Backstage the director, a unicorn pony named First Act, came up to me.

“Shane, we have added in one more act to fill in the time to the final act, here are the cards for it,” First Act said, holding out several notecards to me.

I looked down at the bright purple stallion with a warm blue mane and tail. “Thank you, First,” I said happily, keeping in the spirit of the night. I did not look at the cards; rather I turned as I asked, “Where will they come in?”

He glanced down at his clipboard. “After this next act.” I placed the cards in the right cubby hole after adjusting all the other card packs into the right order.

Turning to look at First, I asked, “Are things in place?”

He gave a big smile. “Miss Raven will be escorting her to the stage, right on time”

I gave a grin “And--” he cut me off with a shake of his head.

“Already in a stage room, poor little guy is a bundle of nerves. I left him in the care of Miss Scroll.”

I gave him a soft nod. “Thank you for taking care of that, First.”

He shook his head. “No, thank you, Shane; for giving us a chance to put this show on.”

Okay, once more I was absolutely shocked by the act I just watched. This time the song was upbeat; a dance song of epic proportions by all standards of measure.

There must have been thirty Canterlot elites on stage, with Fluttershy standing center. Seeing her not hide behind her mane, but smile warm and bright; surrounded by ponies shaking their tails and kicking their legs like cancan dancers doing ballet.

Every last one of them was dressed to the nines and Fluttershy herself was in a dress that screamed ‘Rarity Special’.

Down in the once clear dancing area perhaps fifty or more ponies had been dancing and getting into the groove of the song.

Watching them, I think the fact she had just sang proudly and freely in front of so many ponies started to hit her. She lightly started to cower back and I saw Fleur de Lis and Hoity Toity slide in and offer her a way to hide as she left the stage.

Walking out onto the stage, the cards in my right hand, I glanced at her and smiled and got a small one back. I was not about to ask her to come forward and talk or bow because I knew she was fighting her anxiety already. I think Fancy Pants saw it too; he was dressed in his tux and moved forward to stand next to me to stand as a distraction from the fleeing mares and stallion.

Leaning into the mic, I started my stage voice again. “The year was 1990, back on earth, and an already very famous singer named Madonna came out with this catchy tune, named Vogue”

Fancy gave a smile and leaned over to the mic. “Tonight we, the Knights, Dames, and Nobels of Canterlot, wished to show our support. Now, I kindly ask that all of you keep your applause to a respectful level, stand and clap for our singer, The Element of Kindness herself, Miss Fluttershy.”

She poked her head up a little, but stayed in that semi protected spot between two ponies she was behind. However, she then offered a genuine smile as the large audience stood and clapped and stomped once more. Up in the back of the audience a huge sign rolled down. On it, in bright pink letters, was written “Congratulations Fluttershy!”

It was most certainly Pinkie Pie’s doing, but it was well received. I looked over at the side stage and made a small motion for them to bring the curtain down. As it did, I turned and walked back to Fluttershy and kneeled down with Hoity and Fleur giving me some room. “That was so brave of you Flutters, I am proud of you,” I said, leaning in and sharing a hug with her.

“I couldn’t have done it without everypony’s help, and…”

She was cut off by a throat clearing and I glanced to my side, seeing the mismatched legs of a certain male. “Would you mind if I got Fluttershy out of here now?”

Many heads shook as Fluttershy moved to his side. He did glance at me and gave me a nod of his head. “Shane.”

I gave him a genuine nod back. “Discord.”

A snap of his talons and they were gone. The rest of the ponies started to shuffle off to the side stage. Fancy walked over next to me. “I never did get a chance to thank you for the coat. Both Fleur and I wear ours every meeting. It drives the rest of the Nobles quite crazy and tends to incense them a bit, rightly so.”

I chuckled. “Good,” then I clapped my friend on the withers lightly. However, I looked back at his eyes. “About, the gala…”

He cut me off and shook his head. “Nothing needs to be said, Old Chap; it has changed nothing in the opinion of those of us that call you our friend. “

Stupid ponies and their stupid sentimental heart filled words. I gave him a nod, once more silently thanking God for giving me a second chance.

Ponies were acting weird, almost sketchy, I would say. There was a lot of ‘Oh Shane, could you help me in Green Room one?’ and ‘Ranger, I think somepony was looking for you back near the catering tables,’ kind of stuff. Of course this had the officer in me suspicious, but they were ponies, not nefarious criminals.

So, I went along with their distraction and it always turned out to be a false alarm, or just a small issue that anyone could have dealt with. Then, one of the stage ponies trotted back and tapped me on the leg. “They need you on stage right now, Shane.”

I gave a nod and adjusted my hat. “Thank you,” I said and started heading to the stage. Once I was out on stage I saw there were a great deal of ponies waiting for me set in a few groups. Two groups up front I knew pretty well; having met them both on patrol through the south.

The Hooffields and McColts were grinning at me with gaping smiles and warm expressions.

Big Mac was with a few members of the Apple family I didn’t know too well. Both groups had a few instruments among them, all rustic instruments at that: washboards, old wash tubs set upside down, banjo’s, a couple empty jugs were mixed in, too.

Lyra was in charge of a string group, she was sitting behind a steel guitar while a number of others had violins and other such classical instruments. I glanced over to my left and saw First Act just shrug at me with a grin.

The curtain went up to a light, but heartfelt, applause as the old stallion stepped forward to the mic with the old mare at his side.

“B’fore we start this here shindig, Ma here and me want to ask that there hu-man fella to come on out here with his fancy gee-tar.”

Both ponies looked over at me and gestured with their hooves; so I picked my guitar up from the stand it rested in and walked out, pulling the sling over my head. The applause once more kicked in as ponies stomped and other creatures clapped once I was on stage.

Someone, likely a pony, had thought to set up a chair near center stage, so I sat down, still a bit confused.

Ma spoke up loudly, like she didn’t know what a microphone was, so her voice carried like a bullhorn. “Now, y’all enjoy this here music,” she said, turning to me with a smile, “it’s our hope you know this one; Big Daddy thinks you might.”

The music started and I caught the haunting sound of a slow banjo tempo, then Lyra’s steel guitar came in. Big Mac stood near a mic and started to sing in a baritone that fit the song greatly.

Almost heaven, West Virginia
Blue ridge mountains
Shenandoah river
Life is old there
Older than the trees
Younger than the mountains
Growin’ like a breeze

Yes, yes I knew this song, and it brought a big smile to my face. I came in on the chords with my guitar and voice with Big Mac, joining in with amazing harmony.

Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain momma
Take me home, country roads

On the next set of lines, the Hooffields and McColts came in. A harmony they sure didn’t have years ago when Twilight and Fluttershy showed them the error of their feudin’ ways.

All my memories gathered round her
Miners lady, stranger to blue water
Dark and dusty, painted on the sky
Misty taste of moonshine
Teardrops in my eye

Strumming along as part of the bigger band was a bit tough; I had not practiced with them at all. Heck, I didn’t know they were going to pull this on me out of nowhere. However, I do remember Big Daddy hearing me play the song when he was in ponyville to help Fluttershy get her sanctuary started up. Once more, it was all the ponies on stage that came in for the chorus.

Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West virginia, mountain momma
Take me home, country roads

This was fun… not a word I used or felt often. Being asked to join in and not lead, just to be there as a part of a whole group of salt of the earth type ponies. I was honored to be counted among them. I found myself surprised again when the next voice came in, because I had not seen him come on stage behind me. Cort’s voice, and while he claims he isn’t a great singer, it was pretty clear to me that he had been practicing quite a bit.

I hear her voice
In the mornin hour she calls me
The radio reminds me of my home far away
And drivin down the road I get a feelin
That I should have been home yesterday, yesterday

The brick red unicorn, wearing his ranger coat, had on an old looking stetson. I had never seen him wear it, but it looked good on him as he took a spot right next to me. Glancing over and offering me a smile I returned, as we sang as a duet.

Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain mama
Take me home, country roads

Looking back up at the huge audience I was elated to hear the voices of every creature joined by the magic of Heart Song. Everywhere I could see ponies, gryphons, and all manner of creatures swaying and singing the best they could.

Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain mama
Take me home, country roads
Take me home, down country roads
Take me home, down country roads

The applause started as I stood up and swung my guitar around on my back. I turned to look at all the ponies on stage and joined in. Clapping my hands together, offering them a thank you for letting me join them, and for another wonderful surprise. I guess at that moment it really kind of hit me. All the bad, all the pain, the loss; it hurt, but it all brought me here, to this moment. A moment where I was surrounded by the good, the healing, and the reason I, we, do it all.

Once the audience had calmed a bit I spoke into the mic. "Thank you all, that was a song by a folk singer by the name of John Denver, and the song, Country Roads, is considered among one of the great classic country songs. I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did" gesturing for the curtain to come down.

A while later, I stood on stage with a small band behind me. This time, standing at my side, was a little pint sized pony colt. Pip had on a dark black stetson, just like mine, and a nice brown suede-like vest that matched his colors well. The colt was currently looking at a pink little filly who had such a confused look on her face. Diamond Tiara stood there at the edge of the stage with her ears back looking nervous. She stammered out above the din of the crowd, “Pip, w-what are you doing?”

He gulped and glanced up at me for motivation, and I gave him a nod. Pip looked back at her and the audience fell silent as an electric banjo, played by Octavia to my surprise, started strumming at a fast pace. The little guy puffed his chest out and in a tone almost absent of his usual accent, started to sing with a strength that made even me raise my eyebrows at the power he had to give.

You say what if I hurt you, what if I leave you
What if I find somebody else and I don't need you
What if this goes south, what if I mess you up
You say what if I break your heart in two then what
Well I hear you girl, I feel you girl but not so fast
Before you make your mind up I gotta ask

The rest of the band kicked in and I joined in with my Gibson as I took a few steps back, leaving the colt looking at the filly, so they could be the center of attention. Little Diamond Tiara looked like she was ready to faint, and yet with eyes so wide; she could not look away from the colt singing to her.

What if I was made for you and you were made for me
What if this is it, what if it's meant to be
What if I ain't one of them fools just playin' some game
What if I just pulled you close, what if I leaned in
And the stars line up and it's our last first kiss
What if one of these days baby I'd go and change your name
What if I loved all these what ifs away

Pip wasn’t just standing there, he was shifting and rocking, gesturing to her, and ignoring the fact he was all of 13 and standing in front of thousands of creatures while pouring his little heart out to a filly he loved; through song. The filly he had been too afraid of to tell his feelings to until that very moment. Then I felt it, and I suspect so did everyone else. A kind of energy... that feeling I have always associated with Harmonic magic, and it was coming from the two little ones in the center of the world.

What if the sky falls

“Sky falls…” Diamond joined in with him.
Suddenly, Diamond started singing back at that moment from the ground, off the stage, like she knew it was her part to play.

“...or the sun stops burnin'
We could worry about them what ifs 'til the world stops turnin' ”

Or I could kiss you

“You should kiss me,” Diamond Tiara sung back

What if you liked it

“Bet I'd like it,” she blushed, smiling back.

Now it was both of them, singing together in harmony as they stared into each other’s eyes and sang to one another.

Well, we ain't never gonna know unless we try it.

They were oblivious to where they were and who was there. Magic might have been everywhere in Equestria, but at that moment, it was all for them.

What if I was made for you and you were made for me
What if this is it, what if it's meant to be
What if I ain't one of them fools just playin' some game
What if I just pulled you close, what if I leaned in
And the stars line up and it's our last first kiss
What if one of these days baby I'd go and change your name
What if I loved all these what ifs away

The band played a bit harder and Pip suddenly got a look in his eyes. He turned and galloped across the stage to the very center, looking back he grinned and used a forehoof to push his hat up some. As the music continued, he gestured with his hoof to the pink filly.

“Oh yeah, c'mon!”

Diamond climbed on stage faster and easier than it should have been and came to a stop facing him in less than two seconds with two hooves between them. The music wound down until a brightly smiling grey mare on the electric banjo was the only one playing.

Still, they sang together and it was the most magical moment I’d felt since Jackie and me...

You say what if I hurt you, what if I leave you
What if I find somebody else and I don't need you

Pip said a single word with a sharp shake of his head that I didn’t even think he knew, like he knew the very thought of saying what if in a bad way was a curse he had to get out:

“Damn.”

The music kicked back in as that little colt and filly started to sing once more. Their eyes were locked, voices in harmony, and a pink glow started to form around both of them… I remember thinking that was odd, because I don’t remember that happening in rehearsal with Pip and the band.

What if I was made for you and you were made for me
What if this is it, what if it's meant to be
What if I ain't one of them fools just playin' some game
What if I just pulled you close, what if I leaned in
And the stars line up and it's our last first kiss
What if one of these days, baby, I'd go and change your name
What if I loved all these what ifs away

“Away,” Pip sang to Diamond and leaned closer.

The pink glow had spread everywhere then, like moonlight shining from the foals was bathing the whole amphitheater, it filled all our hearts with the same growing feeling of love the two foals felt for one another.

“Away,” Diamond sang back, a bit softer as she moved closer to the colt.

Pip smirked and tilted his head to the right as the music ended with a held chord, played by Octavia, hummed. “What if?” Pip asked softly but still picked up by the mic.

Diamond leaned forward and touched her lips to his. It was the kind of small and embarrassing kiss that wasn’t what lovers shared; yet it was the most special kiss ever for two young people… a first kiss that wouldn’t be their last.

The crowd went crazy and was almost as loud as they were for Luna, yet that was not the oddest thing. No, that came from the Royal Box in the form of a pink blur flying into the air that exploded of pink and purple light over the whole area, far outside the gathering and probably across the whole city. It came with a feeling, a memory of two first kisses of mine that were as vivid as the moment they happened.

One was with a pretty blond haired, blue eyed girl standing on her father's doorstep after the freshman dance. The other was with a beautiful orange mare with blond mane and the greenest eyes to ever exist… and freckles that I counted every night before I fell asleep and every morning I woke up beside her.

I felt the charge from it as if it was happening in the moment, the energy and emotions of it was overwhelming and I wanted so badly to wrap Jackie in my arms and kiss her for all I was worth. I looked up into the sky and saw Cadence hovering in the air, absolutely beaming like a pink sun with her wings spread and horn lit. My eyes drifted a little down and there at the balcony of the Royal Box was that very green eyed mare that filled my life with meaning, looking at me with the same love I had for her.

I agreed with Pip and felt the words to the song in a whole new way that had meaning I didn’t feel before that moment… what if?

The aftermath of that little event took quite a while to come down from. Creatures were talking and hugging… well, there was just an air of love and friendship all around. I managed to mutter into the mic that the songs name was What Ifs by Kane Brown.

Shortly after, I found myself having been shoved off stage and out of the backstage area along with a large group of others. I was standing with them and we had been asked not to peek as they pulled up extra curtains to hide what was going on back and front stage.

Finally, First Act poked his head out and had folks return to their spots. He asked me to stand at stage right and wait, the spot afforded me no view at all of who was on stage or how it was set up. Rather, I could see the audience milling about. I glanced up to the royal box and noted all the princesses up front, along with some of the girls. I saw Jackie and she waved to me with a hoof and pointed.

In the crook of her other leg, she held Flurry Heart, who looked where AJ pointed and while I could not hear it, I could see her let out an excited squeal and start wiggling her hooves at me. Yeah okay; seeing Jackie holding a kid… it just made her that much more attractive to me right at that moment.

I waved back and then glanced around and across the stage where I spotted something out of place. Trixie was standing just out of view of the audience on a raised platform, behind sets of boards and controls of some type. She looked deep in thought and I wondered what was going on.

First Act handed me a single card and said, “Please, Shane; go out, read this, then come back to this spot.” I wondered if he could be more mysterious or secretive, but I went with my top secret mission.

I stood at the mic and cleared my throat for total attention. “Hello again, y’all. This next song will have some audience participation involved. That up there,” I pointed up above me, “will have words appear, and everypony is encouraged to yell them as loud as you can when they flash on.” Blinking I looked the card over again and shrugged, then looked back up. “So, um, here we go. Y’all enjoy yerselves. The name of the band is Crystal Power.” With my piece done, I jogged off stage and waited to find out what was coming next..

All the lights went off backstage, front of stage, across the amphitheater, even the boxes casting everything in near total darkness. The curtain pulled up and I could see shapes in the moonlight, but that was about it.

Then two spotlights came on just as a fast guitar riff started to play. The first spotlight was on a mare sitting high center stage on a platform; behind a shield of drums, sat Pinkie Pie. Her unruly mane was held back by a hairband and she was tapping a cymbal with a drumstick held in her hoof in time with the guitar.

The second light shone down on Starlight Glimmer, standing on her hind legs with an electric guitar held in her hooves. Her horn lit up brightly and a big smile on her face expressed her excitement as she looked down at the frets and strings she strummed. I still have no clue how ponies do that with their hooves, but that didn’t matter.

The song was in all of three cords and I knew exactly what they were playing. Arguably one of the most rocking of rock anthems ever created, no one could hate this song. I started to grin widely as I pushed my hat up with two fingers. Now I saw what Trixie was doing; she was in full control of all the lighting and effects.

Then five voices started to sing, but still three shapes were still in the dark.

Ahhh ahh ahhh ahhh ah,
Ahhh ahh ahhh ahhh ah,

The drums came in harder and up above the stage a sign lit up that said ‘Thunder’ at the same time another light came on, lighting up another unicorn. This one the purest of whites with a brushed out purple mane. Rarity was striking and she too stood on her hind legs, horn lit, holding a bright red guitar in her hooves. However, most shocking was the fact she was wearing a schoolgirl outfit, How the...

“Thunder!”

The whole auditorium cried out together, but not in harmony.

The band continued with the musical vocal chant as the second time the sign lit up as a guide. This time another light came onstage as a bass guitar kicked in. Lighting up King Thorax, and he was playing a big orange and black base better than I thought he could. I held back a snort and laugh behind my hand.

“Thunder!”

There was no hesitation this time and the sound was just right, some creatures were already bobbing their head in time to the beat. Even I was tapping my boot without thinking. I looked up at the princesses and even they were yelling out the chant line. It seemed that everyone, even across realities, loved this song.

“Thunder!”

Rarity started in and matched Starlights playing, leaving one shadow left on stage. I looked up, just as a male voice on a mic cried out. The lights came on in full and Shining Armor stood there, wearing a leather jacket and gripping a mic in his right hoof. I still doubt it was real leather, but the scene was set and right.

“Thunder!”

Out in the crowd, one section went nuts as crystal ponies and crystal guards yelled out their part loud and proud as soon as they saw their leader on stage. Of course, this was nothing to the almost ear shattering scream of joy from the box high above the auditorium. Cadence had her hooves over her mouth, the shock was clear on her face.

“Thunder!”

Shining didn’t even bat an eye, he just grinned and on the next round started with the lyrics. He had rasped his voice some while singing much higher than I thought he could, and I have to say he was doing the song justice.

I was caught
In the middle of a railroad track

“Thunder!”

I looked round
And I knew there was no turning back

“Thunder!”

Now there were ponies and creatures standing; some were bobbing their heads, some were pumping their forelimbs in the air. I almost felt sorry for the ones listening in on the radio, they just couldn’t get the full effect of what was going on.

Every time the tag line came, the lights flashed and danced around. Trixie was clearly doing a fantastic job and was meant for this part of the show.

My mind raced
And I thought what could I do

“Thunder!”

And I knew
There was no help, no help from you

“Thunder!”

Sound of the drums

Right on queue, Rarity moved forward a bit and oh-boy did she let go. Ok, look, I had heard she knew her way around a guitar, but I didn’t believe it until right then because she could have taken Angus’s place and done him proud. This just made the whole audience grow more rowdy and loud.

Beating in my heart
The thunder of guns

In came Pinkie on the drums, with two columns of flames that leapt up behind her. I spotted Trixie with a grin as wide as her face with pride as all her talent was finally shining bright for all to see.

Tore me apart
You've been
Thunderstruck

Rarity was just killing it still, not to diminish how well Starlight was keeping up on rhythm guitar or Thorax on the bass. Shining Armor, a prince, singing on the mic in a tone that was perfect for the songs nature.

Rode down the highway
Broke the limit, we hit the town
Went through to Texas, yeah Texas, and we had some fun
We met some girls
Some dancers who gave a good time
Broke all the rules
Played all the fools
Yeah yeah they, they, they blew our minds
And I was shaking at the knees
Could I come again please
Yeah them ladies were too kind
You've been
Thunderstruck

I glanced at the audience again and this time even a group of five changelings I had not noticed before were headbanging to the song. It was almost enough to make me want to join in, almost.

I was shaking at the knees
Could I come again please

Rarity was out front and soloed like a master guitar player. She even started to do a one legged skip like Chuck Berry did across the stage as she played. It took me out of the moment in surprise as I wondered how ponies could do that.

Thunderstruck, Thunderstruck,
Yea yea yea Thunderstruck, Thunderstruck
Yea It's alright, we're doin' fine
It's alright, we're doin' fine, fine, fine
Thunderstruck, yeah, yeah, yeah
Thunderstruck, Thunderstruck
Thunderstruck, baby, baby
Thunderstruck, you've been Thunderstruck
Thunderstruck, Thunderstruck
You've been Thunderstruck

As the song wound down, Rarity and Starlight ended up leaning on each other playing and grinning. The lights slowed and didn’t dance and flash as fast. Even a quick glance up showed while she was still grinning, Trixie looked exhausted from using so much magic. The drums slowed and as the song came to an end. The crowd was already riled up and only had a little more energy to give to go from rocking out to cheering madly past the point of clapping and stomping.

There was a streak of pink light, in the form of one alicorn of love flew above the crowd and into Shining Armor, knocking him onto his back and they rolled twice with Shining below Cadence; their lips had met in the tumble and, well, the term smoldering hot would do justice to this one.

Poor Pinkie was almost knocked from her spot, but instead she slumped over the drums. You could see she was covered in sweaty froth, as were Rarity and Starlight. Heck, the only one not sweating was Thorax, but he was currently held in the air with five changelings all holding him up and bouncing him around while screaming incoherently.

I waited since I knew this was going to take a while to calm down, so I grabbed four labeled bottles of water specifically made for ponies -with higher salt and sugar content that made it unhealthy for me-, and walked over onto stage. Starlight took one from my hand in her magic. “Oh, thank Celestia. Thank you, Shane,” she said as I offered one out to Rarity.

“Why, thank you, darling.”

Next up was Pinkie who managed to get out a single worded, “Thankyou,” before guzzling from her bottle. I worked across the stage, avoiding the mass of changelings still going nuts around their king, and held up a bottle to Trixie.

Trixie blinked, then took it and gave me a smile. “The Great and Very Exhausted Trixie thanks you very much, Shane.”

I gave her a smile back and gestured. “You might want to glance out at the royal box.”

She gave me an odd look, then peaked around the curtain and up. There, standing with Celestia and Luna, was her mother; Dame Lulamoon. The large unicorn mare offered a warm smile, lifted her right forehoof to her chest, and bowed her head looking right at her daughter.

Trixie looked at me, then back at her mother and waved before ducking back and exhaling. “S..she liked it, she really liked it...” Trixie’s eyes watered and she pulled her hat down to cover her face, but not before a shaky smile crossed her lips. A mother’s approval can mean so much, and I was glad Trixie got that little gift.

Finally, I walked back out to centerstage and started getting folks to calm some. I glanced over my shoulder at the alicorn with her wings spread and the unicorn on his back and coughed.

“Perhaps you two could get a room?”

This, of course, made them both blink and then leap to their hooves, blushing hard. I laughed, the crowd laughed, the princesses in the Royal Box all laughed. I gestured for all the band members to come forward, Thorax having to shoo off his changelings before making his way forward. I glanced out then gestured to the band.

“Tonight, playing a song by a band named AC/DC, a song I’m sure all of you can guess”

I paused as every member of the audience yelled out “Thunderstruck” together.

I laughed and gave a nod of my head. “Exactly. So, I don’t have my cards, but...” I paused and gestured, “on the drums, Pinkie Pie.” I watched her wave and bear a big smile as she got a good cheer from all.

“On the Bass Guitar, the King of the Changeling Nation, Thorax.” He got a cheer too, perhaps a bit louder from one group of bright colored changelings and quieter from certain groups of creatures that weren’t as understanding of the nature of the change of the Changelings.

Next I gestured to Starlight. “On the rhythm guitar, may I introduce Starlight Glimmer!” She got a softer cheer from the crowd, but a reasonably louder one from the booth where Twilight jumped up and down and smiled brightly, making the unicorn blush.

“Next, on lead guitar, I doubt I need to introduce her since you all know her line of fashion, Rarity!” The white unicorn tossed her mane that was, oddly back in perfectly curled shape. There was also not a hint of sweat on her… how the hell does she do that?

She got a pretty loud extra cheer from a large group of the solar guard. I had known for a while she was the pin up girl almost every one of them had in their lockers, so that came as no surprise to me.

Holding up a hand I got their attention. “Next a gu- er, a stallion that needs no introduction. Lead Singer tonight, Prince-Consort Shining Armor, of the Crystal Empire!” His loud section was that group of crystal guards. At Shining’s side, his wife had a dopey grin on her face and leaned on him, the mic was just sensitive enough to pick up her mutter “tonight,” making everyone laugh and cheer harder still.

I turned and gestured to the side stage where Trixie shook her head no, only to be enveloped by pink magic and dragged out by Cadence. I said it before, I say it again, she’s a troll.

Trixie ended up right next to me and I gestured down to her. “Last, but most certainly not least, may I introduce to you, on the lights and special effects; one of the premier show mares in Equestria, The Great and Powerful... Trixie!”

A huge cheer once more went up, over it all was a whistle that came from the lips her mother, standing next to Celestia. Both her hooves at her lips, whistling for her daughter with a huge proud smile on her face between sounds. Poor Trixie just blushed hard and then the showmare in her took over.

She bowed to the crowd with a flourish of her cape, then… kapow! A smoke bomb went off and she was gone. Well, not really gone; I saw her peek from behind the side stage again and she winked at me.

I waited for the rowdy crowd to calm down and then spoke into the mic. “There will be a twenty minute break for food and a stage change, then we will have the last song of the night, followed by the closing ceremony and raising of the sun.”

As the curtain went down I turned and looked at Shining Armor and chuckled. “How did you keep that a secret from your wife?”

He smiled at her then back to me. “You have no clue how hard that was to do.”

I heard Cadence mutter, “Somepony is getting punished tonight,” but the smirk on her face said it all.

I held up my hand. “Nope, too much info,” I laughed as I walked away from them.

Author's Note

Ok, we have one last song, and the wrap up, and this arc is done and we can get back to figuring out what the heck is going on with the escaped convicts.