Light Up the Stage

by Brownies13

Rating: everyone
Tags: Slice of Life
Length: 2717

Sweetie Belle has always wanted to hear the sound of fans cheering her on when she sings. She now has a chance to really light up the stage.

Sweetie Belle has always loved singing, yet she is very shy. The one thing she loves more than singing is the thought of getting her cutie mark. One day Sweetie Belle has the chance to sing on stage. Along the many mishaps and questions of whether she should take the chance, comes the faith that this may be the way to get her cutie mark. Will Sweetie Belle take the chance to light up the stage? Or will she let her nerves bring her down?

Read Scootaloo's Distant Secret first. This story may be confusing without reading that story first.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2013-09-14 06:00:03 UTC

Light Up the Stage

Light Up the Stage

Sweetie Belle sat on a bench in a park, listening to the birds as they tweeted away. Such a beautiful sound they made. They all made different pitches in noise, yet they all harmonized perfectly. She envied the way they sang and sometimes found her singing along. Like then on that beautiful, peaceful evening.

“Hm hm hm hm,” she hummed along. “Birds in the sky. They fly all the way by. What a marvelous sound as they harmonize. However do they do this, I do not know. All I know is that I like to sing along,” she continued to sing.

“Hm hm hm hm,” Sweetie Belle finished her little jingle, becoming satisfied.

“Nice job, Sweetie Belle,” called a familiar voice.

It belonged to an orange pegasus.

“Scootaloo!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed surprised. “I heard about how you were an orphan. . .”

Sweetie Belle trailed off, feeling a bit awkward talking about it.

“Not any more, Sweetie Belle,” Scootaloo said glowingly. “Rainbow adopted me!”

“I heard. I'm so happy for you,” Sweetie Belle said cheerfully.

“Ah' am too,” Apple Bloom said, as she walked towards the two.

“Listen, Apple Bloom I'm sorry that I've been avoiding you. I guess I was just angry,” Scootaloo said. “So I was wondering if we could have a truce. Maybe end this ridiculous fight.”

“Ah'd be more than happy to,” Apple Bloom said. “And I'm sorry too.”

Then the two fillies turned to there friend, Sweetie Belle.

“So um I tried out for a singing performance,” Sweetie Belle began looking between both of her friends hopeful eyes, “and I got in.”

Scootaloo and Apple Bloom hugged Sweetie Belle.

“A'm so happy for you, Sweetie Belle,” Apple Bloom said.

“Me too.We'll support you the whole way,” Scootaloo said happily.

“Thanks, girls,” Sweetie Belle said.

I'm not worried about you all supporting me, I just don't think I will be able to sing in front of so many people. She thought sadly.

“So, Sweetie Belle what song are you singing?” Scootaloo asked.

“Maybe we could have a before concert performance,” Apple Bloom suggested.

Sweetie Belle looked between her friends with a smile.

Wait, what? I don't know what song I'm planning on singing! She thought. Oh no!

“Uh, I don't know. . .” Sweetie Belle began, “I wanted it to be a secret.”

“Aww,” the two fillies responded.

“Can't you just sing a bit of the song?” Scootaloo asked.

“Ah'd love to hear at least a bit,” Apple Bloom said with her thick accent.

“Sorry girls. I've made my decision,” Sweetie Belle said, not trying to sound too stubborn.

“Oh alright, Sweetie Belle. You win,” Scootaloo said.

“Ok,we'll wait till the concert,” Apple Bloom said.

Sweetie Belle loved how her friends were so understanding. She felt she wouldn't find any one as great as her friends. At this moment she checked the watch her sister had given her so she could get back in time to try on her dress.

Noticing that she was going to be late she exclaimed, “Oh no! I'm late!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed.

“For what?” Scootaloo and Apple Bloom asked.

“Rarity is making me a special dress for the performance. She told me not to be late,” Sweetie Belle said trying to quicken the pace and subtly end the conversation.

“Oh well ya'll better be on your way,” Apple Bloom said. “Don't wait around for us.”

“You go ahead, Sweetie Belle,” Scootaloo said smiling at her.

“Thanks. You're the best friends a filly could ever have,” Sweetie Belle said while she raced off towards Carousal Boutique.

“Sweetie Belle, you're late,” Rarity said as she trimmed a silver ribbon on Sweetie Belle's dress.

“I'm sorry, Rarity. I was practicing singing when I ran into my friends and we talked,” Sweetie Belled said. “I lost track of time.”

“I supposed so,” Rarity said not even looking at her sister. She was too induced in the dress to look up. “Now then what do you think?”

Rarity turned the model so it faced Sweetie Belle. It was a long dress that ended at the tip of her hooves. She had clear sparkly heels and a necklace with a music symbol on the front. The necklace was made out of a silver ribbon. The dress had a light blue saddle top with a under layer of light greenish blue. The main fabric was made of another light blue but darker than the saddle. A silver ribbon also ran across the middle down to the feet as well. The torso had a silver rimming for a sleeve with a light blue base.

Sweetie Belle marveled at the sparkling ribbon and fabric. It was so bright and shiny. She thought about how everyone would notice her. Notice me. Thats exactly what I'm scared of. Sure I want them to listen. But to have so many eyes on me at a time? Its just so panic inducing. She thought.

“Rarity, its amazing!” Sweetie Belle said, setting aside her nerves. “ I love how it just shines.”

“Don't you? It just says I'm a singer, take notice to me,” Rarity said happily squealing.

“Now then the dress will look amazing with your hair up,” Rarity said, “so I would like to style your hair a certain way.”

“Since tomorrow  the shows at five, I would like you to be here around two,” Rarity said demandingly.

“Alright, Rarity. I'll be there,” Sweetie Belle responded.

“You'd better. Any later will mean you'd be late and you don't want that during your big show,” Rarity said.

“I know, Rare,” Sweetie Belle said a bit drearily.

Ugh! Why does everyone like reminding me of the mistakes that could be made!? She thought frustrated.

She walked up to her room thinking deeply about the show, humming her song to herself.

“Oooh oooh, oooh oooh ooh oh. Oh oh oh, ooh ooh oh,” She sang to herself when she arrived in her room.

She sat down at her polished, white piano and began playing and singing:

Sweetie Belle finished her song satisfied. No mistakes. The pitch was perfect. The piano was amazing. Just what she had hoped. It went perfectly. She loved this song. It helped her build confidence and warm up her voice.

Well tomorrow is the performance. I want a lot of rest so I should probably get some sleep. She thought determined.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Earlier that Afternoon

Scootaloo and Apple Bloom watched as the white unicorn with a curly pink and purple mane galloped off.

“Wow,” Scootaloo said. “Usually I think Rainbow has guts, but Sweetie Belle is performing in front of who knows how many ponies.”

“Doesn't it feel pretty interesting?” Apple Bloom asked.

“What do you mean?” Scootaloo asked.

“Well we've performed before but ah' remember something about it not being right,” Apple Bloom said.

“This time with Sweetie Belle singing, even though we're not included, it just seems right,” Apple Bloom continued. “Ah' mean she's a great singer.”

“I agree with you,” Scootaloo looked towards the tweeting birds.

Sweetie Belle harmonized with these birds. She thought. She acts like its just natural, yet its not something you see everyday.

“Well we'll have to go to the performance tomorrow,” Scootaloo said.

“We do,” Apple Bloom agreed.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Morning of the Performance

Sweetie Belle woke up to the smell of daisy crepes in apple syrup.

Crepes? I love crepes! Sweetie Belle thought bouncing to her hooves and trotting down the stairs happily.

“Mmmm,” Sweetie Belle said, “you made crepes, Rarity?”

“Of course!” Rarity said happily. “A special pony must start off with the best breakfast.”

Rarity walked over to her sister and nuzzled her.

“Thanks!” Sweetie Belle said cheerfully sitting in front of a crepe.

As Sweetie Belle dug in, Rarity began asking, “So do you have your song down?”

Sweetie nodded.

“Ok, you know the piano part of it?” Rarity asked.

“Yep,” Sweetie Belle said.

“I got the dress, makeup, and hair under control,” Rarity continued listing off in her head.

Sweetie Belle just smiled.

She's making sure I'm all set! I love my sister! She thought.

A sudden knock on the door attracted Sweetie Belle's attention. She walked towards the door and answered.

“Hello?” she asked.

“Hello , Miss Belle,” it was Diamond's butler.

Ugh! What does Diamond want with me this time? She thought.

“Hello. Is there something you need?” Sweetie Belle asked a bit rudely.

“Diamond would like you to meet her for tea at 11:00 AM,” the butler said not seeming to notice Sweetie Belle's missing manners.

“I'm sorry, your going to have to tell her I won't be able to make it. I need to get ready for the performance,” Sweetie Belle said.

“Not to intrude on your personal life but isn't the performance at 5?” the butler said.

“Getting ready takes a while an-”

“Oh my, who is this?” Rarity asked.

“Ah, Miss Rare. Your sister has been invited to tea at 11 with Miss Diamond,” the butler said.

“Really? Well then Sweetie Belle will be going,” Rarity said.

“Rarity, I don't wa-”

“Now, Sweetie Belle, you have been invited to tea. You can't just throw that offer away,” Rarity said. “She'll be there.”

The butler nodded, “Good day, Misses,” and left.

Rarity closed the door.

“Oh my! Its already ten! You are having tea,” Rarity began, “so you should have a nice dress.”

Rarity pulled out a frilly dark purple dress with black sparkle sleeves. There was a sparkly microphone symbol on one side too.

“Woah, when did you make that?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“Just a rough design of your dress for the performance. It didn't turn out as “look at me” as I wanted it to be,” Rarity said.

“Oh,” is all Sweetie Belle could utter.

“Now lets get you into this dress,” Rarity said eagerly.

“You sure this isn't too much?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“You look amazing. Now hurry up, you'll be late if you wait any longer,” Rarity said pushing her little sister out the door excitedly.

Why is my sister so excited? Diamond is the most horrible filly ever seen in Equestria. Why would I want to be near her!? Sweetie Belle thought frustrated.

Through her deep thought she never noticed that she had gotten to Diamond's mansion.

“No wonder the she's spoiled. She lives in a mansion,” Sweetie Belle muttered to herself.

Before Sweetie Belle could knock on the door, the butler from that morning opened the door revealing a huge living area and a library near by.

“Miss Belle, why hello. We've been expecting you. She is right down the hall,” Diamond's butler said.

“Might I ask what your name is?” Sweetie Belle asked curiously.

“My name is Leo, Miss Belle,” the butler said. “Here we are.”

“Thank you, Leo,” Sweetie said.

She then faced the one filly she was tormented from most. Instead of a nasty glare there was a gleaming, fascinated filly.

“Please take a seat,” she said gesturing to the many velvet seats with golden stands.

Sweetie Belle slowly walked to one of the seats across form the filly and looked down to see an empty cup. She looked at Diamond's to find it empty as well.

She didn't start with out me? Its almost like she's being polite. Sweetie Belle thought. No! Thats impossible.

“Leo! Could we have some tea?” Diamond asked.

“Why yes, my lady,” Leo walked off into the kitchen returning with a tray in his hoof with a tea pot on it.

“Do you happen to have lemon cookies? I love those with my tea,” Sweetie Belle asked.

Their rich. They've got to have something sweet so why not use the chance to eat delicious treats? Sweetie Belle thought. Then maybe I can enjoy myself.

“So I heard you were performing tonight,” Diamond said before sipping her tea.

Sweetie Belle set down her own tea.

“I guess these things get around,” Sweetie Belle said.

“They do indeed,” Diamond said. “I heard you were singing. From the idea of that I just had to buy two tickets.”

“Two?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“Well of course. Why wouldn't I bring along Silver Spoon?” Diamond asked.

“Oh of course,” Sweetie Belle said agreeing.

Diamond looked at Sweetie's dress.

“I love your dress. Hand made by the Rarity, I'm guessing,” Diamond said cheerfully.

“Thanks and you are correct,” Sweetie Belle said.

“Is that your dress for the performance?” Diamond asked.

“Oh of course not,” Sweetie Belle said. “This was just a rough draft version. Rarity thought it would shine more than it actually does.”

Diamond looked at the dress with envy.

“Thats only the mistake of the real one?” Diamond asked now drooling at the thought of such a great dress.

Sweetie Belle smiled. Maybe Diamond isn't too bad. She still can be mean, though. She thought.

“Would you like more tea?” Diamond asked.

“Yes please,” Sweetie responded now smiling.

“So what made you want to do this performance?” Diamond asked.

“I've always felt like singing on stage would be just the right thing for me,” Sweetie stated.

“I've heard that you harmonize with the birds and it sounds beautiful. I can only guess that you'd feel that way,” Diamond said smiling as well.

Time passed on as the two fillies talked. When it was 2 PM Sweetie Belle began panicking.

“I'm sorry,Diamond,” Sweetie Belle began, “Rarity will kill me if I'm late. I need to head home to get ready for the performance.”

“Ok! This is the way to the door,” Diamond said cheerfully.

“Well, see you at the performance!” Sweetie Belle said excitedly.

“So will I,” Diamond said while waving goodbye.

“That went perfectly,” Diamond said a bit evilly. “Soon enough she'll ditch those blank flanks and hang out with us. She'll be so popular and so will I, being her best friend and all.”

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

At Carousal Boutique

“Stand still, Sweetie Belle!” Rarity exclaimed. “Or I'll never get this dress on you.”

“Sorry, Rare. I'm just so nervous,” Sweetie said. “Moving around subsides the nerves.”

“Well it doesn't help get you ready. Do you want to go dress less?” Rarity said a bit impatiently.

Sweetie Belle stayed still and quiet as Rarity tied the ribbons and zipped the dress up.

Sweetie Belle's hair was already styled up. She had many different sparkles in her hair and her dress.

“Now you're ready,” Rarity said.

Sweetie Belle looked in the mirror happily.

“Thank you so much, Rarity,” Sweetie Belle said. “I don't know what I'd do with out you.”

“That's why I'm here,” Rarity said while glancing at the clock. “Now hurry on, Sweetie or else you'll be late.”

Sweetie Belle raced towards the back stage. She grabbed her sparkly designed microphone and waited for the show to start.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Scootaloo sat down in the front row with Apple Bloom.

“I'm so excited!” Scootaloo exclaimed.

“Ah' know! This will be great!” Apple Bloom agreed.

“Ponies of Equestria! I'd like to introduce you to the Performers Shine Performance,” a bright blue pony said. “We will have dancers and singers of all ages tonight! Enjoy.”

A young yellow unicorn walked on stage. She stopped in the middle and put her head down waiting as the music started. She leapt across the stage and landed into a spin. All of her moves were graceful.

This went on for two minutes until the next pony went on. Pony after pony performed until Sweetie Belle, the finale came on stage.

Every pony cheered and clapped. Many marveled at her spectacular dress. Eventually they silenced and the music played.

All of the ponies cheered and applauded After she finished. She slowly walked off stage. Something was different though but she didn't know what. Sweetie Belle took off her dress back stage. It was too heavy to wear all around. Anyway dresses weren't her style. She slipped it off when the yellow unicorn dancer came along.

“Wow! You were amazing!” she said while trotting by. “Oh and nice cutie mark.”

Sweetie Belle stood there astonished.

Cutie mark? Did she say cutie mark!?

“Apple Bloom, Scootaloo!” she yelled as she ran towards her friends. “Look!”

Apple Bloom and Scootaloo smothered Sweetie Belle in a hug.

“Congratulations!” they both said giggling.

Then the three fillies walked off towards Sugar Cube Corner to celebrate.