Chapter 1: Everything Became Nothing
May 27th. An ordinary date with no significant attachment to anypony unless it happened to be their birthday. Or the date on which they obtained their Cutie Mark.
Such a thing happened to one of the tenacious trio known throughout Ponyville as the Cutie Mark Crusaders. For a few years, they had tried hooves at nearly every kind of skill, hobby, sport, job, you name it, chances are they attempted it. Given that they were still trying, naturally meant that they had had little to no success. Even some of the most patient of ponies from tales gone by would have felt disheartened after such a long time of nothing but failure. Not the CMC. Whether it was the willpower, sheer determination, a bond to last forever or a mixture of the three, they plowed on relentless in their ambition of no longer having to be labelled "blank-flanks". Such comments were usually given by the Crusader's fellow classmate and unfellow snob, Diamond Tiara along with her best friend Silver Spoon. Indeed, the group was formed in no small part thanks to Diamond Tiara herself. She had hosted a cute-ceñara and invited all the foals from Miss Cheerilee's class as a means to show off how "better" it was in comparison to everyone else's. During the party, Applebloom had pretended to have a cutie mark so as to avoid getting bullied but the truth was eventually exposed. Just as Diamond Tiara was about to unleash the gloat of the millennium, in stepped her future comrades; Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. They helped Applebloom alleviate her fears of being the only foal in town without a cutie mark as well as steal the spotlight off of Diamond Tiara for good measure.
Since then, the group had gone on countless adventures, suffered through numerous arguments yet had stood by each other through thick and thin. Even without their Cutie Marks, the three fillies maintained their uncanny enthusiasm with endless hope in their hearts and it seemed it would stay that way forever.
All that changed on May 27th. The date that Sweetie Belle got her Cutie Mark.
"Two minutes until you're on, Sweetie Belle"
There had never been a point in Sweetie Belle's memory where she wished the ground would open up and swallow her more so than now. Nervous? That was at the tip of the emotional iceberg which was melting so fast that Rainbow Dash would have a hard time keeping pace. Anxiety, bashfulness, confusion, dread... the list would have continued if she could have thought of a synonym beginning with 'E'.
Desperate for a distraction, she thought back to the day six months prior when Scootaloo had entered her name into the largest entertainment competition ever to exist, Equestria's Got Talent. Without her consent. Scootaloo still claimed to this day that her ears had never fully recovered from the fifteen minute rant/screaming that occurred shortly thereafter.
It had taken about six hundred and ninety two apologies from Scootaloo and around three thousand, seven hundred and fifty four words of reassurance from everyone to convince Sweetie Belle to participate. All of that looked to have gone to waste, however, when she got into the queue and found herself behind none other than Diamond Tiara herself. One scathing remark from the spoilt filly later and Sweetie Belle had felt almost like she did at present. Needless to say once Diamond Tiara had amazed the judges with her surprisingly powerful vocals and unanimous votes through to the next stage, Sweetie Belle was barely able to make her way through the song. Fortunately, the judges were the supportive kind who had liked her voice and allowed her to progress, more out of sympathy than anything else.
As the rounds progressed, Sweetie Belle was somehow able to let go of part of her fear. She even was beginning to enjoy the experience. That was until she made it to the audience round. The mere thought of hundreds of unknown eyes boring through the body like dentist drills, scrutinizing every little moment, checking for the tiniest of bum notes, one slip needed for them to voice their displeasure... horrifying! When the song started to play, Sweetie Belle snapped shut her eyelids and kept them clenched tight as she made her way through the song, dreading the moment when the inevitable boos would rain down. The song seemed to last an eternity but, with mercy, it eventually ended. A moment of silence in which Sweetie Belle cautiously opened her eyes. Then everypony in attendance started to stomp their hooves in applause, several jubilant whistles and cheers ringing out. Upon witnessing this, Sweetie Belle blushed bright crimson and remained such whilst the judges informed her she was through and would let her know by the end of the month if she was to make it to the semi finals.
April 30th. If one was to look in Carousel Boutique on that morning, one would have found a certain unicorn filly pacing around frenetically. It had gotten so bad that Rarity of all ponies was telling her to stop acting so flustered. The minutest of noises had her on edge and every time it seemed as if somepony was knocking on the door, Sweetie Belle would appear within half a second. Eventually the door received a knock and like a bullet from a gun, Sweetie Belle zoomed up and nearly tore the door of its hinges. It was Derpy. With a letter. Addressed to Sweetie Belle. From Equestria's Got Talent. Saying she was successful. The numbness of shock naturally caused Sweetie Belle to faint; thankfully onto a cushion which Rarity had placed by the door for this situation.
On the train ride to Canterlot, where the finals would be held, all of Sweetie Belle's friends and family buzzed with excitement and conversations were animated and carefree. Not so for the young unicorn who felt nauseous, even looking a light shade of green. When they arrived, they were greeted by a member of the production crew who took Sweetie Belle and her close family to the studios to introduce her to the other acts that had made it this far. Upon opening the door and glancing in, Sweetie's heart seemed to fail. There staring right back at her was the same filly that had queued before her at the initial audition, her longtime adversary Diamond Tiara.
Both fillies became frozen in shock. Blank expressions appeared simultaneously on the two. Diamond Tiara was so flabbergasted, she couldn't think of anything mean-spirited to say. All she could eventually splutter out was "I, I, I... well... good luck." before sprinting out of sight.
Sweetie Belle remained in the tranquil daze for a few seconds before shaking her head in disbelief. Did Diamond Tiara just wish me good luck?
May 20th. The date when the semi-finals began with great gusto. Many varied acts from circus skills to dancers to stunt ponies graced the stage. It was like watching Applebloom go through the Cutie Pox again, only more refined and with less multitasking involved. As fate so often cruelly dictates, Diamond Tiara and Sweetie Belle would be the last two acts to perform. Having listened to her sing in the audition, Sweetie Belle presumed that Diamond Tiara would be just as great as she was then. But Diamond Tiara, for all her bravado and arrogance in daily life, was still just a filly and she found herself overwhelmed by the pressure, got distracted halfway through and lost track of the lyrics. She was able to recover and make it through to the end but she knew the damage was done. Using all her strength to avoid collapsing on stage, she took the judges comments then made her way backstage, openly sobbing the moment she walked through the curtain. Despite all the hardships Sweetie Belle had suffered from the young rich pony, she couldn't help but feel sorry for her. Tentatively, she placed a hoof on Diamond's shoulder, causing her to spin round furiously.
"Oh, it's you. What do you want blank-flank? Come to gloat?"
Sweetie Belle looked irritated. "No, I wanted to make sure you were okay. That's no reason for me to be insulted."
Diamond gasped and started trembling. Before Sweetie Belle knew what was happening, Diamond Tiara flung her hooves around her neck, moistening her fur with a torrent of fresh tears, the last of her pride evaporating. "I'm sorry Sweetie Belle. I'm sorry for everything I've done. I'm sorry for all the times I've insulted you by calling you and your friends blank-flanks. I'm sorry for being jealous of everything you have accomplished, even without gaining your cutie marks. I'm sorry." And with that, Diamond Tiara rushed off, still crying, looking for her family for a much-needed hug leaving a dazed Sweetie Belle in her wake.
There was no time for Sweetie Belle to process what had just happened as she was immediately called to begin her performance. Dreading the same outcome, beads of sweat began to form on her head as she stopped at the microphone. If Diamond Tiara, an infuriating yet nonetheless assertive young mare could go to pieces like that, what chance did she, a relatively timid filly, have of making it through?
But then she located the faces of everypony she knew, of everypony that had come to support her. Her parents, Rarity, her best friends Applebloom and Scootaloo. Seeing these loving, supporting faces sent a wave of calmness over the white unicorn midst the dozens of emotions running through her mind and washed them deep into the recesses as she began to sing.
Equestria's Got Talent was broadcast throughout the land by having giant screens installed within various places, from large cities like Manehattan and Fillydelphia through to smaller towns like Ponyville and Cloudsdale. The audience could vote by means of a novel concept through using dragon breath as a direct link to the production crew whom then tallied up the votes. A lot of planning, effort and bribes had gone into finding dragons willing to cooperate and be dispersed in each town and city. No expense was spared in the process, the show would most likely be a once in a lifetime event with the promise of eternal fame and fortune awaiting the winners. Spike had willingly volunteered to act as Ponyville's transmitter but was regretting his decision as pretty much everypony in the town submitted their votes. Given that two of the acts were from the town, it was not surprising but nonetheless, it didn't make it any less exhausting for the small drake.
"Fillies and gentlecolts. The votes are in. I will now reveal the two acts whom have made it into the Equestria's Got Talent live final on Friday."
The audience, both in the studio and throughout the various towns and cities, and contestants were joint in holding their breath in anticipation. Sweetie Belle was stood next to Diamond Tiara, her eyes bloodshot but otherwise had calmed down considerably.
"The first act through to the final is...Roary Bremner!"
There was a massive cheer and applause as Roary Bremner, a young minotaur impressionist from Vanhoofer who had amazed everyone with his impersonations of such celebrities as Johnny Braygas, Mareah Silvermane, even singing like Michael Colton, blushed with pure happiness.
"The act that shall be joining him, in the grand final is..."
Everyone stood up, leaning closer as the suspense increased tenfold. Silence so deafening, had there been a pin to drop, it would've sounded like a thunderclap. Another moments pause. Then...
"...Sweetie Belle!"
Everyone in attendance gasped in horror. Sweetie Belle had fainted again, this time onto the hard glass set.
The following week had agonizingly crawled at a snail's pace. Schoolwork was impossible for everypony in Miss Cheerilee's class given that two of its members had just competed in the semi-finals of the biggest talent search known to pony. Even Cheerilee had succumbed to the fervor, not even attempting to set any work. A few times, having avoided another of her fellow classmate's endless questioning in regards to her feelings and newfound celebrity status, Sweetie Belle would notice Diamond Tiara looking rather subdued. The day before the final, she caught a glimpse of Diamond Tiara behind the schoolhouse pleading with Silver Spoon about something, but she had little time to dwell on it due to Pipsqueak running up to her and becoming the latest to ask a barrage of questions.
Rarity came by the schoolhouse that afternoon to walk her little sister back to Carousel Boutique. The pair were unsurprisingly quiet as they traipsed through the streets of Ponyville. Several ponies shouted out messages of support but the siblings did their best to ignore them. Once inside Rarity's home, she locked the door behind her. The shop had been closed over the last week, the fashion-conscious unicorn as equally distracted as everypony else. Both their parents were staying at the Boutique as it was closer to Ponyville's train station and had prepared a meal for their daughters which was eaten in near silence. Well, not quite eaten considering Sweetie was struggling to eat out of nervousness. Rarity was unusually toying with her food whilst eating, a worried frown near-permanently etched on her face. When finished, Sweetie Belle made the conscious decision to go to bed early hoping to get as much sleep as possible. She embraced her parents whom wrapped their forehooves around her, nuzzling with affection and pride. She was about to do the same with Rarity but she motioned with a flick of her head to join her.
The sisters ambled slowly upstairs to the spare room where Sweetie Belle often slept. Upon reaching the bedroom, Rarity sat down on the edge of the bed and motioned for her sibling to do the same. The unicorn filly couldn't help but notice her elder sibling was chewing on her bottom lip, as if trying to determine the right words to say.
Eventually Rarity spoke in a delicate, calming tone. "Is everything okay. You barely touched any of your food. I can understand feeling nervous given what's about to happen but if there is anything that I can do to help, you just have to say. I'll even Pinkie Promise to keep it a secret if needs be."
Sweetie Belle pondered her sister's words, deliberating if there was anything worth mentioning. She wasn't worried about lack of support. Each act in the final got to receive an allocated one hundred tickets attend. Her family and friends would be there as well as the entirety of Miss Cheerilee's class. The school had been exceptionally closed so as everypony could travel to Canterlot and watch in the studio. She wasn't worried about making it through the day, she had done that previously at the semi-finals and surely it would be easier the second time...hopefully.
Not able to think of anything, she shook her head and gave her big sister the largest, genuine-looking grin imaginable as if to dissuade any lingering fears. "I'm just nervous. I'll be fine."
Rarity relaxed slightly. "I'm glad to hear it." she said as she hugged her sister with Sweetie doing the same. "I know that I haven't exactly been the most supportive of siblings over the years, what with owning a business and what have you but I'd like you to know that I have always loved you Sweetie Belle."
Sweetie Belle felt tears brewing up in her eyes as she leaned further in the embrace. "Thanks Rarity, I really appreciate it."
"And may it also be said" Rarity continued, tears starting to blur her eyesight as well "that I have never been as proud of what you have achieved so far as I am right now."
With this, the pair silently cried in happiness for a good solid minute before breaking apart, a genuine loving smile on each face as Rarity bid goodnight and shut the door.
And, at last, back to May 27th. Where at a quarter past eight in the evening, backstage on the set of Equestria's Got Talent Sweetie Belle stood shaking like a leaf. She still hadn't entirely gotten over her stage fright. Even having reached the final hadn't installed the much needed self-confidence. The same questions arose within her mind. What if it all goes wrong? What if I forget the lyrics just like Diamond Tiara? Perish the thought, but what if it turns out like... that performance? The performance which she and her friends had sworn never to mention again, back when they performed in the school talent show. A performance so catastrophic and chaotic that had Discord not been encased in stone at the time, he surely would've shed a tear of pure joy at the sight.
Sweetie Belle's parents, Rarity and her fellow Element bearers sans Twilight, Applebloom and Scootaloo were backstage with the terrified unicorn filly but amidst the hustle and bustle of the various production crew members running around making sure that every contestant looked perfect and the event ran as smoothly as possible, and the other close relations of fellow competitors, there was little opportunity for any of them to issue more than a few words of comfort before she was whisked away to tie down a loose hair or be told for the umpteenth time how her stage entrance would go.
Sweetie Belle was beginning to lose her mind. Black was becoming East. Up was becoming white. For one bizarre moment she felt like shouting out "YEAH, IN YOUR BUCKING FACE MOTHERBUCKER" but a second later, she recoiled in revulsion, no doubt partly due to the crude language.
"You're on, Sweetie Belle. Good luck."
The studio was built to accommodate five thousand spectators, a small number perhaps to some but plenty large enough for even Roary Bremner, the minotaur, part of one of the most fearless species in the land, to blanch in horror at first sight. The set was built in three tiers with the topmost tier comprising of a royal box which housed an assortment of fifty famous names; fashion designers Hoity Toity and Coco Pommel, Wonderbolt members Spitfire, Fleetfoot and Soarin, various entertainers like illusionist David Mane, singer Braylor Swift and actress Emma Trotson just to name a few. But the most prominent of names were the Regal sisters, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, whom were sent personal invitations to the event. They were sat alongside the fellow princesses Mi Amore Cadenza, otherwise known as Cadance, and Twilight Sparkle. Celestia was maintaining her poise and calm demeanor throughout the event whilst Luna was more vocal and enthusiastic, loudly cheering and applauding each act, causing Cadance and Twilight to continuously stifle their giggling at the sight by placing their hooves in their mouths.
"Fillies and gentlecolts. The next act performing for the chance of a lifetime is a young filly from the town of Ponyville. She wowed audiences around Equestria with her beautiful singing voice and we are delighted she is here once again. Singing "Hoof On Your Heart" by Kylie Whinnyogue, would you please welcome Sweetie Belle!"
Had the acoustics in the studio not been flawless, the noise would have been deafening. Still it sounded like a million thunderstorms were raging simultaneously to Sweetie Belle as she made her entrance. Much like last time she scanned the audience looking for familiar faces. They weren't difficult to find. Cheerilee's class had their seats in the second row of the bottom tier, and she could pick out many ectastic smiling faces; Cheerilee, Twist, Rumble, Dinky, Featherweight, Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon...
Wait a moment. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon? Smiling kindly?
Sweetie Belle blinked and shook her head to check she wasn't imaging things causing some of the audience to titter in good nature. Sure enough there was Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon sharing the same smile as everypony else. What's more they were holding signs in their forehooves. The signs read 'SWEETIE BELLE ROCKS' and 'LET'S GO SWEETIE'.
Under normal circumstances, the white unicorn filly would be stunned, perhaps even intimidated by this sudden turn of events. But this wasn't normal circumstances. This was the final of Equestria's Got Talent. And rather than let it bamboozle her, she allowed it to soak in. She could feel the adrenaline pulsing through her veins as the backing track began to play.
And everything became nothing. To Sweetie Belle, nothing mattered anymore. She let go of all the pressure that had built up inside her, refused to entertain the notion that there was a nationwide audience including the rulers of the land. It was just her, the microphone and the music. They willingly merged together to produce a symphony of sound quite unlike anything heard before. It was as if the song was made for Sweetie Belle. No matter if anypony else tried to interpret it, for the rest of time, this would surely be known as the definitive version.
When a bright flash occurred towards the end of the track, the vast majority of the audience passed it off as a lighting effect that took place in the background. Indeed it seemed the only pony who had noticed what had actually happened was Celestia herself. She glanced over to the others in the box to see if they had noticed as well. Luna and Cadance were both mesmerized by the performance as was all the other celebrity figures but Twilight was looking at her, a knowing grin on her face. She had seen it too.
If the applause beforehoof was deafening, the applause after must have broken the sound barrier. Creatures of all shapes and sizes were jumping up and down, cheering, whistling, applauding. Once the song finished, Sweetie Belle began to slowly return to reality and was starting to blush in modesty. Once the judges had gushed appraisal and she had mumbled her thanks in return, she looked quite glad to be heading backstage. The moment she trotted through the curtain, Applebloom and Scootaloo tackled her into a hug eliciting laughter from everyone around to see it.
"Sweetie Belle, that was phenomenal!" Applebloom cried. "Ah don't think Ah've heard anything better in mah life."
"Yeah, that was so awesome" Scootaloo squeed, unintentionally giving a good impersonation of Rainbow Dash. "You nailed that performance and...ohmigosh, ohmigosh, OHMIGOSH!!!
"What? What is it?" Sweetie Belle asked.
But Scootaloo had been struck silent, the words caught in her throat unwilling to leave. Applebloom glanced at Scootaloo with a raised eyebrow then at Sweetie Belle before jumping in shock.
"Holy mother of Celestia. Sweetie Belle, you have your cutie mark!"
Everyone in the vicinity gasped in awe. Sweetie Belle looked down and her eyes nearly popped out of her head. Their on her flank was her cutie mark, a microphone surrounded by pink hearts and a purple ribbon. The knowledge that she had finally obtained her purpose in life, her many trials and experiments taken with her best friends, the journey undergone to this grandest of moments. Again, everyone in the vicinty gasped, but this time in horror as Sweetie Belle fainted yet again.
