Adventure at Canterlot High - Canterlot High - Face The Music

The next day, people were competing to get to the top spot. Tristen’s band were up against Flash Sentry's band in the quarterfinals.

And eventually, Tristen’s band proved to be the victor. Flash and his band look over to see Luna cross off his band's sticker on the tournament chart.

“Sorry dude.” Tristen said, expecting a bit of a tongue lashing. But instead, Flash was about as cool as a cucumber.

“Nah, we did our best dude.” Flash replied, extending his hand for a handshake. “Best of luck.”

Tristen, nodding, returns the gesture and shakes hands with Flash.

“That was… unexpected.” Saina rather surprised Sunset.

“Have you guys noticed something… off?” Sonata said as she gestures to the other bands. Although many students were still competing with one another, they weren’t going at each other’s throats. “Everyone here seemed less tense.”

Tristen and Sunset saw that Sonata had a point. “Yeah.” Sunset nods in agreement. “So far, nobody has shown any signs of aggression towards one another.”

“I know right?” Rainbow said as she and the Rainbooms approached. “Though it's a rather nice change of pace.”

"This is it!" Sunset noted. "Last round and you're in the finals!"

“But what about you guys?” Applejack asked. “What if you guys get in the finals instead?”

“Whether or not, I'm sure you guys will be there to finally put an end to this whole debacle.” Tristen replied before looking at Twilight. “How's the counter-spell being up, by the way?” Twilight, who only looked away in reply.

"Don't worry, Twilight." Applejack reassured, "Finals aren't until tonight. We'll get in a little more practice before we're supposed to hit the stage. "We won't let you down!" The rest of the girls agreed excitedly as they knew this was an important step.

“My, what a touchy display."

Both bands turned to see Adagio and Aria standing with smug grins.

"Oh great.” Tristen groaned out. “What do you want, Adagio?"

"Oh nothing, just to wish you luck in the finals.” Adagio said with a hint of sarcasm. “Is that so wrong?”

Tristen looks at Adagio with suspicion. “What's your angle here?” Tristen asked. “How come nobody here is engaging in a screaming match like the day before?”

“Figured things were getting a little too intense, ya know?” Aria answered with a sly grin. “So, we decided to tone it down a notch.”

“Uh-huh.” Rainbow replied, clearly not buying that. “Likely story.”

“Anyhow, we best get out of your hair.” Adagio walks off with Aria trailing behind. “Best of luck. You're going to need it.”

Tristen still eyed the two with clear suspicion. “Those two are definitely up to something.” The others nodded in agreement.

"Um, I was just wondering." Fluttershy said to her team as she nervously held her tambourine. "We haven't played any of my songs yet, and-"

"It's the semifinals." Rainbow interrupted. "We gotta do "Awesome As I Wanna Be"."

"Don't know why I even asked." Fluttershy said quietly, but visibly frustrated. Sonata luckily calms her down by acting a hand on her shoulder.

Trixie and her band were performing, and when she was finished, the crowd cheered as both Celestia and Luna clapped excitedly.

"Fantastic!" Celestia complimented after a laugh.

Trixie huffed as she went backstage to encounter the Rainbooms and Tristen’s band. "You're never gonna top that performance, "Rain-goons”.” Trixie mocked. "You shouldn't be allowed to when you have such a big advantage over the rest of us."

"My superior guitar playing and off-the-charts awesome singing voice?" Rainbow replied in a gloating tone, much to the annoyance of Applejack and Tristen.

"Oh, don't be ridiculous! I mean her!" Trixie said, pointing at Twilight, making the purple girl blush out of embarrassment. "If you were really all that, Rainbow Dash, you wouldn't have needed to bring in some magical ringer to have half a chance. Everyone's talking about it."

Tristen smirked at Trixie. “What? Jealous because she actually has magical skills compared to you, witchy bitch?” Tristen taunted, making Rainbow Dash snicker.

Trixie, clearly upset by that, glared at Tristen in response. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me.” Tristen barked back. “At least Twilight and the others have good magic, while you just bore people to death with lame ass tricks like card tricks and rabbits out of hats.” Tristen rolled his eyes. “Those are old school gimmicks.”

Trixie was fuming at that. “How dare you?!” Trixie growled furiously. “I'll have you know that those tricks are classics!”

“Yeah! For toddlers!” Tristen remarked with a smug grin.

“And speaking of tricks, don't even get me started with you!” Trixie declared, pointing at Tristen. “I'm surprised you're even allowed in this competition! You and Sunset Shimmer!” Trixie points to Sunset. “Especially after all she has done in the past!”

Sunset looked away in shame while Sonata tended to her. Tristen scowls at Trixie. “Yes, she did. But she's changed since then! And yet, you dipshits don't even give her a chance when we did!”

As the field went down, both Trixie and Tristen were emitting the all too familiar green aura.

Meanwhile, Adagio and Aria were nearby to absorb the negativity that came from Tristen and Trixie. But what they soon noticed is that the negativity from Tristen alone made them more powerful, and he was just one person.

“Well, this is interesting.” Adagio said, holding her pendant. “It seems Tristen's negativity is more filling than that of a bantering group.”

Back on the stage, Tristen and Trixie still argued.

“Why am I even wasting my time with you?” Trixie shot back. “When I make it to the finals, we'll see who will be laughing!”

Tristen at this point has had enough of Trixie. “You know Trixie, while you're blowing smoke up my ass,” Tristen said before walking to pick up a two-by-four. “I'm gonna shove this two-by-four up yours!”

With wide eyes, Trixie ran out in a panic while the others were shocked to see Tristen resort to such a tactic.

“Tristen!” Rarity scolded as Tristen put down the two-by-four.

“Yikes! That was a bit much, don't ya think?” Applejack said with a wince.

“Hey, at least it got her to piss off.” Tristen replied with a shrug.

“Next up, the Emerald Embers.” Principal Celestia called out.

“That's us.” Tristen declared, looking at Sunset and Sonata. “You two ready?”

“Good luck out there, guys.” Rarity said to the trio.

With a nod, they walked up on the stage. By the time they made it on the stage, Tristen transformed into Heartstrings, and the band began to play.

Is there anybody out there?
Is there anyone that's left?
Is there any way I can make it out alive?
What is left that they've not taken?
What is left beyond the pain?
What is left of truth when I only hear their lies?
There's a fire in my heart to keep the dark at bay
But my defenses have decayed
So, I pray for a change to begin inside
For the courage to not run and hide
Is it shame, is it fear that controls my mind?
When I wake, I can't tell what is right from the wrong
But no matter what happens, I must carry on
In the darkness before the dawn

The audience nod their heads to the beat while Celestia and Luna listened with smiles. Even the Rainbooms were enjoying the beat.

In the darkness before the dawn
I can feel my body shaking
I can feel all of the fear
I can feel the demons, but I can't let them win
And my broken heart is weary
And my broken words confess
And my broken spirit will conquer every sin
There's a fire in my heart to keep the dark at bay
But my defenses have decayed
So, I pray for a change to begin inside
For the courage to not run and hide
Is it shame, is it fear that controls my mind?
When I wake, I can't tell what is right from the wrong
But no matter what happens I must carry on
In the darkness before the dawn

"AW YEAH, MAN!" Rainbow erupted in enthusiasm, doing a double peace sign.

"Go dude, go!" Flash cheered on with the others.

So, I take on the change that begins inside
For the courage to not run and hide
No more shame, no more fear to control my mind
When I wake, I can't tell what is right from the wrong
But no matter what happens I must carry on
In the darkness before the dawn
(Awake the dark, awake the dark) in the darkness before the dawn
(Awake the dark) in the darkness before the dawn

When the song was finished, the crowd erupted in cheers.

“Incredible!” Celestia said as she and Luna clapped. “Absolutely marvelous.”

The trio took their bows as Heartstrings turned back into Tristen. They then returned backstage to meet up with the Rainbooms.

“Next up, the Rainbooms.” Principal Celestia called out.

“Knock 'em dead, Rainbooms!” Spike said to the girls.

“Good luck out there.” Tristen said.

The Rainbooms walked up on stage and began their performance.

Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!
Awesome as I wanna be
Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!

Awesome as I wanna be
First you see me riding on a sonic boom
Got my guitar shreddin' up the latest tune
There is nothin' you can do to beat me
I'm so good that you can't defeat me

Yeah, I'm awesome, take caution
Watch out for me, I'm awesome as I wanna be
I'm awesome, take caution
Watch out for me, I'm awesome as I wanna be

Backstage, Tristen and Sonata were nodding to the beat. Sunset was also enjoying the beat alongside them, but she noticed something happen to Rainbow.

She saw that Rainbow's pony ears were beginning to form from her skillful playing of the guitar. And so too did the other two

“Oh crap!” Tristen said as he readied his Omnitrix, but Sonata changed into her version of Thunderclap.

Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!
Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!

Before anything else could occur, Sonata touched a nearby wall, sending waves of electricity through it. And moments later, all the lights in the gym went out.

The Rainbooms stopped their performance, taken by the sudden blackout before they felt something drag themselves backward.

And suddenly, just as quickly as they went off, the lights came back on. Everyone was surprised to see the Rainbooms were absent.

Backstage, the Rainbooms were still taken back by what happened, but they saw Sonata, still as Thunderclap, before the girl changed back to human form.

"What was that?" Rainbow asked.

"You were showing them your magic." Sunset replied.

"Good show, "Rain-brooms"."

The gang looks over to see Trixie enter.

"Way to make yourselves look like a bunch of cowards.” Trixie mocked. “I was honestly expecting Sunset Shimmer to ruin your performance in a fit of jealous rage."

Sunset grit her teeth angrily, but Tristen calms her down. “Do you ever know when to shut up?”

Trixie glared in response. “Why don't you just go back to working at the circus sideshow!” Trixie shot back.

Tristen responded to that by giving her a double bird. “I swear to God, if I had a bucket of water, I'd throw it at you to see you if you could melt!”

Outside, Aria and Adagio were nearby to absorb the negativity from the argument between Tristen and Trixie.

Decibot peeked his head from inside the janitor's closet. “Alright ladies, you know what to do.”

Adagio and Aria nod before walking off.

Back on the stage, Trixie noticed Celestia and Luna were by the doors. “Ooh! Looks like they've already decided who'll be moving on to the finals! I'm guessing it wasn't too difficult a decision."

“Why don't you go hop on your broomstick and fly away already!” Tristen shot back in anger.

Suddenly, Tristen, Sunset, and Sonata look to see Aria and Adagio walk through the doors, vocalizing around Celestia and Luna.

"Huh?" Sunset Shimmer asked as she scratched her chin.

"Now what are they up to?” Tristen asked in suspicion.

"What can we do?" Rarity asked. "There isn't gonna be another opportunity for us to play. And I had the most gorgeous outfit for the finals!" she complained.

"Yup, 'cause that's the real tragedy, Rarity, that you won't get to play dress-up!" Applejack said mockingly.

"You know perfectly well that is not what I meant!" Rarity shouted back.

"Stop it!” Sonata added as she got in between. “Arguing isn't going to help!”

"You guys wanna keep it down?" Rainbow asked rhetorically. "They're about to announce who's moving on!"

"Who are you kidding?" Fluttershy asked sarcastically. "You know it isn't gonna be us."

Celestia and Luna were on the stage, about to announce the final round competitors.

“For the finals, we’ll be doing something a bit special. The finals will be a two-parter.” Celestia said, surprising everybody present.

“Huh?” Tristen asked in surprise.

“We will select three bands for the finals. The first band to reign victorious in the first round will progress to the final event. Now, the first band to be in the finals is the Dazzlings.” Luna said as.

“The second band that will be joining the Dazzlings in tonight's finals is the Emerald Embers." Celestia began to announce over the microphone, “And the final band to be in the finals is...The Rainbooms!"

"What?!" Trixie exclaimed in shock.

"Did they just say, "the Rainbooms"?!" Pinkie asked in disbelief.

Tristen casts a smirk at Trixie. “Sucks to suck, doesn't it Lulamoon?”

“This isn't over!" Trixie said as she stomped off angrily. The Rainbooms and Emerald Embers both walked onto the stage.

"Congratulations, kids," Celestia said, "You deserve it."

"Seriously?! We didn't even finish our—!" Pinkie's sentence was halted as Rainbow jabbing her in the arm while the contestants applauded them.

"See you at tonight's big show.” Adagio said as she and the Aria walked onstage. "We are really looking forward to it."

"Yeah, well… not as much as we are!" Rainbow retorted.

Tristen still eyed Adagio and Aria in suspicion as the two walked away. From the janitor's closet, Decibot smiled wickedly as everything was going according to plan.

“This is a travesty!" Trixie exclaimed in rage. "A travesty!"

"It really is!"

Trixie, in surprise, looks over her shoulder to see Adagio and Aria.

"The Rainbooms don't deserve to be in the finals.” Adagio said. "Not when your band was so much better in the semis."

"And wanted it so much more," Aria added beside Trixie, putting her hand on her other shoulder.

"Alas, this is the way it's going to be." Adagio continued, placing her hand on Trixie’s head. "Dazzlings vs. Rainbooms. Unless of course… the Rainbooms don't manage to make it to their set or hold up for some reason."

Trixie hummed in though, chuckling sinisterly. But then something came to her mind. “But… What about those Emerald Embers?”

“Those three?” Adagio asked. “You just leave them to us.” Adagio casts a glance at the Janitor's closet, where Decibot was peeking his head through, smiling at her.

Later that day, the Rainbooms were all on stage for the final round of the competition. The group was busy tuning their instruments, preparing to practice for the big show. Meanwhile Twilight was still trying to write up the counter-spell.

"Check, one, two," Rainbow Dash said into a microphone on a stand, "Testing, testing…” Rainbow tapped the microphone to make sure it was working. Twilight then noticed that the volume on the control panel was set to low. She raised it up a little.

"Testing...!" Rainbow echoed through the microphone, creating a huge burst of feedback that made everyone cringe upon hearing it. Twilight quickly set the volume back down afterwards, realizing her mistake.

"Hey. Where are Tristen, Sunset, and Sonata?” Applejack asked as she opened her eyes. "I thought they'd be here to help us out."

"They're running a little late." Rainbow replied.

“What happened?” Rarity asked.

"Well… during lunch, Tristen had a burrito and may have added a little too much hot sauce.” Pinkie said with a chuckle. “I told him not to.”

“Yikes.” Rainbow winced. “Is he alright?”

“Let's just say he’ll be on the porcelain throne for a bit.” Pinkie said, giggling a little.

Applejack noticed Twilight was in thought. “You alright, Twi?”

Twilight looks up. “Don’t you guys find it a little odd that our band and Tristen’s band are in the finals?” Twilight asked with a furrowed eyebrow. “Along with the Dazzlings?”

“Maybe they're still bitter about Sonata?” Fluttershy pondered.

“A likely possibility.” Rarity replied. “I still recall how upset they were upon seeing Sonata side with us.”

"Oh, am I interrupting anything?" a familiar voice replied. The girls all turned around to see Trixie standing on stage with her bandmates.

"What are you doing here, Trixie?" Rainbow asked, "Pretty sure the losers are supposed to be up there in the cheap seats," she quipped.

"The Great and Powerful Trixie is the most talented girl at Canterlot High," Trixie stated with pride. "It is I who deserves to be in the finals! And I will not..." she began, snapping her fingers, "...be denied!”

Just then, one of Trixie's band mates pulled a large lever on the stage, clanking open a trap door right under the Rainbooms, allowing them to plummet down below the floorboards screaming all the while. The girls all grunted as they hit the ground. Slowly they each made their way to a sitting position to see Trixie right at the edge of the trap door, laughing evilly at what she had done.

"See you never!" Trixie mocked as the trap door slammed shut.

But what Trixie failed to notice was that Spike witnessed the whole thing. "I better find Tristen and the others!" he said to himself before running off in a hurry.

Meanwhile, Adagio, Aria, and Decibot had arrived near the stands.

"Told you someone would give them a shove," Adagio said.

“One nuisance down, one to go.” Decibot chuckled evilly.

(Later)

It was now late evening, Tristen’s band had just arrived at the very back of the stage.

“Alright, we made it!” Tristen said before, breathing heavily. “Thank God!”

“You owe me a can of air freshener, by the way.” Sunset said, but noticed the Rainbooms aren’t there. “Hey! Where are they at?”

Sonata looked around. “Maybe there's practice?”

“I’m afraid they won’t be attending the finals.”

The trio turn to see Decibot, standing with a smug look visible on his visor.

Tristen growled at seeing him. “You! What have you done to our friends?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know, boy?” Decibot chuckled.

Suddenly Decibot extended his right hand, a white of magenta energy launched at Sonata. Before anybody could blink, it grabbed Sonata’s pendant and ripped the gemstone from her choker.

“Hey!” Sonata declared as the gemstone went into Decibot's hand. “Give that back!”

“You want it?” Decibot asked, holding the gemstone in his fingers. “Come and get it, then!”

A mass of magenta energy tentacles appeared behind him, each one lashing at the three. Tristen was about to activate his Omnitrix, only to be struck by mulberry electricity.

Sonata and Sunset look to see Aria, who was in her Thunderclap form, smiling at the trio with malicious intent.

Sunset was about to help, only to be knocked to the ground by a yellow and orange blur, which was none other than Adagio as Speed Demon.

“Too slow!” Adagio said joking in a malicious manner. Just as Sunset was about to get back up, Adagio pins her down with her right foot.

As Tristen's was getting back up, Aria pins him down with her big right hand.

Sonata watches her friends struggle in terror, but Decibot grabs her by the throat.

“Sonata!” Sunset and Tristen cried out in concern.

“You really shouldn't have turned your back on me, my dear.” Decibot said, laughing maliciously.

But then suddenly, something had struck Decibot in the head, making him release Sonata.

Adagio suddenly yelps out in pain as she felt a sudden pain in her tail. She looks to see that it was none other than Spike biting down on her tail.

“You little mangy furball!” Adagio growled angrily and shook Spike off, but the dog bit at her ankle. Adagio cried out in pain while also accidentally releasing Sunset.

Sunset picks up a rock and tossed it at Aria, striking the girl right on the forehead. Aria yelps out in agony and holds her forehead, while also releasing Tristen.

Decibot struggled to get up, only to get struck in the head again. Decibot’s visor was cracked greatly as it glitched profusely.

“Shi-Shi-Shiiiiiit…. What wa-wa-wa-was….” Decibot looked up to see what had hit him, or rather who had hit him. And who it was, was none other than Sour Notes. “YOU!”

“Surprise, bitch!” Sour Notes said with a smirk. “Missed me?”

“You son-on-on of a-a-a biiiiitch-tch-tch….” Decibot buffered, smacking his head to stop the buffering.

Sonata smiled at seeing the man. “Sour Notes!”

“You're gonna regret backstabbing me, you prick!” Decibot growled in rage. “Girls, you better get ready!”

Adagio and Aria nods simultaneously before returning to human forms and walk off.

“When this is over, I'll make you pay for this betrayal!” Decibot extended his hand and fired a blast of magenta sound waves, sending Sour Notes to the ground. And with that, he ran off.

“Yeah, that's right you scrapyard!” Spike barked. “Run with your tail between your legs!”

“Spike!” Tristen picks up Spike and nuzzles him. “Thanks for the save, buddy.”

“How'd you find us?” Sunset asked.

“Well, I was playing with a chew toy… and I saw Trixie and her band on the stage after I noticed the girls were missing." Spike explained. "I'm still wondering what the heck she was laughing about…"

“Wait! Trixie?!” Tristen asked, a look of anger gracing his face. “Oh that good for nothing bitch!”

"I thought Trixie's band was eliminated after the semis." Sonata said.

"She must have cheated out of it!” Tristen replied, "And I'm willing to bet Adagio and Aria had a hand in it!”

Backstage, Trixie was getting ready for her performance with an evil smile while still gloating about how she managed to deal with the Rainbooms.

“Yo, Lulanoon!”

Trixie looked over her shoulder to see Tristen, Sonata, Sunset, Spike, and Sour Notes walk towards her.

"Ugh! You again!” Trixie scoffed. “What do you want?”

“You know exactly what, Trixie!” Tristen declared. "What'd you do with the Rainbooms?"

“What makes you think I'm going to tell you anything?” Trixie barked back.

“God dammit, don't you test me!” Tristen growled.

“I just took care of business, that's all. Trixie replied with a smirk. "The "Rain-goons" shouldn't have been in the finals in the first place, and neither should you!”

“Trixie, I'm going to give you one last chance!” Tristen demanded. “Tell me where they are, or so help me God, I will use other methods to get you to sing like a canary!”

"Do whatever you please!” Trixie replied with a smirk. “I'm not telling you anything."

Tristen’s glare intensified as he readied his Omnitrix. “Alright! You've been warned!”

Upon finding the right alien, he tapped the screen. And in a blinding green flash of light, Tristen had changed into Fright Knight.

Sour Notes jumped a bit in shock at seeing this. “What the…?”

Trixie only smirked. “Is this supposed to intimidate me?”

But just as Trixie said that the hinges doors on Fright Knight’s midsection opened. And Trixie’s smirk fell and was replaced with a look of sheer horror. Trixie screamed, shutting her eyes as she backed up against the wall.

"Are you going to talk now?!" Fright Knight demanded.

"They're under the trap door on the stage! The Dazzlings suggested that I do it so that I'd get into the finals instead of the Rainbooms!" Trixie admitted, crying in terror. “Please, make it stop!”

As soon as she said that the hinged doors closed, and Fright Knight reverted back to Tristen. “Thank you!”

Tristen and his crew walked off, leaving a rather mortified Trixie alone.

(Meanwhile)

Rainbow grunted as she tried to knock down the door as everyone else was still sulking over how things were going.

"Give it up, Rainbow Dash. You've been tryin' at this for hours." Applejack noted, "It's not gonna open."

"Maybe it doesn't even matter that we're trapped down here." Twilight said despondently. "I don't think the counter-spell would have worked anyway. "

"Of course it would have worked, Twilight." Applejack reassured, putting a hand on her shoulder. "Assumin' a certain band member didn't try to hog the spotlight the whole time we were tryin' to play it!"

"Hey! If you wanna tell Twilight she's getting a little too caught up trying to be the new leader of this band, you don't have to be all cryptic about it!" Rainbow said absentmindedly.

Applejack just glared at her as Rarity came up. "She was talking about you, Rainbow Dash!" Rarity declared angrily.

"Me?!" Rainbow exclaimed. "I'm just trying to make sure my band rocks as hard as it needs to!"

"OUR BAND!" Pinkie, Applejack, Fluttershy, & Rarity shouted at an annoyed Rainbow.

"But why wasn't it working?" Twilight asked as she was sitting against the wall. "I should know what to do! How could I not know what to do? How could I have failed like this?" Twilight miserably curled up into a ball.

"It might've been your idea to start a band, but it's not just your band, Rainbow Dash!" Applejack declared angrily to Rainbow.

"I'm the one who writes all the songs!" Rainbow responded angrily, pushing Applejack back.

"I write songs!" Fluttershy chimed in with frustration. "You just never let us play any of them!"

"I had the most perfect outfits for us to wear!" Rarity added proudly.

"Again with the costumes!" Applejack yelled at Rarity. "No one cares what we're wearin'!"

"I care, Applejack!" Rarity shot back. "So sorry if I enjoy trying to make a creative contribution to the band!"

"Hey! Anybody here remember fun?!" Pinkie asked angrily. "I'll give you a hint, it's the exact opposite of being in the Rainbooms!"

Rainbow, now furious, groaned out. "I wish I never asked any of you to be in my band!"

"Well, I wish I'd never agreed to be in it!" Rarity barked back. screamed.

"Me, neither!" Applejack and Fluttershy agreed simultaneously.

Moments later, the five of them all began arguing while Twilight was still sulking in the corner. But what they failed to notice was the green aura of negativity auras billowing out of the five arguing girls, and it was seeping it's way up through the trap door onto the stage.

When Trixie was finished with her performance, the crowd cheered in awe of its amazement.

"Try to top that!" Trixie gloated to Adagio and Aria as she and her bandmates walked offstage.

"Oh, gosh! I don't know if we can!” Adagio exclaimed sarcastically.

They then looked out onto the stage to see the aura of the Rainbooms' negative energy spread out across the stage. The two grinned wicked upon knowing their plan had worked.

Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity and Pinkie Pie were still arguing while Twilight sulked.

But suddenly, they stopped their arguing and saw the trap door open.

“Special delivery.” Tristen said in a joking manner.

“Tristen!” The Rainbooms cried out in joy as they walked out.

“How'd you find us?” Flutteshy asked.

“Had to interrogate Trixie.” Tristen replied while Spike ran to his side. “Spike told us that Trixie kicked you guys down here.”

Twilight looked at Spike, smiling fondly and picks the pup up. “Oh, thank you Spike.”

Sonata looked to see the green mist that lingered before it vanished, then realized something. “The Equestrian magic!”

The others look at her. “Huh?” Rainbow asked.

“You guys were harboring the magic Adagio and Aria were looking for.” Sonata said, then realizing something. “Oh no! They must be using it right now!”

“How can they be using our magic?” Applejack asked. “It's the magic of friendship.”

“Ever since you started this band, you've been letting little things get to you.” Sunset admitted. “I never said anything 'cause I didn't feel like it was my place. Not when I was so new to this whole "friendship" thing.”

Sunset looked down a bit, feeling bad that she should have said something sooner. “I still have a lot to learn. But I do know that if you don't work out even the smallest problems right at the start, the magic of friendship can be turned into something else.”

“I can't believe all this tension was happening right under my nose and I didn't realize it.” Twilight said in shame. “I'm supposed to be the one with all the answers. And all I've done since I got here is let you down.”

Sunset placed a hand on Twilight's shoulder. “I don't think anyone is supposed to have all the answers.” Sunset said. “But you can count on your friends to help you find them.”

“Damn straight, sister.” Tristen smiled. “And before we forget, we've managed to get some help.”

A girl then approached the gang. She had light yellowish gray skin, moderate cobalt blue hair with brilliant opal stripes, and moderate cerise behind a pair of shades with dark purple tinted lenses. She wore a white blouse with purple, cyan, and blue stripes; a white skirt with the similar design as her skirt; two purple gloves for each of her hands; and two cyan and black boots with purple socks.

“Come on, y'all!” Applejack declared with confidence. “Time to prove we've still got the magic of friendship inside us!”

"And there's only one way to do it!" Twilight added.

"We're getting the band back together?" Pinkie asked excitedly.

"We're getting our band back together!" Rainbow replied, without the implication that it was her own.

"Ooh, which version of the counter-spell are we going to play?" Rarity asked.

"I don't think it matters what song we play," Twilight began, "as long as we play it together as friends.”

"I know just the song," Rainbow replied, looking at Fluttershy. “Fluttershy's written a really great one.”

"We're about to save the world here," Applejack added. "Personally, I think we should do it in style.” She then looks to Rarity. "Rarity?"

"I thought you'd never ask!" Rarity exclaimed as she pulled out a clothing rack

“And luckily, you ladies have some backup.” Tristen declared, gesturing to Sunset and Sonata.