Sunset’s ability for not to spread this to everyone… I am screwed. “Arctika, Sunset … I am counting on you.”

“What did you just say?” Rainbow asked.

“Nothing!”

“See you later, hotshot.” She said as she enters into her building. Just before she closed the door, she winked at me, it was a good thing that I was wearing my helmet or she could have seeing me blushing,

Well, I think this day went pretty well. Let’s see what Principal Celestia and her sister have in store for us. I think that we raised enough funds for whatever they are planning.

***

It’s been a couple of days since the festival; we were at the cafeteria when Principal Celestia called for a meeting at the gym. I was looking at my phone when Arctika, Noire and Rainbow showed up.

“You think that they are going to tell us the big reveal?” Noire asked as she takes sit next to me.

“I hope so.” I said stretching my arms. “We have training session after this.”

All of us have gathered here, Principal Celestia appeared with a megaphone, Vice Principal Lune is carrying a poster by the looks of it.

“As you already know, the festival was a total success!” Principal Celestia said as we all cheered and clapped. “Halloween is upon us and my sister and I have been thinking on a way to congratulate you for your hard work. Sis, you can show them.” The poster reveals a big scenario and two guitars clashing together. “The Battle of the Bands has awoken once again, and everyone can participate and in addition to the holiday. You can all wear your costumes as you perform at the stage.”

I can already see Rainbow fangirling. The Battle has begun and it is time to take our instruments and sing to victory!
“May the best band win!” She said.

Author's Note

Artist(s): Jonathan Young's metal cover of Phantom of the Opera's overture ft. Malinda Kathleen Reese, just in case you were wondering.

Next Chapter will be Battle of the Bands!
Thanks for reading!