Adventure at Canterlot High - Canterlot High - Face The Music

Tristen and Sonata had joined the girls back in the Café, but of course the girls were still skeptical with Sonata.

“So…. uh…” Sonata stammered in her speech nervously. “Hi, I guess, eheh?”

Sunset looks to Tristen. “Why is she here?”

Tristen, understanding why his friends have trust issues with Sonata, decided to explain. “Well, you see… Sonata here split up with her friends.” Sonata looked down somberly, and the others were surprised.

“Wait. Really?” Pinkie asked. “But… why?”

Sonata, taking a deep breath, explains herself. “Well, after me, Adagio, and Aria met this guy named Decibot, we-”

“Wait! Decibot?!” Rarity interrupted Sonata, her eyes wide in shock. “You met Decibot?”

“No way!” Rainbow added, clearly knowing who Rarity was talking about. The others however were not so familiar.

“Who's that?” Tristen asked in confusion.

“Decibot was the former backup and DJ working with Shock Jock!” Rarity said before she grabbed out her phone and typed on it, then showed him and the others a poster of Decibot with a man with neon blue skin and long yellow dreadlocks wearing shades.

“Ten years ago, rumors about Shock Jock embezzling from his contractors started to spread.” Rainbow added. “And sure enough, those rumors proved to be true. So, his career was totaled in the process.”

“Of course, everything Shock Jock had is now inherited by his former partner Decibot.” Rarity continued. “He even has his own music station called DuBeat.”

The other girls and Tristen were absolutely shocked at hearing this info. But what Sonata was about to say next would further bewilder them.

“Or that's what people were led to believe.” Sonata added, making them look to her. “They think Shock Jock embezzled from those people, but really it was Decibot who did the embezzling and then had Shock Jock take the fall.”

Tristen and the girls were truly shocked by this. “How do you know?” Flutteshy asked.

“Because I met up with Shock Jock’s close friend named Sour Notes.” Sonata answered, further fueling the collective surprise of the others. “Sour Notes tried to clear Shock Jock's name, but the people weren't convinced. Decibot even confronted him and said that he would help Sour Notes clear Shock Jock’s name, but that was nothing but a lie. Decibot knew Sour Notes was a skilled mix artist, so he had had him forced to work for him.”

“Oh my.” Flutteshy gasped out in disbelief. “That's horrible.”

Sunset then looked to Sonata with a puzzled expression. “So, why did you and your friends decide to work for Decibot?”

Sonata looked down for a moment, but she mustered the courage to tell her the reason. “Well, one night Adagio saw this large rainbow in the sky. We knew it was equestrian magic, and we wanted to find the source.” Sonata looked back down in shame. “Of course, Decibot came up and promised to help us in getting it, and even made promises of improving our lives.”

Tristen was surprised by hearing this. “But that was just a lie, wasn't it?”

Sonata nodded. “In actuality, he wants to exploit our music once we've recovered our magic.”

Tristen and friends were absolutely speechless by that point. Decibot not only lied to the public and framed his former partner years ago, but he was exploiting people for his own gain?

Tristen then realized something. “Adagio and Aria were hard to convince, weren't they?” Tristen asked. “That's what led the three of you to split up, wasn't it?”

Sonata nods her head in reply, tears forming up in her eyes yet again. Tristen placed a comforting hand on her shoulder while the girls watched on in sympathy.

Rainbow was still skeptical, so she looked at Applejack. “What do you think, AJ?” Rainbow asked.

The others look to Applejack, who was very good at reading people and determining if they're being genuine or not. Applejack looks at Sonata, humming a bit in thought before smiling. “She's straight as straight can be.”

Twilight definitely sensed Sonata was being honest too. But one question did plague her mind. “So, what is your reason for coming to Canterlot High anyway?” Twilight asked.

“We just wanted to be adored.” Sonata replied. “Ever since we've been banished here by Starswirl the Bearded years ago, nobody was willing to give us the attention we carved. We were just ignored.”

Twilight then had a look of realization. “Is that why you and your friends charmed ponies back in Equestria?” Twilight asked.

Sonata nods her head again as she had let the dam burst by this point and began to cry again. Tristen rubs her back to calm her down while the girls look at her in sympathy.

“Oh, poor thing.” Flutteshy muttered as Rarity wipes her tears away. Even Sunset felt bad for the blue siren.

Even Spike felt bad for the poor girl as he got on her lap and rested there.

Wanting to change the subject to a lighter topic, Twilight looks to Tristen. “By the way, what was that new alien you've turned into?” Tristen looks to her. “I don't really recall you ever using that one?”

“Oh, Heartstrings?” Tristen replied. “Yeah, he's a new one.” Tristen looked at his Omnitrix. “Somehow, the Dazzlings have some involvement in me unlocking him.”

“What does he actually do?” Rarity asked in curiosity.

“Well, his whole schtick is altering people's emotional state through music.” Tristen replied with a shrug.

Rainbow, upon hearing that, suddenly remembered something. “Oh! That reminds me! The Dazzlings aren't exactly the only strange thing that's happened since you left." Rainbow pulls out her phone and shows Twilight a video of her transforming with her magic. "Pretty sweet, huh? It happens to all of us when we play."

Twilight was surprised at the image Rainbow showed her. "My crown was returned to Equestria, but some of its magic must have remained here at Canterlot High."

“That's what I thought too.” Sunset added with a nod.

"Now that we're all back together, we can use that magic on the sirens," Twilight said, but looked to Sonata, “Or rather, Adagio and Aria, just like when we were able to use it on Sunset Shimmer when she turned into that horrifyingly awful winged monster!" Twilight realized her words as she remembered Sunset present. "No offense.”

“None taken.” Sunset replied disgruntledly. “I'm used to it.”

Sonata was surprised and looked to Sunset. “Wait. For realsies? That really happened?”

Sunset nods her head in reply.

“Well, the sooner we do this, the better.” Twilight said. “Any idea where the Dazzlings might be?”

“There's a big party tonight for all the bands who signed up to be in the showcase!” Pinkie replied. “That would include the Dazzlings.”

Sonata looked down in a somber manner, the idea of facing off against her two childhood friends filling her with sorrow. Tristen took notice of this and wraps an arm around her shoulder in a comforting manner.

Meanwhile, Decibot was grabbing Sour Notes by the collar, clearly not happy.

“What did you tell her?!” Decibot asked, but Sour Notes said nothing while glaring. “Don't make me ask again, dammit!”

Decibot slammed Sour Notes against a wall and punched Sour Notes across the face. “Because of you, one of the Dazzlings quit on me!” Decibot backhands Sour Notes. “You just had to open your trap, didn't you?!”

Growling in rage, he tossed Sour Notes across the room, the man hitting the wall before landing in a loud thud. Sour Notes groaned in pain as he got up, his face riddled with bruises and his body cracked with pain.

“No matter! This is only a minor setback!” Decibot declared before taking his leave.

When Decibot was gone, Sour Notes spat some blood before looking at a framed photo of him and Shock Jock.

Later, the gang met up back in the school gym. There they saw many bands were all in separate groups while some were arguing.

Sonata looked down, knowing she was responsible for this. But Sunset placed a comforting hand on Sonata’s shoulder, the two girls sharing an awkward smile.

Not too far away, Flash Sentry reeled back his arm and was clearly about to punch Snips in the face. But he didn't as he just grabbed the plastic cup that he had set down on the stage. As he walked back over to the snack table, he didn't notice that Twilight was unknowingly walking towards him still drinking her punch, causing the two to bump into each other.

"Twilight?" Flashed asked in surprise as he held onto her. "What are you doing here? You came back for the big competition, right?”

"Something like that." Twilight replied.

Just then, Rainbow noticed Aria and Adagio come through the doors. She reacted quickly by grabbing a chocolate chip from one of Pinkie's cookies and tossing it at Twilight's head. Twilight looked at Rainbow and sees the rainbow-haired girl gesture her head in the direction of the two sirens. She then looked over to see Aria and Adagio walking across the gym.

"Can you excuse me for just a minute?" Twilight asked as she walked off. Flash shrugged in reply as the girls all began to gather together.

Tristen, Sonata, and Sunset watched on hopefully.

"Are you sure you don't need to step in?” Sonata asked Tristen.

"Relax, they've got this in the bag." Tristen replied.

Meanwhile, Adagio and Aria were watching the silent argument with sinister grins.

"Oh, no! No one's mingling!" Adagio said in mock surprise, "It's like there's some kind of underlying tension that could bubble to the surface at any minute!" she said.

"I wonder what it could be.” Aria asked with a smirk. “Definitely not the awful punch." Aria admitted.

"And this is just the kickoff party, Aria," Adagio added. "Imagine what a tizzy they'll be in by the time the Battle of the Bands starts."

“There isn't going to be a Battle of the Bands!”

Adagio and Aria look over to see Twilight and her band of friends.

“Watch and be amazed.” Tristen said to Sonata as Sunset watched excitedly.

"Alright, girls, let's do this!" Twilight said as her friends all joined hands, "Friendship is magic!" she exclaimed as the girls all shut their eyes, anticipating that their magic would activate.

But… nothing seemed to happen. No rainbow, no flashing lights, nothing. Just everyone watching in awkward silence. Tristen and Sunset were surprised while Sonata was confused.

“Uh… what's happening?” Tristen asked in anticipation. “Why is nothing happening?”

"You, uh... really need to go ahead and do that whole "magic of friendship" thing now!” Spike said as he crawled up onto Twilight's shoulder.

"I'm trying, Spike." Twilight responded. "I thought the six of us standing together against the sirens would bring out the magic we needed to defeat them. That's what happened before.”

Adagio and Aria smirked in response. "Talk about throwing down the gauntlet! This group is obviously serious about winning! A little cocky though, aren't they?" She asked the crowd. "Claiming there won't really be a battle. Seems they think they already got this thing all locked up." Everyone glared down at the girls.

"Not if the Great and Powerful Trixie has anything to do with it!" Trixie exclaimed.

"Whatever, Trixie!" Flash yelled back. "We're the best band at CHS!"

"No! The Crusaders are gonna win!" Apple Bloom shouted.

And just like that, the argument had quickly escalated back to shouts and yells.

“Shit. This ain't good.” Tristen muttered in concern.

“I think I have an idea.” Cortana appeared from the Omnitrix, surprising Sonata. “Sonata, you remember how Tristen cheered you up earlier?” Sonata nods in response. “Well, during that moment, I detected an energy signature from your pendant. One more... positive.”

Sonata raised an eyebrow before looking at her pendant.

“How so?” Tristen asked.

“Sonata and the other Sirens cause strife through song, right?” Cortana said as she looks at Sonata, “Based on what I saw earlier, I think Sonata can also instill positivity as well.”

Sonata was puzzled at that claim. “I can?”

Sunset looked puzzled too, as were the others. “Only one way to find out.” She looks at Sonata.

Sonata, wanting to test Cortana's theory, started clearing her throat before vocalizing. But unlike the usual times where she sang to cause unrest with Adagio and Aria, she sang with intent on bringing joy and fellowship.

Shortly afterwards, the arguing had ceased as many students seemed to have calmed down just a bit as the green mist that exuded from the students changed to bright pink. This did not go unnoticed from Aria and Adagio as they look to see Sonata singing, who was absorbing the pink mist into her gem.

Sonata noticed this too, but she kept it up as she absorbed more of the pink mist. Once everyone had simmered down, she stopped her song. Sunset and Tristen were surprised to see that Cortana’s theory was correct.

“Well, I'll be damned.” Tristen muttered in amazement.

“No way!” Aria uttered in disbelief.

“Sonata?!” Adagio asked in disbelief, earning the blue siren’s attention. Enraged, she and Aria walk towards her. “What are you doing here?! And with these losers, no less?!”

“These “losers” are going to help me free you from Decibot’s grasp!” Sonata shot back.

Adagio shook in rage, feeling absolutely betrayed. “I simply cannot believe this!” Adagio growled in fury. “We've had each other's backs for so long, we've been through thick and thin, and you're just going to abandon us?! I thought we were friends, Sonata!”

“We are!” Sonata barked back. “I'm not doing this to spite you guys, I'm doing this to show you that Decibot is a fraud!”

Aria clenched her fists in rage. “By going against us?!” Aria responded.

“If it's what it takes make you guys see through Decibot’s little rouse, then yes! I am!” Sonata declared as Sunset and Tristen stood beside her.

Adagio and Aria were downright furious. “Oh, I see!” Adagio declared. “You're just jealous of us because you wanted more attention compared to us!”

Sonata furrowed an eyebrow. “What? No, that’s not-”

“So now you join these two so you can do… whatever that was to overshadow us!” Adagio continued. “Talk about low!”

“Hey! Step off, bitch!” Tristen shot back, making everyone look towards them. “She's not the bad guy, here!”

Aria got in his face. “Butt out, punk!”

“Alright, alright, let's break it up!” Sunset said as she got in between the four.

“You know what?! Kill yourself, Sonata!” Adagio fired back while flipping Sonata the bird. “I’ll make absolutely sure you are taken down for this!” Sonata glanced to Tristen and Sunset. “You and your new besties!”

And with that, Adagio and Aria stormed off while Sonata watched on with a sorrowful expression. Tristen and Sunset look to Sonata, who was on the verge of tears yet again.

“I'm sorry, Sonata.” Sunset said to Sonata.

“No, if it's what it will take to make them come to their senses… then it's what I've got to do.” Sonata wipes her tears away before looking to her and Tristen. “By the way, you two are participating in the Battle of the Bands, right?”

Sunset and Tristen nods in reply. “Any chance you have room for one more?” Sonata asked with a smile.

Little did they know is that Tristen emitted a green aura that trailed its way towards the Dazzlings' direction.

(Meanwhile)

In the locker rooms, Aria was punching a nearby locker out of pure rage. “Dammit! I can't believe her!”

“I know!” Adagio replied, leaning up against a locker. “To think that she would just ditch us like that, after all that we've been through together!”

The green aura made towards them and splits in two before being sucked into their pendants. Their anger fading away after the energy was absorbed.

"Whoa…" Aria muttered out in shock. "That felt… different.”

Adagio looked at her hands, which turned into golden yellow crystal. Aria grew a long purple devilish tail like that of Speed Demon’s as her legs changed to look more like the devilish speedster’s.

“What the…?” Aria asked out in bewilderment.

The two then looked at each other, sharing a wicked smile knowing that they have an edge over Sonata and her newfound friends.