FAME!: For ponies

The lunch room buzzed as students of all grades mingled at long metal tables eating sandwiches and drinking water out of various colored bottles. Some ponies had their heads in play books, some scribbled down last minute homework, and most chatted away. At one table on the far left of the cafeteria, Pinkie Pie joined Rarity. Rarity looked up from her lunch to see Pinkie's tray.

"Pinkie. You can't eat all of that darling!"

"But. I. Love. Food!"

"Darling, you're a dancer!"

"So what? I've tried every diet ever!"

"Darling-"

"I thought coming here, that Ms.Bell would tell me how to fix this. But no."

"Pinkie," Rarity began. "Darling I am going to have to take some of that."

"Rarity no!"

Just then, Cheese Sandwich tapped Rarity's shoulder. He had donned heart shaped sunglasses.

"Hey, Jalapeno."

"What is it Cheese?" Rarity said with clenched teeth.

"Wanna hang out?"

"No Cheese I do not want to 'hang out'"

"We've got a lot in common."

"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that." Rarity said curtly.

"I mean You're hot-"

"You're not!" With that, Rarity wheeled around and pushed him back the way he came from. She watched him smugly retreat to a table where Spike and Starlight Glimmer sat. Rolling her eyes, she turned back to Pinkie and her lunch.

"The see food diet is the best." Pinkie said cheerfully.

"Seafood?" Rarity questioned, looking for salmon.

"Yeah! I see food and I eat it!"

Rarity slapped a palm to her face.

"Mr.Sunburst I'm sorry okay?" Rarity pleaded. "I have to get to this audition!"

Sunburst put a hoof to his temple. "Listen Miss. Rarity, I'm just concerned that you don't know you!"

"Don't know me?" Rarity was fuming. "I know me and I know that I have to get to this audition!"

"Miss. Rarity, you can't just go looking for more roles to hide behind! You have to face yourself!" With that, Sunburst trotted off with his head in the air.

"Hmph. Don't know me? What does he know?" Rarity stepped into a beam of light outside pretending that a spotlight rained down on her.

She closed her eyes and around her, the scene changed. She had donned a dress of pure silver. I shone in the spotlights sending miniature galaxies into the crowds of adoring fans. He mane fell gracefully around her in a curtain of silky purple. Her hooves were adorned with delicate bangles and they cast a moonlit glow across the stage. The spotlight trained itself on her and she stole a glance at the adoring ponies in the audience. Just dying to get a glimpse of Rarity. Not the opera, not the movie, but the real life pony. Then, she only heard applause. It rained down on her with a torrent of roses. It sounded like a waterfall rushing right to her feet. An ode to her fame. This was her dream. But Canterlot P.A. was getting less and less able to fulfill it.

"Fluttershy! You need to play in character!"

"I'm sorry Starlight, I just-" Fluttershy broke off and bowed her head.

"Fluttershy. Listen, you are amazing but you just aren't playing the role right!" Starlight said with a shake of her head.

"Maybe it's because you always choose plays where I play someone I can't relate to! All year, you haven't asked about my character's relatability!" Fluttershy was holding back sobs now.

"Fluttershy," Starlight began. She bit her lip. "What kind of play do you want to do?" She asked, her tone softening.

Fluttershy perked up a bit and reached a buttery yellow hoof into her bag. She pulled out a small blue script and a sheet of paper from her bag. She held up the book and ignored the paper.

"Romeo and Juliet?" Starlight asked.

"Romeo and Juliet," Fluttershy confirmed. "Something more relatable. Not necessarily this, but just something-" Fluttershy cut off when she saw Starlight eying the paper by her bag. Fluttershy leaned forward to pick it up, but Starlight was quicker.

"Why do you carry my headshot in your bag?" Starlight asked, holding up the paper with a smiling picture of her. Fluttershy' cheeks reddened.

"I- you-"

"NO!" Starlight screamed. "Just no!" She ripped the paper in half and started to storm out. "Fluttershy, you need to find yourself a new scene partner!" With that, she turned her head and ran.

"Starlight-" Fluttershy called. But it was useless. "Why can't we play a love scene?" Fluttershy whispered.

Spike smiled as his little purple fingers flitted over the keys. His new song was in front of him on a stand and it just begged for lyrics. He paused and thought for a second. Eventually, he would need someone to sing it with or just someone to start it with. He had his band but he still didn't have a songwriting partner. He sighed and returned to his keys. He got so lost in the melody that he didn't hear Rarity come in through the door behind him. She slowly walked over, paper in her hoof, and when she reached the piano, she became entranced by Spike's song. She swayed a bit as she raised a hoof over his shoulder. She gently brought it down and then slammed it on his shoulder. Spike's fingers splayed across the keys and his face contorted as he spun around to face Rarity.

"Gah!" He said. "I didn't hear you come in." Rarity giggled a bit at his surprise but then stiffened.

"I brought these." She said, thrusting him the paper. "Lyrics for your song!" A smile spread across her face as he took the sheet and read them.

"Rarity these are actually really good!" Spike exclaimed.

"Please, I recognize a top ten hit when I hear one. These lyrics will certainly bring your song to the next level." Rarity added with a hair flip.

"Can I try them out?" Spike asked sheepishly.

"Sure!" Rarity said with a smile.

As Spike began the song with his piano intro, Rarity smiled. Then, he added Rarity's vocals. As the song progressed, the two of them swayed to the music they had created. Then, Rarity joined in with a harmony at her favorite part. The two voices blended perfectly as the song oozed into a beautiful trickle of an ending. When the song ended, they both let out a breath. Spike turned to Rarity.

"That was amazing! I mean, I've written songs before, but you're right! Your lyrics made it so much more special!" Spike said with breathless gusto.

"Well, I told you so," Rarity added with a smug smile.

"How'd you like to be my songwriting partner?" Spike asked. He could see the question flit around in Rarity's head.

"How 'bout yes!" Rarity exclaimed. "With songs like these, we'll be famous in no time!"

Applejack and Rainbow Dash were practicing for the junior festival with Ms.Coultura when Twilight stormed in and turned off the music. The three looked at her with concern.

"Rainbow Dash," Twilight began, "Your book report bore a striking resemblance to Applejack's." She said, cutting straight to the point.

"So?" Applejack stepped up, "we study together, of course, our reports look similar!"

"No," Twilight interjected. "They are identical. Sadly, this means that Rainbow Dash will not be able to perform the Junior festival because she did not pass Sophomore English." Twilight stated.

Ms.Coltura scowled. "Would you two wait outside a moment?" Applejack and Rainbow Dash exited.

"That girl can dance," Coltura stated.

"She can." Twilight began. "But she can't because she didn't pass my class."

"But-"

"This school is an academic school just as much as it is a performing arts school. Everyone told me as a filly to put my faith in books. Artists are just ponies."

"Artists are not just ponies," Coltura exclaimed. "Artists are passionate dreamers! Artists follow and lead the world! Artists are visionaries!"

The two scowled at each other until Twilight sighed.

"Fine. I'll make a deal."

"I'm listening," Coltura said.

"If Dash can pass Sophomore English in summer school, she can perform at your junior festival."

"Deal. Dash!" Coltura called. Rainbow Dash trotted in. "Follow Twilight." Twilight escorted Rainbow out of the studio.