Nothing to Fear

by Taialin

Rating: everyone
Tags: Sad, Other, Rarity, Fluttershy, Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Length: 5741

Fluttershy plans to sing with the Ponytones on Nightmare Night, but an offhoof comment from Rarity shatters any confidence she had.

Ever since joining the Ponytones, Fluttershy has slowly been building the confidence to sing in front of larger and larger crowds; her upcoming performance on Nightmare Night will be her biggest accomplishment yet. Even still, she isn't aware that the tower of courage she has built is standing on a fragile house of cards, and almost anything could cause it to collapse. Even a few words from a friend.

A Nightmare Night story.

Edited by palaikai. Cover art by AssasinMonkey.

Published 2014-10-24 23:00:02 UTC
Last updated 2014-10-24 23:00:02 UTC

Nothing to Fear

"Alright, Ponytones! Good rehearsal," Rarity said, standing in front of four other ponies. "I think all our numbers are coming along quite nicely."

Fluttershy stood quietly on the platform with the other Ponytones: Toe Tapper, the tenor; Torch Song, the alto; Big McIntosh, the bass; and of course, Rarity. Rarity was the lead soprano of the group and led almost every rehearsal, like she was doing now. The sun was setting, so it seemed like a good time to end their rehearsal for the evening. Rarity spoke again.

"We'll finish up. Let's run through the refrain of Nothing to Fear once more, and then we can end for the evening." Rarity turned to Fluttershy. "Darling, could you get your pitch pipe?"

"Of course, Rarity." Fluttershy stepped off the platform and went to her saddlebags. She took a round, donut-sized object out of her bag. It had thirteen receptacles a pony could blow in, one for every possible starting note. Fluttershy stepped up to Rarity and gave her the pitch pipe.

"Thank you." Rarity took the pitch pipe in her magic played the tonic note. She tapped her hoof on the floorboards to set the tempo, and chanted:

"One, two, three, four . . ."

Fluttershy took a deep breath and sang:

♪ Nightmare Night!

♪ Little fillies, don't you flee,

♪ It's such a fright!

♪ Only if you let it be.

♪ Nightmare Night!

♪ Little colts, come with me,

♪ Tonight's the night!

♪ To let your fears go free.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Rarity wave her hoof to signal the end of the note. She stopped singing and waited patiently for Rarity to speak again.

"Excellent work, everypony! I'm sure the crowd will love that number when we sing it a week hence. Ponytones, dismissed!" Rarity said proudly.

"Thank ya, Rarity," Big McIntosh said in his deep voice. "I gotta get back to the farm 'n help Applejack finish th' harvest. Cider season's comin' up, after all." He stepped off the stage and trotted back to the orchard.

Torch Song spoke next. "Great rehearsal today, Rarity. When is our next practice, again?"

"Tomorrow morning, Torch," Rarity replied. "Two hours after sunrise. We have to be ready by Nightmare Night, after all."

"Right on, Rarity," Toe Tapper said with a smile. "I'm due for a recording session with Torch tonight, so we've gotta get going. We'll see you tomorrow morning. Goodnight, Rarity, Fluttershy." Toe Tapper turned around and walked off with Torch Song.

"Goodnight," Fluttershy said quietly. She retrieved her pitch pipe, deposited it in her saddlebags that she placed on her back, and made to walk back home to her cottage. She was interrupted by a hoof on her shoulder.

"It's getting late. Why don't I walk you home tonight?" Rarity sidled up beside Fluttershy, her own saddlebags on her back.

"Oh, okay. Thank you." Fluttershy and Rarity began walking, side by side, towards Fluttershy's cottage.

Celestia's sun was about halfway below the horizon, and it cast the world in an amber glow. The tree leaves reflected the light, showing off their browns, oranges, and reds. It wouldn't be long before the Running of the Leaves would be held and thousands of ponies ran along this very path to relieve the trees of their burden. Fluttershy sighed in contentment.

"Beautiful evening, isn't it, Fluttershy?" Rarity commented. The sun lit her immaculate mane, gilding her hair in a golden halo. "Rainbow Dash assured me it would be just this nice on Nightmare Night as well."

"Oh, that's good," Fluttershy said quietly. "When will we be performing again?"

"Right before Princess Luna makes her appearance in Ponyville. The Mayor is coordinating a Nightmare Night show, and we're part of the entertainment," Rarity replied. She turned to Fluttershy. "By the way, thank you for agreeing to sing with us. I know you've been getting better at performing in front of crowds lately, but I thought you wouldn't want to sing on a date like, well, Nightmare Night."

Fluttershy swung her mane to hide a bit of her face. "It's been a long time, Rarity. We've been through so much: the Mane-iac, Sombra, Tirek. They were all really, truly scary." She turned to face her friend and smiled. "After all that, Nightmare Night and its pretend scares don't seem so scary anymore."

Rarity returned the smile with a bright one of her own. "I'm very proud of you, darling. You've come a long way from being the recluse who barely spoke a word just a few years ago."

Fluttershy's heart swelled at the praise. I have been working really hard on being braver. It's nice to know that Rarity has noticed, she thought. "Thank you so much. Nightmare Night is going to my scariest performance yet, but I think I'm ready."

"I'm sure you are. You will do just fine." Rarity always had the utmost confidence in Fluttershy, and she was glad for it. It gave her strength.

As the sun finally disappeared underneath the horizon, Fluttershy's cottage came into view. Luna's moon began its ascent in the autumn sky, suffusing the land in a cool blue light. The water flowing around her cottage babbled and bubbled as it bumbled its way downstream, gentle waves reflecting hundreds of dancing moonbeams. The air was calm, save for the occasional zephyr that rustled Fluttershy's coat.

Fluttershy and Rarity crossed the bridge over the brook and stopped in front of Fluttershy's cottage. Breaking the quiet, Rarity spoke. "Well, it's time I bid you adieu. Tomorrow we'll be doing a full run-through of all our numbers, back-to-back. Are you ready for your solo?"

"Oh yes," Fluttershy replied eagerly. "I've been working really hard on it."

"Excellent, darling!" Rarity said, clopping her hooves together. "Can I hear it?"

"Oh!" Fluttershy took a step back and shuffled nervously. "Right now?"

"Why not? There's no one around, and I haven't heard your solo in quite a while. I'd like to hear how much you've improved."

Fluttershy surveyed the area and concluded that they were, indeed, alone. I have been practicing a lot. I'm sure Rarity will be happy, she thought. Fluttershy acquiesced, squared her posture, and sang:

♪ I once was afraid of Princess Luna, I know,

♪ She can be quite loud, and can hurt my ears so,

♪ But she's nice now; she'll never harm you, although,

Fluttershy took a deep breath and closed her eyes in preparation.

♪ She has a sweet tooth; leave her candy after the show!

Fluttershy opened her eyes to applause.

"Wonderful, wonderful!" Rarity was stamping her forehooves on the ground. "Your spirit is definitely coming through the music!"

Fluttershy beamed. I'm so glad she liked it. "Thank you, Rarity."

Rarity smiled and walked up to Fluttershy. She put her hoof on her withers. "Keep practicing, darling, and soon even those high notes will be under your control!"

Fluttershy froze. "Wait. W-what do you mean, 'high notes'?"

Rarity stepped back. Her smile dropped just a tad. "It's nothing much, Fluttershy; it's just your 'after the show' was a bit shaky." She put a hoof up to her chin. "A lot of breath support is required for high notes, darling. Otherwise, they can turn uncontrolled, sound shrill, or go flat."

Fluttershy opened and closed her mouth, but no words came out. But . . . I thought she liked it . . .

Fluttershy barely noticed Rarity had returned and replaced her hoof on her back. "You'll do fine. I'm sure you will be just perfect on performance day." Somehow that confidence was lost on Fluttershy.

Rarity turned around and walked back over the bridge, away from Fluttershy. "I need to get back to the Boutique and tuck Sweetie Belle in. Goodnight, Fluttershy!"

Rarity turned around and waved before walking away, out of sight, the trees seeming to swallow her path. The breeze was colder now, and it dug under Fluttershy's fur. The moon was higher in the sky, flying above the treeline. It gave the trees black shadows, marring the pale blue land with dark penumbras. They moved and waved ominously in the wind while the brook bustled and bickered below.

Fluttershy remained staring at the path.

". . . Shaky?"

What seemed like an eternity later, Fluttershy broke her eyes from the path and trudged inside her cottage. All was silent. Most of the animals had already gone to sleep. Save for a certain rambunctious bunny. Fluttershy's pet bunny jumped up and down and stomped the floor angrily.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Angel. I'll make you your dinner tonight," Fluttershy said. Her mind was elsewhere though, and rather than go to the kitchen, she turned to sit on the couch. Her thoughts turned inwards.

I worked hard so hard on my solo, Rarity. I thought you would like it, but . . . maybe you didn't. You said my singing was . . . well, shaky, after all, Fluttershy fretted. Her thoughts turned back to Rarity's reaction.

"Keep practicing, darling, and soon even those high notes will be under your control," Rarity said.

"Wait. W-what do you mean, 'high notes,' Rarity?"

Rarity stepped back. Her face contorted into a frown. "Fluttershy, your 'after the show' bit was shaky." Rarity . . . shook her head. Yes, she must have shaken her head in disappointment. "You need breath support, Fluttershy, otherwise your notes will be uncontrolled, sound shrill, or go flat."

Rarity turned around silently and walked away. "I need to get back to the Boutique and tuck Sweetie Belle in. Goodnight, Fluttershy."

Fluttershy shook off the memory, frowning herself. Did Rarity really do that? Would she really be so mean in saying those things? She sighed. The lights inside her cottage seemed gloomy and sad, while the moon outside only cast more ominous shadows through the windows of her living room. The cold wind outside rolled around her house and battered at the door. But, I know she said that my voice was shaky. I know I heard that. And I know that was mean. I worked so hard on my singing, after all . . .

Fluttershy's thoughts were interrupted by a loud THUMP. She turned towards Angel.

"O-oh. I'm sorry, Angel. Mama's just a little . . ." Fluttershy wandered into the kitchen to prepare her bunny something. ". . . Preoccupied." She idly scooped some lettuce into a bowl, and kept thinking.

I think that you said something about being too shrill and flat too. Do you really think I'm that poor of a singer? Am I really that bad? Fluttershy scooped some baby carrots into the bowl. I practice a lot, though. I sing every day! I must be an okay singer; otherwise I wouldn't be in the Ponytones! She put a cherry on top of the salad and placed the bowl on the floor. But, you're the best singer I know. And you said I wasn't good. You said I wasn't a good singer. You said I was . . . shaky . . . and shrill, and flat, and—"Ouch!"

Fluttershy rubbed her flank where Angel had kicked her. "Angel, why did you do that?"

Angel pointed in annoyance towards the bowl Fluttershy had prepared.

"What's wrong with your—oh." Fluttershy took a closer look at the "salad." Rather than baby carrots, Fluttershy had scooped a helping of bird seed on the bed of lettuce. She also had managed to top the concoction with a clove of garlic, rather than a cherry.

"Oh my. I'm so sorry, Angel. Mama's had a bad day." Fluttershy picked up the bowl and dumped the mixture into the sink. She then opened a cupboard, pulled out a bag of large carrots—making sure they weren't turnips first—and gave it to Angel.

The bunny retrieved a carrot from the bag, and bounced over to the couch to eat his food.

Fluttershy sighed and put away the bag of carrots. She got up to rinse down the mess she had made trying to make Angel's salad. With Angel taken care of, Rarity's words came back to the fore.

"Fluttershy, you need to keep practicing," Rarity chided. "Your high notes are still not controlled."

"Wait. W-what do you mean, 'high notes,' Rarity?"

Rarity shook her head in obvious disappointment. "You don't know? Your 'after the show' bit was shaky." She frowned disdainfully. "Fluttershy, your breath support seems so weak that even a little high note like yours sounded shrill and went flat."

Rarity turned around, facing away from Fluttershy, as if she couldn't bear to look any longer. "Practice, Fluttershy. I won't have any mediocrity in my ensemble. If you don't show any improvement, I may very well have Sweetie Belle replace you. Goodnight."

Fluttershy shook her head again, not just trying to clear the memory, but fight back tears. No! Why, Rarity? Why did you say that? I'm not that bad, am I? Fluttershy stumbled out of the kitchen into the living room. The trees outside swung and waved in the gales while the wind roared with murderous intent. The dark shadows cast by the moon slid along the floorboards and creeped up and down the walls.

If I'm so bad, why do you want me to perform on Nightmare Night? I'll just embarrass myself! Fluttershy lay herself down and moved her hooves to cover her face in a vain attempt to protect herself from the evils of the world. I shouldn't even be in the Ponytones! Sweetie Belle would do so much better; Rarity said so!

You need to work much harder if you hope to be any good.

". . . Stop . . ."

Your voice is horribly shrill.

"Stop . . ."

You are a failure, Fluttershy.

"STOP!"

Fluttershy screamed. She bolted upstairs to her bedroom, burst through the doors, and hid under the covers. Tears escaped her eyes and soaked into the blankets as she weeped.

"I'm no good . . . my voice is horrible . . . I'm a f-failure . . ."

She heard a thump on the door. It was probably Rarity telling her she was bad again. Fluttershy dug deeper under the covers and tried to ignore the thumping.

A few seconds later, the thumping stopped, only to be replaced by the sound of a knob turning. Fluttershy hid herself completely and peeked at the door from underneath the blankets. It opened to admit . . . Angel. Instantly, Fluttershy threw off the covers and swept up the bunny in a tight hug.

"Oh Angel . . . I'm no good at singing. I don't think I can perform at Nightmare Night. Or be in the Ponytones anymor—ouch!"

Angel had squirmed his way out of Fluttershy grasp and kicked her again. He pantomimed strolling to a building and opening the door to talk with the pony inside.

"Talk to Rarity? Angel, I can't do that! She doesn't think I'm good. I don't think I could face her right now."

Angel groaned. He held his paws up to his chest, and pretended to sing something.

"I know, Angel. I like to sing, and I want to sing, but I can't." Fluttershy buried her head in the mattress.

She felt a thump on her head. Fluttershy looked up to see Angel pointing at the door sternly.

"Go out and sing? I want to, Angel, but I'm sure everypony would just laugh at me. But . . ." Fluttershy wiped her eyes. "Maybe I could ask Torch Song for help? She runs lessons for foals, after all. Maybe she could teach me to be better."

Angel sighed in clear disappointment. But he nodded anyway.

"Okay. Tomorrow morning I'll ask Torch Song for help."

Angel nodded again. As he slipped off the bed and out of the room. Fluttershy turned on to her side and fell into a fitful sleep.

Celestia's sun had just crested the horizon an hour ago. Normally, Fluttershy would find herself wandering about her cottage completing her morning chores at this hour, but today, she was walking with a purpose. En route to her destination, Torch Song's home came into view among the trees brushing the Everfree. Apparently, Torch Song liked the sounds of nature nearly as much as she herself did.

Mere feet away from the door, Fluttershy was struck with second thoughts. What if . . . What if Torch can't help me? Or she thinks I'm not good enough to learn under her? Maybe I should just go back home. She gulped, but shook her head. No, I have to at least try. Steeling her resolve, Fluttershy strode as confidently as she could to the door and raised her hoof high—but I don't want to be too loud—only to gingerly nudge the door.

Moments later, the door opened to reveal Torch Song. Somehow she had heard the knock. Her mane was slightly unkempt, and one of her forehooves was brandishing a mug of coffee. She had clearly just woken up. Torch Song yawned. "Good morning, Fluttershy. If I may ask, why are you here this early? There's still some time before Rarity's rehearsal."

Fluttershy retreated. "O-oh. I'm so sorry for waking you up, Torch. I'll just . . . um, go." Fluttershy turned to leave before a hoof halted her retreat. Fluttershy looked back nervously.

Torch Song had her hoof on her withers. She shook her head. "Nonsense, Fluttershy. You clearly came here for something, and I was getting up myself, in any case. Come inside." Torch stepped to the side and held out her free forehoof, beckoning Fluttershy inside her home.

"Oh. Um, thank you, Torch." Fluttershy slowly stepped into the house. It was a wonderfully quaint house, really. A picture frame here, a fireplace there, Torch Song's amenities were rather humble—with the exception of the music room. Inside that room was an enormous grand piano, several music stands, and a wall full of music books, ranging from beginner exercises to advanced etude compendiums. That must be where she teaches her students, Fluttershy thought.

Fluttershy heard the front door creak as Torch Song walked inside and closed the door behind her. She cleared her throat. "So, Fluttershy, can I get you something to drink?"

"Um, no, that's okay. I'm not thirsty." It wasn't entirely true, but Fluttershy's stomach was too uneasy now to keep anything down.

Torch Song nodded and took a few sips of her own coffee before addressing Fluttershy again. She looked a little more alert now. "So, I think it's clear you came to me for something, given how early you arrived. What do you need from me?"

Lessons.

Fluttershy squeaked as she remembered the answer she was supposed to give. But delivering it was so much harder than thinking about it. Her heart began to race. "W-Well, I, um . . . I need . . ."

Fluttershy felt Torch gently place a hoof on her back. "Deep breaths, Fluttershy," she said. "Breathe from the diaphragm." Fluttershy looked at Torch and tried to heed her instruction. She expanded her belly and breathed in.

"In, two, three, four . . . that's it, Fluttershy. Out, two, three, four . . . Again. In, two, three, four . . ."

Fluttershy repeated this exercise several times with Torch. Eventually, her heart stopped pounding.

Torch spoke again. "Now, Fluttershy, are you feeling better? Can you tell me what you intended to say?"

Fluttershy nodded. "Yes, I think so. I . . ." She took another long and deep breath, and looked her companion in the eye. "I need vocal lessons from you."

Torch Song blinked. Several times. "I-I'm sorry; I must have heard you incorrectly. Did you say you need vocal lessons from me?"

Fluttershy nodded.

Torch shifted uncomfortably. She said bemusedly, "Uh, you do realize we are more or less colleagues, right? And I normally only give vocal lessons to prodigious foals interested in music. Why do you feel the need to seek instruction from me?"

Now Fluttershy was the one that was shuffling. She looked at her hooves. "I . . . I don't think I'm good enough to be in the Ponytones."

When she looked up, she saw that Torch had stepped back, a look of bewilderment on her face, any sleep left in her eyes now gone. Several moments passed in silence before Torch spoke. "What? Of course you're good enough. When did you ever come up with the notion that you weren't?"

Fluttershy squeaked as she recalled the horribly mean words she had heard last night. "I'm a . . . I'm a . . ." Fluttershy looked down again. "Rarity said I was a failure," she whispered.

A sharp sound pierced the air. On the floor next to Torch's hooves was a shattered mug, the coffee once inside it now cascading everywhere. Distantly, Torch said, "I . . . I don't believe it. Rarity is a rational pony; she would never be that brusque." Even without looking, Fluttershy could tell Torch was shaking her head. "No, if that is indeed what she said, I fear the Ponytones will have lost two members."

Fluttershy felt hooves on her face. They directed it straight at Torch's. Torch said, "Fluttershy, I feel you are telling me what you think you heard. I don't believe Rarity would say something like that." She looked Fluttershy in the eyes. "No, I need you to repeat exactly what Rarity said to you."

Exactly what she said to me . . . Fluttershy thought back, as far as she could. Before she went to bed, before she talked with Angel, before she even went into her home. Fluttershy recited as accurately as she could: "Rarity said my, um, high notes in my solo were . . . sh-shaky."

Torch released Fluttershy, and she let out a great sigh. She mumbled something to herself, something that sounded like "thank goodness." Torch said, "Fluttershy, I feel you have nothing to worry about."

Fluttershy looked back at Torch. "Um, why do you say that? Rarity said my high notes were shaky." Her eyes were big and watery. "That means I'm bad, right?"

Torch Song shook her head. "No, Fluttershy, it doesn't," she said. "It means you have something to work on, as do we all. You are not a soprano like Rarity, so it is only natural that your high notes are not the strongest part of your vocal range. You are still a very good singer."

Fluttershy blinked back the moisture in her eyes, confused. But Rarity said my voice was shaky. If she said that, she must not have liked it.

Torch continued. "I was surprised when you came here asking for lessons, because . . ." Torch Song smiled. "I have nothing to teach you. I don't think you would learn anything under my tutelage you don't already know or are not capable of learning yourself."

Fluttershy still felt concerned. "But, I worked so hard on my solo, Torch. Rarity must have—"

She was interrupted by a knock on the door. Torch excused herself and walked to the front door to look through the peephole. She turned back to Fluttershy and smiled. "I think I know another pony who could convince you better than I could." She opened the door to admit a very familiar white unicorn.

"Ah! There you are, Fluttershy! I was looking for you at your cottage for our morning rehearsal, but you weren't there. I think we should—"

Rarity was interrupted by a peach-colored hoof. Torch Song had placed her hoof over Rarity's mouth and cut her off mid-sentence. She took Rarity into a side room.

Inside, Fluttershy was in turmoil. Rarity! Why did you come here? No, I'm not ready yet! You said my voice was shaky, and I'm not any better! You still think I'm bad, and I am still bad, and—

Torch and Rarity emerged from the side room. Torch stood to the side, smiling gently. Rarity walked forward and sat down in front of Fluttershy. She looked concerned. "Darling . . . Dear Torch told me you were worried about your singing. Are you alright?"

Fluttershy backpedaled. Her pupils constricted in fear. "I-I'm sorry I'm not good enough!" she squeaked. She clenched her eyes shut and folded her ears flat, afraid of the rebuke that was sure to come.

You need to work much harder if you hope to by any good. You are a—

Suddenly, she felt hooves around her, gripping tightly. Opening her eyes, she saw Rarity had hugged her. She said, "You are good enough, darling. More than good enough."

She pushed away and looked up at Rarity, worry etched in her face. "H-How? Why? I need to work a lot harder if I want to be any good. I don't have any breath support. I'm not a good singer!" Fluttershy's breathing got faster and faster as she spoke.

Rarity's face betrayed her utter confusion. "Fluttershy, where did all this come from? However did you come to these ridiculous conclusions?" Her face darkened. "If some other ponies told you these things, I swear, they will not be welcome at—"

"No!" Fluttershy reached out a hoof in protest. "Nopony told me anything. It's just . . ." She hesitated. Should I tell her? But Rarity will get mad at me. Her eyes drifted to Torch Song. She smiled, and nodded. Fluttershy looked back to Rarity. Her eyes showed only concern and worry. Fluttershy spoke quietly. "It's just that last night you . . . you said that my high notes were sh-shaky."

Rarity blinked. "Oh. Yes, I did say that."

Fluttershy wasn't finished. "I worked so hard on my solo. And then you told me my high notes were bad." Fluttershy got quieter and quieter as she spoke. Her next words were in a whisper. "That means I'm not a good singer."

"No, it doesn't mean that!" Rarity protested vehemently. "Don't you remember? I suppose I did say something about your high notes, but I also said you sounded wonderful!"

Now Fluttershy blinked and looked back at her friend. She hadn't remembered that. "You think my voice sounds . . . wonderful?"

"Of course I do." Rarity smiled warmly. "I wouldn't have invited you to be a part of the Ponytones if I didn't think so."

"O-Oh." Fluttershy wasn't trembling so much now, but flickers of fear still crossed her eyes. "But you still said my high notes were shaky. That's bad, right?"

Rarity shook her head. "I meant that in an encouraging way. I thought you sounded beautiful, and with a little work, you could sound even more beautiful."

Rarity thinks my voice is . . . beautiful too? Fluttershy stuttered. "But, I-I . . . you really think so?"

"Absolutely." Rarity nodded in affirmation. "Darling, it's important to strive to improve, but it's also equally important to acknowledge your own skill. You are a wonderful singer, and no small criticism can take that away from you." She looked Fluttershy straight in the eye. "Can you repeat that for me?"

"I . . . I am a . . . wonderful singer?" Fluttershy said uneasily.

Rarity nodded. "Keep going," she encouraged.

"I am a wonderful singer . . . and-and no small criticism can take that away from me."

Rarity nodded again. "Yes, darling. That is true, and that will always be true. Do you understand?"

Rarity . . . Rarity says I'm good. That I'm wonderful. Fluttershy looked around. She saw her friend across from her, eyes showing only concern and compassion. She saw Torch Song nearby, wearing a soft and encouraging smile. I'm good . . . I have things to work on, but I'm good. My friends believe in me, even with my problems.

Fluttershy met eyes with Rarity's. "I'm trying to, Rarity. I'm trying really hard."

The two friends pulled in and hugged each other again.

Celestia's sun had just disappeared under the horizon, and Luna's moon began its ascent in the cloudless sky. That change marked the beginning of Nightmare Night. The wind was cool, and the roads were clean. Festive wires of black and orange stretched from rooftop to rooftop, while lanterns hung from them. They glowed softly with their own warm light, complementing the muted shine the moon itself gave. Ponyville looked to be set for a grand celebration tonight. Costumed foals and their parents were just starting to trickle out of their homes.

Normally on Nightmare Night, Fluttershy would be cowering inside her cottage, but tonight, she was outside among the festivities. She wore not a costume, but a uniform: one shared by four other ponies also out tonight.

One such uniformed pony approached her. Rarity looked very sharp: her lips were red, her eyeliner and mascara were aggressive, and her whole ensemble was complemented with a black cape. Her voice seemed to echo with presence: "Fluttershy? It's time."

Fluttershy nodded and followed Rarity to the town square, and then to their dressing room inside. The rest of the Ponytones had already gathered there. Fluttershy took her place in the lineup, while Rarity stood in front, addressing all of them:

"Good evening, Ponytones. I want to thank you all for coming out tonight. Especially you, Fluttershy. The Nightmare Night show will begin soon, and after that, Princess Luna will make her visit in Ponyville. We are due for our performance in about one hour. Thus, I feel it is a good idea if we start warming up now. Ponytones, assemble." Rarity took her place in the lineup, and brought out her own pitch pipe from a pocket in her cape. She played a pure note.

To Fluttershy, the hour passed like a blur. They had finished their warmups, run through their songs, and now waited backstage in the wings for their leg of the show. Fluttershy took a tiny peek out at the crowd, and recoiled immediately. She started shivering.

Almost all of Ponyville is out there tonight! How can I possibly perform in front of that many ponies? What if I sing the wrong part, or forget the lyrics, or mess up on my solo? What if they laugh at me because they don't think my high notes are any good and boo me off the stage?

Fluttershy felt a hoof on her shoulder. Trembling, she turned and saw Rarity beside her.

"Deep breaths, Fluttershy. From the diaphragm. Now," Rarity looked Fluttershy in the eye. "What do you know about your singing?"

"I'm a wonderful singer, and no small criticism can take that away from me," Fluttershy recited. It had become her mantra for the past few days, and every time she said it, it helped a little more. Fluttershy smiled. "Thanks, Rarity."

Rarity nodded. "Have confidence in yourself, and you will do fine." She took a pocketwatch out of her cape. "Sixty seconds to show. Everypony, get ready."

"Thank you, thank you, Ponyville!" Rarity said, addressing the cheering crowd. "I hope you enjoyed that one. It was written by our very own Toe Tapper after all! Our last number is titled Nothing to Fear. It will show you that although Nightmare Night might have been a scary holiday once upon a time, it is nothing to fear now. Thank you all again for coming to see us, and I wish you all a very merry Nightmare Night!"

As the crowd's cheers curbed, Rarity took out her pitch pipe, and played the tonic note. She tapped her hoof on the floorboards to set the tempo, and chanted:

"One, two, three, four . . ."

Fluttershy took a deep breath and sang:

♪ Nightmare Night!

♪ Little fillies, don't you flee,

♪ It's such a fright!

♪ Only if you let it be.

♪ Nightmare Night!

♪ Little colts, come with me,

♪ Tonight's the night!

♪ To let your fears go free.

Rarity stepped up to the nearest microphone, took it in her magic, and sang her verse.

♪ Princess Luna is back, but she is no dark queen,

♪ Not a nightmare now, but walking up on the scene,

♪ To celebrate this night, when she comes, we'll scream,

♪ "Happy Nightmare Night!" and she'll bless us with sweet dreams.

The crowd applauded (with one dragon's cheers being particularly loud) as the Ponytones sang through the refrain again.

♪ Nightmare Night!

♪ Little fillies, don't you flee,

♪ It's such a fright!

♪ Only if you let it be.

Fluttershy's heart started beating faster. Her solo was coming very soon.

♪ Nightmare Night!

♪ Little colts, come with me,

♪ Tonight's the night!

♪ To let your fears go free.

Fluttershy stepped forward, close to the mic stand so she would be heard. The entire crowd seemed to turn their eyes on her. Closing her eyes and imagining only her friends out there, Fluttershy took a deep breath and began.

♪ I once was afraid of Princess Luna, I know,

I can do this.

♪ She can be quite loud, and can hurt my ears so,

I'm a wonderful singer.

♪ But she's nice now; she'll never harm you, although,

Fluttershy relaxed her vocal cords. She took a deep breath in. From the diaphragm.

♪ She has a sweet tooth; leave her candy after the show!

Fluttershy stepped back and opened her eyes . . . to thunderous applause. It wasn't just her friends; it was all of Ponyville cheering. For her. Fluttershy looked over to Rarity. She looked back and winked.

♪ Nightmare Night!

♪ Little fillies, don't you flee,

♪ It's such a fright!

♪ Only if you let it be.

I understand.

♪ Nightmare Night!

♪ Little colts, come with me,

♪ Tonight's the night!

♪ To let your fears go free.

I let my fears get the better of me when I should have had confidence in my own abilities.

♪ Nightmare Night!

♪ The sky is crystal clear,

♪ It feels just right!

♪ To be celebrating here.

We all have issues that must be overcome, but acknowledging the strengths is just as important as acknowledging the weaknesses.

♪ Nightmare Night!

♪ Nothing scary is near,

♪ Tonight's the night!

♪ To know there's nothing to fear!

The crowd erupted into cheers and whistles and hoof stomps. Fluttershy and the other Ponytones gathered, and they took a bow together.

Nothing to fear, indeed.