The next morning, Applejack went to the stage and called out, "Countess Coloratura!"

"Wow, AJ!" Coloratura perked up after being so busy directing her backup dancers, "You said my real name."

"Ah said yor new name, but Ah saw th' real you hangin' out with those school ponies yesterday," Applejack corrected, "an' Ah know somepony who'd prefer if you stopped doin' those lil' events."

"Ugh, not this again," groaned Coloratura, instantly turning her nose up and away.

"C'mon now, jus' gimme a chance t' prove wha' Ah'm sayin' is true," Applejack asked.

"And just how are you planning to do that?" Coloratura responded dryly.

"Do exactly wha' Ah say," Applejack explained, "We'll see if tha' Svengallop truly has yer best interests at heart."

Not oo long later, as the Harmonic Twelve were helping to put the finishing touches upon the stage, Coloratura called out, "Svengallop? Svengallop! Where are you, Svengallop?"

"Here I am!" Coloratura looked to see Svengallop hop up onto the stage, "Did you need something?"

"Yes, I was... considering... maybe cancelling the contest with the school ponies?" Coloratura uttered out, hesitating every word.

"Countess, this is wonderful!" Svengallop instantly perked up before snootily adding, "I've been waiting forever for you to cancel that pointless school pony contest."

"You... have?" Coloratura was honestly surprised, but her veil hid it.

"You do it at every charity event and it does absolutely nothing to promote the Countess Coloratura image that I built. Consider it CANCELED," Svengallop boasted before yelling out, "PINKIE PIE, CHEESE SANDWICH!!"

The two party ponies hurried up, both with messy manes and looking nervous and frantic.
"Right here, at your service!" Cheese panted.
"You called, Mister Svengallop? Uh- Sir?" Pinkie added before she coughed out an apple core.

"We are making some adjustments to the show, follow me," Svengallop instructed before walking off and around stage, the two party ponies following.

Coloratura looked doubtfully to Applejack who nodded and then gave a signal to Thunderlane, who made sure the camera was ready...

"Cancel the contest for the foals and schedule me a spa treatment," Svengallop ordered in a smarmy tone, "now that I don't have to oversee a rehearsal with those brats I have time for the works."

Then he glared at them, warning, "You know the drill! Deliver or the diva ditches your dippy charity!"

Straightening his tie, Svengallop returned to the stage where Coloratura was waiting for him, declaring, "Okay, Countess Coloratura! All taken care of."

You know the drill! Deliver or the diva ditches your dippy charity!

Svengalop's jaw dropped at the sight of the projection showing his ill-becoming behavior and empty threat towards Pinkie Pie and Cheese Sandwich, and he noticed a lot of stink eyes glaring his way. Especially Coloratura!

"So, that's how you've been managing things?!" Coloratura demanded, clearly disgusted.

Snorting, Svengallop responded, "Yeah, so? What's the problem?"

"The problem is that you've been using my name to intimidate ponies to get what you want," Coloratura responded.

"But I work incredibly hard for you!" snapped Svengallop, not sorry in the slightest. "I deserve everything I get!"

"But not because you scare ponies into thinking that I won't perform for their charities otherwise!" Coloratura admonished, "I would never do that to my fans! Which is why you should have known that I would never cancel the School Ponies Contest."

"Hmm, all this charity and school pony contest nonsense," Svengallop condescended, "it's all just remnants of that boring little 'Rara' I met back in Manehatten!"

"You clearly don't understand the real me," Coloratura threw off that bothersome veil. It tickled her nose on a constant basis anyway.

"Ha! That's a joke! I made you into somepony!" Svengallop huffed before challenging, "What can you even do without me?!"

"I think she'll do just fine without you."

All eyes turned around to see a pegasus with a dappled silver coat, bubblegum pink mane styled perfectly around an awesome pair of shades above a pair of vibrant red eyes, her cutie-mark a spotlight lighting up multiple multi-colored stars, and she wore a designer electric indigo jacket with various accessories. Accompanying her were two burly stallions, one an earth pony, the other a unicorn.

Svengallop and Coloratura, and even several of the volunteers present GASPED as Svengallop uttered, "D-Duchess Showstopper?!"

"Former Duchess, the aristocracy's been debunked," Showstopper winked, "Get with the times, Svengallop. As I was saying, I think Coloratura will do perfectly fine without you, because I'm here to offer her my sponsorship, and my recommendation for a Seat on the Council Princess Celestia is reforming, specifically to encourage her to become the Councilor of Media and Entertainment."

"Wai- You- WHA-?!" Svengallop was absolutely flummoxed while Coloratura was stunned.

"Gentlecolts, I think Svengallop has outworn his welcome," Showstopper declared and Svengallop was escorted away, too mind-blown to put up a decent resistance, while the ex-duchess approached her new client.

"I don't understand! What are you doing here?" Coloratura was still a little shellshocked.

"Princess Twilight and Prince Midnight told me a mutual friend of yours thought you could use an agent who has your best interest at heart," Showstopper replied, "And when I heard tell of what Svengallop was really doing behind the back of a real Star like yourself, I knew I had to see to it personally you got the help you need and deserve."

"Wait, you don't mean...!" Coloratura saw Applejack coming, and thne she sulked. "Oh AJ, I'm so sorry I ever doubted you. You were right about Svengallop... it's just, I owed him, for-"

"It's alright, Rara," Applejack waved it off, "but... are you gonna be okay? Fer th' concert t'night?"

"Of course, the show must go on," Coloratura repleid with a forced smile. But Showstopper could spot those a mile away.

"Coloratura or... Rara? How about you try something else for your performance tonight?"

"What do you mean?" Coloratura asked.

"Well, you've displayed this image of 'Countess Coloratura' throughout your whole career as a pop star," Showstopper explained, "Maybe it's time you took a step back, and got in touch with the pony you were before all that."

Coloratura and Applejack shared a look and though there was a mutual smile, Applejack saw there was yet doubt in her old friend's face.
"Now, buck up there, Rara. Svengallop turned you int' 'Countess Coloratura' an' acted like yer friend so he could enjoy th' perks tha' came wit' being a star. But th' real perk of friendship is gettin' t' see yor friend bein' true to theirself. An' Rara? When yor simply yerself, yor th' brightest star Ah've ever seen shine!"

Letting those words sink in, Coloratura gave it a though... before her eyes lit up and she knew what she was going to do!

Once night had fallen, the crowd had gathered, and the spotlight lit up, showing Midnight and Twilight step out onto the stage from behind the curtain, spurring an excited cheer from everypony present.

"Good evening, everypony! Welcome to opening night of the Helping Hooves Music Festival!"

"Now it is our great honor to introduce you all to our opening act, Countess Coloratura!"

They stepped offstage as curtains rose and the spotlight fell upon Coloratura, who'd shed the makeup and veil and fake mane and tail and ritzy clothes, showing a more humble yet elegantly beautiful mare that had long been hidden underneath. Her mane and tail, done in spiraling styles, were dark shades of indigo with streaks of opal, she wore a black blouse with a veil over her rump through which all could see her cutie-mark, a yellow star surrounded by five colorful eighth notes, and she stood before a beautiful grand piano.

"This song may be familiar, but yet it's totally different. Kind of like me, Rara."

The crowd sounded confused by those words, murmuring amongst themselves... when a soft and gentle melody sounded and they quickly shushed and listened as Rara began to play a piece on the piano before taking a deep breath...

I'm here to show you who I am

Throw off the veil, it's finally time

There's more to me than glitz and glam, oh-whoa

And now I feel my stars align...!
(One by one, unicorns in the audience very softy lit up the tips of their horns, adding to the atmosphere)

For I had believed what I was sold

I did all the things that I was told

But all that has changed and now I'm bold, `cuz I know...

That I am just a pony!
(Behind Rara, visible by a light on the other side shining through the curtain, shadows of an orchestra were seen, their combined melody adding to the swell of the music)

I make mistakes from time to time

But now I know the real me

And put my heart out on the line

And let the magic in my heart stay true, oh-oh-oh-oh

And let the magic in my heart stay true, oh-oh-oh-oh

Just like the magic inside of you

And now I see those colors right before my eyes

I hear my voice so clearly and I know that it is right

They thought I was weak but I am strong

They sold me the world but they were wrong

And now that I'm back I still belong, cause I know...
(Everypony watched in awe to see Rara's cutie-mark light up...)

That I am just a pony
(...and they let out a wondrous applause)

I make mistakes from time to time

But now I know the real me

And put my heart out on the line
(From where she watched, Applejack smiled as tears filled her eyes to see her old friend at her best again)

And let the magic in my heart stay true, oh-oh-oh-oh

And let the magic in my heart stay true, oh-oh-oh-oh

Just like the magic inside of you
(As the music began to die down, the shadows of the orchestra faded away)

Just like the magic inside of you...!

Stepping down, Rara smiled out to see the crowd applauding in a way they'd never applauded before, and somehow it felt all the more special. She stepped out onto the stage walkway before calling out, "Thank you, everypony! When I arrived at the Helping Hooves Music Festival, I had forgotten who I really was. But then an old friend reminded me what real friendship is about, and she told me that if I was true to myself, I couldn't go wrong. So, I have a very special surprise for her, but for it I'm going to need a little help.

"Cutie-Mark Crusaders, come on up here!"

The CMC all hurried up onto the stage and everypony listened as another number began, something that sounded quite familiar to a certain apple farmer...

Equestria, the land I love

A land of harmony
(Behind Rara and the Crusaders, the Equestrian flag unfurled)

Our flag does wave from high above

For ponykind to see...

Equestira, a land of friends
(Rara then held out her hoof to Applejack...)

Where ponykind do roam
(...and pulled her onstage to share in this moment)

They say true friendship never ends

Equestria, my home...!

As the crowd cheered again, Applejack noticed an old triangle levitate up and gave Rara a cheeky smile before tapping it, ending the number just as they did it at Camp Friendship.

"Thank you, Rara, thank you Crusaders, and thank you Applejack! And now, it's time for our next performer!"
"She's an aspiring musician hoping to make her own mark in musical history. Fillies and gentlecolts, put your hooves together for a real singing sensation, Scarlet Ash!"

Everypony gave a rousing cheer as a pegasus mare with a cream colored coat, a scarlet red mane done up in a wild spiky style, and chocolate eyes stepped onto the stage. She wore a faux-leather punk-style jacket and carried an electric guitar. For a few moments, she didn't do anything, but just before anypony could question it... she began to stamp her right hind hoof again. And again. And again. And again.

Somehow, the crowd knew what to do and began to do the same with their own hooves, creating a repeated beat throughout the atmosphere, until finally...

I followed my heart into the fire
Got burned, got broken down by desire

I tried and tried but the smoke in my eyes
Left me blurry
Blurry and blind

I picked all the pieces up off the ground

Got dirt on my feathers but that's gone now

I've got the glue on hand

I'm sticking to the plan

Sticking to the plan that says I can

Do anything at all

I can do anything at all

This is my kiss goodbye

You can stand alone and watch me fly
Cuz nothing's keeping me down
Gonna let it all up
Come on and say right now, right now, right now

This is my big hello
Cause I'm giving, never letting go
I can finally see, it's not just a dream
When you set it all free, all free, all free

You set it all free
(Scarlet then cut loose and began to shred a killer guitar solo under the flashing stage lights)

This is my big hello
Cause I'm giving, never letting go
I can finally see, it's not just a dream
When you set it all free, all free, all free

You set it all free

As the music died down, the crowd rose up and roared with applause, causing Scarlet Ash to pause, stunned by her reception... and smile, unable to hold back the tears at the sight of so many ponies suddenly chanting "Ash! Ash! Ash! Ash!" before Midnight and Twilight ran out onto the stage.
"What about that?!"
"We just witnessed the birth of a genuine rock star!"

Scarlet Ash waved and gave a bow before exiting stage left, and Midnight and Twilight gestured for the crowd to calm down.

"And up next, we have a very special performer all the way from Afriska!"
"She's recently arrived to begin her Equestria Tour, which she decided to start right here in Ponyville!"
"Allow us to introduce to you... GAZELLE!"

Everypony cheered as the music swelled and curtains rose to reveal four Tiger Dancers as Gazelle appeared between them all!

Oh, oh, oh, oh oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh

"Good evening, Equestria! C'mon everypony, put your hooves up!"

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh

I messed up tonight
I lost another fight
Lost to myself
But I'll just start again

I keep falling down
Keep on hitting the ground
But I always get up now to see what's next

Birds don't just fly,
They fall down and get up
Nobody learns without getting it wrong

I won't give up, no I won't give in
`Til I reach the end
And then I'll start again
No, I won't leave
I wanna try everything
I wanna try even though I could fail

I won't give up, no I won't give in
`Til I reach the end
And then I'll start again
No, I won't leave
I wanna try everything
I wanna try even though I could fail

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Try everything
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Try everything!
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Try everything
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh

Look how far you've come
You've filled your heart with love
Baby, you've done enough, take a deep breath
Don't beat yourself up
Don't need to run so fast
Sometimes we come last, but we did our best

I won't give up, no, I won't give in
'Til I reach the end
And then I'll start again
No, I won't leave
I wanna try everything
I wanna try even though I could fail
I won't give up, no, I won't give in
'Til I reach the end
And then I'll start again
No, I won't leave
I wanna try everything
I wanna to try even though I could fail

I'll keep on making those new mistakes
I'll keep on making them every day
Those new mistakes

Oh oh oh oh oh
Try everything
Oh oh oh oh oh
Try everything
Oh oh oh oh oh
Try everything
Oh oh oh oh oh

Try everything

The crowd went wild with applause as Gazelle and her dancers gave a bow and exited the stage, Midnight and Twilight coming back out.

"Wow! Wasn't that great?!"
"It sure was, Midnight, but so is our next act! Everypony, give a warm Ponyville welcome to..."
"The Buttnaked Fillies!!"

A curtain rose up, everypony applauding as the band behind it began their song...

It was a recipe for disaster
A four course meal of no sirree
It seemed that happily ever after
Was happy everyone was after me

It was a cup of good intentions
A table spoon of one big mess
A dash of overreaction
And I assume you know the rest

One little slip,
One little slip

It was a fusion of confusion
With a few confounding things

I guess I probably took the wrong direction
Well I admit I might have missed a sign or two
I ran a light past your affection
At Humiliation Avenue
Took a right turn at confusion
A left when I shoulda gone straight on through
I ran ahead with my assumptions
We all know what that can do

One little slip
One little slip

It was a fusion of confusion
With a few confounding things

I get the feeling in this town
I’ll never live till I live down
The one mistake that seems to follow me around
But they'll forget about the sky
When they all realize this guy's
About to try to learn to fly or hit the ground

It was a cup of good intentions
A table spoon of one big mess
A dash of over-reaction
I assume you know the rest

One little slip,
One little slip
It was a humble little stumble
With a big un-graceful...

One little slip
One little slip

It was a fusion of confusion
With a few confounding things

The crowd cheered like crazy, some of the mares actually swooning to the stallions in the band as the curtain fell. Midnight and Twilight came back out as Twilight began.

"What a great performance, everypony, but now, let's try a little something different."
"Courtesy of Mister Flank Sinatrot!"

Everypony apllauded as the curtains rose again, revealing the famous Flank Sinatrot himself as the silhouettes of musicians behind him started up big band music.

I've got you under my skin
I have got you, deep in the heart of me
So deep in my heart that you're really a part of me
I've got you under my skin
I'd tried so, not to give in
I said to myself this affair it never will go so well
But why should I try to resist when baby I know so well
I've got you under my skin
I'd sacrifice anything come what might
For the sake of having you near
In spite of a warning voice that comes in the night
And repeats, repeats in my ear
Don't you know, little fool
You never can win
Use your mentality
Wake up to reality
But each time I do just the thought of you
Makes me stop before I begin
'Cause I've got you under my skin
I would sacrifice anything come what might
For the sake of having you near
In spite…

The music ended with a percussive flourish as Flank Sinatrot gave a bow to the applause and the curtains fell. The night wore on and there were plenty more acts and songs and musicians and singers, all of it was wonderful and amazing. But it was getting late.

After the most recent act finished their number, Midnight and Twilight stepped out onto the stage once more.

"Well, everypony, I'm afraid it's just about time to conclude the Helping Hooves music Festival."

There were several aw's among the crowd, but the number of yawns made it apparent that it really was just about time to wrap things up.

"I know, everypony, but we had a great time tonight, right?!"

The crowd let out a rousing "YEAH" cheer, especially from Bulk Biceps, and when they stopped, Twilight went on.

"But I think we have time for one last song, and it's a little something my husband and our friends and I have all worked on, and so... Ponyville, this is for you!"

The lights dimmed, the curtain fell, and everypony murmured excitably before the lights lit up and a powerful beat and melody began as the curtains rose and there was the Whole Harmonic Twelve! Big Mac, Applejack, Thunderlane, and Soarin all on guitar, Blueblood on the violin, Cheese Sandwich on the accordion, Pinkie Pie on drums, Rainbow Dash on electric guitar, Fluttershy on tambourine, Rarity on piano, while Midnight and Twilight shared a mike.

[Twilight Sparkle]
I spent so much time searchin'
Lookin' for somethin' more
Diggin' holes too deep
And opening every door

And when you stand too close
Yeah, the picture's never clear
And when you look too far away
It all but disappears

[The Harmonic Twelve]
And it was right (right) there in front of me (Oh-oh, ah-oh-oh)
Just too close for me to see (Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh)
Sometimes the things you want
Are not the things you need
And it was right there in front of me

[Midnight Blaze]
There was a time before
I didn't know where I belonged
I thought I needed more
And that I couldn't get along

[Twilight and Midnight]
But who I am
Was all I ever needed
And when I faced that test
I finally succeeded

[The Harmonic Twelve]
And it was right (right) there in front of me (Oh-oh, ah-oh-oh)
Just too close for me to see (Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh)
Sometimes the things you want
Are not the things you need
And it was right there in front of me

Oh, whoa-oh, oh-whoa-oh

[Twilight and Midnight]
And it's all I'll ever need

[The Harmonic Twelve]
Oh, whoa-oh, oh-whoa-oh

[Twilight and Midnight]
And it was right there in front of me

[The Harmonic Twelve]
Oh, whoa-oh, oh-whoa-oh

[Twilight and Midnight]
And it's all I'll ever need

[The Harmonic Twelve]
Oh, whoa-oh, oh-whoa-oh

And it was right there in front of me-ee-ee

Oh oh oh
All this time
It was in front of me

As the crowd went wild, Midnight, Twilight, BigMacintosh, Fluttershy, Applejack, Thunderlane, Rainbow Dash, Soarin, Blueblood, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Cheese Sandwich looked out to their friends and neighbors and family and even saw the performers who'd all come to be a part of this amazing night cheered their hearts out, and they nuzzled their special someponies as they all knew.

This was going to be a night they would remember for a good long time.

Author's Note

Showstopper is a character created by Creative Quill

I showed her a few times before but I wanted to give her a more significant role even if it was small, and plus I didn't like how Svengallop walked out on Coloratura on his own terms and thought him being flabbergasted by the appearance of a celebrity like Showstopper would be an excellent way to show him he could shove it

Also, I included more songs and performers since Coloratura was technically the opening act for the Helping Hooves Music Festival

Disclaimer:

"Set It All Free"
"Try Everything" and the character Gazelle
"One Little Slip"
"I've got You Under My Skin"
"Right There in Front of Me"