Chapters It was a day, like any other day, at Canterlot University. It was after class hours and on the day that started the weekend, and many of its students were enjoying breaks, making study plans or just getting a bite to eat. That’s what one group of friends had decided to do after a hard day of college courses and lectures from their professors. Sometimes you just need to take a load off and enjoy some time to yourself or just hang out with friends.
As Twilight Sparkle walked with a tray of food she’d gotten from the food court, she scoped the area until she found where her friends were sitting. It wasn’t long until she spotted them at a table inside the building. She pushed her black framed glasses up before proceeding inside.
Sitting at the table were her friends, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Sunset Shimmer, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Rarity, as well as a couple of guys.
One of them, Dusk Noir, was seated between Sunset Shimmer and Rarity, enjoying his sandwich. His hair was dark brown, his skin was duke blue, his eyes were green, and he wore a dark blue colored long sleeve shirt over a white collared shirt, black pants, along with square shaped black framed glasses on his face. He, like everyone else, was glad to be taking a load off and having some downtime for what seemed to be a long week.
The other was Ray Strike, who was seated next to Applejack towards the end of the rectangular table. He had been eating some chips and playing a handheld gaming system. He was light green skinned, with messy light silver hair and yellow eyes. His outfit consisted of a gray hoodie, jeans, and white running shoes. He seemed to be content with carrying on with his game, however, once Twilight had made it to the table, a conversation was started and he perked up.
“Hello everyone” Twilight said as she greeted her friends. She appeared to be somewhat on the sleepy side with her eyes being slightly puffy, though in spite of this she appeared to be in good spirits, her hair styled in a ponytail as per normal. Though, her choice of clothing did sort of give away that she had hit the books pretty intensely over the last couple of days as she looked comfortably dressed with her ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ "Toothless" T-shirt and her more casual choice of a purple skirt and white tennis shoes. “Nearly Forty eight hours of endless study, reports, and notes has a way of taking all of the wind out of your sails, am I right?” She said with an exasperated undertone.
“I’ll say,” Dusk replied. “I don’t think I’d be able to do that without so much as a nap. How are you even still awake and functional?”
“A lot of will power and concentration,” Twilight replied but didn’t elaborate on it any further.
“Fair enough,” he conceded.
“Anyway,” Rainbow Dash cut in. “Anyone else go to that rager of a party that Sunset and I went to last night? I guess the Canterlot University Football team smoked Appleloosa Canyon again for the third time in a row, so some of the football team threw this big celebratory party, and one of the guys even gave me one of his jerseys… oh cool and it has his cell phone number written on it. Must’ve missed that.” Rainbow pointed to the Jersey she was wearing, which indeed had someone’s number written in a permanent marker. The Jersey in question was gold and blue and the Jersey number was eight. She was proud of it so she’d worn her blue pants and her customized Canterlot running shoes with it to match.
“It was alright,” Sunset said as she took a sip from the straw of her fountain drink. “I stayed up too late last night, myself. I just don’t enjoy these loud parties as much as I did when we first got here. You go to one, you’ve been to all of them ya know?” Her voice, like Twilight's, was a little strained as well. Her outfit looked equally as comfortable as Twilight’s had, wearing one of her favorite white T-shirts with the pink sleeves, as well as jeans and the most comfortable tennis shoes she owned.
“That’s what makes them fun. Nine times out of ten you know what to expect!” Dash said. “You go into it with the hope and anticipation that something crazy is going to happen!”
“You want to see a real party, you should have been to the one Fluttershy and I threw last night. We had a DJ, funny games, bouncy houses, piñatas, all of the works!” Pinkie Pie threw in. She was wearing her typical blue and white outfit with her pink skirt that had three different colored balloons on her white top.
“We?” Fluttershy suddenly said, confused. “I just showed up with chips and dip. You did most of the work. And it was just us and a bunch of kids we were chaperoning as a favor to Miss Cheerilee. I hope she’s getting over her cold.” Fluttershy wore a light blue summer dress as well as her favorite white sandals and a yellow butterfly hair clip that complimented her pink hair.
“Hey, those kids really know how to party!” Pinkie said. “Miss Cheerliee is going to be so proud of us for making sure to get them to use up all their energy before we sent them back home to their folks.”
“Oh yeah, I’m sure their parents really appreciated the sugar rush we gave them when you let them all have two cupcakes each…” Fluttershy murmured to herself, as she pet a little brown mouse that she had in her hands. “Isn’t that right, Fievel?” She gently stroked the mouse with her finger and fed it crackers that she had on her.
“Heh, yeah whatever Pinkie” Dash said with a light chuckle. “Kids' parties are so five years ago for us. We’re adults. Gotta start going to adult parties some time in your life.”
“I feel like the adult title you’re giving your rager parties is subject to opinion.” Twilight said, once again with her head in another book but still listening to the conversation. “Not everyone our age thinks that parties have to involve making a fool of yourself and causing a bunch of racket that keeps the rest of us awake to have a good time. Some might call those types of parties borderline barbaric.” This earned her a fist bump from Sunset, while Twilight gave a slightly confident grin Dash’s way.
“Stay in your lane, egghead. If I want advice about parties, I’ll ask someone who’s idea of a party doesn’t involve sticking your head in a book for two whole days.” Dash said with a tomboyish grin. Twilight’s only response to this was shooting a slight glare towards Dash before brushing it off.
“I feel like Twilight has a valid point, Rainbow” Rarity said while doing her makeup, using a handkerchief to make sure none of it spilled onto her designer clothes. “Adult parties aren’t limited to flashy lights and aimless shenanigans. Parties are better suited to have class, with elegant guests who are on their best behavior and-“
“Uh, Rarity…” Applejack spoke up. “Not ta disrespect yer fancy ideas of what parties should be, but that kinda stuff don’t sound fun ta most folks. We all know parties ain’t nothin without a hoedown shindig, bonfire and a heck of a good time with plenty of outdoorsy games and hayrides.” Applejack’s country mannerisms would be out in the open in her speech alone if not for her signature Stetson cowpoke hat, her choice in her button up collared shirt with a bandanna around her neck as well as her slightly beaten jeans and boots to match.
“Hmph, forgive me for wanting to have a little class,” Rarity retorted.
“Okay, I see we all have a plethora of ideas on what a party should be, and should all just agree to disagree on the matter.” Dusk said, reading the room and trying to calm everyone down a bit as he noticed Rarity and Rainbow exchanging glares with each other.
“Yeah, I’m with Dusk. Plus I’ve heard enough commotion to last me the rest of the weekend from last night. Can we please keep it down a few pegs?” Sunset said, hiding her face into some of her red and yellow hair, while apparently dealing with a bit of a headache or possible hangover, depending on what exactly she partook in the night before. “That’s the last time I go out and party before Friday Night.”
The liveliness of the table began to die down as the group of friends quickly decided that a change of topic was in order. That was about to happen sooner rather than later, as they were met with yet another guest as they approached the group’s table.
The party in question was an acquaintance to most at the table, and for the most part his presence was tolerated because he was Twilight’s boyfriend. The ever energetic, eccentric, Singer. He was a tall young man, the same age as everyone else in their group. He had blue skin, as well as his eyes. His hair was red and it stood tall on his head as he stylized it to look that way. As for what he was wearing, on this particular day he was wearing a formal dress suit, complete with a white dress shirt and a bright red tie, along with a pair of nice dress shoes. This wasn’t typical attire for him, as usually he’d be dressed in more casual clothing, usually wearing a superhero or other pop culture icon t-shirt of some sort along with jeans, sneakers and the occasional cap. But today he looked more formal and this naturally caught everyone's eye.
“Twilight, you’ve finally done it! You’ve finally trained him!” Rarity joked, with Twilight even letting out a small giggle in response in the background. “I’m kidding of course. But you really do look handsome, Singer. What’s the occasion?”
“What? Oh this?” He said, quickly looking himself over. “Yeah so, I have a gig to get to shortly and a job interview…shockingly in the same place. So I’m dressed for success as they would put it.”
“They? Who’s this ‘they’ you speak of?” Ray asked, trying to mess with Singer.
“I dunno the general group of people who say stuff like that, I guess.” Singer replied with a shrug, not catching the jest.
“I can’t with this guy sometimes…” Ray muttered to himself.
Singer caught Twilight looking him over and grinned boyishly at her. “Why don’t you take a picture? It’ll last longer.”
She took out her phone and did just that. Who knew when the next time she’d see him dressed so dapper would be?
“What’s after that? Gotta tend to Master Wayne at Wayne Manor?” Rainbow sniggered as she said that. “Or…wait, wait, gotta go back to the ‘Men in Black’ Headquarters?”
“Ah, Dash has jokes today. Actually, it’s more of a ‘Double O’ Singer’ look. I knew I should have picked the bow tie instead of the red tie.” He said, chuckling along with her. “Actually, I just came by to bring Twi her coffee.” He placed the cup beside Twilight’s book.
“Oh, thank you Singer. Uh, did you remember the-…”
“Mocha/mint latte with whipped cream on top in a grande cup. Just how you like it.” He gave her a quick kiss on her cheek and she took a sip of her coffee. “Oh and I also sent you a playlist for when you go back to your room to hopefully take a load off. You’ve been overdoing it lately.”
“Thank you, and I’ll think about it. I still have quite a few things left to read up on, essays to write, and even some tests to run on my computer. It’s going to be a busy weekend.”
“Okay, just keep what I said in mind then. Oh, we’re still on for finishing Season Seven of the Clone Wars later, right?”
“Of course! I wouldn’t miss it! I hear in the last four episodes Ahsoka and Maul are supposed to have a huge lightsaber duel. Can’t wait to see what that’s all about.”
“Booyah!” he shouted while anticipating what all that would entail. Whether he was more excited for that or just being able to sit and watch with her, he didn’t know. He’d just be looking forward to it.
The others at the table grew silent for a minute as Singer and Twilight whispered amongst each other for another moment before Sunset, who was really not feeling energetic at all at this point spoke up.
“You didn’t happen to bring an extra coffee, by any chance did you?” Sunset asked sheepishly and slightly hopeful.
“No, I’m sorry Sunset,” he looked down at the beverage can he held in his hand, smiled and held it out to her. “But I did bring an energy drink. I was going to drink it on the way to my gig, but it looks like you need it more than I do, so you can have it if you want.” He handed the drink over to Sunset who graciously took it from him, smiling gratefully.
“Thanks. I owe you one. You’re alright, Sing. I don’t care what the others say about you.” She said with a wink as she opened the can, but not without it shooting out and hitting her face as she did so. “I deserved that.”
“Sorry, I didn’t realize I shook it up.” Singer said apologetically. “Wait, what do the others say about me?” The others at the table diverted their gaze for a split second.
“It’s fine, really. And nothing, I was just kidding.”
“Oh, cool.”
Rainbow, Applejack and Pinkie tried to suppress their giggling as Sunset struggled to find enough napkins to clean the energy drink off her face. Fortunately, Dusk gladly shared some of his with her.
“Thank you.” Sunset said to Dusk.
“Oh guys, one last thing before I go… I just wanted to let you know that Miss Reed, the Glee Club Coach… try saying that five times fast. Gee Glub- Argh! Klee Glub- Crap! Yeah don’t try that…”
“Singer, is there a point that you’re trying to make?” Dusk asked, hoping to help him get back to his train of thought before he trailed off on another tangent, like he was prone to do.
“Oh yes. Thanks, Noir… Miss Reed, scary lady, is in heavy recruitment mode for the Glee Club, especially with regionals on the horizon. Do not under any circumstances, make contact with her! She’s a devious genius and she will use her devious powers of Glee to suck you in. And once you’re in, it’s hard to get out. It’s infectious and it spreads fast! I’ve even had the unfortunate experience of seeing it happen to someone.”
Applejack screwed her eyes and shook her head once she processed what Singer had just said. “Singer, that’s crazier than a two headed rattlesnake trying to fit into one hat. Come ta think of it, so are you!”
“Yeah that is crazy!” Pinkie said. “Snakes don’t even wear hats!”
“No, but a two headed snake can fit in a hat because there aren’t any tiny hats that would fit on a snake’s head.” Ray threw in, catching a look from Applejack. “What? The notion of a snake wearing a hat is silly, just like the tone of this conversation.”
“Okay, not my best country-ism, but ya get what Ah’m sayin’.”
“Oh dear… please don’t mention snakes around Fievel.” Fluttershy said, comforting a now squirming Fievel in her hands.
“Heed my warning, or not. Just be careful out there. Miss Reed is relentless. Once you’re in her crosshairs, you best believe she’s coming to get you…” Singer waved his fingers in the air like he was telling a spooky story before he looked down at his watch. “Oh, look at the time! I gotta run! See ya Twilight and everyone else!”
And with that, the well dressed Singer was off in a dash, leaving nothing more than a dust cloud behind him.
“Yep, he definitely didn’t need that energy drink.” Pinkie said. “Wooooooosh!!!!” She made a swift movement with her arm moving forward to go with her expression.
“Ya really picked a winner there, Twi…” Applejack said, shaking her head. “Evil Glee Club Coaches. Why that’s just-“
“I will admit, he can be a bit extra sometimes…” Twilight said as she began to put her books back into her bag. “But I’ve known him long enough to know when he’s being serious. And if he has a bad feeling about things going on, his judgment is… usually… quite sound, and I’m inclined to trust what he says. And maybe you should, too.”
“I mean, I get being afraid of the Glee Club. They’re scary cringe. But come on! Glee can’t be that bad…” she gulped. “Can it?”
“I have to agree with Twilight on this. Taking everything into consideration…and with a grain of salt, I feel it best to at least exercise caution. Just in case.” Dusk said. “Lest we all get dressed in sweater vests, and get wrapped up in…regionals…” Dusk shuddered at the very thought of that. “What do you think, Sunset?”
“What the heck even are regionals?” asked Ray but with no response from anyone.
Sunset Shimmer, upon hearing this, concluded that perhaps it was a good idea to be on the lookout for this. The now slightly fearful, or at the very least uncertain, eyes of everyone at the table, sans Pinkie Pie who’d untimely taken off towards the soft serve ice cream machine, made her come to her conclusion. “I definitely don’t care about Glee Club or regionals, nor do I want to get wrapped up in them. I’m definitely avoiding it. So it’s all agreed then?”
“Agreed!” said everyone in unison, even Pinkie Pie who’d returned, holding a small bowl of vanilla and chocolate twist ice cream. However, she didn’t quite catch what they’d all said. She figured they’d tell her later. No trouble could possibly come of that, right?
Pinkie Pie had broken off from her friends to head towards the music room to blow off some steam and hit some drums for a bit. She wondered why all her friends were acting the way that they did when she left the table. Maybe she should have waited until she heard what they were saying before she darted off for ice cream. However she was sure that she would find out soon enough.
And how right she was. She expected to see Octavia and Vinyl vibing to their own music session, but they weren’t there this time, however she paid their absence no mind.
“I guess the room’s all mine!” She said excitedly.
That quickly changed when she saw someone out of the corner of her eye sitting at the piano.
“Oh, hi there!” Pinkie said, addressing their presence.
“Hello Pinkie Pie” said the lady sitting at the piano. She stepped into the lightened part of the room so Pinkie could see her more clearly. She was a woman in her mid forties, with medium length blonde hair and pink skin. She wore red lipstick, and she had round hoop-like earrings, and wore tan khakis and a blue collared shirt under a red sweater vest that had a big yellow smiley face on it. She bowed like a stage performer before attempting to introduce herself. “My name is-.”
“Well hello- hey! I know who you are! You’re Miss Reed the Glee Club Coach!” Pinkie said, in realization.
“Coach? What, you think I’m running a sports team? Glee Club Instructor!”
“Right. Sorry… My friends mentioned you earlier. Something about the Glee Club, infections and something else about mind control. I didn’t exactly hear it all.”
Miss Reed began to inch closer to Pinkie, raising an eyebrow. “Now who would go and say something so negative like that? Glee literally means Glee! There’s no foul play, no manipulation involved. Just singing your heart out and trying to make it to Regionals!”
“Ooooh, but Singer said-“
“Oh, that guy? I’ve been trying to recruit him for ages. Thinks he’s too good for the club, and he’s going around spreading rumors and stirring up hysteria surrounding it. He’s just a hater and nobody should listen to anything he says! Him and those other punks who think they’re too good for Glee Club. ‘It’s just an elective, they say’.‘It’s a waste of time, I don’t have time to waste’, ‘Miss Reed is a nutcase’! I’ve heard it all.”
“Well that’s… that’s just mean! I didn’t peg him for such a petty meanie-pants. Running the Glee Club must be hard when you have to deal with that.” Pinkie said as she pondered for a bit.
“Tell me about it. We will never make it to regionals with the small team we currently have. We need more people power.”
“I don’t know, there’s not a lot of people that are interested. You can’t just make people join.”
“Sounds like the naysayers talking, and perhaps maybe some of your friends? Glee is important to the fabric of society. It’s the only way we can give the world the gift that keeps on giving.”
“A gift? I love gifts! But what kind of gift are we talking about here?”
“The gift of glee! Don’t you understand, Pinkie? Glee is what brings everyone together! United to spread cheer throughout the world!”
“Wow, it’s literally my life’s mission to do just that! Well, that and bake desserts until I’m too old to do it anymore, and eventually retire to Tehiti… But my friends just don’t seem to get it. I wish I knew a way to help them understand.”
“You must make them see that…” Miss Reed smiled at Pinkie and put her hand on her shoulder and began to sing as she slid back over to the piano.
“Glee! It’s the gift that you get When your brain finally lets Your heart take a big chance
Glee is the magic you use To turn your pain into shoes And your shoes into dance!”
She stepped away from the piano, which was miraculously still playing, and began to walk around Pinkie, who followed her movements with her unsure gaze.
“How’s that piano still playing this song?” Pinkie asked in song. As Miss Reed continued dancing.
“Glee is the answer When questions are wrong
You’ll understand If you just sing along
Glee is the gift that we need!”
Pinkie, now getting into it, began to dance with Miss Reed.
“Glee it’s what I’ll spread to my friends Like a smile that sends us to a happier place
Glee! I’ll understand everything ‘Cause we’ll say what we mean instead of making a face!”
Pinkie had a small party cannon in her hand and made it go off for more effect.
“Families are closer when families are winning”
“Everything’s funner when the room is a spinning” she spun around before joining Miss Reed in unison for the final part.
“Singing and dancing in unison-ing-ing-ing
Glee is the gift that we need…”
“Glee!” Pinkie shouted with excitement.
“Don’t you see, Pinkie? The best way to spread Glee is to sing your heart out! And together we can make the world a better place.”
“Oh my gosh, I’m so excited! Don’t worry. I’ll get everyone else on board and we can save the Glee Club and make it to Regionals!”
Pinkie with a new burst of energy sped off to go find the others, not really knowing what kind of craziness she was about to unleash.
“Much appreciated, Pinkie.” Miss Reed said with an evil looking smirk. “Much appreciated.”
When Twilight and Sunset made it to the former’s dorm room, Sunset began to notice Twilight was getting more sluggish in her steps on the way up and when she’d led Sunset inside, she walked straight to her couch and hurriedly took a seat. Must be the lack of sleep the last couple of days. Sunset on the other hand, was beginning to feel a bit more chipper, but also jittery.
“Oh man, I feel weird… I’m still tired but I couldn’t go to sleep if I wanted to. I shouldn’t have drank that energy drink. It just sounded good at the time.” Sunset said as she sat in a chair across the room from Twilight’s couch.
“Those things, more often than not, won’t really help you. And the crash that comes after will bring you down. I really wish Singer wouldn’t drink them either.” Twilight said.
“Well, thanks for letting me crash here for a bit.”
“You’re welcome. Stay as long as you need to. It’s been a while since we hung out, just the two of us.”
“Well you have been busy lately” she said with a knowing smile. “Balancing your relationship, your school and time with your friends isn’t always easy.”
“Tell me about it," she admitted. “But there are things that make it all worthwhile.”
“I know exactly what you mean. I wish I had done things way differently when I was with Flash. But we did have some good times together. I’m glad that you’ve found someone who appreciates you and cares about you. Even if he can be a little bit of a dork sometimes.” She smirked as she said that.
Twilight laughed, she couldn’t deny it. But she was also self aware of her own dorky, or ‘adorkable’ tendencies, as Singer had once referred to it. “Well, I can’t say that I’m much better. But who’s to say we all can’t be a little dorky at times?”
“You got a point there. I mean look at Rainbow Dash. Closet egghead, and she’s always one of the ones geeking out about sci-fi movies or Daring Do books. One of these days I’m really going to call her out on that. And then you have the boys, but they don’t even try to hide it.”
“No they don’t, but that’s what we like about them.”
Twilight opened up her laptop, but not without a series of yawns ensuing.
“Are you sure you’re going to be able to continue doing that? Forty eight hours of no sleep is bound to catch up with you sooner or later. Singer was right earlier, you need to slow down and relax a bit. We’re not teenagers anymore.”
“Nonsense… I could keep going for hours-“ she felt herself drifting off before shaking her head to wake up. “….hours….” It didn’t take much more fighting before sleep finally prevailed and Twilight relaxed and her head was now resting on the back of the couch.
“Hours, huh?” Sunset chuckled, grabbing a blanket and putting Twilight’s laptop on the small table in front of the couch. She draped the blanket over her sleeping friend before grabbing one for herself returning to that comfy chair across from the couch, and began checking some of her social media hoping it would make her start to drift off too.
However, try as she might. The sugar rush she’d gotten from that energy drink from earlier was fighting her and she became restless. Unable to stop her mind from going zero to sixty every five seconds.
Unable to gain any ground, she gave up and decided that maybe the best course of action for her to take would be to go walk this off. So, she sent Twilight a text that she could read when she woke up, and quietly left and locked the door behind her.
Rainbow Dash had been chilling in her room, reading a Daring Do book, when all of a sudden, a chipper singing Pinkie Pie walked into the room. This wasn’t abnormal for Pinkie, so naturally Dash didn’t pay it any mind.
“Hi Rainbow Dash!” Pinkie said with a bigger smile than normal.
“Uuuuuh… hi Pinkie. Can I help you?”
“Absolutely!”
“Okay…” she waited about ten seconds as Pinkie continued to smile at her before finally asking: “Well, what is it? And why do you sound even more chipper than usual? That’s saying something too, because you’re already over the top.”
“Oh, riiiiiight! So, I’ve been thinking. Is the Glee Club really that bad?”
“Excuse me?” Dash asked, clearly dumbfounded. “What the hay are you on, Pinkie Pie? Did you not just hear about that crazy Glee Club instructor who’s brainwashing people into joining the Glee Club? Don’t even joke about that! I swear if I never hear another thing about ‘Regionals’… it’ll be too soon.”
“But, Rainbow! Those are just lies told by a less refutable source. Who are you going to trust? Your best friend or… your other friend who’s a little bit on the crazy side?”
“Pinkie, you’re trying to confuse me and I don’t like it. You and Singer are both crazy, so that doesn’t really narrow it down.”
“But Pinkie Pie would never ever EVER steer you wrong! I mean, when have I ever?” Pinkie smiled big.
“Well…” Dash could name a few times right at the forefront of her memory but for the sake of preserving her friend’s feelings, she chose not to say anything more about that. “Look Pinkie, I trust you completely. It’s just the Glee Club is awful. Totally not awesome. And you know me. I like things to be awesome. End of story. Put it to bed, and don’t wake me up until Saturday.”
“But Rainbow…” Pinkie said with a pause before the lights in the room grew dim and a spotlight was shown upon her. She paused with her finger right about to hit the play button on a portable stereo.
“No, Pinkie! Please don’t….”
“TOO LATE!”
“Everything is awesome! Everything is cool when you’re part of the team! Everything is awesome When you’re living out a dream”
“It’s not my dream…”
“Everything is better when we stick together Side by side you and I Gonna win forever Let’s party forever…”
Rainbow looked at her foot and noticed that she was subconsciously starting to tap it on the end of her bed. “Hey! Cut it out!”
This didn’t cease. It only got worse as Pinkie began to jump on and off her bed.
“We’re the same, I’m like you, you’re like me We are working in harmony…
Everything is awesome Everything is cool when you’re part of a team Everything is awesome When you’re living out a dream”
“Oh my gosh, I can’t take this anymore!” Dash said right before Pinkie went into rap mode.
“Three, two, one, GO! Have you heard the news? Everyone’s talking Life is good because everything is awesome Lost my job, it’s a new opportunity More free time with my awesome community
I feel more awesome than an awesome possum Dipped my body in chocolate frosting Three years later wash off the frosting Smelling like a blossom, everything is awesome
Stepped in mud, I got new brown shoes It’s awesome to win and it’s awesome to-“
“Do not finish that last part. I hate losing... So much so that we need to crush the competition!” Dash said… before she smiled uncontrollably and started to sing.
“Everything is awesome Everything is cool when you’re part of a team Everything is awesome When you’re living out a dream”
“Oh my gosh! Rainbow Dash!” Pinkie squealed happily, hugging her friend.
“That was AWESOME!” Rainbow said, embracing Pinkie back.
“Don’t you mean ‘everything is awesome’?”
Suddenly Rarity walked into the open door that was Rainbow’s room, and appeared to be irritated and holding a romance novel of some kind in her right hand.
“Now I’m not against having a good time,” Rarity began. “…but you’re causing all sorts of clatter and it’s disturbing my time of peace and relaxation. I was so close to finding out if Rachel and Dennis were going to go steady or remain friends!”
“Sorry Rarity” Pinkie said apologetically.
“We’re just practicing for regionals.” Rainbow said, causing Rarity to raise an eyebrow. “It’s just around the corner, you know…
“Regionals, you say?” she asked unsurely, and she began to take a couple of steps back as Pinkie and Dash were grinning. “I see… w-well… I… think nothing of it. I’m just going to go out and get some fresh air… buh bye!”
With that, she walked away with her back and arms stiff with anxiety. What had been said about the Glee Club was seemingly looking to be true and it had already taken hold of Pinkie and Rainbow Dash. “I’ve got to find the others and warn them of this catastrophe!!!”
“No! No! No!” Ray yelled as he fiddled with the joysticks on his controller. “I can’t believe you keep beating me! That’s not very nice, Dusk. Lulling me into a false sense of security by letting me beat the crap out of you on this game until you all of a sudden kick my butt with freaking Yoshi so you can grab the ultimate satisfaction of beating me! That’s what they call sandbagging, Dusk!”
“I have no idea what you mean, Ray," Dusk said with a smirk. “One could argue that I just got lucky.”
“There’s no way you get lucky that many times in a row. You’ve been holding out on me!”
“Can we just move on and accept the outcome as a game well played? I’ve really been wanting to try playing as Sonic.”
“No, no, no! I’m calling another rematch and we’re going to play this again. And then you’re playing Mario for the remainder of the evening.”
“I bet I could beat you with Mario.”
“Game on, dude! Play as the fat plumber. You’re not winning this next match…”
“Okay, just let me-…”
Dusk was interrupted by the sound of frantic knocking coming from their apartment door. Dusk took it upon himself to be the one to get up and answer the door, anything to get out of the current conversation.
“Hey, what are you doing?” Ray said. “This isn’t over, Dusk!”
“Just give me a second, we have someone knocking on our door.” He said, getting up.
“Hey if you’re getting up, could you grab me another soda?.” Ray said, grabbing a slice of pizza out of the pizza box that they’d ordered earlier, and tossing the now empty can that he had into the trash can, making it in without even trying.
Dusk rolled his eyes as he turned the door knob and answered the door. To his surprise, and a pleasant one at that, it was Rarity. Dusk stopped and briefly stared for a split second, before he got ahold of himself again. His cheeks flushed red with a blush and a smile tugged at his lips at the sight of her.
“I didn’t come at a bad time, did I?” Rarity asked, also equally caught up in the awkward blushing.
“N-No, not at all. Ray and I were just playing some games… what can I do for you?”
“I don’t know how else to say this, but I have reason to believe what’s been said about the Glee Club is true. And we might be in trouble.”
“What makes you think that?” Dusk asked.
“I just witnessed Pinkie and Rainbow Dash breaking out into song, and Rainbow mentioned something about…regionals.”
“What the heck are regionals?!?” Ray shouted.
“Are you sure? I mean those two are known pranksters. Perhaps they were just indulging in some funny antics inspired by what our mutual singing friend said earlier.”
Ray came to the door as well, standing right by Dusk. The former being slightly taller than the latter. “You mean Dash and Pinkie are out pranking people without me? How rude… Oh, hello snob…” Ray said with a grin.
“Hello, ruffian.” She returned. “Dusk, I know what I saw. And I didn’t like it. There’s definitely something going on about this place, and I’m going to get to the bottom of it. I’ll even go speak to this ‘Miss Reed’ if I have to.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Dusk asked cautiously.
“There’s nothing wrong with aiming to find a diplomatic solution to this. Who knows? Maybe Miss Reed is actually a reasonable person, and would feel inclined to listen to reason and help us put an end to it.”
“If you must, please be careful.”
“Not to worry Darling, I can handle myself.”
“If it makes you feel better, Ray and I can help to scope the area and to see if there’s anything else out of the ordinary going on.”
“Thank you Dusk. I can always count on you.” She said with a warm smile, which Dusk returned.
“You’re not just volunteering us to get out of the pummeling I’m going to put you through are you?” Ray said, punching Dusk’s arm.
“No, not at all.” Dusk replied wittily as he rubbed his arm.
“Oh my, should I be concerned?” Rarity asked jokingly.
“Of course not. We all know Ray wouldn’t really harm anyone, much less me. Well, not without probable cause.”
“Of course he wouldn’t.”
“I suppose we will see you shortly, Rarity.”
“Well, I’ll leave you to it then.” Rarity said as she turned to go. “We can meet out at the food court once we’ve concluded our objectives.”
“Right,” Dusk agreed. “We will see you there.”
“I guess we will have to postpone our rematch for now, but you’re totally going down!” Ray said.
“Of course.”
The two friends each picked up a new can of soda, and tapped them together before taking them on the road.
“So… off we go then?”
“Affirmative. Once more into the breach!”
As the sky began to get darker, the other students of the university were beginning to retreat to their dormitories, cars, or their apartments for the night. That didn’t mean everyone, though. Some were still stirring and wandering about the corridors.
Two friends in particular, Applejack and Fluttershy, had been walking as AJ had agreed to walk back to the parking lot with her.
“Thank you so much for walking back with me, Applejack!” Fluttershy said with a smile. “It’s always nice to have someone to talk to on the long walk to my car.”
“Think nothin of it, Fluttershy. Ya can’t be too careful nowadays with all the creeps wonderin around seeminly everywhere. Besides, Ah always enjoy yer little stories about yer critters.”
“They really are wonderful aren’t they? Animals, I mean. I would live out in the wilderness with them if I could.”
“Yeah, some more than others I reckon. Though, Ah don’t think livin around certain kinds of vermin would be all that appealin. Theivin little rascals.”
“Oh, dear. I’d really appreciate it if you didn’t use the ‘v’ word around Fievel. He’s sensitive about that kind of language.”
“What, vermin?” she asked. Fluttershy nodded in response and Applejack looked down at the critter sitting in Fluttershy’s hand. “Sorry little fella. Ah didn’t mean anythin by it.”
Fluttershy looked down at the mouse she continued to carry in her hands, and he looked unbothered. The little guy did appear to be happy and felt safe in her care though as he let her know this with a smile. “Oh, I think he forgives you.”
Applejack only chuckled in response. She continued to walk alongside Fluttershy but stopped and held out her hand when she noticed some movement in the darkened part of the corridor that they were about to walk through.
“Hello?” she called out. “Anyone there?”
Though she knew she shouldn't, Applejack sometimes got a little bit jumpy when it came to walking down dark hallways. Kinda like today. Her heart pounded in her chest as the movement appeared to get more frequent as the figure moved closer. However, when they revealed themselves, Applejack’s demeanor shifted back to calm because a familiar face emerged from the shadows.
“Oh, Rainbow Dash. Fancy bumpin into you here. But aren’t you headin in the wrong direction? Parkin lot’s the other way, remember?”
“Who needs that when we’re getting our show together to be ready for regionals?” Dash replied. “We’re going to need everyone on board if we want to make it happen!”
“I’m sorry, what did you just say?” Fluttershy inquired. “Regionals? Surely you’re not talking about…”
“Now Rainbow, we’ve had a stressful enough week without you and yer shenanigans tryin ta scare us. Why not put this game out ta pasture while Ah’m still in a good mood?”
Rainbow Dash didn’t move for a moment. She just stood there and looked at her two friends that stood before her, before making her remark, “Regionals aren’t a game, AJ.”
Pinkie Pie also appeared out of the shadows holding a flute, which she tossed to Derpy, who was also with them. Pinkie stood beside Rainbow helping her in staring AJ and Fluttershy down while also harmonizing and warming up to sing.
“Somewhere out there Beneath the pale moon light Someone’s thinking of me And loving me tonight”
“Is that the best you got?” Applejack remarked.
“Nope! Hit it Derpy!” Dash shouted as Derpy began to play a folksy version of the song on her flute, to which Dash proceeded to join in singing.
“Somewhere out there Someone’s saying a prayer That we’ll find one another In that big somewhere out there”
Fluttershy placed Fievel in her pocket and began to walk over to them.
“Fluttershy, no!”
Rainbow and Pinkie continued to sing in unison.
“And even though I know how very far apart we are It helps to think we might be wishing on that same bright star”
Fluttershy shed her inhibitions and began to belt out lyrics herself, aiding in the continuation of the song.
“And when the night wind Starts to sing a lonesome lullaby It helps to think we’re sleeping underneath That same big sky!”
“Hoooo-weee!” Applejack shouted as she too found herself being swept up in this too. She joined the other three in singing.
“Somewhere out there If love can see us through Then we’ll be together Somewhere out there Out where dreams Come true”
Derpy’s flute playing came to a close and the girls all stood there high fiving each other.
“Ah don’t know what Regionals are, but Ah think we’re gonna knock 'em dead yet.”
“Darn right we will!”
As the girls triumphantly marched off, presumably back to the Glee Club wing, this didn’t go unnoticed by Sunset Shimmer, who had been hidden behind a trash can as she stumbled onto the scene while it was going on. When she felt the coast was clear, she peaked her head out and looked at the now empty hallway and grabbed her phone to try to call someone, anyone. This was getting out of hand, quick.
“Come on, Twilight! Pick up!” she said as she speed dialed Twilight. But no answer. “She must still be asleep… I know. I’ll call Rarity.” She dialed her number next and just hoped that she wasn’t too late to reach her.
Rarity’s nerves were shot at this point. Her dramatic nature had brought her to the verge of hysteria. Her makeup already slightly smeared and the closer she got to the Glee Club area, the worse it got. She kept her mirror out until she’d reached her destination, fixing her appearance as needed.
She wasn’t sure what she’d find herself in when she got there, but she’d hoped beyond hope that the odds of this all being a big misunderstanding would be true, however, her fear of the unknown about what it was was really getting to her.
However, she was able to search inside herself for the courage she’d need as she was seemingly walking right into the ‘lion’s den’, so to speak. The more she thought about it, her irritation towards this whole thing began to overwhelm her fear and a sudden boldness came over her before she reached Miss Reed’s office door.
She knocked, and was ushered inside by the sound of Miss Reed telling her the door was open. And it was there she came face to face with her. The very character that Singer had mentioned earlier. Miss Reed.
“Hello Miss, Rarity is it?” Miss Reed said, addressing her presence. She had shown indications of being tired and stressed. Something that Rarity could relate to due to her own line of work. Surely being the instructor of something as high maintenance as the Glee Club had its challenges. Nevertheless, Rarity had her concerns and she felt an obligation to get the answers she sought. She cleared her throat after Miss Reed further addressed her. “What can I help you with today?”
“Uh, yes. Well… as I understand it. Your program is getting grotesquely close to this event you all indulge in, called “Regionals”, am I right?”
Miss Reed’s eyes lit up at the mention of regionals. Almost as if she hadn’t expected that to come up. But how could she not, with nobody shutting up about it?
“Yes, they’re very important and we need as many as we can to make sure we wow the judges there. Why? Have you taken an interest?”
“Well, not exactly. Farbeit me to question the teaching methods of an instructor of this fine establishment, but… I fear that some of your methods might be drawing in people who, how should I put this? Uh… really aren’t into that sort of thing? And against their will, no less.”
“My methods are fine, I assure you Miss Rarity.” Miss Reed said as she stood up from behind her desk and opened the blinds that looked out into the auditorium. “I see untapped potential out there, and those students are putting hard work into making this dream a reality. I’ve always said that the spirit of Glee is infectious.”
“Maybe a little bit too infectious, perhaps?”
“What are you implying? That I’m brainwashing students into completing my vision? That’s a pretty lofty accusation.”
Rarity was beginning to get tired of dancing around the issue, and with another jolt of confidence, she lashed back. “Well if the shoe fits, wear it as I always say.” Her phone began to ring, but she just let it do so. “You cannot keep doing this to the students here. Especially not to my friends! This is simply uncouth to the highest degree, and I refuse to tolerate it any further.”
“I see. Ya know, kid. You’d make a fine addition to the drama club.” Reed remarked.
“I am already in the drama club, thank you very much!” she retorted.
“Well then, in that case.” Miss Reed snapped her fingers and her office door sprung open.
Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and Applejack stood behind Rarity at the doorway, preventing her from making an escape attempt.
“Oh no…” Rarity said as she turned to face them while backing up right into Miss Reed’s desk.
“Way to fall right into my trap. I knew one of you would be dumb enough to try and confront me.”
“Now ladies, can’t we just talk about this in a civilized manner?” Rarity pleaded but to no avail. She knew she was doomed. Her fate was sealed when Derpy began to play her flute again, but this time to the tune of a certain song from a famous movie about a sunken titan of a ship. The girls cornering Rarity began to sing in unison as Derpy played on.
“Every night in my dreams I see you, I feel you That is how I know you go on…”
“Oh come now, this is hardly fair. Who doesn’t like this song?” Rarity protested but to no avail.
“Near, far wherever you are I believe that my heart will go on Once more, you open the door And you’re here in my heart And my heart will go on and on”
Rarity was forced to hear them sing as her friends filed into the office with the door closing behind them. Rarity’s voice would soon be added to the mix just moments later.
“You’re here, there’s nothing I fear And I know that my heart will go on We’ll stay forever this way You are safe in my heart and My heart will go on and on”
Laughter could then be heard as the door suddenly slammed back open, Derpy continued to play the song with her flute, and Miss Reed led the small chorus of college students out of her office as her face adorned an unsettling grimace. “Now I am unstoppable! The rest of them are as good as mine!”
“Ray, are you sure we should be back here?” Dusk whispered. They had found their way backstage at the auditorium, looking around at all of the props while they were “checking things out” like they’d agreed to help Rarity do.
“Dude, relax. This is the school’s property and we are students here. Besides, wouldn’t you think that around here would be a good place to find answers? Maybe we can sneak around and overhear people talking until someone says something incriminating.”
“Sounds like an excuse to goof around to me.” Dusk replied, pulling out his phone. “Odd, nothing from Rarity yet. Or any of the others in quite a while.”
“Nothing for me, either.” Ray said, checking out his own phone. “Hey Dusk, you aren’t really buying into the Glee Club nonsense are you?”
“Well, given the fact that Rarity saw Rainbow and Pinkie Pie partaking in a musical type performance in their room as well as going on about regionals, I’m inclined to think that it’s possible. Not sure if it’s probable as this could all just be a prank.”
“Maybe. I just think it’s all a little far fetched. And if it is a prank, those two are amateurs. A true prankster would wait until the illusion of the threat disappearing takes place and right when you least expect it, it happens. But as for evil Glee Club Coaches, I kinda side with Applejack’s earlier remarks. Given the source, I’m not sure if I trust it.”
“Maybe you’re right. This could all just be overblown… and you’ve completely left this conversation by now.” Dusk, who’d looked off to the side while he pondered this out loud to Ray, looked back toward his friend to notice him playing with a dueling lightsaber that he’d found in one of the props boxes.
“Dude, check this out! I wonder if it has any batteries in it…” Ray said as he pushed the button, causing the thing to light up with a green blade. “Sweet! There’s another one over in that other box, Dusk. Let’s have some fun for a few minutes and have at it!”
“Ray, come on…” Dusk replied. “We don’t really have time for this.”
Ray began to imitate the sound of a clucking chicken. “That’s you right now Dusk! Too afraid to partake in a harmless lightsaber duel and too afraid to face me at Smash Bros while playing as Mario.”
“Your juvenile jesting isn’t going to get me any more into this little game of yours, Ray. We need to focus on finding the others.” Dusk said, his thoughts currently on Rarity with her contact open on his phone. He was half tempted to call and check in on her.
“Dude, stop being such a buzzkill! I’m telling you there’s nothing to-” Ray said, having turned back around, looking at Dusk after continuing to swing the lightsaber around. It was then he noticed that the other lightsaber he’d seen in the box was no longer there.
Dusk was now beaming as he ignited the lightsaber he was now holding. This one had a blue light inside of it, causing the blade to fully form once Dusk pushed the button that activated it. “I’m a little bit disappointed it isn’t red. Sometimes playing the villain is a bit more fun than being the protagonist.”
“Well played Dusk, you almost had me.” Ray said with a laugh. “You know, if you wanted to be the villain, you could just say you’re a Jedi who’s fallen to the dark side. Kinda cliche, but…”
“Are you quite done?”
“I’m not, but I’ll stop.”
“Thank you, now let’s get this out of our systems before someone catches us.”
Their blades clashed for the first time, and then again to test it and make sure these were actually durable enough for dueling. The two started to laugh when they realized the props were indeed sturdy enough. These lightsabers were the real deal, alright.
“It’s over Dusk-akin!” Ray said as he jumped up on a platform. “I have the high ground!”
“You underestimate my power!” Dusk said, hardly able to keep himself from laughing. He’d made sure to keep his voice and tone as whiny as the way the actor in the movie had done, perhaps even embellishing it a bit for more comedic drama.
Dusk, ignoring the rules, decided to run past Ray and join him on the other side of the platform so they could have equal footing again.
“Engaard, Jedi scum!” he shouted as he swung his lightsaber towards Ray and the blue and green blades clashed yet again.
“Traitorous Sith Garbage!” Ray countered with a few swings of his own.
Their duel was short lived, however, as they heard the sounds of approaching voices coming their way. Panicking, the duo turned off the props, placed them back in the box and ran, splitting up unintentionally with Dusk running off in one direction, and Ray in another.
Before Dusk had realized what had happened completely, he found himself alone and Ray being who-knows-where by now. He heard the familiar voices of his friends. But after taking a moment to think about it, he decided it best to stay hidden for the moment. Just to make sure that what Rarity had feared was happening, wasn’t actually happening. He’d hoped that this was just another excuse for a misadventure that they would all laugh about years later.
In his pondering, however, he didn’t even notice someone was standing behind him, but he soon found out as they reached out and tapped him on the shoulder, causing him to jump while simultaneously turning to face them. Once he turned around after having been spooked, he was happy to see the face of the one who’d gotten his attention. It was Rarity!
“Oh, you found me. That’s a relief. I’m glad that you’re okay. Any luck finding the others?”
“Indeed I have," Rarity said with a smile. “I also figured out what’s going on with Miss Reed and all of these students suddenly joining the Glee Club out of the blue.”
“Is it like we thought, then? Is there something diabolical going on?”
Dusk turned his back as he saw Rarity go into a changing room and shut the door behind her. He didn’t understand what she was doing, but he thought it best to turn around and look the other way anyway.
“Of course not. It’s like you say all the time, Dusk. Have a little faith.”
“Alright, fair enough. But what about the others?”
She stepped out in a shiny bright blue dress and struck a pose.
“This is what I’m wearing for the show, this is the theatre after all.”
“I’m afraid I’m not following, Rarity.” Dusk said, turning back around and suddenly unable to take his eyes off of her. “Uh….” He shook his head. “W-What do you mean? What show are you referring to? And what does the theater have to do with the others?”
Rarity softly shushed him. “Just listen to the music.”
“I-… I don’t hear anything…” Dusk said.
Suddenly, a piano on a rotational platform began to play, and the platform spun around slowly to reveal Bulk Biceps playing the piano. Dusk thought this was kind of odd, but didn’t acknowledge it completely right away, though the tune did sound familiar to him.
Suddenly, Rarity was joined by Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, who’d all began to harmonize as if to begin a song.
Dusk immediately backed up upon seeing this, realizing that he’d really messed up. He tried to turn to make a break for it, but he was stopped by Flash Sentry who was playing his guitar as well as Derpy, a few others, who’d been playing various other instruments, accompanied by Octavia who was playing her cello.
“Of course this was all a trap! What an idiot I am! Why did I let you go off by yourself? I should have gone with you!” Thoughts of regret plagued his mind in this instance. If only he’d taken this more seriously, if he had gone with her instead of fooling around backstage, maybe he and Rarity could have shut this operation down together. Still a small glimmer of hope arose in him, maybe he could still reach her.
“You must have faith, Dusk!” Rarity said, completely backing him into a corner.
“Rarity, snap out of it! Don’t you realize what’s happening here?!? You can beat this!”
“Oh, we all realize what’s happening here, Dusk.” Miss Reed said as she walked out from behind her performers. “And this is just the beginning. Don’t try to fight it, soon you will become a part of the new and improved Glee Club. Now, everyone! Let him have it!”
Dusk watched as Flash Sentry, who had a surprisingly adequate singing voice, began to sing a song that Dusk was all too familiar with.
“It’s been a long road Getting from there to here It’s been a long time But my time is finally near And I can feel the change in the wind right now Nothing’s in my way And they’re not going to hold me down no more No, they’re not going to hold me down”
Dusk covered his ears with his hands, but the words were still reaching him. This was hardly fair. He’d begun to wonder how they knew he’d respond to this song. It was pointless to resist at this point.
“Cause I’ve got faith of the heart I’m going where my heart will take me I’ve got faith to believe I can do anything I’ve got strength of the soul And no ones going to bend or break me I can reach any star I’ve got faith I’ve got faith, faith of the heart”
Dusk couldn’t contain himself. He too was falling victim to the Glee Club’s trap. The song of choice was too perfect and it lured him in. It wasn’t long before he too joined the girls in singing the song.
Ray had come back to the scene, once he realized that Dusk wasn’t with him, he’d circled back, hid behind a cardboard tree prop and had the unfortunate displeasure of witnessing all of this. He’d arrived too late to save Dusk.
“Dang it!” he whispered to himself.
Ray knew that this was one hundred percent real now, and he had to go find whoever was left. But first, he needed to get the eff out of there!
As stealthy as he could, Ray slipped away seemingly undetected. Once he’d made it to the exit of the auditorium, he ran out the door and began to murmur various curse words to himself, passing frantically by a few unexpecting people down the hallway.
He made it outside and hid behind a stone wall near a bench that was out there and pulled out his phone. His first thought was to call Twilight, but no answer. Crap! Just lovely, he thought to himself. There was one other person that he knew he hadn’t seen in the crowd inside the auditorium and Ray hoped that he’d be able to reach her. Ray dialed Sunset Shimmer’s number and let it ring a few times before he got an answer, to his relief.
“Ray?” Sunset said as she received his call. “Ray, is that you?”
“Yes it’s me! Are you still… you? I mean…”
“I know what you mean, and yes. I’m afraid I can’t say the same for Applejack, Pinkie, Dash and Fluttershy though.”
“Add Rarity and Dusk to that. Wait, what about Twilight?”
“Probably in slumberland right now," Sunset said. “She was pretty beat when I left her place earlier.”
“Well that’s good. That’s one other person not being affected by this.” Ray said with a bit of relief in his voice.
“I was thinking maybe we should give Singer a call. Maybe he’ll know a way out of this.”
“Are you kidding? He’ll never let us live this down if he finds out! No way!”
Sunset sighed. “Look, let’s just find somewhere to meet up. We can discuss this better face to face.”
“Fine. I’ll meet you at ‘The Snak Shak’. I could really use some water.”
“Cool, me too. See you there.”
It had been a few hours since Twilight had fallen asleep, and it didn’t seem as though anything was going to wake her up. Except for accidentally rolling off the couch, which was exactly what she was about to do. Her door opening abruptly was what finally made it happen because when the door opened, it woke her up before she fell off the couch.
“Twilight?” the confused voice of Spike addressed her. “You were asleep? But it’s not bedtime yet.”
“I fell asleep?!?” She asked, panicking. “How long was I out? What did I miss? What time is it?!?”
“Twilight, snap out of it!” said her purple skinned little brother. When Twilight came to herself, she smiled warmly at Spike and ruffled his green hair. The boy was wearing an unbuttoned purple button up shirt with a yellow t-shirt under it that had the number forty two on it, as well as jeans and his sneakers.
“I’m sorry Spike,” she said. “Today was kind of a hard day. Plus I fell asleep when I was supposed to be studying.”
“You didn’t stay up for three straight days again, did you?”
“Two…” she admitted.
“Twilight…”
“I know, I know. But sometimes I just can’t help myself.” She said as she scoped out her room. “Hey, wait a minute. I thought Sunset Shimmer was here resting, too.”
“Sorry Twilight, but besides you, nobody else was in here when Mom dropped me off.”
“She must have left after I passed out. Good grief, I’m a terrible host!” Twilight looked at the time. “Great, hours have gone by since I fell asleep.”
“Come on, it’s not that bad.” Spike said. “Don’t you feel somewhat refreshed now that you slept a bit?”
“A little. I’m actually looking forward going to bed for real later, though.” She admitted.
“Uh, good… but one question. Where’s Singer? I thought we were watching more Clone Wars tonight.”
“That’s a good question. Let me see if he’s texted…” she said, opening her phone. “Hmm, yes. He texted a couple of hours ago saying he’d be a little bit late. Also, I have some missed calls from Ray and Sunset Shimmer. Multiple ones from Sunset; I hope she’s okay.” Twilight dialed Sunset’s number but got the busy signal. “Great…”
“Maybe it’s nothing.”
“No, Spike. I don’t have a good feeling about this. There’s gotta be something going on around here.” She said as she scrolled through more of her texts and found a few messages from Sunset, Ray and Applejack. “Oh no… this can’t actually be happening!”
“What’s happening?” Spike asked.
“Glee Club…” Twilight said, now starting to get worked up even more.
“Glee Club?” Spike asked bemused. “You’re not making any sense, Twilight.”
“It’s actually happening! Just look at these texts!” she exclaimed with panic in her voice.
“Twilight, whenever you get a chance, barricade your door” from Applejack.
“Twilight, Glee Club is real, I repeat Glee Club is real…” from Sunset Shimmer… “PS, wake up!”
“And last but not least, ‘Twilight, everyone has been taken by Miss Reed’s Glee Club. -Ray”
“Oh come on! I go to sleep for a few measly hours and the world falls apart on me! This is awful!” Twilight said in borderline panick mode again.
“Maybe it’s a prank?” Spike suggested.
“Not this time, I’m afraid. I’m not sure if there’s anything I can do, but I have to go out there and see if I can figure out a way to save everyone. This is going to be a long night…”
“I’ll come with you,” Spike volunteered right before putting his hand over his mouth. Why’d he say that?
“No, no. That’s alright. This is an adult problem… I think.” Spike breathed a sigh of relief. “Just stay here and watch Netflix or something. Just don’t be watching anything inappropriate, I can see what you watch so don’t try any funny business because I will tell mom and dad.”
“Who, me?” Spike grinned. “Yeah, sure thing! No funny business!”
“That means no Walking Dead.”
“Aw come on! I’m fourteen, I can handle it!”
“You know that show gives you nightmares.”
“Yeah when I was younger…”
“Spike…”
“Okay fine, I won’t watch The Walking Dead..” he crossed his arms bitterly.
“Good, now that it’s settled, I need to go.” She looked at herself in the mirror beside her bathroom door. Her hair was a mess and she just could tell that she needed to clean up. “Yeeesh, maybe I’d better shower and get changed first…”
“Good idea.” Spike said as he grabbed a box of Goldfish Crackers and a soda from Twilight’s fridge, taking it to the couch where he was looking forward to snacking heavily. “Have fun playing hero!”
“I’m not playing anything! Just watch your cartoons!” she said pointedly, walking to her bathroom.
“Okay, okay. I’m sorry. Sheesh…” Spike began to watch his cartoons. As soon as the theme song started up, the laughter commenced. “Go Darkwing!”
When Sunset Shimmer got to ‘The Snak Shak’, Ray had already gotten his water and was waiting for her at the outside table. She slowly proceeded with caution, lest she fall for a trap. She had no idea whether or not Ray was being truthful about not getting infected by the Glee Club.
“Uh, Ray?” she addressed him unsurely. “You really are all there, right?”
“Really Sunset?” He said, throwing his arms up. “Do you see me breaking out in song and bringing up regionals every five freaking minutes? That one doesn’t count. I still don’t even know what regionals even are.”
“I don’t think anyone does.” Sunset chuckled in her reply. She was more confident in her friend now. He was clean of Glee's influence. “So we’re the last ones, huh?”
“It would appear so. Man, this is going to be embarrassing to recount later.”
“I don’t know about you, but I’d rather not mention this ever again. Especially after we figure out how to get our friends back.”
“Do we really know to what extent they are being controlled?” Ray asked. “Maybe there’s some bonkers way of saving them. Given how ridiculous this whole thing is, nothing would surprise me anymore.”
“I didn’t stick around long enough to try and spot a weakness. I just know that someone has kept track of some of the songs we like and is using them against us. So stay on your guard.”
“Dusk was literally whisked away by The Star Trek: Enterprise Theme Song." Ray informed her.
“Fluttershy and Applejack both fell to ‘Somewhere Out There’ from that one movie about the mouse. It’s a classic” Sunset said, trying to keep what had happened fresh in her mind.
“Gee, that really narrows it down…”
“It’s like they know exactly what songs they can sing that will get each of us singing and that’s what traps you.”
“Yeah, that definitely makes sense, and I’m living in a world where it actually does.” Ray facepalmed. “This is so stupid…”
“They have our friends, I can only assume we’re next on their itinerary.”
“Fortunately for us, I don’t think they will be taking me today. I’m wise to the game now. And there’s absolutely nothing they can do to get me, let alone both of us at the same time. Right?”
“Don’t bet on it, gamer nerds” Rainbow Dash said coming out of the shadows, with Miss Reed and a few others in tow.
“Video games…” it suddenly dawned on Sunset’s mind. “This really was done systematically. Think about it, they can literally just sing any catchy video game song they can think of, and get us both at one time. We should have just talked over the phone, because now they have us right where they want us!”
“Oh sh-…” Ray said as he and Sunset shot up from their chairs. The former raised his hands. “Truce! I declare a truce! Let’s not do something we’ll regret, Dash.”
“I see we have a couple of stragglers.” Miss Reed spoke up, facing Sunset. “Sunset Shimmer, you’ve developed quite a reputation as a vocalist. Your contribution is invaluable to our quest for regionals.”
“No thanks!” Sunset shouted. “Ray and I are going to take you down.”
“Ah yes, Mister Strike…” said Miss Reed walking closer to Ray. If this was meant to be intimidating, he’d admit that it was sort of working. He backed up a couple of steps, as her piercing gaze looked into his. “I knew you’d be a tough one to crack. You’re almost not worth the effort, if I’m being honest. But we do need a bit of comedy for our show.”
“I think you’re missing the part where I actually give a crap. What you’re doing here is totally screwed up.”
“Shut up!” she yelled, gritting her teeth. “I won’t have my craft be insulted by a lowly gargoyle like yourself!”
“What, did I hit a nerve?” Ray said mockingly. Normally, he wouldn’t resort to poking the proverbial bear unless he knew he could get away with it. But he was just as annoyed about this as she was, and she took his best friend captive. This was personal. Manners were out the window as far as he was concerned. “You know, your voice sounds familiar. You kinda sound like this cartoon character, Eda Clawthorn. But clearly, you’re not near as cool as she is.”
“Hold up… I don’t understand that reference.” She pulled out her phone and typed that in her internet search engine. Her face grew even more angry after reading the character description. “Is that your indirect way of saying that I sound like a witch?!?”
Ray chortled. “I didn’t think about it that deeply, but hey if the shoe fits…”
“Okay, Ray. I think it’s time to stop talking now…” Sunset suggested. “We need to get out of here before something starts happening.”
“Cue the music!” Miss Reed shouted in a vindictive tone. “Give it all you got on these two!”
Flash began to strum his electric guitar, and beside him, Rarity was playing a keytar. The music they were playing was the opening notes to a classic television series theme song based on the worldwide phenomenon known as…Pokémon…
“I wanna be the very best like no one ever was To catch them is my real test To train them is my cause”
“I will travel across the land Searching far and wide Each Pokémon to understand The power that’s inside”
A small choral arrangement of Fluttershy, Applejack, Dusk, Derpy(who was smiling all the while), and Octavia continued with the song’s chorus.
“Pokémon It’s you and me I know it’s my destiny Pokémon Oh you’re my best friend In a world we must defend
Pokémon A heart so true Our courage will pull us through You teach me and I’ll teach you Pokémon Gotta catch em all Gotta catch em all”
“Lame!” Ray shouted. “Stop wasting our time with this. You guys are killing a good song. I feel absolutely nothing!”
“What he said!” Sunset agreed.
As the electric guitar intensified heading into the second verse, Miss Reed smirked. “You haven’t seen it yet. Jason, come on out here!”
Ray and Sunset’s eyes widened as before them walked out the man himself, the original singer of the song, Jason Paige. Dressed in a Pokémon trainer jacket, white T-shirt, and even the trainer pants and shoes.
“No!” Ray shouted. “No this isn’t fair! That’s cheating!”
JP straightened his jacket and proceeded to sing.
“Every challenge along the way With courage I will face I will battle every day To claim my rightful place
Come with me the time is right There’s no better team Arm in arm we’ll win the fight It’s always been our dream….”
And just like the song said, Ray and Sunset broke free of Bulk’s grip and arm in arm they both darted over to sing with JP.
“Pokémon It’s you and me I know it’s my destiny Pokémon Oh, you’re my best friend In a world we must defend Pokémon A heart so true Our courage will pull us through You teach me and I’ll teach you Pokémon Gotta catch em all Gotta catch em all Pokémon”
The music ceased and everyone had stopped to catch their breaths. Sunset and Ray now joined their friends.
“Alright all of you, let's get back to the auditorium before we get noise complaints. We have a show to prepare for tomorrow, and nothing is going to stand in the way of it this time.” Miss Reed commanded, getting a high five from JP as he led everyone else away. “My, my, Miss Reed you’ve really outdone yourself, this time. Regionals, here we come!”
In the dark of the night, elsewhere on campus, the headlights of a car could be seen pulling into the parking lot. A blue muscle car had pulled in and was currently looking for a parking spot.
The owner of the car, Singer Case, had returned from his outing. Stressed and agitated, he’d found himself coping with what was apparently a rough time by listening to a classic rock song, and singing along with it.
“Hold the line Love isn’t always on time Oh, oh, oh Hold the line Love isn’t always on time Oh, oh, oh….”
He turned off the ignition, opened the door and stepped out of the car. “What an evening… ugh. I can’t wait to relax and forget about this awful day.” He quickly reminded himself of what he’d been looking forward to. He’d only hoped that Twilight would still be available for it. She’d usually been good about making time for them to sit back, relax, and watch some of their favorite shows. The final four Clone Wars episodes had been at the back of his mind all day, and he was silently pumping himself up.
He pulled out his phone and went to his contacts. He searched through his contacts for “Adorkable”, which is what he’d put Twilight as in his phone for his own personal humor. He pressed the call button, and immediately got an answer after the first ring.
“Singer?” Twilight said. “Hi! Thank goodness!”
“What’s going on, is everything okay?”
“I don’t know.” She sounded nervous. “I-uh… where are you currently?”
“I’m walking to your place, I just got back from whatever the heck that was I did today.”
“Oh, I’m actually out and about, right now. Maybe we should find a place to-…”
She was cut off by a sudden collision with someone else. That someone ended up being the one she was actually talking to on the phone.
Singer shook his head after the impact that left both of them in the ground. Twilight’s glasses had fallen off her face and into his hands, so he placed them back on for her.
“Sorry sweetie, I wasn’t watching where I was going. You okay?” Singer said, getting up on his feet and lending her a hand in getting up.
“I am now that you’re here.” She said with a smile.
Singer noticed that she’d changed clothes since he last saw her. She wore a light blue polo shirt with dark blue stripes going across it, a dark blue skirt and a pair of nice white tennis shoes, much cleaner than the ones she’d worn earlier. Still casual, but still very much visually appealing to him. He’d always found her modest approach to fashion to be attractive.
“Wow, you look pretty tonight. Er- not that you don’t always look pretty. I mean-“
Twilight giggled. “I know.” She smiled. “You look pretty too.” She teased while straightening his collar on his dress shirt, and she also straightened his tie for him. “My goodness, you look like you’ve been through quite an ordeal. Is everything okay?”
“Nothing I won’t recover from by tomorrow. That gig I had, Flash and our other band members didn’t show up. I couldn’t just not perform, so I tried it without them. I forgot midway through frantically getting everything set up that I’m not a musical instrument player, merely a vocalist. And boy was it evident. I embarrassed myself so bad that the job that I was also there for, well that interview got canceled. You can imagine why. But, ya live and ya learn. Hopefully next time my band members will be more dependable.”
“I’m sorry that happened,” Twilight said. “But for what it’s worth, I kinda like what came of it. This suit really looks good on you, I’m glad I got to see you in it.” She winked.
“Well, seeing you after a day like today really gave me a boost. Especially when you dress like that. I like it when you just do what you do.”
They both blushed.
“Were we just flirting?” Singer said, sounding surprised.
“I think so.” Twilight smiled at him. “Why don’t we do that more often?”
“I dunno, I’ve thought about it before, but I’m just not sure I’m that good at it yet. Plus I wasn’t sure how you’d react to it. I just quite haven’t figured out how to put what I want to say into words without sounding like a desperate idiot.”
“Definitely keep doing it. We’ll get better at it as we go. You did fine.” She said as she lightly punched his arm. “Oh my gosh!” She shouted, pulling herself out of the moment when she suddenly remembered why she was out in the first place. “Singer, I have something that I need to tell you, and it’s not good news…”
“What could be worse than what I’ve already been through today? Bring it on!”
“You won’t be saying that when you see this,” Twilight pulled up her text messages, and showed Singer the last few messages.
Singer’s facial expression changed from a smile to a horrified frown. His eyes widened as realization of what had transpired in his absence sunk in. “Oh, no…”
TO BE CONTINUED…
Author's Note
Songs used in this chapter are:
A slightly reworded version of the Glee song featured in the show ‘Community’ in Season 3 called ‘Regional Holiday Music’
“Everything is awesome” by The Lonely Island and the Leto Movie
“Somewhere Out There” by Linda Ronstadt and James Ingram/An American Tale
“My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Deon
“Faith of the Heart” by Russel Watson/Star Treck “Enterprise”
“The Pokémon Theme” by Jason Paige
“Hold the Line” by Toto
Special Thanks to AlphaTheGriffin17 and SCI-FIWIZARDMAN for allowing me to use their OCs, Dusk Noir and Ray Strike, respectively. Mad respect for what Alpha has done with his ‘Dusk Series’ over the years.
Twilight watched as Singer paced back and forth nervously. This was definitely an Earth shattering development for him. “Singer, sweetie, you’re going to have to stop pacing. You’re beginning to freak me out here.” Twilight said as she sat on a bench. This reaction was definitely not what she’d expected from him.
“Twilight, I… I don’t know what to say. I…”
“Look, I know you warned them. You warned all of us. And I don’t know what happened, but the reality of the situation is that they fell prey to Miss Reed’s schemes. Whatever’s going on, we can face it together and get them back.”
“Twilight, I… I can’t. I just can’t…”
“What? Singer! My friends are in trouble!”
“I know, okay? But… aaaaagh! This was what I was hoping to avoid. That woman is a devious manipulative wi-… just a bad person. I’ve seen what she’s capable of… first hand.”
“Wait… so you’ve actually dealt with her before?”
“Yes, and it’s not something I’m keen on doing ever again. She tried to pull this crap back in High School. And tried to use me to do it.”
“What? When?”
“Not long after I started going to school there, and not maybe a month or so before you transferred there. I was alone, Twilight. You have to understand, I was looking for a place to fit in back then hadn’t yet met Flash, Vinyl or Octavia and I was a social outcast. And I thought she could help me find what I was looking for. But I was wrong, all she wanted was to use me to recruit students who matched her criteria but had zero interest in joining Glee Club. I mean, who could blame them, honestly? It’s not the coolest thing in the world to be a part of as a High School student. But I caught on to what she was doing, and I backed out and called her out on it. She’s ‘had my number’ ever since. If I show up there, things will get ugly.”
Twilight’s gaze stayed on him as he hung his head. She could tell that whatever experience he’d had with Miss Reed in the past, it had weighed on him for some time. Her feelings became more conflicted. She didn’t want to put him through the pain of seeing Miss Reed again, but at the same time, who else was going to save her friends? It’s not like they could just go to the police with this. Who would believe that any of this was happening?
“Okay… I understand. Believe me. I understand what it’s like to be a social outcast, and I also understand what it’s like to have someone use you for their gain. If I had to face Principal Cinch again, I don’t know that I’d be able to handle it either.”
Singer then looked up at her, remembering what she’d told him about Principal Cinch and what she’d done to manipulate her back at Crystal Prep. He looked at her sympathetically. Knowing that they had both had similar experiences in High School, in some weird way, made this seem not as bad as he initially thought. Though it was still hard, he had to place himself in her position as well. He would want to be by her side to help her face her adversary, and he knew that she would be willing to do the same for him. This was every bit as much his battle as it was hers at this point. He sighed and sat down by her on the bench.
“I’m sorry Twilight. I lost myself for a second. Yeah, it’s rough. But I don’t want to make you feel like I’m abandoning you. Not when there might be something I can do. But, maybe we can face this together. I care about you, and I know you care about me.” He held her hand as they stared into each other’s eyes. “You’re right. Someone has to help our friends, and we might be the only ones who can.”
“Are you sure you want to do this?”
“No…” he admitted with a chuckle. “But I do know that you are important to me, and they are important to you, and I have to admit that I am rather fond of them as well. I’m not going to sit on the sidelines because I’m afraid of some scary lady from my past. And I’m not letting you go in there by yourself. Besides, I’ve been running from my fears for long enough. I’m done running.”
Twilight stood up, and Singer did the same. They shared a hug before going in for a kiss, however they were interrupted by someone calling out for them.
“Yo, lovebirds!” a lower pitched female voice called out to them, stopping them in their moment.
Singer and Twilight backed up from each other, blushing and sheepishly smiling as the new party joined the fray. It was a friend of Singer’s, one who loved her loud bass speakers and headset. Vinyl Scratch removed her dark purple tinted sunglasses as she walked up to them.
“Hi Vinyl…” Singer said, acknowledging her and being a little disappointed in her timing.
“Hey-o Singer, Twilight. Have either of you seen Octavia? I haven’t seen her all day, and she hasn’t been responding to my text messages or calls.”
“Uuuh…” Singer said, with growing suspicion forming in his mind. “I don’t know exactly where she’s at, but I have an idea.”
“I mean if she’d rather hang around a bunch of randos than hang out with her best friend, that’s fine I guess. Just a heads up would have been nice.”
“It’s not like that,” he assured her. “However, the alternative is worse. Miss Reed is back in town and is recruiting people for her Glee Club with her less than desirable methods. It’s not just Octavia, I’m pretty sure that’s what happened to Flash, Fender, and Axel too. Plus Ray, Dusk and the girls, and really who knows who else she has wrapped up in this.”
“That devil woman is back?!?” Vinyl shouted angrily. “Son of a-…”
“Yes, we were actually on our way to go check it out.” Twilight threw in. “Something has to be done.”
“Heck yeah it does! If you’re going in, I’m going too! Nobody takes my best friend!” She almost led the way, but then stopped. “How about I meet you there? I have some gear I’m going to need to grab. We will make our presence known with the power of the Wubs!”
“The power of what?” Twilight inquired.
“Wubs!” Vinyl repeated.
“Forgive me, but what are those?”
“WUBS are the awesome sound waves that emit from loudspeakers that blow you the eff away, that’s what they are! Nothing will offset a Glee Club gathering quite like loud music. Especially in a confined space!” An almost evil grin adorned her face as she casually put her sunglasses back on. “At any rate, I’m going to go take care of business. I’ll see you two later!” Vinyl held up double peace fingers with her hands and took off, leaving them alone once again.
“Alrighty then. We’ll meet you there.”
“I wonder what she’s got planned.” said Twilight.
“Who knows? But knowing her, it’ll be something exciting. Something more to look forward to, I guess.”
“I guess so. So off to it, then?”
“After you, Milady,” Singer said with a bow, gesturing to the auditorium building. “Who knows? Fighting the Glee Club might actually be fun.”
“Let’s not get carried away, there. Just, whatever we do, we do together. Promise?”
“Aye… I mean yes, I promise.”
And with that, the two were on their way into the unknown. The building in their sights, they both carried on. Fears and anxieties arose in both of them, but they knew they had to do this. They’d just hoped that they weren't walking into a trap.
“Everything is going off without a hitch as I knew it would,” Miss Reed said as she spoke with a tall man dressed in a suit. “Thank you for convincing Mr Paige to help me out, Record. He was a huge asset.”
“Very good. I’m happy to have provided my assistance. Anything to help out a former classmate. I’m impressed by the number of students who have agreed to participate in this show. Though, there’s one not among them who I had halfway expected to be in the fray.”
“Oh?”
“My son, Singer Case. I understand he’s enrolled in this university. And like myself, he enjoys the chance to participate in musical events like this.” He stood about a foot taller than Miss Reed, who was about average height. He had white skin, blue eyes and a gold/blonde mullet style hair do. He was slightly bigger and more built than his son was.
“Oh, I see. Well not to worry, he will be along soon enough. I have a special place for him.” She’d turned off to the side to make a smirk.
“Oh, well… uh great. When you see him, could you tell him I’m looking forward to seeing him? We had a bit of a falling out a while back, and I’ve been missing him.”
“Oh my, sure I’ll pass that message along. What happened, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“Oh long story short, I had expressed my interest in him becoming my eventual successor as head of my company. My timing was apparently anything but timely. There’s this girl. He was not keen on moving away to the big city away from her, and I pushed him too hard. He had other things on his mind, and I let my plans get in the way of my own common sense and in doing so, I pushed him away. Big mistake, it turns out.”
“Part of being a parent, or at least I assume anyway.”
“For sure. Sometimes you just don’t know what to do until you’ve done it wrong the first time…” he cleared his throat. “Well Reed, I won’t hold you any longer. I need to move along. Other things to attend to. I will see you tomorrow.”
“Safe travels, to ya then.” She waited until he’d left the auditorium before she snapped her fingers and whistled for her cast of captive characters to file on to the stage. She made it a point to take Bulk Biceps to the side and whisper in his ear.
“I need you to look out for Singer Case and bring him to me. By any means necessary. Just you know, don’t harm him… yet.”
“YES MA’AM MISS REED!” Bulk said as he jumped off the stage, making the building shake slightly, and bolted out of one of the doors towards the back of the auditorium.
“Well now that that amusing display is over with, let’s go from the top. I just have to say, you kids are fast learners and highly adaptable. It almost pains me to do this to you. Almost. Perhaps once I finally hit the big time I can focus on doing this legitimately.” She bellowed a few chuckles with an embarrassing snort at the end. “Any one of you makes a comment on that, and you’re joining Ray in the ‘Comic Relief Dressing Room’…”
“Yes Miss Reed…” they all said in creepy unison. That was too creepy even for her to hear.
“Ooooo….kaaaaaay… we are not going to be talking in unison anymore. Just save that syncing for the songs in the show.”
Pinkie had been backstage making sure Ray had food and water as he was being kept in his dressing room in costume both as a surprise for everyone else, and as a small punishment for how he’d acted when Miss Reed was trying to get him and Sunset onboard. Pinkie stood in front of everyone else right by Miss Reed’s side.
“Thank you Pinkie Pie,” she began. “None of this could be possible without you. Together we will show these stuffy rich judges that we do have what it takes to compete in regionals.”
“No Problem Miss Reedie!”
“It’s Miss Reed, Pinkie…”
“Sorry… Miss Reed,” she corrected herself. “I’m just relieved that we were able to get everyone involved… wait… except for Twilight. I don’t see her here.”
“The only one we need now is Singer, anyone else would be dead weight.” she said, rubbing her hands together at the thought of nabbing him. It would be the perfect revenge for how he’d exposed her a few years back.
“Wait, I thought he was the enemy,” Pinkie replied, confused as to why she’d want him .
“Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Besides, I believe we can persuade him to join us.”
“Oh, well okie dokie lokie!” Pinkie said gleefully. “It will be nice to get this done and make regionals. It will be the perfect end to a great story.”
“Oh, Pinkie… did I not tell you?”
“Tell me what?”
“It goes well beyond regionals. We have several steps that lead us all the way to Nationals, and then the process keeps going until it starts all over again. No Pinkie, this is our life now. This is forever. Or at least until I decide to retire.”
Pinkie winced at that revelation. For the first time since they began, something inside her felt… less than Gleeful. “Oh…”
“Now be a good performer and get in line with the others. We have a show to prepare for!”
Pinkie unsurely slid into a vacant space between Sunset Shimmer and Dusk. She looked side to side at both of them, noticing how blank their gazes were. Suddenly, things were beginning to fall apart in her mind. This wasn’t what she’d signed up for. However, she remained in place. Maybe things would get better and end on a good note. She could only hope, for the sake of her friends.
Things came to an abrupt halt before they could begin their practice session, though. As Miss Reed was about to begin the practice, she was caught off guard by a surprise guest looming behind her.
“Hello there…” Singer said as he’d quietly snuck up behind her.
“Well, well, well, look who finally decided to show up for practice. I was beginning to wonder if you’d show.” She said, clapping her hands as she turned to face him.
“I’ve gotta tell ya, that is not the reaction I had expected to get from you.” Singer said quizzically, but shook it off. “What’s your angle, Reed?”
Miss Reed stood there smugly, leaving him in suspense while Twilight made her way onto the stage and stood next to Singer.
“What? Can’t we let bygones be bygones? I really don’t know what you have to be upset about anyway, I’m not the one who killed your job in building a Glee Club all those years ago.” Miss Reed said, as she circled around him and Twilight. The latter looked a little bit creeped out, mostly at the sight of her friends, but she had to admit Miss Reed didn’t make her feel any easier.
“Oh there it is!” Singer yelled. “You know, I knew you hadn’t changed one ounce. Manipulative jerks like you are incapable of such things.”
“Oh, but you sure have, haven’t you?” Miss Reed said as she studied both him and Twilight. “From cringy geek to… well, you definitely dress better. Look at that suit. And you’ve even found you a bit of arm candy. Let me guess, Twilight Sparkle. The missing friend from Pinkie Pie’s group. Now we know where she’s been this whole time. Gotta hand it to ya, Case. I didn’t know you had it in ya.”
“Leave her out of this. This is between you and me.”
“What? I’m just making small talk. Can’t handle that I’ve risen above petty insults? Which, you know, you’ve done nothing but throw my way since the second you arrived. You still have a great deal to learn about tact, my little blue friend. Perhaps, if all goes well in the show, you can reconnect with your father afterwards and he can show you how to talk to your elders.”
Singer’s facial expression went from visible confusion to immediate anger at the mention of his father. His fist began to clinch and his teeth gritted as his eyebrows became pointed on his face. “...what did you just say?”
“Oops, did I hit a nerve?”
“Singer, don’t…” Twilight pleaded. “It’s not worth it, she’s just trying to get in your head. Don’t take the bait.”
“Smart girl,” Miss Reed said. “Maybe you should move over there. I don’t think you’re going to be able to stop what comes next.”
“Singer, we need to leave. Now…” Twilight said as she tried to pull him away, however he was frozen in place. Anger was swirling in his mind. “Singer?”
She made the decision to back up a bit. She’d never seen him angry before, so she wasn’t sure what to expect or if anything she could say would stop him.
“You had better shut up, Reed…” Singer growled. “You have no business even knowing about that. I don’t know how you found out, but…”
“Hey, he told me that himself, here in person. You actually just missed him a few minutes ago. Seems like even with all the changes you’ve made, you’re still a big disappointment.”
Singer lunged with a fist in the air. When he swung, he’d missed. However Miss Reed didn’t, and when she countered him by kicking him in the stomach, she managed to make the blow count. This took the wind out of his sails.
“So predictable… I see your temper is still as short as ever…” she laughed as he stumbled to the ground coughing and wheezing. “Please stay down, I sure would hate to damage my star pupil any further the night before the big show.”
“I’m not…” he said, trying to catch his breath. “I’m neither your pupil nor am I part of the show. And there’s nothing you can do to make me do it, so you might as well stop pushing it.”
“Want to bet?” she said as she snapped her fingers. Suddenly, from behind Twilight, Bulk Biceps returned and grabbed her by her arms and held her into place. “Well done ‘Double B’.”
“Hey!” Twilight screamed in protest. “Let me go!” She tried desperately to escape, but to no avail. Singer’s tone changed real fast, as you could imagine it would.
“Stop! Please don’t hurt her!” Singer cried out. “She didn’t do anything to you…”
“I wouldn’t dream of it. Now her glasses?” Miss Reed swiped her glasses off her face and held them with her hands as if she was about to snap them in half.
“Don’t you dare…” Singer growled. “I swear if you do that, I’m going to-…”
“Hey, I’m a reasonable person. I’ll make you a deal. Twilight Sparkle goes free with her glasses intact if you come quietly. No resistance, and no funny business. Otherwise, both of you will join us and she will still need new glasses. The choice is yours.”
Singer’s eyes widened, his fists were raised again but he let them fall slack as he sighed in defeat. He regained his breath and stood up somewhat weakly. “Fine… you win… I’m sorry Twi, but I-…”
“Singer, don’t listen to her! I can always get new glasses, don’t agree to this! We can find another way!”
Singer had to look away from her pleading eyes. The shame of failure already falling over him. He knew that there was no other way. If there was, he couldn’t see it
“You promised that we’d do this together…”
“Sorry Twi, but you getting hurt wasn’t part of the deal.”
“No!”
Miss Reed placed Twilight’s glasses back on her face and motioned for Bulk Biceps to take her out. “You probably don’t want to be here for this, Twilight. Don’t worry though, he’s going to go far in show business!”
“No, wait! Singer, you have to…”
“Toodeloo Miss Sparkle! Help yourself to a complementary cup of coffee on your way out!”
As she was ushered out, Twilight tried her best to break free, but to no avail. All she could do was try to keep them in her sights during the long walk up the red carpeted aisle of the auditorium, until finally she was taken through the doors and out to the hallway.
“You’re a really good boyfriend, Singer. Too bad it’s going to cost you. And boy has it made you soft. That was almost too easy.”
“Just get it over with!” Singer shouted.
“Yes sir…” she saluted mockingly. “Alright ladies and gentlemen. You know your task. We’ve got him, so let’s do this.”
She decided to give the musicians and their instruments a break and play the instrumental to this song over the loudspeakers on stage. “You’re going to need to pick up the volume, especially for tomorrow. So why not practice over this loud music. Grab those mics and make this one count…”
“Empty spaces what are we living for? Abandoned places I guess we know the score On and on Does anybody know what we are looking for?”
“Another hero another mindless crime Behind the curtain in the pantomime Hold the line Does anybody want to take it anymore”
Suddenly, everyone else surrounded Singer, pointing their fingers at him and began to belt out the lyrics to the chorus.
“The show must go on The show must go on”
“Inside my heart is breaking My makeup maybe flaking but my smile still stays on” Rarity sang, taking a small solo in the chorus.
“Whatever happens I’ll leave it all to chance Another heartache another failed romance On and on Does anybody know what we are looking for”
“I guess I’m learning I must be warmer now I’ll soon be turning Around the corner now Outside the dawn is breaking But inside in the dark I’m looking to be free”
Singer had fought as long as he could, but he could no longer resist. It happened, he cut loose and took the next mic.
“The show must go on The show must go on Inside my heart is breaking My legs and back are aching But my song still plays on
The show must go on The show must go on
I’ll top the bill I’ll overkill I have to find the will to carry on With these songs They’re all wrong But I’ll sing along”
As the music’s final notes played on the stage, Singer stood in the center of them all holding his microphone in the air. “The show must go on…”
Bulk Biceps had taken Twilight outside and placed her right outside the building’s front doors.
“MISS REED SAID NOT TO LET YOU BACK IN UNTIL THE SHOW. SORRY TWILIGHT, RULES ARE RULES!” Bulk said as he turned tail and went back inside.
Twilight was devastated. And not just because she was now alone, but because now the friends she’d cared about the most had all been taken by Miss Reed and her Glee Club of horrors. She’d remembered that Vinyl was lurking elsewhere, but she had no idea where and at this point, and she had lost all motivation to do anything. All that had been left for her to do was return back to her room to study. Study? How could she even think about that at a time like this? Still though, the fact remained that she had no idea what to do or if there was anything she could do at this point. Sunset Shimmer, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rarity, Dusk, Ray, and now Singer… they were all stuck. Dejected, she let out a defeated sigh and started back to her room. What else was she to do?
The tears began to form the closer she’d gotten to her room. The more she’d thought about it, the more sad it made her. What she’d found when she had walked in her door didn’t help matters at all. When she walked in, she saw that Spike had fallen asleep, and wouldn’t you know it? He’d been watching ‘The Walking Dead’.
She furiously grabbed the remote and turned off the TV. The sudden lack of background noise woke Spike up. He’d only had to look up and see Twilight’s disapproving glance to know that he was in trouble.
“Uh… would you believe that I sleep dialed that?” Spike smiled sheepishly.
“No, I would not. And it looks like you’ve lost your TV privilege for the evening.”
“Aaaaw man…”
“Spike, I am way too upset right now for your blatant disregard for the rules! I will deal with you later. Please clean this mess up.”
“Yes,Twilight. I’m sorry…” Spike said as he started to pick up the popcorn that had fallen on the floor and a few stray candy bar wrappers. “Can I ask what happened that made you upset? You’re acting like someone tried to steal your lunch.”
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you, Spike. I guess that’s the part of this that makes me the most angry. For once in my life, I have no idea what’s happening or how to fix it.”
“Try me, if it’s coming from you, I think I can manage to take it seriously. I mean, you’re not exactly the nonsensical type, Twilight.”
“Fair enough…” Twilight said with an exasperated sigh. She proceeded to tell him everything. Sparing no detail as she went over everything that she knew and the current state of the situation. Spike’s eyes had widened when she’d described the state of her friends when she saw them on stage. “I told you it was crazy, but I swear I’m not making it up.”
“It’s just like the Walking Dead… Glee Zombies… Glombies!”
“Spike! Enough with the Walking Dead!” Twilight had grown even more irritated.
“Sorry, sorry. Any chance you won’t tell mom about that?”
“Not a chance…” she crossed her arms and looked at him crossly.
“Didn’t think so… wait, what if I help you with this Glee Club problem?”
“No offense Spike, but this isn’t exactly something that I think you’d know how to fix.”
“Aw come on, Twilight! At least let me try to help. Come on, the two of us, running into danger to save our friends, it would be like Spy Kids or any of those old clichéd kids action movies where two siblings team up to save the day and defeat some over the top villain! That old Miss Reed lady doesn’t scare me. We can take her!”
“Spike, if you don’t mind… I just want to sit in silence for a while. I’m done with team ups, and I’m done trying to fix something that I just don’t have the understanding to fix. Last time I tried that, I just made things worse. Just go do your homework or something.” She said as she fell down on her bed and buried her head into her pillow.
Spike begrudgingly complied and pulled out his backpack, taking it to the table and prepared to start on his homework assignments. Yuck, he thought as he pulled out a science book. Fortunately for him, his homework woes were short lived as someone started to knock on Twilight’s door.
“I’ll get it!” Spike shouted as he shot up and ran to the door. He was surprised to find that the person knocking was Pinkie Pie. “Uuuuh, Twilight?”
“Spike, for the last time, I want to be left… alone?” When Twilight saw her standing there, she froze. She wasn’t sure what to make of this. However, once she’d gotten over the initial shock of the moment, she’d come to realize that Pinkie looked sad and was clearly wallowing in regret. “Pinkie? A-Are you alright?”
Pinkie leaped forward and embraced her friend in a hug. “Twilight, I’m… I’m so sorry…” tears falling down her face and everything. This was no Glee Club trick, Pinkie had broken free of it and this was genuine.
“Pinkie, you have no idea how happy I am to see you right now. Like this.” Twilight returned the hug, and wiped tears from her own eyes.
“Twilight, all of this is my fault! I’m the one to blame. When Miss Reed first approached me and talked to me about getting my friends to join the Glee Club, I thought she was just misunderstood and I just wanted to help. But she’s been playing me this whole time! When I saw what she did to you, I realized what kind of person Miss Reed truly is, I had to snap out of it. But now all of our friends are still stuck in a Gleeful prison and it’s all my fault.”
Twilight harkened back to what Singer had told her before, about how Miss Reed had done the same thing to him in High School, or at least tried to. Clearly her craft had been improved upon because she was able to string Pinkie along for quite a while and all else whom she had recruited. But what Pinkie had just said about snapping out of it gave her hope. There had to be a way to reach the others.
“We have to go back,” she said. “Our friends are counting on us!”
“Yeah!” Spike cheered, and Pinkie’s face began to adorn a smile again. “Twilight, Singer had a contingency plan in the event of an emergency. He didn’t by any chance give you the key fob to his car did he?”
“Actually,” she said as she pulled it out of the pocket of her skirt. “Yeah, he slipped it to me just before we entered the auditorium. But I have no idea why. Wait! Singer has contingency plans? I have to say, I’m kind of proud!”
“He thought you’d be. Let’s just hope this works.”
Twilight looked up at Pinkie, who just shrugged as if to say ‘let’s just roll with it’, and with that the two of them followed Spike out the door.
Spike led them outside to where Singer’s car had been sitting, and theatrically pressed the trunk opening button on the fob, opening it up.
Inside was a briefcase, emblazoned with his insignia, a microphone with a cut off cord and his name labeled on it. Spike grabbed the briefcase and stood before the two girls holding it out.
“So did he explain what the briefcase is for or…?” Twilight asked.
“He just said to hand it to him and he’d take care of the rest-… oh…”
“So wait, the plan only works if Singer is standing here?” Pinkie remarked. “Silly Spike, can’t hand him something if he’s not here to use it!” She let out a few giggles, indicating that the old Pinkie was back.
“I uh… maybe I’m remembering it wrong.” Spike said. “Maybe if I…” he tried to open it but was stopped by… “Aaaaw man. It has a combination lock on it.”
“Well that doesn’t really help us at all…” Twilight deadpanned. “But Singer or no Singer, we have to do something…” Twilight pondered for a moment, pacing back and forth to think with her newfound energy.
“Yo!” Vinyl called from across the parking lot.
“Not now Vinyl, I’m-…Vinyl?”
“Hey there! Alright, we’re all set! I’ve got the subwoofers installed in the auditorium, so we’re ready to rain on Miss Reed’s parade!”
“How did you manage to do that without getting caught?” Spike inquired.
“Very very stealthily…”
“Okay,” Twilight spoke up. “I think I might have an idea, but we’re going to need to let the show go on as Miss Reed plans for it to.”
“Huh?” Spike returned. “Why would we do that?”
“Because, stopping her plans before the show can start won’t fix the problem all the way. We need to hit her where it counts. If we can get her to mess up in front of the others, we might stand a chance of them coming to like Pinkie did.”
“I like it.” Vinyl said with a grin.
“Vinyl, you said earlier that your subwoofers would be very disruptive. That much is true, especially if we turned them up to a reasonably loud volume. However, I think I have something else in mind for them. But first, we’re going to need a way to get Miss Reed to mess up, or at the very least distract her.” Twilight said, as she averted her gaze over to her party inclined friend.
“Oh! Oh!” Pinkie said, jumping up and down and waving her hands in the air. “Distractions are my specialty! And… I know just what, or rather, who to recruit for that!”
“Great, I’ll leave you to it.” Twilight nodded to Pinkie, who saluted her and ran off back towards the auditorium.
“What do we do, Twilight?” Spike asked, halfway hopeful that Twilight would let him help.
“You’re with me. Bring that briefcase with you just in case there actually is something in it Singer can use once we get him back.”
“You got it!” Spike held the briefcase in his right hand and followed Twilight with Vinyl also in tow.
“Hold out just a bit longer, everyone. We’re coming…”
The dawning of a new day came and passed, and the midday was upon them on that fateful Saturday afternoon. On one side, there was an insane woman using college students as captive performers for her show, and on the other side of the coin, you had a ragtag band of last minute heroes hoping to save said captive students. The race was on for the latter, however the time they had was on their side as they too were able to make preparations for their plot. The game was set, and as the previous song had said, the show must go on.
As people began to funnel into the auditorium to watch the production, they had little idea what they were about to witness. But people from all over the campus, some of the cast members’ families had shown up to watch the production, and a few seats were even reserved for the judges that would be there for regionals. Everything was falling into place and Miss Reed was giddy with excitement. She hid behind the curtains while she watched a good portion of the seats fill up.
“Today we stand at the precipice of glory, to obtain a goal I have so tenaciously worked towards…” Miss Reed said this as she turned to her roster of students. She shot a gaze at Singer, who, like the others, had been dressed in Miss Reed’s likeness of khaki pants, white collared shirts with red sweater vests that had red smiley faces on them. “And you, my friend, are just the icing on the cake. My Gleeful Vengeance is nearly complete…”
“Ha ha! She said it!” Some random fat guy with a white button up collared shirt and green pants being held up by a thick belt had made his way backstage.
“What are you doing back here?!? Go take a seat or I’ll have security escort you out!”
“Nyehehehehheh” laughed the random man as he ran off, presumably to go take his seat. She didn’t care as long as he left.
“That had better not be a sign… I don’t need anything going wrong at this stage. Not when we’re so close!” She turned to her students once again. “You’ve all done well. And today, we will put it all out there and don’t hold back. Your best won’t be good enough, and I will likely yell at you when this is done, but by golly you’re the best Glee Club I’ve ever worked with! Make me proud!”
With that, Miss Reed exited the stage to go take a seat next to the judges. Near where they had been sitting, Golden Record had also been there waiting. She took a seat next to him and shot him a look of confidence. His expression was one of encouragement, so she just sat back and relaxed. She couldn’t help but think in her mind, if only he knew what was really going on. She smirked at the very thought of getting through this scot free.
“We start in twelve minutes!” Shouted Flash Sentry from backstage as he signaled to one of the other students who would be opening the big curtains when the time came.
While the ever nervous, ever excited Pinkie Pie was waiting for the show to start. She promptly excused herself from the others, and made her way backstage towards the dressing rooms. One member of their group had been held within, and Pinkie figured an early escape from said room would be good for him. Besides, Ray was a vital part of her stage of the plan. She knocked on the door and awaited a response.
“Hey! Finally! I was really starting to get bored. Will I go on soon? Or do I still have to wait for the halfway portion of the show?”
“It’s me, Pinkie Pie!” She greeted him from the other side of the closed door. “And yes, Miss Reed wants you to make your appearance early, in about… fifteen minutes. So set your stopwatch and get ready! Okie dokie lokie?”
“Awesome!” he exclaimed. “Yeah, I’m beyond ready. It’s getting stuffy in here!”
“Break a leg, Ray!” she said as she kindly left him a water bottle in front of his door. “Drink up!”
“Thanks Pinkie.”
“Yeppity doo!” She shouted, speeding off back to where the others were waiting for the show to start. She caught a glimpse of Vinyl hiding backstage behind some extra scenery and she shot her a thumbs up as she ran by.
She took her place next to Dusk once again as she now waited for it all to begin. She took a deep breath and flashed a smile in the direction of another hidden friend, Twilight Sparkle, who was in disguise as another stage worker. She’d found a blonde wig to wear, and an extra stage crew uniform to put on while they prepared their plan. She had Spike hidden behind a large box that was sitting backstage, with a hooked rope that was suspended from the ceiling on a pulley system. Pinkie knew her part, and they knew theirs. All she needed to do was sing and let them think she was still on Miss Reed’s side.
Minutes passed, and the anticipation was over. The show was about to begin.
The room darkened and the spotlight shone on the closed curtains that were starting to open.
At first it shone upon the ones in the background with the instruments. Flash Sentry stood at the forefront of them with Bulk Biceps on the electric keyboard playing the opening notes of the song, a tall lanky red skinned guy with brown dreadlocks named Fender played bass guitar, and a short stocky green skinned guy with yellow hair by the name of Axel sat at the drums.
A small haze of smoke emitted from the smoke machines as the spotlight expanded and revealed the cast of vocalists with Singer and Sunset standing front and center. The rest of the girls, in addition to Octavia, Derpy, and Dusk made up the background. A little lacking on the male vocals, but it didn’t hurt the song any.
“Just a small town girl Living in a lonely world She took the midnight train going anywhere”
“Just a city boy Born and raised in South Detroit He took the midnight train going anywhere”
“A singer in a smoky room The smell of wine and cheap perfume For a smile they can share the night It goes on and on and on and on”
“Strangers, waiting Up and down the boulevard Their shadows searching in the night Streetlights, people Living just to find emotion Hiding somewhere in the night
Working hard to get my fill Everybody wants the thrill Payin anything to roll the dice Just one more time Some will win, Some will lose Some were born to sing the blues Oh the movie never ends it goes on and on and on and on
Strangers, waiting Up and down the boulevard Their shadows searching in the night Streetlights, people Living just to find emotion Hiding somewhere in the night”
The musicians played their instrumental ensemble as the chorus was looming and building up. The crowd cheered as more smoke filled the stage, giving Spike the perfect cover to hook the line onto Singer’s belt without being seen. He scurried back over to Twilight, who was now waiting for the right moment to pull the rope. Spike also got into position to help her.
Miss Reed was watching on in the crowd, seemingly pleased thus far, and she’d take the occasional glances at both Record and the judges to see their reactions. So far, so good.
Twilight and Spike then used their strength to pull on the rope, making Singer appear to fly over his fellow vocalists, but he didn’t let it bother him. He was still engaged in the song in spite of being suspended in the air. He just rolled with it.
He would join everyone else as they all sang in unison for the chorus.
“Don’t stop believing Hold on to that feeling, yeah Streetlights, people oooooh Don’t stop believing Hold on, ooooh Streetlights people-…”
A loud microphone screech disrupted the song, made their ears ring and stopped everyone in their tracks as Vinyl hijacked the performance.
“Alright everyone!” She said in one of her own microphones, hiding in the background. “It’s time for a very special guest to make his appearance!”
Miss Reed stared in disbelief at first, but soon began to boil in her own anger as it set in. “What is going on?!? This wasn’t part of the show… not yet anyway!” she shouted in anger, but she stopped when she noticed that the judges and Golden Record were looking at her. “Eeeh… technical difficulties. I’ll see to it right away.” She stood up and started towards the stage.
“From a Swamp far far away from here, you know him, you love him ! Give it up for Shrek!!!”
Ray ran out dressed in his Shrek costume, complete with the appropriate looking clothes and a Shrek mask, much to the surprise and enjoyment of people in the audience. “What’s up everybody?!?” He shouted excitedly in his best Shrek impression, waiting for the big burping sound effect that Vinyl provided to go off. “Better out than in, I always say! I guess you’re waiting for a song, then?”
The crowd erupted into a mixture of laughter and cheers and the music began.
“I don’t have much of a singing voice, but I’ll give it a go.”
“Somebody once told me the world is gonna roll me I ain’t the sharpest tool in the shed She was looking kind of dumb with her finger and her thumb in the shape of an L on her forehead
Well the years start coming and they-…”
Twilight used that distraction as a way to draw attention from the fact that she was pulling Singer towards her. He was visually confused as to why he was flying in the first place but he was eventually lowered down in front of Twi and Spike.
“You look familiar, have we met?” He asked as he continued to hang in front of them, gawking at the blonde stranger holding him by a rope. He looked down at the name tag that she had on her shirt. “Funny, you don’t look like a Carl… Carly perhaps? I don’t really know any Carly’s, but I-…”
“Oh, right!” Twilight said, pulling the blonde wig off she had on and tossed it off to the side. “We’re here to rescue you!”
“But the show… it must go on! We literally had a whole musical number and everything about it, you should’ve seen it!”
“Singer, I need you to listen to me-…”
“Miss Reed will be most upset if I’m not ready for the next song. I gotta get down from here, could you just…” he tried to reach for the rope, but no use.
Twilight knew time was of the essence and she needed to figure out how to get him back, pronto. One idea came to mind and she ran with it. She grabbed him by the face and looked into his eyes. He looked back into hers as she sighed. “This is so cliché, but at this point, I’m willing to try anything.”
“What do you-…” he was cut off mid-sentence as his lips were met by hers. His eyes grew large in shock at first, but gradually he closed them as he was taken in the moment. As cliché as it was, it had worked. Once they ceased, he blinked his eyes rapidly as he began to come back to himself. She’d gotten back through to him. “Wow… Twilight?”
“Hey… you with me now?”
“I think so. Yeah, I’m good.”
With that, she knew it was safe to lower him down so he could stand on his own feet.
“Thank goodness, you’re back!” She hugged him, and he returned it. “I’m sorry I had to resort to that.”
“Why are you apologizing? I enjoyed it.” a playful grin made its way onto his face.
“Oh, well… good.” She giggled and ran her fingers through her hair.
“Twi, I just want you to know. I’m sorry for that back there, I was just trying to protect you. I didn’t mean to make things worse and-…” he was stopped by her placing her finger on his lips, halting his speaking.
“It’s okay, Singer. I know. We both kind of walked into that one.” She smiled warmly at him. “Now, I believe that we have some unfinished business here…” Twilight gestured towards Spike who was bearing Singer’s briefcase.
“Spike, you brilliant kid!” Singer exclaimed as he noted his briefcase in his hands. “Operation: Let’s Get Dangerous’! That’s usually reserved for parties and conventions but I know just what to do to make it work here.”
“Wait, this isn’t your contingency plan?” Twilight said. “Spike said you had some sort of contingency plan for emergencies.”
“That’s another briefcase. Spike must have grabbed the wrong one.”
Spike facepalmed. “Dang it!”
Meanwhile, Ray continued to put on his little show on stage before he was abruptly stopped by a very angry Miss Reed who shoved him, nearly knocking him down.
“Hey, what’s the big idea? I was on a roll!” Ray protested, taking his Shrek mask off.
“You just couldn’t stick to the script could you?!?” She screamed.
“Hey, you’re the one who changed the program at the last moment, not me!”
“What are you talking about?!?”
“I told him!!” Pinkie ran up to her. “It’s not his fault, I’m the one who told him to do it.”
Reed’s eye twitched and her teeth gritted. “And why would you do a thing like that?!?”
“I dunno. I thought it would be funny!” She fist bumped with Ray, who in spite of being scared out of his wits at this very moment, couldn’t help but applaud Pinkie’s sense of humor and valiant move.
“Funny? FUNNY?!? Do you clowns realize what you’ve just done?!?”
“Hey, you could have just rolled with it instead of just barging on to the stage. The show’s disruption is all on you, Reed.” Ray remarked. “Oh and word of advice, if you can’t handle a good heckling, then being on stage probably isn’t your thing!”
“Heckling?!? I’ll show you heckling!” she roared, reaching behind a nearby box, she pulled out a paintball gun filled with red paintballs. “I didn’t want to have to use this, but you forced my hand, Strikey!!!”
“Oh crap!” Ray shouted as he darted off. He wasn’t fast enough as she quickly shot him multiple times in the back, to which Ray responded with a melodramatic death scene performance. “I’m hit! I’m done for! Down for the count! Don’t mourn my death! Remember me for the good times we had… I’m fading…fading…”
Suddenly a flash of blue swiped near Miss Reed’s head and broke the part of the paintball gun that housed the red paintballs, making them all fall either onto the legs of her khaki pants or onto the floor for her to step on. She turned to see who was responsible, and it was Dusk who had found the blue dueling lightsaber, and was evidently no longer under Miss Reed’s control. “I’m going to have to ask that you stop firing upon my friend, Miss Reed!”
“Dusk!” Ray perked back up at the sound of his voice. “You’re back!”
“Indeed,” he said. “And I’m not alone.” Dusk gestured to the girls who’d witnessed that entire exchange. They’d all witnessed their friend being verbally and physically attacked and it snapped them out of it. Miss Reed’s hold on them was no more.
“This ends here and now!” Sunset Shimmer shouted.
“No one gets to berate and shoot paintballs at Ray, except me!” Rainbow Dash proclaimed.
“And me!” Applejack added.
“Hi AJ…” Ray said as Applejack walked over and offered her hand to help him up.
“Tryna get outta work by fakin yer own death again, Ah see…” she said with a playful wink.
“No, no, just a bit of theatrics is all. If I have to be here, I might as well have fun with it. Trust me, I know not to cross you , Applejack.”
“Dern tootin, ya do!”
“Well I for one am over this whole ordeal.” Rarity said, whipping out her mirror and makeup again, and she wasn’t even ready to see what her hair in a frazzled mess. “Just look at my face, and my hair! I don’t know who styled it, but they will pay for this injustice!”
“Rarity, you styled it.” Dash said, rolling her eyes.
“Oh… right, of course. Oh my goodness what am I wearing?” She noted her outfit change, she gasped when she saw that everyone else had been wearing the same thing. “This is a crime against fashion!”
“Oh dear…” Fluttershy lamented. “Has anyone seen Fievel?”
“What is happening right now?” Miss Reed said hysterically. Suddenly the mouse in question appeared right on Miss Reed’s left shoulder. She turned to see it on her and she started to freak out, scaring the poor little critter to where it jumped off of her and onto a nearby amp. Miss Reed saw another dueling lightsaber, the green one, and proceeded to grab it and swat at the mouse with it. “Loathsome vermin!”
“No, Fievel!” Fluttershy cried out. “Come on, come back to me!”
Dusk waved his lightsaber around and stood to face Miss Reed, catching the wayward instructor’s gaze. Miss Reed looked up as Fievel had escaped her range and scurried over to Fluttershy. She then locked eyes with Dusk and began to swing her saber around as well.
“You don’t want to do this, Dusk…” she said with a light growl. “You will lose.”
“That’s a risk I’m willing to take.” He pointed his blade at her. “Rather low risk if you think about it.”
“Risking your dignity, but if you insist…”
She charged at him right away, without so much as a warning, but Dusk had been ready. He blocked her attack with his blade and pushed her back.
“Oh my… someone thinks they’re some kind of a hero.” She taunted.
“You can do it, Dusk!” Rarity called out to him.
“Yeah, use ‘The Force’ or whatever!” Dash shouted in support of him, still apparently trying to hide the fact that she was a closet geek.
That gave him motivation. He took it upon himself to switch to offense rather than defense. He swung his blue blade into her green blade, catching her a little off guard. She countered by pushing back.
“You’re a bit more formidable than I expected.” She said, “but I won’t be defeated so easily. I've been taking fencing classes since I was half your age.”
“Neat.” Dusk replied.
She switched her stance and aimed for his leg, which Dusk was not expecting. Dusk had almost fallen down due to the contact, but was able to correct himself.
“Give up, you will not stop me.”
“You talk too much.” Dusk said as they both clashed blades again. They both took turns throwing blows with the dueling sabers, but they appeared to be in a bit of a stalemate.
Miss Reed was already losing patience and kept trying to keep him down but he just kept coming. She’d found something that would slow him up, though. The excess paint from the paintballs from the now broken paintball gun. She figured she’d show him. She pushed him back just right to where he’d stepped on the slippery spot where the wet paint had fallen, causing him to lose his balance.
Dusk tried, but failed to keep his balance, and with that, he lost his lightsaber, dropping it when he hit the floor. “It would appear that my actions have become my own undoing…” he grunted while he lay on the ground.
“Aw come on, she cheated!” Rainbow Dash shouted in protest. The crowd gasped along with a few of the other girls.
“Well, you gave it your best shot, but in the end it wasn’t enough. Now you, all of you, get back in line!” She pointed the lightsaber at Dusk and then at the rest of them. “We’re going to get this show done, and we are going to do it right. Whether you’re on my side or not, even if it kills me!”
A random explosion of purple smoke caught her and everyone else by surprise. As the smoke expanded, Miss Reed was growing increasingly more irritated. “What now?!?”
“I am the terror that flaps in the night…”
“What? Is he serious right now?!?” she screamed, continuing to lose her mind, while everyone else was looking around trying to figure out where it was coming from.
“I am the theater term ‘break a leg’ taken literally in the play of justice”
“Hey, I know this schtick,” Ray said. “It’s….”
“I am The DARKWING!”
Singer, now dressed in a dark purple cape which he’d had most of his body covered by as he walked out of the purple smoke left behind by the smoke bomb. When he pushed it back behind him, underneath that gray large brimmed hat he wore on his head was a light blue turtleneck sweater underneath a purple long sleeved shirt, a black utility belt, dark gray pants and black sneakers. The only thing he was missing was a mask over his eyes, but he didn’t need that.
“No! Not you…” Miss Reed screamed. “I had you right where I wanted you! Now I guess I’m going to have to take care of you once and for all, Darkwing Dork!” The green lightsaber that she had flew from her hands as she threw it spinning right in his direction. Unfortunately for her, he’d caught it with his own hand.
For a split second, Singer felt like an actual superhero when he’d caught it like he had, but reality came when pain suddenly shot through his hand due to the force at which the spinning prop was traveling when he’d caught it.
“YOUCH!” He tossed it over to Ray, who’d caught it, giving Singer a chance to rub his hand where it hurt. His gaze returned to Miss Reed’s. “You think you’re winning? All I see is someone shouting and throwing temper tantrums and projectiles in desperation. Give it up, Miss Reed. This game has gone on long enough and everyone is tired of it!”
Miss Reed stood alone now, seemingly defeated. She struggled to find something, anything to say. Despite this, she still stood defiantly in their wake, refusing to give up.
“This game ends when I say it ends.” She snarled.
If that wasn’t bad enough, things were about to get worse for her. A projector screen suddenly deployed from the ceiling at the back of the stage, and Vinyl Scratch appeared in a video transmission.
“Hello Miss Reed. Vinyl Scratch here, and I just wanted to let you know that your goose is cooked.” Vinyl said in a gloating tone. “Last night while my buddies and I were putting this scheme together, I did some digging. Online and backstage. And turns out, you’ve been telling an awful lot of lies recently. Plus the black marks on your record are glaring to say the least. Such as your teaching license expiring two years ago, you’re wanted in five, no six counties for tax fraud, and get this. You’re not even the real Glee Club Instructor at Canterlot University. That honor goes to my new friend, who I found locked in a closet just down the hall.”
Miss Reed’s facial expression grew blank as all of her dirty laundry was being aired out. She took a glance over at Golden Record, who was glaring at her with the intensity of a Lion. She went into full panic mode when she looked back up at the screen and saw a man with white skin, blue eyes, a short brown mustache and beard and brown curly hair, wearing a white colored shirt and a dark blue sweater vest come onto the screen he wasn’t too much older than the students at the university. Late twenties to early thirties.
“My name is Fabian Fabiano, and that woman stole my Glee Club and ruined the good name of Glee in this school! I would like to apologize on behalf of the actual Glee Club for any damages this woman did in my absence. That is all.”
“Next time you’ll think before taking people, especially my best friend Octavia, and forcing them to perform Glee. Rest in Prison, Bozo! Please enjoy some head banging music in the meantime.” The transmission ended. Vinyl turned on some daft punk music playing over her loud subwoofers for a few minutes to keep some noise going.
Now you’d think that this would be the straw that broke the camel’s back in this instance. But nope. She was far from done. She hadn’t lost all of her Glee Club. Surely what remained would be enough to buy her some time. “Listen up, we have some traitors in our midst. Please escort them off the stage, now!” She sped off and ran backstage.
Sunset, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie, Fluttershy, Dusk and Ray had been gathered at center stage when she barked the order. They now found themselves faced off against Bulk Biceps, Derpy, Octavia, Flash Sentry, Fender and Axel.
This left them in a bit of a predicament, however. The ones they faced were still under the influence of the Evil Glee Club, and they all knew that they couldn’t bring themselves to hurt them.
“Y-You don’t actually expect us to fight them, do you?” Fluttershy asked, trembling at the thought.
“There has to be another way!” Rainbow replied.
“Well, we can’t exactly let them punch us around either!” Ray exclaimed.
“Ladies, and… Ray. Though these are our last moments as members of the Glee Club, we must do what we can do to keep our adversaries at bay until an opportunity presents itself to free them from the clutches of this unspeakable evil. We cannot lose hope. We must have faith, and furthermore… don’t let them beat us into a bloody pulp.” Dusk proclaimed.
Pinkie’s tears were tears of pride. “That was so beautiful, Dusk… You heard the man!”
“Thanks for that, Dusk,” Sunset said. For lack of anything better, Sunset decided to echo a certain caped crusader currently amongst them. “Ready yourselves everyone, and Let’s Get Dangerous!”
“Heck yeah!” Rainbow Dash said as the two sides charged towards each other in a clash of the Glee Clubs.
Applejack set her eyes on the big guy. She seemed to be the most capable of them to hold him off. She’d even bested him at arm wrestling in the past. Their hands met as they began to push against each other.
“Howdy partner, Ah don’t suppose there’s anything I can say ta get ya to simmer down, is there?”
“TRAITOR!!!!” He screamed like he did almost every other time he spoke.
“Ah didn’t think so…” she deadpanned.
Ray matched up with Flash. “This guy doesn’t look so tough to me. Put up your dukes!” He put his fists up, but then mentally slapped himself, “Oh, right, right. Don’t hurt anyone.”
“What’s the matter, you chicken?” Flash taunted, bending his arms to make “chicken wings”. “Bwak bwak bwak!”
“I’m above falling for that age old tomfoolery. Do I look like Marty McFly to you?”
“Oh, well how about this even more dated reference? KABONG!” He smirked as he picked up his guitar and swung it at him.
“DUDE!” He yelled as he dodged.
Rarity had no idea what she was up against with Octavia. But she’d heard from sources that Octavia had a bit of a background in certain martial arts. So it would be all she could do to avoid her.
“Come now, darling can’t we put this aside and act as elegant as both of our upbringings? From one girl to another?” Rarity shrugged hopefully.
“We could, but I’m afraid that I lack the ability to control myself at the moment, so I’m afraid conflict is inevitable at this point.”
“I was afraid of that…”
Rarity dodged her surprisingly powerful strike. She countered by grabbing and swinging Octavia around by the arm. Octavia spun elegantly around when Rarity did this, and returned to her fighting stance.
“Oh, now you’re just showing off!”
“Come now, Rarity. Jealousy is so unbecoming of you.”
Rarity took a moment to breathe before quickly letting her guard back up. “I suppose you’re right. Let’s continue this dance.”
Dusk noticed that the drummer, Axel, was closing in on Fluttershy, who was still holding on to Fievel, she cowered against the backdrop behind her with him inching slowly towards her. He made eye contact with Applejack, who appeared to be having a bit of a struggle herself.
“Dusk! My rope!” Applejack said. She had dropped it prior to tussling with Bulk, it was coiled up next to her feet and she kicked it over to him. “Help Fluttershy!”
“But, I… I’ve never used a lasso before!” he said as he picked up the rope.
“Ain’t nothin to it, just aim towards his foot and pull!”
Dusk did as she said. He concentrated on his target. He inhaled as he swung the lasso end three times and exhaled as he launched it. Bullseye! Now he just needed to pull on it to catch his foot… and he missed his opportunity when Axel moved his foot too quickly.
“Don’t fret Dusk, try again, hurry!”
He repeated the process, deciding instead to focus on where his foot was going to be. Once again, his throw was good, and Axel stepped into it. Now! He shouted in his mind as he pulled. This time, he’d caught him in the lasso. Axel fell about two feet away from Fluttershy. Just in time.
“Thank you, Dusk…” she smiled at him with gratitude. Dusk returned it before turning his attention elsewhere.
Sunset was going to see if Dash needed any help, but she appeared to have it under control as she toyed with Fender.
“Come on bruh, slow down so I can catch you!” The tall lanky and slow bass player said as he chased Dash.
“You’re going to need to be quicker than that if you’re going to catch me!” Dash laughed.
“Ugh… idiot!” He huffed like a tired teenager.
It didn’t go unnoticed by Sunset that Applejack was in need of assistance, as well as Ray. Fortunately, she and Dusk had their hands free.
“Dusk, help Ray. I’ve got Applejack!” She shouted. Dusk nodded and ventured over to help his friend. He’d tossed Sunset the lasso as he passed her by.
“Hey Bulk! You don’t look so tough to me. Why don’t you put your money where your muscles are?”
Bulk stopped and released his grip against Applejack, who immediately fell to her knees, and faced Sunset. Sunset immediately regretted that. “Oh…boy… what did I just do?”
But with her quick thinking, she tossed the lasso back to the cowgirl who knew how to use it.
Applejack, even on her knees, was an ace. She’d managed to lasso both of his feet, and tightened it. This made it impossible for Bulk to walk, and he, like Axel, fell to the ground.
“Ow…”
Dusk leapt into action and stopped right beside Ray, who Flash continued to try and whack with his guitar.
“Dude, guitars aren’t cheap. Don’t waste that trying to play whack-a-mole with my face!”
“You’ve fought valiantly against one target, Flash. But let’s see how you fair against two!” Dusk shouted as he and Ray divided his attention.
Flash swung at both of them as they ran in different directions. They’d managed to keep themselves from getting hit as Flash wasn’t particularly very fast with his swings. The game appeared to be trying to get him to tire out at this point.
“Alright, not cool guys!” Flash protested. He was still dangerous with his guitar in his hand, and both Dusk and Ray were running out of ground as he had them both backed up to the front of the stage. Much more fighting, and they’d both fall off. However, salvation would come in the form of a young kid, barely old enough to be in high school.
“If Singer can be Darkwing, then I will be…” Spike said as he jumped out from behind a cardboard tree. “Launchpad McSpike! And what does he do best? Well according to DuckTales, he crashes… a lot. Charge!!!” Spike darted off towards Flash and took a dive into the back of his legs, causing Flash to lose balance and he fell on his back on top of Spike. He lost grip of his guitar and it flew up into the air.
“Oh no you don’t!” Ray shouted as he dove to catch the wayward guitar. He caught the bottom of it with the palms of his hands, saving Flash an expensive future purchase. “Phew…”
Everyone had been taken care of, well except for Derpy, but her idea of carrying out Miss Reed’s latest order was trying to bribe Fluttershy to leave with banana nut muffins. She would have too, if not for Pinkie intervening, shaking her head ‘no’. Applejack had to once again be the mvp and help Rarity by lassoing Octavia and holding her down. And Dash was fine just keeping Fender busy.
But there was still a lingering problem…
Twilight had made it back where Vinyl had set up shop, and fortunately she’d caught her right before she was getting ready to start tear-down.
“Vinyl, we still have a problem. There are still some members of the Glee Club that are still under Reed’s control and they’re fighting my friends.”
“Hmmm… I wonder if maybe we can end this with the wubs…” Vinyl pondered.
“Or, and I’m just putting this out there… What if we play a song so annoying and over played that it, hopefully snaps them out if it. Miss Reed has fled the scene, so we can’t count on her messing up again.” Twilight said. “It’s at least worth a shot, right?”
“Let’s do it! Take your pick. I’ve got Gangnam Style, Macarena, I like to Move it Move it, The Thomas the Tank Engine theme, wait!” She pointed to a title so vile, so overplayed, it had to work.
“Are you sure you want to subject everyone to that?” Twilight asked nervously.
“It’s the only way. You give the order, Captain Sparkle.” Vinyl said as her finger hovered above the button.
“Do it!”
The opening music played. Countless moans, and some cheers could be heard both from on stage and in the audience.
“Never gonna give you up Never gonna let you down Never gonna run around and Desert you Never gonna make you cry Never gonna say goodbye Never gonna tell a lie And hurt you”
Twilight thanked Vinyl and hurried off.
“Hey, where are you going?”
“I have to go find Singer! Keep up the good work, Vinyl!”
“Sure thing!” Vinyl said shamelessly bobbing her head to the song. “I don’t care what anyone says, this song is just fun.”
Singer took off after Miss Reed without hesitation. He knew that she was acting in desperation, and that she’d probably try to do something drastic. But this was it. He’d had it. He wasn’t about to let her get away with what she’d done, just so she could just go try again somewhere else.
She was still backstage. There were no exits back there that would lead to outside. He looked around, but didn’t see her at first. But some movement behind him caused him to be alert.
“Miss Reed? I know you’re back here…”
Singer pulled out his cellphone and turned the flash light on to look around. He shone it around and kept looking. Nearly jumping a couple of times at the props that looked like they may have been a shadow.
His heart really skipped a beat when he turned around and saw a sweater vest with that same smiley face, however… when he pointed his light slightly higher, it was just a mannequin.
“Real funny…”
A shadow emerged from behind him, glowing eyes emitting from the shadows head. Singer turned around quickly, and was tackled by it. It was Miss Reed. She didn’t pin him down though, she got back up.
“You couldn’t leave well enough alone, could you?” she said, allowing Singer to get back up.
“No, you really think I’m going to let you just run off and go kick people around elsewhere? No! You need to answer for your crimes…”
“As if!”
“No! This is it! I’m not letting you leave.”
“Fortunately for you, I’m not looking to. You and I have unfinished business. You want a fight? You got it!”
“I’m not going to fight you.” Singer said pointedly.
“You had no qualm about it yesterday. Think I forgot about your poor attempt to clock me in the face?”
“Yeah, and I was wrong. I shouldn’t have done that.”
“Well, that’s the only way this ends. You’ve been a thorn in my side for too long. Now fight, or I’ll just mow you down and be on my way.”
Singer sighed. “Fine… you want a fight? You got it.”
“That’s a good boy…” she said. “Come now. Let’s settle this once and for all.”
Singer got into a defensive stance, and smiled confidently. “Let’s Get Dangerous!”
She lunged at him, and swung punch after punch, while Singer just deflected them with his hands. She went to kick, but he blocked with his knees.
“So you know how to fight. I wish you actually would.”
“This is a fight. A fight to keep my face intact.”
She gave him another kick to the stomach, one he almost wasn’t ready for. “Why is it always the stomach?”
She kicked him again while he was still blocking, and he tripped backwards and before he knew it, he was back out on stage. The Rick Astley song that Vinyl put on was still playing. He couldn’t help but laugh.
“Come on you coward, fight!” Miss Reed shouted, coming back out on the stage.
The others noticed this, and Rainbow was about to jump in.
“Rainbow, wait.. this is his fight.” Applejack said, stopping her.
She charged at him and elbowed him in the face, causing him to fall over. She almost stomped him in the face, but he recovered quick enough to move out of the way.
He hopped up again, and decided to charge in her direction, but she just grabbed his cape and pulled it over his back and in his face. She then kicked him in the back, making him fall on his face.
Once he pulled his cape back to where it should go, he found it difficult to get back up. He was running low on energy at this point. “Can’t believe I’m losing to an old lady…”
“This old lady’s actually putting up a fight. Get over yourself and do something!”
“I… can’t…”
Rainbow Dash stepped up, started pumping her fist in the air, and began to cheer. “Darkwing! Darkwing! Darkwing!”
“Darkwing! Darkwing! Darkwing! Darkwing!” Others on the stage joined in, followed by the audience.
Singer lifted his head, as he couldn’t believe it. People were cheering for him. This helped. He quickly began to find himself lifting himself back up. “It’s just like the real Darkwing Duck…” he said to himself. “When things were at their worst, he always gets back up. Come on… get back… UP!”
He shot back up, still visibly tired, but he had the drive to keep going. “Hit me with your best shot!”
Miss Reed simply laughed at the melodramatic display. “Oh give me a break!” She punched him in the face once again. The impact made him lose his hat. He wasn’t concerned about it right now. All he needed to do was hold on until the police arrived. It was proving difficult as Miss Reed continued her assault and kicked him in the stomach. This time, he fell over allowing his arms to be free just in time to catch himself. He lied down on his back, clutching his stomach.
“You forgot to dodge!” she remarked.
“Agh! The stomach, why is it always the stomach with you?”
She walked up to him, and pushed down on his chest with her leg. “There are two kinds of people in this world, winners like me who refuse to take no for an answer, and people like you who ‘follow your heart’ and all that gushy nonsense. Well look where it’s gotten you. Vengeance is m-….”
She was cut off when someone else’s fist met her face and she fell over. Singer looked to see who had dealt the blow and he was surprised.
It was Twilight! She breathed heavily and her heartbeat was rapid, it had happened so fast. Her eyes fixed on Miss Reed who looked up at her surprised. Twilight looked surprised herself.
“Don’t… you… touch him… again…”
Twilight, the girl for as long as Singer had known her, had trouble with performing certain physical feats like much of anything athletic, or much less being able to punch very hard, but she’d done it. And with enough force to stop Miss Reed in her tracks.
Reed’s smirk returned, after the initial shock of the happening left, she suddenly got a new idea. “Ya know, if I can’t get you to fight, then maybe I can have some fun with your pretty little girlfriend…”
“I wouldn’t recommend it” said Rainbow Dash, standing behind them with Ray, Dusk, Spike and the rest of the girls.
“I think you’ve done enough for one day.” Sunset Shimmer said pointedly.
“Over there!” Vinyl’s voice called from behind them. They split their positions so that way Vinyl and the police could come through. “There she is.” She pointed Miss Reed out to them. Miss Reed had a defiant expression on her face at first, but ultimately, she knew she was defeated. She lifted her hands in concession as she awaited her punishment.
Miss Reed was put in cuffs and taken away by the police. She said nothing, as she had nothing further to say to any of them.
The rightful instructor of the Glee Club had made it a point to be on the stage as the police took her through. Mr. Fabiano smiled triumphantly as the fraud of an instructor was taken away. The final evidence of her plot was no more with the remaining Glee Club members having been set free by the power of Rick Astley.
Twilight extended her hand to Singer and helped him up. Without hesitation, he pulled her close to him and leaned in for a kiss. Their lips met for a brief second before they separated.
“I…” he tried to get the words he wanted to say out. But she just smiled.
“You don’t have to say anything. I’m so proud of you.”
“I’m proud of you too. I never got to properly thank you for saving me. For saving all of us, really. And wow, who knew you had that in you? You’re like an Adorkable Warrior-goddess or something.”
“Well, I couldn’t just leave you there, you dork.” She giggled.
“I know. That’s not your style.”
They embraced once more in a hug.
“I can’t believe Twilight punched someone!” Dash said in disbelief. “Little noodle-arms Twilight!”
“Well, you would too if someone was threatening your significant other.” Rarity remarked. “Not that I condone violence, but there are… certain… times when it can be a considerable course of action.”
Dusk grew quiet at Rarity’s words. Though he himself preferred not to fight, he couldn’t help but agree. He looked over at her. She looked back over at him and smiled. He returned it. He almost walked over to say something to her, but he was interrupted.
“Hey everybody, I don’t mean to interrupt,” Pinkie started. “But we still have an audience.”
They noted the many people still sitting in the stands. The judges in their seats were beginning to look impatient and wondering why no more songs were being performed.
“Look, I know you have all had a rough day, but… do you think I can get you to perform one or two more songs?” Fabian asked. “I’d hate to let a perfectly good audience and setting go to waste. Even if this show lacks thematic focus or any cohesion whatsoever, I want to end this crazy night on a high note.”
“I think we can manage that,” Sunset said. “That is if everyone else agrees.”
“You seem cool,” Ray said to Fabian. “I think I can make it through one more song. You’ve earned it for having to deal with that woman. Trust us, we all know your pain.”
“Great. Maybe we can put our heads together and come up with a great send off song for the finale. But we will need someone to keep the audience entertained while we figure this out.” Mr. Fabiano said.
“Leave that to me,” Singer said. “Or rather, us?” He said, looking at Twi.
“Y-You want me to sing with you?” she replied with a blush.
“If you feel like you can. I don’t want to pressure you one way or the other. But I’ve heard you sing a little, not a lot. But from what I can tell, you’ve got a great voice. I don’t know, I was just thinking it would be nice if we…”
“Yes. I would love to.” She smiled. “And I think I know the perfect song.” Twilight took a microphone from Derpy who’d brought one for her and Singer, and began to sing while an acoustic guitar cover for the song behind them.
“All those days watching from the windows All those years on the outside looking in All that time never even knowing Just how blind I’ve been
Now I’m here blinking in the starlight Now I’m here, suddenly I see Standing here it’s all so clear This is where I’m meant to be
And at last I see the light And it’s like the fog has lifted And at last I see the light And it’s like the sky is new And it’s warm and real and bright And the world has somehow shifted All at once everything looks different Now that I see you”
Singer was smiling as he heard the sound of her singing. He too took his microphone and began to sing himself.
“All those days chasing down a daydream All those years living in a blur All that time, never truly seeing Things the way they were
Now she’s here shining in the starlight Now she’s here suddenly I know If she’s here it’s Crystal Clear It’s where I’m meant to go”
The stage grew dark as a spotlight shone on them. They sang the remainder of the song inunison.
And at last I see the light And it’s like the fog has lifted And at last I see the light And it’s like the sky is new
And it’s warm and real and bright And the world has somehow shifted All at once everything is different Now that I see you…”
The audience applauded and cheered for their performance. It had been well worth the wait during all of the craziness for most of them.
The two of them stood hand in hand and took a bow. The applause continued backstage with everyone getting ready for their performance, but they took time to congratulate the young couple on theirs.
Singer looked out in the crowd and was shocked to see Golden Record, his father on the front row right in front of him. He smiled proudly at his son, pointed at him with a grin and shook one of the judges beside him. “That’s my son!”
With joyful tears in his eyes, he smiled and gave his father a thumbs up, before he had Twilight grab onto him. He shot a grappling hook gun up towards the ceiling, hooking onto a batten and swung backstage with her.
The stage grew dark again with only a spotlight shining on a random spot on the stage. Mr Fabiano, wearing what looked like a sort of red marching band uniform, walked out on stage, bowed to the crowd and then turned around as the conductor. Everyone else in this performance would also be wearing the uniform as well.
“One, two, three, four…”
Flash Sentry began to play his guitar for the beginning of the song with Fender playing his bass guitar, joining in. The spotlight shone on them before expanding over everyone else on stage.
Bulk began the piano solo, and Pinkie Pie stood in front of everyone and began to sing.
“The winner takes all It’s the thrill of one more kill The last one to fall Will never sacrifice their will”
Axel hit his drums and Pinkie’s party cannons shot confetti in the air.
Sunset Shimmer took the next part.“Don’t ever look back On the world closing in Be on the attack With your wings on the wind Oh the games will begin…”
Everyone: Dusk, Ray, Derpy, Octavia, Vinyl, Spike, Rarity, Dash, Fluttershy, and Applejack all came together for the chorus.
“And it’s sweet, sweet, sweet victory Yeah! And it’s ours for the taking It’s ours for the fight
And the sweet, sweet, sweet victory And the one that’s last to fall The winner takes all!”
Author's Note
This chapter took about a week longer to make than I wanted it to. But that’s only after completely scrapping the original draft and making this, in my opinion, far superior one. Thanks to all my friends who’ve supported this story so far.
Also, be on the lookout for one more chapter. It’ll be a short aftermath chapter.
Songs used in this chapter:
“The Show Must Go On” by Queen
“Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey
“All Star” by Smashmouth as a reference to Shrek
“Never Gonna Give you up” by Rick Astley
“I see the Light” from Tangled (Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi)
And “Sweet Sweet Victory” from SpongeBob SquarePants by David Glen Eisley
Singer had been on the verge of tears after the final episode of Star Wars The Clone Wars. He sat there on his couch as he and Twilight watched the final moments transition into the credits. Twi had met him in his apartment that morning so they could finally watch it.
“Wow, those four episodes alone really added a lot of weight to the Prequel films.” He said.
“Was it worth the wait?” Twilight asked as she leaned over onto his shoulder.
“I’d say yeah, it was. I thought Spike wanted to watch with us.”
“Spike stayed up all night watching them plus some episodes of Darkwing Duck. It would seem your little performance yesterday made him want to revisit the series. We can swing by my place and pick him up when we go.” Twilight giggled at this. “I have to ask though, why Darkwing Duck? Most other people doing something like that would have either gone for a Marvel or DC character or a made up superhero.”
“Funny story, I used to dress up as Darkwing all the time when I was a kid, and try to fight back against the neighborhood bullies. I’d always end up getting thrown in the dumpster, but I never gave up. Who knew I’d finally get it right at nineteen?” He chuckled at this. “Plus, the whole Glee Club fiasco practically begged for it. Just seemed like a perfect opportunity to add to the madness. I’d say it did alright.”
“Well, as long as you don’t make a habit of it. I don’t want to have to explain to my parents why my boyfriend is dressing up as a superhero and getting thrown into dumpsters.” She nudged him playfully.
“You’re right.” He said. “I’m not a kid anymore. It’s time to grow up a bit. I guess that also means no more conventions either…” he said jokingly, looking over at her with a smirk.
“Hey now, conventions are fun, and for adults. I think those are fine.”
“That’s good because I thought we could go dressed as Anakin and Padme next month at CanterCon.”
“Hmmm… that does sound like fun. I can’t wait!”
Something else came to his mind before he could move on to their next conversation. “So, Twi, did you study when you got back home last night?”
“I fell right to sleep,” she admitted. “I was exhausted.”
“Look, I um… wanted to briefly talk about you studying for two days straight. I… well… I don’t like it. I worry about you sometimes. I get your work and studies are important but so is your sleep.”
Twi’s eyes shifted back and forth before she took a breath and sighed. “You’re right. And I’m glad you spoke up about it. It does take its toll, and I really should control myself better. After this crazy weekend, I don’t see myself being able to do that ever again if I can help it. I appreciate your honesty, and you actually spoke up without backtracking into something like “if you don’t mind” or anything along those lines. I want you to feel like you can be honest with me. Sure, we might have fights in the future but we can’t avoid that.”
“I understand that. I just don’t like feeling like I’m being bossy.”
“Trust me, I’m smart enough to be able to discern between genuine concern and bossiness. And I think you are too.”
Singer wrapped his arm around her and pulled her in for a hug. She returned it.
“Twi?”
“Hm?” She was still smiling with her eyes closed while they held their hug.
“Can we just stay like this forever?”
“I mean, I have no objection to that, but we’ll miss out on the party if we don’t stop at some point.”
“Fair enough.”
They both laughed as they stopped their hug, and leaned back simultaneously against the back of the couch.
“Hey, back on the subject of sleep, did you sleep okay after everything that happened yesterday?” Twilight asked.
“Like a baby. My limbs and my back are mildly sore, but I’m okay. It’s all the sweeter though because I'm not worried anymore now that Miss Reed is in prison where she belongs.” Singer sat up and stretched his arms a bit.
“I’m happy to hear it. I’d be willing to bet that things will be back to normal. If there even is such a thing. Oh, look at the time, we’d better be going. We don’t want to be late.” Twilight said, gesturing to her watch.
“No we don’t.” Singer said. “I’m driving!”
“Dusk? Dusk? Dusk!” Ray said, as he was sitting with Dusk in the seat of a public transit bus. “Hey, you alright? You haven’t spoken a word the whole drive. Is something bothering you?”
“Oh, yes. I’m fine. I just have some things on my mind lately.”
“Oh? It wouldn’t have anything to do with the fact that I pulverized you in our Smash Bros rematch last night would it?” Ray looked over at him with a smirk.
“Nothing to be concerned about. I’m just pondering on some things.” Dusk said with a laugh at the latter part of Ray’s question, he shifted towards the next thing he could think of, hoping to change the subject. “Wow, what a weekend.”
“Dude, this weekend was super weird. Even for our group’s standards. I can’t believe we did half that stuff we did yesterday.”
“It was definitely one I won’t be forgetting any time soon. I’m just glad that the ordeal is over with and everything is going back to normal for the upcoming week. I couldn’t have handled being a Glee slave forever.”
“Don’t you mean a Glombie?” Ray sniggered.
“A what?”
“Spike kept going on about it. Kept bragging about how he was never a Glombie, or a Glee Zombie. Twilight said not to encourage him, but neither he nor Twilight are here, so… yeah. That’s a word that exists now.”
“Well, zombie, glombie, slave, whatever you want to call it, let’s hope that we never become one again.” Dusk retorted.
“That goes double for me.” Ray said. “And I hope I never see that woman ever again.
“No kidding. She was most unpleasant to deal with.”
“That’s an understatement… Oh look, we’re here,” Ray said as the bus pulled up to the park’s bus stop where they’d get out at. “And we’re super early. I told you that we would be early Dusk.”
“Better to be punctual than tardy.”
“Oh well, might as well get out and enjoy the sights before everyone else gets here.”
“Dusk! Ray!” Mr Fabiano called from a picnic table. He appeared to have one other person with him.
Upon approaching them, Dusk was able to make out that it was Rarity. Apparently she’d gotten there early as well. Dusk began to feel butterflies in his stomach at the very sight of her.
“Dusk, go ahead and have a seat. Ray, you’re going to love this!” Mr Fabiano replied, as he hopped behind a building.
“Oh, alright.” Ray said, nodding to Dusk as he went to take a seat.
Mr Fabiano returned momentarily, with JP in tow.
“Oh my gosh... I had almost forgotten about that!” Ray exclaimed when he’d remembered the awesome (or at least it would have been had it not got him caught by Reed) moment where he got to rock out with JP singing the Pokémon Theme song.
“Well Mr Paige has something he’d like to say to you.”
JP, now dressed in a suit with a red tie that had some sort of wire inside of it that allowed it to stay up in a goofy pose instead of flopping down like ties are supposed to, walked towards Ray and shook his hand.
“I’m mighty sorry about the part I played on you and your friend in Miss Reed’s plan. I had been given false information from Miss Reed who told me it was for a birthday party. And as an apology, I want you to have the Pokémon jacket, and the Pokémon trainer hat I wore the other night. Don’t worry, they’ve been cleaned.”
“Oh that’s okay, I didn’t really blame… Wait, really?” Ray was gobsmacked by this. He definitely wasn’t expecting it. JP nodded.
JP continued to hold them out for just for a second. “Well go on, take them!”
“This is so cool! Thanks JP!” Ray said as he put the jacket and hat on.
“Gotta catch 'em all!” JP winked as he walked off. “I must go, you take care of yourself.”
“Yeah, uh cool. Thanks again!” Ray still didn’t know what else to say, but JP could tell that he’d made his day.
As JP was leaving, Ray was approached by another. Flash Sentry came out of nowhere and bear hugged Ray.
“Dude! Thanks for saving Veronica!”
“Vero- oh, your guitar. No problem dude. I couldn’t just let it get smashed. Those things aren’t cheap.”
“Yeah I know. But thanks again, dude! Oh and for not punching me in the face when I was a Glee Zombie. That was really cool of you too.”
“Don’t mention it.”
Flash noticed Bulk Biceps standing near where the food had been set out in a pavilion, and walked over to him.
“Bulk! Bulkster!” He said as he placed his hand on his shoulder. “So I talked it over with the guys, and we noticed that you have mad skills on a keyboard. We were wondering if you’d like to join ‘The Guardians’. We’ve been missing something for a while, and we think you’re it.”
Bulk’s expression was one of surprise, followed by joy. “YOU WANT ME TO JOIN YOUR BAND?!?” he shouted, making Flash rub his ears because of how loud he talked.
“Yeah man, we could use your talents. We can work on your inside voice later.”
Flash was taken up in a huge bear hug from Bulk that dwarfed the one he had given Ray. “YOU'RE THE BEST!!!”
“….can’t… breathe…”
As everyone else began to make their way to the park, they filed in and began to mingle among themselves.
Dusk had been sitting and talking to Rarity for a good fifteen minutes already. And they appeared to be having a good time.
“So I noticed you’re still reading that romance novel you started last week. Is it good?” Dusk asked her.
“It’s been a pretty average read so far. Nothing spectacular. Though I do like the dynamic between two characters. Rachel and Dennis. They’re in one of those ‘will they, won’t they’ storylines. Though it’s a bit overdone, especially in stories like these, I still admittedly find myself charmed by them if they’re executed correctly.” Rarity said, as she flipped the book over on its cover and looked at the art on it.
“They can be engaging if the characters are written well enough for sure.” Dusk said as he smiled at her, and she returned it yet again.
“Whatever has made you so joyous today, Dusk?” She noted his cheerful demeanor. “I would have thought that the events of yesterday would have left you, as well as the rest of us, tired and cranky.”
“I’m not sure. I think it’s the fact that this is the first time in a bit that we’ve actually gotten to sit and talk to each other. I’ve missed our chats. The only thing missing is the tea.” He chuckled.
“Oh, I’ve got you covered there.” She pulled a teapot and a couple of cups out of a picnic box she had sitting behind her.
“You really are full of surprises.”
“I know!” She giggled as she poured both of them a cup of tea. “So are you, apparently. Who knew you had such a way with those… lightsabers, was it?”
“Oh goodness! I don’t even want to talk about that.” Dusk laughed. “That was just pure insanity. Everything from Ray dressed as Shrek, to Singer fighting Miss Reed. And not to mention all of the shenanigans we went through.”
“And Twilight with the save at the end.” Rarity threw in.
“I don’t think any of us expected that. But given the situation, I don’t blame her. I would have most likely done the same if the situation called for it.”
“Indeed. Oh Dusk, I really do apologize for anything that happened under the Glee Club’s influence on my part. I wish I had gone into that situation with a bit more of a level head.”
“You have nothing to apologize for as far as I’m concerned, Rarity. I, however, feel like I didn’t take the matter as seriously as I should have. I kicked myself for not offering to go with you when you mentioned going to speak to Miss Reed. The reality of the situation hit me when I was surrounded by our friends, under the control of the Glee Club. Or rather, Miss Reed. Come to find out, the Glee Club isn’t so bad now that the proper leadership is back in place.”
“Dusk, don’t blame yourself. I fell for the snare just like everyone else. In spite of Singer’s best efforts to warn us, I have a feeling that the outcome was inevitable either way. I hope I didn’t do or say anything too embarrassing after I was…infected.”
Dusk looked back in his memory of what had happened before he too was taken. Slightly distracted by Rarity’s appearance in that dress she was wearing, but also lost in his confusion of what was really going on before it had dawned on him too late. He had memories of events after that, but they were fuzzy. It was something he’d rather forget. However, one thing was on his mind, and he’d finally gotten the chance to talk to Rarity about it alone.
“I wouldn’t say embarrassing as much as I would say… interesting.” Dusk replied.
“Well we can leave it at that, I suppose. No sense in dwelling on it any further.”
“No, I suppose not.” Dusk agreed. At this point in time, though he’d remembered how he’d felt about her. It wasn’t just recently, but he’d felt this way for quite some time now. Only recently, had he felt an urgent beckoning to act upon his feelings instead of silently holding onto it. He felt like she deserved to know. The worst she could do was say no.
“Dusk?” She snapped him out of his thoughts. “Is everything alright?”
“Y-Yes, quite.” He replied as he felt himself starting to get nervous. “I’ve just had something on my mind lately. S-Something that I feel that needs to be addressed.”
Rarity’s eyes locked into his with genuine concern. “Is everything alright, darling?”
“I think so, I…” he trailed off. He hadn’t thought about what he’d say or how he’d say it, but he’d already begun. It was finally time. “Rarity, I, for quite some time have been feeling…”
She didn’t say anything. Her attention was on him, even as he struggled with his words. He snapped out of it and continued. He decided to not prolong this any further. “I have feelings… for you… feelings that I don’t feel like I can hold in any longer. I have been holding onto them for a while, but I hadn’t had the nerve to express them until now. But, I understand if you don’t feel the same way. I just hope in light of this, we can continue on as friends.” He closed his eyes for a brief moment before opening them up to see Rarity’s smile had grown with tears in her eyes.
“Dusk, I… you don’t know how happy it makes me to hear you say that. I must admit, I too have felt the same way about you for a considerable amount of time, myself.”
Elation suddenly arose in Dusk. He did not expect to hear that. He only wished he’d have more time to talk with her about this as everyone else appeared to be moving in their direction.
“I would love to talk more about this. Maybe over tea tonight? Or perhaps a coffee shop? I know a nice, calm, quiet one in town where we can discuss this further.” She said eagerly as she placed her hand on his.
“I would love nothing more.” Dusk replied. They both arose from their respective sides of the picnic table and shared a hug before their friends arrived on the scene, though they were focused on food and didn’t pay Dusk and Rarity’s hugging any mind. This didn’t bother them any. They’d tell everyone in due course. For now it was nice to finally have their feelings known, and Dusk looked forward to being able to discuss things further with her.
After everyone had eaten their meals, they once again began to mingle amongst themselves as they waited for the announcement from Mr Fabiano, which was part of the reason they were all called out here. Among them were Vinyl and Octavia, who’d finally reunited after the Glee Club fiasco.
“Tavi, you can’t be seriously considering staying with the Glee Club after all this can you?” Vinyl asked her cello playing friend.
“I see no reason why not.” Octavia replied. “I simply adore the concept, and having Fabian as the instructor certainly helps.”
“Wait, wait, wait… Fabian? First name basis? Tavi, do you like Mr Fabiano?”
Her cheeks flushed red. “Wha- how could you imply that? What do I look like, a flirty high school… girl… that does that sort of thing?”
“I dunno… I was just asking.”
“I’ll have you know that Mr Fabiano is a fine teacher. I’ve known him for years and he’s twenty times the teacher that old Miss Reed witch was.”
“Technically she wasn’t really a teacher.”
“That’s beside the point.” Her cheeks continued to blush. “I just appreciate him for his teaching skills and how well he works with his students. Nothing more.”
“Okay, chill Tavi. I was just messing around. Hey, is that Fabian now?”
Octavia quickly turned around to see what she halfway expected to be a cruel trick from Vinyl, but he actually was behind her. A ways away, standing on the platform of a stage set up in the park for various performances, but still. She composed herself and walked towards the stage along with everyone else. Vinyl couldn’t help but chuckle to herself at the implication that Octavia might have a bit of a crush on Fabian. It would be something for her to tease her about for a while. Though, she’d made a mental note not to push it too far.
Everyone had gathered in front of the stage. The crowd wasn’t that big, so the use of microphones and sound systems wouldn’t be needed for this.
“Everyone,” began Fabian. “I want to thank you for coming out this afternoon and participating in this social event. After yesterday’s events, I felt obligated to reach out and do something for everyone. There are some people that I wish to acknowledge for their efforts in saving me and allowing me to reclaim my Glee Club. I meant every word yesterday in my apology. And I truly mean the thanks I’m bestowing upon you all today. Starting with Vinyl. If not for you finding me, I’m not sure if I would have been freed from that closet until much much later. So thank you Vinyl.”
Vinyl shot a peace sign with her fingers at him in response to this.
“I would also like to thank the group of exceptionally talented students who helped me take the Glee Club back and expose Miss Reed for the insane person she is. Vinyl Scratch, who I just mentioned, as well as Ray Strike, Applejack, Dusk Noir, Rarity, Sunset Shimmer, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Twilight Sparkle, and Singer Case. As well as non-student, Spike. All of you displayed great courage in challenging our mutual foe and bringing her to justice. And for that, I commend you all.”
They all were smiling at the praise they’d received. It didn’t rectify the situation, but it definitely made them feel better. But the fact remained, they’d beat Miss Reed together, and order was restored to the Glee Club once again.
“Over the last couple of hours, a few of you have volunteered to join the club and it will only help us grow. I'd like to introduce to you our new Glee Club roster moving forward. If you don’t mind, please file onto the stage.”
After only having the likes of Bulk Biceps and Derpy in the Club prior, they grew stronger with their lineup which included, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Octavia, Fluttershy, Flash Sentry, and Sunset Shimmer.
“With Pinkie as our Glee Club captain, we’ve also had a last minute volunteer to help us at least get to regionals, and that is co-captain Singer.”
Singer walked up on stage, and shook Mr Fabiano’s hand and then shook Pinkie’s before they evolved it into a fist bump.
“Thank you all, have a good evening, and enjoy the rest of this beautiful day.
There was a metal garbage can sitting beside the stage that had been filled with the ‘Miss Reed’ outfits that she’d forced on them. One by one, they threw them in. Since Ray had been in a Shrek costume for that show, they’d let him throw the remaining ones that were never used in there. It seemed like a waste, but the look was tarnished and nobody wanted anything more to do with it.
The girls of the group that were on stage came down to meet their friends and joined in a group hug that included all of the girls, Spike and Dusk and Ray as well. Singer stood by, smiling at the whole thing, feeling happy for them.
However, Sunset noticed him standing there. “Hey, this includes you too. Get over here!”
“Oh, really? I-…” he had little time to respond before Pinkie’s hand pulled him in and set him by Twilight as he joined the group hug. “This is nice.”
As the sun hung high in the sky, they went about the afternoon playing various games. With classes resuming the next day, they’d get as much fun as they could before dark. After what they’d been through, they owed themselves that much.
What I’ve done I’ll face myself To Cross out what I’ve become Erase myself And let go of what I’ve done
Gleeful Vengeance
“Miss Reed, you’ve got a visitor…” a lanky police officer said to her as she lay down on the bed in her cell.
“Oh great, if it’s my lawyer again…” she muttered after getting up and following the officer to the visitation area. She was escorted into a room with a window and a phone on each side of them. And it was there she saw him. Golden Record meeting her gaze with a piercing glare.
“Oh great…” She sat down and picked up the phone, and begrudgingly waited to get yelled at.
“Listen to me,” Record told her sternly. “Coming after my son was a huge mistake. You’d best be glad you got caught and thrown in jail. Because if you get out and terrorize my son and his friends again, I will make your life a living…” he stopped. “You betrayed my trust and made me look like a fool. You’d best steer clear of me as well.”
“Hey you gotta do what you gotta do” she shrugged unrepentantly. This only further angered him.
“We’re done here. Don’t expect to be invited to the next class reunion.” He got up and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him.
“Temper, temper… beginning to see where his son gets it.” She said to herself.
“Yesss… it’s an unfortunate family trait, I’m afraid.”
Miss Reed’s attention was averted into a dark shadowy room where a fellow inmate slowly emerged out of. Her eyes widened as she noticed something oddly familiar about this guy. He looked an awful lot like… Singer… the only difference was, his skin color was dark purple and his hair was burnt orange, as well as his eyes.
“No! Back away from me!” Miss Reed said.
“I hear you had a brush up with my cousin. Most unfortunate.”
“C-Cousin?” Miss Reed trembled. “Look… just stay back! I don’t want any trouble.”
“Neither do I. I offer only a simple proposition.”
Miss Reed’s apprehension didn’t cease completely but her curiosity peaked. “What kind of… proposition? And who are you?”
“They call me… Nut Case… and I have big plans for Canterlot Town, and I could use your help. What do you say?” He reached his arm out to her.
Miss Reed’s reluctance melted away into intrigue. Knowing she had nothing else to lose, she reached back out to Nut Case and shook his hand.
“Once we have escaped, Canterlot Town will be our canvas for a beautiful painting… of chaos!”
He descended into a deep sinister chuckle, leaving Miss Reed standing there for a moment before she joined in.
Author's Note
Thanks to everyone who reads this. I had so much fun writing it. And now, I must prepare you… I’m planning a sequel to this.
The song referenced in this chapter was “What I’ve done” by Linkin Park
