“Welcome to Canterlot High School’s first ever Battle of the Bands.” Principal Celestia announced. “I believe I speak for everyone when I say it is by far the most exciting thing we have ever done here at this school!”
The crowd of excited students cheered in agreement.
She continued. “We are so glad our three newest students encouraged us to turn this event into something a bit more exciting!” Celestia pointed at the Dazzlings sitting in the back, who had a perfect view of the whole auditorium.
“But, as this is now a competition,” Vice Principal Luna took over, “we expect every contender to bring their best effort. And then we’ll see who’s the best musician at CHS.”
Almost immediately as she finished that sentence, the students suddenly remembered how much they hate each-other and heated arguments flared up. A lot of them were the performers themselves, exchanging fighting words and threats. But many of them were just fans, trying to protect their favourites’ honour.
Lyra couldn’t sit still in her seat either. Not that she’s known for being able to, but yelling “Haha, this steel is unbreakable!” over the angry voices was not like her.
Lemon Hearts glanced around the bickering students and just couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease. She turned in her seat, looking for any way out of this when she saw that the Dazzlings were way up in their seats, just smirking among themselves, looking pleased and almost invigorated by the malicious air around them. They had their own space carved out of the crowd and nobody even touched them.
Twinkleshine hid behind Lemon, away from an unusually angry Micro Chips. Lyra turned to the nerd and shouted: “Your body will be our red carpet! Isn’t that right guys?”
Lemon looked at Lyra’s flaring eyes. “I don’t like this.” She thought out loud. “I don’t like this one bit!”
She saw that the only ones not taking part in the shouting match, aside from the wily Dazzlings, were Twilight Sparkle and her friends, the Rainbooms.
“Hey, Twinkles, look!” Lemon began whispering to Twinkleshine. “How come the Rainbooms don’t seem to be affected by whatever’s happening?”
“I don’t know,” she whispered back, “but we’re doing fine as well.”
They briefly glanced at Lyra, who was currently berating someone for suggesting that the Steel Unicorns aren’t the best.
“At least the two of us are.” Twinkleshine corrected herself.
“Look, even Sweetie Drops is doing it.” Lemon pointed at Sweetie Drops, who was getting into an argument of her own. “She’s never gotten in trouble for anything. Now look at her!”
“Well I mean…” Twinkleshine added. “It’s not like she liked everyone.”
“And look at Lyra,” Lemon kept going, “it’s clear that this dumb competition is more important to her than our friendship.”
Twinkleshine flinched at Lemon’s harsh judgement. That was not something she’d normally expect from Lemon.
Lemon put one arm around Twinkleshine’s shoulders. “I am so glad you and I aren’t affected though.”
Twinkleshine turned away and thought to herself: “Not me, at least…”
Eventually, the participants were selected. The line-up of bands consisted of total newbies like MC Snips and DJ Snazzy Snails, along with oddball groups like the Pony Pickers, whose main instruments included the bowed saw and the cowbell. Their weird experimental music appealed only to people with tastes like Lyra, who got some strange looks when her lonely clapping echoed in the silence.
“What? I can applaud the competition.” Said Lyra, then she chuckled smugly. “It’s not like they’re gonna win.”
But there were also seasoned bands like Flash Drive and Trixie and the Illusions, who really made the judges’ job difficult. Even some promising newcomers like the Cutie-Mark Crusaders and, of course, the Rainbooms.
And perhaps most dangerous of all: the Dazzlings. It was clear from the get go, that they are going to win and the rest is just a big hassle for second place. Their performance was the only one to get a genuine unanimous applause. They only played four strings on their stringed beasts (but they went up to seven in more complex sections) and only used their ethereal voices as another instrument, but their “gothic djent” seemed to hypnotize everybody. They won their first set without any difficulty. Nobody even remembered what their opponents were doing or who they were.
In the next set, The Rainbooms faced off against Octavia. It was Octavia’s turn first. She took her seat up on the stage and her presence commanded silence in the auditorium. Well, Lyra tried messing with her, by feigning a coughing fit, but Lemon put a stop to that with a poke to the ribs. Octavia watched them with a single raised eyebrow, knowing that her performance cannot be ruined.
Once she started, she alone had the power of an entire orchestra. The intricate melodies were a bit hard to swallow for most, but the pure skill spoke for itself. Twinkleshine let out an audible “wow” at the end of Octavia’s performance. Even Lyra let herself be impressed, despite her earlier goofing.
After that, it was the Rainbooms’ turn. Right off the bat, their setup was flawed; Twilight Sparkle, their new member, was just kind of standing around awkwardly as a sole backing vocalist, with Fluttershy trying to hide behind her. And Rarity was wearing some new experiment, with long metal bits dangling from her sleeves, like a junkyard shaman, clearly without consulting her bandmates. But, they managed to pull off a confident beginning.
We've just got the day to get ready
And there's only so much time to lose
Because tonight, yeah, we're here to party
So let's think of something fun to do
We don't know (we don't know) what's gonna happen
We just know (we just know) it's gonna feel right
All our friends are here
And it's time to ignite the lights!
Shake your tail 'cause we're here to have a party tonight
Shake your tail, shake your tail
Shake your tail 'cause we're here to have a party tonight
Shake your tail, shake your tail
Unfortunately for them, the confident beginning soon faded. They couldn’t even get to the first chorus without difficulties. Rarity suddenly started dancing around with her arms in the air, knocking off Applejack’s hat.
Lyra was baffled at what she was witnessing. “What is happening?” She wondered aloud.
“Look!” Twinkleshine pointed above the stage. The members of Photo Finish and the Snapshots climbed up there and dragged Rarity around by the dangly metal bits on her outfit, using magnets.
“Not even the second round and we’re already playing dirty.” Lemon grumbled.
“If they try that with us, I’ll strangle them.” Lyra added.
The troubles continued as they kept on performing.
So what you didn't get it right the first time
Laugh it off, no one said it is a crime
Do your thing, you know you're an original
Your ideas are so funny that they're criminal
That is when Pinkie Pie noticed the bored unimpressed faces in the audience, so she spun her kick drum around and shot a deluge of confetti out of it. It all fell in such a way, that Twilight sucked one in and almost choked.
Snips and Snails also decided to join Photo Finish and the Snapshots above the stage and started messing with the stage lighting. They took one of the spotlights and directed it onto Fluttershy, triggering her crippling stage fright. She was behind the drum set before the second chorus.
Meanwhile, Applejack could barely play, due to Rarity being frantically flailed around. Rainbow Dash was the only one doing fine, but she was really distracted by her bandmates horsing around.
“Wow, I really hope they weren’t supposed to save us.” Sweetie Drops commented. “That was dreadful!”
“Yeah, that’s not happening.” Lyra frowned.
Lemon silently agreed, but something seemed off to her. As Celestia and Luna were about to announce the winner of the round, the Dazzlings started softly tapping their strings. And just like that, Celestia announced the winners in an eerily monotone voice. And to the shock of all, it was none other than the Rainbooms.
“What?” Lyra almost jumped out of her seat. “How did that go through?”
“They had a really tough competition as well.” Twinkleshine wondered.
“Yeah, as much as I don’t like Octavia,” Lyra said, “she’s good! And a thousand times better than... whatever that was.”
Lemon Hearts gestured to the Dazzlings, “I think they might have something to do with this.”
“Seriously?” Lyra groaned.
“They were playing just as Celestia was speaking. And didn’t you hear how monotone her voice was?”
“When is Celestia not droning like MunnO)))?” Lyra commented.
“And why would they help their opponents?” Sweetie Drops questioned.
“I don’t know,” Lemon Hearts crossed her arms, confident in her intuition, but not knowing how to back it up, “but I really think this is between them and we’re just here as extras.”
“Lemon, if you don’t start cheering right now, I’m going to-“
“Up next,” Lyra’s threat got cut short by Celestia announcing the next contestants, now without the monotone voice, “MC Snips and DJ Snazzy Sails, vs the Steel Unicorns!”
Not a hard match, really. Even though freestyle rapping and coming up with rhymes on the fly is an admirable skill, it would take a lot more than Snips and Snails’ pitiful performance to vow a crowd. They just spouted generic rhymes such as: “We’re the best, we’ll pass the test” and their flow wasn't even good. But they still had enough confidence to drop the microphone once they were finished, to the displeasure of literally everybody else.
Celestia and Luna were completely unimpressed.
“Please do not drop the microphone.” Celestia said in a cold unflinching tone.
Snips and Snails however could not read the social cues and walked off like they just put on a show at a sold-out venue.
“In your face, Lame Unicorns!” Snips taunted as they walked off stage, not realizing that this battle was already over.
It was time for the Steel Unicorns to step on stage. Their song started with a high-pitched guitar riff, accompanied by quick muted jabs on the cymbals. As the guitar repeated the main melody a second time, the drums grew in definition and the bass played its own little melody to go along. Then everyone switched into full gear and started blasting at high-speeds. And then the instrumentals stopped and echoed as the three girls alternated each line, then sang together for the chorus.
Metal crowd wake up your frozen eyes
It’s time to once more reach for the light
Ignorant crowds that break you with lies
Make way for the warriors-
Cheesy warriors will shake the ground
Cheesy speed never breaking down
Cheesy warriors will bring it down
We’re warriors – warriors –warriors
Of cheese
Old-school will school the nu-skool
Spiky bracelets into your spiky hair
We will drop-kick your drop-Ds
Make way for the warriors-
Cheesy warriors will shake the ground
Cheesy speed never breaking down
Cheesy warriors will bring it down
We’re warriors – warriors –warriors
A sudden silence lingered as Twinkleshine’s vicious blasting took over. Then Lyra screamed another “of cheese” line, accompanying Lemon Heart’s hyperspeed guitar solo. At some point Lyra started interrupting with her own speedy runs, as if they were duelling, but it quickly turned into a duet. Just to close that off Lyra handed out a few lines of high-speed slapping.
Suddenly one of the strings broke almost hitting her in the face. But Lyra didn’t stop; she simply kept going and laughed uncontrollably instead of singing along with the last chorus. That was the only sign that anything went wrong; they still managed a solid finish.
The crowd was visibly impressed and not without reason. The winner was announced quickly and the result surprised nobody. The Steel Unicorns have beaten MC Snips and DJ Snazzy Snails.
“So, uhh...,” Lyra laughed while they were still walking off stage, “I gotta run to the store for some new strings.”
“You don’t keep any spares on you?” Lemon questioned.
“No, don’t worry about it,” Lyra assured, “I shouldn’t be gone too long.”
Lemon and Twinkleshine turned and glanced at one another as Lyra left.
“Did she take her wallet?” Lemon hushed.
“Sweetie has our stuff,” Twinkleshine responded, “she probably went to her.”
“Nope,” Lemon pointed at Sweetie Drops sitting in the bleachers, “she ran straight out.”
Twinkleshine slapped her forehead. “Oh, ugh, pfff... I’ll get it for her!” Twinkleshine ran down the stairs to chase after their forgetful friend.
Lemon rolled her eyes and left out an amused sigh. She was just about to head back to her place in the audience, only to find the Dazzlings waiting for her at the door, blocking her path.
“Can I help you?” She raised an eyebrow.
“That was quite an impressive performance there.” Said Adagio, her tone carrying a sense of unease to Lemon.
“Uh... Thanks...”
“Especially that bassist of yours,” Adagio fanned herself as she continued, “what an incredible recovery.”
“Yeah, Lyra sure is something.” Lemon responded meekly, not sure where this confrontation was going.
“Ah, more like something else!” Sonata jumped in between the two of them.
“What she means is,” Adagio pulled Sonata back to her place at her side, “that you don’t find talent like that every day.”
“And that kind of talent needs to find a fulfilling outlet.” Aria finished the thought.
“And you know,” Sonata leaned on Aria’s shoulder, “steel does corrode.”
Lemon placed her hands on her hips. “I don’t like where this is going.”
“Now, now,” Adagio haughtily laughed, “you don’t have to worry your little mind about that.” She then put one hand on Lemon’s shoulder. “Just know that sometimes you have to put someone else’s happiness over your own.”
Lemon slapped Adagio’s hand away. “Stop dancing around and tell me what you mean?”
“Oh, I’m sure you’ll figure it out eventually.” Adagio dismissed Lemon’s demand. “Come on girls, we have to get ready for the next round.” They brushed past Lemon Hearts and headed backstage. Sonata waved cheerfully as she left.
“Are you kidding?” Lemon shouted after them. “You still have like an hour!”
“We have to tune up.” Aria grumbled back before closing the door after herself.
Lemon stared for a second, thinking back to those stringed beasts the Dazlzings call instruments. “Yeah, that makes sense.” She mumbled.
Half an hour later and everybody was back in their seats waiting for the next act to take the stage. Well, everybody except Lyra. Three more performances failed to get a cheer, while she was away and it was almost time for their second appearance to begin . During the show between the Diamond Dog boys and The Snapshots, Lemon started getting really impatient.
“Where is Lyra?” She complained, “It’s been twenty minutes since she texted about getting the strings!”
“It’s not like she’d get lost. She practically lives in that music store.” Twinkleshine commented.
Sweetie Drops began to seethe and covered her ears as the two bands on stage proceeded to assault her ears. “At least she doesn’t have to listen to this dreck.”
Though it was odd to hear Sweetie Drops comment so harshly, Lemon found herself agreeing and got to her feet. “I’m gonna go and look for her. Anyone want to join me? Get some air.”
“I’ll stay here and keep an eye on the time.” Twinkleshine answered. “I’ll text you when we’re supposed to go on.”
“Alright. You coming Drops?”
“What?” Sweetie Drops looked at Lemon Hearts as if she had spoken profane blasphemy, ”No way am I going anywhere without seeing the Dazzlings first!”
Lemon and Twinkleshine looked askance at each-other, “Since when were you so invested in the Dazzlings?”
“Since when was that your business?” Sweetie Drops barked back just aggressively enough to make Twinkleshine flinch.
“Alright, alright,” Lemon put her hands up as if she was being threatened, “sorry for asking! Geez!” She shook her head and made her way out of the auditorium.
It didn’t take much to find Lyra however. Lemon had barely set foot outside into the hallways when she could hear somebody talking around the corner. It was the Dazzlings who seemed to have cornered Lyra at the auditorium’s other entrance and were speaking to her rather closely.
“That was quite the impressive move you did up on the stage.” Adagio crooned. “I don’t know what I would do if I broke a string and I don’t even use them all.”
“Well,” Lyra blushed but was trying to act cool, “the trick is to just roll with it and improvise, you know?”
“You are quite a talented musician, Lyra. And clearly passionate about what you do. I’d even dare to say that you have the highest chance at beating us.”
“Wow, you really think so?”
“There is just one problem though.” Aria suggested.
Lyra blinked. “Uhh, what is it?”
“Not what, but who.” Adagio corrected.
Lyra stared at them. “What are you getting at?”
Adagio chuckled maliciously. “I don’t think your bandmates share your enthusiasm.”
“Well, let’s be real here,” Lyra meekly tried to brush off that statement, ”it’s pretty hard to match me in enthusiasm.”
“Oh please,” Adagio scoffed back at her, “you clearly stick out in your little group.”
“Your guitarist was practically falling asleep on stage.” Aria commented.
“And that drummer,” Sonata chimed in, “like, she wasn’t even paying attention to the beaty beats.”
Adagio leaned in to stroke Lyra’s hair. “I think you need to face it my dear. They’re holding you back, Lyra.”
“That’s not true,” Lyra said sheepishly, “they’re my friends.”
“Well, of course they are! Nobody can deny that.” Adagio solemnly stated, softly placing one hand on Lyra’s shoulder. “But perhaps you should find yourself some more ambitious friends.”
“Ooh, Ooh! You could be our bassist!” Sonata cheered.
“Sonata my dear, that is a Great idea!” Adagio exclaimed pretending that the thought had never occurred to her.
Lyra raised an eyebrow. “Don’t your guitars go low enough to not need a bassist?”
“We just think that it’s about time to add something new to our music.” Aria smirked.
Adagio put both hands on Lyra’s shoulders and leaned in close. “If you join us, Lyra, not only are we going to crush this competition...” She stopped mid-sentence and glanced at Aria.
“We will make you more famous than the Lame Unicorns will ever do.” Aria finished the sentence.
“And we’ll be your friends too!” Sonata hugged her suddenly.
“That sounds good, but...” Lyra pried herself out of the unexpected hug. “I’m a Steel Unicorn, not a Dazzling.”
“Oh it’s fine, I get it, Lyra.” Adagio crooned. “You don’t want to leave your friends behind.”
“But what if they leave you behind first?” Aria poked Lyra threateningly.
“It’s not like they were all that enthusiastic about this competition in the first place right?” Sonata leaned in from the other side. “At least from what we’ve heard”.
Lyra’s eyes darted between the faces of the Dazzlings and tried to speak up, to defend her friends and band, but found the words stuck on the back of her tongue. She knew they weren’t entirely wrong.
“Take all the time you need, Lyra.” Adagio lightly smirked and flicked a tuft of Lyra’s hair away from her eyes. “We’ll be right here, waiting for you.” They headed to the auditorium’s door. Adagio stopped and glanced back at Lyra. “But I’m sure you’ll make the right choice soon.” And with that, all three of them were back in the auditorium, planning for their own show.
Lyra stared at the closed doors for a good minute, silently reflecting on her choices. “They weren’t entirely wrong, now were they?” She mumbled. “Just the music and hanging out is enough for Lemon and Twinkle, but not for me. I want something more...” She leaned against the wall with her back and slid down onto the ground. “And more is what they promise…”
Lemon Hearts listened with clenched fists. She always had a feeling this was coming, but was not ready to face it just yet. She thought about storming up to Lyra and letting it all out, but holding back the tears of anger took too much already. She headed back, to tell Twinkleshine everything she’s heard, deep down hoping that Lyra would come to her senses. But also doubting any good-will she ever felt to her.