Chapters It was a calm evening in Ponyville. Sweetie Belle had only 1 day left to tell Octavia if she wanted to perform. She was pacing around her room. She was debating whether or not she should tell Button she liked him. After 20 minutes of thinking it over, she decided to tell him. As she was about to walk out the door, her phone rang. It was Apple Bloom. "Hey, Apple Bloom! What's up?"
"You don't know?"
"What happened?"
"Button Mash asked Scootaloo if she wanted to be his special somepony!"
"And?"
"She said yes!"
"What?!"
"Yeah! Apparently, he and Scootaloo have been friends since they were little kids. They met at a gaming convention."
"Wow. I guess I never realized how much they have in common." Sweetie Belle's voice was shaky, she was on the verge of tears.
"Hey, is something wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong. Listen, I, I gotta go."
"Are ya sure you're okay?"
"I'm fine. Bye."
"Bye." Sweetie Belle put down her phone. She sat down on the carpet. She was about to tell Button how much she liked him and now, he asked one of her best friends to be his special somepony. How could I have been so stupid ! she thought. I should have known Scootaloo would like Button! Her tears began to fall. Small ones but still. She came to a decision. She didn't want to stay in Ponyville for Hearts and Hooves day. She couldn't talk to Scootaloo right now. And she definitely didn't want to see Button Mash. There was no point in staying in Ponyville. She walked into Rarity's room. Rarity looked up. "Yes, Sweetie Belle?" Sweetie Belle took a deep breath.
"Rarity, tell Octavia I'll do the concert." Rarity was overjoyed. She was happy Sweetie Belle was following her dreams but something seemed wrong.
"Is everything alright?" Sweetie Belle hesitated. It was good if she told Rarity but, maybe she should keep it to herself.
"Yeah." Rarity knew it was not alright but, if Sweetie Belle wouldn't tell her then she had to find out herself.
"Alright then."
"I'll, be in my room," Sweetie Belle said quietly. Little did she know, Rarity was cooking up a crazy scheme in her head.
As soon as her sister left the room, Rarity put her plan into action. Something was amiss. If she wanted to do the concert, why was she upset. Somehow, Rarity knew it had something to do with Button Mash. And she was going to find out. She began by going to the Ponyville arcade. She went up to an employee. "Excuse me, sir, I need to talk to a colt named button Mash but I have no clue what he looks like. Can you help me?"
"He has an orangish brown mane, a brown coat, and he's wearing a propeller beanie," she stallion answered.
"Thank you ever so much." Great. Now that Rarity knew what Button looked like she could find him easily. She started her search at the Ponyville game store, then she went to the Horseapple store to see if he was getting a computer or phone there, and finally to Mage and Bubble's. She didn't find him at any of those places. She decided that it was time for a break and went into Sugarcube Corner. As she sat down her jaw dropped and she gasped. Sitting just a few tables away from her was none other than Button Mash. And he was sharing a milkshake with, Scootaloo?! "Oh my, this is what Sweetie Belle is upset about!" she said, but not so loud that Button and Scootaloo heard her. She dashed home and straight upstairs. She opened the door. "Sweetie Belle?"
"Yeah?" she replied in a depressed voice.
"I know what happened," Rarity said in a gentle voice.
"How?"
"I saw them at Sugarcube corner."
"Oh." Tears began to spill from her eyes. Rarity moved closer to comfort her sister.
"Don't be bothered by this Sweetie Belle. You have to let it go. Scootaloo is happy. Button Mash is happy. Scootaloo isn't doing this to make you upset. She likes him, she's happy," Sweetie Belle sighed.
"I guess you're right."
"You and Scootaloo will still be friends. You and Button can be friends. You'll find somepony. Be happy, you're pursuing your dream." Sweetie Belle smiled a bit.
"Thanks, Rarity. I needed this." Rarity left the room. Sweetie Belle felt a little better but she was still upset. Button wouldn't love her. He never would. Besides, she didn't love anypony else. She only loved him. Or so she thought.
Author's Note
Okay here's all my bad puns:
1)Horseapple store- Apple store. I know it sucks but it was either this or pear store.
2) Mage and Bubble's- Dave and Buster's
Canterlot
For the next few weeks, all Sweetie Belle focused on was practicing her song. Her sadness and anger found its way into her voice and while it was still as beautiful as ever, it seemed more passionate and sad. Eventually, after what seemed like forever, it was time to leave for Canterlot. Octavia had gone a couple days earlier to set things up. All of Sweetie Belle's friends showed up, including Scootaloo. She said goodbye to her sister, Apple Bloom, Silver Spoon, and Pipsqueak. The only one she didn't say bye to was Scootaloo. She was still quite jealous. She saw Scootaloo walking towards her. Luckily, the train was about to leave anyway. As soon as she was on the train, she breathed a sigh of relief. This was what she needed. To get away from Ponyville and Scootaloo and Button.
1 hour later
The train arrived in Canterlot. Sweetie Belle got off and walked to her hotel. The concert wasn't until tomorrow so she decided to do some sightseeing. "Woah," she said as she stepped outside. Canterlot was huge. The grandest structure in Ponyville was Twilight's castle but compared to Canterlot, that was nothing. There were huge homes and shops. Sweetie Belle's jaw dropped when she saw the castle. It was huge. She walked a little further and began to look for something. Her gaze rested upon a stage with a large curtain surrounding it. She walked around the back and opened the door. Octavia was there and was panting as she stood over something. "Is everything okay?" she asked the gray mare.
"No! Somepony destroyed my cello!"
"Oh no! Does that mean the concert's canceled?"
"No. The concert must happen. We already booked the stage and everything. Sweetie Belle, you have to do a solo." Sweetie Belle was in shock. Her? Sing in front of a crowd? By herself?! "Please," Octavia begged. Sweetie Belle took a deep breath.
"Okay, I'll do it."
"Thank you," Octavia smiled. Sweetie Belle smiled back. She went back to her hotel room. The first thing she did was get out her phone and call Rarity. "Hello," said a voice.
"Hey Rarity, you will never believe what happened."
"What?"
"For tomorrow night's concert, I'll be doing a solo!"
"Wow! Why though?"
"There was an accident and Octavia can't go on," she responded.
"I can't believe this! You're doing a solo concert in Canterlot! See if somepony can record it for you and send it to us."
"Okay. Bye."
"Bye." Sweetie Belle looked at the lyrics for her song. She needed to practice extra hard now. She began to sing. She practiced for the next hour or so and then decided she was thirsty. She walked into a cafe nearby and saw somepony performing. She recognized the song as one by Dustin Beaver. She went up to a barista. "Excuse me ma'am but, who's that stallion singing on the stage?"
"Oh, every now and then, the cafe books a singer to entertain the customers."
"Oh. Also, can you get me an iced tea?"
"Coming right up!" As soon as the mare gave her her tea and she paid for it, she walked out the door. She took a sip of her tea and continued down the street. She went once more into her hotel room. She finished her iced tea and threw the cup into the trash. She sang, her voice loud and clear. After 30 more minutes, she looked at the clock. She realized how many times she had sung the song over and over again. She flopped onto her bed. The concert wasn't until tomorrow night. She should get some rest. Just as she was about to sleep, somepony called her. It was Octavia. "Oh hey, Octavia, what's up?"
"Sweetie Belle guess what?"
"Somepony called me and said the concert location has changed. You're performing in the Canterlot theater!"
"Really?! That's amazing!"
"Yeah! Well, you better get some sleep. Big day tomorrow. Night."
"Night." Sweetie Belle was in awe. She was performing in the Canterlot theater. She called Rarity. A groggy voice spoke.
"Sweetie Belle, what is it? I was trying to get my beauty sleep."
"Rarity guess what? I'm performing in the Canterlot theater!" This got Rarity's attention.
"Wait, what?!"
"That's right!"
"Oh my, I have to call everypony we know!"
"Go do that. I'm gonna get some sleep. Bye."
"Bye," Sweetie Belle smiled but then she frowned. She thought of Button. She wished she could go back in time and tell him she loved him. Maybe then he would forget about Scootaloo. She sighed. If he was with her, he would be calling her before she was onstage to wish her good luck. Or give her roses when she came back. Or come with her even. She sighed. She wasn't mad at Button. She was jealous. Jealous of Scootaloo. She had her true love and she didn't. How could Button choose Scootaloo over her? What did Scootaloo have that she didn't? She began to sing.
I never imagined myself out on my own Tryin' to find out what's next for me The Cutie Mark Crusaders have always been my home Maybe now there's more that I could be I guess as time goes by Everypony has to go out on their own And maybe someday I'll have to try Somethin' new that's just for me A little somethin' that could be Just my own and I won't feel so left behind We used to say that we'd be always side by side Maybe things are changin' and this could mean goodbye I always thought our friendship was all I'd ever need We've always been crusadin' – what else is there for me? I guess as time goes by And maybe someday I'll have to try Somethin' new that's just for me A little somethin' that could be Just my own and I won't feel so left behind A few tears fell from her green eyes. She fell on to her pillow and went to sleep.
Author's Note
Hey, guys. I just want to make it clear that in this universe smartphones and game consoles are a thing. Also another bad reference, Dustin Beaver- Justin Bieber. I know it sucks but I couldn't come up with anything else.
Sweetie Belle was panicking. She was backstage and the concert was in 1 minute. Not only was she performing in front of a crowd of at least 500 ponies, but they were expecting a show from Octavia, not some 16-year-old filly. She exhaled. Octavia was making an announcement before she went on to explain what happened. Octavia walked up to her. "Are you nervous?" she asked the filly.
"Is it that obvious?" she replied as she looked down.
"Don't worry. You're gonna do great," she looked at the time. "I'm gonna go make the announcement. Good luck," she said with her little laugh. This made Sweetie Belle feel a little better. She could do this. She just wished she could do it without any heartbreak. She thought about the song. It was kind of like her story. It didn't have a happy ending. Not yet. The song ended sadly but, whoever the song was talking about still had a future ahead of them. Maybe they found happiness. But as far as the song went, nopony had a happy ending there. Her thoughts were interrupted by the screeching of a microphone. It was Octavia. "Good evening fillies and gentlecolts. As some of you may know, there was an accident and I will not be able to perform tonight. Luckily, the pony who was singing for me will be performing tonight. Introducing for the first time ever, Sweetie Belle!" There were murmurs in the crowd. Some ponies were gasping. She could even hear a faint sound of somepony cheering. Sweetie Belle went on stage. She began to sing.
"Shadows settle on the place, that you left Our minds are troubled by the emptiness Destroy the middle, it's a waste of time From the perfect start to the finish line
And if you're still breathing, you're the lucky ones 'Cause most of us are heaving through corrupted lungs Setting fire to our insides for fun Collecting names of the lovers that went wrong The lovers that went wrong
We are the reckless We are the wild youth Chasing visions of our futures One day we'll reveal the truth That one will die before he gets there And if you're still bleeding, you're the lucky ones 'Cause most of our feelings, they are dead and they are gone We're setting fire to our insides for fun Collecting pictures from the flood that wrecked our home It was a flood that wrecked this
And you caused it And you caused it And you caused it
Well I've lost it all, I'm just a silhouette A lifeless face that you'll soon forget My eyes are damp from the words you left Ringing in my head, when you broke my chest Ringing in my head, when you broke my chest
And if you're in love, then you are the lucky one 'Cause most of us are bitter over someone Setting fire to our insides for fun To distract our hearts from ever missing them But I'm forever missing him
And you caused it And you caused it And you caused it " As she finished singing, she heard wild clapping. Ponies were whispering their amazement to their friends and family. She heard a familiar voice. "Way to go Sweetie Belle!" As she looked up to see who it was, her jaw dropped. It was none other than Diamond Tiara. Just then, two newspaper reporters began asking her questions. She answered them, trying to make her answers as good as possible. Maybe then Scootaloo will be jealous. she thought. When the reporters left, she looked up at where Diamond was sitting. She was still there.
Author's Note
Okay so I know nothing really happens in this chapter but, I needed to get this part out of the way. There will be a part 2 which is from Diamond's perspective. The song wasn't written by me. The song is Youth by Daughter.
It was a warm, sunny day. Sweetie Belle was humming a tune to herself as she strolled through town. She began to sing as she skipped down the street.This is our big night
We're getting ready
And we're doing it up right
This is our big night
Friendship survived,
Now we'll start it out right
As Sweetie Belle continued to sing, Octavia walked by with Vinyl. "Ugh, I wish I had somepony to sing at my next concert!" As if on cue, Sweetie Belle walked past her singing in her melodic voice. Vinyl pointed at the 16-year-old filly. "She's perfect! I think she's Rarity's sister. I'll ask her tomorrow."
Later that day,
Sweetie Belle was brushing her hair in her room when she heard a knock at the door. "Come in," she said in her melodic voice. Rarity opened the door. She took a moment to stop and noticed how much Sweetie Belle had grown up. It seemed like only yesterday she was that young filly waiting to get her cutie mark. Rarity shook her head and snapped back to reality. "Guess what? Octavia came by today and asked if you wanted to sing for her concert in Canterlot!"
"Really?! This is amazing! Wait, when is the concert?"
"5 weeks. She said she needs you to decide by the end of the week," Sweetie Belle was torn. She wanted to go but, Hearts and Hooves day was coming up and she wanted Button Mash to ask her if she wanted to be her special somepony.
"I'll think about it," she said quietly. Rarity immediately noticed something was up. Sweetie Belle wasn't usually this quiet.
"Is something wrong? You know you can tell me,"
"Nothing's wrong I'm just a little stressed out about something."
"I don't suppose it has to do with Heart's and Hooves day does it?" This caught Sweetie Belle's attention.
"How did you know?"
"I just have an eye for these things. Now, who's the lucky colt?"
"Button Mash."
"Who's that?"
"He's that colt who plays all those video games and stuff."
"Sweetie Belle, are you sure you would like a colt like that? He seems nice enough but, I don't think he's your type. What about Pipsqueak?"
"Pip and I are just friends."
"Well, it's not my place to judge but, if that's what you want."
"Thanks for understanding Rarity." As soon as Rarity left the room she sighed. She wanted her sister to be happy but, Button Mash may not make her happy.
"Oh well, I just hope she does the concert. It's always been her dream to sing in Canterlot." Rarity spent the rest of the afternoon working on a dress order. When she finished, she began to sew another dress. She pinned on something very carefully. It was a picture of a bell.
