A lone unicorn stood atop a stage over looking a crowd of eager ponies of every type. His sandy coat contrasted well with his black suit and red tie. He smiled at them, fixed the tie on said suit, and cleared his throat. These ponies had come for a good time, and he was going to give it to them. He took a deep breath, cloaked the mic in his magic, and brought it down to him so that he could speak to them all.
"Nighttime in Ponyville. A time when fillies and colts, mares and stallions, ponies of all ages should be asleep. Snug in their beds and comfortable in the land of dreams. At least, they should be.
"But this night...is a special night. A night where everypony gets to prance around in costumes playing games and having fun and generally being the little children that everypony everywehere wishes they could be again. This...is Nightmare Night.
"And on this night, there is another special treat waiting in the wings for all those who came out to see us today!"
The announcer pony stood on the stage in front of the cheering crowd. He smiled at them all before clearing his throat dramatically to beg for silence before he continued.
"Here, for your joy and entertainment. Here, for you all to see. Here, on this stage, on this night, for her debut performance. The one you've all been waiting for...Z-Stripe!!!"
The crowd once again lapsed into roaring applause, and the announcer pony began walking off the stage to make room.
The curtains opened and the crowd grew quiet as Z-Stripe walked out onto the stage. She cleared her throat, grabbed the mic, smiled at the crowd.
"How is everypony doing today. I see that all of you have come out to play. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. Are you ready? Here we go!"
The crowd gave one final cheer as the stage was filled with smoke and fireworks and confetti, only to quiet down as they saw her shadow appear behind the smoke, watching it turn green with her appearance.
"Visions of love, fill my head. They call to me as i sleep in my bed. Those around me, cannot see what I see, for they do not know what's its like to be me.
"Trudging along in the forest, my home. making brews and potions, all alone. On my own in the land of Everfree. Will true love ever find me.
"I call in the dark, when my sight is gone away. Will somepony come and find me today. Lost in a sea of troubles and woes. Guess i'll just see where my journey goes.
"This life is a gift, wrapped in struggle and pain. Smashed right up, and left in the rain.
Can somepony tell me what's right and what's wrong. Because i've waited for this a little too long.
"Love to me, is like an ocean. But for heartbreak there is no potion."
(An hour before the performance.)
Twilight sighed as she looked down at Spike, her number one best, and currently most hyperactive, assistant. She smiled.
"Spike, what in the history of Equestria has you so jumpy? Did something good happen?"
"Good? Good? This is great! Equestria has a new musical sensation! How could you possibly have not heard about this?!"
"Heard about what? Spike, tell me what's going on?"
"Oh...my...gosh!" was all the two toned dragon said as he thrust the paper into Twilight's face, effectively hitting her in the muzzle, causing her to snatch the paper and glare at her charge.
"Sorry..." he said as he realized what he had done in his excitement.
"It's okay, Spike. I know you didn't mean to." Twilight responded as she looked over the flyer. After a few moments, her eyes widened.
"Zecora!"
"It's Z-Stripe, Twilight."
"What kind of name is that!"
"She's a rapper, Twi..."
"A wrapper? Does this look like candy to you?"
"No, Twi. Not wrapper as in candy. Rapper as in music."
"Oooh... That sounds...interesting..." Twilight said, her interest piquing.
"I know right?! She's amazing!"
"If you say so, Spike..."
"Can we go see her, please?!" Spike said, jumping up and down.
Twilight giggled and said, "Sure, Spike. Let's go."
With that the two made their way to Zecora's stage, led by Spike. And a bunch of flashing lights in the center of town, of course.
Once there they both sat down and watched as Zecora stepped out of a billowing plume of green smoke and began her show.
"So, this is what Zecora is doing now?" Twilight said in a whisper to Spike as she watched her friend on stage.
"I told you her name is Z-Stripe on stage!"
"Z-Stripe then. I can't believe it would be something like this though. It just...doesn't seem like her."
"What are you talking about she's amazing!" Spike said, jumping up and down once more.
"That may be true but...doesn't it feel...strange?"
"I guess it does a little. But she's good at it, so what does it matter?"
"You've...got a point there, Spike. Never judge a book by it's cover after all."
And with that they all began cheering and clopping their hooves together as the song ended.
The announcer pony comes back on stage next to her as Zecora smiles at the crowd, waving her hoof at them.
"That was beautiful, wasn't it, everypony?!"
The crowd cheered and clopped their hooves as loud as they could, but no one was louder than Twilight and Spike. It almost brought a tear to Zecora's eye, as she said,
"You all liked my performance, for that I am glad. Come back next Nightmare Night to double the fun you've had."
