Improving Performance [Cimarronboy]
The applause from the audience was deafening as the last of the awards for the talent show was handed out. At first I thought the cutie mark crusaders would have been destroyed upon receiving an award in their category, I know I sure was. The look on 'Blooms, 'Belles, and Scoots' faces showed more contentment and pride than I'd thought.
After the show finished the girls came to show off the trophy to the friends and family that gathered for the show. I stayed off to the side and kept my thoughts to myself. What I had to say to the girls would've possibly ruined their night. I loved their performance but on the other hand it wasn't enough to win their category. That thought alone kept my mind busy as I attempted to think of a way to help the girls improve before the next oppertunity arose.
Back at the orchard there was a party to celebrate the girls' success. I bowed out and congratulated what I'd come to consider my little sisters. I was too distracted trying to be helpful to party.
A couple days later I met back up with the girls at the CMC clubhouse. I'd beaten them there so, I'd had time to prepare my words in a way that would not be harsh, yet explain my feelings on the musical number they'd done. I kept behind a desk near the back of the treehouse, so as not to be in the way when the others arrived. It was kind of dark in that area but I was still easily visible. I soon heard the girls voices drawing near the clubhouse.
All three entered the clubhouse smiling and carrying the trophy. As they looked in my direction they startled. Apple Bloom was the first to speak.
"I take it you're mad about the talent show?" she asked timidly. Laughing I replied "Nah it's just the shadows playing tricks on your eyes, in truth I'm not happy you fell short of your goal but happy that you came away with something for your efforts.". All three looked down sadly and pouted "We did our best but we weren't good enough to get the musical performance trophy".
"Can't argue there but I'm not here to get crabby and work you to the bone to make you get better, I'm here to support, build confidence, and most importantly, school you in the art of musical performances" I grinned hyping up the girls for my plans. "How are you supposed to do that?" Scoot asked challengingly. ". Pulling out my pendant, ring and a guitar I explained with a grin "By teaching you how to blow minds using music.".
I proceeded to play "Enter Sandman". My ring and pendant both glowed showing the two way process music energy takes when active. As the song was played through the energy moved from the guitar and my accessories to cover my whole body. I could easily tell the songs power and energy were reaching the girls just by looking at their faces.
All three fillies had a look of shock and awe across their faces. As I finished I found myself surrounded by three hypered-up ponies begging me to teach them the secret to how I'd just performed with such perfection. With a glint in my eye of victory, confidence, and a boat load of energy from the song I stared the three energized fillies into a buzzed silence.
"First things for girls" I grinned "we gotta set you up with your weapons of music". "Huh I thought we were learning to be better at music not fighting" Sweetie groaned. "Relax, I was using weapons as an expression, just like I'll be using ax as an expression" I explained.
With that I stepped aside and four instrument controllers appeared. The girls' eyes widened in amazement and curiosity. I started assigning the girls instruments based on their talents and personalities.
"'Bloom you get the main guitar, Sweetie you get the microphone and Scoot you get the drums" I stated as I passed out the instruments to each of the girls. "Who gits that last one?" 'Bloom asked looking past me. "How is this an instrument?" Sweetie complained holding out the mic.
"The mic isn't your instrument" I explained "your voice is. The mic just makes it louder". "Aso for the other instrument" I grinned confidently "It goes to yours truly as I'm uber with the bass guitar". "Now we gotta work on step two before I get you more comfortable with your instruments" I told the girls in a mysterious yet confident manner.
This meant a trip to the barn to stash the instruments. I wasn't going against anypony's wishes but that I'd rather not carry the instruments for fear of them getting destroyed in some unforseen accident. Step two I had confidence in completing as I knew the perfect ponies to seek what we as a band now needed. We would need costumes which Rarity, the mare I was head over heels for, was ideal for supplying. Most importantly we would need a place to practice, someplace where volume wouldn't be a problem, for which Apple Jack and Granny Smith could easily provide with the barn back at Sweet Apple Acres.
Since we were already at Sweet Apple Acres the first ponies to convince (or attempt to strike a deal with in this case) were Granny Smith and A.J. Knowing fame and fortune wasn't always what anypony wanted I devised another path that would lead to success. Strategizing is one of my better talents.
"All right ladies" I began "I have a proposition for you". "Well speak up sunny" Granny Smith urged impatiently. ". "Well the farm's a bit in need of some repairs, and supplies and funding are running low" I continued "I think I've found a way to both help the crusaders try for musical cutie marks AND increase sales for the orchard so repairs and upgrades can be completed." I offered nervously. "What's the catch?" A.J. asked suspiciously.
I silently went over my next sentences carefully before speaking again.
:I'd like to start a band with crusaders and we'd like to use the barn for a place to practice" I explained. "Once they get better with their instruments,we'd be willing to do free shows to increase business here at the farm and anywhere else we might play". I added quickly. Then the crusaders and I gave the two older ponies our best pleading faces.
At first Granny looked like she was going to burst with anger at the idea. A.J silently reasoned with herself about the proposal, also looking like she might give us an earful. That lasted until Granny spoke up.
"It'd be nice to have some music around the orchard and there are some leaks in the barn roof..." Granny trailed into deep thought. A.J. looked at granny in surprise then started silently reasoning to herself. "Deal but we want details" both confirmed at the same time seconds later. "Oh thank you" the three crusader fillies echoed joyously. I then gave both older ponies every detail and thanked them as we headed off to see if Rare was home at Carousel Boutique.
"Oh dear, you mean you want me to make outfits for the four of you?! To play music in?! Where anypony can see you during public shows?!" Rare asked as her beautiful blue eyes grew in excitement. My heart skipped a beat and my hooves nearly came out from under me every time I saw that reaction from her. Her beauty was hazardous to my health.
"So are you-" I started making an attempt to recover from my momentary swooning. "I'M IN!" Rare yelled excitedly. "Oh I mean anything for the strong handsome genius of a stallion that's saved me on several different occasions" Rare flirted staring straight into my eyes. Again my heart skipped a beat and I was instantly frozen in place. As I blushed I could only think "Oh Tia, this gorgeous mare is gonna be the death of me.".
Form behind me came a chorus of "ewws". Then Sweetie popped up, thanking her sister as Bloom and Scoot struggled to drag me away. Once out of sight I came out of my love drunk stupor. Once my mind was clear I looked at the three fillies awaiting my next instructions and triumphantly yelled "TO THE BARN!".
At the barn we each grabbed our respective instrument. The girls looked at me with a fierce eagerness and confusion. They inspected their instruments looking for a way to use them.
"How're we s'posed ta use these?" 'Bloom asked with a sad tone. With a twinkle in my eye and a victoriously confident grin I pulled a few hay bails out from in front of a wall. Behind them was a T.V., an entertainment center, and a video game console.
"Lemme introduce you to a few friends of mine; Hooftar Hero, Hoof Band, and Band Hoofo" I boasted revealing three games, "These games are gonna help me teach you everything I know" I stated confidently. "The controllers we each possess interact with the games and allow the games to be progressed through" I tutored knowingly.
"Lesson one will be how to play. " I said pointedly. "You'll go through the tutorial and play a few songs until you get used to them" I instructed. "What happens after that?" Scoot asked impatiently. "Then comes lesson two" I hyped.
"Lesson two you will receive a ring and necklace." I said with a more serious tone. "These will be used to help you in your study of musical energy and can only be used with the games." I said a bit darkly. "You'll learn the energy types, how to classify them, detect them, feel them, and how to effectively store musical energy and filter it using the ring and necklace." I explained. "You'll be exposed to the raw energy hiddin within the songs on the game" I warned" I'll be there to take most of the effects but ti's still a bit risky".
"After you've gotten past that I'll teach you how to use musical energy.". I said in a hyped tone. "You'll learn how to use song effects, strategies, timing, and how to know when/when not to use a song's effect." I said moving back to a victorious grin. After you three get past a lesson we'll have a show as your test." I informed them matter of factly.
"We'll start off with individual character customization and tutorials". I instructed as the girls got ready to play. This took a little time but once the three fillies were done we prepared to start a full band tour. Before we started I looked at the girls in a serious yet confident manner and reassured them saying "Don't fret girls we're in this together. Do your best and don't get too upset when it gets hard. Focus, listen, and feel the song as you play. I may be playing on a higher difficulty but I'll still be right here beside you.".
Original Story
Author
"No, I'm serious!" Jake continued. "There's plenty of proof! Just look around! Haven't you ever wondered why Equestria hasn't had a major war in centuries? They can't have that kind of violence in a kid's show, that's why!"
"Gee, with all these conspiracy theories, you're startin' to sound like Lucky Strike." Applejack replied with a laugh.
Meanwhile, about 20 miles away, a certain pegasus stroked his goatee, pondering why he'd experienced such a sudden wave of indigence.
Jake sighed. "So basically you think my theory's just a bunch of-"
Suddenly a train pulled up to the station with a loud hiss, cutting off his thought.
He blinked in surprise, but quickly recovered.
"See?" He exclaimed triumphantly. "Now the show's censoring me!"
Applejack rolled her eyes.
"Fine. Still not convinced? Let me try again. What the--"
Jake was promptly interrupted by a cat to the face.
"Opalescence, no!" Rarity exclaimed.
"Get this thing off me!!" Jake yelled. "Where the hay did you come from, anyway?"
Cartoon violence, cartoon logic. Jake was more sure of his theory than ever.
