by Perdita Finn
“A keytar,” corrected Rainbow Dash, who knew her musical instruments, even if she’d never actually seen one of them before.
Pinkie shrugged. “Potato, tomato.” With a big, enthusiastic smile on her face, she handed the keytar to Rarity like it was a Christmas present. She squealed delightedly as Rarity slowly strapped the instrument around her neck.
The girls stepped back to give Rarity some room. She fumbled with the control panel for a moment until she found the ON switch. She touched one of the keys. It had a powerful and precise sound. A little surprised, she grinned as she began trying out a scale. She wasn’t used to playing the keys from this position, but she was a talented player.
With one hand, she began finding the melody of a song while the other girls added the beat. The giant sound of the keytar filled the room. Rarity’s fingers were dancing across the keyboard, her whole body swaying to the music. What was great about the keytar was that she could dance while she played, just like Rainbow Dash and Applejack. She swirled, she turned, she grooved, she rocked! She ponied up!
First her ears appeared and then her tail. The keytar helped her make music magic.
“Oh my!” she sang as she danced.
“Cool!” shouted Rainbow Dash.
“Will ya look at that!” exclaimed Applejack.
“Oh my goodness!” said Fluttershy.
But most amazed of all were the Diamond Dogs. They’d never seen or heard anything like it before. Their mouths were wide open. They were on the floor! If they’d been hypnotized by Rarity before, now they were absolutely mesmerized.
“What do you think, fellas?” Rarity winked as she finished off her solo with a final flourish and returned to normal. “Did I make those ears and tail work for you or what?”
Still unable to talk, the boys nodded their heads.
Applejack put an arm around Rarity. “Looks like your full musicality does just fine with a keytar. What do you say to keepin’ it on and movin’ your tail to our next rehearsal space?”
“Fine, fine,” said Rarity, running a hand over her keytar. She loved it. It was so much more fun to play than a piano, especially in a band. But what was she going to do with the piano now? She had to return it to the room she’d borrowed it from, didn’t she?
She sashayed over to the Diamond Dogs and put an arm around them. She batted her eyes and smiled at them. “I probably should return that piano to Trixie.…” she said.
The boys just stared at her, waiting.
“I don’t suppose…” Rarity said in her sweetest voice.
The boys fell over one another to do one more thing for Rarity, and together they pushed and pulled and tugged the piano out of the room.
Rarity grinned. “I thought they might.”
The afternoon had worked out so much better than she thought! And now she had her beloved keytar to play!
School of Rock
DJ Pon-3 arrived early to school the next day. There were so many things to do before the Spring Fling that night. But the moment she opened the front door of Canterlot High, she heard music, incredible music, music that made her want to dance. Someone had gotten to school even earlier than she had.
The Equestria Girls! They were practicing and filling the school with their rockin’ tunes!
All the kids who were usually gossiping and doing homework in the main lobby were tapping their feet and swaying to the music. DJ Pon-3 noticed that everyone seemed happy, like they were about to start dancing. A girl bounced by with her books in her arms, and she was doing the Pony Stomp without even realizing it. Some boys rushed past on their way to their lockers, and they were strutting their stuff and snapping their fingers.
DJ Pon-3 felt like she’d walked onto the set of a music video!
“Hey, hey, everybody,
We’re here to shout
That the Magic of Friendship
Is what it’s all about!”
The music followed her down the hallway to her first-period class. Students were opening and closing their lockers to the beat. They shuffled their books from hand to hand like it was a dance move. Girls put on lipstick at their lockers and brushed their hair, all in time to the singing of the Equestria Girls. Even the teachers were getting into it! Cranky Doodle was storming down the hallway in his usual grumpy mood when, all of a sudden, he jumped up in the air, did a split, landed, twirled, and opened the door to his classroom, singing and smiling.
DJ Pon-3 danced into class behind him and put her books down on her desk. Behind her she heard a whirring noise in time to the music. It was the classroom hamster, and even he was dancing on his running wheel. The bells of Fluttershy’s tambourine were working their magic!
Up at the front of the class, her teacher had set up a science experiment, and each bubble that burst out of the test tube seemed to be part of the whole musical experience.
DJ Pon-3 sat down at her desk and happily watched the rest of the kids pour into the classroom, bopping and singing.
But then the first-period bell rang, and the music stopped.
Now the kids in class just seemed noisy. Someone threw a paper airplane across the room. Another kid flung a spitball. Cranky Doodle yelled at them. Some gossiping girls laughed obnoxiously. A kid leaned back in his chair and it scraped against the linoleum, making a squeaking noise. Every little sound was noticeable to DJ Pon-3, and none of the sounds seemed happy.
A boy blew his nose. A girl unzipped her backpack. Someone crumpled up a piece of paper.
The teacher was just scraping a piece of chalk across the board when the fire alarm blared. Whan! Whan! Whan!
Vice Principal Luna appeared in the doorway. “Everyone get in line. Class is delayed. We’re having a practice fire drill.”
Quietly, the kids got into a line and marched out of the classroom, down the hallway, and through the back door. The only sounds were footsteps. Class after class filed outside. Teachers were taking attendance.
But outside on the grass in the sunshine, someone began humming the tune from that morning. Another student joined in. Soon everyone was singing along and dancing in place. It was an unforgettable song!
“When everyone hears my music, they are going to love it even more,” said Trixie. “I’m going to be the star of the Spring Fling. Just you wait and see.”
DJ Pon-3 pulled down her shades, typed out a text, and looked at Trixie. “The difference between you and the Equestria Girls, Trixie,” it said, “is that you want to be the star, but the Equestria Girls know how to put their music in the spotlight. They let the music be the star. And that’s why everyone loves it.”
Just at that moment, all of Canterlot High erupted into song.
“Hey, hey, everybody,
We’re here to shout
That the Magic of Friendship
Is what it’s all about!”
Music to Our Ears!
The Equestria Girls had each found an instrument to play. They had written songs. They had practiced. Rarity had sewn them all fantabulously stylish pony ears and tails for the big night. There was only one problem. They were ready for the Spring Fling—but the Spring Fling was not ready for them!
When they arrived with their gear to set up at the gym, they opened the doors to discover a pastel pink paradise. There were pink balloons and pink streamers. There was a big bowl of pink lemonade sitting on a pink tablecloth. It would have been perfect for a slumber party, Pinkie Pie’s slumber party that is, but it did not set the mood for a high school dance party. Not at all!
“Isn’t it fun and silly?” Pinkie Pie giggled. “I decorated it this afternoon!”
None of the girls knew what to say. They didn’t want to disappoint Pinkie Pie after all of her hard work, but…
Rainbow Dash sighed.
Fluttershy looked down at the floor, tears welling up in her eyes.
Applejack coughed.
Rarity spoke up at last. “It’s so pretty, Pinkie Pie,” she said. “Just like you. But we want something a little more—”
“Hawaiian?” interrupted Pinkie Pie. “I thought about doing a Hawaiian theme. I’ve even got tiki lamps and tropical flowers and leis to give out to the kids as they arrive. I could play the ukulele.…”
“You’ve got to play drums,” Rainbow Dash reminded her.
“Our sound just isn’t Hawaiian exactly,” said Rarity. “We need a more stylish flair. What if we turned the stage into a runway? We could add hats and boas to our costumes. I’ve got one right here.” She pulled a long purple boa out of her backpack and swirled it around her neck. “We could do a fashion show while we’re being a band!”
One of the feathers from the boa tickled Pinkie’s nose and she let out an enormous sneeze. Kerchoo! Feathers flew everywhere!
Applejack spoke up now, suggesting a country theme. “And I’ll make sure to have some of my apple cider delivered!” she said. “We’ll deck the place out with hay bales and wagon wheels. We can even get a mechanical bull for the kids to ride. It’ll be the best hoedown in town.”
“Cool your spurs, Applejack,” said Rainbow Dash. “We’re a pop group, not country. I’d like to see us playing an arena at halftime one day. Look, we’re already in a gym. Why not use the equipment we’ve already got? We can add an archery range, bring in some basketballs. It’ll be awesome.”
“It’ll be gym class, not a dance,” said Rarity.
Even Fluttershy had opinions about how to decorate the gym. “I’ve always wanted to set up a petting zoo here. We can decorate with pictures of all kinds of animals. We can even bring in pigs and sheep and goats for everyone to cuddle!” She clapped her hands. “And we can have a pet adoption center.…”
“I have a bunch of ideas I didn’t use,” said Pinkie Pie, jumping up and down. “And I’ve got all the decorations. We could do a pirate theme with treasure chests and sword fights! We could all wear eye patches and pirate hats. Yo ho ho!”
Pinkie Pie dashed over to the supply closet and started pulling out all kinds of enormous boxes. One of them was labeled PIRATE STUFF and draped with a skull-and-crossbones flag. Rarity picked it up and just shook her head.
But Pinkie Pie was on a roll. “Okay, so no pirates,” she said without even catching her breath. “How about magicians?” She pulled open the top of another box and found a magic wand. “We could make it a tribute to Twilight Sparkle!”
“But she didn’t do that kind of magic,” said Rainbow Dash. “Twilight Sparkle is from beyond the stars. We need telescopes and astronaut costumes!”
“Absolutely not!” Rarity stomped her foot. “The stars are fine but no astronauts. I do think we need more glitter, though. Let’s bedazzle the room with diamonds and a reflecting ball. Let’s make it shimmer and shine.”
Fluttershy blinked. “But no one likes it when it’s too bright.”
Tempers were beginning to flare. Rarity’s face was turning unfashionably red. Fluttershy was blinking back tears. Rainbow Dash was tapping her foot. Applejack was shaking her head. And Pinkie Pie was running around the gym pulling out more and more boxes.
“We could do a dentist’s office… no? Okay then, how about an undersea theme? No? What about butterflies? You like butterflies, right, Fluttershy?”
“I do,” she said tentatively. “But not for decorations.”
“Worst. Party. Theme. Ever!” said Rainbow Dash.
“You girls having some trouble?” said Trixie, poking her head through the door. “I’d be happy to do your decorating for you. I have a ton of posters of the Great and Powerful Trixie we can put all over the walls.…”
“No!” shouted all the Equestria Girls together.
“We’re fine,” said Rainbow Dash. “We know exactly what we are doing. Good-bye, Trixie! See you tonight.” Rainbow Dash waited until Trixie had disappeared before suggesting a new idea. She looked at her friends and began singing the tune they had all written together.
“We’ve just got the day
To get ready,
And there’s only so much time to lose
Because tonight,
Yeah, we’re gonna party.
Now we’d better hurry up and choose!”
“What would Twilight Sparkle tell us if she was here?” said Fluttershy.
“She’d say it was time for some teamwork,” said Applejack.
Trixie could be so irritating sometimes. Still, her self-centeredness had pointed out something important to the girls about how they had all been behaving.
“How about we keep Pinkie Pie’s balloons?” said Rainbow Dash.
Pinkie Pie clapped her hands with excitement.
“Serve up some of Applejack’s special apple cider?”
Applejack slapped her leg, pleased as punch.
“Decorate the walls with pictures of Fluttershy’s adorable animal friends?”
Fluttershy squealed with excitement.
“Add Rarity’s diamond disco ball!”
“Yes!” exclaimed Rarity.
“And how about we include a little starlight magic as a tribute to Twilight Sparkle?”
“But there’s nothing of yours in the decorations,” said Fluttershy, concerned.
“Oh, but there is!” announced Rainbow Dash. “Look around! It’s a rainbow of colors, just like me! So I win!” She laughed.
But all the other girls helped string together streamers in a rainbow pattern. It was always better when you worked together!
“Now, girls,” said Rainbow Dash when they were done. “It’s time to set up our instruments and play some music!”
Dancing Room Only!
The gym was packed! The lights of the disco ball twinkled and glittered. The boys had put on their best clothes, and the girls were all dressed up. Everyone was wearing pony ears and tails. They were the Canterlot Wondercolts, and this was their Spring Fling!
Up onstage, the Equestria Girls took their places. Rainbow Dash tuned her guitar one last time and checked her amp. Rarity limbered up her fingers. Fluttershy tried to remember that everyone on the gym floor was no more scary than her hamsters. Applejack gave a triumphant strum to her bass. It had never sounded so good!
Rainbow Dash grabbed a microphone. “Hey, Canterlot Wondercolts! How’s everybody doing tonight?”
“What’s up, Canterlot High?” sang out Pinkie Pie.
The crowd erupted into cheers. “Go, Equestria Girls!!!!”
“Hey, what about me?” piped up a voice from the back of the room. “The Great and Powerful Trixie is also performing. The Equestria Girls are just the warm-up band. I’m the STAR!”
“Who’s in your band?” shouted someone.
“Yeah, where’s your band?”
“Who’s playing with you?”
“Who’s your drummer?”
Trixie looked dumbfounded. She’d been so focused on herself that she’d forgotten that she needed a backup band!
“Don’t worry, Trixie,” said Fluttershy. “When the Equestria Girls are done with our set, we can play for you, too!”
Trixie stomped her foot. “Never! I’m the star! I’m going to be the only one onstage!”
Just then, she got another text from DJ Pon-3. “Tell you what, Trixie. First we’ll hear from the Equestria Girls, and then you can play a song, and then the crowd can decide who they want to hear for the rest of the night!” it said. Trixie read the text aloud reluctantly.
The crowd roared its approval.
“C’mon, Equestria Girls! It’s time to rock!” said Rainbow Dash.
Rarity introduced the melody with her keytar. Applejack started building in some rhythm with her bass. Rainbow Dash strummed her guitar, Fluttershy began to sway with her tambourine, and Pinkie Pie went wild on the drums.
“We don’t know what’s gonna happen!” sang Pinkie Pie.
“We just know it’s gonna feel right!” crooned Rarity.
“All our friends are here, and it’s time to ignite the lights!” answered Pinkie Pie.
Then all together the girls blasted out the chorus of their song.
“Shake your tail ’cause we’re here to have a party tonight!
Shake your tail! Shake your tail!”
The kids went wild! They were dancing and shaking and clapping and grooving. Everyone was doing the Pony Stomp. They crossed their arms at the elbows and bent from side to side. They lifted their knees and pranced. They jumped and clapped. They sang along with the Equestria Girls. Who could resist them? No one. Not even Trixie!
At first, she was leaning against the wall, her arms folded angrily, a sour expression on her face. But then her foot began tapping, and then her knees began lifting, and then she was swaying from side to side, and then she was dancing and prancing with everyone from Canterlot High. Even Trixie wanted to do the Pony Stomp!
Rainbow Dash burst out in a solo! “So what if you didn’t get it right the first time!”
“Laugh it off!” sang Pinkie Pie, dazzling with her drums. “No one said it’s a crime!”
“Do your thing!” sang Rarity, hitting the high notes. “Yeah, you know you’re an original!”
“Your ideas are so funny that they’re criminal!” harmonized Rainbow Dash.
“Oh YEAH!” sang the girls.
“Oh YEAH!” answered the crowd.
“Shake your tail ’cause we’re here to have a party tonight!
Shake your tail! Shake your tail!”
Everyone that night experienced the magic of the Equestria Girls’ music, and no one wanted them to stop playing, not even Trixie. Especially Trixie! At the very end of the night, she was still wearing her pony ears and tail, humming to herself all the way home.
Far away in Equestria, Twilight Sparkle was getting ready for a dance at the palace. She was wearing her tiara and lots of pretty jewels. Flash Sentry would be there, and maybe she would dance with him. She could hear guests arriving downstairs, and a band starting to tune up. But Twilight Sparkle could hear different music, upbeat and friendly. It seemed to be coming from the stars.
For a moment, Twilight Sparkle had a vision of herself onstage in the gym at Canterlot High. All the kids were there wearing their pony ears and tails. Pinkie Pie was going crazy on the drums. Fluttershy was waving a tambourine. Rarity’s fingers were racing across a keytar, and Rainbow Dash and Applejack were rocking their guitars. Twilight Sparkle wanted to be there, singing with her friends. She really did. Maybe one day. Maybe the magic would happen again.
