Living in Equestria

Much to Apple Bloom and Scootaloo's relief, Applejack turned us loose in the early afternoon to explore the festival. We had sold out of the jam, pies, corn and peas already and they were quickly going through the six barrels of cider they had brought. Both Applejack and I shared a private joke between the two of us about how it should have been seven but we got carried away a few too many times over the last couple of weeks.

The three of us set out for Rarity's stall first to collect Sweetie Belle who was looking miserably bored while her sister spoke with the patrons. She jumped up and gave me a big hug when we arrived, glad to be free of the hanging dresses and hats and soon we were all marching down the fairway, eager to see everything the it had to offer.

I pretty much just followed along behind them because the three girls had already worked out some intricate plan of exactly what they wanted to do and since I had no idea what was here in the first place... I had no input. I didn't mind, though. Every time the four of us were together I could feel the gentle, pleasant thrumming of the herd magic in my chest and back and that was all I needed to be happy and content no matter what we were doing.

The first stop was the Surgarcube corner stall so we could sample some of the tasty treats the Cakes and Pinkie Pie had whipped up for the event. We found our pink friend wandering near the front of the stall with an enormous red cupcake hat that dwarfed her head in a ridiculous fashion with a large platter strapped to her back that held several samples of the edible versions and colorful candy necklaces hanging from its edge.

"Hey ya guys!" she bounced over to us when she caught site of our troupe.

"Pinkie! Please tell me you have the deep fried frosting again this year?! Please please please!!" Scootaloo practically begged her, falling to her belly and pawing at Pinkie's hooves.

"Why of course!" Pinkie Pie grinned at her. "Just go ask Mrs Cake for it and she'll get you all taken care of! Say..." she stopped and gathered us all up in a tight group with her face a mask of devious joy. "I've got your batch of Pinkie Party Cocktail all mixed up if you're lookin to party later!" her eyes danced between the four of us.

My stomach turned at the thought of repeating that experience. "No thanks, Pinkie... we're good." I tried to say as politely as possible.

"What's a Pinkie Party Cocktail?" Sweetie Belle asked, licking her lips at the idea of a refreshing drink.

"I'll tell you later, Sweetie, come on..." I said, steering the three girls away quickly from Pinkie Pie who had thankfully been swarmed by a bunch of younger colts and was distracted.

We loaded up on the dollops of fried icing given out by Mrs Cake in little paper bags before moving on down the main thoroughfare. The icing was incredibly sweet but delicious with a crispy shell and a warm sugary inside. The girls ate theirs quickly and soon all three were eying my remaining portion. All it took was for them to coordinate their sad, begging looks and I crumbled like a sandcastle in the waves, handing over my mostly full bag to the three and watched as it disappeared quickly.

The ponies were pressed together tightly here and we ended up having to walk single file for a while to avoid getting separated. For me, this wasn't so bad because I could see over the backs of everypony well enough to take in the colorful sights around me. When we rounded a corner at the end of the main strip, Apple Bloom hopped up and down with excitement when the sound of music reached our ears.

"Oh! Lookie there, Sweetie Belle! They have a sing along stage! You should go up there!" Apple Bloom pointed at the source of the music.

It was a tall and impressive temporary stage set up with everything a pony would need to sing along with backup music. I guess it would be considered a karaoke stage my world and I wondered vaguely what kind of songs would be sung here. It was fairly intricate in its presentation and had lots of lights and decorations that made it look almost like a real performance was going to happen. Even though it was the middle of the day, the shade from the tent gave enough darkness for the lights to look impressive as they danced around, inviting somepony daring enough to step forward and sing for the large crowds milling by.

"I- I don't wanna..." Sweetie Belle's tail dropped along with her ears.

"Come on!" Scootaloo gave her a playful smack on the flank with a hoof. "Everypony knows you're a good singer, Sweetie! Go up there and do something!"

The white unicorn's eyes gave a panicked look at her two friends and then met my own, looking to me for help. She looked terrified and I felt my heart go out to my magical little friend.

"Sweetie, I won't ask you to go up there..." I shook my head. "I hate being in front of crowds and I'd be scared to death!"

"What's that?!" Apple Bloom nudged Scootaloo and they both shared a mischievous glance. "You'll go up there if Sweetie goes?"

"What??" I cried.

"What do ya say, Sweetie... will ya go if Mason does?" Scoots chimed in with her own playful grin.

"I- I guess so. It wouldn't be as bad if you came, Mason." Sweetie Belle said quietly... but the fear in her eyes was gone and now she was smiling a little.

I felt my stomach flop the same way it did when someone would ask me if I wanted to go on a roller coaster. I didn't want to do this at all but Sweetie Belle's trusting look wouldn't let me simply say no. I felt like she wanted to do it, but was too scared to do it alone.

"I don't know any songs from your guy's world... what the hell am I gonna do up there?!" I tried to be logical about it. But I found out logic didn't matter when girls and magic are involved.

"Oh don't worry about that!" Sweetie squeaked, suddenly happy and excited. "The first spell I learned was how to cast perfect pitch on somepony! All ya gotta do is say the words at the right time and the spell will do the rest!"

"Yeah! Don't be a foal, Mason! Go up there you guys!" Scootaloo gave me a not so gentle shove towards the stage.

Apple Bloom and Scootaloo cheered when I followed Sweetie Belle up the rickety wooden steps and my heart began to pound with nervousness as Sweetie picked out a song seemingly at random. She spoke to the unicorn working the equipment and seconds later, I was standing on the stage next to her with a microphone pointed at my face, Sweetie Belle putting one on that hung off her ears in front of her mouth. Already there was a crowd gathering to see what was going on now that somepony was on the stage.

"Sweetie... I don't know what we're doing!!" I whispered harshly to her.

"The words are down there!" she pointed to two young colts below the front of the stage who were quickly pulling out large cards with words written on them. "Now hold still a second..." She came near me and squeezed her eyes shut tight, her horn glowing pink. My vision washed over in the same color for a split second and then it was gone. I felt nothing except my heart pounding in fear.

"There, now don't say anything until it's your turn. The magic only lasts for a little bit and the more you use it the faster it goes!" she gave the unicorn manning the booth a nod... and the show started.

The music jumped out of the speakers loud and full. It sounded like a pop song that you'd hear on any popular radio station back home, major in key and upbeat with the bass line mixed up front in syncopation with the drums. The crowd in front had grown large now, easily over a hundred ponies, and they all began to bob their heads in time with the music, smiling. Several dozen pegasi floated above them for a better view as we stood there in the lights that had begun to swirl and flash in time with the beat.

Sweetie Belle started singing and once again I was struck by just how damn good she was. Her voice was pure, perfect and rang with an easy vibrato that some professional singers never accomplish after years of training.

It seems like only yesterday since we first met.

And if you feel the same for me then I would place a bet.

That we were meant to be together no one can deny

Our hearts should always be as one under the bright blue sky!

The crowd gave an loud, approving cheer at her singing and began to dance along. I was paralyzed... I had no idea when I should come in but Sweetie Belle gave me a subtle kick as she got into the performance. One of the two colts below had a card on my side that only had a bunch of "Oooos" and Ahhhs" on it. He was holding his hoof above the first "Oooo" and then slid it down to the first line in time with the start of the next set of Sweetie's words, looking at me in expectation.

I opened my mouth and said "Oooo" plainly, but what came out was an amazing backup harmony that was my voice... but then again it wasn't. It mixed perfectly with the key change and Sweetie Belle's eyes flicked to me with delight, smiling into the bridge of the song with renewed confidence.

But when I saw you in the hallway and tried to catch your eye

You acted like I don't exist and made me want to cry.

All my friends they tell me that I should just walk away

But I can't stop the way I feel and that is why I'll say...

The music launched into the catchy hook of the song, this time I was doing "Aaahhs." Sweetie Belle was into it now, dancing around and egging the crowd on who responded to her eagerly. The whole front of the stage was a sea of pony faces, all smiling and dancing with her as she swung into the chorus.

I want you to be my super special somepony

I want you to be the one who holds my heart!

I want you to be the only one who holds me close

and I want you to... tell me I'm the one!

The song must have been popular here because most of the ponies in the crowd joined Sweetie Belle in chanting the "I want you" part. A rush of adrenaline surged through me at the energy I felt from it. It was an incredible feeling and I understood why so many wanted to be a performer now... a pony could get used to this.

Another verse came, followed by the bridge again before the music dropped out and only the drums carried it into the next chorus. This time Sweetie Belle addressed the crowd, getting them to sing along louder.

"Come on, everypony! Sing with me!" she cried in joy, happy tears wetting her eyes.

And oh my god, did they ever. It was a loud and energetic response as the tight mass of ponies all sang along with Sweetie leading them on the stage, waving her hoof from side to side. Hooves clopped on the ground in a rolling wave of thunder in time with the drum beat and her hoof as they did, adding to the power of the moment.

When the music picked up again, it stepped up a whole note and threw another layer of excitement on it all. The crowd went wild, cheering and screaming as Sweetie Belle launched into the final stanza. She danced around the edge of the stage like a seasoned performer would, capturing everypony's eyes and attention as her white coat glowed under the brilliant stage lights.

I want you to be my super special somepony

I want you to be the one who holds my heart!

I want you to be the only one who holds me close

and I want you to... tell me I'm the one!

To tell me I'm the one!

To tell me I'm the one!

The music swelled to a finish and then ended. A roar of approval came from what seemed like the entire festival at that point. It reverberated under the massive tent and the ground shook from all the hooves tramping on the dirt of the square. I stepped back and off to the side, watching as Sweetie Belle stood alone on the stage to receive her well deserved adoration with my own eyes getting a little wet from seeing her do so well. Her face beamed from ear to ear with happy satisfaction and she took a gracious bow in front of it all.

When she did, a flash of light came from her flank with a glittering sparkle.

A golden microphone had appeared there.