"Sweetie Belle, darling, could you come here a moment please?" Rarity called from upstairs. Sweetie Belle sighed. Her older sister probably just wanted to dress her up in some frilly dress again. Nonetheless, she trotted up the staircase and into Rarity's room.
"What's up, Rarity?" Sweetie Belle asked. Rarity whipped around.
"Oh, Sweetie, it's simply marvelous!" Rarity gushed: "I've been called in for an interview at the most high end fashion boutique in all of Equestria!"
"And?" Sweetie Belle deadpanned.
Rarity gave her younger sibling a bored look. "And you'll be coming to Canterlot with me for the interview tomorrow."
Sweetie Belle groaned. "Aww, Rarity, do I have to? That's a whole day of crusading I'll miss out on!" Rarity rolled her eyes. "And Canterlot is big and crowded!"
"You'll be with me the entire time, or at the lovely hotel where I've booked a night," Rarity said, turning to her sewing machine. "Now, go pack. I want to catch the train to Canterlot at eight o' clock tomorrow morning."
Sweetie Belle left the room dejectedly, but instead of packing as Rarity said, she bolted downstairs and out the front door of Carousel Boutique. She raced for Sweet Apple Acres, and safe harbor.
"Sweetie Belle? What in tarnation-," Apple Bloom shouted as the white filly plowed into her.
"Save me!" Sweetie Belle squeaked.
"From what?" Apple Bloom looked confused.
"Rarity! She's trying to take me to Canterlot!"
"What for?" Apple Bloom questioned.
"She has some sort of interview thing... Please don't let her take me!"
"Ah'll ask Applejack if ya can stay here!" Apple Bloom yelled, scrambling to her feet.
**************************************
"Ah'm sorry, Sweetie Belle, but we've got relatives comin' in from Manehattan tonight," Applejack said softly. "Which Apple Bloom did know about," She added, turning a glare on the small earth pony. Sweetie Belle's ears drooped.
"What about Scootaloo?" Apple Bloom suggested, ignoring her sister.
"No," Sweetie Belle said sadly: "You know how her parents are." Apple Bloom's ears fell as well.
"Ah'm sure ya'll will have fun," Applejack said. "Now, run along, the both of ya. Ah got some chores ta finish."
Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom trudged out of the barn, muzzles nearly dragging on the ground.
"I guess I should go pack," Sweetie Belle said. "It's almost sunset."
"Yeah... I guess I'll see ya when ya'll get back then," Apple Bloom responded.
"Yeah. Bye, Apple Bloom. Tell Scoot I said goodbye?" Sweetie Belle asked.
Apple Bloom nodded, "Sure thing!" Sweetie Belle trotted away from Sweet Apple Acres, kicking a stone across the road sadly. She hated Canterlot. There were just too many ponies for her to enjoy her time. Even when she was a flower girl in Princess Cadence's wedding, she couldn't wait to go home to Ponyville.
As quietly as she could, Sweetie Belle opened the front door of Carousel Boutique. She peeked inside, making sure Rarity was nowhere in sight. Slipping inside, she kicked the door shut, and bolted to her room.
"Sweetie Belle? Was that you?" Rarity called from her studio.
"Yep!" Sweetie Belle yelled in response. She threw her saddle bags on her bed and packed the only outfit she had, other than her flower girl dress. She doubted she'd need anything else.
That thought remained rooted in her mind as she boarded the train with her sister early the next morning. Even the train was crowded! And they were still in Ponyville!
"Sweetie Belle, dear, do you mind if I take the window seat? You know how easily I get sick," Rarity simpered.
Begrudgingly, Sweetie Belle complied. She huffed bitterly as she sat down, resting her head on the arm rest.
"Well don't you look happy to be alive," A male voice remarked. Sweetie Belle's head shot up.
"Excuse me?" She snapped. A unicorn colt in the row across from her chuckled.
"The name's Ice Flame," He said proudly. The name suited him, with his pale white coat and spikey bright orange mane.
"Sweetie Belle..." The unicorn filly said. She didn't much like the looks of Ice Flame, with his bored-looking face and cocky attitude. Nonetheless, she figured she could use the conversation. It was a five hour train ride to Canterlot, after all.
"Why so glum, Sweetie?" Ice Flame smirked, causing Sweetie Belle to roll her eyes.
"I don't want to go to Canterlot, that's why," She said vaguely.
Ice Flame looked shocked. "But Canterlot is where dreams come true!" He exclaimed. "Don't you have any dreams?"
"You mean other than getting my cutie mark?" Sweetie Belle muttered under her breath.
"Wait, you're a blank flank?" Ice Flame asked, looking surprised. Sweetie Belle's ears flattened and she flipped her tail over her flank. "No worries, kid. You're still young."
Ice Flame didn't look much older than Sweetie Belle and her friends, maybe a year or so difference. Glancing at his flank, she saw his cutie mark was a flaming musical note.
Curiosity got the better of the Cutie Mark Crusader. "What's yours mean?"
"I'm a singer. I play guitar too, but I mainly sing," He answered.
Sweetie Belle nodded. "Like Sapphire Shores?"
"Heck no," Ice Flame spat. "That's the most annoying music I've ever heard."
Sweetie Belle was taken aback. She and Rarity loved Sapphire Shores' music. Sweetie Belle herself had never listened to any other type of music.
"Rock is where it's at. Now that is something you can bang your head to," He mused, then, seeing the look on Sweetie Belle's face, asked: "You've never listened to rock, have you?" When she shook her head, Ice Flame levitated a small music player from his saddle bags. He handed her an earbud, which she managed to put into her ear without magic. He dialed up a song quickly, saying: "I'll give you something softer for your first listen."
Gentle, but rapid guitar riffs floated through the earbud.
Clap until your hooves hurt, standing ovations or boos. Watch until we blur, trot off into the sunset.
"What is this?" Sweetie Belle asked. It wasn't something she'd normally listen to, but she didn't dislike it.
"It's called 'Alpha Colt' by Fall Out Pony," Ice Flame answered. "This is isn't technically rock, though, it's alternative."
"Huh," Sweetie Belle thought. "Maybe Ice Flame isn't so bad."
They sat and listened to music for the majority of the train ride, Ice Flame introducing Sweetie Belle to various new genres.
A short time later, Sweetie Belle's music was interrupted by a tap on the shoulder. She turned to see Rarity levitating their bags down from the overhead compartment. "We're here, darling. Say goodbye to your new, ehm, friend," She said, casting a disproving glance at Ice Flame.
"See ya around," Sweetie Belle said.
"Later," Ice Flame responded, trotting off after a very gruff looking dark blue stallion. Sweetie Belle followed Rarity off the train, into the swarms of fancy-schmancy ponies. Her mood, which Ice Flame had slightly improved, dropped.
"I don't think I like that colt very much," Rarity commented as they stepped into the stage coach that would take them to their hotel.
Sweetie Belle was appalled. "You didn't even speak to him!" She shouted.
"Sweetie Belle, please, lower your voice!" Rarity scolded. "He was a ruffian, I could tell."
"You call Scootaloo and Apple Bloom ruffians and you still like them!"
"Now, that's enough, Sweetie," Rarity snapped. "Or I'll be forced to leave you in the hotel room while I meet with my interviewer."
"Fine by me," The filly responded bitterly, earning her a glare from Rarity. "This is going to be a long day," Sweetie Belle thought despairingly.
"Now, I'll be meeting with Hoity Toity at seven o'clock tonight," Rarity said. "Oh, goodness, I haven't the slightest idea what to wear!"
Sweetie Belle lay on her back on one of the small beds in their hotel room, listening to Rarity fuss and fret over her interview.
"Oh, Sweetie Belle, if I get this job, I could be one of the top fashion designers in all of Equestria!" The white mare daydreamed. "We could move to Canterlot, and have a great big house, oh and of course we'd get you a much better education than what Cheerilee can give you."
"Hey! Miss Cheerilee is the best teacher ever!" Sweetie Belle shouted angrily, her face reddening. Rarity, of course, ignored her.
"Why, you could be the most popular filly in your class, being my sister!" Rarity continued to gush.
"It's almost six-thirty, shouldn't you be getting ready?" Sweetie Belle snapped, eliciting a gasp of horror from Rarity.
"How did it get so late?! Oh, I'll just have to wear this old thing," She complained, grabbing a deep purple dress that matched her mane perfectly.
It took Rarity forty-five minutes to put on her dress, make-up, and jewelry.
"Oh, you're finally finished?" Sweetie Belle sneered at her sister.
Rarity glared, then her face went back to bossy. "Sweetie, if you leave this room, make sure you take the key card with you. Do not leave this hotel. I don't want to have to call the Royal Guard to find you." Sweetie Belle rolled her eye. She did not plan on leaving this room. It was nice and quiet here.
"Behave," Rarity warned. and trotted out the door. Sweetie Belle groaned loudly and stared up at the ceiling.
"This is the worst night ever," She mumbled, closing her eyes. Without realizing it, she fell into a light, dreamless sleep.
**********************************************
Sweetie Belle awoke to a muffled thumping. She lay still, trying to pinpoint what it was. It sounded like the noise she heard when Pinkie Pie had big parties back in Ponyville. Miss Cheerilee had taught her enough about music to recognize that what she was hearing was the bass of the music. Sweetie Belle's question now, where was the music coming from.
Despite her plans to not leave the quiet of the room, curiosity got the better of her. Slinging a small clutch purse with a shoulder strap over herself, she slid the key card to their hotel room inside. As she opened the room's door, the thumping became slightly louder, and now there was a faint tune to the music. Glancing back at the clock on the nightstand between the two beds, she saw that it was nearly ten o'clock.
With a brief thought that Rarity should have returned by now, she edged out the door and down the hallway to the elevator. Punching the down arrow button, Sweetie Belle glanced down the hallway. It was a rather... Posh hotel, with many rooms boasting a beautiful view of the mountains just beyond Canterlot.
A door slammed just down the hallway as the doors to the elevator opened. Caught off guard, Sweetie Belle darted into the elevator and pressed the button that stated "Lobby" several times in a row. When the doors to the elevator slid shut, the filly scolded herself for being so jumpy.
"You're in Canterlot, Sweetie Belle," She chided. "As much as you don't like it, act as though you do." Now, the pounding bass was completely inaudible, replaced by typical elevator music. However, when the elevator reached ground level and its doors opened, the music was almost deafening. Looking down the hall past the main lobby, Sweetie Belle could see bright, multicolored flashing lights. The filly's curiosity spiked again.
Sweetie Belle attempted to take a step. She didn't get very far. Turning, she realized her tail had become caught in the door of the elevator.
"Oh, ponyfeathers," She muttered to herself. This night just kept getting better and better. She tried wiggling her tail out, but to no avail. She tried yanking it as well, but still no progress.
Suddenly, the doors opened, and Sweetie Belle's tail was free. She flipped it about until it regained its shape, then turned. Standing by the buttons of the elevator, was Ice Flame.
"What are you doing here?" The unicorn filly questioned, blushing furiously at having been caught in such an embarrassing moment. "Are you staying in this hotel, too?"
"Heck no," Ice Flame answered, scoffing. "I'm here for the party."
"Party?" Sweetie Belle was confused.
A grin spread across Ice Flame's face. "Follow me." He began walking towards the flashing lights. Sweetie Belle trotted after him. On the opposite side of the main lobby, there was a large room. A long counter was at the front of the room, with shelves behind it completely lined with bottles. Several ponies stood behind the counter, sliding glasses of liquid to the ponies sitting on the tall stools in front.
A multitude of ponies were dancing erratically in the back of the room. The were clumped together, sweat glistening on every single one of them. Scattered throughout the darkened room were tables and chairs, where the more calm ponies were sitting. Rarity and Hoity Toity were among these ponies.
Sweetie Belle decided to let Rarity believe she was still upstairs, asleep. "What is all this?" She asked Ice Flame.
"It's sort of like a club," The older colt answered. "That's the bar," He explained, pointing to the long counter. "We aren't allowed near there, with the alcohol and everything."
Sweetie Belle vaguely remembered a time when she, Scootaloo, and Apple Bloom, has gotten into a barrel of apple whiskey in Applejack's barn. They'd only drank a little bit, maybe to glasses worth, but the feeling was not a good one.
"That's the dance floor," Ice Flame continued, pointing to the pulsing throng of ponies. "I'd stay away from there, too, since you're so small. You'll get crushed."
From where they were standing, Sweetie Belle could see Rarity sipping on a colorful drink, heatedly discussing something with her future employer. The throbbing music died down slowly, and an older stallion took the stage behind the dance floor.
"Alright ponies, we're gonna settle down for a bit," The stallion said, magically projecting his voice. "It's karaoke time!" Cheers erupted through the room, including a "Sweet!" from Ice Flame.
"Are you gonna sing?" I asked my companion.
"Depends on the song," He answered. "No way I'm singing some namby-pamby filly song."
"Our first song is... You're Going Down, by Sick Ponies," The stallion on the stage said. "Do we have any volunteers?" Ice Flame's hoof shot into the air. "You there, with the bright orange mane!"
Ice Flame moved onto the stage and levitated the microphone towards himself as a heavy bass line vibrated the stereo system. His deep voice took over all other sounds in the room.
"Define your meaning of war. To me it's what we do when we're bored. I feel the heat coming off of the blacktop, and it makes me want it more."
Guitars joined the bass as Ice Flame moved through the chorus. Sweetie Belle was surprised by the vulgarity that appeared twice in the song, and more so by the fact that Ice Flame didn't falter when he came to the swears. Through the song, his eyes never left the screen displaying the words, though I had a feeling Ice Flame knew the song by heart.
As the song ended, Sweetie Belle heard Rarity scoff to Hoity Toity, "What vulgarity! Such a young colt, too, the poor dear." Sweetie Belle bristled.
"You okay?" Ice Flame asked, appearing beside her. "You look ticked."
"My sister basically insulted you," Sweetie Belle snarled and pointed to the purple-maned unicorn.
Ice Flame rolled his eyes. "Let 'er talk," He said. "I was the one on stage, not her."
The conversation was interrupted by the announcer stallion informing us that the next song would be softer. "It's If I Die Young, by The Band Pony!" Sweetie Belle's ear perked. She knew this one.
Unfortunately, the stallion on the stage saw her reaction, despite being at the back of the small crowd. "Little unicorn filly! Come on up!" Sweetie Belle shrunk back. "Now, don't be shy!" Ice Flame nudged her towards the stage. Slowly, she mounted the stairs on the left side and used her minor levitation skills to hold the microphone in front of her face.
The song began, lyrics starting immediately. Sweetie Belle squeaked her way through the first verse, but as the chorus came, she found herself belting the words with all her might.
"If I die young, bury me in satin, lay me down on a bed of roses. Sink me in a river at dawn, send me away with the words of a love song."
Sweetie Belle felt more confident than ever before. She realized halfway through the song that she was actually enjoying this! She began picturing herself in Sapphire Shores' place. Standing on a big stage, millions of adoring fans screaming her name, wearing a beautiful dress that was handmade just for her... It was exactly what she wanted.
So put on your best, boys, and I'll wear my pearls."
The song ended as it had begun, softly. Sweetie Belle looked out at the crowd and saw every staring at her in awe just before they broke into roaring applause. Blushing furiously, the filly trotted off the stage and made her way back to Ice Flame, who was standing beside Rarity now.
"Sweetie Belle, I had no idea you could sing so beautifully! Why, that was-," Rarity gasped. "Sw-Sweetie Belle! Your flank!"
Sweetie Belle twisted. There, on her previously blank flank, was the image of a microphone, its cord snaking between three half notes. Pure ecstasy surged through Sweetie Belle. This... Singing... Was her destiny!
"Young lady!" A female voice called. Sweetie Belle turned to see an important looking mare making her way towards her. "Your voice is simply beautiful." The former blank-flank blushed again. "I would like you to come see me at my studio tomorrow. Perhaps we can work out a record deal or the like." She handed her a business card, and walked away.
"Oh my goodness!" Rarity exclaimed. Sweetie Belle was stunned into silence. She stared down at the business card in her hoof.
"Song Bird. Canterlot Record Company," Sweetie Belle read. The life she had only just envisioned... would be hers.