High School Musical

Chapters

Chapter 2: Strained Relations
Chapter 3: A Date to Forget
Chapter 4: Drastic Measures
Chapter 5: The Talent Show
Chapter 6: Sweetie-Belle's Sonata
Chapter 1: Cutie Mark Conundrum!

Chapter 2: Strained Relations

As it turned out, Locomotion, Scootaloo, Rumble and Pipsqueak weren't the only ones who had noticed Sweetie-Belle's unusual choice of attire. Apple Bloom and the rest of the Crusaders were equally perplexed that she should be wearing any clothing at all, since she normally saved it for special occasions; but whenever they asked her about it, she would deftly brush it off and change the subject. Even when they tried getting an explanation out of Lickety-Split, he never said a word.

Diamond Tiara, meanwhile, had other ideas. Confused though she was at first, she quickly put two and two together and realised that Sweetie-Belle was indeed hiding something – and it definitely wasn't a pair of blank flanks, she reasoned, otherwise there wouldn't be any point. But whatever she was concealing beneath that dress of hers was clearly preying on her mind, and so the pink-furred Earth filly began formulating a plan.

By the time school had finished, Sweetie-Belle was anxious to get back home before anypony else decided to interrogate her again – but it wasn't her lucky day. Dinky, Tootsie Flute and Apple Bloom were standing just outside the main entrance.

“You okay, Sweetie-Belle?” asked Apple Bloom, concerned. “Ya seemed a bit...Ah dunno...edgy today.”

Sweetie-Belle groaned and slapped a hoof to her face. “I keep telling you, Apple Bloom, I'm fine!” she insisted. “I'm just stressed because of exams!”

“More than just exams, I'd say,” observed Dinky. “You may have been a bit nervy about that sort of thing in the past, but you've never been as insecure as to start wearing formal attire to school for no special reason.”

“What's wrong with that?!” protested Sweetie-Belle defensively. “Am I not allowed to have a sense of fashion?!”

“What?! No, I never said anything of the sort!” exclaimed Dinky hastily. “All I meant was that it's not like you to wear...well, anything to school!”

“And you have a problem with me wearing something now?!”

Dinky didn't answer. Tootsie Flute decided to step in at this point and try to diffuse the white-furred teen's frustration. “Sweetie-Belle,” she asked in a gentle, sisterly tone, “is there something you wish to tell us?”

Sweetie-Belle paused, gritting her teeth and trying to think of an excuse. That was when Diamond Tiara, who was lurking nearby, emerged from her hiding place and made her move; “No point in asking, Tootsie,” she interjected calmly. “Whatever it is that's bothering Sweetie-Belle is obviously way too sensitive for her to share it with anypony.”

“Finally, somepony who can take 'let it go' for an answer!” said Sweetie-Belle, exasperated.

Diamond Tiara shook her head. “Well, no, that's not what I'm implying. What I do suggest is that there's clearly something upsetting you to the point where you don't want to tell anypony about it – as if I didn't already know what it was,” she added under her breath. “But if you won't, then only you can solve your own problem.”

Apple Bloom stared warily at her former nemesis. “Uh...what are you implying?”

“Oh...nothing. I'm just suggesting that you, Sweetie-Belle, might care to enter the talent show with a song of her own creation?”

“WHAT?!?” squeaked Sweetie-Belle in horror. “Me get on stage and...and......and sing?!”

“Well, why not?” responded Diamond Tiara innocently. “This is something you're good at. How hard can it be for somepony with a voice like yours?”

“But...but I can't possibly sing in front of an entire audience!” objected Sweetie-Belle. “I'll probably mince my words before I can get them out of my mouth!”

“Sweetie-Belle, I don't want to force you into this,” said Diamond Tiara pointedly, “but if you won't perform at the talent show, then I might have to start letting other students in on...how shall I put it...the truth?”

Sweetie-Belle's eyes widened, her face ashen with fear. All that effort she had gone through to hide that one new feature she didn't want anypony to find out about, and now it seemed that Diamond Tiara had seen right through her – and to top it all, she was now being given a choice between facing her fears and having her Cutie Mark exposed. How painfully ironic that she wished there and then to be a blank-flank again!

“Now just a minute, Diamond Tiara!” burst out Tootsie Flute severely. “What makes you think you can rope Sweetie-Belle into doing something she's not comfortable with?! If she doesn't want to enter into the talent show, then it should be her choice, not ours!”

“What, let her betray who she really is? I don't think so!” snorted Diamond Tiara dismissively. “I'm doing this for her own benefit, you know.”

“That's as maybe, Diamond, but as Head Filly, there's no way I'm standing for blackmailing,” argued Tootsie Flute firmly.

But Diamond Tiara took no notice. “Tough love, Tootsie,” she replied curtly, and briskly walked away before any of the four fillies could answer.

“...I can't believe this is happening!!” wailed Sweetie-Belle, pacing back and forth near the statue while Lickety-Split looked on reticently. “First my Cutie Mark appears before I'm even ready, then all my friends keep asking me questions, and now Diamond Tiara is trying to get me to write and perform my own song! How can this day get any worse?! And how did she find out about my Cutie Mark anyway?!”

“Hardly surprising, considering your hasty attempt to hide it,” observed Lickety-Split gravely. “I don't mean to offend you or anything, but you stuck out like a sore hoof in that gown of yours. It was only a matter of time before somepony started to think something was up with you.”

“Yeah, but why Diamond Tiara?!” went on Sweetie-Belle, a hint of anger creeping into her voice. “I know she's our friend now, but still – what the hay is she hoping to achieve by roping me into this?! Surely she must know I'm gonna be hopeless at it!”

Normally, Lickety-Split wasn't the kind of pony to become annoyed or upset so easily; but today, for one of the few times in his life, he was really beginning to lose patience. “Look, you're blowing this out of proportions, Sweetie-Belle,” he said sternly. “I know Diamond Tiara was probably going a bit hard on you, but for once, I agree with her – this is something you really need to do!”

“Before I'm even ready for it?!” Sweetie-Belle stopped pacing and glared at him. “Are you out of your mind or something?!”

“No,” responded Lickety-Split, slightly offended, “I'm just trying to be rational here. If you don't pluck up the courage now, you never will – and then where would you be?”

Sweetie-Belle seethed with fury. “So it's come to this, has it?! Now that I've got my Cutie Mark, you're trying to force me straight into a music career and not let me take it at my own pace – if ever?!”

“Sweetie-Belle, I'm only trying to help you here!” insisted Lickety-Split. “I can't if you start getting childish about the whole thing!”

“Childish?!” burst out Sweetie-Belle, enraged. “Me, childish?! Well, that's rich coming from you! Whatever happened to the ever-supportive Lickety-Split?! The one who genuinely cared about me, listened to my opinions and respected my feelings?! Where did THAT go, huh?!”

But the brown Earth pony was so mortified by Sweetie-Belle's outburst and the verbal attack that he couldn't answer. He just gaped in shock and dismay as the white-furred filly continued to chastise him.

“I can't believe I've been going out with some narrow-minded imbecile all this time!” she screamed. “You don't care about who I am or what I want to do with my life! You don't even listen to me! You just take me for granted! I mean, seriously, when did you ever share a kiss with me or tell me you loved me?!” She paused for a few seconds, allowing herself to hyperventilate.

“I'm not......I...I never said...” Lickety-Split stammered; but Sweetie-Belle didn't wait for him to finish.

“Stop trying to deny it, you jerk!!!” she thundered, delivering him a hard slap against his cheek.

“I'm not!” burst out Lickety-Split defensively. “This is a Cutie Mark we're talking about, not some...”

“Stuff Cutie Marks!!” hollered Sweetie-Belle. “If this is how you're going to behave towards me, then you can just buzz off and mess some other pony around! I'm through with you!” and she stormed away, her eyes flooding with angry tears.

Paralysed with shock and dismay, Lickety-Split could only watch forlornly as the white-furred unicorn filly who used to call herself his fillyfriend galloped back towards home. He couldn't believe that Sweetie-Belle would be so edgy as to fly off the handle with him, all because she was having trouble accepting her true colours; but at the same time, he couldn't escape the truth in her rant about their relationship. Never once had they locked lips, and neither had he seen fit to tell her how he felt since she already seemed to know – and now, after all the time they had known each other, after all those sweet, romantic dates they had been on, she was making out like he had never cared for her in the slightest.

The brown colt groaned and collapsed onto his haunches, gazing ruefully down at the grass as he let a small tear of his own trickle down his face. What a fool he had been, he thought, to believe that his actions had spoken louder to her than words! And what of the Cutie Mark dilemma, he wondered? Would she ever come out of her shell and start to embrace her true talent? Or would it all lead to a major identity crisis? Should he have tried harder to make her see reason? One thing was for sure, though – it'd probably take a miracle to bring him and Sweetie-Belle together again...

“...so is that okay with you then, if we use this place as a sort of...practice area?”

Rarity pondered for a few seconds. “I don't see why not,” she conceded at last, “just as long as you take care around my dresses.”

“We will, Rarity,” Tootsie Flute assured her. “Pinkie Promise.”

“Good – that's settled! Come on in, then, my little ponies.”

With the talent show due in less than two weeks, the entrants intended to use as much of their free time as they could to perfect their acts. They had initially been planning to use the Town Hall, but this had already been booked for the planning of the Summer Sun Celebration, and the Castle of Friendship was out of the question too since Twilight was holding an important summit with the President of Griffonia. In the end, several of them, including Locomotion and Tootsie Flute, had decided to ask Spike and Rarity if they could use some of the fitting rooms at the Carousel Boutique for their rehearsals.

“By the way, Rarity,” ventured Locomotion, “is there any chance you could help me and Dinky with our act? See, I'm planning on performing 'Wreck of the City of Manehattan', and I wanted Dinky to do the visuals for me.”

“Yeah, we're aiming for...sort of holograms, but I've not had much experience with that sort of thing, and apparently Twilight's a bit out of practice too,” put in Dinky. “She did say you were good at that spell yourself, so...could you teach me?”

Rarity chuckled heartily. “Well, there's no denying that I can work wonders with illusionary magic,” she replied. “Very well, Dinky dear, but we'd better do this in the living room in case we end up hurting somepony.”

Dinky nodded gravely in agreement. She had shown an incontrovertible gift for magic since early foalhood, not unlike Twilight who had already taken her on as a personal student just like Princess Celestia before her, but even she wasn't completely infallible. It wouldn't do to take somepony's eye out just because she had messed up with the spell.

The three unicorns made their way upstairs, taking care not to make too much noise as they passed the bedroom door. Spike and Rarity had only been married for three years now, but as with Soarin and Rainbow Dash, they had only gone a few months before producing offspring, in this case taking the form of a green kirin filly whom they named Jade Filigree. Though only eighteen months old at present, she was already growing to be a playful and energetic little scamp just like her father; but right now she was anything but playful, for Rarity had not long put her down for a nap.

“Won't we wake Jade up if we rehearse in the living room?” inquired Locomotion uncertainly.

“With a bit of harmless singing? I should think not,” retorted Rarity with dignity. “It's not as if you're about to perform one of Sapphire Shores' numbers, is it now?”

Locomotion smiled wryly. “Yeah...I suppose not. Now then, Dinky,” he went on as they entered the living room, “I've already given you an idea of the storyline, so here's what I want for my visuals: start off with the Superintendent briefing the driver at Ponyville Central Station...”

“On what engine? City Class?”

“Yeah, but not the modern ones, mind. I want one of those fairly ancient 4-6-0s that used to run along the really difficult parts of the Pennsylhaynia Main Line,” clarified Locomotion. “So yeah, quick briefing, then a look inside the cab, train departs, few scenes of it racing along the line, loses control on the hill, approaches the bridge, off the rails, down into the ravine, then we round it off with the Regional Control staff receiving the message plus whatever imagery you think might be appropriate for the moral at the end. Would that be doable?”

“Hmm...won't be easy, but I'll try,” promised Dinky. “You got a record of the song?”

“First thing I remembered before leaving the house.” Locomotion produced the record in question from his saddlebag, holding it in plain sight for both Dinky and Rarity to see before setting it down on the nearby coffee table. “Got a gramophone we can use, Rarity?”

“Yes, over on the far side of the room, darling.”

“Ah, thanks.”

“Now, Dinky,” said Rarity as Locomotion inserted the vinyl disc into the gramophone, “as you probably know, there is a fine art to illusionary spells, and it takes a great deal of time and practice to get it just the way you want it to be. We won't be able to achieve the level of detail that you and Locomotion are aiming for overnight, but we'll start out simple and work our way up. Now, first things first, we'll need a noise-free environment...” She paused, pricking her ears up in search of the faintest hint of background noise. “Perfect – not a sound. Right, next up – I want you to close your eyes and imagine...that......your favourite cartoon character is standing in front of you.”

“Will do.” Dinky's horn glowed brightly as she followed Rarity's instructions. Slowly but surely, her magic began to form itself into a pony-like figure clad in a purple suit that covered the whole of its body, with a long indigo cape draped across its back and a purple hat, almost like a Stetson, sitting atop its head. Locomotion was most impressed, and even Rarity couldn't help but stare in amazement.

“Cor, blimey!” remarked the red-furred railway enthusiast. “Never thought you'd be able to do Mare-Do-Well so easily.”

“Huh?” Dinky cautiously cracked an eye open, horn still glowing – and could only goggle in disbelief when she realised her achievement. “Wow! That's...way better than I thought it'd be!”

“Hardly surprising, though, considering how potent your magic is,” observed Rarity thoughtfully. “Perhaps the illusionary spell won't be that hard to master after all...reckon you can add a bit of background now, darling?”

Sure enough, Dinky seemed to be making far more progress than either Locomotion or Rarity had anticipated. After nearly half an hour of playing around with the illusion spell, she managed to create a holographic country scene to such a high level of detail that you would have thought it was real. Eventually, all three of them decided to start work on creating the visuals for Locomotion's song recital.

But even with her magical ability, creating the imagery that Locomotion required was by no means easy. The red-furred unicorn tended to be rather particular when it came to railways, and Dinky had a job trying to get the holograms exactly how he wanted them to be – no matter how hard she tried, either the scenes were dragging on too long, or the train was being headed by the wrong engine, or it was all taking place in a completely different part of Equestria. It was only when he took the decision to play the gramophone while she cast the spell that she began to improve.

“Aha! Now that's more like it!” announced Locomotion as they came to the end of the second verse. “Okay, so like I said earlier, for the next bit of the song, we'll want some random shots of the train tackling the Long Draft. You know, the really hilly bit of line between here and Delamare?”

“Yeah, I've got it,” replied Dinky.

“Right – from the top then.” Locomotion reset the playback stylus to the edge of the disc and turned the gramophone on again, watching with interest as Dinky cast the image of the opening scene. Just before the first verse began, the imagery was instantly replaced with a view of the Superintendent standing just outside the infamous engine's cab.

“They gave him his orders at Ponyville Central,
Saying, 'Streak, you're way behind time...'”

Suddenly, the three of them were startled by a knock on the door, causing Dinky to lose control of the visuals in such a way that the locomotive exploded in a massive cloud of fire and steam. Alarmed, Rarity and Locomotion threw themselves down onto the floor to avoid being hit by flying debris. The next thing they knew, Sweetie-Belle was walking into the room with a look of shock on her face.

“Oh, gosh! Is everypony okay?”

Rarity let out a loud groan as she stood herself up and glared at her younger sister. “Couldn't you have picked a better time to walk in on us like this?!” she snapped. “We were in the middle of some serious rehearsals in case you hadn't noticed already!”

Sweetie-Belle was about to answer when they were interrupted once again, this time by the sound of wailing from the bedroom. With an exasperated sigh, Rarity promptly excused herself from the conversation – so much for trying not to wake Jade up, she thought crossly.

“Oh...” Sweetie-Belle looked away ruefully. “Sorry about that. I just wanted to talk with Loco about something.”

“What sort of something?” quizzed Loco, perplexed.

“Um...can't it wait until later?” interjected Dinky. “We're in the middle of something really difficult here, Sweetie-Belle.”

“This'll only take a few seconds.” Sweetie-Belle turned back to Locomotion, ignoring any further protest; “Are you busy tomorrow, Loco?”

“Uh...not particularly, apart from exam revision. Why?”

“Well,” replied Sweetie-Belle, her eyes narrowing in an inexplicably seductive manner, “you and I haven't spent that much time together lately. How about you and me go to the pictures after school?”

Locomotion suddenly began to feel a little uneasy. Was Sweetie-Belle...flirting with him, he wondered? “Um...well...I'd like to,” he stuttered nervously, “but I don't know that there's anything I'd want to watch there.”

“Not even the new Technicolour Tarquin film?”

“Hmm...” Locomotion pondered. “Well...yeah, granted, I still haven't seen 'Love on the Monsoon Express' yet, but I was hoping...”

“That settles it then. I'll see you there at three.” Without waiting for an answer, Sweetie-Belle gave the red-furred stallion a coy wink and trotted out of the room.

Dinky and Locomotion exchanged confused glances.

“O...kay, what do you suppose that was all about?” asked Locomotion, finally breaking the silence.

Dinky frowned. “I don't know. She does seem more than a little out of character, I'll tell you that much for nothing,” she observed. “What I can't understand is why she's taking it as far as to cheat on Lickety-Split.”

“Yeah, it does seem a bit...weird,” agreed Locomotion gravely. “That colt's been nothing but faithful to her ever since they became an item; why should she want to muck him over like that?”

“So...what are you gonna do, Loco?”

Locomotion considered. “I'll probably just play along and see what happens,” he decided, trying to put himself at ease. “She does actually have a point, Dinks, about me and her not spending that much time together of late – could be she just wants to hang out with me as a friend.”

“And if she wants more...?” put in Dinky, visibly concerned.

“Then I'm just going to have to talk it out with her. I mean, yeah, Sweetie-Belle's a nice filly and all, but she's not really my type – and besides, there's no way I'm stealing her away from Lickety-Split, whether she wants it or not.”

“So I should hope,” muttered Dinky unhappily. “I can't think what's gotten between those two, but I sure don't like the look of it...”

Author's Note

The song "Wreck of the City of Manehattan" is based on "Wreck of the Ol' 97", an American railroad ballad based around the derailment of the Fast Mail in 1903 at Stillhouse Trestle Bridge near Danville, Virginia.

Chapter 3: A Date to Forget

Over at Sugarcube Corner, Snips and Snails were eagerly discussing talent show acts with Shady Daze and First Base. The two Earth ponies were planning to enter a musical act of their own, and had invited Button Mash to join in as their guitarist; though what number they were going to perform, they had yet to work out. Their cheery chatter was soon interrupted, however, when Snips caught sight of a certain brown colt trudging into the bakery with a solemn frown on his face.

“What's up, Lickety-Split?” he asked, perplexed. “You're lookin' a bit blue today.”

“What are you talking about?” objected Snails. “He still looks brown to me.”

“I didn't mean literally, you twit!” reproached Snips indignantly. “I mean he's depressed!”

Lickety-Split sighed heavily and sat down next to them. “Nothing major,” he mumbled. “Just been having a bad day is all.”

“How come?” inquired Shady Daze.

“Well...it's kind of......nah, what's the point? It's not like any of you lot can fix it anyhow.”

The four colts exchanged glances. They had never known Lickety-Split to be so sulky before.

“Nah, go on, pal,” urged Shady Daze at last. “We may not be able to fix...whatever it is you won't tell us about, but we'll at least try and help you. Right, guys?”

“Right!” chorused Snips, Snails and First Base.

Lickety-Split didn't seem convinced, but reluctantly decided to humour them. “Well, if you must know, Sweetie-Belle's being really difficult right now,” he explained morosely. “I'm not even gonna bother going into details, but...to cut a long story short, she's broken up with me.”

“WHAAA?!?” exclaimed Snails in confusion, his voice almost a parody of a Despicable Me minion.

“You and Sweetie-Belle, broken up?!” laughed Snips incredulously. “Don't be ridiculous, Lickety, why would she wanna do that? You, her knight in dirty brown armour, who would do...”

“Gee, thanks ever so much for the vote of confidence, Snips!” huffed Lickety-Split sarcastically. “Seriously, though, you know how she's been bent on hiding her flanks all day?”

First Base nodded thoughtfully. “Yeah, I did question the whole thing about her wearing a really smart dress to school, but she just shouted at me and stormed off. I mean, yeah, I get that school's out in a couple of weeks, but Summer Formal isn't until after the talent show,” he said.

“Hang on a minute – you're not suggesting...” Shady Daze trailed off, almost as if he knew what the answer would be.

“Got it in one,” affirmed Lickety-Split unhappily. “Diamond Tiara seems to have seen through us with that one too,” he went on, “because when I met up with Sweetie-Belle again, she said she had roped her into performing her own song at the talent show. I tried to reason with her that she'd have to embrace her talent sooner or later, but she just threw the whole thing in my face and said I didn't care about her.” He hung his head ruefully. “And no wonder why she'd think that, seeing as I've never shared a kiss with her or told her my feelings.”

Shady Daze shook his head in dismay. “And you never even dropped her a hint?!”

“Well, no, I've dropped several hints since Day One,” insisted Lickety-Split. “They just never included...well, the obvious.”

“Seems a bit shallow, doesn't it?” remarked First Base. “I may be more into colts myself, but even I don't let shyness get in my way when it comes to Shady Daze. He and I have been an item for about four years now, and I'm not ashamed to show my affections towards him, even if it involves kissing in public.”

“It's not shyness,” protested Lickety-Split. “It's...I just didn't want to take things too quickly, that's all.”

“Which, freely translated, means you're shy!” stated Shady Daze firmly. “Honestly, Lickety-Split, I'm surprised you've even got this far without openly expressing your feelings, verbally or otherwise!”

“Exactly!” agreed Snips. “Even Snails isn't stupid enough to not say anything to Twist about the way he feels.”

“Hey! I'm not stupid!” exclaimed Snails, offended. “I'm just......dumb, I guess!”

“Dumb, stupid, same difference,” grinned Snips cheekily.

“Ah, shut up, you two,” snorted Shady Daze, “you're both as bad as each other!” He turned back to Lickety-Split, ignoring the two unicorns' huffy retorts. “I hate to break this to you, Lickety, but I'm not really sure any of us can help you after all.”

“It's not me who needs help,” said Lickety-Split gravely. “I'm kinda scared that Sweetie-Belle might get into an identity crisis or something if she doesn't...” but he suddenly broke off as he noticed a certain pink-furred filly walking into the bakery. He stood up and marched over to her, an unusually angry scowl on his face.

Diamond Tiara was most surprised to see Lickety-Split in such a foul mood. “Hey, Lickety, what's up?”

“What's this I hear about you roping Sweetie-Belle into the talent show against her will?!” demanded Lickety-Split harshly.

“Ah......I take it she's already told you then?”

“Yeah, she's told me alright – and gotten into a fight with me because of it! I don't know what the flying feather you're hoping to gain from all this, but I really don't appreciate it!”

“Wait, hang on a second,” interrupted Diamond Tiara defensively, “what would I have to gain by helping Sweetie-Belle overcome her demons? I'm doing this for her own good, not to try and show her up in front of Ponyville.”

“And you choose to ruin my relationship with her in the process?!”

Diamond Tiara groaned with frustration. “Look, I'm sorry she broke up with you, Lickety-Split,” she apologised, “but believe me when I say I never meant for anything of the sort to happen. I've already sussed out what she's been hiding this whole time, and I genuinely want to help her come to terms with her own destiny. That's why I talked her into entering in the talent show – I just felt she needed that nudge you'd been anxious to give her all along.”

Lickety-Split gritted his teeth and looked down at his hooves, unsure whether or not to believe her.

“I know she and I have had our differences in the past, same as I had with every other pony in Ponyville,” finished Diamond Tiara calmly, “but I really am trying to help her here. Whether or not she hooks up with you again is up to her, but the main thing is that she accepts who she is.”

At last, Lickety-Split relented. “Yeah, I suppose you're right,” he sighed. “Sorry I was so harsh with you, Diamond.”

“Nah, it's okay. I shouldn't have expected any less from any of you lot, considering what a prude I used to be,” smiled Diamond Tiara wryly.
“Still doesn't bring us any closer to bringing that filly out of her shell, though,” put in Lickety-Split gloomily. “I've got a bad idea she's still keen to avoid entering the show, even now.”

“Yeah, that is a bit of a worry,” agreed Diamond Tiara anxiously. “What we really need is somepony more...persuasive to try and bring her round.

Lickety-Split frowned pessimistically and gazed out of the window. “What we really need is a miracle...”

Little did Lickety-Split and Diamond Tiara realise that they would be getting both by the end of the following day. As expected, Sweetie-Belle refused to speak to either of them, and seemed more intent than ever to hide her Cutie Mark. Even Scootaloo and Apple Bloom couldn't seem to hold a conversation without the white-furred filly making a hasty excuse and running off the moment they brought it up, even if indirectly.

But what really upset Lickety-Split was that she kept stealing sly, seductive glances in Locomotion's direction. The red-furred colt himself pretended not to mind; but secretly, he was rather disturbed by all the extra attention he was getting. Even during lunch break, he couldn't seem to enjoy his food without getting yet another wink from her as she trotted past his table. Perhaps Dinky was right – Sweetie-Belle really was coming onto him!

But why, he wondered? Why had she become so keen on him so quickly? And why wasn't Lickety-Split entering any complaints about her lack of faith in him? Locomotion only really saw Sweetie-Belle as something of a little sister at best, and while he would have wanted to get a fillyfriend of his own one day as most ponies do, he didn't see himself in a relationship with anypony in his age group, let alone her. Indeed, when at last school finished for the day, he was almost afraid to go anywhere near the cinema. But there was no point in putting it off, he told himself bravely; he needed answers, and the only way he was going to get them was to play along with her own plans.

The two unicorns made it to the cinema in good time, and took their seats ready for the screening. The movie in question was a romance film set on an express train in Elephandia, about a destitute young Pegasus mare who was travelling north to find a new home. During her long journey, she became infatuated with an enterprising young jack who used to perform in a circus, but was now seeking to settle down in Calfcutta. As was not unusual, Locomotion's attention was mainly focussed on the train itself; but he always enjoyed a good love story, and enjoyed the romantic interactions between the main characters. His only major qualm was that Sweetie-Belle seemed to be getting a little too close for comfort.

The white-furred filly sighed deeply. “Don't those two look so sweet together?” she murmured.

“Yeah...I suppose they do, rather,” said Locomotion, who wasn't really listening. If anything, he was more concerned about the way she was edging up to him, almost as if she expected him to wrap his arms around her shoulders and hold her close.

“You know, Loco,” went on Sweetie-Belle, “it's rather a shame.”

Locomotion looked confused. “What is?”

“Well, you being one of the biggest romantics in Ponyville High, and yet everypony else has a special somepony except you. Surely you must feel a bit...empty right now?”

“Um...no, not really. I mean, granted, there are times when I do feel a bit...envious of you guys, but at least I'm living my dream of being a railway pony,” observed Locomotion.

“True, but we all feel the need for a fillyfriend or a coltfriend at some point,” Sweetie-Belle continued suggestively. “Surely you must feel the same way?”

Locomotion cringed inwardly. From the hints she was dropping, he could tell that Sweetie-Belle was doing everything in her power to seduce him. “Well, she's out there somewhere,” he mused offhandedly. “I just...I just haven't found her yet.”

Sweetie-Belle batted her eyelids as she leaned in ever closer. “You probably haven't been looking hard enough.”

“Oh, believe me, Sweetie-Belle,” retorted Locomotion with a knowing smirk, “when I find the right filly, I'll know. Without a doubt, it'll just...bam, hit me – like lightning!”

Almost as if on cue, the sound of thunder echoed through the auditorium. Locomotion yelped and looked back at the screen, startled, but quickly calmed down again when he realised it was just an exterior shot of the train during a heavy rainstorm. His relief didn't last very long, however, for no sooner had he lowered his guard than he noticed Sweetie-Belle clinging onto him for dear life, almost as if in fear.

“What the heck?!” he exclaimed. “Sweetie-Belle, do you mind?! I'm trying to enjoy the movie here!”

“Oh...sorry, Loco,” stammered Sweetie-Belle in a shy, embarrassed tone. “I don't know what came over me just then.”

Locomotion rolled his eyes and gently pushed her away. He was becoming rather annoyed with the white-furred unicorn's antics, and in spite of the film's railway content, he couldn't help wishing that it would end sooner.

But unfortunately for him, it was another long, unusually frustrating hour and a half before the end credits finally began to roll. With a sigh of relief, he stood up from his seat and made his way over to the exit, the white-furred filly hot on his fetlocks.

“That sure was a good movie,” she remarked sweetly. “We should do this more often, shouldn't we, Loco?”

At last, the red-furred teen lost patience. “Alright, Sweetie-Belle,” he stated bluntly, “what's this all about? First the dress to school; then you've been getting all edgy every time we ask you about it; after which you've been following me like a sheep; and now you start getting comfy with me during a trip to the cinema.”

Sweetie-Belle stopped in her tracks and gazed nervously at Locomotion. “Um...is there a problem with all that?”

“Quite frankly, yes there is,” replied Locomotion sternly. “Okay, so perhaps I am a bit of a 'lonely heart', but how do you think Lickety-Split would react if he found that his fillyfriend was cheating on him, eh?”

“Don't talk to me about that jerk!” muttered Sweetie-Belle, her expression suddenly changing to a bitter scowl. “Why should he care about what I'm going through?!”

Locomotion was horrified. “Sweetie-Belle! That's no way to talk about your own coltfriend! How could you?!”

“He's not my coltfriend anymore! Why would he be? Telling me I'm being childish!” burst out Sweetie-Belle, frustrated.

“Well, I'm hardly surprised, the way you're behaving right now!” Locomotion snapped back defensively. “Now look, I don't know what in the name of Luna he was talking about, but shouting your head off about it is not going to make things any better!”

“Well, maybe I wouldn't be shouting my head off about it if that stuck-up Diamond Tiara hadn't blackmailed me into entering the talent show!” retorted Sweetie-Belle huffily. “Write your very own song, she says! It'll be easy for somepony like you, she says! If I ever see that prude again, it'll be too soon!”

“Wait, hang on, hang on, back the coal trucks up a bit!” interrupted Locomotion, taken aback. “You're trying to tell me that she entered you in the talent show? With something that you're actually good at? How's that supposed to be a bad thing?”

“It just is!” snapped Sweetie-Belle. By now, she was beginning to wonder why she had ever thought going out with the red-furred young railway enthusiast would be such a good idea.

Locomotion's eyes narrowed. “Come on, Sweetie-Belle,” he urged suspiciously, “you're hiding something, and I wanna know what it is.”

“Well, you're just gonna have to keep guessing!” bellowed Sweetie-Belle. “You wouldn't understand anyway!”

“I would if you just told me!” insisted Locomotion.

But Sweetie-Belle couldn't be bothered to argue with him any further. With a growl of frustration and a yell of “JUST FORGET IT!!”, she turned tail and stormed out of the cinema.

Locomotion heaved an exasperated sigh and slapped a hoof to his face, not even bothering to catch up to the white-furred filly. He was used to Sweetie-Belle being overly dramatic just like her older sister, but even he had to admit that she was becoming absolutely impossible, even by her own standards! All he ever intended to do was come to terms with whatever was bugging her, maybe even try to help her through it, and she had simply shot him down in flames as if he had been tormenting her relentlessly.

As chance would have it, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were just leaving the other auditorium. Locomotion's frustration turned to disgust as he remembered what Sweetie-Belle had said earlier, about the pink-furred filly forcing her to enter into the talent show against her will. He marched up to them both with a look of undisguised contempt. “Diamond Tiara! I've got a bushel to pick with you!”

“Oh, hi, Loco,” called Diamond Tiara, seemingly oblivious to his anger. “Everything okay with you?”

“No they most certainly are not! Sweetie-Belle's been hitting on me since yesterday afternoon because apparently you bullied her into entering her own act into the talent show!” snapped Locomotion accusingly. “Now I want an explanation, and I want it right now!”

“What's the meaning of this, Loco?!” blustered Silver Spoon. “Here we are, trying to enjoy a nice, quiet date, and you come barging in on our quality time and start making demands!”

“Well, I'm sorry to have intruded on your...er, quality time, Silver Spoon, but this whole Sweetie-Belle business is getting out of hoof, and I need answers!” stated Locomotion, a little more sharply than he intended. He then turned back to Diamond Tiara and gave her a penetrating glare; “Now what have you got to say about all this?!”

Diamond Tiara cursed inwardly. She had never intended for her plan to go this far, and to rub salt into the wound, she now had an irate Locomotion to deal with. “Yes, Loco – that's precisely what I did,” she confessed calmly.

Silver Spoon's jaw dropped in shock. “You...I...but she.......Diamond, how could you?!” she burst out.

“Now look, before you two get all upset with me, I just want you to know that I had a perfectly good reason for it,” put in Diamond Tiara hastily.

“What reason?! You said you were done with bullying other ponies!”

“Wouldn't surprise me,” scowled Locomotion. “She's played us up far too many times already...”

“Will you just shut up and listen!!” shouted Diamond Tiara. Locomotion and Silver Spoon promptly subsided. “The only reason I persuaded her into it was because I wanted to try and help her out of her shell, but I knew that I wouldn't be able to if I went easy on her. I actually felt kinda guilty for it, but I knew it was for the best. You see...” She paused and looked over her shoulder, as if she expected to find a spy clad in a black body suit lurking nearby. Quietly assuring herself that they were alone, but unwilling to take any chances, she beckoned them to come closer before whispering into their ears. “...I know what she's been hiding this whole time.”

“Oh yeah? What?” inquired Silver Spoon.

“What else? She's got her Cutie Mark!”

“WHAT?!?!” Locomotion yanked backwards with such a violent movement that he nearly sent himself into a back-flip. “How in the hay did you find that out?!”

“How in the hay did you not find that out?” replied Diamond Tiara coolly. “The way her dress hid her flanks, I knew she had to be hiding something – and unless she happened to get into some really serious disaster that none of us have heard about, I can't think she'd be hiding anything else. And would it not stand to reason that a certain other pony might have known about it all along?”

Locomotion suddenly felt a huge tidal wave of guilt. “So...you mean to say that the newly acquired 'fashion sense' was just a ruse to hide...her Cutie Mark?” A swift nod from Diamond Tiara was all it took to push him over the edge, and he slapped his face even harder, thoroughly annoyed at his own mistake. “You idiot, Loco! It was right there under your nose the whole time, and you missed it!! You complete and utter moron!”

“Hey! Cut it out, Loco!” burst out Silver Spoon. “How were you to know about Sweetie-Belle's Cutie Mark anyway? It's a wonder any of us were able to work it out it was so blindingly obvious!”

“So?! What right did I have to take it all out on Diamond Tiara?”

“Look, there's no point in getting into a tizzy about it, and you punching yourself in the face isn't going to help either,” chided Silver Spoon. “The important thing is that we need to try and work out how to bring Sweetie-Belle round.”

“And bring her and Lickety-Split back together,” put in Diamond Tiara gravely. “He says Sweetie-Belle had gone and dumped him earlier after he tried to reason with her about the whole talent show thing.”

Silver Spoon raised an eyebrow, taken aback. “She's what?”

“O...kay, well that explains a lot. I gotta go speak with him at once.” Locomotion turned to leave, but stopped after just a few hoofsteps. “By the way, Diamond Tiara, I never thought I'd say this, but...thanks,” he said awkwardly.

“That's okay, Loco.”

“You really have changed since that visit to Liberty Hall Prep School, haven't you?”

“Yeah, well...that's all in the past,” answered Diamond Tiara, seemingly keen to avoid bringing up the unpleasant memories of the hard time she had been through at that place. “Right now, we've got even bigger fritters to fry.”

“Too right!” agreed Locomotion, and cantered swiftly out of the cinema. “I just hope Lickety-Split isn't too upset about Sweetie-Belle.”

Lickety-Split was indeed upset about Sweetie-Belle, but more because of his own stupidity than her unreasonable behaviour. He lay sombrely on his bed, too depressed even to worry about what his ex was getting herself into, and paid little heed to the sound of somepony knocking at the front door. A few moments later, his ears picked up the sound of two familiar voices chatting anxiously downstairs. One of them plainly belonged to his mother, but he couldn't quite work out whether it was Rumble, Pipsqueak or Locomotion she was talking to.

But what did it matter anyway? Sweetie-Belle was in a right rut now, and there was no way he could get her out of it without being shouted at. He buried his face in the pillows, almost wishing that night would suddenly fall ahead of schedule – but the only answer to his prayer was the sound of his bedroom door opening, and the now much clearer second voice speaking to him in a grave tone;

“Lickety-Split, we need to talk.”

The brown colt sighed heavily and pushed himself upright. He hadn't exactly been looking forward to this moment...

Chapter 4: Drastic Measures

“...why didn't you tell us Sweetie-Belle had gained her Cutie Mark?” asked Locomotion in dismay.

Lickety-Split frowned. “I couldn't,” he explained glumly. “She swore me to secrecy as soon as she found out – said she didn't want to launch herself into a music career too quickly.”

“So...instead of being reasonable and telling us she wanted to break into it gently, she insisted on spurning her true calling in life and denying that that thing ever existed?!” Locomotion was aghast. “That's just...how can she just ignore her own personality?! Her whole life, even!”

“I did try to get her to see reason,” put in Lickety-Split. “I told her the exact same things you did, but she just yelled at me and said I didn't love her.”

Locomotion scoffed. “That's a lie! You've been nothing but loyal and kind to her ever since you transferred to her class!”

“Yeah, but I've never kissed her or openly expressed my feelings or anything. I just...in retrospect, I guess Shady's right about me being shy; but I kept thinking that she got the idea just by my actions alone, even if they weren't exactly intimate.”

The red-furred teen shook his head in disapproval. “Forgive me for saying this, Lickety-Split, but you've been a right fool,” he chastised quietly. “Surely you should know by now that relationships don't work like that.”

Lickety-Split nodded sadly in agreement. “What am I gonna do? We've only got two weeks left till the talent show, and I doubt Sweetie-Belle will have even mustered up the courage to write a single verse by then. Loco, what am I gonna do?”

“Hmm...well, it's not gonna be easy, I'll tell you that much,” mused Locomotion. “The only two ponies who have any chance of swaying her opinion right now are Scootaloo and Apple Bloom, and even then there's every chance she might still try to worm her way out of this talent show act.” He paused for a few moments, trying to work out a suitable plan of action. “Unless...”

“What?” asked Lickety-Split, perking up a little.

Locomotion's eyes lit up, and a sly grin spread across his face. “Well, Lickety-Split, we're in a drastic situation, so I reckon it's time for drastic measures,” he decided boldly. “First and foremost, we need to pull a few strings with some of the other talent show acts – hopefully that should boost her confidence a bit.”

“Um...yeah, but suppose she doesn't have that song written by then?”

“She will,” Locomotion assured him, “because I'm gonna get Scootaloo and Apple Bloom to talk it out with her, see if they can knock a bit of sense into her noggin.” His grin turned into a devious smirk. “And I know just the pony to help us...”

By now, Sweetie-Belle was almost at the end of her tether. She had locked herself away as soon as she arrived home, not even bothering to say hello to her parents, and was now sulking in her bedroom. Why was it that everypony seemed to be giving her a hard time over her Cutie Mark, even when they didn't seem to realise that she had one? Even Locomotion and Lickety-Split, who had more than once provided her and her friends with a huge confidence boost as Cutie Mark Crusaders, seemed to have turned against her! And why should she have to write and perform that dratted song anyway? It was her life, so it should have been her decision.

To say she didn't feel bad about splitting up with Lickety-Split, however, would be wholly untrue. As much as she wanted to stay mad at him for being such a thoughtless jerk, she missed him dreadfully, and even now, a small part of her was silently pleading for him to come over and offer her company, comfort and a shoulder to cry on. A small tear crept out of her eye, trickled down her face and fell onto the blanket on her bed as she continued to brood over her dilemma. She really did love Lickety-Split, but she wasn't even sure she had the guts to face him again, let alone make up and rekindle their relationship. Curse that stupid Cutie Mark, she thought angrily! Why did it have to show up so suddenly and ruin her whole...

“Sweetie-Belle?”

The white-furred unicorn gazed at the window. She could have sworn she'd heard a familiar voice calling out her name. “Who is it?” she called out half-heartedly.

“It's me; Rarity. I heard you were in some kind of trouble.”

Sweetie-Belle suppressed an angry groan. “Yeah, sort of – but I'm not really sure you'd understand.”

“Oh, come now,” replied the voice, sounding rather hurt, “you're my little sister. I've every reason to look out for you.” A brief pause followed. “Tell you what – why don't you come and join me for afternoon tea at Carousel Boutique tomorrow? Maybe then you can tell me what's on your mind?”

“You...promise not to tell anypony about it?” asked Sweetie-Belle cautiously.

“Of course, darling. Your secret's safe with me.”

“And you won't judge me for it even if I do tell you?”

“Certainly not. So, see you at four o'clock sharp?”

“Yeah, sure,” said Sweetie-Belle, breathing a sigh of relief. At last, somepony she could trust with her secret!

Or so she thought. If the white-furred filly had actually bothered to look outside, she would have found absolutely no sign of Rarity anywhere. Instead, a certain trio of teenagers were gathered just below her bedroom window, barely able to believe their luck.

“It worked! I seriously can't believe it worked!”

“I told you my Rarity impression was enough to fool anyone!”

“It's certainly done the trick. Right – now for Stage Two! Spread the word, guys – emergency talent show meeting at the canteen tomorrow lunchtime.”

The three ponies quickly dispersed, two of them heading towards the town square while the third made a beeline for Sweet Apple Acres, smirking cheekily to himself as he went. “Yeah, that's right, Sweetie-Belle, don't be afraid to own up about hiding your Cutie Mark, dumping your coltfriend and hitting on old muggins here; we won't judge you, except for the fact that we will judge you!”

***********

The next day was unusually quiet for Sweetie-Belle. Most of the other students seemed to have moved on from her odd behaviour, and were now behaving as if she had always worn a long dress to school since she had first started here. The white-furred filly was confused at first, but eventually assured herself that all the fuss was over and that she could now carry on as if nothing was wrong. If only Lickety-Split could have the common decency to apologise for what she still saw as his mistake and his alone...

But Lickety-Split seemed to have given up on her altogether. Even when she did see him, he just looked the other way with an expression of deep regret and refused to say anything. Sweetie-Belle felt even worse for seeing him so downtrodden, but stubbornly reminded herself that he was the one who should have been sorry, not her. If he was to heal things over, then he had to speak up first, and nothing would persuade her otherwise.

Later that afternoon, having spent an hour chilling out at home (and still brooding over the talent show act that she was not going to perform), the white-furred unicorn made her way across town towards the Carousel Boutique. Hopefully a good long chat with Rarity might put her a bit more at ease, she thought – but when at last she arrived, she was surprised to find a sign hanging on the front door that read “CLOSED FOR REHEARSALS.”

Sweetie-Belle scratched her head in confusion. “That's odd. Rarity never said anything about rehearsals,” she remarked, reaching for the doorbell.

“Who is it?” called the familiar voice of her sister.

“Only me, Rarity,” replied Sweetie-Belle, perplexed. “What's going on in there?”

“Oh...nothing special. Do please come in.”

“Well...if you say so,” said Sweetie-Belle uncertainly as she pushed the door open and walked into the lobby. To her further surprise, the boutique seemed suspiciously quiet and devoid of ponies – even Spike, a hard creature to miss, was mysteriously absent. She looked around, wondering if this might have been a prank.

“In here, darling!”

Sweetie-Belle looked to her right and noticed that one of the storeroom doors had been left open. Curiosity got the better of her, and she trotted inside for a closer look – but still no sign of Rarity. All that she could see was... “Scootaloo? Apple Bloom? Alula? What are you three doing here? Where's Rarity?”

Alula smirked broadly. “She's right here, darling. Not a bad imitation of your older sister, if I do say so myself,” she spoke up in a perfect Rarity voice. “Don't you, Sweetie-Belle?”

“WHAT?!?!” squeaked Sweetie-Belle, infuriated.

“Well, what choice did we have?” retorted Scootaloo bluntly. “I mean, seriously, which would you rather – that we came waltzing up to your house, dragged you outside and grilled you?! Truth's gotta come out sooner or later, you know.”

Only then did the bit drop for Sweetie-Belle – those two fillies must have found out about her Cutie Mark somehow. “You'll get nothing out of me!” she screamed defiantly, and turned towards the doorway, hoping to get as far away from them as she could; but she was too late. Alula had already taken advantage of her brief distraction to sneak out of the storeroom and lock the door, trapping her inside with Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. The white-furred filly banged hard against the door. “HEY! LET ME OUT! LET – ME – OUT!!!”

“It's no use, Sweetie-Belle,” interrupted Apple Bloom sternly. “Rarity's busy helpin' Dinky an' Loco rehearse their act, an' Spike's outta town on royal business. It's just you, me an' Scoot – an' y'all ain't goin' nowhere until we've talked this through, see?!”

Sweetie-Belle scowled bitterly. “I've got nothing to say!” she hissed.

“Well, we have,” stated Scootaloo. “Look, you can't keep running away from your own Cutie Mark! No matter what you do, it's still gonna be there because it's your special talent! We're not saying you have to start a music career immediately – we're just saying that you need to embrace that talent, or else you'll never be happy with your life!”

“Scoot's right,” put in Apple Bloom. “This ain't just some fancy print on yo' flanks we're talkin' about – it's a symbol of who ya are – who we all are. Remember that first talent show we did together? How y'all seemed ta do better at workin' out the lyrics than Scoot? An' what about those really sweet pipes o' yours when y'all were hummin' it to yourself after we got our clubhouse?”

“Yeah? And what about that camping trip?”

“That was an impending illness! That doesn't count!” insisted Scootaloo.

“Point is, Sweetie-Belle,” went on Apple Bloom gravely, “yo' only makin' things worse by tryin' ta put this off. Yo' stressin' yourself out, yo' losin' friends, an' if it keeps up, yo' gonna end up losin' yo' mind 'cause ya ain't bein' true to yourself. This is somethin' ya have ta do, or else it'll come back ta haunt ya.” She gave the white-furred unicorn a soft, sympathetic smile. “Ah can see it might be hard fo' ya, an' Ah appreciate that, but y'all ain't alone. We've all been there at some point – me, Scoot, Pip...even Loco gets stage nerves, an' he's the main character in a Technicolour Tarquin film!”

Sweetie-Belle's sullen anger began to fade as soon as she heard this, but she was still visibly confused. “But...that was on camera, not on stage.”

“So what? It's still the same thing,” said Apple Bloom. “But yeah, even he ain't lettin' that get to him with his own talent show act. If he an' Dinky can overcome their fears, so can you.”

There was a long silence. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo waited patiently for Sweetie-Belle to answer, but the white-furred unicorn was now so lost in her thoughts that she seemed to be taking an interest in the floor.

“We're not gonna leave you alone until you've written and entered that song, Sweetie-Belle,” put in Scootaloo. “If you don't beat your demons now, you never will. Besides, we're not called the Cutie Mark Crusaders for nothing.”

“But...supposing I mess up?”

“Well, you're just going to have to take the risk, or you're never gonna find out – and then you're probably gonna spend the rest of your life like 'Oh, I dunno what to do with myself, 'cause I don't even know who I am!'”

“Ugh! Fine!” burst out a flustered Sweetie-Belle at last. “You want your song? You're getting your stupid song – but don't come crying to me if you don't like it!”

Apple Bloom chortled. “We won't need to worry about that,” she pointed out. “La'k Ah said, y'all ain't alone on this one – 'cause me an' Scoot are gonna help you get it just right.”

Apple Bloom and Scootaloo were as good as their word. From then on, they would meet up at Sweetie-Belle's house every evening to see how she was doing with writing the song – and to make absolutely sure she was putting her all into it as she said she would. Needless to say, Sweetie-Belle was still none too pleased to have them breathing down her neck all the while, but grudgingly refrained from saying so. What neither of them had the heart to tell her was that Locomotion and some of their other friends were already reworking their own acts, so as to boost her courage and help her see the light regarding her Cutie Mark. Even Cheerilee agreed to help by rearranging their slots to suit their plans.

The big day arrived less than two weeks later, on the final day of school before the beginning of the summer holidays. That evening, a huge crowd of ponies were gathered at the Ponyville Theatre as the Cutie Mark Crusaders and their fellow students prepared for the talent show. By this time, Sweetie-Belle's stage nerves were coming back with a vengeance, and even as the stage-hooves began moving the props into place for the first act, she couldn't stop fretting over what she thought would be her impending doom.

“I'm gonna fail at this so bad!” she mumbled nervously. “Why did I even bother to agree to this musical act?!”

“Suck it up, Sweetie-Belle!” scolded Scootaloo. “You've sung in front of audiences before – why should this be any different?!”

“Because it's bigger!” protested Sweetie-Belle. “Just look at it – there's hundreds of them out there! Thousands, even!”

Apple Bloom rolled her eyes. “Mo' la'k...two-hundred an' seventy,” she corrected. “Take mah advice; imagine they're all Lavender Rhapsody clones or...or somethin'.”

“Yeah, speaking of whom, she's on the judging panel herself tonight,” added Scootaloo pointedly.

Sweetie-Belle's eyes widened with shock. “She...Lavender Rhapsody? Here?! Tonight?!”

“Darn tootin'! Ya wouldn't wanna let her down now, would ya?”

The white-furred filly gulped and looked away. It was bad enough that she was being forced to sing in front of a huge crowd, but now she was at risk of making a fool of herself in front of her idol?!

But Lavender Rhapsody wasn't the only visitor on the panel. Ironically, given his own anxieties, Locomotion was excited when he found out who the other one was.

“Why, if it isn't Technicolour Tarquin himself!” he remarked, trotting up to the panel with a starstruck look in his eyes.

Tarquin chuckled heartily as he gazed upon the red-furred railway enthusiast. “Ah, Loco! Wonderful to see you again, my dear boy!” he announced jovially. “Been keeping well, I trust?”

“You bet, Tarquin! Been spending most of the last few months on long-distance express firing turns, and just three weeks ago, Max went ahead and promoted me to Passed Firepony, so now I'm taking driving turns on the yard pilot,” replied Locomotion eagerly. “How about you and Lavender? Everything been cool with you?”

“Well...yes and no,” admitted Tarquin with a wry smile. “We did give the whole 'being an item' thing a whirl after we finished on 'Battle of the Griffins', but neither of us really felt that much of a connection with each other, so we decided to just go back to being friends and associates.

“Oh...fair enough," murmured Locomotion, mildly disappointed. “Anyway, I'd better get my skates on – show's gonna start in less than a minute.”

“Very well, Loco, my boy; I'll see you again when it's all over. Break a leg.”

“Thanks, Tarquin.” Locomotion gave a polite nod and made his way backstage, where he found Lickety-Split still waiting impatiently for the curtain call. “Hey, calm down, Lickety. It's not as if we're performing 'Hinny of the Hills', you know.”

“Yeah, I know that!” grunted Lickety-Split, staring out towards the curtain for the umpteenth time. “I'm just...how do I know Sweetie-Belle isn't getting cold hooves? What if she sneaks out and runs for the hills the moment the first act gets going?!”

“She's not goin' anywhere, Lickety,” Pipsqueak assured him. “Loco and Alula have made sure all the other performers know about 'er act, an' Scoot an' Apple Bloom are keepin' an eye on 'er. Even if she does try to make a run for it, she won't get far.”

“I hope not,” muttered Lickety-Split anxiously. “I mean, I get that Sweetie-Belle doesn't feel ready for all this, but trying to outrun her own destiny? That's...I probably needn't reiterate that that's taking things way too far!”

Locomotion patted his shoulder soothingly. He was still a little worried himself, but he didn't have the heart to say so in front of Lickety-Split. “Chin up, mate,” he comforted. “The way we've planned things, that'll be the last thing on her mind by the time her act comes up.”

Lickety-Split nodded hopefully in response as the opening music began to play. On the other side of the stage, Sweetie-Belle sat and listened unhappily as Cheerilee stepped up and made a brief introductory speech before introducing the first act. Not long now before her darkest hour, she thought...

Chapter 5: The Talent Show

The curtain drew swiftly open to reveal Button Mash, Shady Daze and First Base ready to begin their song recital. As soon as the applause died down, Shady Daze nodded to Button Mash, who began strumming on the guitar as the sky-blue Earth colt began to sing;

“Baby, although I chose this way of life,
It seems it's strangling me now;
And all those ponies out there, staring into my soul,
I feel like they're laughing at me now! HAHAHAHA!

Oh, I've been used, and so dreadfully abused!
I've been a fool – a complete and utter tool!
And I broke all the rules – I broke all the rules...
But I must let the show go on!”

Sweetie-Belle shot the three teens an odd glance. “Wait just a minute,” she muttered to herself. “That's not how the song goes.”

But nopony else seemed to be all that bothered. In fact, Locomotion was looking rather pleased with himself as the performance continued.

“Baby, when there's an enormous herd of ponies,
And when I hear them scream and shout,
I often wish they'd smash the walls of the Ponyville theatre
And let me out! LET ME OUT!

'Cause I've been blind, and so far outta my mind!
Wasted my time, struggling up an impossible climb!
I'm walking on a wire, high wire, yeah...
But I must let the show go on!”

A brief scat verse followed before the third chorus.

“Oh, I've been blind, and so far outta my mind!
Wasted my time, struggling up an impossible climb!
I'm walking on a wire, high wire, yeah...
But I must let the show go on!

Baby, I wish you'd help me escape,
And help me get away;
Leave me at some country place - far away
From this masquerade!

But though I've been used, and so dreadfully abused,
Though I've been a fool, a complete and utter tool,
Though I broke all the rules, been abused and misused,
I just can't stop the show!
So I tell you, I won't wreck the show!
No – I must let the show go on!”

A further ripple of applause followed as the song drew to its climax, to which the three colts bowed graciously until the curtain fell in readiness for the next act. Their recital over, they gathered First Base's drum kit and made their way backstage, Locomotion giving Shady Daze a jovial high-hoof of congratulation as he went by.

Lickety-Split peered surreptitiously across the stage. “So far, so good,” he murmured. “First act over and done with, and it seems Sweetie-Belle's already starting to lower her guard.”

“Is she?” Locomotion poked his head round the doorway, and sure enough, Sweetie-Belle seemed slightly less apprehensive and more bemused. “Ah, good. Seems Operation Pop-Star is gonna succeed yet.”

“And if it doesn't...?”

“Ah, you worry too much, Lickety!” scoffed Pipsqueak. “Everything's been planned down to the finest details – we'll be fine!”

But Lickety-Split still had his doubts. He watched anxiously as Scootaloo and Rumble wowed the crowd with their own display of scooter stunts and acrobatics, quietly hoping that his friends hadn't spoken too soon. Even when the two Pegasi came into land in centre-stage, he remained on tenterhooks in case anything should go wrong, whereas Locomotion and Pipsqueak were still smirking optimistically.

“Thank you, Scootaloo and Rumble. And now, fillies and gentlecolts, please welcome Truffle Shuffle, Tenpin Strike, Diamond Tiara, Snips and Snails with their rendition of 'A Gypsy's Violin'!”

Pipsqueak and Locomotion's expressions suddenly went from smug to horrified.

“WHAT?!” exclaimed Pipsqueak in alarm. “But...that's...oh, great, what are we gonna do now?!”

“Why, what's the problem?” asked Lickety-Split, concerned.

“What the hay do you think?!” blustered Locomotion frantically. “We can't have Sweetie-Belle listen to THAT!! Heck, it's probably gonna put her off singing altogether if we're unlucky! We've gotta do something – distract her, stall the act...anything!!”

Lickety-Split dithered, trying to work out how to avert their impending disaster, but the five ponies were already gathered on the set before he could. All he and Locomotion and Pipsqueak could do was watch despairingly as they began; but as Strike, dressed up as a gypsy musician, began to sing the first verse of the song, their panic was brought to a sudden halt. Both Pipsqueak and Lickety-Split stared in confusion as the once sombre music became more upbeat for the chorus, while the edges of Locomotion's mouth slowly began to curve upwards.

As per the song, Diamond Tiara finished the chorus off with a rude remark about Strike's violin music, earning herself a sharp rebuttal from the stone-coloured colt. At this point, Locomotion could no longer hold himself back – overcome with relief and amusement, he collapsed onto the floor in a fit of hysteria.

“What the hay?!” Lickety-Split pulled back, startled, and was even more bewildered to see the red-furred railway enthusiast rolling around with raucous laughter.

“Oh, boy,” sighed Pipsqueak. “He's cracked. He's living up to his name.” He cantered over to the older unicorn and began shaking him in a bid to grab his attention. “Loco? Hello?!! GET A GRIP!!!”

Without warning, Locomotion stopped laughing and grabbed Pipsqueak by his withers, yanking him downwards so that the mottled Earth pony's snout was pressing firmly against his own. The younger colt winced uncomfortably at the sudden close contact and the intimidating broad grin on the red-furred unicorn's face. “Uh...good grip?”

“You don't see it, do you?” said Locomotion in a half-crazed tone. “This song is just a parody – a mockery of the original designed to make ponies laugh!” He let go of Pipsqueak at this point and raised his arms above his head, yelling out as loudly as he dared without disturbing the show – which, admittedly, wasn't very loud at all. “WE HAVE NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT!!!”

Pipsqueak cringed, visibly flustered. “Well, you didn't need to go all barmy about it, you great red toot!!” he hissed.

But Locomotion took no notice. He was busting a gut trying to fight off a second explosion of laughter, particularly at Strike's erratic and thoroughly hopeless attempt at playing the violin. Pipsqueak and Lickety-Split only rolled their eyes dramatically as they listened to what was left of the song.

Apart from a minor complaint from Diamond Tiara about being typecast in the “Gypsy's Violin” act, the rest of the talent show seemed to go smoothly after that. Tootsie Flute put in a good performance with her recital of the Quilland Ink poem “Daffodils”, and Alula's stand-up comedy round had the whole audience in stitches. Even Silver Spoon managed to astonish everypony with a display of ballet dancing.

All the while, Sweetie-Belle looked on with growing regret. All those other ponies were putting so much effort into their talent show acts, and yet here she was shying away from the one thing she was better at than all the rest of them. She really had been childish, there was no way she could deny that anymore – in fact, she was beginning to realise that Lickety-Split might not have been at fault after all. So perhaps he had been taking their relationship a bit too slowly for her liking, but he had been acting in her best interests just like Apple Bloom and Scootaloo were doing now.

The white-furred filly looked down at her hooves, fighting back tears as Lickety-Split solemnly came on stage and began reciting a poem of his own. She felt a right fool for having been so harsh on him and Locomotion, and sorely wished there was a way she could mend all the damage she had dealt. Unknown to her, Lickety-Split himself happened to be looking back at her out of the corner of his eye, and even though he seemed to be doing a good job of hiding it from the audience, he sensed the pain and distress in his love's eyes and felt it as if it were his own.

The brown colt heaved a mental sigh. Stuff his alleged shyness, he told himself crossly – Sweetie-Belle needed moral support, and it was high time he gave it to her. As soon as he had finished, he took a quick bow and trotted over to her side of the stage, ignoring the round of applause as Cheerilee stepped up to announce the next act. Apple Bloom trotted past, toting an unassembled dining room chair on her back; but Lickety-Split didn't take any notice of her either. He sidled quietly up to his former fillyfriend and rested a gentle hoof on her shoulder, eliciting a small sniffle from the troubled unicorn.

“You're really having trouble coping with this, aren't you?” he whispered sympathetically.

Sweetie-Belle didn't answer. She just hung her head and tried to wipe her eyes dry.

“I can see this might have been a bit harsh,” Lickety-Split went on softly, “and you've probably every right to be mad at us – me especially – but please, hear me out. None of us are trying to make you feel obliged to do this. We're doing this because we all care for you, and we don't want you to feel alone or depressed because you don't have the strength to live your dream.” Realising that he might have sounded a bit presumptuous just then, he hastily corrected himself; “Assuming that it really is your dream, of course. But really, Sweetie-Belle, I don't want to lose my friendship with you over a simple song. You mean more to me than anything in this whole world, and I don't know what I'd do without you.”

There was a long pause between the two teenagers as Lickety-Split allowed Sweetie-Belle to take in the information. All that could be heard was the sound of ratcheting and the tune of “Flight of the Bumblebee” as Apple Bloom worked fervently to assemble the chair before the music ended – hardly an appropriate backdrop, but neither of them cared they were so lost in their emotions. It wasn't until about halfway through the act that Lickety-Split, thinking that he might not have driven his point across, solemnly turned to head back to the other side of the stage – but that was when Sweetie-Belle finally caved in. Before the brown colt could lift a hoof, she grabbed him by the arm and clung onto him for dear life, trembling and sobbing quietly as she buried her face in his chest fur.

“I'm sorry, Lickety-Split,” she faltered. “I really am. I pushed you all away, and...how did I let myself be so...I'm so sorry.”

Wordlessly, and with his eyes moist with his tears of his own, her beau wrapped one arms around the white-furred unicorn and gently caressed her mane with his free hoof. “Hey, it's okay,” he soothed. “You had every right to be mad at me, even if I was trying to help. I mean, let's face it, I've not exactly been a good coltfriend myself.” His embrace slackened, and he looked down at the floor with shame. “I was just as stupid for thinking you knew how I felt all along. You deserve a lot better than me.”

This coming from Lickety-Split, the one pony who had meant more to her even than her own parents, made Sweetie-Belle's heart bleed. She pulled back a little, her eyes still tear-stained; but before she could protest, they were interrupted by loud cheering from the audience. Moments later, Apple Bloom came prancing backstage with a joyous look on her face – and judging by the prominent change in her appearance, there was no need for anyone to question why.

“Look at this! Look at this!” she whooped, quickly forgetting about Sweetie-Belle's conundrum as she showed off the newly acquired image of a hammer and apple on her flanks. “Ah finally got mah Cutie Mark! WOOHOO! BEST DAY EVER!!”

Lickety-Split groaned with frustration. “Alright, Apple Bloom, no need to rub it in Sweetie-Belle's face!” he muttered through clenched teeth. “Can't you see she's had it bad enough already?!”

But Apple Bloom was in such a state of ecstasy that she didn't even seem to notice how downtrodden Sweetie-Belle was. Only when Scootaloo marched up to her and delivered a sharp nudge against her ribs did she finally break out of her stupor.

“Can it, Apple Bloom!” she hissed. “We've still got Sweetie-Belle to worry about!”

“What?” Apple Bloom spun around to face their unicorn friend, at which point she suddenly remembered herself. “Ah, er...oops,” she murmured. “Guess Ah just got a li'l overexcited.”

“You think!” groused Scootaloo under her breath.

“No, it's okay, Apple Bloom,” sighed Sweetie-Belle. “I never had a chance at winning this talent show anyway.”

“Don't talk like that!” pleaded Lickety-Split. “You're a great singer, Sweetie-Belle – none of our acts could possibly compare with your pipes and prose, even if we tried hard enough!”

“You're just saying that.”

“No, really, Sweetie-Belle, I mean it,” the brown colt insisted, lowering his tone. “I know I keep going on about this, and I'm sure a lot of others have already said the same thing, but your singing voice is just so...angelic. I'm not saying you have to launch yourself straight into a musical career if you don't want to, but do you really wanna throw all that potential away?”

Sweetie-Belle gazed towards the stage for the umpteenth time, silently mulling over Lickety-Split's words as the music began to swell for what was to be the penultimate act of the show. Locomotion stood in front of the microphone, dressed in full engine driver's outfit, with Dinky casting a holographic image of an elderly engine sitting in Ponyville Central Station, ready to set off. The red-furred railway enthusiast looked a little nervous, but even he was doing his best not to let it get to him as he began reciting the fateful tale;

“They gave him his orders at Ponyville Central,
Saying, 'Streak, you're way behind time;
You're on the Hoofington Post with the 'City of Manehattan',
So make sure she reaches Hoofington on time.'

So he turned around and said to his greasy firepony,
'Shovel on a little more coal;
And when we cross those Buckskin Mountains,
Watch the 'City of Manehattan' roll.'”

Halfway through that first verse, the white-furred filly sighed again and solemnly looked at her hooves. “I'm never gonna get out of this, am I?” she murmured to herself.

“So you're gonna go out there and sing after all, huh?” asked Scootaloo, a hint of triumph in her voice.

“Yeah – and hope that I don't end up regretting it afterwards.”

“Who says you're gonna regret it?” objected Lickety-Split. “Your voice is enough to knock any stallion dead; you've way more chance of stealing the show than Apple Bloom could ever hope for.” He paused, rubbing a hoof against the back of his head as he bashfully looked away. “Matter of fact, it's...part of the reason I've fallen in love with you in the first place.”

Sweetie-Belle's heart skipped a beat, and the only response she could manage at first was to stare back at him, mouth agape with shock and disbelief. Was this really happening? Had Lickety-Split really just expressed his feelings toward her for the first time in their lives? Or was he just saying that to make her feel better about herself? And more to the point...why? Why was he making out like he still cared for her even after she had been so hard on him?

“It's a difficult run from Winsome Peak to Delamare
With a ruling grade of 1 in 98...”

“S-s-say that again?”

“It was on that grade that he lost his brakes
And saw the terrible mistake he'd made.”

Lickety-Split nodded in reply. “Yeah...you heard me right,” he affirmed quietly. “I said that your singing voice was part of what I love about you – and I really do mean it. Ever since you first came into my life, I've always had you in the back of my mind, and I'm really, really sorry for not owning up to it in the first place.”

“He went racing down the hill topping 90 miles an hour
As his whistle broke into a scream.
He was found in the wreckage with his hoof on the throttle,
Scalded to death by the steam.”

Almost at once, Sweetie-Belle's paranoid reluctance seemed to crumble away altogether as her heart flooded with emotion and her eyes with tears. “Oh, Lickety-Split,” she whispered, wrapping her arms around him once again. “You do care!”

Lickety-Split smiled softly and held her close, silently thanking Celestia for bringing him and Sweetie-Belle back together. Out on the stage, Locomotion stole a brief glance upon the two young lovers out of the corner of his eye, and gave a warm smile of his own as he watched them embrace. All they needed now was for the white-furred filly to sing her song, and their mission would be accomplished.

“So they telegraphed a message to Canterlot Headquarters,
And this is how it read:
'That unfortunate driver of the 'City of Manehattan',
He's lying down in Delamare – dead.'

So, fillies and gentlecolts, you'd better take warning
From this time on, and learn;
Never speak harsh words to your one true love,
Or they may leave you and never return!”

The audience stomped their hooves in applause for the umpteenth time that evening as the song drew to its climax, and Tarquin gave his one-time leading colt a warm smile of admiration. The two unicorns bowed modestly before making their way off the stage, secretly exchanging winks while Cheerilee stepped out to announce the final act.

“Thank you, Dinky and Locomotion, for your outstanding musical act. And now, fillies and gentlecolts, please give a warm welcome for our final contestant, Sweetie-Belle.”

Backstage, the white-furred filly felt her heart pounding with fear again as the crowd applauded again; but such was her untold joy from Lickety-Split's apology and confession that this time she barely paid it any heed. Taking a deep breath to steel herself for the inevitable, she gently broke free from her coltfriend's embrace and stood up. “Well,” she murmured, “here goes.”

“You'll wow the crowd for sure, Sweetie-Belle,” encouraged Lickety-Split. “I know you will.”

Sweetie-Belle smiled back affectionately as she turned to head on stage. “Thanks, Lickety-Split. I really do appreciate your support – and that of my friends.” She paused for a moment, almost as if contemplating something, before turning back to the brown Earth colt with a fond yet plaintive look in her eyes. “Could you please say it out loud? Just so I know you mean it?”

With a light chuckle, Lickety-Split stepped forward and gave her an equally fond nuzzle in response. “I love you, Sweetie-Belle,” he whispered into her ear. “I love you more than life itself.”

That was all Sweetie-Belle wanted to know. Pausing only to plant a soft kiss on his cheek, she turned and trotted boldly up to the microphone, ready to begin the song she had been working so hard to perfect – even if under supervision from Scootaloo and Apple Bloom. Behind the curtain, the fillies in question sat and watched with anticipation, whilst Lickety-Split silently wished her the best of luck;

“Break a leg, Sweetie-Belle. We're all rooting for you back here.”

Chapter 6: Sweetie-Belle's Sonata

As Sweetie-Belle readied herself for what could well be the moment of truth, she allowed herself a final quick glance in Lickety-Split's direction before turning back to the expectant crowd. She could feel her stage nerves starting to eat away at her again, threatening to break her will and send her running for the furthest reaches of Equestria; but this time, she didn't take the slightest bit of notice. This was her chance to shine, and there was no way in Tartarus that she would throw it away, she thought resolutely as Dinky levitated a gramophone out and began playing the music to accompany her lyrics. Fighting back what remained of her fears, the white-furred filly took a deep breath and nervously began;

“The first time I have sung
For an eager cheering crowd,
It feels just like the lull
Before the stormy thundercloud.
I'm nervous and I'm scared,
But I don't want you to see;
To let you down is way too much for me...”

Locomotion, Dinky and Pipsqueak listened with intrigue from the other side of the stage, visibly awestruck by how much emotion Sweetie-Belle was putting into the song. That she was using her vocal talents as a means of venting her feelings made perfect sense, but somehow, none of them had expected her to be anywhere near as brave as she seemed right now.

“I should be prepared,
But my work just isn't showing;
But then you look with me
With your faces that are glowing.
No grumpy frowns in sight,
Not a cloud in the skies;
And that is when I start to realise...

You lift my spirits
And dispel my fears,
You soothe my feelings
And you dry my tears,
You never leave me hanging
Even when we're far apart;
You bring out the music in my heart.”

Secretly, Scootaloo and Apple Bloom were a little taken aback themselves by Sweetie-Belle's choice of lyrics. The ones with which she had presented them prior to the talent show were of a reasonable standard, but somewhat mediocre compared to the lively serenade they were hearing at that very moment. It was almost as if those lyrics had completely vanished from her memory, and the words were coming straight from her heart instead of her mouth.

Lickety-Split, on the other hoof, was so touched that he couldn't care less about the original composition even if he knew about it. All he cared about was that Sweetie-Belle was finally embracing her talent and rekindling her love for him. He could see it in her eyes, hear it in her voice, feel it in the deepest recesses of his heart and soul as she sang the next verse;

“I've been such a fool
Thinking I could never sing,
But now that I'm on stage,
I can let my voice ring.
How silly I have been
To let my coltfriend go,
So, Lickety, I want you now to know...

You lift my spirits
And dispel my fears,
You soothe my feelings
And you dry my tears,
You never leave me hanging
Even when we're far apart;
You bring out the music in my heart.”

Sweetie-Belle paused at this point to allow an instrumental break before her final chorus. Gazing out upon her audience once again, she noticed that virtually everyone in the auditorium was gazing back at her with eyes wide and mouths hung open. Even Tarquin and Lavender Rhapsody were visibly impressed with her improvisation.

In that very instant, Sweetie-Belle came to a firm, brave decision – that Cutie Mark of hers had stayed hidden way too long, and now was as good a time as any to reveal it. Thus, without any further hesitation, she unzipped the lilac silk dress she was wearing and flung it clean off her barrel, prompting a collective gasp of amazement from the admiring crowd as she sang the final few lines;

“You've helped me find my hooves,
And you've shown me the way.
You're everything to me;
Oh, what more can I say?
You've always supported me
Right from the start;
You bring out the music in my heart.

You never leave me hanging
Even when we're far apart;
You bring out the music in my heart.”

There was a brief pause after the music finished, and for a fleeting moment, Sweetie-Belle found herself growing nervous again. What if Scootaloo, Lickety-Split and Apple Bloom had been wrong about her song, she wondered? What if her audience didn't think as much of it as they made out? She had put way too much effort into that that song to simply fall at the last hurdle...

But her anxiety was promptly swept aside as the crowd suddenly burst into raucous applause, nearly raising the roof. Even Tarquin and Lavender Rhapsody were practically crowing out for an encore, and in one of the middle seating rows, she could just make out her mother wiping a proud, joyous tear from her eye. Sweetie-Belle herself could only gape in amazement at all the praise and admiration she was receiving, even as the other performers lined up either side of her for the award ceremony.

Indeed, such was her awe that the ceremony went by like a blur for the white-furred filly. Dinky and Locomotion were both awarded for the Best Magical Act despite theirs being a dramatic one, while the award for the best of the latter kind went to Apple Bloom for managing to assemble her chair in the time it took her tune of choice to play. Naturally, Diamond Tiara was still offended at having to play the mean-spirited stuck-up in “A Gypsy's Violin,” so it came as a relief to her when the Comedy Award went to Alula instead; whereas Scootaloo and Rumble were delighted to win Best Stunt Act.

“And the final award goes to...”

Quickly realising that she hadn't won anything yet, Sweetie-Belle snapped out of her stupor and listened anxiously for the result. Deep down, she was beginning to feel an inexplicable twinge of despair – surely she couldn't have done well enough for an award, could she? No, that final award was bound to go to somepony else – Shady Daze, Button Mash and First Base, perhaps? Or maybe Silver Spoon? Or could it be...

“...Sweetie Belle – for Best Musical Act!”

Sweetie-Belle was so overwhelmed with joy and disbelief that she almost fainted. This was the first time she had ever gone on-stage and sung her very own song – surely it couldn't have been that good? But from the moment Cheerilee hung the medal around her neck, the white-furred filly could no longer care less about how good it was; instead, she let out an ecstatic squeal as the audience stomped and cheered for the umpteenth time that evening. Even when she and the rest of the performers headed backstage for the final time that evening, the joyous grin never left her face.

“Can you believe it?!” she squeaked happily. “They loved it! They actually loved my song!”

Apple Bloom laughed heartily. “Never doubted it fo' one minute,” she asserted. “We all knew ya had it in ya – just a matter of time before it came out was all.”

“Yeah, I've heard some songs in my time,” agreed Tootsie Flute, “but that was...brilliant!”

“I'll say,” chimed in Lickety-Split with a fond smile. “I knew you'd bowl them over with your improvisation, Sweetie-Belle – I just knew you would.”

Sweetie-Belle blushed with pride, but also with a far deeper affection than she had ever felt before. “I couldn't have done it without you, Lickety-Split,” she whispered, drawing ever closer to him. “You really did bring out the music in my heart. I don't know where I'd be without you.”

The brown colt's smile widened. Knowing all too well what she was about to do, he plucked up his courage and closed the gap between them, his heart leaping for joy as their lips met. Locomotion looked on with a warm smile of his own, silently praising Lickety-Split for having mended his relationship with Sweetie-Belle, and congratulating himself, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, the two young lovers and the rest of the performers on a job well done.

“Well, Loco,” said a voice from somewhere behind him, “mission accomplished, huh?”

“So it seems, Diamond,” mused Locomotion. “But boy, was it an uphill struggle!”

Diamond Tiara chuckled. “Yeah, I guess it was. Still, at least we've managed to help Sweetie-Belle out of her shell at last.”

“Even if you did have to slip back into your old ways in order to set the ball rolling!” put in Locomotion cheekily. “But seriously, Diamond, I think I can safely say you've kinda earned my trust for all that.”

“Thanks, Loco. No hard feelings?”

Locomotion smiled appreciatively. “No hard feelings,” he affirmed, reaching out and shaking hooves with the pink-furred filly.

Later that evening, Cheerilee, Tarquin, Lavender Rhapsody and the talent show performers were all gathered at Sugarcube Corner for the after-party. As expected, Sweetie-Belle seemed to have become the centre of attention thanks to her newly gained Cutie Mark and the runaway success of her song, with several other ponies eagerly congratulating her and commenting how smart her Cutie Mark looked. Even Pinkie Pie, who was hosting the party, was most excited to learn that she and Apple Bloom were no longer blank-flanks – so much so, in fact, that she instantly darted off to begin planning a double cute-ceañera the moment Rarity had told her about it.

The white-furred filly herself was deeply humbled by her friends' support and praise, but at the same time felt a little self-conscious for how she had been behaving over the past fortnight. Looking back, it was almost impossible to believe that she had been so skittish over her own Cutie Mark as to try and hide it, especially after Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, Locomotion, Diamond Tiara and Lickety-Split had gone out of their way to help her embrace her own destiny. If anything, she could no longer think of anything she would rather do with her life, as long as she could take her potential music career a few small steps at a time.

She gazed over at the other side of the lobby, where Locomotion and Apple Bloom were eagerly catching up with Tarquin and Lavender Rhapsody on what they had been doing with their lives since “Battle of the Griffins”. At the very least, the white-furred unicorn decided, she owed the slightly older railway enthusiast an apology for what she had put him through. With that, she sidled quietly up to the group and cleared her throat to attract their attention.

“Why, hello, Sweetie-Belle,” remarked Lavender Rhapsody, visibly pleased. “Long time no see, eh?”

“Yeah, I guess it has been a long time.”

“I'd just been saying to Loco and Apple Bloom how wonderful that song was that you performed this evening,” the lavender-furred unicorn went on. “Must have taken a lot of effort to throw that together.”

Sweetie-Belle blushed modestly. “Oh...it wasn't anything really,” she observed, directing a grateful smile towards the yellow farm filly and the red-furred railway enthusiast. “It's what I do best, after all – and I couldn't have done it without the likes of you two.”

“What are friends for?” chuckled Apple Bloom heartily.

“And Loco,” added Sweetie-Belle meekly, “I'm really sorry I freaked you out like that. I guess I...just wasn't thinking clearly.”

Locomotion chortled and gave Sweetie-Belle a brotherly pat on the back. “Never mind, Sweetie-Belle,” he soothed. “It happens to the best of us. Even I've been through self-confidence issues, and I'm a high-ranking employee of Equestrian National Railways!"

“My sentiments precisely,” agreed Tarquin kindly. “But don't let it get you down, my dear filly; you've realised a great deal of potential in that angelic singing voice of yours, and that's all that counts.”

“Yeah, I suppose so,” conceded Sweetie-Belle. But then her face fell as another thought popped into her head; “I'm just sorry it means the end of the Cutie Mark Crusaders.”

Apple Bloom frowned in agreement. “Y'all an' me both,” she mused. “It sure was fun tryin' new things an' playin' about with new ideas to try an' gain our Cutie Marks. Ah mean, it's good that we've completed the journey at last, but...it just feels la'k the end of an era.”

“Well...it doesn't have to be,” ventured Locomotion. “I mean, okay, you're no longer the Cutie Mark Crusaders like you...well, used to be; but that doesn't mean you can't be friends anymore. Heck, the way you two and Scootaloo have been getting on since you started the group about...what, eight or nine years ago?”

“Something like that.”

“Yeah, the way you three have been getting on, it'd just be...wrong for you to end it just because you've achieved your goal.”

Apple Bloom smiled faintly. “Well...Ah ain't sayin' it's gonna end. It's just...it won't be the same without a' the shenanigans we got up to as Crusaders. Ah mean, okay, maybe we were tryin' a bit too hard at times, but it...Ah really did feel a sense of pride fo' what we were tryin' ta do. We weren't just tryin' ta find our Cutie Marks – we were tryin' ta help others with theirs.”

Tarquin smiled appreciatively. “Yes, my dear Apple Bloom, you most certainly were, and that's definitely something to be proud of. I've seen far too many blank-flank fillies and colts who suffer self-esteem issues because they lack their Cutie Marks – even become targeted for it, as I'm sure you three can understand. It's groups like yours that give them a sense of hope and ambition, a feeling that they actually mean something to this vast, fickle old world – which is why Lavender and I have been taking steps to ensure that your legacy continues for all time.”

The two fillies perked up. “How so?” asked Apple Bloom.

“By turning your Cutie Mark Crusaders movement into an organised nationwide charity,” explained Tarquin. “I've already been holding talks with Princess Twilight, and she's agreed to preside over the organisation and grant it more than enough money to set up branches in all the major population centres in Equestria – and she's also requested that the three of you continue to offer your services to the cause.”
Sweetie-Belle and Apple Bloom exchanged delighted glances. “Really?!” they exclaimed in unison.

“Well, it's only fair, seeing as you started the whole thing off in the first place,” observed Lavender Rhapsody sagely.

“And you were the most dedicated members of the group,” added Locomotion.

Apple Bloom beamed with pride and joy. “Ah'd consider it a real honour, Tarquin,” she replied.

“Excellent! Oh, and while we're on the subject, Apple Bloom, I'd just like to offer my congratulations on gaining your own. You're truly an example to us all.”

“Thanks, Tarquin. Boy, Ah can't wait ta tell Babs about this!” and Apple Bloom pranced eagerly over to the buffet table, still in raptures over her new Cutie Mark and Tarquin's proposition.

“Hey, Sweetie-Belle.” Lickety-Split came trotting up to their table with a glass of punch. “What were you and Apple Bloom talking about just now?”

Sweetie-Belle smiled knowingly. “You know how we said in that Cutie Mark Crusaders theme song of ours that 'we would never stop the journey'?”

“Uh...yeah, 'not until you had your Cutie Marks'. What about it?”

“Well, it seems that the journey's going to go on a lot longer than we ever thought it would,” explained Sweetie-Belle. “Tarquin and Lavender said they'd been making our group into a nationwide movement.”

“Wow!” remarked Lickety-Split. “So...you get to carry on what you set out to do when you and Scoot first befriended Apple Bloom, huh?”

“Yeah – and then some. Seems we'll be getting branches in all the big cities and towns in Equestria.”

With a broad smile, Lickety-Split leaned in and hugged his beloved white unicorn tightly. “Aw, Sweetie-Belle, that's great news!”

“I'll say,” sighed Sweetie-Belle, fondly wrapping her arms around the brown colt. “I genuinely thought it would be the end for our group, but I'm really glad we get to keep it up for the sake of other blank-flanks.”

“Yeah, just as long as all those gigs and whatnot don't keep you busy,” mused Locomotion.

Sweetie-Belle laughed and rolled her eyes. “You had to bring that up, didn't you?!” she teased, giving him a playful punch on the shoulder. “But no, even if I do grow as famous as Lavender or Sapphire Shores or whoever, I'll still try and make time for the CMC.”

“Well, that's very noble of you,” said Lickety-Split approvingly. He then turned his attention back to Locomotion; “By the way, Loco, there's still one little loose end that I wanna tie up.”

“Oh yeah? What?”

“Well...most of us have already gained ourselves a fillyfriend or a coltfriend already,” explained Lickety-Split. “Me and Sweetie-Belle have each other, Scootaloo has Rumble, Apple Bloom's been dating Featherweight for about...three years now – then there's Dinky and Pipsqueak, Shady and First Base, Chip Mint and Cotton Cloudy...even Diamond Tiara has managed to find love. And yet you haven't, even though you're the biggest romantic in our age group.”

“Uh...yeah? Cut to the chase?”

“Well...don't you feel a bit...left out?”

Locomotion shrugged. “Not really, Lickety. Okay, maybe it would be nice to have somepony to love me in the same way as you love each other, but...it's sort of...”

“Yeah?”

“...I guess I'm just...either not ready for it yet, or I just can't seem to find the right filly,” explained Locomotion. “Still,” he murmured, gazing wistfully out of the window, “no point in getting all wound up about it, I suppose – I'm sure that filly will come along someday...”

Author's Note

And thus ends what I personally believe to be my very worst MLP fanfic to date. It could have been a lot better than this, but Crusaders of the Lost Mark just shattered my motivation with this story, so I can only apologise to you all if it didn't live up to your expectations. Hopefully I'll do a lot better in the next ones, but we'll just have to wait and see.

The score for "The Music In My Heart" can be found here.

Chapter 1: Cutie Mark Conundrum!

It was mid-June in the kingdom of Equestria, and yet another school year was slowly drawing to a close. In the peaceful, tranquil town of Ponyville, most of the students at the local school had already finished their exams, and many were already making plans for the summer holidays.

Lickety-Split was still dozing peacefully as the early morning sun cast its rays upon the rural mountain community, gently seeping through the windows in an attempt to lift him from his slumber. His parents had been visiting friends over the weekend, and since he had had little else to do, he and his fillyfriend Sweetie-Belle had organised a sleepover at her house. The two of them had spent an enjoyable two days hanging out together, mostly talking about school and exams and how glad they would be to see the end of it all; but the highlight, as far as the brown Earth colt was concerned, was when he and Sweetie-Belle had held an impromptu karaoke contest the previous evening. By far and away, the white-furred unicorn filly had the sweetest, most beautiful set of pipes he had ever heard, and it was always a joy to hear her putting them to use...

But those thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a horrified scream from the next room. Lickety-Split sat up, startled, but barely even had time to think what was going on before a white ball of fur charged through the door, tackled him onto his back and began sobbing into his chest, clinging tightly onto his barrel.

“Oof...Sweetie-Belle?!” he exclaimed, confused. “What's wrong?”

The white-furred unicorn slowly lifted her head to meet his gaze, her face awash with panic. “Oh, Lickety-Split,” she wailed, “I've just had the most awful shock! Oh, what am I gonna do?”

“Uh...do about what?” inquired Lickety-Split. “Has this place been burgled or something?”

“No!” squeaked Sweetie-Belle in a frantic tone. “I don't know how I didn't notice it last night, but when I woke up, I...well...this is what I found!!”

Lickety-Split raised an eyebrow as his fillyfriend stood up and swung herself round so that he could see her right flank. It came as even more of a confusion when he saw what she was trying to show him – “A...Cutie Mark? What's so bad about that?” he objected, curiously scrutinising the pink bell surrounded by musical notes. “I thought that's what you were trying to get all this time.”

“Lickety, this is a musical Cutie Mark! It means I've gotta go out and perform in front of great big audiences!”

“So?”

“Well, I can't!” protested Sweetie-Belle pathetically. “You know I get stage nerves when I'm asked to sing in front of entire crowds!”

“Um...I don't see that that should necessarily be a problem,” replied Lickety-Split reasonably. “You've sung to me and some of our other friends without hesitation in the past – and besides, why would anypony fault a singing voice like yours? I've only known Fluttershy to rival your pipes...”

“Apart from that one time when I sang '99 Buckets of Oats on the Wall' during that Winsome Falls camping trip,” interrupted Sweetie-Belle. “I don't think it could have been any worse if it had been sung by a pirate!”

Lickety-Split stifled a chuckle. “Sweetie-Belle, from what you and your parents told me, the only reason you sounded so off-key was because you were coming down with a cold back then and didn't realise it until about halfway back,” he retorted. “Other than that, you've been a brilliant singer.”

“Well...in front of smaller audiences, yes, I've been fine – but taking it up as a career?! That's way too much too soon! I mean, suppose I mess it all up...”

“What, you mess up a song you've written and are gonna perform?” Lickety-Split shook his head in dismay. “Sweetie, we've always known this would be your special talent – me and the Crusaders, Twilight Sparkle, your sister – even Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon think highly of your vocals. Now you've got the Cutie Mark to prove it, you can do a lot worse than embrace it.”

Sweetie-Belle paused, looking down at her front hooves. Deep down, she knew Lickety-Split was right, but that still didn't make her feel any less frightened about the prospect of a future music career. “Well...maybe when I'm ready,” she stated at last, “but until then, nopony is gonna find out about this.”

“They're gonna have to sooner or later,” advised Lickety-Split.

“No they're not – because until I do decide to start performing live, on stage, with unfamiliar eyes watching me from every angle, that thing will never be seen by anypony.”

The brown Earth pony's face took on an expression of surprised consternation. “What? But Sweetie-Belle...”

“Lickety,” Sweetie-Belle cut in, resting her front hooves on his shoulders, “you've got to keep this a secret! Nopony outside of this room must know about my Cutie Mark, or I'm gonna be in way over my head, so please, promise me you won't breathe a word to anypony!”

Lickety-Split hesitated. “Um...are you sure about that, Sweetie-Belle? You won't be able to hide it forever.”

“Do you promise?!”

At last, Lickety-Split let out a heavy sigh of resignation. “Yeah, I suppose so – but only if you promise to tell Scootaloo and Apple Bloom at the very least.”

Sweetie-Belle nodded in reply; “But not until I feel ready for it, okay?”

“That's fine by me,” said Lickety-Split, satisfied. “Now what say we go get some breakfast? I'm famished.”

“Be with you as soon as I can.” But secretly, Sweetie-Belle had no intention of keeping her promise to Lickety-Split. There was no way in Equestria that anypony would ever know about her Cutie Mark if she could help it, and not even her coltfriend could dissuade her. Running swiftly back to her own room, she began rifling through her wardrobe for something that might cover up her Cutie Mark, finally fixing upon a simple green dress with a low hemline. “Perfect!” she thought aloud, quickly slipping it on. “Nopony's gonna be any the wiser now.”

But she said it to herself...

At Ponyville School, the school yard was abuzz with eager chatter as the students began to convene for their morning classes. The end of term was the main topic of conversation, but many of them, including the Cutie Mark Crusaders, were excited about the talent show that always took place towards the end of the school year, in which the whole group was planning to enter. By now, most of them had already gained their Cutie Marks, and only Apple Bloom remained a blank-flank; but they still maintained the close comradeship that had always held the group together.

Locomotion, the red-furred railway enthusiast who was due to graduate that year, was equally upbeat about the talent show, not least because he had entered an act of his own. “It's probably not much compared with your own acts,” he was saying to Rumble, Pipsqueak and Scootaloo as they hung around outside the school entrance, “but at least it's something I'm passionate about – that's the really important thing.”

“So yeah, just to recap – you were planning on singing 'Wreck of the City of Manehattan', am I right?” reaffirmed Pipsqueak.

“Yeah, that's the one,” replied Locomotion. “Matter of fact, I was thinking of providing visuals for that act, but at the moment, I'm not sure how.”

“Uh...maybe get Rarity to teach you that neat trick she does with holograms? The one she uses when showing off new clothing?” suggested Rumble helpfully.

Locomotion shook his head ruefully. “I tried – magic wasn't potent enough, I don't think,” he admitted, before turning his attention back to Pipsqueak; “So I was wondering if perhaps Dinky might be able to help me with that one?”

The mottled Earth colt pondered. “Well...I don't think she's secured herself an act yet – maybe you ought to go and ask if she's interested.”

“Yeah, maybe. So, Scootaloo, what kind of act did you have in mind?”

“What else?” chortled Scootaloo proudly.

The red-furred teenager let out a chuckle of his own. It was obvious to him what the orange Pegasus was planning. “Well, just make sure you don't overdo it, Scoot, or you...”

“Good afternoon. My name is Twilight Sparkle.”

“Um...with all due respect, we know...” but as Locomotion turned round to face the pony who had just spoken to him, he noticed that their resident princess was nowhere to be seen. All he could see was Alula standing nearby with a cheeky smirk on her face. “That's funny,” he mused. “I could have sworn I'd heard Twilight just now. You seen her anywhere about, Alula?”

“Yeah, right here,” replied Alula – in Twilight's voice!

“WHA...?!?!?” Locomotion stumbled backwards and collapsed onto his rump, a comical expression of bewilderment stamped onto his face. Pipsqueak, similarly taken aback, could only goggle in amazement, and Scootaloo was so shocked that her jaw nearly fell out of its sockets.

“How the hay did you do that?!” spluttered Rumble.

Alula giggled. “As if you didn't know!” she teased playfully. “Remember what I once said about my genetics? How I almost have enough unicorn genes in me to make me an alicorn?”

“Uh...y – yeah?” stammered Locomotion, who was still getting over the shock.

“Well, according to Mom and my doctor, that means I've got a bit of unicorn magic in me even though I'm a Pegasus,” explained Alula. “I've been learning how to harness that magic for quite some time – and now,” she went on in another familiar voice, “is the time for me to make use of it.”

At last, Scootaloo found her voice. “Whoa!” she exclaimed. “That's just...wow! I don't think I've ever known anypony do Rainbow Dash's voice as well as you just did!”

“Yeah, Loco's good at voices, but with 'im, you can still tell it's just an impression!” added Pipsqueak.

“And you can't with me?” Alula seemed equally surprised now. “Gee, I must be getting really good at this. But yeah, what I'm basically doing is using my magic to play about with my vocal chords, so that I can match a pony's voice down to the finest details. Just listen to this!” and she spoke up again in a tone that Locomotion recognised all too well; “So, fillies and gentlecolts, here we are in Ponyville School. It's time for us to make some...wait for it......MOVIE MAGIC!!”

“Cor, blimey!!” remarked Locomotion, who by now was practically busting his guts trying not to laugh. “I never thought I'd hear that deep and manly a voice from a filly!”

“And that's not all I can do either,” Alula pointed out. “I can even do sound effects!” She then began moving her lips as if trying to say “Boing! NYYAAAOO – KABOOM!! CRASH!”, but what actually came out of her mouth sounded more like it was actually happening in real life! The four teenagers burst into helpless laughter, and even Alula herself couldn't help but chuckle quietly. “But yeah, that's what I'm aiming to do in the talent show,” she finished as soon as they managed to regain control of themselves. “I'm planning a...sort of stand-up type gig that's mainly made up of voice impressions.”

“Why am I not surprised?” chortled Locomotion, pulling himself together.

“Yeah, you'll probably ace it when it comes to Best Comedy Award,” agreed Scootaloo, trying to keep a straight face. “I'm surprised you didn't catch the...” but she suddenly broke off, the amused smirk quickly wearing off her face in favour of a more puzzled expression.

Locomotion raised an eyebrow. “Something up, Scoot?”

“Um...is it me, or is there something different about Sweetie-Belle?”

“Say what now?” Forgetting to be amused, Rumble looked in the same direction as Scootaloo, and was equally surprised by what he saw. “That's weird,” he commented. “I know Sweetie-Belle's got a keen sense of style, but I've never known her to wear a really smart dress to school.”

“Me neither,” added Locomotion, casting a thoughtful eye on the white-furred unicorn. “Yeah, that does indeed seem a bit out of character for her.”

“Perhaps she's just upset that she and Apple Bloom still don't have their Cutie Marks,” suggested Alula.

“What, Sweetie-Belle? Not likely,” retorted Pipsqueak. “She may 'ave been a Crusader herself, but she's never obsessed over 'er Cutie Mark like Apple Bloom does sometimes.”

“Exactly,” agreed Locomotion firmly. “So why the long skirt? Why the jittery look on her face?” His eyes narrowed, and he gazed suspiciously upon the teenaged white filly. “There's something very fishy going on here......”