Author's Notes:

Just need to clarify something for people who wanted to know from the last chapter. Yes, Randy is an OC, and no, he's not me.

As one might expect from the rather unexpected outburst given by Rainbow Dash, half of the cafeteria had suddenly ceased doing whatever it was they were doing and instead turned to the Rainboom's table. The mood immediately became very awkward for all of them, especially Rainbow herself, who looked around and only now noticed the stares, realising what a scene she must have been making. Her face turning a bright red shade, she chuckled nervously as she began to slowly sit back down next to her friends, all of whom had been covering their faces to one degree or another, embarrassed by their friend's behaviour. It took a while, but eventually the rest of the students of the cafeteria began to turn back to their own meals and activities, leaving the Rainbooms to consider the, quite frankly, shocking news that Randy had just given them. Of all of the girls, Rarity was the first to speak.

"Um...Randy, darling? I don't mean to question your tastes in women, but if I may ask...why?"

Randy looked at all of them, understanding exactly why they were reacting this way to what he'd just said. So, letting out a sigh, he began to explain himself.

"Look, I know this probably isn't going to sound like a good idea to you girls, and in truth I was pretty hesitant to go anywhere near her or the other two after the band battle happened."

Sunset raised an eyebrow at that.

"So why the sudden change of heart?"

Randy thought on that for a moment, trying his best to put the words together in his mind.

"Well...thing is, I've seen her here and there around the school, at times when Adagio or Aria weren't with her. From what I've seen, she seems to act differently to them in a lot of ways."

Applejack looked to him, her curiosity piqued.

"In what way, sugarcube?"

The boy looked to her, seeing the look of doubt on her face. He knew this was going to be a tough sell, and though he'd never say so himself, there was even a part of him that had trouble really accepting this whole thing. Even so, he knew he had to give at least some kind of answer.

"For one thing, you know that look the other two have on their faces? The one that says "I hate you all and I want you to stay away" every time one of the other students passes them by?"

The Rainbooms all looked to each other and gave grave nods, all knowing well enough exactly the looks he was talking about. And though no words were spoken between them, the expression on their faces made it clear to Randy that they knew where he was going with this. Sonata had indeed been absent those particular disdainful looks, at least when compared to the other two. But he also knew that a reason such as this was not going to be enough to try and convince these girls that approaching Sonata in this way was a good idea. It was a sentiment expressed quite vocally by Rainbow, who still had a look of "are you kidding me" upon her face.

"Look, Randy. I know your reputation in past girlfriends...well...sucks..."

Rainbow took a moment to look away from the frown the boy was giving her after those words before continuing.

"...but don't you think you'd be better off going after someone...I dunno...safer?"

Randy raised an eyebrow at that.

"Wasn't it you guys who said that they don't have powers anymore?"

The Rainbooms all looked at each other and gave a rather begrudging sound of acknowledgement of that, confirming Randy's question. The Dazzlings had indeed been deprived of all of their magical ability and were, as a result, no more powerful than any of them. But even so, there were other things to take in mind, as Sunset now explained.

"You DO know that they're not really girls, right? They're Sirens, from another world. Are you sure you'd be okay going out with someone who isn't even human?"

Almost as if the universe itself had heard her, the girls and Randy all turned their heads to see none other than Flash Sentry, who was carrying his guitar and walking behind the boy as he passed their table. Giving them a glance and a wave as he passed by, which the girls returned, Flash had little idea of just how awkward he'd made Sunset's position. And it was a fact that Randy was quick to pick up on, as he raised an eyebrow at her and, without breaking eye-contact, gestured to Flash as the latter kept on walking away. He didn't say anything, but the message was clear. After all, there was already a precedent at this school for guys dating non-human girls, as Sunset was well aware of, given her tone of voice.

"Okay...point taken."

Randy opened his mouth to say something, but was interrupted by, of all people, Fluttershy, who meekly raised her hand so the others could see her. Turning, they all looked in her direction as she spoke.

"Um...well...we said we wanted the Dazzlings to be part of school life and make friends and stuff...right?"

The rest of the girls all looked at each other before giving slow nods to Fluttershy, who then continued.

"Then...wouldn't Randy asking out Sonata help with that? I mean...if that's okay with you?"

The Rainbooms fell silent as they all looked to each other once again, considering Fluttershy's words carefully. In truth, thy knew she had a point. The Dazzlings had, since their defeat, been largely keeping to themselves, save for the few instances where the Rainbooms had chosen to interact with them, and even then it wasn't the best of starts. If their friend were to approach one of them, and even ask one of them out, that might, in theory anyway, go a long way towards them becoming less hostile. At the very least it would make ONE of them less hostile anyway. Although the group clearly had reservations about all this, they all turned to Sunset, giving her looks that showed they wanted her to be the one to tell Randy about all this. Sighing, she turned to face him before speaking.

"I guess...if this is something you really want to try...then you have our blessing for it."

Randy smiled at Sunset and the other girls, all of whom returned the gesture, albeit with much smaller smiles, save for Pinkie of course, whose smile was wide enough to pop out of her head. The boy gently placed a hand on Sunset's shoulder before addressing them.

"Thanks guys. I appreciate this."

They all nodded to him and watched as he began to walk away, no doubt to start going over to the Dazzlings' table and speak to Sonata. Once he was far enough away, their smiles faded and they gave each other worried looks. It was a sentiment best expressed by Rainbow, who chose this moment to speak up again.

"You know that feeling you get when watching a disaster movie that the characters you like are going to get messed up by the end of it? Anyone else got that feeling right now?"

There was a general murmur of agreement between the six girls, even Fluttershy, over that statement. However, Sunset, whose expression had become more serious, leaned forward, a movement imitated by the others, before speaking in a somewhat hushed voice.

"There's another reason we need to let him do this. Does anyone else find it strange that a guy like Randy, who has every reason to dislike the Dazzlings after what they did to him and everyone else, suddenly decided he wants to date one of them? Just out of the blue like that?"

The girls all looked at each other before Rarity spoke up.

"My dear Sunset! You're not suggesting that they've regained some of their powers, are you?"

Sunset shook her head a little at that.

"I can't rule anything out yet. But if there's a chance, we need to keep an eye on it. If I'm wrong, great. If I'm right..."

She leaned back a little and looked over to where Randy had been walking away from them.

"...then our friend there may be the best way for us to know for sure."