Stairways and Serenades

And a new day will dawn for those who stand long

And the forest will echo with laughter

“Rarity, I'm really not so certain you can help me if you can't even hold the guitar.” Twilight sighed, looking down. There were six days left, and she had only covered one of the many problems she encountered the day before.

“Oh please, Twilight,” she smirked. “You know how well I can handle the finer details. I'm fairly sure I'm capable of doing this, and I am not going to leave you in the dark if there's any way I can help.”

Twilight smiled, at least her friends were supportive of her. Fluttershy already knows... Should I tell Rarity? “Alright then, back straight.” She was quick to follow, but her posture with her Whitetail acoustic was still off. “Rest the body against your right thigh, or along your left.” She chose the left, it was expected of her to choose the 'classical' position.

“Is this right?” she turned to ask.

Twilight inspected her briefly, and nodded. “Now that's where I'm having trouble. Whenever I swap guitars, one of them falls to the ground, and the one I'd currently be using is set up really awkward.”

Rarity pondered for a bit, she looked over at both the acoustic, and the Explorer lying on the library floor. Her horn lit up, and the two guitars switched places, only a faint whisper being made in the process.

“Rarity?” Twilight trotted in front of her. The Explorer was right where it should have been. “How did you do that?”

The unicorn looked up, shrugging. “Twilight, I was always skilled like this.” She noticed the unicorn frown. Perhaps she worded that wrong. “But... I do think there's a more efficient way for you to multi-task whilst channelling your magic.”

“That's just what I wanted to hear, show me how!” She grinned, waiting for Rarity to continue.

Rarity used her magic to switch guitars again, the acoustic materializing in her hooves. She got up, handing it over to Twilight who took a seat. “Let's see...” She trotted around the room, thinking of a way to explain her point. Teaching magical concepts wasn't an easy thing.

“I'm sure you've been doing your best to visualize both guitars in your mind, so-”

“Actually...” Twilight interrupted, giggling slightly. “No, I haven't.”

“You haven't?” Rarity cocked an eyebrow. “Well, try it now. Oh, and do take your time.”

Twilight looked at the electric guitar sitting in the corner of her room, and then back at the acoustic resting against her body. As Rarity said, she leisurely imagined the two instruments; every detail that she could without mentally stressing herself. Resuming what she would normally do, the Everfree rested against her, barely out of place, the Whitetail tapping against the ground, making less noise than it usually would.

Rarity leaned her head in, grinning at the other unicorn. “Rarity, this is great! Anything else you'd suggest?”

“Well...” she looked away, bringing a hoof to her chest. “I'm sure that's enough for whatever you plan to use this skill for, which reminds me, why are you doing this again?”

She could trust Rarity, but she was the type of pony who enjoyed gossiping. Maybe she'd know once it was all over, which would be soon given that there were only six days for Twilight to prove herself. “It's... It's nothing really.” Twilight hid her face behind the neck of her guitar. Sometimes, she wished she had a mane like Fluttershy's that she could obscure herself with. “Just in case I decide to join a band? Yes, that's it.”

“Well then, I wish you good luck,” Rarity said, eyeing her suspiciously. Twilight sighed in relief as she saw the white-coated unicorn moving her hoof to pluck a string on the Whitetail. She giggled from the sound, plucking it once more.

“You like it?” Twilight asked, smiling at her friend.

“Of course! Just because I'm a lady, doesn't mean I can't rock hard.”

“Oh, and I'd like to thank you again for singing me that lullaby,” Fluttershy said, walking next to Twilight Sparkle. Her ears perked up soon as she smiled. “You should... You should play me another one!”

Twilight nervously chuckled. “I think I'm good.” She noticed the look of disappointment on Fluttershy's face, causing her to sigh. “Maybe some other time? Besides, I need all the time I can get for that serenade.”

“Oh, right...”

“So, are your birds getting the song down nicely?” Twilight asked, her heart starting to beat faster. “Oh, please tell me they are! I don't have the time to-”

“Twilight, they're doing just fine.” Fluttershy patted her friend with her hoof. “Just a few are falling behind, but everyone learns at different rates, right?” Twilight frowned. “Don't worry, I'm sure they'll catch up.”

The unicorn looked down at her hooves, beating against the ground. She closed her eyes to help relieve some tension, bringing her head back up as she calmed her voice. “I can only hope so. There's still a lot to be done...”

“It's going to be okay, Twilight.” Fluttershy's voice was as soothing as she could make it out to be. While it didn't help much, she appreciated the gesture. “...Which is why we're going to Sugarcube Corner. You need a drummer, don't you?”

Twilight lifted her head, grinning at the yellow mare. “You know one?” She merely nodded as the two entered the building.

A cyan-coated mare called out from behind the counter, “Hello there, dearies, what would you like two like?”

“Hello Mrs. Cake, I'll have a lemon tart. Twilight, do you want anything?”

“No thanks, I'm just here to see the drummer.”

“Twilight, dear.” Mrs. Cake leaned forward to address her. “I haven't seen you in ages. Where have you been?”

The sound of a door bursting open caused all three ponies to look up. “She's been busy practising a song to play for Rainbow Dash so that she'll love he-”

“Pinkie Pie!” Twilight yelled. “Why- Don't just shout it out like that!” Her ears perked up when she heard the sound of tiny hoofsteps scampering away. She hastily spun around, only to see the door swing back and forth. Nopony there...

“Shout what out? How you like Rai-”

“Yes, that!” She shoved a hoof in Pinkie Pie's mouth. “How'd you even find out about that?”

“Oh...” Pinkie tapped a hoof against her chin. “Oh yeah, Fluttershy told me.”

Twilight turned menacingly towards the pegasus who met her gaze. Taking her tart off the counter, she shied away, hiding behind her mane. Mrs. Cake slowly backed away from the drama.

“You said you wouldn't tell anypony.”

“B-But, I had to!” Fluttershy cowered from her gaze. “Pinkie would find out anyway.”

“And why is that so?” she tilted her head, ready to deliver a vulgar display of 'friendship'.

“Well, since she's going to be playing the drums with you, I figured you'd tell her anyway.”

Twilight turned her head, only to stare into Pinkie's face, bearing an unnaturally wide grin.

“Lightning Pink Crusade?” Twilight asked. “That's what you call your drum set?”

“Yep!” Pinkie nodded. “It's identical to Lars Hoofric's, but better, because it's pink!”

Twilight snooped around the many parts of the massive and unorganized drum kit. “Uh... This doesn't look anything like his drum set.” She looked down, seeing two pink bass drums, each with their own respective double-bass pedals. “Pinkie, why do you have double-bass pedals for your double-bass drums?”

“Pinkie says double-bass is too mainstream...” Fluttershy offered. “She uses 'quad-bass'.”

“Yep, I call it... 'Double-double-bass'!”

Twilight brought two hooves to her head taking in a deep breath of air. “How do you even use all four of them?”

“Easy. I put two and two and two and two together, and bam!” She smacked her hooves together for emphasis.

Fluttershy trotted towards Twilight, who was now panicking from her lack of a sane drummer. “Don't worry... Pinkie's a very good drummer, please don't have any doubts, Twilight.”

“Twilight, are you nervous?” Pinkie calmed down.

“Yes Pinkie, I'm nervous. Nervous because we only have six days to get this whole thing down, and we're just starting out. We don't even have a bassist, for Celestia's sake!”

“Bassist?” Fluttershy slowly raised a shaky hoof. “I could play bass, if that's okay...”

“Fluttershy? Really?”

Pinkie nodded. “Yeah, she has all sorts of guitars.”

She fluttered towards another end of the basement, opening a rather large closet door. The other two trailed behind. Twilight's jaw dropped once more when she saw the massive collection of guitars. She had everything: The Baritone Flying V she saw last night; a double neck; a triple neck; seven-string; eight-string; twelve-string; one with a scale length that made it look as big as a full-grown pony.

“Here it is,” Fluttershy said, pulling the electric bass guitar out. It's black finish was very glossy, with thick strings, even for a bass.

“See Twilight? It's all gonna be fine!” Pinkie smiled, and at that moment, Twilight did too. It was time to practice. Time to deliver a hoof-full of metal.

The three of them played as each day burned away. Every hour of practice only drew Twilight closer to her goal, as the two others selflessly devoted their time and soul to Twilight and Rainbow Dash.

Twilight blew out a deep breath as she adjusted her guitar strap. “Alright girls, that's enough for today, we're definitely going to be prepared.”

“Yeah, I'm ready!” Pinkie growled. “So, when are we playing this for Dashie?”

Twilight's expression faded as she seemingly stopped breathing. The two mares walked over, trying to find out what was happening.

Fluttershy prodded her with a hoof. “Twilight? What's wrong?”

“T-Today...” Her lips quivered as she spoke. “W-We're playing it today...”

“Don't be scared Twi', we've had plenty of time!” Pinkie smiled.

“Yes, we're both here for you,” Fluttershy added.

Twilight shook her head. “But what if she's not here for me?” She started to pace around, sweating in addition to that collected over the previous night. That reminds me, I have to shower too. Oh Celestia, I'm a total wreck.

The sound of knocking brought Twilight back to her senses. “Hey, who's that?”

“I'll get it,” Fluttershy said as she scampered up the stairs. The other two followed behind.

“I really hope it's not Rainbow Dash,” Twilight spoke to Pinkie. They watched Fluttershy open the door. Twilight sighed when she saw the orange mare behind it.

“Hello Applejack, is there something you need?”

“Howdy Fluttershy, got a moment?”

“Of course, come in.” Fluttershy motioned.

“Just been meanin' to talk to you 'bout our friend Twi...” Her eyes widened when she bumped into the very mare she was speaking of. She gave her a neutral expression. “...light. How you doin' Twilight?” She nervously chuckled, attempting to play it off.

Pinkie stepped up, causing her to stumble a bit. “Applejack, it's not nice to talk about ponies behind their backs!”

Twilight kept her gaze fixed on the farmer. “What were you going to tell her?”

“I don't have to if you don-”

“They can hear it, I don't mind,” she said.

Applejack sighed, shaking her head. “Alright, my sister told me that you might fancy Rainbow Dash.” She continued when nopony responded. “Told me she heard it at Sugarcube Corner with her Crusader buddies. An' Sweetie Belle's probably gonna tell her sister, so Rarity probably knows too.”

She cleared her throat, subtly backing away from the other three and choosing her words carefully. “Been a long while since I've felt that way 'bout somepony, so I thought I could ask Fluttershy to tell Rainbow Dash to...” She looked towards the door, but then back at Twilight, nodding for her to continue.

“Let you down easy.”

“Applejack!” Fluttershy and Pinkie called out, nearly simultaneously.

Twilight walked closer to Applejack, who backed away, looking at the ground. “You really think that's how it'd turn out, don't you?”

“Twilight, I'm sorry!” she raised her voice. “I just didn't want it to hurt you. You know how lonely you can feel sometimes, you think I want that to happen again?”

Twilight rolled her eyes, sighing emphatically. “Right, I'm a grown mare. I've learned how, so now I can take care of myself.” She whirled around, giving her friend some space. Applejack sighed in relief, before Twilight sharply turned back to her. “I recognize that you care, but... I can do this, myself, alright?” Her voice calmed as she panted for air.

“Alright,” Applejack looked down, closing her eyes as she rested against the wall. “I think I understand. No hard feelings?”

“No hard feelings.” Twilight pulled her in for a hug, which was reluctantly accepted.

The sound of knocking alerted the four friends. They all fell silent.

“Think we all know who that is,” Applejack whispered.

Twilight leaned in close to Applejack, whispering into her ear. “Can you get Rainbow Dash away for a while and bring her back here after? Please?”

“It's the least I can do. How long?”

“Half an hour, that's all we need.” Pinkie nodded as she hid from sight. Fluttershy opened the door, revealing the face Twilight both loved, and dreaded to see in a time like this.

“Goodbye Applejack.” Fluttershy looked away, before turning her gaze back to the pony at the door. “Oh, hello Rainbow Dash.”

Applejack played along, putting on the best poker face she could. “Yep, bye Fluttershy.” She looked surprised when she saw Dash. At least she was trying. “Howdy Rainbow.”

“Yeah hi, seen Twilight in there? She's not anywhere I've been looking.”

“Well uh, she's not here.” Her eyes shifted from side to side as she nervously bit her lip.

Fluttershy peeked her head through the door. “Yes, I'm very sorry Rainbow Dash...”

Dash groaned, rolling her eyes. “Would've thought she'd be here, I've been looking everywhere!”

“Hold on Rainbow, I'll help you look for her. Let's go.” She started walking. Rainbow Dash attempted to say something to Fluttershy, but she impulsively slammed the door shut.

The three remaining ponies stood without making a noise. Hoofsteps could be heard outside, backed by indecipherable chatter. As the noise faded away, the ponies were greeted by a welcome, yet unnerving silence. Twilight quivered in place as fear nearly ripped the consciousness from her.

“Twilight?” Pinkie broke the silence.

“I-It's not going to work out... I-I can't do it.”

The pink mare smiled, opening her mouth, only to change her words. “Hold on to what you've got.” Pinkie sympathetically patted a hoof on the unicorn's shoulder.

Fluttershy offered a comforting hoof. “Twilight? It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not.”

Pinkie nodded, beaming with a bright smile. “We've got each other, and that's a lot!”

“For l-love...” Twilight whispered to herself. She closed her eyes and steeled herself. “We'll give it a shot.” The other two exchanged looks of excitement, as they brought their attention back to her. “Alright, half an hour. We all have to look nice, and I really have to take a shower.”

“Pinkie.”

She straightened her back, saluting. “Yes ma'am!”

“You've got the energy for it, I'm going to need you to move all our equipment up here. Nothing's creepier than 'Come to play in my basement'.” She gave herself a moment to chuckle for split-second, but then shook her head.

“Fluttershy.”

“Yes?”

Twilight spun around to look at the neat and welcoming furniture and tapestry. “This place looks nice already, but if there's anything else you can do to make it look even better, that would be amazing. Now would also be a good time to get your birds warmed up.”

The two ponies firmly nodded as they went about their respective duties. Twilight walked up the stairs, earning some time to recollect herself before the waves would come crashing ashore.

That's it... This whole serenade business has been planned from start to finish, but, it has to be better... No, it's all going to be fine. I can't think any other way, lest I lose it in front of Dash, of all ponies.

Come what may.