Abel sipped a glass of juice as he watched the fans pour into the stadium’s seats through a gap in the curtain. What would otherwise be a rather boring and “typical” evening had turned into an amazing, if not life-changing experience. While it had been a rather awkward one at first, a healthy discussion allowed him to open up more and share information, in addition to reflecting deeply on his lifestyle and music career.

In his eyes, Coloratura was a fine, educated, and talented young lady who combined a powerful voice with fluid, strong messages. The time they’d spent together had him thinking: were they really good friends or just two talented stars working together?

“Don’t think about it too much,” Amir reassured him, terminating any possibly worrisome thoughts Abel might have had. “We’re all in this together to make it the best show possible.”

“Thanks bro,” Abel replied, finishing his drink and giving Amir a brief hug. The two had been working together for many years and knew how to make each other feel better during down times.

Lights flashed.

The crowd roared and squealed with excitement.

A curtain was pulled aside.

Microphone in hand, Abel stepped onto the stage, and strode forward towards the main area as the song’s instrumental started.

The lights changed color to red and blue in a strobe fashion. From her position behind the orchestra, Coloratura whip danced along, quietly humming the words:

“I'm tryin’ put you in the worst mood, ah,
P1 cleaner than your church shoes, ah…”

For a moment, she let herself slip completely into the moment. The screaming of the fans, Amir and other stagehands looking on weirdly, the necessity of timing – it all didn’t matter. What she was focusing on was how the lyrics flowed and the timing, speed, and major key of the instrumental composition.

“You really are a Stargirl as much as Abel thinks he’s a Starboy,” Amir mused after a while. “But don’t get too wrapped up in the hippy aspect of this hip hop. Your performance comes in a couple minutes, so I’d suggest you get up there and make yourself comfortable for the next big performance.”

Taking a quick drink to lubricate her vocal cords, Coloratura stepped into the cubicle and hoisted herself up, observing the exuberant crowd who were happily singing the chorus along with Abel. Far at the back, she was hidden. No one looked up as she gingerly made her way along the narrow elevated hallway towards the raised platform. Reaching it, she crept under the canvas and sat down in front of the piano.

“Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha,

I’m a motherbuckin’ Starboy…”

Down below, Abel started to round off the song with an extension of the catchy chorus. Taking a deep, long breath, Coloratura slipped on her headset mic and flexed her hooves in preparation for all the key typing she’d have to do. She’d performed in front of large audiences before in Equestria, but Abel’s concert was on a whole other level. Besides, his fans didn’t really know her either. How would they react to her surprise appearance? She was about to find out.

“Thank you all so much everybody!” Abel called out, raising his hand in gratitude. “You all saw it, there was somepony with me before the concert, and… she is my friend. She’s quite the same, yet totally different at the same time. PLEASE WELCOME, RARA!”

Coloratura was flattered. He actually said her real name!

The platform lowered as the lights changed back to a bright sweeping white, and the clear, loud notes of a piano melody could be heard. Still under the cover, Coloratura flicked on her mic and started the song.

“I’m here to show you who I am,

Throw off the veil, it’s finally time…”

“Yes!” Abel whispered as the platform reached level with the main stage, and the cover was swiftly pulled off, the lights revealing the mystery singer amongst the rising vapor. He retreated out of the beams of the sweeping lights and listened attentively to her song.

” There's more to me than glitz and glam, ooh
And now I feel my stars align

For I had believed what I was sold
I did all the things that I was told
But all that has changed, and now I'm bold
'Cause I know

That I am just a pony
I make mistakes from time to time
And now I know the real me
And put my heart out on the line
And let the magic in my heart stay true, whoa, whoa, whoa
And let the magic in my heart stay true, whoa, whoa, whoa
Just like the magic inside of you…”

A relieved smile on his face, Abel stepped out back into the light and stepped up onto Coloratura’s stage. The beauty of her voice was too much to bear. He looked over at her, sitting in front of the piano and just letting every single word flow out so beautifully.

“And now I see those colors
Right before my eyes
I hear my voice so clearly
And I know that it is right

I thought I was weak, but I am strong
They sold me the world, but they were wrong
And now that I'm back I still belong
'Cause I know…”

Abel’s eyes began to well up. The power of his friend’s lyrics were too powerful. Turning his mic back on, he leaned against the piano and joined, syncing his voice exactly with Coloratura’s.

“That I am just a pony!”

Abel grinned, tears falling form his eyes as the crowd roared with delight and joy. Coloratura smiled in between verses and continued in sync.

“I make mistakes from time to time,
And now I know the real me
And put my heart out on the line,
And let the magic in my heart stay true, whoa, whoa, whoa
And let the magic in my heart stay true, whoa, whoa, whoa
Just like the magic inside of you…
Just like the magic inside of you…”

For a moment the crowd was silent, then erupted in a wave of claps, cheers, and happy cries. Coloratura exchanged a grin with Abel and stepped down onto the main stage, tears falling as she did so.

“Thank you all!” she exclaimed, waving. “When I first arrived here I didn’t know where I was or what to do. But then I found myself in the hands of this amazing, handsome, and talented…”

“Guy,” Abel whispered, sitting down so he was level in height with her.

“…guy,” Coloratura continued, still overcome with happiness. “He shared with me his own experiences and…”

“And she encouraged me to be true to myself, and to stay strong in all that I would go through. Thus I consider her a true friend, and one that showed love, respect, admiration, and kindness.”

Too busy talking, Abel failed to notice Coloratura leaning in and planting a loving kiss on his cheek. The crowd giggled and cheered.

“Uh…heh,” Abel chuckled, realizing what had just happened. He turned to Coloratura and threw his arms around her.

“Thank you so much, Abel,” she sobbed joyfully.

“You too, Rara,” he replied, planting an equally loving kiss on her forehead.

Just then, a large bursting sound came from behind the lowered stage platform, startling them both.

As if on cue, the platform was raised, revealing a tall, elegant white alicorn, and six other ponies in every color imaginable.

“I don’t believe what I’m seeing,” Abel muttered in disbelief, trying to keep a smile. Quickly ordering the lights to be shut off, except those overhead and at the rear of the stage, he rushed to his feet, as did Coloratura.

“Well, it looks like your friends have finally found you!” Abel exclaimed with a relieved grin, walking over to Celestia. “Greetings, dear. Glad you could make it.”

“AJ!”

“Coloratura! You’re okay!”

Applejack ran to her friend and they met each other in a snug, loving hug. Abel’s smile got so wide his cheeks hurt. He turned to Applejack. “Hey, I recognize you! You’re Rara’s best friend!”

“Excuse me, sugarcube, but only I call her ‘Rara’”, Applejack retorted.

“That’s because he is a good friend, just like you,” Coloratura told her with a loving smile.

“Er, let’s take this elsewhere, shall we?” Abel said sheepishly. “We’re still in the spotlight currently.”

“See you all soon!” he announced to the crowd, then walked back through the main stage doors, with eight ponies in tow.

Backstage, everyone was exchanging thank-yous and compliments.

“Thank you for taking care of Rara,” Applejack said, extending her hoof.

“All in a good star’s work, sweet sugarcube,” Abel replied with a chuckle, taking her hoof and giving it a little handshake.

“That performance was awesome!” Rainbow Dash remarked.

“It sure was, Rainbow Dash,” Abel replied, smiling again. “Your colors and attitude give away your name too easily.” He turned to Celestia. “How much time you got before the portal closes?”

“I have plenty,” Celestia nodded.

Abel paused. He left the room and returned with two large cardboard sleeves and a black marker.

“I want to give you something, Rara,” he said, tears already spilling out of his eyes as he realized that she’d be gone for good. “Before you leave.”

He uncapped the marker and quickly put his signature on both sleeves, before handing them over to her. Twilight Sparkle held them with her magic.

“Telekinesis! Neat,” he noted. “Rara, these are high-quality vinyls of my top-rated albums, Kiss Land and Starboy. All tracks are the radio-edit version, since I know you aren’t a fan of my swearing. I hope you enjoy them as a reminder of me and my music.”

“Thanks so much.” Now Rara was the one crying. She gave him another hug, then placed a decorative handkerchief in his hand.

“For you,” she said simply. “I had it when I attended summer camp and wore it during my first singing performance of ‘Equestria, The Land I Love’.”

“But this holds so much value for you! Keep it.” Abel insisted.

“No,” Rara replied in a firm voice. “You keep it. As a reminder of me and how I first started my journey in music.”

With the gifts exchanged, Abel then prepared to leave to his hotel for the next gig, while Rara and her friends patiently waited. A couple hours later, they were all ready. Escorted by his manager, bodyguards, and assistants, Abel headed out to his tour van, the ponies bringing up the rear. Outside on the street, with all their magical power, Twilight and Celestia opened the portal.

“Well, I…I guess this is goodbye,” Abel stuttered, trying not to cry.

“It sure is. Thanks again for an amazing concert and… and everything you’ve done, Abel,” Coloratura replied, wiping away a tear. “I don’t know if it will ever happen, but I just know I’ll see you again someday, and be able to tell you all about it. Whether it’s possible or not, I will do what it takes to return.”

“Promise?”

“Promise, Abel.”

The two stars shared one last hug. From his tour van, Abel gave a final farewell wave as Coloratura stepped through the portal, her loyal, honest friend Applejack by her side.

And she waved back, wearing the same loving smile.

Author's Note

Well, I finally completed it. And it was a thrill to write. I put a little easter egg in the dialogue at the end, see if you can find it!

Concert was essentially an edit of Abel's one in Paris.