Chapter 08: Band Practice

The scene opens up to where we see one well the gang is doing on a bright new sunny day. There is some rock music being heard, so that would mean the Rainbooms are practicing; which is a good thing, right? Just one problem…SOMEONE IS SINGING SLIGHTLY OFF-KEY! And we turn to the center singer of the group who is playing what we shall dubbed; “Bad Counter Spell”.

Twilight: Hey, hey, listen

Twilight had her eyes shut to sing this off, but then a feedback noise was heard that made her cringe a bit.

We’ve got a message for you
We’re not all alike
But our friendship is true

Within a barn, Twilight and the Rainbooms play while she tries to sing, but it seems the effort is…well it ain’t working so well. Even the ones near a speaker, Sunset, Megan, Nyx, Golden Heart, Pinkamena, Tough, Omega, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, Spike & Phobos are seen cringing at the off singing.

Yeah, we’re really different

The speakers played an off feedback noise that made Spike & Phobos run away shocked while Sunset change the volume & she and everyone covered their ears while they looked up at what was going on.

But we still get along

Fluttershy tries to smile in having fun to play her instrument, but Rainbow shook her head no against it which she stopped.

So hey, hey, listen to our song

Twilight tries to pick up the beat, and Rainbow wave her hand against the neck saying ‘go-go’ which the girls worriedly continue to play their instruments.

You may think you’re in control

AJ & Rarity’s foreheads began to glow as if the ears were coming, but a louder feedback cause the spark to disburse that made them both cringe.

But we’re here to prove you wrong

Pinkie Pie held her stick in not drumming, but one look from a stern AJ & Rarity set her straight.

And the friendship in our music,
The power of our song

Outside of Sweet Apple Acres, Granny Smith walk by before putting eaten apple cores in her ears to block out the slightly off singing. And Twilight was struggling to sing the words she wrote to her while Fluttershy tries to hang in there.

We’ll stomp our feet, clap our hands

Rainbow suddenly starts to do her guitar solo against the others, as a tiny glow began to form on her forehead for ears.

With the magic of friendship
We will stop your evil plan

Twilight struggles to sing this while a worried Pinkie, a cringing Applejack, a worried Rarity, and even more worried Fluttershy were all trying to play to catch up to the song they are trying to do. Finally, the song was coming to a close, as Rainbow was playing a rocking beat, and smiled in when she almost had her glowing ears to appear… But her joy was not shared by the other Rainboom members that were gloomy, and then Rainbow’s blowy ears popped before they were formed.

The others showed different expressions of being lost, uncertain, and just felt like what they heard sounded really bad.

“Eh, that sounded…” Spike was speaking in trying to make a cheery discussion. “Way better than the last…five times you’ve played it. Heh heh,” He made a sheepish laugh in trying to sound encoring from his pretend voice of saying this with a positive feeling.

“Nnope,” Big Macintosh passed by from an open window in saying that what was heard didn’t sound too improved at all.

Spike groans in a puppy dog whine in seeing this wasn’t getting them anywhere.

“Yeah, you and me both, Spike.” Phobos remarked off in seeing this state they are in.

“Well at least Omega stood against it, right buddy?” Pinkamena patted the robot that was standing silent the whole time during the last few songs.

“Clopfrruvhmmm/Aaaaaahhhh,” Suddenly, Omega’s still body fell right on Goldie’s body which made him scream in pain.

“Golden Heart,” Jack Zen yelps in seeing this, as he, Tough & Ben work together to lift the heavy bot off Goldie.

“Um, oops. Heh-heh….the sound must have overloaded a few circuits.” Pinkamena sheepishly spoke in seeing that, as Omega did let off some sparks that seem to suggestion something.

“Guess even a bot like him could only stand ta here slightly off singing fer so long.” Tough shrug off to say in what was Omega’s limit to the case.

“Uurrgghh…yeah, no kidding; No offense Twilight, I know you sing good but the song…eh…really needs a lot of work.” Ben groans to help lift Goldie up while trying to speak some words to Twilight.

“Yeah, what do you girls think?” Nyx nods in agreeing while asking her friends about the matter.

“AGREED,” The Crusaders spoke off in agreement, this band needs to get it together.

“Oh dear.” Megan sighed in thinking they really are gonna need a lot of work.

“I think it’s ‘pretty’ obvious what’s going wrong with this counter-spell.” Rainbow Dash waved off her left arm in stating like a know-it-all in a cool way of what was going on here that they were doing wrong.

“Yer’re turning’ what should be ‘de chorus into a five-minute guitar solo?” Applejack frown to say this with an upset Rarity with her arms crossed, as Rainbow was trying to hog all the spotlight.

“I have to pick up the slack somehow!” Rainbow Dash looked back at the two in raising her left hand in stating her claim of what she was doing. “Are you girls even trying?!” She held open her hands in asking if these girls here are even trying to make them sound good.

“I’m trying.” Fluttershy pop around behind a gloomy Rainbow to see her shy expression to say she’s trying to help out, somehow.

“It’s fine.” Twilight spoke with a goofy look on her face that she healed her head. “It’ll be fine. One more time from the top,” She spoke in trying to stay focus and not show that she’s worried about this matter with a pretend smiling face that all is well.

The other Rainboom members were looking at Twilight with blank looks about trying again when they sounded pretty bad.

“Or, perhaps we could take a short break, try on some of the wardrobe choices I’ve put together.” Rarity smiled in leaving for a moment to suggest something to help their group out as she slide a wardrobe stack with many outfits for everyone to see. “I’m particularly fond of this one.” As Rarity spoke off to say while pushing her fashion line out to show a color pink & purple march band dress that glittered in the light. “Eh, of course we could always go with something a bit more modern.” She questioned off in looking over her choose in having a second opinion.

“We’re tryin’ ta save our school here.” Applejack waved off her head from her head in reminding the girl of what they are trying to do, “Enough with de costumes!” She stated off in being annoyed, they don’t need costumes to win a contest.

“Oh, you could never have enough costumes!” Rarity protest to say to AJ to cross her arms…while wearing a yellow space-suit with a helmet that had glittering stars passes by and her voice sounded deep.

“She just wants to make things fun!” Pinkie Pie spoke off to state what Rarity was doing to help them out for the band. “Isn’t that what being in a viand supposed to be?” She slum on her drums to make a remark about what being in a band meant, as she played a drum beat as if making the situation a bit more funny like a comedian gag.

“You don’t have time for any of this!” Sunset spoke off with worry in trying to get everyone to pull themselves together. “You’re supposed to check in at the Battle of the Bands in fifteen minutes!” She issued to remind this group about when it is that they have to check in if they wanna compete in their school’s competition.

“Huuagh,” The Mane Six gasped in hearing this news that was shocking to believe. “What! Oh, no,” AJ, Twilight, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rarity and Rainbow responded in hearing this shocking news, as the other girls move about to get packing and ready.

“What?” Twilight gasped in standing still with a look of worry on her face. “But it’s not ready!” She stated with worry as Rainbow pass her and Pinkie Pie took her mike. “If we play our counter-spell in the first round and it doesn’t work, the Sirens will know what we’re up to and make sure we don’t get a chance to play it again!” Twilight was explaining this as everyone was rushing around in trying to get ready, but the smart girl knew that if they try their counter-spell that if it doesn’t work, their enemies will make sure it never will.

That made everyone freeze up in their tracks with a little car stopping noise heard for comedy humor. The Main Five, Sunset, and the others turn with their blank looks to Twilight in having heard the situation and that they need a change in plan so that what could happen, won’t happen.

“Then we’ll have ta buy ourselves some time so ye can keep workin’ on it!” Applejack smiled off in sounding optimism about what they’ll do to help Twilight out.

“But how do you propose we do that?” Rarity asked off puzzled to AJ’s question to buy time to aid Twilight with her spell.

“We compete in the Battle of the Bands for real!” Rainbow Dash smiled off to wave her left hand in stating this simple objective. “I take over lead vocals again and we stay alive until the finals!” She pointed to herself while trying to make an encoring plan to help keep them going in the Battle of the Bands. “We unleash the counter-spell then!” She pumps her fist in stating that when the time is right and they bought enough time, they strike. “You’ll have figured it out by finals, right?” Rainbow asked the question to a worried Twilight about the question she was told.

“Of course she will.” Spike came up to pat Twilight’s left shoe in sounding confident. “Twilight Sparkle’s never met a problem she couldn’t solve.” He bragged out to say this in knowing that Twilight has always solved a problem that was tough to crack. “Right, Twilight?” He looked up in wanting a response to clarify his case.

“Right,” Twilight spoke off in a not so confident tone from trying to make a sheepish smile and pump her fist in looking raring to succeed in the task.

“Then let’s go win us a Battle of the Bands!” Rainbow Dash declared forth in knowing what they gotta do here, as she lead forth with Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, along with the others too. Hobo Joe is waiting for them outside, patiently waiting to take them for the competition.

Twilight remained with Spike standing near her, as the girl was making some waving hand waves as if saying bye or something. She stopped to clutch her arm with worry and look to Spike who nodded her with confidence while clueless as the girl seem to be a bit nervous about this.

--------------

At this moment, we see the vehicle Hobo Joe drives was ripping across the streets with deriving action skills that seem almost inhuman to believe. He got told that the gang had to pick up the pace to get to the school for the Battle of the Bands to compete in the first opening act to be insisted and compete against others. And so now they are cutting across street corners and short cuts like never before, and practically everyone was holding onto their seats, even Omega was clutching in the way back.

“Couldn’t we have let Tough or anyone with driving skills at the wheel?” Spike asked off from clutching Twilight with his paws.

“The way Hoboken Joe said he was a pro-driver to compete in any dangerous corners & get out of reckless driving, this way is faster!” Phobos stated this off in just barely keeping himself from falling out of Nyx’s lap.

“Are you sure this is a shortcut?” Golden Heart asked the driver in where they are going.

“Hey, I’ve been around & dodge bullets ta know how to get ye there with time ta spare!” Hobo Joe spoke off to say this in having known his way around the street corners to learn a thing or two.

“The way you drive Hobo Joe, I’m amazed we’ve gotten through without any police!” Jack Zen stated in thinking this was almost too amazing to believe their luck.

“They’re on coffee break, so…now’s a good time as ever.” Hobo Joe stated in knowing when the police have their break even on duty.

“I’m almost too amazed you can ignore all speed limits, red lights, and certain laws of physics!” Twilight spoke off to say this in seeing how much they are going against so many things even if it saves them time.

“Wahhooooo,” The Crusaders were enjoying this to raise their arms up.

“How much time do we have left?” Tough asked off in how much time they got left to get to where they wanna be.

“It’s been only 2 minutes what would have taken 14 minutes to go from AJ’s place to the school.” Megan spoke in saying how much time they’ve already saved so far.

“Alright; we’re gonna make it!” Phobos cheered in seeing they were on a roll.

“POP-Pooofruvhmmm…” Suddenly without warning, a tire was popped from an unexpected nail on the road which caused the vehicle to slow down to a stop.

“D’oh! Me and my BIG Mouth,” Phobos slapped his forehead in seeing he had to go and blow it.

The group quickly gets out of the vehicle to see how back it was, and as it turns out, they have a spare tire.

“How fast can you fix a tire & get us to the school Hobo Joe?” Ben asked their friend who was gonna change a flat.

“Don’t worry, I got this. Hey Omega, mind giving me a hand here with them strong mechanical stuff yer made of?” Hobo Joe spoke off to say that he and the robot can handle this part of the job real easy.

“Understood; I shall aid in the repairs.” Omega responded to say this as he will begin the work.

“Meanwhile, why not looky near seat building there,” Hobo Joe pointed over yonder for the group to check something else out.

Soon the gang turn away to notice that just near them was some Musical Studio they have never seen before. And it was appearing to look like the place where they broadcast songs and do recordings of popular and celebrity bands.

“Wow, where are we?” Spike asked off to say in seeing where they stopped at.

“This looks like a Music Studio.” Twilight stated in what the area looked like to them.

“Wanna check it out girls?” Nyx asked her pals in thinking they can explore.

“Yeah,” The Crusaders responded in agreement, as they quickly get moving to the building with the others following.

Soon the gang walk into the Music Studio to see they were in the open clerk desk, and saw many gold plates of awards and signatures of many famous rock stars, etc.

“Okay, remember, we only scoop this an get, so don’t…” Applejack was trying to tell her sister and friends this, but…they were not around. “Hugh…take long?” She sighs in seeing the Crusaders were getting hooked in looking around when they are almost gonna run late.

“Um, who actually owns this place? If anyone knows,” Fluttershy meekly asked from her shy tone a typical question of the issue.

“That would be Iris Crystal, she runs this place.” Spoke off another voice that did not belong to anyone.

“Who said that?” Jack Zen asked to ooh around, but saw no one.

“We did?” Spoke the same unknown voice again to the gang browsing.

Soon everyone saw who was walking out of a recording booth, many of the gang could tell they were some kinda band members, but more to the point…they were also teens in school.

“Oh my, and…you are?” Rarity spoke off to say in wondering who this group was.

“Duh Rarity, these guys are the ones I told you about were the best from another school.” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes to say this while the others look to her. “They are Hyper Linking Dragon.” She pointed off in noticing just who these guys were.

“This member is Kouni, she’s Lance’s a lead vocalist yet flutist.” Rainbow explained out in who this other girl was among other things.

Kouni was a 15-years-old white girl with blond hair dressed in white and navy Japanese High School dress with short sleeves and a navy skirt.

“Then we got Steelkick, he’s a guitarist.” Rainbow explained in who this other guy was and some info of his background.

Steelkick was a light purple color 17-years-old with spiky crimson hair dressed in a gray T-shirt with a blazing fire symbol and black pants and a black coat.

“Then we got Metalgear, he’s the Disc Jockey Player.” Rainbow explained the other band member to her group.

Metalgear was a character with silver colors of Bumblebee's Version but smaller than him.

“And lastly is Boomer, he’s the manager of the band, but is also the drummer as well.” Rainbow explained out the last to final member of the band who also manages them.

Boomer was a reddish 16-years-old but fat boy with brown spiky hair dressed in a blue shirt and brown pants as well as wearing a pilot's helmet.

“They’re the guys that whoever wins at our school’s competition gets to jam with them.” Rainbow Dash finished to explain this case for her friends to get the picture. “But, I thought there were seven of you.”

“We’re right here.” Suddenly entering was Lance, Sammy & Ashley from Tao’s place, they were Shadow Dragon & Iris Crystal’s children. “I’m lead vocalist, Sammy’s our guitarist, and Ashley is our piano keyboardist.” He explained in who they were, as they were a part of the Hyper Linking Dragons.

“It’s great to meet you all again.” Sammy smiled off to say in seeing this group.

“And who’s that?” Ben asks as he notices someone. It is a boy who is darker yet muscular purple with messy and wild long yet spiky blond hair dressed in a black messy yet wild vest, wearing blue jean with torn was sleeping on the couch nearby.

“Yes, who is the weird guy?” Pinkamena ask Lance curiously.

Lance answers, “That's Wild Maniac. Codename: Wild Raider. He was one of the Dragon Strike Force as the muscle and horse rider.”

“So wait, ‘muscle and horse rider’,” Scootaloo ask skeptically. “What does he need that for?”

Sammy shrugs, explaining, “Well, dad did say that we need to be protected.”

Ashley nodded as she adds, “Yeah... Dad chose Wild Maniac to be the bodyguard of the mission.”

“Ugh, more like a lazy bum!” Rarity exclaims, groaning a bit. Wild Maniac doesn’t seem much to look at!

“Yeah, gotta agree. Couldn’t get off his fat butt can he?” Sweetie asks, shaking her head.

Wild, waking up, groans, “Yo! Can't you give this guy some sleep? I'm so sleepy and tired.”

“You are supposed to be working, not slacking off!” Lance scolds to Wild in annoyance. “How you got to be the bodyguard, I would never want to know!”

“So what? You can talk about me if you want. I don't care. Just don't mess with my horse.”

“Horse,” Most of the newcomers ask oddly, wondering what made Wild Maniac say that.

“Wild Maniac's Black Wild Horse is Matsuki. It belonged to his ancestor.” Lance explains clearly to the ones in the dark. He motions to a horse that can be seen through a window. “That horse is the wildest, craziest and dangerous horse you ever seen and had. If you mess with the horse, well I hate to see his bad side.”

Sure enough, the gang notices something else: four thieves are in the midst of trying to make off with the horse right now! The first one snaps, “Will you hurry up?! We need to sell this crazy wild horse for some bucks!”

“Don't I know that?!” The second thief scowls to his pal as he kept on working. “It's good thing that stupid bodyguard is very lazy and useless.”

The third thief laughs cruelly in agreement, “Yeah, good enough. What a joke! I can't believe that someone like her hired a stupid bodyguard like him.”

“Who cares! Let's sell his horse now!” The fourth thief exclaims eagerly.

Suddenly, as if having a sixth sense, Wild Maniac got up and saw what’s going on outside. The heroes yelp in surprise and/or amusement as he rush out of the place, glaring angrily at the startled thieves.

“WHAT; Son of a gun! No one steals MY HORSE!” Wild Maniac roars out furiously, making the thieves scream and make a run for it. “I'm gonna knock those idiots out! No one touch my HORSE! Come back, you son of guns!”

Wild Maniac charged out as he punched and kicked on the thieves hard for 15 times. For a moment had passed, he brought the injured and defeated thieves into the studio.

“Whoa!” Rainbow and Scootaloo exclaims in amazement.

“Okay, I take back what I said about him.” Rarity said stunned as her sister nods slowly in agreement.

Wild, dropping the thieves and glaring at them, spoke, “Well, I did say that you can insult and make fun of me if you want. But what I hated the most is having my horse caught and taken away from me! If those kids get hurt, I hurt them hard! You've got it?!”

“Sure, no problem, yeah,” The thieves said nervously as they got up and leave, making their escape from the studio. Those guys will think twice before messing with Wild Maniac and his horse again!

“Good enough. Besides, I hope you learn your lessons: never judge people's looks just because they're lazy around. I'm just saving my strength.”

Pinkie giggled, “Just like a Pokemon like Slaking and his lower evolution: Slakoth and Vigoroth!”

Wild groaned, “And I thought Laxtinct is more random than these girls. But remember, don't mess with my horse. Mess with them, I'll knock you out, got it?!”

“Sure, good.” Most of the newcomers said with nods.

“Good enough; now head to the showroom. Hyper Linking Dragon is gonna rock the school!”

“And these guys would be?” Steelkick asked off in wondering who it was they are speaking towards, as Wild Maniac took his leave for now.

“Silly, we’re the Rainbooms! I’m Pinkie Pie!” Pinkie Pie smiled off in being happy to introduce them to new friends. “That’s Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and this is Twilight Sparkle! Our new member of the band,” She pointed to the rest of their band members to the other band guys.

“Yeah, you’ve probably heard about how awesome we are.” Rainbow bragged off to say this in thinking they are well known.

“Yeah….never got wind of you.” Metalgear slowly spoke off in a non to caring attitude.

“Be nice guys, they’re from CHS.” Ashley elbows her friend to be polite.

“Which reminds me, if you are a band for that school, shouldn’t you be there for the opening tryouts?” Boomer asked off in seeing that a band late for it’s opening act isn’t being directed very good.

“Sorry, we got car problems sir.” Sunset shrug off to say about their little situation.

“Do you need some help?” Kouni asked in thinking they could help out.

“Maybe there’s something we can do.” Lance stated that maybe they could do something.

“No problem, besides, if an something happens, we don’t want ye ta give excuses an we get de blame.” Tough spoke off to say this in thinking they best not get any ill matter from when this band performs, they don’t say they got something from helping a gang with a busted car.

“Really, and here we thought otherwise.” Steelkick spoke off to tease and make a little joke of the matter.

Suddenly, there was some honking noise from outside that made the gang look back to see Hobo Joe was signaling them that he was done. Omega was back in his stealth cloak mode so no one could see him.

“Looks like our ride is done, thank you for meeting us,” Megan spoke in seeing what was there before the group.

“Right, see you at the competition. When we win,” Rainbow Dash replied off to Hyper Linking Dragon in wanting to say they’ll be the winners of the competition.

“Come on Rainbow, let’s get moving.” Twilight pushes her friend to not intimidate those from another school any further.

“See you guys later.” Ben waved off to the other band, as he was the last to almost get out the door…

“Hey, what’s that in your pocket?” Kouni spoke off in seeing a card slip from Ben’s pocket, as he picked it up with a signature on it the other band guys saw.

“Oh this, someone named Iris Crystal gave it to me, it had some nice words of comfort when I was feeling down.” Ben spoke off to say this about who gave him this thing.

“And she is nearby.” Soon entering from nearby was none other than Iris Crystal, as this explains how her children were here.

“Mom,” Iris’ three children spoke in being happy to see her.

“Did you know Uncle Ben would be here?” Sammy asked off if their mom even knew who was gonna be here.

“We only broke down, so…why do these fellas call Ben their…ugh…” Tough stated to say while still not getting why this group of kids calls Ben their uncle…he ain’t an uncle back in Equestria.

“Call him Uncle Ben, simple. You all wondered why he is called by that,” Iris explained to which Tough and Megan nods “Let's just say that Principal Celestia is my mentor because we both were close together. That is why my children call him that.” She explained the case of being to those that did not follow.

“Ohhh, well that sorta makes since. Kinda like god parent or something.” Pinkamena slowly spoke in getting the picture.

“As for the letter, Ben; it was meant to help you…and that I’ll be near to help out your struggles. Remember what I said before you left.” Iris explained this to Ben and the group to remember something they talked about.

The gang remembers it, but they were kinda surprise. When they almost left the store, Iris said she got info about what was happening at CHS. Saying that she also has ways to know about her husband’s work and involving alien creatures, and heard how the Dazzlings have everyone in a hypnotic spell. When asked how the teens could deal with it, Pinkie Pie blurted out the plan to use a counter-spell which surprised her, but somehow…believed they were telling the truth. When Megan asked how Iris knew, she said it was classified and it was not important, but would meet them at the school tomorrow to help them handle the situation.

“Alright, come on, let’s get to work on perfecting our last song of the day. Our breaks over already,” Boomer issued this off to his band mates, as they quickly were moving towards a recording section.

“Say, would you all like to see Hyper Linking Dragon finish their last song. We can look out this window.” Iris invited the ones here to stick around to see what would go on inside.

Without questioning the fact that they are in a rush, they could spare a few minutes to see how Hyper Linking Dragon does if they are as good to be called the best at their other school. Soon everyone looks to see the group already started ahead with their performance, but they could at least here the last bit of their song; New Divide (Remix Version), be heard in the workings.

Lance: In every pain, in every loss,
In every battle that you'd fought

Kouni: And each regret and each goodbye was a mistake too great to hide

Lance and Kouni: And your voice was all I heard that I get what I deserve

Lance: So give me reason to prove me wrong, to overcome my struggles
Let the storm cross the distance in your eyes

H.L.D: Give me reason to fill this loss, connect the balance between
Let it be enough to reach the truth that lies across this new divide
Across this new divide, across this new divide

As the band was ending their performance, they slowly came out of the recording booth to see how much Twilight’s group was amazed, Rainbow almost hated to admit that this guys could REALLY be some serious competition.

“Wow, that was….pretty good.” Rainbow Dash slowly spoke in admitting what was heard sounded pretty okay.

“You were….very good.” Fluttershy slowly spoke to say this to the others.

“We’ll say…” The Crusaders responded off in agreement, these guys are pretty good, if not just as good as the Rainbooms.

“I’ve never heard such a song before.” Jack Zen stated this case of reason.

“My neither, an I play banjo music.” Tough spoke off to state this.

“Tell me now; have you perform well with your…little song number?” Iris whispered this to Twilight in hinting about what they spoke about yesterday.

“Well, it’s not exactly…perfected yet.” Twilight sheepishly spoke to say in answering the question.

“May I see it?” Iris asked to which Twilight showed her the page of the notebook. “Oh my, this song looks like it wouldn’t help you out at all.” She spoke in feeling there was much problems with this song.

“Yeah, well…we’re planning to give Twilight time ta make it fer de finals.” Applejack stated in what they are gonna do a bit later.

“Well yes, that will give you more time…but this song sounds like it may not work out for you. As a Musical Teacher at CHS, I’ve seen & heard for the past months of the Rainbooms songs they sang that they even glow and transform.” Iris stated to explain this to the Rainbooms and friends that such a song is hardly as good as their other old works.

“How do you do that?” Ashley asked about the transformation the Rainbooms make happen.

“Ugh, special effects,” Tough rub his noggin to come up with an excuse, which the Hyper Linking Dragons show skeptical looks of hearing how that could even be possible. “Wha, ye believe me if I said magic instead?” He asked off in thinking they believe him if he said there was magic involved.

“Yes.” Ashley & Sammy spoke off in saying they would.

“They got him there.” Jack Zen spoke to Goldie in how that turns out.

“So, do you have any advice in how I can accomplish perfecting this song?” Twilight asked Iris for any help in the matter.

“All I can tell you is you need something that brings out a good expression & feelings. With them, you can give a great reason of what you are wanting to sing about for many to hear.” Iris explained to the group of what it was they seem to be lagging in.

“Like how awesome I am?” Rainbow smirked of to comment before she got a whack on her forehead. “Ow. Man, now I know what Dragon Kick goes through.” She yelped to say from what she just felt on her noggin.

“The correct answer, Miss. Dash, is it’s about what you believe in and what goals you're trying to accomplish. Music isn't always about yourself, but your self-discovery, your journey, your feelings, your heart for friendship, family and love. Music is everyone's life. Music is harmonic and love of your soul and heart. And more importantly, when there is no music, how can there be a beauty of the song?” Iris scolds while also giving an explanation to the meaning of her words.

Most of the CHS gang was muttering things about most of what was said. True, some of what they sang has been on self-discovery, another is from a feeling, and even about something for friendship & the ones they love.

“So then…how can we discover it?” Ben asked the question they need to hear.

“That, you must truly discover on your own, as all music lovers learn. Take my children and their friends, even great Musicians like Michael Jackstone & Johnny Brock must first feel the music, let it and their soul be as one to bring out their best.” Iris stated these facts of how many can bring out their best if they know how to let themselves feel the music in themselves. “Music is about expressing of what you're willing to go through and to achieve it. I believe you can still do it if you try.” She spoke in giving these wise words as a teacher to those that seek knowledge.

“Right, like she said, not what Rainbow ‘Arrogant Head’ was doing,” Applejack remarks while glaring at Rainbow.

“Hey! Is that a shot at me?!” Rainbow snaps to Applejack in annoyance. “My band is doing fine, unlike you who can’t pick up the pace!”

“Our plan, Rainbow!”

“We can still use the costumes to…” Rarity begins to say, but Applejack cuts her off.

“We ain’t using yer trash, drop it!” Applejack scowls, making Rarity upset.

“And we still haven’t my song yet.” Fluttershy said with a pouty look.

“Later, Flutter, I promise!” Rainbow snaps to Fluttershy.

“Hey, I wanna be upset too!” Pinkie exclaims in annoyance, trying to remember why she was upset as well. The Rainbooms looks like they’re about to get into another nasty argument.

“Girls; Stop; All of you are a team, not individuals! There is no 'I' in the band. If you keep on like this, you will have no chance to defeat the Dazzlings.” Iris scolds the girls. This makes them feel bad as they apologize to her and each other. “Now then, to help you out a bit, Ben, I want you and Twilight to sing while your friends played the song. This song belonged to my parents. It was romantic and meaningful...”

The girls look puzzled but they decided to go with it. As they use the spare instruments (that looks like the ones that they use) inside the place, the Rainbooms play as Ben and Twilight sings a romantic song of sorts.

Ben: Freed me from this endless nightmare
The shooting stars come with the gentle wind
You and I can live in peace and harmony
Two hearts united as One...

Believe in my never-changing heart
I promise you that I'll be there for you
No matter how harsh the journey takes me
I won't leave you behind.

Twilight Sparkle: You can hold my Light putting on your heart
Please don't forget the faithful moment of our loves
Because so loving you let me fell so suffering
Even not say I love you but we'll keeping in love

Ben: Every night I felt my heart pains
I never stop thinking of you
My loneliness has been in Darkness for too long
But I'm freed from it...

Believe in my choosing Destiny
I won't abandoned my painful trial
Only your faith and Light can save me
From this endless curse

Twilight Sparkle: You can hold my Light putting on your heart
Please don't forget the faithful moment of our loves
Because so loving you let me fell so suffering
Even not say I love you but we'll keeping in love

Together: Let our love be a Blossoming Flower
Through this endless cycles
I will always be there for you
And our dream can finally come true

Twilight Sparkle: Because so loving you let me fell so suffering
Even not say I love you but we'll keeping in love

Together: Let our love be a Blossoming Flower
Through this endless cycle

Ben: The promise I've made for you
Will not be forgotten

Together: Only true love guide us to be together
Through this endless time and space
Even can't say I love you but we'll keeping in love

Ben: The Love of My Heart I had for you...

Twilight Sparkle: In the never-changing of Our Legends...

During the song, the anthro forms play a bit, much to the amazement of everyone. Once it’s done, the two changes back to normal.

“That was awesome!” Rainbow exclaims with a smile.

“A real love song,” Nyx said, sighing happily for the love between her parents.

“Oh yes, yay.” Fluttershy said meekly.

Iris smiled as she comments, “Good job, everyone. Well done. Now that's music.”

“You think they should that song in the contest?” Megan asks Iris curiously.

“Absolutely not; I gave that music as example of how the music was written. If you want music, you need to work together to create a true harmonic and love song. If you don't, then your friendship for everyone that you had made will be worthless as ashes. Good luck...”

“Beep-beep,” Then there was a familiar honk sound from Hobo’s car, as he was waiting for the gang as he was done and they gotta get going.

“Sounds like it’s time for you to go. Good luck…” Iris spoke to say this in wishing this group good luck on their part.

“But…” Ben was about to say, but got cut off by more horn beeps.

“Hurry up Ben, we’re gonna leave yah behind!” Tough shouted off to tell Ben to move it already.

“Alright, we’ll be going. Thanks a lot.” Ben stated to Iris & Hyper Linking Dragon before heading off.

Now Ben was the last one out the door, but Hyper Linking Dragon were kinda curious about how things were going on.

“Think we’ll jam with them mom, if they win?” Lance asked his mother a question of the topic here.

“We can only hope so son, we can only hope.” Iris spoke to pat her oldest son’s shoulder in stating her thoughts in this.

The scene goes darker at this point here of what’s taken place at this time. As many new questions keep popping up with so little answers to them.

---------------

At the outside of the CHS entrance for the auditorium, Hobo Joe drove up to the entrance to come to a complete stop. Soon everyone quickly gets out to gets inside, Omega stayed in cloak stealth mode so he would not be noticed. Then Hobo Joe said he meet the group inside as he went to find a parking space. Just as the gang went in, someone was walking around the corner to notice them. He looked like the human version of another pony from Equestria, and he was none other than…Brave Heart!

“Will de luck of de Irish, if it ain’t cousin Rainbow & her party! Looks like my return home from me busy time dealing with other matters paid off. I’m in time fer this competition de school is having. I’ll watch and surprise them later.” Brave Heart responded in seeing who was here, and decided to watch and then surprise those that he was in the neighborhood.

However, as Brave Heart entered the building, he never saw someone dropped from below the building to stare at his leave…it was Fafnir.

“At last, I’ve located him….this world’s version of Brave Heart.” Fafnir spoke evilly with glimmering joy at what he’s found. “I’ve waited so long, the suspense to kill him now is all but too tempting, but…I want to savior this moment. For soon…he will die, Ben Mare will die, they all will die, and Twilight…shall be mine.” He spoke from almost having a hard time to resist the moment he wanted, but will save it for later…for the main course of his own evil scheme.

Now Fafnir laughs evilly to leap out of sight with amazing jumping reaction before anyone outside even saw him. Looks like more things are starting to make things a bit harder now for the heroes.

----------------------

The scene opens up to where it’s inside the auditorium, as we see many students were gathered at this moment. And up on stage was Celestia & Luna as they appear to be ready for a big announcement here while behind them the stage was set with speakers, mikes, everything for a rock band to rock out.

“Welcome to the first ever Canterlot High School Battle of the Bands,” Celestia spoke in welcoming all that were here today. “I believe I speak for everyone when I say it is by far the greatest thing we have ever done here at this school!” She smiled off proudly in announcing that this will be the best thing they have ever done for their school.

The students were cheering in all loving this; this was the stuff that they all were waiting for to get doing now. Just about everyone were there, viewers and band members alike.

“We are so glad our three newest students encouraged us to turn this event into something exciting!” Celestia spoke to raise her hand over to the Dazzlings that sat in their own row of seats, Aria lean against a wall, Adagio sat in the middle and Sonata had her arms cross to watch this. The girls were smiling, as Adagio waved her hair and Sonata giggled with a white smile on her face and waved her hand out, as these girls know they have truly outdid themselves here.

“But, as this is now a competition, we can only choose one winner.” Luna took Celestia’s mike to sadly state this reality state of having just one winner here. “And that winner will join with our neighbor school’s best band, Hyper Linking Dragon. Who is it going to be?” As she spoke that off, many of the students got on their suspicious and stern looks on their faces in hearing that.

At that moment, the students began to argue in wanting to be the one to win this competition without a doubt, as they want it. But above in the seat row, DJ Pon-3 is seen nodding her head and bouncing her knee as if….not really bothered. Questions of course are saved for later, as we see Captain Planet and Derpy argue, but as they and everyone do, green clouds dust comes off them while they are fighting with each other. All while the smiling Dazzlings are letting the green cloud mist come up and let them absorb it into their ruby gem necklaces.

“You feel that, girls?” Adagio turn to her group in seeing this was working out well for them. “Our true power is being restored.” She declared in knowing that their real strength is slowly coming back to them.

Aria & Sonata were giggling with joy while Adagio smirked on with pride in being proud of how well things are going.

Just then, the Rainbooms; Twilight, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, & Rarity came through the double doors followed by Sunset Shimmer, Megan, Golden Heart, Jack Zen, Pinkamena, Tough, and Ben. Nyx left with the Crusaders in about to get their costumes ready for then they enter the competition.

And at that moment, Adagio smiled to wave her hands off to have Aria and Sonata cease their giggles at that moment as she smiled in seeing what else was gonna happen.

“And that’s before we’ve tapped into the strongest magic here.” Adagio explained this off as the Rainbooms and their friends look to see much of them had worried expressions on their faces about the situation of this competition.

“But the Rainblossoms, or whatever they’re called, aren’t under our spell.” Aria asked off to say the Rainboom’s name wrong in a remotely uncaring manner while making a good point to the smirking Adagio. “How exactly are we supposed to get to their magic?” She held up and thrown her arms down to pout about getting the magic in those that are their main concerns.

“The Rainbooms are just as capable of falling apart as anyone else.” Adagio made a serious face while making this claim about how even the Rainbooms can become just like the rest of the students here. “They just need a little…push in the wrong direction.” She smiled off to say and made a push move with her right hand before looking at it with interest about her meaning. “I have a feeling everyone here is going to be lining up to give them a shove.” Adagio explained this while the Rainbooms quickly move ahead with their cautious faces as Adagio and her girls smiled to hear this.

The Dazzlings watch with smiling interest to see just how well the Rainbooms can handle themselves, before something happens that things go their way. And boy, does it sound like it will happens soon with everyone wanting this so badly, just about anything may happen now…

Author’s note
Now that the gang are in, it's time to start the Battle Of The Bands with the Main Event tryouts. But when comes the Rainbooms, their first tryout was a little rough. But soon when the advancing of rounds happens, the gang will have to manage to hold their own to reach being in the finals. But now even Flash Sentry shows hostility towards Twilight & Ben, considering them an enemy because they are a part of the rival band. While this leaves heartaches, Sunset confronts the Dazzlings about their evil scheme, only for them to play around her fragile emotions & make her feel useless in her friends’ eyes. And what action will Sunset do that may just bring back OLD & BAD memories? Stay tune to find out. Read, review and suggest.

Wild Maniac is one of Nigel’s OCs.

The song sang by Twilight and Ben was given to me by nigel. Don’t know where it’s from to be honest.