Author's Note

Rainbow Dash
Applejack
Fluttershy
Rarity
Twilight Sparkle
Pinkie Pie
Tristen
Sunset Shimmer
Adagio Dazzle
Aria Blaze
Sonata Dusk

Rainbooms
Dazzlings
Eveyone

A new tune

Sunset and Tristen entered the gym, seeing many students work on banners of their own banner. Tristen and Sunset walk inside, and Sunset walks to three girls, wanting to help.

“Want some help?” Sunset asked.

The girls looked hesitant, however. “Uh, no thanks. We're good.”

Sunset looked down in defeat, and Tristen looked at her with concern.

“Hey, maybe you can help with the finishing touches for our band logo.” Tristen suggested, hoping to make Sunset feel better. Which it did, somewhat.

“Sunset! Tristen!"

"Over here!”

As Tristen and Sunset walk towards the gang, Sunset see many students whisper among one another. They were obviously still bitter about Sunset. Tristen placed a comforting hand on her shoulder as they got to them.

“I had no idea the whole school would be here.” Sunset muttered in shame.

“Just give them some time, Sunset.” Tristen said in a comforting way. “They'll come around eventually.”

Rarity and Pinkie unfolded the poster for their band. “Quite the eye-catching advertisement, if I do say so myself.”

Tristen nods in response as he unrolls a sheet of paper that he held to reveal the band logo for him and Sunset. The logo was of Sunset Shimmer's cutie mark with the Omnitrix symbol in the center, and the blue lines that decorated Cortana’s body appearing behind it, and the background appears to be green flames.

“Oooh, that looks neat.” Pinkie Pie explained on awe.

“Still not done with it.” Tristen replied as he grabs a few paint buckets. “We still need to add the wings on the sides.” Tristen pulls up a few paint brushes and hands one to Sunset.

“Is it just you and Sunset?” Applejack asked. “Just a duet?”

Tristen casts Applejack a deadpan look. “We would have recruited more members, but everybody still has some rather… strong feelings?” Tristen gestured to Sunset to emphasize his point.

Applejack nods her head in understanding.

“Besides, it's not like there aren't two person bands out there.” Tristen replied. “Take Sonny & Cher for example.”

The girls looked at him in confusion in response. “Who?” Rarity.

Tristen smacked his forehead, forgetting that he was in a different world. “Never mind.”

"Good afternoon students!" Celestia exclaimed, announcing her presence, "I just wanted to tell you all how pleased I am that so many of you are going to participate in the first ever Canterlot High School Musical Showcase!"

All the students began cheering loudly, excited for the upcoming event.

"This is a wonderful opportunity to raise money for all our after-school programs here at CHS. So, keep working on those signs and posters. I think it's going to be one of the most exciting events we've had at CHS since the Fall Formal." As soon as Celestia mentioned the Fall Formal, the many other students just turned and gave Sunset glares. Sunset blushed out of embarrassment while Tristen smacked his forehead in response.

“Nice going, Celestia.” Tristen mumbled to himself.

“She was pretty bad at the Fall Formal.” Fluttershy replied.

“A demon.” Sunset corrected. “I turned into a raging she-demon.”

“And tried to turn everyone here into teenage zombies for your own personal army!” Pinkie added, making Sunset curl away even further.

“For Christ’s sake, can we just let it go already?!” Tristen asked in annoyance, drawing the collective attention of students. He blushed a bit in embarrassment before clearing his throat. “Sunset already feels bad about that stuff. Reminding her about it isn't going to help.”

Sunset looks to Tristen, smiling softly at that.

"To be honest, ah'd say the whole experience brought everyone at Canterlot High closer than ever before!" Applejack said as she tuned her bass guitar.

"One, two, three!" Pinkie exclaimed as she banged her drumsticks as they were about to play.

There was a time we were apart
But that's behind us now
See how we've made a brand new start
And the future's lookin' up, ah-oh, ah-oh
And when you walk these halls
You feel it everywhere
Yeah, we're the Wondercolts forever, ah-oh, yeah!
We are all together
(Ah, ah, oh-oh-oh-oh)
Now it's better than ever
(Ah, ah, oh-oh-oh-oh)
You can feel it, we are back
And I'm so glad that we're better
Better than ever
Whoa-oh, oh-whoa-oh
Oh yeah, we're better than ever
Whoa-oh, oh-whoa-oh

There was a time we couldn't see
Past the differences

That separated you and me
And it left us on our own

But now you walk these halls
And friends are everywhere

Yeah, we're the Wondercolts forever, ah-oh, yeah!
We are all together
(Ah, ah, oh-oh-oh-oh)
Now it's better than ever
(Ah, ah, oh-oh-oh-oh)
Now that we are back on track
Yes, I'm so glad that we're better
Better than ever
Whoa-oh, oh-whoa-oh
Oh yeah, we're better than ever
Whoa-oh, oh-whoa-oh
Oh yeah, we're better than ever
Whoa-oh, oh-whoa-oh
Oh yeah, we're better than ever!

The girls who had transformed into their pony modes quickly reformed as their ears and ponytails disappeared, along with the wings on Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash.

“I still can't believe that happens when we play!” Rarity said, many ideas started forming in her head. “I've got to look into some new accessories! Something that looks good in a longer ponytail. Ooh! Maybe some clip-on earrings for when I get those adorable pony ears.”

“I just wonder why it happens. Princess Twilight took her crown back to Equestria.” Applejack pondered. “Shouldn't that mean she took all the magic back with her?”

“Who cares why it happens? It makes my band totally awesome!” Rainbow Dash said in pride, earning an unamused look from her bandmates.

‘Oh dear God.’ Tristen thought to himself, knowing what was to come.

“Your band?” Rarity asked.

“Duh! It was my idea to start the Rainbooms so we could be in the showcase.” Rainbow Dash replied. “Plus, I'm the lead singer and guitarist.”

“Well, she's not wrong about that, I guess." Tristen added with a shrug. “But don't let that get to your head, RD.”

A knock came at the door, and they look to see Flash enter.

“Heard you outside.” Flash said. “You guys are sounding really tight.”

“Uh, we're getting there. Rarity's still coming in a little late-” Rainbow gets cut off by Tristen covering her mouth.

“What Rainbow is saying is thanks.” Tristen said while casting a side glance to Rainbow. “So, what can we do for ya dude?”

Flash stumbled in his speech a little, blushing a bit. “Uh, I don't suppose any of our friends from, uh... out of town might come?” That question made Tristen internally smirk. “Uh, it being a special charity event and all.”

“Sorry, Flash.” Applejack replied. “I don't think Twilight's gonna be back at Canterlot High any time soon.”

Flash laughs nervously. “Oh, yeah. Okay. I just, you know, thought I'd ask. Uh, k-keep on rockin' it.” Flash backing into the wall by mistake, making him blush out of embarrassment before making his way out.

“Wow, he's got it bad.” Tristen said with a slight chuckle.

“He really has quite the smitten kitten.” Rarity added, but remembered Sunset was in the room. “Oh. Sorry. I always forget you and Flash used to be an item.”

“It's okay. Flash is a great guy and all, but I never really liked-him liked him. I was just using him to become more popular.” Sunset, realizing her words, facepalms. “The old me really was just awful, wasn't she?”

“Yeah, she was.” Tristen replied with a soft smile. “But that was the old you. Look how well you've turned out now.” Sunset blushed a bit and looked away. “I'm sure Twi would be proud to see how far you've come.”

“Oh, indeed.” Rarity added with a nod.

“Yeppers!” Pinkie said with a rapid nod.

Sunset still blushed a bit but appreciated her friends’ praise. “Thanks, Tristen, but I'm not sure everyone else at CHS feels the same way.”

Tristen placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Like I said, they'll come around eventually.” Tristen said. “When that happens, I don't know, but it will happen.”

“Sunset Shimmer, please report to the main foyer.”

“Gotta run.” Sunset proceeds to walk out the room. “I volunteered to show some new students around the school. Thought it'd be good for them to get to know the new me before they heard all the stuff about the old me.” And with that, she quickly left the room with a quick.

“We've still got a few minutes before lunch starts.” Rainbow said. “What do you say we do "Awesome As I Wanna Be"?”

“Um, Rainbow Dash? I was wondering if we could maybe play the song I wrote?” Fluttershy suggested.

“We'll get to it.” Rainbow said dismissively.

Tristen, not wanting to get caught up in yet another argument caused by Rainbow’s pride, decides to accompany Sunset.

Sunset arrived at the school entrance, where she met the new transfers. And those new transfers were none other than…

"Hi." Sunset greeted. "Are you the new girls I'm supposed to show around?"

"We are." Adagio responded with a sinister grin as her two cohorts stood behind her.

"Canterlot High is a great school." Sunset said. "You're really going to love it here."

"Oh yes." Adagio replied as the four girls walked along the halls. "We really sense there's something… magical about this place."

"That's the science lab, computer lab is in there," Sunset pointed out the many rooms as she led the three girls, but then she saw a poster for the musical showcase. "Oh! We're having a big musical showcase this weekend! The whole school is pretty much rallying around it."

"A musical showcase?" Adagio asked, somewhat intrigued, and so were her two cohorts as she looked at a tiny speaker piece attached to her shoulder.

(Meanwhile)

Hidden in the bushes outside the school building, Decibot was listening to the convention.

“I'm sure since you're new, Principal Celestia would let you sign up if you're interested.” Sunset's voice spoke through the audio feed, making Decibot smile wickedly.

“What an interesting development.” Decibot said with a chuckle. “The timing couldn't have been more exquisite.”

(Back inside)

“We have been known to sing from time to time.” The pigtailed girl said with a smirk.”

“Hello? We sing, like, all the time!” The blue girl said, earning a glare from her two. “It’s how we get-” Adagio cuts her off by jabbing into her ribs while Sunset looks on with confusion.

“Hey Sunset.”

Sunset and the three girls look to see Tristen.

“Hey, Tristen." Sunset greeted. “Everything alright?”

“Just needed some fresh air.” Tristen replied before noticing the three girls Sunset was touring. “Oh, these must be the new transfers.”

"Yes, they are." Sunset said, gesturing to the trio. “This is Adagio," she said, gesturing towards the puffy-haired girl, "That's Aria," she said, gesturing to the pigtailed girl, "And that's Sonata," she said gesturing towards the ponytailed girl.

"Hey there.” Tristen greeted with a wave. “Name’s Tristen Tenner.”

Adagio smiled a bit at him, almost in a flirtatious manner. “A pleasure.” Adagio said in a bit of a sultry manner. “I trust we'll be getting along just fine, yes?”

Tristen, blushing a bit, smiled nervously. “U-Uh… s-sure, I guess.” Tristen rubbed the back of his neck bashfully. “Ahem! Anyway, I'll let you continue on with the tour, Sunset.”

And with that, Tristen walks away. Aria rolled her eyes while Sonata giggled.

“Was the flirting necessary, Adagio?” Aria asked in mild annoyance.

“What? It's just so amusing to tease now and then.” Adagio replied with a smile and a shrug.

Sunset noticed the pendants the trio were wearing. “Those are pretty. Where did you-”

As Sunset went to have a closer look, Adagio grabbed Sunset by the wrist. Adagio then laughs a little before letting go. “Sorry. These pendants mean an awful lot to us.” Adagio said. “We'd just hate for anything to happen to them.”

And with that, the trio walked off, leaving a now skeptical Sunset.

Adagio, Aria, and Sonata made their way out to the courtyard to meet up.

Adagio sighs out in relief. “That was too close.” She casts a glare to Sonata. “You nearly gave us away, Sonata.”

“Well sorry!” Sonata replied with a scoff.

Aria walks to the shrubs, where Decibot emerged. “You managed to get all of that?”

“Oh, every juicy detail.” Decibot replied with a chortle. “A musical showcase? It cannot get any better than this!”

Adagio smiled in response. “I take it you have a plan?” Adagio asked.

A wicked grin formed on Decibot's visor. “Actually yes, I do. You three feed off of negativity, correct?” Adagio and her two friends collectively nod. “Well, what if we made what was once a charitable event into a competition?”

Adagio and Aria smirked while Sonata looked uncertain.

“I mean, what better way to ruffle up someone's feathers than a contest?” Decibot said. “Better yet, an all-out battle royale.”

Adagio and Aria clearly loved what they were hearing. “Good idea.” Aria responded. “It was too chummy for my tastes.”

“I dunno, guys.” Sonata added with uncertainty, earning looks from Aria, Adagio, and Decibot. “Don't you think that sounds a bit… harsh?”

“Harsh?” Adagio asked. “Sonata, this is our ticket to getting what we’ve wanted for so long! Don't tell me you're growing a conscience now!”

“Well…” Sonata was about to say, but Decibot placed a finger onto her lips.

“I'd listen to your friend, Sonata my dear.” Decibot said. “Unless you're having some second thoughts and considering backing out.” As Decibot spoke, his shoulder-mounted speakers began to play sad violin music as his visor displayed a teary-eyed expression. “Afterall the strings I’m pulling to help out three souls in need.”

Sonata, still unsure, looked away to avoid Decibot’s face. Aria grabs Sonata by the collar.

“I’m warning you right now, Sonata!” Aria declared in a warning manner while Sonata. “You better not mess this up! Otherwise, I'm gonna get myself a new punching bag!”

Sonata, now scared, decided to shut up and go along. “Ok, ok. Please don't hurt me.”

Decibot had a pleased smile as the sappy music stopped. “Splendid!” Decibot said in a cheerful manner. “Now then. Let us not waste any more time.”

With that, the trio walked back inside as Decibot his back inside the bush.