Eighteen Hours Until Portal Closes

                    Today was the day. This was the Sparkle family’s last day on this side of the mirror before the portal would close as well as being the night of the Battle of the Bands. Right now, Twilight and the girls had just finishing practicing for now. After DJ, Twilight, and Spike informed the others about Chrysalis using the competition to empower herself, the girls were more than glad to do what they could to help. DJ had been watching them carefully during practice, admiring how far they had come in such a short time. Pinkie certainly had drumming down pat, AJ was amazing on the bass, Rarity was genuinely good with that keytar, Rainbow always rocked the guitar, Fluttershy was keeping quite well being in the background with her tambourine, and Twilight and Sunset’s singing was on par with that of the greats. DJ knew they were ready for whatever Chrysalis could throw at them.

                    He looked over to where his girls were playing. This world’s Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle had accompanied their sisters to band practice at Rainbow’s and were shocked to find Scootaloo there as well as some strangers. Thankfully, Applejack and Rarity had explained Twilight’s previous visit to their sisters and they were quite accepting of the alternate version of their friend, as well being friendly with Nyx as well. The four of them were thinking up their own ideas for band details. Turns out, the Cutie Mark Crusaders was the name of the girls’ band, but they weren’t able to compete since Scootaloo was out of town. It brought a smile to his face seeing his daughters making friends so easily.

                    Then, DJ noticed Spike who was just hanging back against the wall of the garage. He was looking quite bored since the girls were on break. He knew this would the pristine opportunity. Spike had to be ready for tonight as well. “Hey, Spike!” DJ called over. Spike looked over at his brother-in-law with a questioning glance. DJ gestured to follow him outside and got up from his position. Once outside, DJ and Spike stared out at the town. Rainbow’s house was at the top of a hill in her neighborhood, so it gave them a good view.

                    “You wanted to speak with me, DJ?” asked Spike, without turning to look at DJ.

                    “The girls are good. Very good. I have a hard time believing that they won’t win,” DJ replied conversationally.

                    Spike nodded before speaking again. “That they are. Chrysalis is definitely going to lose.”

                    “Which is why, you are going to need these.” DJ pulled out two gauntlets from where-ever-it-is-he-keeps-this-stuff. He tossed them over to Spike who caught them deftly. The drake-turned-human looked over the gauntlets with amazement. They were simple enough, looking like silver bracers, but Spike knew they were so much more. He looked to DJ with a face that said ‘really?’ DJ nodded, now smiling. “You are going to need them for your part of the plan, Spike.”

                    “And what is my part, exactly? You haven’t exactly said what you’re plan is.”

                    DJ nodded again. The only part of the plan he had told any of them was to keep Chrysalis from winning the Battle of the Bands. Everything else he had kept to himself. “I have done so because it will just cause Twilight to worry. She needs to keep focus on the competition and her friends, not me. But you, you I need to be filled in.”

                    “Why me?”

                    “Spike, I haven’t been helping you learn to fight just so you can sit on your butt. I need your help here. Look, we don’t know what Chrysalis has planned. For all we know, she has changelings already in the school, ready to strike. With her appearance, I wouldn’t be surprised if she can still shape shift here. As such, I need you to be ready if they attack.”

                    Spike sighed and returned to looking out at the world. “So, what’s the plan?” he said with a sideways glance to DJ.

                    “Should the changelings start attacking everyone, I am going to have Twilight and the others evacuate everyone, while I focus on Chrysalis. I should be able to take her on, I think. What I need you to do Spike, is to keep yourself, Nyx, and Scootaloo safe.”

                    “So I’m on guard duty?” Spike asked, feeling a little dejected.

                    DJ shook his head. “I need you and the girls to get back to the portal. Inform Shining Armor, Cadence, and the guards of the changelings. From there I need to you to take down any of those bugs that make it through the portal. You don’t have to necessarily kill them, but you need to incapacitate them. Think you can do it?” DJ smiled knowingly. He knew Spike was up for it, all depended on whether or not Spike thought he was up for the task.

                    Spike nodded, feeling a little proud that DJ was putting so much faith in him. He looked down to the gauntlets and clipped them on, pulling his sleeves up over them. With the gauntlets hidden, Spike looked at DJ. “With these, I think there won’t be anything to worry about.”

                    DJ smiled and nodded. “That’s what I thought. Keep them safe, Spike. Yourself, too. Put all that training we’ve done to the test, buddy.” DJ gestured back towards the house. “Come on. The girls are probably wondering where we went to.”

                    “Coming!” The two retreated back into the house, Spike mentally thankful. The cold was murder on his scale-less skin. Curse DJ and his immunity to cold! the young dragon muttered in his thoughts.

**********

Four Hours Until Portal Closes

                    The school was decked out for the Winter Wingding that night. Streamers of white, blues, and greys hung over the rafters of the gymnasium. Winter themed snacks and drinks littered the tables and fake snow patches graced the floor here and there. Pinkie Pie was ecstatic that everyone was having a good time at another school function she had brought to life, but Rainbow had to bring her back down to Earth so they could get ready for their set later that night. The Battle of the Bands had brought in quite the crowd and everyone was eager for the competition to start. With the main dance over, it was all that was left for the night. DJ checked the time, assuring himself that he and his family still had time before midnight when the portal closed until the next full moon.

                    Since DJ was only the closing act of the competition, which would happen after the winner was decided, he had been allowed to help Vinyl out with the announcing and whatever else she needed. Vinyl was cool enough to not really take advantage of it, and when she did, DJ complied anyway. When asked about it, DJ said he did because she was cool, nothing else. DJ looked over at the list of competitors for the evening. Twenty in all and ‘Chris’ was the tenth act. ‘The Equestria Girls’, Rainbow’s band, was sixteenth which means they had a good chance. Going after Chris allowed them enough time to really get prepped for beating her.

                    The crowd was just settling in, ready for the start of the show. DJ and Vinyl were off in the dj booth, which was off the side of the stage allowing them a perfect view of everything. DJ scanned the crowd, finding Spike, Scootaloo, Nyx, Sweetie Belle, and Apple Bloom in the back of gym. He could see that Spike was searching the crowd as well, looking out for any hidden changelings.

                    “You ready, dude?” Vinyl asked with a happy smile.

                    DJ returned it. “Let’s get this party started, Vinyl.”

                    “That’s the spirit!” Vinyl cried, slapping DJ on the back. DJ chuckled as Vinyl got everything started. “Alright everybody! It’s time for the main event of the evening: The Canterlot High BATTLE…OF…THE BAAAAANNNNDDDDSSSS!!!!!” The audience applauded and ‘woo’ed. Vinyl was certainly good at getting a crowd pumped. “Let’s skip all that rule stuff and get right to what you’ve all been waiting for! Our first act of the night: let’s bring out the ‘Rising Stars’!!”

                    It went on like this for act after act. Each one was good in their own way, but DJ was certain the Rainbow, Twilight, and the others could win. The first act was Flash’s band. DJ was glad that without Chrysalis’ control, the two of them got along quite well. Breaking the spell had actually erased Flash’s memory of meeting DJ, so the two were able to start off fresh. He was still surprised about DJ being Twilight’s husband, but he wished the two well and wanted to be friends. He’s a fine guy when you get to know him. DJ did have to admit, Flash and his band were good rock singers. The ‘Rising Stars’ got a good praise from the audience and Vinyl moved on to the next contestant.

                    The next act was a country band, which got DJ’s foot tapping. After was some jazz, a little pop, etcetera, etcetera. Then it finally came time for Chrysalis, or Chris, to take the stage. When she did, oh…wow! Okay, villains are not supposed to be that hot! Chris was wearing skin tight everything, accentuating every curve on her body, and revealing a good bit.

                    Dear lords and ladies! How did she get past the dress code looking like that! Damn, I know she’s evil, but just…damn! Even I want a slice o’ that—

                    Don’t even finish that sentence! But, yeah. Holy freakin’ frijoles! That’s just playin’ dirty right there.

                    It’s ‘dirty’ alright. Malice chuckled a little at his own joke.

                    Keep it in your pants, buddy. This body is happily married.

                    Don’t worry, I’m not like that. Besides, I get enough of a show when you and Twilight have ‘sexy time’.

                    You promised to hide away during that!!

                    The mind scape gets all screwed up when you and Twilight have your fun, so I can’t actually promise anything like that. I didn’t see nothing.

                    Yeah, right. DJ shook his head and returned to the waking world, trying to avoid ogling the evil seductress on stage. He missed Vinyl introducing her and Chris began to sing and dance, quite suggestively too.

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                    DJ was more than a little impressed, surprised that Chrysalis was able to impersonate Nicki Minaj so well. It was scary good, to the point where DJ was more certain that Chris still had shape shifting powers. Even Vinyl was stunned, so were most of the boys in the audience, a few girls too.

                    “Okay, well, that was…I don’t know what to call that,” Vinyl admitted. “Anyway, that’s Chris everyone.” The crowed burst into applause and cat calls. DJ was pretty sure a few marriage proposals were let loose too. “Next up…” DJ tuned out what Vinyl said and focused back into his mind, thinking up plans and counter plans. Roughly twenty-five minutes later, DJ was brought back into reality when Vinyl announced the next act. “And now time for the favorite to win tonight’s competition: give it up for ‘THE EQUESTRIA GIRLS’!!!” DJ watched as his wife and her human friends took the stage, all looking like rockers from the eighties, but still eye catching. They started to sing and DJ and Vinyl ended up dancing along to the song.

                    “Well, that was rockin’!” Vinyl said after the girls finished their set. “Wouldn’t you agree, DJ?”

                    “I don’t think I’m allowed to weigh in here. Being that the lead singer is my wife, the other acts should be glad I’m not judging.” The two of them shared a laugh, so did the audience. “In all honesty, they were very good. But we still got four more acts before everything can be decided. So who’s the next one on the chopping block?”

                    “That would be…” The final acts were still quite good, but DJ’s opinion was far too biased accept any of them as the rightful winners of the competition.  What really surprised DJ was the crowd, even though they were screaming and cheering, they still had on those foul faces from the previous day. It was definitely a weird sight, seeing frowns and death eyes on an applauding audience. DJ hoped that beating Chrysalis would return the love to school. The music seemed to be having an effect on the crowd, but it just wasn’t enough. They were going to need a love transplant at this rate.

                    With the last act finished up, Vinyl deferred the microphone to the judges: Principle Celestia and Principle Luna. It was actually decided by the audience, but Celestia and Luna were the ones to announce the winner. “And the winner of this year’s Winter Wingding Battle of the Bands is…” Celestia started, allowing her sister to finish.

                    “’The Equestria Girls’!” Luna announced happily. DJ fist pumped and could see Spike dong the same. The crowd was happy with the decision and broke out in applause as Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow, Fluttershy, Sunset, Pinkie, and Rarity returned to the stage. They waved and smiled to crowd.

                    Principle Celestia started speaking again, inciting the audience to quiet down. “Now as the rules dictate, our winners shall give us an encore performance!” Applause broke out again, though the girls looked nervous. Rainbow looked at them all in a panic.

                    “We didn’t have a chance to practice any other songs!” she whisper-shouted.

                    “Oh, this is bad,” Sunset remarked, looking out to the expecting crowd.

                    “Well, someone come up with something!” Rarity encouraged.

                    “Can I make a suggestion?” Twilight asked meekly, which was new for her.

                    “You got an idea, Twilight?” Applejack asked.

                    “Yeah, but I don’t think you’ll want to do it. I, I…well, I want to sing a love song.”

                    The girls looked at her incredulously. “A love song? Really?” Rainbow asked, sour faced.

                    “I know it’s not something you would be up for, girls, it’s just that, well, DJ always sings these great songs for me. I just want to sing one for him for a change.”

                    Sunset smiled comfortingly and put a hand on Twilight’s shoulder. “If it means that much to you, Twilight, I don’t think any of us would have a problem helping you out. Right girls?” They all agreed with Sunset, though Rainbow did so reluctantly.

                    Twilight wiped away a few happy tears. “Thanks girls, now let’s finish this right.” Twilight put out a hand into the middle of their circled group and the others did so as well, throwing them up with a shout. The girls returned to their instruments and positions and started up a special song from Twilight to DJ. “This song goes out to a certain special someone, who I love with all my heart.” She looked over to where DJ was standing, his eyes widening slightly. She smiled at him as the girls played behind her.

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                    DJ loved the song, and could see that Twilight looked just as happy. Then he looked out to the crowd and was amazed at what he saw. Everyone looked normal; happy and normal! Twilight’s love filled song had been just what the students had needed to be restored. DJ nodded appreciatively. Two in one go, Twilight. You’re good, you’re good. Once again, Celestia took the stage, addressing the crowd. “That was certainly an amazing and heartfelt performance girls. You should all be proud of yourselves, and the same goes to everyone who competed tonighy. Let’s have a round of applause for our contestants.” She stayed silent as the crowd clapped and applauded. A minute later, she spoke again. “And now we have a special treat for you. A very special closing act. Please welcome DJ Sparkle to the stage!"

                    DJ walked out on the center platform, waving and smiling as the crowd applauded, clearly remembering his previous performance yesterday. “What’s up everyone?” he asked out. He received more applause from the audience and Celestia resigned from the stage. DJ picked out a guitar and saw as the Discords got into place. Man, do they look freaky as humans. DJ shook the thought from his head and returned the microphone. “Alright everyone, grab yourself a girl or guy and get ready to dance! Because this place is going sideways!”

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                    The crowd had gotten into the beat immediately, dancing around the floor. DJ could see all of his friends and family having a good time. Country rock always seemed to do the trick whenever he needed a good dance number. Pop was alright, but it never beats the feel of a down home beat.

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                    Just as DJ was getting to the final chorus, all the light and power in the gymnasium suddenly cut out. Everyone was in a panic as it was pitch black, some were even screaming. Even though they were high pitched, DJ was certain that not all of them were girls. Just as suddenly, the room was alit with light, but not from electricity. The crowd gasped at something behind DJ, and he turned slowly to a horrible sight. Rising slowly behind him, was Chris ablaze with green fire.

                    “You dare deny me the power I so rightly deserve?!” she screamed. More flames lit up in the crowd and black, humanoid bugs took flight above the students, causing screaming and panic. “Now you will perish before the might of…” her form was then engulfed in green fire, revealing a regal looking bug-human with long green hair, pointed teeth, and a wicked smile, “Queen Chrysalis!”

                    Well, at least we were right.

                    Yeah, hooray for us.