Chapter Text
“-and they’re coming on tour IN PARIS!!!” squealed Rose to Juleka at a much higher pitch than usual, drawing the attention of the class.
“Whoa, dudette, what’s got you so excited?” Nino asked, Lila listening in-along with the rest of the class.
“The Sonic Rainbooms are coming on tour in Paris for Foreign Exchange Week!!! Me, Jules and Luka totally love their music, which is really awesome!!! They’re in high school,
and got picked for the program, and it’s so cool!!!” There were, somehow, more exclamation marks than usual.
“Oh, those Rainbooms?” Lila saw a chance to enter the conversation, and took it. “Yeah, once I visited their high school for a talk in my projects for going green-” Marinette rolled her eyes, “-and they offered to make a song about it!”
“Whoa, really, dudette?” Nino said.
“Yeah! It’s titled ‘Legend of Everfall’ and it’s really good, maybe they’ll play it for you when they get here!” Lila replied with a sickly-sweet smile.
“She really called it Legend of Everfall?” Luka could feel his eye twitching, which became 100% more common when Lila’s bullshit was mentioned.
Juleka banged her head down on the table. “I swear, thank God-or Elements of Harmony-that the Rainbooms actually listened to that message I sent to their blog.”
“Yeah. Honestly, I’m just glad, with us being semi-magical like Lila seems to be, we’re resistant to her sirenic-like powers.” Luka sighed, rubbing his forehead.
Each of the Couffaine twins had a bit of magic in them. Luka’s was Heartsong, or the power to essentially read people like music sheets-which, on the day Marinette broke down in front of him, allowed him to realise how and what was hurting. Juleka’s was Rain Check, aka the power to see magic. Juleka knew she had a photo curse, because she could see its magic around her. She could see her brother’s magic, and between them, completely ignored Ladybug and Chat Noir’s identities. She could also see the curse Adrien and Marinette had, giving them such a twisted love story. Alas, the photo curse was only broken by them, and Juleka couldn’t break the thrall of magic Lila had over Rose, and she’d tried a few times.
With Luka’s and her powers combined unable to break magical curses, only able to see or detect them, they’d finally taken action by reaching out to the Sonic Rainbooms-a group of, essentially, superheroes. Superheroes that seemed to deal better with magic than Ladybug and Chat. Superheroes that were also a band that had a super-popular website with all their songs, where they’d PM’d the plea.
“Let’s just hope they can break the curse on them,” muttered Juleka morosely.
☯️☀️✴️
“Are you sure it’s real?” Applejack asked skeptically.
“I’ll confirm with the people who reached out when we get there.” Replied Sunset. “Besides, it’s too detailed not to be real. College Francois Dupont is a real place, and Twilight checked with a minor bit of hacking-”
“You’re welcome,”
“-and she also checked the users who messaged us. BlueHeartSong and GothgfCheck are twins Luka and Juleka Couffaine, who often leave likes and great comments on our videos, which seem pretty genuine. If nothing else, it’s only for a few weeks, then we’re back to CHS.”
“Well, if you say so. We’ll trust your judgement.” Applejack said, and the rest of the girls nodded. “Mhm hmm!”
Sunset smiled. “Thanks, guys. Now, we better go pack.”
“Five steps ahead of you!” Rarity cheered as she dragged Fluttershy and Rainbow off, with Pinkie bouncing along and Applejack following. Sunset was about to follow, too, when Twilight tapped her shoulder. “Sunset?”
“Yeah?”
“You trust us, right?” Twilight said.
“Absolutely.” Sunset replied with no hesitation.
Twilight looked into her eyes. It felt like Sunset was hiding something, yet…there was not a shred of doubt. She knew Sunset would trust them no matter what, so if she didn’t tell them this, it must be something important that truly needed to be kept secret. “Alright.”
After Twilight left, Sunset breathed a sigh of relief.
Another reason to trust the Couffaine twins, she thought, was because they were superheroes, just like them, with secret identities that needed to be kept secret, unlike them.
☯️☀️✴️
SunnySunsetSunrise✔️ @officialsunsetshimmer
Hey everyone! Just wanted to say, first gig in Paris is on the stage used by the band Kitty Section (thx @GothGuitar and @MusicalBlues for loaning it to us!) in the local Parisian park! This message will also be visible on the Rainbooms’ blog, with the usual ticket booking link. Link to it is below;
https://sonicrainboomblog/
@officialsonicrainbooms✔️ retweeted this
@time to party everyone✔️ retweeted this
@fashion, fashion, put it on on me✔️ retweeted this
@living, breathing rainbow✔️ retweeted this
@strongwoman✔️ retweeted this
@SCIENCE!!!✔️ retweeted this
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-4562 comments
MusicalBlues @lukacouffaine
No problem!
GothGuitar @julekacouffaine
same here, we should be thanking u
SunnySunsetSunrise✔️ @officialsunsetshimmer
its nothing really
the guitar one @flashsentry
why do I feel like theres context im missing @SunnySunsetSunrise
SunnySunsetSunrise✔️ @officialsunsetshimmer
Ill tell u when the gang gets back from Paris bc I feel like this is a in-person convo lol
Sunsetkinnie @azurewhite
HOLY SHIT THE QUEEN REPLIED TO YOU
AJ could step on me and I’d thank her @AJisrealQueen
Shes not the queen, and also bitch you haven’t been around for as long as your username claims bc then you’d know he’s one of the few she always replies to.
SunnySunsetSunrise✔️ @officialsunsetshimmer
ok chill out and pls try to insult ppl a little less @AJ could step on me and I’d thank her, also @the guitar one def a convo in person
☯️☀️✴️
“It’s you!”
Nathaniel looked up from his sketchbook-to find a girl with hair comparable to his staring at him. “You’re one of the creators of the comics!” Her accent wasn’t American nor Parisian, but rather something more…farther away. Her French was flawless, though.
“You mean the comics I make with my partner, Marc?” Nathaniel glances around the school’s indoor courtyard-usually, it’s Marc who’s early, not the other way around.
“Yeah! You inspired me to branch out and make some of my own. Sunset Shimmer, or you might know my username on the blog you put them on-ShimmeryYellowRed.” Sunset holds out her hand with a bright grin.
He blanks out momentarily in shock. “What?!”
Marc was a big fan of the Rainbooms’ music, and once Nathaniel heard ‘Life is a Runway’ on the ravenette’s phone, he ended up following them too. Sunset’s first comment on Issue 7 had several times the amount of international and Parisian viewers pouring in, especially after she linked their comics’ blog on both the Rainbooms’ official website and Twitter. Not long after, comic issues starring the Rainbooms started arriving on their blog, with crediting to Marc and Nathaniel for the idea.
When Rose had mentioned the Rainbooms last week, Nathaniel hadn’t been able to get a word in during Lila’s long list of encounters with the Rainbooms…which he found a little odd. The Rainbooms’ blog had much more than songs and the comic issues-Rarity had makeover tutorials, Rainbow recorded her workouts, Applejack sometimes published a few of her family and farm, and everyone especially begged Fluttershy for videos on the animals she befriended. They weren’t stingy on mentioning people-in fact, some mentioned people halfheartedly complained they were exaggerating. So, why had Nathaniel never come across so much as Lila’s name on any of their sites and accounts?
Why had he never…
Why had…
…
NEVER DOUBT LILA.
“Uh-you okay?” Sunset asks, brow creased.
“Ah, er-got a little starstruck.” Nathaniel admits, taking her hand. Sunset’s eyes suddenly flash white, and he would’ve freaked out if he wasn’t an avid follower of her own comics and account and knew that was a sign of her magic activating-which was why sometimes Sunset avoided touching people with her hands (elbow poking or slinging her arm over their shoulders was fine) or wore artist gloves (because it required all five fingers and a full hand) However, he still freaked a little-mostly because he was a little afraid of Sunset seeing some of his…more sensual memories.
(One comic issue had been a literal rant about why Sunset started wearing gloves in the selfies posted on the blog-she was tired of browsing through some…well, you can guess.)
When the light vanishes from her teal eyes (huh, they both have red hair and teal eyes, are they related or something?) Sunset nearly collapses, and Nathaniel grabs her arm. “Uh-you okay?”
“Yeah, yeah. Sorry for that, by the way. I avoided the more private ones, tried to go for the memories of that classmate of yours, Lila.”
“Lila? Why?”
“Well…let’s just say the reason the Rainbooms are really here isn’t good, and neither is she.”
“Lila’s great!” he argues reflexively (why is it reflex?) “She’s a kind, generous and sweet person!”
If anything, Sunset looked even more tired. “Yeah, okay. I’ll have to talk to the gang later. Anyway, thought you’d want this-am handing them out individually to others, so don’t give it away. Ticket to the Rainbooms’ first concert in Paris, free. Don’t worry about your boyfriend, I’ll give one to him later.”
The ticket she gives him is glossy gold with swirly rainbow letters, and Nathaniel stares down at it in shock. A ticket to the concert of the Sonic Rainbooms.
“Are-are you sure?”
Sunset grins at him. “100%. But, uh, do you know where your classroom is? It’s where I’m going for the exchange week.”
“Yeah, uh, I’ll take you there. Just, um, let me find Marc first…” Nathaniel murmurs.
“Oh, I’ll help. Is he one of those late or early types? I’m the latter.” Sunset asks, and jumps on top of the staircase railing, swinging her legs over onto the steps and looking over the crowd.
“Same. Never understood why early risers existed.” Nathaniel tries to copy her, but fails majestically and nearly falls before Sunset grabs his hand and pulls him up, snorting as his cheeks flush. “I know your pain. Half my platonic soulmates are Like That, and the other half know my pain.” Nathaniel has to do an awkward hop that isn’t anywhere close to the grace Sunset exhibited, and he wonders if he should’ve just gotten on the stairs the normal way.
Apparently Sunset’s grace is inhuman (considering she used to be a pony, it really is) as she stands on the railing and wobbles slightly yet, somehow, does not fall off. She ends up getting the attention of the crowd as she scans the courtyard, and Nathaniel glares at the few boys under the stairs trying to sneak a peek under her skirt.
Sunset’s eyes brighten and she yells, officially getting the attention of everyone; “FLUTTERS! OVER HERE!!”
A path clears and a light-pink-haired girl Nathaniel realizes must be Fluttershy Breeze squeaks in terror, and begins running through it while dragging with her his boyfriend.
“Marc!” he greets, and Marc beams at him despite usually hating the attention of the crowd. “Nath! Look, I got an autograph!” He pulls out his journal and freezes when he notices Sunset, now sitting casually on the railing. “Wow, you’re Sunset Shimmer! Uh, can I get your autograph too?”
“Sure!” Marc flips to a page where Fluttershy’s pretty, light, fluttery-like writing says her name. Sunset grabs the pen and signs with a flourish;
Never stop writing. -Sunset Shimmer
‘Holy shit.’ Marc mouths to himself with a giddy grin as he takes the book back. Sunset reaches into her pocket, but Fluttershy, who’s sat at her feet and glared off the remaining pervs, strokes Angel as she says, “Oh, don’t worry. I already gave Marc a ticket.”
“Great, thanks!” Sunset grins. “Can you direct us to your classrooms? Uh, Marc, I think Pinkie, AJ, and Flutters are in yours, while me, RD, Rare and Twi are in Nathaniel’s.”
Fluttershy jolts. “What? Sunset, that arrangement-”
“Sure! Come on, Fluttershy, I’ll take you there.” Marc smiles.
“Um, actually, we have to wait for the others.” says Fluttershy. Sunset nods. “We got here early, except for Dash, and right now AJ, Pinkie, Rarity, and Twilight are getting croissants for us at the Dupain-Cheng bakery.”
“Oh, that’s where my cousin, Marinette, lives. She’s Nathaniel’s classmate, and could probably direct them if she actually gets here on time. With Rainbow’s speed, though, I bet she’s the only one you’re not worried about.” Marc grins cheekily, and Sunset and Fluttershy laugh. “Yeah, Twi made sure her phone would wake her up just before class started, so that she would at least be on time.” Sunset admitted.
“Well, then let’s go,” said Nathaniel.
As they walked, though, Nathaniel heard Fluttershy whisper to Sunset; “You’ll snap within the day if she’s actually there.”
“I know.” Sunset replied grimly.