Anarchy in the Equestrian Nation

I stood outside the Muffin Factory, a rather large and imposing structure that from the outside looked like an actual factory, but the double glass doors and the cheerful staff behind the counter said otherwise. I didn't stand alone, but I felt that since it had been my idea to hold a fundraiser concert, I had to be the one to pitch it alone. I opened the double glass doors and went to the front desk.

"Where would you like to sit?" the mare asked, assuming I was a customer.

"I'm not here to eat. Is the owner available?"

"Why are you-"

"Why I'm asking is none of your business. I just need to see the owner, please." I explained. I looked back on what I said twice before why the mare was offended hit me. Shit, I need to rephrase that. "Sorry about that, I'm just kind of on a short fuse today. Anyway, I need to see the owner if it's not a problem. Is he busy?"

"No, not really. He's in the kitchen." the mare said, still eyeing me angrily.

I strolled into the kitchen, taking off my gas mask and hanging it around my neck from the straps. "Sir?" I asked to the bustling stallion who was bouncing around the kitchen, checking ovens and kneading dough left and right. "SIR?"

The owner froze in place. "Yes?"

"I need to speak with you."

"Forgive me, my mouth is too dry to do a spit take, but WHAT!?!?" Muffin Top shouted. "The Ravine's going out of business!? You gotta be shittin' me!"

I threw my mask to the floor and looked the portly grey stallion in the eyes. "DOES THIS LOOK LIKE I'M KIDDING?" I asked, my voice a mixture of deadpan sincerity and anger. "The place where I've spent the past year hanging out with my best friends is going out of business thanks to Starswirl's, and if we don't stop it, there won't be any Ravine left to save!"

"And what do you propose we do, kid?"

"I have a band and I know other musicians. We can hold a fundraiser concert to raise money. The Muffin Factory is one of the most popular, if not the most popular, restraunt in Ponyville. Everypony who's somepony will be there."

"You raise a good point." Muffin Top reflected upon my offer. "How much of the profit are you asking for, and how much goes to us?"

"The bands and the Muffin Factory don't get anything. All the proceeds go to the Ravine Cafe." I stated, slipping my mask back onto the top of my head. "Anypony that wants to perform does so out of the kindness of their hearts."

"I'm liking this idea. Have a setlist back to me by the eighteenth of this month, prove all the bands involved can show up and are good enough, and you have a deal." he and I shook hooves, and I left the room, reaching into my saddlebags for a pen and my notebook.

"So, we got the gig?" Vagabond asked once we'd made our way back to the rehearsal room, absentmindedly tapping a hoof onto the pedal of her hi-hat cymbal, creating a steady beat that actually helped relax me a bit.

"Yeah, we got it, so long as we can prove we're good enough and that any other bands that decide to play can make it." I said, looking at the list of songs we'd written and practiced over and over until they were drilled into our heads.

"Mutiny?" I asked, mind momentarily whisking me back to the time not too long ago that we were on stage in a music battle with Turntable.

"Nah." Red Tear remarked. "What about Where We Belong?"

"That's for the end." Vagabond said. "Unless we get an encore."

The black coated pegasus nodded in understanding, twisting the second tuning pegs of his Telecaster. "What have we got on the list?"

"Let's see... I crossed off Mutiny, so from there we have Over My Head, Streets of Nowhere, Days Go By, Stuff is Messed Up, Rooftops, Town Called Hypocrisy, Teenagers, A Better Nothing, Last Train Home, Lonely Colt, and Paper Wings." I took a long look at the list. "How about we each pick two?"

"Teenagers and A Better Nothing." Tear said, taking the initiative.

"Over My Head and Rooftops." Vagabond continued, leaving me as the last one to provide input.

"Streets of Nowhere and Paper Wings." I finished, and the three of us nodded in assent. I grabbed hold of my laptop and stylus and began to type out a message to the musicians and bands in town that I knew.

Musicians of Ponyville,

As you may know, the Ravine Cafe is going out of business thanks to a corporate coffee chain called Starswirls', so myself and my band are looking for other musicians to help with a fundraiser concert. It will be held at the Muffin Factory on February 20, and you have until the 18th to reply. Call or text message this number 928-274-7945 to get more more information or to reply.

Thanks everypony,

- Union Jack

I clicked the "send" button and shut my computer, putting it back in my saddlebag and noticing a sudden buzz at my side. I levitated my phone from the end table next to me and checked the screen.

Incoming call from: Six-String, it read, and I pressed the accept button.

"Hello?" I asked, not expecting a reply so soon.

"So, I read you were putting together a concert."

"Yeah, wh-"

"Count me in." Six-String replied, cutting me off.

"Do you even have a-"

"A band? No, nor do I need one."

"All right then." I said, shaking Six-String's hoof. "See you there."

I popped my neck, my emotions a mixture of nervousness and excitement.

We had our first real gig.