Ch. 2: Step into the Music

Later that day, Silver and Rarity were at the mall, trying to come up with a plan to give the others.

"Ooh rats," said Rarity upset. "Three hours and still no ideas for a lucrative last-minute fundraiser."

"Well, we'd better come up with something soon or Sonic's gonna have my head," said Silver. "Y'know, it's weird. Doesn't window shopping inspire you?"

"Usually, but right now, I'm drawing a complete blank," she said. Just then, Silver heard something on the TV nearby.

"Hey, check this out," he said pointing at it.

"Are you a musician?" asked the voice-over. "Do you and your friends love to dance?"

"Yes?" said Rarity, questioning it.

"Are you unique? Cool? Stylish?" asked the voice-over.

"Yes to everything you just said," said Silver.

"Do you want to win a cash prize?" asked the voice-over.

"Oh, heck yes!" said Silver.

"Then enter the Canterlot Mall 'Chance to Prance' competition," said the voice-over. "All you need is a music video of your own original song and dance, then you could be prancing your way to first prize. Sign up now at the booth near the Aunt Orange Smoothie kiosk." Silver looked at Rarity with a smile on his face.

"You thinking what I'm thinking?" he asked. Rarity just responded by running for the booth. "Guess that's a yes!" he said running after her. But then Rarity was stopped by a bright red sparkling dress in a shop window.

"Oh, we're certain to win!" she said and ran off.

"Oh," said Silver running after her. "For a second there, I thought you were gonna buy that."

"Maybe later," said Rarity as they arrived at the booth. Quickly she wrote Rainbooms on the card Then Silver saw someone familiar.

"Uh Rarity, don't look now, but I think we've got company," he said. It was the Crystal Prep Shadowbolts from the Friendship Games.

"Rarity?" said Sour Sweet. "What a nice surprise! Not."

"Sour Sweet! Sunny Flare!" said Rarity. "Why, it's been ages."

"It's only been a few months since the Friendship Games," said Sugarcoat.

"Sheesh. Does anyone else here not think her name is a misnomer?" asked Silver.

"Is that all?" asked Rarity. "Wow. So, how is everything over at Crystal Prep Academy?"

"Oh, things at CPA have never been better since Principal Cadence took over," said Sunny.

"What happened to Cinch?" asked Silver.

"She went to the school board about the Friendship Games and got fired," said Lemon Zest. "After that, she got thrown in an asylum."

"God, Sonic warned her that would happen. What an idiot," said Silver.

"Yeah, she's going to let us have the Spring dance on a yacht," said Sour. "If we raise the money." Silver whistled in impressment.

"Sounds awesome. Well, good luck with the money-raising," he said.

"Are you signing up for the 'Chance to Prance' contest too?" asked Lemon.

"Just finished," said Silver, sliding their note into the box. "Why? Are you signing up too?"

"We definitely aren't here because we like standing in lines," said Sugarcoat.

"Seriously, your name is a misnomer," said Silver. "Does no-one else find that even the least bit weird?"

"I assume you already have a video concept figured out?" asked Sour. "The competition's going to be pretty fierce."

"Matter of fact, yes," said Rarity. "It came to me as soon as I saw that gorgeous red rough-around ensemble on the way over here." Silver thought he saw Sour's eye twitch, but he wasn't sure.

"Oh. Tell me more…" she said with a certain tone of voice Silver was extremely suspicious about.

"Oh. Well, each member of the Rainbooms is going to dance in a different style," she said. "Like flamenco, hip-hop or street ballet. And we'll wear costumes to match each genre. Designed by yours truly, of course." Then she gave a little proud giggle.

"That sounds like a very good concept," said Sugarcoat.

"Yeah, that's actually a pretty good idea," said Silver. He saw a weird look on Sour's face, but he was still confused.

"Yeah," she said. "I guess it's okay. If you're going for way too over-the-top."

"I'm a telekinetic hedgehog from two hundred years in the future who fights robots and giant fire demons for a living," said Silver bluntly. "What do you think about that?"

"Point taken," said Sour.

"Thanks," said Rarity. "So what's your concept?"

"Nothing," said Sugarcoat.

"Pardon?" asked Silver.

"We don't have one yet," she clarified.

"What she means is…" said Sour. "It's a surprise. But it's amazing. So original."

"Oh, well, I can't wait to see it," said Rarity as she pulled Silver away. "Good luck!"

"You too!" said Sour, smirking mischievously.