It was the finale of the Clash of the Bands and only The Mermaids was left to make their performance. Everyone was actually quite anxious and curious on what the last band is going to be like. Up until now, all the others bands wasn't as good as they were hoping. So far, Trixie and the Illusions was the biggest disappointment and nobody wants to talk about The Crusader's performance. Flash Drive was fairly decent and everyone assumes they would be 3rd or 2nd place. The Rainbooms was the fan favourite band and is the most expected to win, but they would be lying if there wasn't a bias in their decision. But nobody have ever heard of "The Mermaids" before and some was expecting to be surprise. Unfortunately, they will defiantly be surprised once they found out who The Mermaids really is.

But as everyone was talking and enjoying the food, nobody notice that Sunset Shimmer had slipped into the crowd. She knows that The Dazzlings is coming up next and also know that nobody would be happy to see them. She didn't know what she can do to stop the crowd from leaving the second that they see them, but Sunset feels that she would be more helpful there then at backstage. As nervous expectations was flying around her head, all of Sunset's thoughts came to a halt when the manager of the establishment came out on stage.

As the manager arrived on stage with the microphone, he announces: "And now then ladies and gentlemen, the last band of the evening. Will they surpass all the bands that come before, or will they be over shadow by them instead. Well at least give them a welcoming hand as The Mermaids splash their way on stage. Come On Out Ladies!"

And once he finish speaking, he then rush off stage and the special effects take over. Mist covered the floor and spill to the seats closest to the stage. Rainbow lights shot out and brighten up the stage. As everyone's intrigue was rising to new heights of the night, Sunset cross her fingers and wishing everything goes well with the sirens. But just before the background was about to play, Vinyl Scratch, who was the DJ, scratched her head when she saw the CD and hesitantly put it in the player.

As the music started playing and beating was starting to beat, something slowly began to click with the students. The music was soothing and was almost hypnotic, but there was something that feels familiar about it but couldn't put their fingers on it. It wasn't until the recognizable voices began to ring out that they finally remember.

""Ah, ah-ah, ah-ahh. Ah, ah-ah, ah-ahh."

As they make their slow appearance, everyone saw the shadows of the Dazzlings first before the curtains risen to show Adagio Dazzling, Arai Blaze and Sonata Dusk. Singing louder and louder until they made centre stage where their voices suddenly drop and became more sombre.

"Ah, ah-ah, ah-ahh. Ah, ah-ah, ah-ahh."

Once they all realize who was singing, almost half of the audience jumped out of their seats. All were thinking that the sirens had gotten their magic back and is trying to hypnotise them again. Except for those who were too shock to move, the rest began making their leave from the club. As they there were walking past her, Sunset Shimmer try to frantically to come up with an idea on how to stop them.

However, everyone stop when Adagio began singing the lyrics of their song. She sounded less manipulative and more apologetic. Singing how they "failed to take control" and now is being "shunned by all". The people who was leaving was surprised for them to pause and think. Some even look at each to check if they aren't being mind controlled. Sunset also see this as a good sign.

As the crowd hesitantly return to their seats, the sirens begin singing a bit more passionately. They were singing that even thought they did some bad things, they still want to be treated a little bit kindly. Aria had a moment to sing that she gets easily hurt by cruel words and Sonata sings that she doesn't want her "flavours" to be taken away from her. And as Adagio was sings about respect, she says that they will give their respect if everyone also respects them. Everyone who was hearing them wasn't sure if they were apologizing or manipulative guilt tripping.

And when they were finishing their song, the Dazzlings become quieter and quieter until they become eerily silent.

"Ah, ah-ah, ah-ahh. Ah, ah-ah, ah-ahh."

Once they finish, everyone was just frozen in time, slowly deciding on what their opinion should be. The cold silence filled the sirens full of doubt and they left the stage with shame and embarrassment. However, once they got behind the curtain, the Dazzlings suddenly begin hearing clapping. No one was cheering or shouting, but the clapping steadily become louder and louder. Sunset Shimmer definitely was overjoyed by the good reception and was clapping along with everybody else. They didn't know what to make of this, but it did make the experience less depressing for them.

~~~

Everyone began discussing amongst themselves and shearing their opinions. But the hottest topic that they were talking about was the Dazzlings. While some strongly feels guilty and others believes it's just an act, most were stuck in the middle. The fact that they must also pick their favourite band didn't helped either when the waitresses began handing out voting sheets.

Meanwhile, at backstage, the groups was about to discuss on who they think is going to win the contest. Sunset managed to get back just in time so the only people who notice she was gone was her friends. Sunset also looked over towards the sirens who didn't look particularly excited.

"So... what the chance of us winning this?" asked Aria as she offhandedly remarked to her friends.

"Not a lot" bluntly replied Adagio.

The Crusaders, who wasn't too far away from the sirens, overheard them and decided to shipped in. "What are you talking about?" stated Scootaloo. "At least you got a response. We just got blank stares... as always."

"Next time, I'm doing the song writing" stated Sweetie Belle to her fellow Crusaders.

"Yeah. You was great" Flash Sentry added.

"Yeah right, like they are gunna vote for us" Adagio pessimistically replied. "Most likely they are gunna vote for the Rainbooms because everyone loves them."

As the Rainbooms was about to reply to Adagio's remark, Trixie intercept them and was quickly to state: "HA! The real winner of this contest is gunna be Trixie. No one else made as spectacular performance than Trixie."

As Trixie was feeling smug about herself, Rainbow Dash ruined her mood by yelling to her: "In Your Dreams Trixie! At Least We Know More Then One Song!" Trixie was about to argue back, but she notice that her band mates were silently agree with Rainbow.

Hoping to prevent a fight in the room, Applejack says to everyone: "Come on yall. Don't count your chips just yet. Everyone has a chance on winning."

"Aren't we here just to have fun?" Pinkie enquired

Notice that Pinkie Pie said something, Sonata instinctively insults her by says: "How Would A Backstabber Like You knows Anything About Fun!"

Offended, Pinkie yelled back: "I'm The Leading Expert On Fun! I Even Wrote The Textbook On What Is and Isn't Fun!" And to support her statement, Pinkie got out a hardback book with her face on it with the word "FUN TIME!" labelled on top. Unfortunately, it was more of a comic book then a textbook but Pinkie isn't going to admit that.

Before the two girls could continue fighting, Flash and the rest of the Rainbooms stood between their line of sight. Flash looks particularly upset with Sonata since she just sang a song about respect. Sonata felt ashamed, but it was mostly because she upset Flash. However, to prevent her group from being called hypocrites, Adagio help defend Sonata and says:

" Hey now... What's wrong with some playful ribbing from time to time... moderation and all that."

Everyone could clearly see that it was just an excuse, but they will allow it for now. Pinkie Pie's and Sonata's friends waited for them to calm down and once they finally did, the back off from them.

And then all of a sudden, all of them began hearing some commotion that was going on by the stage. When they try to peak around the curtain, they all saw the manager who was about to say something into the microphone and also carrying a few envelops. It looks like he's going to announce the winners.

"Um... Silence please. Can I get your attention please" asked the manager who gabbed the crowd's attention. "First of, the thankyous. The people of the Pop Star Bar, which is me and vinyl, would like to share our gratitude to everyone who is here this evening and the bands who helped to bring in the revenue. To that, I say... Thank You...... And now for the winners."

The tension filled that air when the manager show of the envelops that he was carrying and everyone was growing anxious, especially the groups backstage. The manager says to everyone: "After we counted the votes and we recounted them, we finally found out who the winners were. The winners tonight will get..." He stuttered when he said the next parts. "... De-Discounts at the Pop Star Bar as well as coupons use on a shopping spree." The manager stopped for a moments when Rarity squid when she heard the words "shopping spree". Once her friends calmed Rarity down (Applejack in particular), the manger then went on to finish his announcement which he personally didn't like to say. "And... for the Grand Winners of the Clash of the Bands will get... A 40 PERCENT DISCOUNT AND A 300 DOLLERS SHOPPING SPREE!!"

Once he realize the shocking information cause him to yell, he cleared his throat and calmed himself so he can declare the winners. "Ahem... And The Winners Of The First Clash Of The Bands Is..."

As he was slowly opening the envelop, Vinyl push a button that makes a drum solo that people usually hear at times like these. The tension and the waiting was torturous as everyone wanted to hear who the winners are. The bands backstage was on the edge and despite being pessimistic before, the sirens was slowly wishing for him to say their name. When he finally did open the letter and read the note inside, everyone felt they were being teased as the manager took the moment and act surprised which raised the Dazzlings hopes even more. But as their tension was about to be turn into anger, he finally yells out:

"THE RAINBOOMS!"

In no less then 0.5 seconds after the manager made his announcement that the whole building became filled with loud screaming and excited cheering. Even the Rainbooms themselves was overloaded with joy and thrilled with the news that they accidently screamed into everyone else's ears. They then rushed onto the stage as they so they can great the people who voted for them. Rarity snatchers the coupons from the manager and was hugging it close to her face. And while Sunset and Fluttershy was jumping and squealing together, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and Applejack was so excited that they were dancing and shaking wildly on stage.

But while the Hu-mane 6 was acting crazy in front of everyone, the siren's prediction came true. As they were seeing their arch-enemies... actually, more like arch-rivals now. As they were seeing their arch-enemies get all the praise and admiration, Adagio and her friends was clearly envois of them. But they weren't angry. They couldn't explain it, but they didn't feel any anger or hatred for them. They was just disappointed and had their hopes were dashed. But while they accept the cold and harsh reality of their world, something tells them that they should be glad for at least trying. Adagio, Aria and Sonata slipped away and quietly make their leave.

But as they were heading to the exit before anybody could notice, the manager calmed everyone down. "Alright! Calm Down! Calm Down! We Still Not Done Yet!" He then show everyone that he has more envelops and there are more winners. Once the Rainbooms calmed down and behave themselves, he began making his second announcement.

"And Winners Of 2nd Place Are..."

And like before, the manager took his sweet ass time on opening the letter and reading the card. It had gotten so annoying, one or two teens was starting to punching their hands as a sign of violence. It got to a point that the Rainbooms had enough. Pinkie Pie snatch card and the microphone out of the managers hand. When they read the card, they were initially surprised to see who it was but they were ultimately glad to know who it was. The girls share the microphone together and shout in all at once:

"THE MERMAIDS!!!"

It didn't matter what their opinion were, everyone was cheering and congratulating the Dazzlings. And while some of the Rainbooms had their reservations, they were glad that everyone had finally accepted the sirens.

However, Adagio, Aria and Sonata didn't exactly realize that they won. They overheard who the winners were, but they have forgotten or were too depress to remember that they had used an alias. It took Apple Bloom to remember for them and pointed out: "Wait... Wasn't "The Mermaids" your band's name for the contest?"

And at that moments, the siren's minds suddenly clicked as all of them remembered that they did. "Wait What!" they all shouted out in unison. Adagio, Aria and Sonata was hesitant to get onto the stage and was cautious on if it was a trick. However, when they pushed Sonata onto the stage, they realize that it wasn't a trick as the crowd became excited to see her. When Aria and Adagio went onto the stage, the Rainbooms got them and Sonata into the centre of the stage so they can bask in the applauds of the audience. Adagio and her friends witness something that have never seen in their life time: genuine earned fame and admiration of everyone around them. The last ice covered layers of their hearts has finally melted as they grinned and waved to the people who got them there. This was their greatest moment that they ever had.

~~~

At the end of the day, the Clash of the Bands was finally over and everyone had a great time. Flash and his band was ranked 3rd was also given some coupons and a discount. In an odd and cruel twist, The Crusaders was crowned as the best comedic group... despite there wasn't any comedy category. Trixie and the Illusions did won anything, but they did get some appraise for the special effects and tricks she used. In the end, the manager got all the groups together so he can get a memorizing photo so he can hang in his restaurant and was hoping he could do the same thing next year.

However, Adagio realized that there are something wrong with their prize. Except for Trixie who got nothing and The Crusaders who got a small cell phone (which they have to share), everyone else got coupons and discounts. But Adagio notice that they have gotten the smallest discount then the others. When she confront the manager over this, the only thing he told her that he wanted to speak with them once everyone had left. Despite Adagio and Aria was miffed by this (while Sonata was mostly indifferent), they all decided to stay and wait.

Once everyone had finally left, the sirens was waiting at the actual bar part of the restaurant and was expecting to hear what the manager has to say. Besides the manager, Vinyl was still around as she was force to clean up all the mess that everyone had left behind.

"So... What do want to talk about?" asked Adagio as has her arms cross at him.

Pretending to act cool and wise as he was cleaning a drinking glass, the manager right out and tell them: "I want to hire you."

"WHAT!" yelled the sirens as they became surprised.

"I want you girls to sing in my club and help attract more customers" reiterate the manager. "My name is Big Bits and I want to make the Pop Star Bar the best place in this town. Yeah sure, I am trying to make money out of this place, but genuinely want this place to shin and a place that everyone should know. And... I want you to help me with that."

As he was saying all of this, Adagio slowly realize something. "Hang-On! Is this the reason you had this music contest here in the first place? Just so you can find a band that can play for you?"

Mr Bits was surprised that she figured it out so fast and was sort of impressed. Seeing there was no point in denying it, he admitted: "Alright... you got me. The Clash was just a little scheme to find the right band that I deeded."

However, Aria realize and pointed out: "But wait, were in 2nd place. Why not pick the band that actually won? Better yet, why did need to do this contest in the first place? You would have save a bit of money you just scouted for a band normally."

After giving a nervous chuckle, Mr Bits explains to her: "Well... Since you got 2nd place, that means that I wouldn't have spend as much money if I had hired the 1st place winners. And besides, you don't need any instruments or special effects. If I would hire the Rainbooms or that magician girl. my bills would go through the roof."

The sirens felt offended by his explanation as he was pretty much telling them that they were cheap. However, when Mr Bits asked them: "So... do you want a job?", they quickly chat amongst themselves if they really want it. After a quick deliberation, Adagio answered on the behalf of the Dazzlings: "...... Sure."

"Great!" he said cheerfully. "Just come in every weekend and perform any appropriate song you want. Also we need to discuss..."

"BUT!... With one small condition" Adagio interrupted, cutting him from talking.

When she said that they have a condition, Mr Bits was a bit afraid on what it was. He hesitantly asks: "... What is it?"

Sonata was the one who explains what the condition was. "We kind of need our first payment now."

Once he found out what it was, he thought that it wasn't all that bad. Spending a bit more money, sure. At least they weren't asking for lavish working conditions or anything really expensive. Mr Bits replied: "Sure, but why?"

Sonata laughed sheepishly. "He he he... We kind of need that money to go back to school. I... kind trashed our school's cafeteria in a blind rampage and we got suspended for it."

Once her heard the explanation, Mr Big Bits lost his cheerful expression.

~~~

On the next school, Sunset was making her friendship report to Princess Twilight by her locker. Not only saying how to earn other people's respect, but she also report on how the sirens were getting better. Not only did they paid off the damages they done and now students again, but now nobody is picking or starting a fight with them. They aren't actively trying to do good things, in fact, they were still reluctant, but they at least they are a lot nicer then before.

But as she was finish writing, she accidently got bumped into Flash Sentry. And while his fast reflexes, not only did he catched Sunset but also her book as well from hitting the ground.

Once he see who he catched, Flash remarked: "Oh!... Sunset."

Once she got back on her feet, Sunset sheepishly replied: "Um... thanks Flash." The two then started blushing as they remembered that they dated once.

Once they got over this moments, Sunset says to Flash: "And thanks for helping out the sirens."

"No problem" he replied. "It was no problem. But why didn't you helped them? Didn't Principal Celestia asked you to be their consoler?"

Sunset admitted: "She did." She then explains: "But I heard that Adagio really hated me. I don't what she would have done if I went over to them? Sorry."

"I said it was not problem" Flash replied. "The worst that came out of it was..."

And then suddenly, the both of them heard someone yelling: "FLASH!" When they look around, they spotted a very eager and infatuation Sonata. "Flash! Do You Want To Have Lunch Together!"

Seeing an obsessed fan girl is head this way, Flash told Sunset: "Sorry Sunset, got to go" before running off.

"Flash! Wait Up!" yelled Sonata as she chases after him.

Sunset got nothing to comment on this scene other then a happy smile.