The Sound of Music

    "Get that amp set up! I want to test the sound system already!" Dark shouted from the ground, Waves and Razor lifting the giant speaker with sweat rolling down their brows, wondering how they got talked into doing all the hard work...

Tonight was going to be a night to remember, the first concert and the first time they all have gone on stage together in four years. Funny thing was reading that they had all died in some tragic accident, explaining the lack of songs or even appearances to the cult following they had gathered...that was until a few days ago, when Dark decided to question why he was reading about his death on Equiepedia. Since then, the posters and banners flew to blogs and took the web by storm...it was the only reason Dark could figure why a small group dressed in black hoodies and layered with different piercings and explicit tattoos was watching them set up..

...That's not a bad idea. He thought to himself as Razor dropped an amp and started a slew of curses.

Dark fixed his hoodie casually and found his way to the small gathering, smiling confidently and almost letting out a guffaw when a mare starts bouncing uncontrollably with what seemed to be her coltfriend.

"Hey guys, thanks for coming out, I didn't think we'd still had die hard fans left..."

One stallion stepped forward, white fur and bright red eyes making him a little oddity; the tattoos on his left arm off put the color, though. It seems that he still couldn't remember how to speak, so Dark helped him out a little..

"So...if you guys want, we could use some help setting up; you could be our first roadies."

"Really?!" The stallion said, a few other mumbling to each other.

"Hell yeah, names Dark, Dark Chords." He said as he turned around, the group following closely and watching Razor and Waves work.

"M-my names Starlight..NO! Its White Noise!" A few of his friends laughed and his face turned into a bright red scowl, Dark chuckled and made a quick leap onto the stage, turing to face them.

"So, 'White Noise..' you think you can get thses slackers into gear and set up the stage? Free shirts after the job is done." He said with a teasing manner...like baiting the fish...

"Yeah! Guys!" He said, attention returning to his friends. "Come on! Lets get this shit rolling."

The group all cheered and rushed the stage, Razor ducking behind an amp when they trampled over and started grabbing the amps and wires still packed away. Waves took to the air and hid in the hanging lights

The group all cheered and rushed the stage, Razor ducking behind an amp when they trampled over and started grabbing the amps and wires still packed away. Waves took to the air and hid in the hanging lights, smirking slightly at Dark, who simply watched them work and occasionally gave directions for the setup.

Dark was one who could judge character, Waves admired that about his friend, he could get along with anyone if he tried hard enough; getting a group of underground fans to help out was cleaver and in its own way, a boost to their reputation. Lowering himself back to the stage, Dark grinned and laughed when Razor had to dodged around the impromptu roadies.

"Well...I wish you had warned me before you sent the masses trampling over me."

Dark laughed a little and raised his hood with a small use of his magic. "Don't act like you hate them already..."

Razor only grumbled and rolled his eyes; soon the group had started joking with each other and enjoying a conversation with their apparent idols.

"So what happened when you guys went so underground?" White Noise asked, sitting on an amp tower while the last of small pieces were put in place.

Dark rubbed the back of his head and thought...it was an unpleasant reminder of the past,he had to thank Razor foe stepping in to take the pressure off him.

"We started losing fans, less sales, the cost of a show kept going up; hell, I say we were forced out of the business.."

"I say you're paranoid..." Waves added.

The group laughed hard when Razor snapped around to the grey drummer and shot him a death glare. Dark still felt a little bad for lying to hardcore fans like this gang, the truth was that the songs started getting out of control...sure music should always have a soul of its own to really impact others, but Dark's talent was making music come to life...sometimes it had dangerous side effects....but this was going to be different than last time. The tour was going to be a step in the right direction when it came to lyrics, nopony was going to get hurt like last time...

"What happened to your eye?" A ivy colored mare piped up.

Waves looked over to make sure his friend would stay calm...which he did; Dark was well acquainted with his blind eye by now, the question does get tiresome, but for these kind of fans...he thought he might as well share a little about himself.

"It was actually a defect I was born with...I wasn't the best with magic, either, when I was growing up."

The group immediately looked regretful that they had asked, all of them avoiding looking at him.

"I'm..sorry for asking.." She added quietly.

Dark mustered his emotions back in order and smiled, the mare glancing up at him and slowly bringing her gaze back up.

"Its cool...I just think that it could be worse..I could be one of those egotistical pop stars that get dramatic over a bad hair day."

That got the group laughing and smiling again, meaning it was time for him to find an out of the conversation before they went any deeper.

"Alright guys and gals..." Dark finally said as he admired the work put into the setup. "Since you were so gracious as to help three misfits, you might as well hang out backstage for the show-"

A stray glance from the side of the stage caught his attention, the owner of the field was looking at the small stage with more than surprise on her face.

"Sorry guys, just hold that thought." He said, quickly trotting to the mare and hopping down to the ground to face her.

"How in the world did y'all carry all this..." She asked, still stunned.

"It's not easy, if that's what you're asking." Dark said with a laugh.

The mare laughed a little herself, looking around the field in front of the stage and thinking about the deal they had made..

"So, ahm gonna set up my stand a little to the side and you make sure to send a few of those kids my way."

Dark nodded and checked the sun with a quick look, evening was almost here, night would arrive with a crowd. Praying that it would be a hit...he felt a little bad when he realized that he just let nearly ten ponies backstage without a thought to sales, sure it was nice; but nice didn't pay for food. It hit him just that much harder that this night was what everything rode on. Waves was indeed the one with a sense of business in the group, if he would just speak up when his friend was being dense...

No...gotta stop thinking, my nerves are starting to get at me...

"Oh! I'm..sorry...I never even got your name." Dark quickly said with an abashed look.

The mare just smiled with a friendly cheer. "The names Applejack, welcome to Ponyville, mister Chords."

Dark was glad his slightly red face was hidden under the hood of his jacket, laughing quietly and shaking his head.

"No no...Just call me Dark."

Applejack gave a nod and friendly smile. "Good luck out there then, sugercube."

_ _

Dark was standing out over the empty field, ponies behind him talking and having fun...he could only try his best to calm himself down. Nerves starting to fray from the stress...soon memories of the past started seeping into the front of his thoughts, once the thought of his father reached the center of it all....nothing else mattered to him, the old thoughts of the crazy coot known as Evenfall consuming him...

In a way, he wished that his old man could be around to watch a show; of course he would have argued that he was call too much attention to himself, Acrylic was always the one to look over his shoulder and occasionally jump at shadows, the way he spoke was odd as well...Dark still loved him of course, which is why his anxiety stetted into calm reflection. Waves soon stood next to him and blew out a long sigh.

"This is it...isnt it?"

Dark nodded and lowered his hood, the darkness of the coming night enough for him to feel comfortable showing his face.

"Its getting late...do you think anypony will show?' Dark asked himself more than he asked his friend...

Waves kept silent and scanned the surrounding area, if the first show was empty, the tour would be cut by the record company...Dark would go back to washing dishes at the restaurant in Manehatten and Waves would be stuck playing for other bands passing through in need of a drummer, most of them jerks...or cheap. Razor..the poor kid would have to go back to that dingy music shop to advertise bad equipment for next to nothing.

"We can't go back...not matter what happens, I'm not going back to that shithole of a city." Dark said plainly, blind determination and will winning over his fears.

Waves nodded in agreement, this was do or die now...

"We need a miracle..." Dark said quietly...

"Guys! I found it!!!" Came shouted from a distant part of the apple trees.

No...way....

Soon an massive crowd emerged from the darkness of the trees and they all lit up when they say that the stage was lit up and ready. Some cheered, some hollered and other dashed to get front seat to the action, all of them wearing glow sticks on their clothes or necks, Applejack not far behind them with a cart dragged on her back.

"Hey there! Sorry about being a little late...had to get the grub and drinks ready properly before I could handle this crowd..."

Dark felt his smile growing ear to ear,jumping down and rushing over to the tan mare with a awkward and lung crushing hug.

"Thank you thank you thank you!" He said over and over...

"Kiss!" A mare shouted from the mosh pit, most of the ponies already picking out their spot.

Dark let her go and she laughed, still the kind smile on her face, as if she was born with it; she quickly set up the mobile stand and the smell of fresh pie and other treats started drawing attention.

"It's not problem, sugercube, and here's the ticket money."

A whole sack...bits actually fell from the opening at the top as if the moment needed a more dramatic feel...or perhaps fate just wanted to make him cry with his joy and relief.

Well you're doing a damn good job of it...

Dark managed to fight back the lump in his throat and he picked up the back from the counter, holding it in the air with his magic and tying off the lip. Everything had actually worked out; for once, things were going right for them, Dark nodded in thanks and ran back to the stage, the crowd parting for him and watching him leap up, a few cheers making him smile even wider somehow once he put the bag in one of the empty amp cases for later; he rushed back to the front of the stage and took up the microphone in a blue swirl of magic.

"You guys couldn't come out a little sooner!? I wanna thank the six a.m. crew for helping us make this magic happen while you all were waiting."

The small group looked shocked that they were made apart of the show, coming out from behind a curtain and waving, Dark laughed a little and watched Razor pick up his bright yellow pick glove and slip it on, tightening it and grinning madly that he was finally back in action...

"And I would feel bad if I didn't thank our lovely host, Applejack! Go buy some apples before you leave...and Waves, wait till after the show to make a fool of yourself by hitting on her."

Waves' attention snapped from his drums to the sudden betrayal, Dark only wished he could see the farmers face...

"Oh don't give me that look, you're just as bad as I am when it comes to mares, don't act like you're something special." He finished, getting a few hoots from the crowd and a big laugh from the pit in front of the stage.

Dark had to laugh a little himself when the crowd egged him on. "Besides, I love you, buddy; isn't that enough?"

"That's a different kind of love you're thinking of..."

Dark shrugged it off. "Whatever, we'll get drunk tonight and see what happens.."

Almost all the mares started cheering at the saucy banter, the stallions just laughing and trying to not think of the implications of the drummer and lead singer getting too into it on stage.

Dark had to stop, while it was fun, Razor was getting impatient and shot them both glares to get the show going; the adrenalin junkie...but they were more than happy to oblige, Waves hitting the drums a few times to work his arms into the feel, Dark even grabbed his black colored bass from a nearby amp and put on his own pick glove, black like the instrument. They all hit a few notes to loosen up...

"I hope you guys are ready for the music...things might get a little loud."

More cheers and flashes from cameras went off, Dark let the bass hang around his shoulder as he dug the set list from his hoodie, putting it under the microphone stand to keep it secure.

"Alright...let's do this.."

_ _

The microphone whined and the amps clicked on with their grainy tone...the stage was dark,heart pumping and legs shaking; Dark never realized that stage fright would pay a visit to the rusty singer. Thoughts flew faster in his head than he could properly grasp,all he heard was doubts...fear...anxiousness...everything to fry his nerves and make him choke. Waves took deep breaths and  took up the drum sticks, spinning them in his hooves to distract his mind while Razor simply stomped impatiently...

Everything was riding on this moment..with a crowd of nearly two hundred, it all came down to the first impression, Dark wanted to throw up...

Razor started his slow beat, the sound system kicking on with the help of a little magic...

It was a heart monitor,the slow drone of its tone silencing the crowd, Dark blew out one last breath and took the microphone as the guitar picked up..

"Now come one, come all...."

He suddenly felt his throat tighten when Razor missed a note, Waves kept the tempo but the song was stuttered; the crowd was still silent and the music slowly came to a stop, the sound of the pegasus sighing heavily as the front row began to throw questions made his heart beat nearly out of his chest..

"Sorry..everypony...just a little rusty, we'll shake off the cobwebs and get this show started.." He said softly into the mic. Turning his attention to his friends. "Guys..don't flip out if you miss a note or I forget a word..we need to make this work..are you with me?"

Razor sighed...looking up to smirk and tightening his pick glove, Waves just nodding and gave a slight grin.

"Then lets fucking rock..."

Again...the slow heart monitor started, gentle strings of the guitar setting the mood for Dark to feel the heat of a spotlight find him.

Time to blow a hole in the sky...

"Now come one, come all...to this tragic affair..."

The words flowed easily, the crowd cheered softly so that everyone could still hear, cameras flashed and the lights on the stage flooded the mosh pit with purples, reds and greens as soon as the beat suddenly picked up..

"...and encourage those smiles, I EXPECT YOU ALL CRY!"

Dark was in the zone again..instruments played on recording while Razor and Waves followed the flow, piano, other brass and transferring to the ground pounding guitar held by its fiery master.

Here it comes....ohhh here it comes...

The guitar picked up and Dark was shouting into the mic with Razor when suddenly everything goes silent...lights die and the heart monitor flatlines...cameras fly up to see what's happening under the darkness, only to be blinded when the lights flood back on and zoom around the stage, fake blood dripping from the rafters and covering each member for gory effect; Dark nearly busted a vein when he screamed into the microphone with pure adrenaline and joy in his heart.

The guitar was on fire with energy, Razor was pouring everything he had into it just for the intro to the next song, already sweating but grinning ear to ear.

"And if your heart stops beating, I'll be here one day as you get what you deserve...the ending of your life!"

Passion came from every amp, born of fire and hate turned into joy and excitement; it made the crowd go wild. Mare's were on stallions backs waving while pegasi floated in the air and danced. Razor was all over the stage now, walking...more leaping and running as he played. Dark was even working hard with his own instrument, struggling to keep the mic in proper distance as he tried to keep up with his electric guitarist.

"HAAAAAAAAVE YOU HEARD THE NEWS THAT YOU'RE DEAD?!" Dark scrams into the mic, covering it in sweat and spit but loving every second of it.

It was like...working so hard to get something thought impossible...ponies liked classical, pop, sing songs with little to no meaning, Dark never guessed he would have such a turn out for his first show; the best part being that they were rocking the house down. Everyone was cheering and having an amazing time, this was their first impression...and it rocked.

Guitar solo; Dark looked over at Razor in sudden fear,the teenager rising up to the spotlight and banging his mohawk and slamming down each note, the drummer and guitarist working in perfect sync for just a moment until Dark took a deep breath and brought the mic back.

"One! Two! One two thee four!"

All three of them sang in perfect harmony, lights flashing and fireworks reaching into the sky, blossoming fire and metal to shine down on the euphoric crowd, shouting and screaming out their own joy.

The lights fell on Dark again, sweating profusely and panting; the grin on his face is the only thing visible under the hood and shadows cast by the spotlight.

"If life aint just a joke...then why am I DEAD!?"

A few last notes from the guitar..

"DEAD!" The trio shout into the sky..

_ _

Dark was exhausted by the end of the two hour long show, he had a lot of fun bantering between songs while he and Razor re-strung their instruments for each song, afterwords, fans took another half an hour wanting things signed or to just meet the stars of the show. Still, all of it was worth it for the fun and the payout, Applejack seemed to have made an nice profit as well; her cart was nearly empty by the end of the show. Dark sat with the six a.m. crew that had helped and chatted with them still, White Noise sharing a little about himself and his own life...to which the trio was enraptured when he came to tell of a much darker time in his life...even going as far as telling just how far he had fallen until he discovered their music by chance. Soon Dark came to realize that most of his group had similar tales, with a very important detail...

"Yeah...I'd honestly say that The UnKnown saved my life..." White Noise finished.

Dark was just floored with this information...Waves was silent and Razor was just jaw dropped. The UnKnown was their old name, when they first started out...to think that their music had that much an impact...

Waves cleared his throat and brought the attention to himself, oddly.

"I think that I speak for all of us when I say...that without ponies like you, we would still just be a garage band with no garage and bad instruments...so thank you...for saving our lives."

The snow colored stallion looked surprised, but humbled...smiling softly when Dark and Razor nodded in full agreement.

"Thanks then for this amazing night, we'll definitely be at the next show."

Dark nodded to them in thanks, his voice currently in shreds from the lack of actual water breaks during the show, kicking himself for getting too into the action to remember such a simple thing. The group departed and Dark silently thought how and when they would break down the stage again.

Thoughts of how the next show in Apploosa would go started running across his mind, until a unpleasant feeling crept into the back of his head...like he was being watched...

"That was one heck of a performance out there, fellas!"

Dark snapped out of his thoughts and noticed Applejack approaching them with a few friends of her own, a purple colored unicorn stepping froward from the group and smiling kindly.

"That was quite the show you three put on..." She said, quickly followed by quite the stunning mare with a purple mane.

"A little too dark for my tastes in music....but fun."

The others were about to add their own comments, all of which Dark was slowly growing disinterested in when it seemed to be the common opinion that the night was just "okay."

In reality...the night was just getting started. Thunderous wings beat in the air behind him and the mares faces grew from puzzled, to a little worried. A deep pit in his stomach grew when he head the voice boom and he felt more bitter memories of the past surfacing.

Those pearl wings, that unbreakable glare, judgment cutting into the deepest part of his soul.

"Twilight Sparkle. I expected better than this from you..."

Dark pulled his hood up to hide the signs of his fear when he turned to face her.

"Greetings, Princess Celestia! Come to get my signature?" He said with a smirk.

Waves glared at his friend; Dark had a bad habit of making a bad situation worse by being a smartass, Celestia ignored his comment and only kept her focus on the group of mares.

"...P-princess? What do you mean?" The purple one asked almost hesitantly.

Celestia looked over at the stage, the trash left by the crowd, burn marks on the field where fireworks landed if they retained their heat.

"You give this criminal the attention he is seeking, feeding into his twisted idea of fame...he is nothing but a lier, a thief, and a murderer."

Dark scoffed at the shocked gasps and felt his annoyance growing under the facade.

"I still haven't had the chance to prove the self-defense...funny how somepony can beat my friend within an inch of his life...and yet...we don't ever look at that fact."

Celestia glared down, finally turning her attention to him, her gaze making him take a step back in cautious anxiety.

"You are a fool...you make cheep jokes to hide your true feelings, the hatred, the fear, loneliness. You need to remember who you are speaking to...you should have stayed hidden in that thing you called a home, with the newest gang you want to call brothers in order to pretend you still matter..."

Dark grit his teeth and backed up more...it was like his nightmares...

"Such is the fate of one who shouldn't exist."

"You're wrong!!" Dark screamed, a flash of light and a loud crack deafening everyone around him...

Stop running from the truth...