Find the Music in You

Chapters

Chapter 2: Poor Rarity
Chapter 3: Sweeties and Shysies
Chapter 4: After the Rehearsal
Chapter 5: Way Back at Home
Chapter 7: Lesson 1b: Scales and Arpeggios!
Chapter 8 - Kickin' Those Clouds Away!
Chapter 1: The Good ole Summertime
Chapter 6: Lesson 1a - Diagnostics

Chapter 2: Poor Rarity

While the Cutie Mark Crusaders went off to search for their creature-loving friend, two stallions and a mare trotted towards Carousel Boutique. Each of the ponies wore a green sweater with a gold-green striped bowtie, proudly tidying their clothes with their hooves. Each of the ponies had one thing on their minds: the Pony Tones were back in business.

The Pony Tones are Ponyville’s most renowned singing group. Despite the acclaim they received as a group in Ponyville, the quartet shared an even greater distinction. The Pony Tones are the only Equestrian barbershop quartet to have singers featuring both genders. It wasn’t that mares and stallions were against singing together. Most, if not all barbershop quartets were traditionally comprised of either all-stallion or all-mare singers. Furthermore, the differences in the vocal ranges of mares and stallions made it harder to compose music suitable for mixed barbershop quartets.

That, along with the fear of losing the rich textures that all-stallion and all-mare quartets made formed a taboo against mixed singing quartets in Equestria. But for the residents of Ponyville, that didn’t matter. If the four ponies sounded harmonious and inspiring, they’d listen to them any day of the week, irrespective of the singers’ genders. And that they did ever since The Pony Tones came to being almost a year ago. Even with the fiasco dubbed ‘Filli Vanilli’, Ponyville proudly elevated the quartet to celebrity status.

While the Pony Tones took a break due to the busy lifestyles its singers maintained, no pony forgot the Pony Tones, especially the singers! The three ponies arrived just before the entrance to Carousel Boutique and greeted each other with warm hugs and hoofshakes.

“Hey Big Mac! Are things going well with you?! Hopefully you’ll try harder not to lose your voice to the turkey call again!” Toe Tapper joked.

“Ee-nope,” Big Mac replied with a straight face. Torch Song couldn’t help but giggle as well, especially since she remembered that he lost to Pinkie Pie after winning the competition six years in a row!

“Alright Toe Tapper. That was pretty funny, but we gotta get inside Carousel Boutique now." Torch Song exclaimed, knocking quickly on the purple door three times. After a few seconds of waiting, Rarity opened the door with a happy smile!

“Well hello there!” greeted Rarity. The soprano’s eyes then sparkled. Her uniforms were being worn once again! She couldn’t help but admire the genius in simplicity that was her Pony Tone uniforms!

“Ohhh! I still remember those uniforms any day! They’re those of The Pony Tones, the ones I made!” Rarity eagerly tip-toed in place, elated that The Pony Tones were coming together once again. Big Mac stood behind Top Tapper and Torch Song without emotion. The other two ponies simply scratched their heads, noticing that Rarity wasn’t wearing her uniform!

“Ummm… Rarity… where’s your uniform?!” The blue stallion and cream mare inquired. Rarity quickly jumped before she gave a sheepish smile.

“Oh right! I forgot! Today we’re having our Pony Tones reunion! I’m so sorry! I get carried away when I see my stylish designs worn so beautifully! I’ll get my uniform! Please do come in and make yourselves comfortable,” Rarity trotted upstairs to her room, keeping the door open as her fellow singers entered the Boutique.

Once the other singers entered the Boutique, Big Macintosh closed the door. The three ponies then gathered around the main room and conversed about the songs they they would sing for their first rehearsal back from their seasonal break.

“So now that we’re here, what should we sing first?” Toe Tapper asked the other singers.

“Why not ‘Oh Susanna’? It was a crowd favourite when we sang it before Ponyville’s Running of the Leaves!” answered an enthusiastic Torch Song.

“Ee-yup,” Big Macintosh agreed with a warming smile.

“It’s certainly a favourite for Big Mac, especially since it reminds him of the Apples!” Toe Tapper remembered, with both Torch Song and Big Macintosh nodding in unison.

“Well that’s that then! We’ll warm up with ‘Oh Susanna’ before we continue with the rest of our songs! We’ll let Rarity know once she gets dressed!” Torch Song engaged with her hooves. Just as the matter was settled, Rarity trotted down wearing her green uniform! The other singers looked up to the stairs, admiring her beauty.

“Wow… you’re looking great as always on that uniform Rarity!” complimented Torch Song, with Toe Tapper and Big Macintosh enthusiastically bopping their heads up and down.

“Why thank you Pony Tones!” Rarity giggled as she rejoined the others. “Anyway, with every rehearsal, we must always start with warm up exercises before our warm up song!” suggested Rarity, who looked forward to beginning The Pony Tones’ first rehearsal in months. The other ponies immediately trotted to their positions, beginning their warmups.

The first fundamental rule for a successful singer is to always warmup before any prolonged period of singing. The Pony Tones performed all sorts of warmup exercises that ranged from arpeggios to scales to even humming. After an intense five minutes of warmups, the four singers took a few minutes to compose themselves and their breathing. Then the all-important question arrived.

“So Pony Tones. Which song shall we warm up with?” Rarity asked, unaware that the Pony Tones already chose a warmup song. “What about something slow like ‘Marressee Waltz’ or ‘The Way you look Tonight’? It’ll certainly help us practice our breathing, since we’re in sore need of that today,” Rarity proposed. The other singers snickered in response, leaving Rarity to scratch her head.

“What’s the matter? Why are you all snickering?” interrogated Rarity as she pouted.

“Well… actually Rarity, we wanted to start with something silly today,” Torch Song giggled in response.

“Yeah! We wanna start with song that’ll get us into the spirit of singing!” elaborated the lanky stallion.

“Ee-yup!” Big Macintosh agreed emphatically. Rarity became even more confused now.

“Guys, this isn’t funny. Be serious! Which song are you talking about?!” Rarity asked again, oblivious to the song the others chose.

“We wanted to warm up with ‘Oh Susanna’ Rarity!” Torch Song keenly jumped. Rarity’s mouth immediately opened wide, horrified at the song they selected.

“Yeah! We need a funny song Rarity! Plus, you were a great Susanna when we last sang it just before the Running of the Leaves!” Toe Tapper broke out in laughter alongside Big Macintosh.

“We. Are not. Singing. ‘Oh Susanna’. Ever Again,” Rarity sternly replied, crossing her hooves in disgust.

“Aww Rarity! Lighten up! Ponyville loved it when you got that banjo stuck on your back hoof!” Toe Tapper cried out, unable to contain his amusement.

“Ee-yup!” Big Macintosh uncontrollably laughed alongside the blue stallion.

“That was not funny! I could have gotten hurt! And no I don’t want to act like a country bumpkin ever again!” fumed the white mare.

“Well… Rarity… You gotta admit… you had a lot of fun being one when Trenderhoof was in town! You even organized a fashion rodeo just for him remember?!” Torch Song snickered alongside the other ponies.

“You will never speak of that again,” growled Rarity, grabbing an unsuspecting Torch Song with her hooves.

“Okay okay! I won’t mention him again! Calm down Rarity! We’re just singing this as a warm up! You don’t have to act all southern, even at the concert ok?!” Torch Song shouted, desperate to be let go of Rarity’s wrath. Rarity let go of Torch Song before giving out a deep sigh.

“I’m really sorry for acting the way I did. Acting out of style at the Fall Weather concert, along with what transpired with Trenderhoof just… struck a few nerves. That’s all,” Rarity apologized to the other singers. The two stallions soon stopped laughing, realizing their thoughtlessness to Rarity’s feelings.

“We’re sorry for laughing the way we did as well Rarity,” apologized Toe Tapper. “It’s just that… well… that concert was particularly memorable for Ponyville,” Toe Tapper giggled as Big Macintosh nodded with a straight face.

“Well, that same audience teased me and my amazing Southerner impression for a whole week after we performed that song, and you all made me do it!” Rarity recalled, crossing her hooves.

“We didn’t know about that part!” exclaimed a surprised Torch Song. “You never told us about that! We never meant to humiliate you! Plus, you agreed to it!” the cream mare continued. Rarity rubbed her chin with her hooves again, beginning to remember the events that occurred as the song was being prepared…

“Well… I guess it was fun acting silly on stage for once. But I absolutely hated the humiliation I suffered afterwards,” remarked the purple-maned mare. The other singers nodded in unison before Torch Song replied,

“Well you don’t have to do all those crazy things Rarity. We can just sing the song as is and come up with some other dance moves later! After all, we still have about a month until our first concert back, and we’re holding rehearsals twice a week!” The two stallions shuffled her hooves beside Torch Song giving a puppy-dog smile. Rarity sighed again before giving out a weak smile of resignation.

“Well… I guess we can sing the song again, but only if I don’t have to act like that Dear Susanna ever again!” negotiated Rarity.

“Deal! Now let’s start our warmups! We already wasted enough time arguing as is!” directed Torch Song as the rest of the singers lined up to begin their warm up with ‘O Susanna'...

Chapter 3: Sweeties and Shysies

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Chapter 4: After the Rehearsal

Author's Note

This chapter's title is loosely based on the song entitled "After the Ball", the best selling song Tin Pan Alley ever sold. Tin Pan Alley is basically a music publisher.

Chapter 4: After the Rehearsal

It was a long hour for The Pony Tones, but it was an hour well spent as the barbershop quartet covered as many as three songs during their rehearsal! By the end of their practice, the four ponies were exhausted.

“Well... that was quite the rehearsal!” Rarity panted. She lost her breath after holding a single note for eight beats!

“Ee…yup,” Big Macintosh concurred, but barely giving a sweat.

“How do you do it Big Mac? I struggled to hold my really high note at the end!” Toe Tapper waved his hoof by his mouth.

“Well much of it is learning how to control your breath, Toe Tapper. Or did you forget to learn that when you started singing lessons?” teased Torch Song.

“Of course I did Torchy! It’s still hard regardless,” Toe Tapper teased back.
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“Now, now, settle down. We got a lot of work done today, and we’re already sounding fabulous!” Rarity mediated. “We just need to improve our intonation at those thirds! That’s where ponies will close their ears in fright if the tones aren’t perfectly in tune!” critiqued the white mane.

“You’ve got a point Rarity. It’s been a while since we sang together, so we’re still pretty rusty. It’s a good thing we’re practicing again!” Torch Song smiled.

“Ee-yup!” Big Macintosh enthusiastically agreed, keeping his straight face. “I best be going now,” Big Macintosh declared, waving goodbye and slowly trotting out the purple door.

“We need to get going too Rarity,” Toe Tapper and Torch Song spoke together.

“I’ve got quite a bit of composing to do!” Toe Tapper explained.

“And I’ve got to get back to my hat designs!” Torch Song added. The lanky stallion and chubby mare waved goodbye as they trotted out together.

“Ta-ta my fellow Pony Tones!” Rarity waved goodbye to the other two members. One the Pony Tones left, Rarity slowly closed the door. She gave herself sigh of relief.

“Well that rehearsal went much better than I hoped!” chuckled the purple mare.

Big Macintosh quickly took off his uniform, folded it, and placed it into his saddlebag. He then trotted back to Sweet Apple Acres with a contented, cheeky smile. He couldn’t believe his luck when his family believed his claim of being sick with the cold! Especially Applebloom! All he had to do was keep his voice hoarse and raise the thermometer by heating up his tea kettle just as Applejack came to wake him up! It was the oldest trick in the book!

Big Macintosh arrived at Sweet Apple Acres. The farm was quiet. Too quiet. Big Macintosh trotted to the front door. Sure Applejack was selling goods, and Applebloom was probably out with the Crusaders. But something still didn’t feel right…

When Big Macintosh opened the wooden door, a bucket of water was splashed upon his face! The bulky red stallion wagged his face and squinted his eyes.

“So you thought you could get away from doing yer chores huh Big Mac?!” Applebloom chuckled.

“Ee…Yup?” Big Macintosh replied with a sheepish smile.

“Well it wasn’t real nice of you to make me and Scootaloo do all the chores fer you!” pouted the yellow filly. “Scootaloo and I got real tired after we did all the work!” Applebloom continued. Big Macintosh kept silent with a straight face.

“Big Mac… I’m surprised. I thought that type of work would be easy peasy fer you!” Applebloom now scratched her head. “After all, it was just a few crates! They’re heavy for me and Scoots, but not fer you!” continued the confused filly. Big Mac kept quiet.

Applebloom’s memories rushed back to her, recalling the Crusaders’ detour at Sugarcube Corner. The intuitive filly had a hunch:

“Wait, hold up... Big Mac, are you trying to hide the comeback of The Pony Tones?” grinned Applebloom cheekily. Big Macintosh was just about to trot onward, but the question froze him. After a few moments of awkward silence, Big Macintosh solemnly asked,

“How did you know about that?” The young filly, unobservant of the seriousness in his voice, explained with a giggle,

“Well you see… We were headin’ to Fluttershy’s place and we overheard yer singin’ when we passed Carousel Boutique!” Big Macintosh kept a straight face, despite the devastation he felt.

“What’s wrong Big Mac? Don’t you guys want to tell Ponyville that y’all are coming back soon?!” exclaimed the confused filly.

“Ee-nope. Just wanted things to be kept quiet for a while. Rehearsal also took place at the same time I had to carry the apples,” Big Mac succinctly explained.

“Well you want me to keep things quiet?” offered the filly. “We can just say you recovered real quick!”

“Ee-yup,” Big Macintosh blandly replied. Big Macintosh then trotted away from the house and towards the apple trees to resume his bucking. Applebloom on the other hand stood by the doorstep and chuckled to herself.

“So they’re really coming back,” Applebloom said to herself, satisfied with the revelation.

Soon after Toe Tapper and Torch Song trotted out of Carousel Boutique, they took off their green sweaters, remembering Rarity’s wish to keep the comeback of The Pony Tones a secret until she gave the go-ahead. The two ponies looked around to see if any other ponies were around. The coast was clear. They then trotted towards Sugarcube Corner for a quick drink of a milkshake.

“You know, sometimes I wonder why Rarity wants us to keep things hush-hush about our comeback,” griped the lanky stallion. “I mean, if we start talking about our comeback earlier, ponies will have more time to spread the word about it! Like, have you seen Maretallica talk about their comeback a week before their concert?! They’d do it a month before!” Toe Tapper raised his hooves up in the air.

“I know what you mean Toe Tapper,” Torch Song assured. “But think of it like this: Ponyville treats us like celebrities whenever we become The Pony Tones. We can’t spend our time signing autographs and accepting requests to sing, especially not at this stage!” The chubby mare explained.

“I guess you have a point. After all, we are among Ponyville’s elite when we wear these green sweaters,” Toe Tapper chuckled.

“We sure are Toey,” Torch Song playfully punched the stallion with her right hoof.

“Oww! What was that for?” spoke Toe Tapper in protest as he rubbed his back. Torch Song simply giggled,

“What? Don’t you like it when you’re receiving attention?” The cream mare teased.

“Well not like this!” Toe Tapper interjected. “That said, you also called me Toey. You know I hate being called Toey!” complained the stallion.

“That’s why I like saying it! You like calling me Torchy every now and then!” Torch Song winked.

“Well… that’s different…” Toe Tapper sheepishly chuckled, not noticing the blush growing on his face. Thankfully, neither did Torch Song.

“What do you mean that’s different? I don’t mind being called Torchy as much as you do, but it does get annoying if you do it too much!” explained Torch Song.

“Well… forget about it ok?!” the flabbergasted stallion requested. Torch Song shrugged. She was used to seeing the lanky stallion stutter whenever she was around, but not like this! But for now, she let it go.

“Well, if you say so!” As she let the topic loose, the two ponies reached Sugarcube Corner. The perfect chance for Toe Tapper to pull his senses back together and remove the fact the previous discussion ever happened!

“Well, we’re here! Let’s go grab a milkshake or two!” encouraged Toe Tapper as he trotted into the bakery first. Torch Song happily nodded before she followed closely behind the stallion.

The two ponies quickly found an empty round table near the centre of the desert emporium and sat opposite of each other. The ponies breathed sighs of satisfaction, but no sooner did Pinkie Pie jump from the ground and greet the two ponies!

“Ohh hey you guys! Welcome back to Sugarcube Corner!” Pinkie Pie then stared down upon the two ponies with scrutinizing eyes. Torch Song and Toe Tapper quivered on their pink seats. They knew of Pinkie Pie’s eccentric, oft maniacal antics, but even if they knew it was to come, Pinkie Pie was always unpredictable!

Pinkie Pie quickly jumped using her tail as a spring! She tip-toed in place as if she stepped upon a burning pit of coal! The party pony then gave as wide a grin as she could before declaring,

“Hey I know you two! You’re part of The Pony Tones! Toe Tapper’s the tenor and Torch Song’s the mezzo-soprano!” The two customers sheepishly chuckled.

“Why… yes we are Pinkie Pie…” Torch Song awkwardly smiled.

“And you two are going to host a comeback concert in the next month!” Pinkie Pie gleefully skipped and hopped around the table. Toe Tapper immediately scratched his head.

“Wait how did you know that?!" asked the flustered stallion.

I just know! Teehee!" chuckled the bumbling mare.

Well please don't tell anypony about this! We want to keep that a secret!” Toe Tapper shoved Pinkie Pie down below the table, trying his darndest to not draw a crowd! To Torch Song’s astonishment, no pony took any notice of what was transpiring at their table!

“A secret?! Why the secrecy?!” Pinkie Pie immediately shot up from her table, now wearing a detective’s costume!

“A mystery’s ahoof! It’s time for detective Pinkie Pie to figure out why The Pony Tones are keeping quiet about their comeback concert!” Pinkie Pie closely inspected the table, checking for any signs of grime or evidence that would help her self-created mystery.

“Pinkie, there doesn’t need to be a mystery ok?! We just want to keep things between us so we can take time to practice our thing!” Toe Tapper whispered in distress to Pinkie Pie. All the while, Torch Song couldn’t help but giggle at everything that unfolded before her eyes!

“You want to practice on me?! Oh I’m really honoured!” Pinkie Pie giggled. “You didn’t have to Toe Tapper!” Toe Tapper slapped his face with his hooves.

“Pinkie Pie, I just want you to keep your mouth shutfor now ok?” Toe Tapper grabbed the pink mare by her throat.

“Ok, ok! I’ll keep my mouth shut, and I’ll even Pinkie Promise if you let me go!” replied the choking mare. Toe Tapper immediately let her go.

“Good. Now, Torch Song and I would like two chocolate milkshakes please,” Toe Tapper briskly demanded. Pinkie Pie took a few deep breaths to compose herself.

“Two chocolate milkshakes. Gotcha!” Pinkie Pie ran off towards the kitchen, but not before she cheekily remarked,

“Well you seem to like taking charge for Torch Song in ordering for her. It’s pretty cute!” Pinkie Pie trotted away, leaving a very cross Toe Tapper alone. But Torch Song found the entire conversation very entertaining.

“Well Toe Tapper, you certainly got your just deserts with Pinkie Pie eh?” the chubby mare giggled.

“Whatever do you mean Torch Song?!” Toe Tapper grunted.

“Well you just got a taste of your medicine after all. Sometimes bantering just isn’t a lot of fun for the ponies at the receiving end. It doesn’t mean you should stop being silly, but it does mean that you’ve got to keep it under control so it doesn’t hurt others,” explained Torch. Toe Tapper placed himself in his thinking pose.

“I guess you have a point,” replied Toe Tapper in resignation. But not before he took a light shot at his friend. “But… you gotta admit. Rarity was a hoot as Susanna at the Running of the Leaves.” Torch Song gleefully giggled.

“She sure was… she sure was.”

Chapter 5: Way Back at Home

The Cutie Mark Crusaders excitedly trotted away from Fluttershy’s abode, save for Sweetie Belle, who grew more and more anxious about her singing lesson the very next day. During their walk, Applebloom had realized that Big Macintosh skipped out on his chores to rehearse with The Pony Tones and that he wanted to keep the group’s comeback a secret. With her train of thought speeding along, Applebloom waved goodbye to the two crusaders to confirm her suspicions, promising to head back to do some more crusading later in the day.

With Applebloom gone, Scootaloo turned to Sweetie Belle. The white filly’s face frowned like a wilting flower.

“Sweetie Belle, what’s the matter?” Scootaloo asked with concern for her friend. Sweetie Belle sighed without giving a response. It was going to take a lot more than just asking if she was alright to get her talking.

“Sweetie Belle, are you scared about the lesson tomorrow?” Scootaloo scratched her head. Sweetie Belle gave out an even deeper sigher as the two fillies continued trotting towards Ponyville. Scootaloo’s face frowned deeper and deeper.

“Look Sweetie Belle, I’m really sorry for making fun of you earlier. I didn’t mean to make you feel bad at all! It’s true I’m a terrible singer!” Scootaloo apologized profusely.

“That’s not the point,” the emotionless filly stated. Her face was stone-cold, wiped of all emotion.

“Then what is?! Look, Sweetie Belle, can’t you see that you’re a talented singer?! I’m just saying it’s a shame for it to go to waste!” interjected the Pegasus, waving her hooves in front of her.

“Scootaloo, do you know what it feels like to have thousands of ponies staring at you, scrutinizing you and hounding you for every little mistake you make?! Do you know what it’s like to be placed in the newspaper for what’s called a ‘performance with much left desiring’?! Or to know that your music sales are really slow because everypony thinks you have a clucky voice?!” ranted the squeaking, angry filly. Sweetie Belle let out a series of quick breaths, while Scootaloo froze in place.

A moment of silence descended between the two fillies. The orange Pegasus stared with complete shock on her face, as if she was electrocuted by a quick jolt of lightning. The white unicorn on the other hand withdrew to her downtrodden appearance. She regretted her outburst against Scootaloo, but didn’t want to be forced to talking about her singing again.

“S-Sweetie Belle…” stammered the shocked filly.

“No Scootaloo. Just leave me alone ok? I’m gonna head back to the Carousel Boutique alone,” asserted the demoralised filly. Sweetie Belle trotted down the hill towards Ponyville, leaving Scootaloo to stand in place and reflect on all that transpired.

“Why did my friends have to rope me into this mess anyway? Why did I even agree to have singing lessons in the first place? I can’t even sing comfortably in front of the kindest, shyest mare in Equestria!” Shouted the frustrated filly. Sweetie Belle ran on the dirt pathway down the grassy hill. The filly let out grunts and hisses of anger towards everything she could think of. She started with herself, for singing alone atop the treehouse, unaware of her friends who would listen to her sing. She blamed Applebloom and Scootaloo for coercing her into lessons, and now she blamed Fluttershy for even agreeing to teach her in the first place!

The frustrated filly reached the first set of houses that greeted her to the bustling suburban community. Ponies all around her were chattering among each other. Among the conversations, Sweetie Belle perked her ears upwards, now hearing the phrase “The Pony Tones”. It was as if little demons were dancing around her mind, trying to anger her even more by teasing, mocking her about her inability to sing!

In the midst of all the joy and excitement of a potential comeback by the famed group, the white filly was but a black thunderstorm cloud, ready to strike her lightning upon any unsuspecting pony who dared speak to her. Sweetie Belle continued squeezing herself through the mares and stallions who walked past her. Now, the filly could hear whispers amongst some of the ponies…

“Hey, isn’t that Rarity’s younger sister?! Oh she is so lucky to have such a beautiful singer! I’d die to hear her sing again! Who knows?! Maybe Sweetie Belle could emulate her sister’s success, perhaps even build upon it!” Sweetie Belle loudly groaned upon hearing that particular conversation. Her ears quickly flapped back downward, closing them as tightly as she could.

After a few more minutes of traversing through the town’s streets, Sweetie Belle finally arrived at Carousel Boutique. Her home was a sanctuary, secluded from all the talk of singing and The Pony Tones. Sweetie Belle breathed a long sigh of relief, her hooves outstretched towards the elaborate structure.

“Thank goodness I’m home! Hopefully Rarity isn’t around!” Sweetie Belle chuckled, slowly trotting towards the purple wooden door. Sweetie Belle stopped in front of the door, slowly turned the golden handle to her right, and opened the door into her home.

Sweetie Belle entered her home and took a quick glance of her surroundings. To her surprise the lights were off! Despite the darkness, the mannequins were kept upright, adorning several glittering red and golden dresses with outlines of smiling dragons and elaborate flora. The dresses spooked Sweetie Belle, as they were not dresses she had previously seen! The inquisitive filly then surmised that the new dresses were Rarity’s latest attempts at an oriental theme she struggled to portray!

So perhaps Rarity was indeed home. The one question that still bugged Sweetie Belle was why the boutique was dark to begin with! But that question was soon to be answered!

“Sweetie Darling!” A sisterly voice cried out in greeting! The startled filly instinctively jumped, flicking on the light switch with her right hoof! The room immediately brightened! Sweetie Belle brushed the dust off her body before widening her eyes upon seeing Rarity still wearing her Pony Tones costume!

Upon seeing the costume, Sweetie Belle darted past Rarity, making the purple-maned mare spin wildly and tumble to the ground! Rarity rubbed her head with her right hoof as Sweetie Belle ran up the purple stairs!

“Ugh… what could possibly be the matter with Sweetie Belle?” Rarity asked herself. “I’d best go see her. I hope she’s alright…” Rarity softly asserted as she got up from the ground. Rarity slowly turned towards the stairs and gently trotted upwards.

Rarity reached the top of the stairs. In front of her was a long hallway with purple doors on each side. Sweetie Belle could have been in any of the rooms; she liked to hide underneath her costumes and fabrics whenever she ran up the stairs in frustration and anger.

“Hmmm…in which of these rooms could you be in darling…?” questioned the musing Rarity. But she didn’t have to think long to receive a clue to her sister’s whereabouts. For she heard a soft whimper that echoed through the long corridor. It was a sound few, if any pony would have heard from such a great distance.

Rarity tip-toed through the long, but bright hallway. She turned her ears intently towards the other end of the hallway. The whimpering grew louder and louder the farther she trotted. Then, at one of the doors to her left, the observant mare heard sounds of sniffling and crying. Rarity stopped in front of the entrance where the sniffling was loudest. This door was unique among the doors on the floor, lavished with a tiled window embedded on its top-half.

“Hmmm… why would she be crying inside my workshop?” pondered Rarity. It was a question she needed to answer to help her younger sister out of her sorrow. With that in mind, Rarity gently opened the door to her room, which let out a loud creak. Rarity stopped short of opening the door and reminded herself,

“Oh, I do need to get this door’s hinges fixed. I hate creaking sounds!” Just then, Rarity heard a soft giggle, promptly followed by another sniffle. The room was once again dark, but Rarity wasn’t deterred. She flicked the switch with her left hoof, illuminating the room and revealing the cowering Sweetie Belle underneath a pink, silk fabric atop a red mattress!

Rarity rushed to Sweetie Belle’s side. She gently lifted the front flap of the pink fabric and huddled inside the fabric. Rarity couldn’t help but give a tear at what she saw. Her younger sister was curled up into a ball, like a turtle who hid underneath its shell. The whimpering filly took no notice of her sister whilst she looked onward with a warm smile.

Rarity gently placed her hoof on Sweetie Belle’s back. There was no violent reaction or snap. Just a whimper that grew softer and softer. Rarity carefully rubbed along her back, sliding her hoof back and forth along her soft, white furs.

“There, there Sweetie Belle… It’s me, Rarity. Everything is going to be a-ok…” assured Rarity. Sweetie Belle gently wiggled in place.

“No it’s not…” replied Sweetie Belle, letting out another sniff.

“Why, whatever happened this morning darling?” Rarity asked. Sweetie Belle wobbled again, as if she was trying to roll herself out of a ditch to no avail.

“I don’t want to sing in front of Fluttershy…” The balled up filly replied. Rarity scratched her head in confusion with her left hoof, still rubbing on Sweetie’s furs.

“Sing? Who in Equestria put you up to something you don’t want to do?” inquired Rarity. Sweetie Belle needed cheering up, but for Rarity to be generous and helpful, she needed to figure out the best advice to give!

“The Crusaders…” Sweetie Belle briefly responded, her tears still dripping from her eyes like rain droplets from the sky.

“Surely, the Crusaders wouldn’t do such a thing unless you were talented at singing Sweetie Belle. And I know you’re very talented at singing! You love to sing in the shower, especially if the song’s from the Pony Tones!” Rarity replied, still stroking Sweetie Belle’s furs. Sweetie Belle let out another sniffle and mumbled to herself.

Silence descended upon the two sisters once again once Sweetie Belle finished mumbling. The filly’s tears began to lessen, but she was still curled up into a ball. Rarity tapped her chin with her hoof, still pondering what to do next. Then, the breakthrough:

“Sweetie Belle… do you have stage fright?” It was a question Rarity knew she needed to ask. Silence continued to hover over the two ponies still tucked underneath the pink, silk fabric.

“Sweetie Belle, I remember the day The Cutie Mark Crusaders were set to play their part in the school’s talent show. It always bothered me to see Scootaloo singing lead when you clearly were the better singer in my eyes!” explained the elder of the two sisters. Sweetie Belle remained in position. Rarity lightly shook her head; it was going to take more than a simple nudge to pop the curled up ball.

“Sweetie Belle, stage fright is very common. Even now, I sometimes get scared about forgetting a line to my part, or singing out of tune with the other singers! It’s nerve-wrecking, and it’s completely understandable. But I don’t want you to hold back on what you love to do. I know you love to sing, and I really do think that you can do amazing things with your voice. With practice and encouragement, I think you’ll become a star,” It was the best Rarity could give when it came to comfort. Rarity crossed her hooves, hoping dearly that her words did something.

Sweetie Belle slowly unfurled from her balled-up position, letting out a weak smile. She outstretched her hooves and jumped to Rarity’s side. The two ponies exchanged a long, warm embrace and snuggled for what seemed an eternity.

“Sweetie Belle… stage fright isn’t something that can be conquered overnight. It will take time, but once you overcome it, you won’t regret it,” assured Rarity as the two sisters continued to snuggle.

“Thanks Rarity… I guess I can try to sing in front of Fluttershy tomorrow. But only if you come along. Is that ok?” Sweetie Belle lightly squeaked.

“Of course darling. Anything to help my sister become the best she can be,” Rarity hugged. Rarity and Sweetie Belle let go of their hugs. The younger sister pointed at Rarity’s costume.

“So you guys really are coming back. I heard you sing earlier today. You guys are amazing,” Sweetie Belle squeed. “Maybe I can sing confidently like you someday,” Sweetie Belle giggled.

“You will dear. You certainly are going in the right direction now,” responded the assuring mare. The two ponies sat on the red mattress as Rarity told the tale of The Pony Tones comeback…

Chapter 7: Lesson 1b: Scales and Arpeggios!

Time flies whenever one’s having fun. That’s certainly what happened between Fluttershy and Sweetie Belle. The two ponies were covering warmup exercise after warmup exercise. Fluttershy first made Sweetie Belle sing out her vowels in ascending and descending fashion, moving up by half a tone each time they completed their phrase. Then Sweetie Belle pitter-pattered through all the fast syllables when she sang of red and yellow leather! She hated that exercise very much since her tongue easily got twisted when she mixed up the colours!

Then came the single tone vowels. As Sweetie Belle sang through the vowels, she could hear Fluttershy graciously asking her to stretch her mouth to enunciate the vowels as much as she could! Sweetie Belle liked this exercise more, but found herself feeling silly after making all sorts of wacky faces as she progressed through the exercise.

After their exercise with the vowels was completed, Sweetie Belle was panting for her breath like an athlete who lost their breath. Her mouth also felt stretched to the limit, like bubble gum expanding to the point it was ready to burst wide open!

“Wow Fluttershy… I had to keep my breath going for so long there…” wheezed Sweetie Belle. “How can you hold your breath through that exercise so long?!” asked the stunned filly.

“It will take much practice Sweetie Belle! I’m giving you the exercises you need so you can hold your breath longer through each phrase!” explained Fluttershy. She waved her hooves about and took out a piece of brown sheet music. Sweetie Belle grabbed the piece of paper and held it on her right hoof. The parcel of paper was filled with wrinkles like folded skin, and contained staff lines and notes that soared up to the sky and sunk downward into the depths. The notes were attached together by what looked like a curvy line from the start of one line to the end.

Sweetie Belle glanced through this pattern of notes on the wrinkled sheet, her eyes glazing intently at the direction of each of the filled circles attached to lines that were drawn downward. Noticing Sweetie Belle’s careful and scrutinizing look, Fluttershy was quick to introduce to her the writing on the music,

“On this sheet of paper I have for you our next exercise!” exclaimed the yellow Pegasus. Sweetie Belle looked up from the piece of paper, now scratching her head.

“There’s just lots of notes that fly up and sink down! I have to sing up and down that fast?!” Sweetie Belle remarked, her eyes still staring at the piece of sheet music on her right hoof.

“Why yes Sweetie Belle! Such movement of notes up and down like this makes what we call an arpeggio!” Sweetie Belle then began imagining the notes on her head and mouthing them. Sweetie Belle had already learned her share of music theory thanks to her sister Rarity. She didn’t know as much as her elder sister, but she knew enough to read notes and to change dynamics when prompted by the bold italicized symbols.

“I remember Rarity talking about arpeggios and the like. When you put all the notes together, you end up making a really nice sounding chord right?” recalled the filly.

“Yes that’s right! Rarity must have taught you a lot about music theory!” Fluttershy remarked, her wings fluttering about and her grin growing into an all-out smile!

“Yeah! She taught me to read notes and sing in tune, but other than that, I had to learn a lot with my ears! Like the song I sang for you earlier!” exclaimed Sweetie Belle’s, squeeing as she let out a beaming smile. Her fears of this first lesson were all but dispelled into thin air. Fluttershy was an even better teacher than even her friends imagined!

“It’s really weird too. Sometimes, when I listen to ponies talking or trains whistling by, I… I can hear the note coming out of the train! It’s like the things I’m hearing are singing songs of their own, even if they’re not actually making a song!” Sweetie Belle struggled to explain. It’s as if… there were musical notes coming out of the train’s funnel with the smoke! As if Pinkie Pie had eighth and quarter notes whenever she screams about her parties! Even the sound of your critters chit-chatting and growling sound like B-flats and Ds!” elaborated the excited filly.

Fluttershy scratched her chin as Sweetie Belle explained in detail what she underwent with her ears. The more she heard, the more suspicious she became. There was a rare phenomenon she had heard of which was directly related to the ability to listen musical notes in everything!

“Oh wow! That’s so wonderful! I’ve heard of ponies being able to remember songs really well, but I can’t think of any pony who can hear pitches from sound effects like you do! That would explain why you’re so in-tune when you sang today!” Fluttershy clapped her hooves. “What you have is probably perfect pitch! I can test your ability to hear pitches on another day; we already have a lot to do. Just know that the skill you have is especially important when singing with others!” Fluttershy giggled. It was easy for her to remember songs she heard frequently, but she couldn’t hear pitch from inanimate objects and sound effects either!

“Oooh, oooh!” Sweetie Belle flailed her right hoof about! “With such a skill, I guess I could use it if I were to sing with The Pony Tones right?!” Squeaked Sweetie Belle.

“Why yes! Those ponies have to keep listening to each other; if one singer were just a teensy-weensy off, then the singers won’t sound as good together!” Fluttershy beamed. Fluttershy then turned towards her cuckoo clock and gave a loud gasp, for the larger clock hand was already pointed at the 6 mark!

“Oh my! How far we’ve strayed off track! We need to get back to your scales and arpeggios Sweetie Belle!” Fluttershy declared, pointing to the sheet music in front of the student and teacher. “So on that piece of paper is a song my singing teacher gave me when I was a filly in Cloudsdale! It’s the first song she taught me! It’s not only a great help for warming up your singing voice, but also reminds you of how important scales and arpeggios are to any singer!” Fluttershy giggled.

The two ponies cleared their breaths and opened their mouths wide. The two ponies then let their voices out like birds singing during the sunrise. Sweetie Belle was given the melody to sing, while Fluttershy harmonized with her student. The song was structured so that their voices would prance up and down a ladder throughout. Sweetie Belle glanced at her teacher as she happily sang. The filly observed with awe as she sang; her quarter notes synchronically danced with hers like a young couple dancing in the ballroom.

It was such a simple song, but it was also very catchy at the same time. Sweetie Belle opined that the composer of this simple tune was a genius! The song went by so quickly that they already reached the last verse of the piece, where the words spoke of their abilities budding like a tree, even if the results weren’t obvious.

At that point, some of the smaller creatures, the squirrels and Angel Bunny, snuck into the room from the wooden stairs behind them and from the window in front of them. The critters bopped up and down as the two ponies sang together. When Fluttershy and Sweetie Belle reached the high D-flat at the end of the tune, the critters squeaked and clapped in place! Fluttershy looked warmly towards the critters and giggled. Sweetie Belle too giggled alongside Fluttershy and took a bow. Fluttershy right after followed suit as well.

“Thank you dear critters! I’m very glad you all enjoyed our performance!” said Fluttershy with a smile.

“Yeah! Thanks!” Sweetie Belle sheepishly giggled, a light blush developing on her face. She wasn’t aware of the critters who sang along and clapped. Even the usually grumpy Angel thumped with a light grin, barely hiding her frown.

Fluttershy softly and gently dispersed the critters after their warmup performance. Once the critters left their presence, Sweetie Belle and her teacher were left alone again. The room turning silent, Sweetie Belle promptly asked Fluttershy,

“What does the song mean when they talk about breathing from your chest and not your nose? It felt like I was singing from my throat more than anything!” Fluttershy nodded.

“That’s a wonderful question to ask Sweetie Belle!” Fluttershy flailed her hooves gleefully. “The key to singing well is singing from your lungs and diaphragm, not your throat or nose!” Fluttershy motioned the upward and downward movement of her lungs with her front hooves. “If you sing from your nose and throat, a number of things can happen, like having a more piercing tone, getting short of breath more easily, and a greater tendency to feel dry from your throat,” Fluttershy lifted her right hoof upward like Twilight always would when she listed off facts.

Sweetie Belle scratched her hooves with a confused look. The amount of facts Fluttershy was firing at her became overwhelming.

“That’s a lot to know Fluttershy… You make it seem so easy to remember!” Sweetie Belle remarked, raising her hooves upward to express the amount of information Fluttershy was dumping on her!

“Yes, it’s quite a lot to know, and it can be overwhelming! But I’ll help you through it! We’ll take teensy-weensy steps, and by the end it all, you’ll find that you’ve learned a lot more than you could ever imagine!” Fluttershy encouraged her student. Sweetie Belle gave a weak smile and a gentle nod.

“Now, let’s start your breathing exercises! In addition to your warmups, I’ll show you some ways you can improve your breathing!” Fluttershy cheered as the large hand on her cuckoo clock reached the 9 symbol.

The cuckoo clock resounded a loud hoot eleven times. Fluttershy and Sweetie Belle were still in the middle of an exercise where Sweetie Belle lied down on the floor, with books placed on top of her. The weight of the books was beginning to make her stomach feel weak. For the five minutes before the cuckoo clock resounded, Sweetie Belle was heaving her books up and down with stomach. Fluttershy said that it was good for her breathing, but all it was doing was make her stomach feel numb!

“Oh, it’s already time to end your first lesson! You can get those books off you now!” Fluttershy clapped her front hooves. Sweetie Belle shoved the hard-covered books off her stomach with her left hoof and slowly got up from her lying position. She got up with an even bigger pant than the one she gave after losing her breath from her singing!

“Whew… that was so tiring! I never knew singing could be so tiring!” Sweetie Belle gasped as she composed herself.

“Well, singing is hard work Sweetie Belle! Especially if you want to project a beautiful voice to everypony around you!” Fluttershy reminded. She and Sweetie Belle then trotted to the front door, with Fluttershy gently opening it for her student.

“Now, I hope you remember to do your exercises and warmups for next week! They’re going to be vital for you to develop your singing talent!” Fluttershy waved, with Sweetie Belle gently trotting out the door.

“I will Fluttershy! I will!” Sweetie Belle smiled as she trotted away.

“I’ll see you same time next week!” Fluttershy waved her student goodbye. She gently closed her door once Sweetie Belle was safely away, trotting down the dirt path to Ponyville. Fluttershy giggled. That first lesson went by pretty well.

Chapter 8 - Kickin' Those Clouds Away!

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Chapter 1: The Good ole Summertime

Author's Note

To start off this fic, here's the song that Sweetie Belle's been singing.

Chapter 1: The Good ole Summertime

Sweetie Belle arrived at the Cutie Mark Crusaders treehouse in Sweet Apple Acres earlier than Applebloom and Scootaloo. The meeting was set for 10:00 am but nopony else was in the treehouse! Since there wasn't much else to do, Sweetie Belle decided to sing In the Good ‘Ole Summertime. It was a favourite tune of hers, especially with Ponyville in the middle of a delightful summer with the birds on the trees and the soft breeze blowing into the treehouse through its square openings.

A yellow bird landed at a tree branch just outside the treehouse. As Sweetie Belle continued to sing inside the treehouse, a few more birds with different colours landed beside the yellow bird. Once the birds landed, they tweeted alongside Sweetie Belle’s melody in complete harmony, leaving Sweetie Belle delighted. Singing was always something Sweetie Belle enjoyed doing. She never saw it as a career choice, nor did she ever think of singing in front of other ponies. She just wanted to sing for fun. Sweetie Belle giggled as the birds continued to sing along with her rendition of her favourite song.

“I have no idea what you’re saying to me birdies, but I can tell you’re having a lot of fun with my singing,” Sweetie Belle spoke. The birds simply tweeted along, flapping their wings, as if they were directing Sweetie Belle to continue singing.

“So you birds aren’t going to leave huh? I guess I could keep singing… I love singing In the Good ‘Ole Summertime after all!” Sweetie Belle squeaked. “After all, it’s such a peaceful day, perfect for a happy song!” smiled a carefree Sweetie Belle before she sang once again, not realizing that her friends were already five minutes late for their meeting.

While Sweetie Belle was atop the treehouse singing to her heart’s content, Applebloom and Scootaloo were trotting towards their beloved treehouse for another Cutie Mark Crusaders’ meeting. They just came back from Ponyville after helping Applejack unload her crates of apples and apple-related sweets to sell for today’s farmer’s market. The two fillies were exhausted, making them late for their meeting.

As they arrived at the clubhouse fatigued and worn, their spirits were suddenly lifted by a beautifully singing mare! Applebloom, completely stunned at the beautiful voice, stopped just short of the treehouse’s ladder, pointing at the top.

“Hey… I think somepony's singing in our treehouse!” exclaimed Applebloom. Scootaloo shrugged, scratching her head.

“Whoever that is, she's got an amazing voice,” Scootaloo then recalled Sweetie Belle's absence.

“Wait… what if that’s Sweetie Belle?! She didn’t come with us to help Applejack earlier, and our meeting is supposed to start a few minutes ago!” Scootaloo gasped, quickly rushing up the wooden ladder to the treehouse.

“Hey, wait up!” Applebloom screamed as she ran up the ladder closely behind Scootaloo.

Up at the treehouse, the birds flew away. Sweetie Belle was left alone to her fellow Crusaders as they entered.

“Hey Sweetie Belle!” Scootaloo jumped up to greet the lone filly.

“Sweetie Belle… was that you singing up there?!” Applebloom inquired just as she grabbed her right hoof on the floorboards of the treehouse. Sweetie Belle looked up with a light blush.

“Oh, yeah! That was me! Why?!” Sweetie Belle sheepishly grinned.

“Wow Sweetie Belle… you sure got an amazing voice! We’ve heard you sing once when we performed at the talent show, but we’ve never heard you sing like that before!” Applebloom jumped up excitedly as she entered the treehouse as Scootaloo nodded in agreement.

“Yeah! What song were you singing there?” Scootaloo asked with a warm smile.

“Oh! It’s a song my parents liked to sing to me. They always listened to it back in the old days. It’s called In the Good ‘Ole Summertime! I figured I’d sing it while you guys were still on your way here,” Sweetie Belle explained. It was then that the other two Crusaders forgot to apologize for being late.

“Oh yeah! We’re sorry for being late," spoke Applebloom.

"Yeah. Applejack wanted us to help her unload some apple crates since Big Mac went down with the cold,” added Scootaloo.

“Oh it’s alright! The birds came by to sing with me! I never knew the birds wanted to sing with me that badly!” Sweetie Belle gleefully jumped.

“Oh wow… you must really have a great voice!” Scootaloo sang as Applebloom and Sweetie Belle covered their ears.

“Oh Scootaloo! Please don’t sing again! We were the best comedic act when you sang, not the best singers, remember?!” Sweetie Belle complained. Scootaloo immediately closed her mouth and pouted.

“Hey! You, Sweetie Belle, were too scared to be the lead singer, so I had to step in remember?!” Scootaloo quipped back, crossed her hooves, and grunted.

“Well, singing in front of an audience isn’t the same thing as singing without anypony watching you!” Sweetie Belle snapped back. As the two fillies exchanged growls at each other, Applebloom waved her hooves between them.

“Guys! We can’t keep arguing like this! Sweetie Belle has a great voice, you're great with the scooter, and I'm learning how to construct things! We each got something good to work on!” mediated the yellow filly. The two fillies stopped bickering against each other, giving out deep breaths. Applebloom then let out a breath herself.

“There! That’s better! Now, let’s help Sweetie Belle develop her talent! We're the Cutie Mark Crusaders after all, and for all we know, her special talent is singing!” Applebloom continued. Scootaloo nodded, while Sweetie Belle placed her hooves around her eyes and scrunched down in place.

“Anyway, I think we should try to find Sweetie Belle a teacher so she can develop her voice!” proposed the joyous yellow filly. Sweetie Belle’s voice was a talent not to be wasted! Sweetie Belle remained squirmed on the floorboards. Scootaloo took notice and trotted to her side.

“Sweetie Belle… I’m sorry about making fun of you about being scared of singing in front of other ponies,” Scootaloo apologized. “I didn’t like it when you poked at my singing, especially since you have such a talented voice that you don’t want to show!” Sweetie Belle slowly got up, shuffling her hooves around and giving a weak nod.

“Ok… I guess I can at least take some singing lessons, since you both have a lot of faith in my singing,” Sweetie Belle slowly gave a smile. “But please don’t make me sing in front of other ponies!” Sweetie Belle requested.

“We won’t. We understand! But we do want to see you singing eventually!” Applebloom squeed with a wide grin.

“Maybe… just maybe,” Sweetie Belle giggled. “But definitely not now,” Sweetie Belle asserted with a head shake.

“Well, that’s settled! Now we just need to find you a teacher!” Scootaloo cheered.

“How about Fluttershy?! She was the lead singer when the Pony Tones were still at their peak and when Big Mac lost his voice doing the turkey call!” Applebloom proposed, pumping her hooves up in the air! Sweetie Belle had no objections, responding with a smile. On the other hand, Scootaloo happily jumped!

“That’s a great idea! I’m sure Fluttershy will accept!” Scootaloo pumped her fist upwards before she trotted out of the treehouse and called the others onward,

“Come on you guys! Let’s head over to Fluttershy’s place! Maybe she’s there right now!” Applebloom and Sweetie Belle ran out, calling for Scootaloo to wait up as the three fillies frantically ran towards Fluttershy’s house…

Chapter 6: Lesson 1a - Diagnostics

The sun slowly rose with a bright orange glow above Fluttershy’s bedroom. Its rays slowly penetrated the round window and onto a sleeping Fluttershy. The yellow Pegasus stretched her hooves to greet the rising sun. Fluttershy gave out a loud yawn and took a quick look of her surroundings. Her stone fireplace was stacked with wood, ready to go should her room need to be kept warm. She took a quick peek at the other end of the bed. Her green wooden chest remained unclosed and untampered. Finally, she looked up towards her wooden ceiling. Her small, straw-made bird nests were inhabited by baby blue jays and cardinals just beginning to rise from their slumber like she was.

Her baby birds chirped as the sun began to glow a bright yellow into Fluttershy’s bedroom. Fluttershy giggled and warmed up by slowly flapping her wings. She jumped out of her mattress, neatly tidying her checkered quilt adorned with butterflies on each of the squares. As she tidied her bed, her baby chicks began tweeting chords that molded together like kneaded dough. She blissfully sang along with the tweeting birds a song she loved to sing every time she got up in the morning,

“Lollipop, lollipop, oh Lolli-lolli lolli…” Fluttershy shook her flank along with the beat, joyfully singing about a stallion she’d cherish with all her heart someday. As she was singing one of her favourite tunes, the young cardinal slowly flew towards her bed and placed itself atop her butterfly quilt. The cardinal then tweeted in harmony with Fluttershy’s singing. Soon after, the blue jays flew beside the cardinal, creating a four-part harmony with Fluttershy as the soloist.

“… Sweeter than candy on a stick… If you had a choice, you fill your pick, but lollipop is mine…” Fluttershy continued to sing as she danced towards her window. As she reached the chorus once more, Fluttershy excitedly opened her window and sang with all her might the long slurs while her pet blue jays and cardinals tweeted the melody once again!

The sun now shone brightly on Fluttershy, as if she was centre stage at the most prestigious concert halls in Equestria! By the time Fluttershy held a high E to end the lollipop tune, birds of all kinds flew by Fluttershy, tweeting their delight to hear such a beautiful voice shown so confidently.

“Why thank you my fellow birds!” acknowledged the delighted Fluttershy. “I’m so glad you all could come out today for another beautiful, sunny day! I’m just warming up my vocal chords, since I’m going to be expecting my very first student today!” explained the giddy Pegasus. The birds flapped their wings faster and tweeted all the louder.

“Her name’s Sweetie Belle, and her friends say she has the most delightful voice!” Fluttershy replied. One of the birds, a green grosbeak, quickly tweeted back to Fluttershy and nodded its head up and down!

“Oh, what’s the matter? You’ve heard Sweetie Belle sing yesterday?” Fluttershy curiously asked. The green bird confidently chirped back, stretching its wings as if to mimic the filly’s poised singing back at the Treehouse the previous day.

“Oh, she sang a summer tune? And you sang along with her? Why that’s wonderful! I’m very excited! I’ve already said this is my first time teaching somepony to sing, but it’s just too wonderful to say only once!” Fluttershy giddily cheered as the grosbeak and his fellow companions harmoniously tweeted together.

“Well, in any case, I learned a lot about singing as a young filly, but I never imagined myself performing on stage with it, let alone teach! It’s going to be quite nerve-wrecking, but it’s still exciting!” Fluttershy squeed in delight. “Oh, what was the word Pinkie Pie liked to say whenever she felt this way… Umm…” Fluttershy scratched her chin and closed her eyes, honing at the elusive word.

“Nervciting! That’s the word!” Fluttershy giggled again. The word was so silly, but so applicable to her at the same time! The grosbeak and its feathery friends happily twittered in unison. All that was left now was for Fluttershy to awaken her creatures and to make final preparations for Sweetie Belle’s first ever singing lesson!

Fluttershy’s final preparations were complete. Her living room was clear of all the little specks of dust and crumbles that spread throughout the wooden floorboards. She also kindly sent her larger critters out the back door and into her backyard where they could freely exercise and play, away from her lesson. She even blew off the dust from her wooden stool stored inside her cupboard and placed it by underneath her window. Most importantly, Fluttershy placed her black music stand at the centre of her living room, atop her orange flowery rug.

Her living room was clean as a whistle. Fluttershy patted herself on her back for a job well done as her cuckoo clock hooted ten times. It was time for Sweetie Belle to finally begin her first lesson.

After the cuckoo clock hooted for the tenth time, a gentle knock could be heard from her front door.

“Oh, that must be Sweetie Belle!” Fluttershy gasped and raced to the door! The excited Pegasus swung the door open with such speed that the door slammed onto Fluttershy and flung her back to the floor! Sweetie Belle and Rarity squinted their eyes and covered their mouths with their hooves and rushed to the fallen Pegasus.

“My, oh my Fluttershy! Are you alright?!” Rarity worriedly asked. Sweetie Belle jumped by Fluttershy’s side and gently poked on her back.

“Equestria to Fluttershy, Equestria to Fluttershy, are you there?” Sweetie Belle mildly inquired. Rarity moved her hooves to shove Sweetie Belle away from Fluttershy.

“Sweetie Belle, let Fluttershy regain her composure!” called Rarity. Slowly Fluttershy rose from the floor and rubbed on her head. Her eyes shot wide and glistened after seeing Sweetie Belle arrive!

“Oh Sweetie Belle! I’m so glad you could make it today! The birds were telling me that you’re an amazing singer! I can’t wait to hear you sing!” Fluttershy gleefully cheered and clapped her hooves. Sweetie Belle only stood there, letting out a forced smile.

“Don’t worry darling. Remember what I told you. Just sing your best. Fluttershy’s going to coach you, not destroy you,” Rarity gently whispered. Her words traveled through Sweetie Belle’s ears like soft waves that trickled by a beach’s shores. Sweetie Belle gently shook her hooves and took a deep breath. Fluttershy was the Element of Kindness, a pony who only wanted the best for everypony. If she took care of her birds and critters with love and gentleness, surely she’d do the same with Sweetie Belle. At least, that’s what Sweetie Belle hoped as Fluttershy declared,

“Well Sweetie Belle, it’s time we began our first lesson!” Fluttershy squeed. Sweetie Belle waved goodbye to her sister who gave her a warm smile.

“Goodbye Sweetie Belle! Have fun at your lesson!” said Rarity as she trotted out of Fluttershy’s house and gently closed the wooden door.

Fluttershy and Sweetie Belle trotted into her tidied living room. Sweetie Belle glanced at the black music stand that stood at the middle of the room. Sweetie Belle then turned her head, also observing a wooden stool at the far end of the living room, by one of the windows. The apprehensive filly gulped, having just realized that she was going to perform for the very first time in front of another pony. Fluttershy may have been the best candidate to perform in front of, but that didn’t stop Sweetie Belle from worrying about the worst that could happen during her first lesson.

Fluttershy softly hovered to the wooden stool with Sweetie Belle trotting close by. Fluttershy landed atop the stool and made herself comfortable on it as Sweetie Belle stopped in front of the sitting Pegasus.

“Welcome to your first lesson Sweetie Belle. Today, I want to start by hearing your voice and how you perform,” Fluttershy soothingly explained. Her voice resonated into her ears like soft whispers into Sweetie Bele’s ears. The filly unicorn slowly nodded with a weak smile.

“Now don’t worry. I won’t say anything as you perform. I’ll just listen to you sing and take notes on what you’re doing well and what we can focus on during our lessons,” Fluttershy giggled. Sweetie Belle gave a warmer smile. It was as if Fluttershy had been teaching for years! Sweetie Belle couldn’t quite believe that she was Fluttershy’s first student given her calm, collected demeanour!

“Now Sweetie Belle, if you don’t mind, I’d like you to trot to the music stand and tell me the song you’d like to sing to me today. Just describe what the song’s about and why you chose that particular song,” Fluttershy calmly directed. Sweetie Belle slowly trotted to the centre of the room, starting to feel shivers down her spin as she trotted. Without her student knowing, Fluttershy immediately noted her shaky posture as she trotted to the stand.

Sweetie Belle turned her body to face Fluttershy, lowering the music stand that covered her face. The shy filly cleared her throat and quietly introduced her song,

“Hello. My name’s Sweetie Belle, and I’m going to be singing In the Good ‘Ole Summertime.” Fluttershy gently clasped her front hooves and serenely asked,

“Umm… Sweetie Belle… could you speak a little more loudly please? I didn’t quite catch the title of the piece you wanted to sing,” Fluttershy requested, gently raising her hoof and motioning her to speak louder.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I’m going to be singing In the Good ‘Ole Summertime! It’s… it’s tune my parents sang to me when I was about two years old as a lullaby,” Sweetie Belle cleared her throat, enunciating her tone.

“That’s better Sweetie Belle. When you want to introduce yourself, you need to do so with confidence to grab your audience’s interest! First impressions are very important to a good performance, but we’ll get to that later. Now, just take a deep breath, and begin your tune,” Fluttershy lifted her hooves and slowly moved them down, re-enacting the slow intake. Sweetie Belle gently hummed her first note and then took her breath. She was ready to sing.

Sweetie Belle began to sing her childhood tune. As she sang the piece of her choice, memories of her parents singing to her as a foal surfaced. She imagined the baby crib where she lay to rest and her parents gently rocking the crib and singing the lullaby. Sure their tone wasn’t the greatest, but the words easily put her to sleep. Whenever she cried in bed, her parents sang that song. Whenever she held her parent’s hands as they trotted through a grassy meadow filled with flowers, they would sing that song. Whenever the Winter Solstice arrived to cloud the world into seemingly everlasting darkness, her parents sang that song to help her remember the long, bright days.

As those memories began to surface, Sweetie Belle sang more and more confidently. It was as if she was back at her treehouse, singing with the birds! But all throughout her singing, Sweetie Belle found herself gasping for breath at every other phrase, which interrupted her singing. She noticed the same problem occurring back at the treehouse as well! Once she finished the song at the B-flat, Sweetie Belle immediately gasped for breath.

Fluttershy clapped her hooves with a gleeful smile. Sweetie Belle smiled, realizing that the song went by so quickly. Her fears never crawled on her! When she sang the song, Sweetie Belle felt herself transported into another world, the world that placed the setting of the song she sang. Not only did she imagine her foalhood memories, she also saw a world filled with grassy meadows and blooming flowers with rich, colourful petals. It was a world much more soothing and rich than even Equestria, and Sweetie Belle basked in it all when she sang.

“Well done Sweetie Belle! There’s a lot of beautiful things about your singing! I could place myself into a world filled with grassy fields where I could freely roam with the sun shining brightly on me! You conveyed the song’s meaning very well with your tone!” Fluttershy generously complimented as she glanced the notes she scribbled on her yellow notepad.

“Ohh, thanks Fluttershy!” Sweetie Belle squeed with a light, rosy blush developing on her puffy cheeks. Nevertheless, every performance had room for improvement, and Fluttershy duly remarked on them,

“But at the same time, there is much we can do to make your singing shine above the rest! Most notable of the improvements that can be made lie in your breathing.” Fluttershy paused briefly to let Sweetie Belle reflect before she continued,

“You see, there were a bunch of places where we can extend your breath and make some of those musical phrases develop more. That way, the song won’t feel abrupt in any way.” Sweetie Belle’s face soon turned into a light frown, saddened that her singing still had many flaws to fix.

“And that’s why I didn’t want to keep singing in front of ponies…” Sweetie Belle mumbled. Fluttershy immediately took note of her mumbles and gently asked,

“Oh, I didn’t quite catch that Sweetie Belle. Was there something you wanted to say?”

“It’s just… I knew I’m a terrible singing. There’s so many things wrong with it, and it makes me worried about all the bashing I’ll receiving for what I like to do on my own. This was the very thing I was worried about,” Sweetie Belle sighed. Fluttershy peacefully flapped her wings and hovered to Sweetie Belle’s side. The Pegasus flapped open her wings and wrapped them around Sweetie Belle.

“Sweetie Belle, you are a very talented singer. You have a natural gift for being in tune and for capturing the feelings a song evokes. But a singer can always strive to be better. You have so much untapped potential in you, and it would be a huge shame if you didn’t develop it further. I know I’m your first teacher, but I’ve always wanted to teach somepony how to sing. To see that you’re my first student delights me!” Fluttershy comfortingly explained to the dejected filly.

“That’s what Rarity told me… It’s just I’m scared of ponies not liking my singing. I love to sing, and I feel hurt whenever somepony criticizes what I do. It’s as if they’re telling me that a part of me stinks and that I’m not worthwhile to listen to,” Sweetie Belle sighed, hanging her head low. Fluttershy tightened her embrace by holding her wings closer to her.

“Sweetie Belle… such feelings are normal in everything we do. I too get criticized every now and then for how I treat my animals. But if what I’m doing is right and my animals appreciate it, then that’s what matters most. If there are ponies who enjoy your singing like I do, then what you’re doing is already admirable,” Fluttershy asserted. She wasn’t the strong, confident pony like Rainbow Dash was, but she certainly learned how to remain strong even in the face of criticism. Now was her chance to impart her wisdom and comfort.

“Your singing will put smiles on many ponies’ faces. Ponyville has yet to hear of a budding singer. You don’t have to be famous or astonish the critics with your singing. If your singing helps lighten the mood of your friends and those around you, even if it’s just a few ponies, you’re already doing something right,” Fluttershy smiled. Sweetie Belle nuzzled Fluttershy on the nose with a gleeful grin.

“Thanks Fluttershy. I’ll remember that,” Sweetie Belle giggled.

“I’m sure you will. But back to what I said. You have yet to fulfill all your potential Sweetie Belle. And that’s why I’m here: to help you and push you to greater challenges and newer heights,” declared the confident Pegasus. “Now Sweetie Belle, as I said before, we need to work on your breathing. So I’ve got a bunch of warm-up exercises we can try for this lesson! You can practice with these warmups after our lesson, and it’ll be your homework assignment!” Fluttershy squeed with a beaming smile.

“Homework?!” gasped Sweetie Belle. “But I already get enough homework from Cheerilee!” exclaimed the shocked filly.

“It’s certainly homework Sweetie Belle, but it’s not the same type of homework! It’s called practice. A talent is only a talent unless it’s developed. It takes dedication and time to make a talent something more. Otherwise, it remains stagnant, its full potential unrealized,” explained Fluttershy. Sweetie Belle reluctantly moved her head up and down.

“Good. Now, let’s begin our warmups!” Fluttershy giddily clapped as the two ponies began their warm up exercises post haste!