Memories of a Battle of the Bands
The bell rings at Canterlot High School.
Students leave the classrooms after to their respective lockers and take out their belongings before heading to the main entrance. It is two o’clock on Friday afternoon, which means that another school week is over and the weekend is about to begin; a couple of days most of the student body looks forward to in for relaxing and momentarily forget about boring classes as well as teachers, tests, and presentations of Science or History projects until Monday to restart the weekly cycle at school.
As the boys and girls remained inside the building, the speakers turn on, giving way to a message from Principal Celestia.
“Good afternoon students,” the woman begins to say, “before you return to your respective homes, I want to announce that this Monday will be the start of the call for the Friendship Games to be held at our school next month.
Anyone who wish to represent our institution, please head to my office or Vice Principal Luna’s office to sign up and get the chance to join the Wondercolts team. The official roster will be posted a couple of weeks before the begining of the games…”
The news immediately sparked interest among the students. Although it was known that Canterlot hasn’t won a single contest held to date, it didn’t dampen any hopes of defeating Crystal Prep Academy. The spirits rose among the young students who were already picturing themselves triumphing against their bitter rivals Shadowbolts.
After the brief pause, in her office, the principal presses the intercom to address the students again. “In another announcement: don’t quit reviewing and studying the lessons learned during the week because there will be surprise tests on any subject. That’s all for today, have a good weekend.”
After finishing her announcements, Celestia begins to review a stack of documents she has in her hand. As she goes about her duty, the woman imagines her students grumbling about having to spend Saturday and Sunday reviewing notes as well as consulting books or the internet to keep their grades up; Celestia even swore she heard a collective groan from her seat.
However, Principal Celestia is certain they would stop complaining due the encouragement to improve themselves, and even more willing to participate in the next games. Celestia allows herself to laugh briefly; after all, she and Vice Principal Luna were also teenagers with their own plans to have fun with friends besides studying.
Speaking of sisters, Luna enters Celestia’s office carrying a file cabinet in her arms.
“Ready to go, Tia?”
“In a moment Lulu, I want to review these papers first.”
“You mean the school accounting records?” You should have let me know so I could help you with that.”
“On the contrary, you already got too many assignments to bother with one more.”
“And since when has an additional task overwhelmed me?” The blue-haired woman asked as if she was being underestimated. “I remind you that it is part of the vice principal’s job to supplement and assist with those activities where the principal shows difficulty in carrying out for any impasse that may arise.
Also… I must remind you of tonight’s meeting.”
“Meeting?” Now it was the eldest sister’s turn to ask. “Are you talking about a parent-teacher meeting?”
“No woman! I’m talking about Cranky Doodle and Matilda’s wedding anniversary reunion! They invited us to a restaurant to celebrate their three years of marriage, which Cherilee, Harshwhinny, Granny Smith, Zecora and a few more friends will also attend.
In fact, you had it scheduled. Look!”
Celestia takes a minute to examine the calendar on her desk, which was indeed circled in red marker and large letters today referring to the treat.
The boreal-haired woman’s cheeks flushed slightly in embarrassment. “…I guess I got carried away with work.”
“And that’s why I’m here, dear sister. You can’t always do everything on your own,” the vice principal says, putting the file away on a shelf. “Now, may I help you?”
“Of course, Luna. Here it is.”
As Celestia hands Luna the papers, she notices something slide underneath and fall to the carpeted floor of the office. The principal picks it up thinking it’s another report, but then she stops.
The vice principal looks at her older sister strangely. “What’s wrong Celestia? What do you have there?”
Her response came when the principal hands her an old promotional pamphlet about an event that occurred at the school.
“The Battle of the Bands,” Luna said. “It’s been a long time since I heard about it, nor did I think I’d ever have to see anything related to it again.”
“Neither have I, although somehow a small vestige survived,” Celestia comments. “It’s funny. Even though it was held last semester, it was one of the school events where there was great participation by the student body.”
“How could I forget it Tia, and not only that. We also got to witness a display of the talent that our students demonstrated in the different musical genres.” Luna adds, evoking all the competing groups as well as those who performed solo, such as Octavia Melody, just like the duos such as Bon-Bon and Lyra Heartstrings.
She remembers the bands that gave their best despite not winning and those who… well… performed poorly, not to say pitiful or mediocre; the enthusiastic Crusaders, also, went up on stage to show off their exuberant costumes and rock and roll theme. Sure, no one understood what they sang at the end, but they received credit for their sense of humor.
“We had a really interesting six days back then,” the principal said again. However, despite the moments experienced in each round throughout the competition, both sisters couldn’t say that the event was entirely pleasant. And they knew why.
“It almost ended up tearing us, Luna. What should have been a simple fundraising event for charity ended up being an excessive fight for no reason. The students hurt each other with accusations, mockery, and sabotage. Even family members fought over following the absurd desire to be the best, and in the process several friendships fell apart.
The worst part is that I allowed the fiasco without caring about the suffering of the boys and girls. I was foolish to let myself be convinced by those three.”
The blue-haired woman saw how her older sister slowly squeezed the bulletin out of frustration. It went without saying that Celestia was upset with herself for the music contest.
“Don’t feel bad, sister. You aren’t the only one responsible for the conflicts that arose during the Battle of the Bands; just like you, I let the students get hurt when I could have done something to stop it. Besides, we were under the spell of the Dazzlings, there was no way to know their true intentions until it was nearly too late.”
In a perspective, it was a way to excuse the attitude that she and Celestia showed while the contest lasted. However, Luna was aware that it wasn’t entirely true because although they were magically manipulated, the negative feelings that affected everyone emerged from within the students, and from within themselves.
Proof of this was before the first day of the battle, when she deliberately brought up to a certain person bad actions done prior to the annual celebration of the Formal Fall held long ago; said words overwhelmed the vice principal for a few days despite offering the respective apologies, and now it was tormenting the principal.
Not wanting her or Celestia to feel guilty, Luna chooses to adopt a strategy to improve self-esteem.
“You know? Although it sounds crazy, it didn’t go badly after all. We must rescue a positive aspect of that contest.”
Principal Celestia didn’t seem to understand what her sister had just mentioned.
“Perhaps I should be more clear,” Vice Principal Luna begins to explain. “While Adagio, Aria, and Sonata brought the vast majority under their power, there was a certain group that resisted their magic.
And with the return of Twilight Sparkle, the Rainbooms made their preparations to free us from the Sirens. Of course, they came to have strong disputes over irrelevant details that were unconsciously dividing them, to make their mission more difficult said disputes affected Twilight’s morale, who felt overwhelmed by so much pressure until reaching the point of disbanding after falling into a trap set by Trixie and her companions were they blamed each others for the many setbacks. I’m not saying it, I’m just quoting the half-hour recap in an organizational chart that Pinkie Pie laid out for us.
Anyway. We would have been condemned to serve the Dazzlings for life if it weren’t for Sunset Shimmer - being present with the girls - to call them to reconcile, reassemble and manage to escape from their confinement with additional help arriving in time for the main event. I don’t need to say what happened next.”
Then the boreal-haired woman makes a mental compilation of the previous explanation and her gaze softened when the image of the Equestrian native came to mind.
“You are right. Of all the students who strive to progress, I have never seen one with a strong determination like Sunset’s. Although she acted wrongly, she decided to mend her ways after the night of the Formal Fall. Despite apologize to the rest, the students didn’t believe her words, being constantly rejected over a reminder of her former self; however, that didn’t demoralize her and she continued to strive to demonstrate her change, especially with the support and company of the girls who welcomed her when the others distanced themselves from Sunset.
That night was decisive for Canterlot High School, and even more so for her. The combined effort of Twilight and the Rainbooms wasn’t enough to break the spell, but at the last moment Sunset intervened returning magic, as well as hope, to the girls with which they managed to defeat Adagio and her sisters. Not only was our school and, by the way, the world saved: from that moment Sunset redeemed herself from her past in the eyes of everyone and moved on from being that evil girl with desires for power to be accepted by everyone as one of them and an unconditional friend in whom they can trust.
I am proud of her dedication and her constant learning about friendship with the girls and our support Sunset Shimmer will achieve great feats in the future. Of that, I have no doubt.”
Having overcome her own discomfort and guilt, Principal Celestia gives her sister and colleague a hug.
“Thank you very much Luna, I really needed it.”
“You’re welcome Tia,” said Vice Principal Luna returning the hug before both of them separated. “As I said before, I’m here to support you with whatever you need just as you always support me.”
A warm smile forms on both women’s lips in understanding.
“So… do you always want to review the reports?”
“Indeed Celestia, although thinking about it better I can do it another time since this isn’t urgent.”
“Indeed Lulu, it’s not mandatory to review these papers. I just wanted to do it as part of the routine; after all, we don’t have outstanding debts. By the way, do you think we’ll ever see the Dazzlings again? Will they want to seek revenge?”
“Who knows, sister.” The vice principal answers. “However, from what Sunset told us, when their pendants were destroyed they lost the ability to cast any songs with which they wielded their magic. I know I’m asking too much by saying this, tough I wish their defeat serves them as a lesson to so that they change their minds and in this way reach good terms if we come across them again along the way.”
“I also hope for a reformation on their part, even if the chances are low.” Celestia agrees. “Now that you mention it, we need to talk with the girls so they can keep at bay everything related to their powers during the Friendship Games.”
“Good point. The last thing we need is to attract the attention of the wrong people if they see some magic; and knowing Principal Cinch, I bet she’ll find some excuse to use it for her own benefit.”
Both sisters nodded firmly. Then the vice principal glances at the clock located above on the office wall.
“Oops! It’s already after three. We need to hurry home, rest a bit and change to then go back to the meeting.”
“Very well. Also, I already bought the presents for Cranky and Matilda on our behalf so don’t worry about it.”
“Thanks a lot Tia. Alright, let’s go.”
Luna opens the office’s door towards the parking area, Celestia follows her but not before stopping for a moment to look at the old pamphlet again. She had planned to throw it in the trash, although in the end decides to leave it in its place as a souvenir.
As crazy as this thought seems, the arrival of the Dazzlings to the school was important for Twilight, Sunset and the Rainbooms to strengthen their bonds of friendship. As Luna said, something very good is rescued from said competition.
Once again the principal smiles to herself closing the door behind her. Now her mind is focused on the contest that will take place with Crystal Prep very soon. And if by any means something similar to the Battle of the Bands happens again, Celestia was optimistic that a valuable lesson would be learn to continue strengthen the Magic of Friendship among everyone at Canterlot High School.
