The world Everypony knows
My name is Showtune; I am a unicorn that resides on the outskirts of Ponyville. For many years I have been just a fortunate witness to many interesting events. Although my cutie mark says that I am made for conducting music, I cannot help but record what is happening in the world. Maybe one day this will help my little fillies or colts understand and make sense of what happened.
In all of my years writing this journal, it has never been a more interesting and dangerous time in our fair land of Equestria. It began shortly after the defeat of the Changeling Queen Chrysalis. Her plan to take control over pony-kind was foiled by Princess Cadence and Capt. Shining Armor, with assistance from the wielders of the Elements of Harmony. I was lucky enough to witness the event first hand, being a friend of the family.
About two months passed after the real royal wedding and things seemed to calm down. Until one night when the Cult of Chaos arrived. Led by the Earth pony Screwball (supposed Daughter of discord) freed the evil spirit of chaos himself from his stone prison. The Cult has since retreated into seclusion in the Everfree forest. However before they left Canterlot, it appears that Discord was able to reawaken a piece of Nightmare Moon that laid dormant with-in Princess Luna.
Princess Luna once again began to resent her sister and left to create the new Lunar Republic, many loyal ponies joined her. Even some of the Element holders joined her. Fluttershy, Rarity and Pinky pie left their homes in
Ponyville for the chance of adventure and fortune or the fact that Luna has yet to fix her volume control.
The stage is set for a worldwide war of the ponies. The four main powers are putting pressure on each other. The moment it breaks, I fear that not many will live to be able to see the new day that is dawning. Every pony is equipping themselves for the unavoidable conflict on the horizon.
He lowered the quill, which was magically held aloft to write in the journal. Walked to the open window that gazed towards the valley and Ponyville. The streets seemed to be empty now, the curfew set in place by Celestia meant that every pony had to be indoors before the moon rose and fear of a the Lunar Republic attacking at night when their princess had command of the sky. He was a grown stallion, with a dark orange coat and black mane and tail. His signature black vest was worn from the day of chores in order to get through the day. His cutie mark was a dark blue treble clef.
Turning away from the window he placed his thick rimmed reading glasses on the desk and moved down the hall. A small bird flew and landed on his back. It was an emerald green mocking bird, It was Showtune’s pet and friend.
“Oh, hello there Melody, did I forget to feed you today? Well we best fix that.” He went down the hall and filled the little bird’s food and water dish. Melody fluttered down from his back and began pecking at her seeds happily. Suddenly there was a knock on the door.
“Now I wonder who that could be.” He trotted over to the red wooden door and opened it with his unicorn magic. Standing on the other side of the entry way was a Grey Pegasus with a blonde mane and strange eyes, along with a smaller purple unicorn with a matching mane.
“Hello Mr. Showtune! I’m ready for my voice lesson.” The younger filly said. Excitement filled her voice as she gave large grin. Showtune was impressed by the genuine happiness from this young filly. He couldn't help but give a slight smirk as he said.
“Ah yes, Hello Mrs. Hooves and Dinky. Well we best begin, Mrs. Hooves you are welcome to watch the lesson. Please Miss Dinky follow me to the studio.”
He led them down the hall to a room filled with different instruments. He motioned Derpy hooves to sit in a old fashion armchair across the room to sit quietly and observe. He and Derpy were old friends. He had helped her older daughter; Sparkler, learn music and some magic. This was Dinky’s first lesson, perhaps her special talent was in music. His dream was that one day some pony would discover their talent thanks to him. He led her through the lesson. Warm ups, simple songs, and basic music reading. She had a very talented voice, but alas her cutie mark did not appeared. The hands reached the our and rang it's small brass bells The lesson ended, Showtune sighed deeply, his dream would have to wait for another young pupil. He was about to show them out the door when just then a solar patrol walked by the door. Three ponies in golden armor marching in formation paused looking at Showtune and his two guests.
“Good evening pony’s please stay inside from now, until dawn.” The Larger senior guard told them.
Showtune closed the door. Quickly trying to figure out what exactly he was going to do. he looked at his two guest and said.
“ Well it seems that you two will have to spend the night here tonight. I’ll prepare the guest room.”
“What about Sparkler, Aunt Carrot and Dad?” Dinky worried. Her eyes darting between her mother and her new teacher looking for advice. In a attempt to calm the young one down, Showtune turned to her and knelt down to look her directly in the eyes. He calmly stated.
“Do not worry, my little pony, I’ll send Melody with a note to your house explaining the situation. For now you and your mother should get something to eat, I have plenty of food in the kitchen, please help yourself.” Little Dinky was still worried, she trotted off away from the two adults. it was about dinner time and she remembered she was hungry.
“Thank you Showtune” Derpy replied. Her concern was evident on her face. In spite of that she attempted a worried grin.
“Not a problem for an old friend, I have to admit things have gotten quiet around here since Rarity and Sweetie bell moved away, those two could never get enough singing. Fluttershy also, you know for such a quiet pony, that voice was incredible. Now how are Sparkler and the Doctor?” Showtune said, desperately trying to change the subject from their current situation.
“They are fine, Sparkler is enjoying her job as a foal sitter. The Doctor is away on one of his adventures.” She said.
“Mommy I found muffins!” Dinky yelled from the kitchen. Derpy perked up at this. Showtune could see it in her eyes, in spite of them being crossed most of the time they focused and narrowed at the sound of muffins. He could of sworn that no pony could be more focused than his friend when i came to the subject of muffins. He knew of her love of muffins was unrivaled and remembered that he indeed had a basket delivered earlier from sugar cube corner.
“Go ahead I have to finish the letter to Sparkler and send Melody on her way.” He sighed.
That instant she disappeared in a cloud of smoke. Showtune walked over to his desk and quickly penned a letter to sparkler explaining what had happened. He called Melody and told her where to deliver it, with the promise of more seeds when she returned. The Little bird sped out the window towards the town. Showtune went down the hall and opened the door to the guest room, a fairly plain room with two beds and a well-loved wardrobe. It had not been used for a time so he quickly dusted the surfaces. He returned to the kitchen to find his two guests enjoying their muffins.
“Alright after you finish the muffins, we should all get some sleep. Before long Celestia will raise the sun and we will be free to move around again.” Showtune tried to reassure his two guests.
“Now Dinky you should get washed up and go to bed” Derpy instructed her little muffin.
“Ah, but MOM!” Dinky complained. Dinky gave her mother a set of large sad eyes along with a quivering lip.
“Now little unicorn, listen to your mother. Off to bed now” Showtune heckled. "Nice try" He thought to himself.
Dinky sighed heavily and went to get ready for bed. Showtune was impressed with his old friend. Her look may be different than other ponies, but she was just as intelligent, even though she is a little clumsy. He said good night and locked the door as he would normally do. Melody flew into the window and landed on his desk, a letter in her beak.
“Oh what is this now? Give it here and help yourself to some seeds, not too many.”
Melody zoomed off to the kitchen. Showtune opened the small letter and read its contents.
Dear Showtune,
Thank you for watching over my mother and sister tonight. These new restrictions have everypony on edge. From the reports I have been getting every nation has raised an army and war is almost unavoidable. We have a plan to leave ponyville in case things get out of hoof. My dad, The Doctor returned tonight so tell mom that he is alright. More have left for the lunar republic, and the solar guards are searching the woods for Discord, with little to no luck. Stay safe tonight, I have a feeling something is going to happen. Please keep everyone together and protected. Twilight sparkle says that she is working on a force field, but it won’t be ready for a couple of days. Once again thanks.
Sincerely your former student.
Sparkler hooves.
That was nice of her. Not many of his former students would take the time to write him back. Well she was right, his horn was sensing danger on the horizon. Well that was a problem for another day perhaps. He closed the window and went to his room. He crawled under the silk covers and fell asleep.
His dreams that night were not peaceful ones. Shadows of ponies attacking and murdering each other. Bodies piled up on top of one another, pegesi, unicorns and others. Tattered banners fluttered in the breeze. Showtune found himself in the middle of the field in what seemed to be a desperate and gruesome battle. A dense dark fog began to roll in, blocking his view of his surroundings on the ground dramatically. He looked up desperately trying to figure out exactly where he was. He saw something that was impossible to any pony to even think of, both the sun and moon rose in the sky. the rose quickly spreading both light and darkness equally until they clashed with each other, exploding and sending shatters of both tumbling towards the ground.
He looked around and saw that suddenly he was running through the battle frantically. His vest ripped to shreds, hooves caked in mud and another substance he would rather not think about. As he ran several lighter shadows leap from the crowd and knock obstacles out of his way. A wall, a shadow, a machine and much more. Suddenly he stopped dead in his tracked, he felt as if the wind was knocked out of him. He slowly stood up and found that the battle was gone. everything was gone.
Slowly the darkness twisted and formed saw six rainbow colored ponies of different kinds that began to surround him. he looked around crying out for their names, he quickly turned around and saw a pony that seemed familiar. The pony smiled warmly, but the smile began to twist and grow fangs, wings sprang from it's back and it slowly grew to a gigantic size and towered over him. suddenly he looked back to the other six ponies. their colors began to change and flash, faster and faster. Suddenly there was a bright white light and then all was still.
He awoke from his sleep slowly. His senses trying to make sense about his surroundings. Then he heard knocking at his door. He sat up and rubbed his eyes. The knocking continued.
“Well now I know it’s not a dream.” He grumbled to himself. “Now hold your hooves, I’m coming.”
He walked to his bedroom door and opened it. Standing there was little Dinky, she looked concerned. Her eyes focused on Showtune.
“What is it my little pony? Did something wake you up?” He said rubbing his eyes, trying to focus on the young filly.
“Yes, you were screaming in your sleep, something about a battle, are you alright Mr. Showtune?” She asked endearingly.
“Yes little one I am fine, now go back to bed” He said as he patted the young pony on the head. trying to reassure her.
“No need the sun is up and mom is cooking something as a thank you.” She cheerfully said. She began to bounce up and down at the thoughts of what her mother was cooking.
“Oh! Then we'd better not keep her waiting.” Showtune said slightly surprised.
They went to the kitchen and had a wonderful breakfast of hay bacon, apples and oatmeal. After the meal the two ponies left Showtune. He paced around his desk, desperately trying to piece together any meaning for the dream he had last night. He was getting nowhere quickly. Maybe he needed help in figuring this puzzle out. He quickly filled his saddle bags with essentials, his journal, his wallet; filled with bits, a bag of seeds, music sheets, and enough food for at least two days.
“Just in case” he whispered to himself. With that he was off.
After leaving his house, he locked the door behind him and said his goodbyes to Melody. It didn’t take him long in order to find his way to downtown Ponyville. Many things where the same as any other day, except several homes and stores were boarded up or closed and the increase of patrols of Solar guardians. Most ponies continued on as if nothing was out of the normal, but in the back of their minds they knew nothing would be the same.
The sight of the homes placed a heavy weight on Showtune’s heart. Many of those who had left were his friends. Everyone in Ponyville had always been close to one another. Granted some were closer than others. The most shocking store that closed was Sugercube corner. Since Pinkie Pie left the Cakes couldn’t keep up with orders and quickly went under, they took Pumpkin and Pound to Canterlot in order to try again.
“Well best not to dwell on the past” Showtune muttered to himself. With that he pressed on.
He continued down the street until he came across the town inn. The Sleepy Filly Inn; one of the longest running family inns in Equestria. The inn was a multileveled building that resembled a log cabin. Showtune entered the lobby; the frontier theme of the room was comforting. He trotted up to the counter and rang the bell magically.
“Coming!” a high pitched voice called from the back.
A door opened behind the counter and out came a small mare. Her coat was a greyish-blue like glaciers of the north, her tan mane and tail looked as if a weak attempt had been made to straighten it. Her flank was adorned with a pillow surrounded with dust from the Sand mare’s bag. She lifted her head to match eyes with Showtune. He noted how sleepy they seemed.
“Typical Bedbug.” Showtune thought to himself.
“Well hello Showtune. My folks aren’t home. Is there anything I can help you with?” Bedbug yawned.
“Actually I came here to find you.”
Bedbug was slightly taken back. “That’s unusual, normally everypony only wants to talk to my folks. I guess it’s my personality. What can I help you with?”
“You see… umm.. the issue is…” for once words seemed to escape Showtune’s grasp. The memory seemed to slip away quickly. His eyes wandered the room trying desperately to locate something that might jump start his mind. His eyes rested on picture that hung behind the counter.
It was a simple school photo from years ago. The Ponyville school house was in the background and seated in neat lines were the students. So many familiar faces, of friends and families that had grown and or moved on. He found a certain small unicorn colt.
“Did I ever look like that?” Showtune joked.
“What?” Bedbug was startled by the sudden change of subject. She turned and looked at the photo. Squinting her eyes, she focused on the faces of the ponies until she found the same little unicorn.
“Yeah, you did. Remember those days? Messing with Mr. Sodium. Those where good days.” she sighed deeply, almost yawning once again.
“Too bad things have changed the way they have. Remember when Flicker tried to ask Applejack to the dance with confetti cannons?”
“And she was so surprised she apple-bucked him so hard he flew all the way to Canterlot.”
"That's why you never take romance lessons from Pinkie Pie." The two shared a lighthearted laugh. It quickly ended and Bedbug turned back around and looked Showtune straight in the eye. She had a determined look in her eye as she said.
“Showtune, I know that you didn’t come all this way just to relive old school memories. What is troubling you?”
Showtune sighed deeply. There was simply no way to avoid the issue any longer. That look always seemed to rush past any wall he tried to put up. He took a deep breath and begun.
“You see bedbug, I have been having these troubling dreams lately. They seem so real, but I … this must sound silly. Dreams don’t mean anything. Sorry to waste your time” Showtune began to blush furiously. how could he be such a fool? It was just a simple nightmare, why couldn't he talk about it?
“Now see here Showtune” Bedbug said sternly. “We have been friends since either one of us can remember. Absolutely nothing you say will be silly.”
Showtune once again sighed and began to explain his dream to Bedbug in full detail. With each passing memory Bedbug seemed to close her eyes more and more. To any other pony this would seem as if she was drifting off into her own blissful slumber, but showtune knew better. Bedbug had never been the energetic type of pony such as the local pastry chef. In order to concentrate on his words she was simply eliminating all other focus. He finished his story with him simply waking up.
“No needs to tell her about the sleep talk” he thought.
“Well showtune the best thing I can think of is to possibly talk to Twilight sparkle. This dream of yours seems more like a vision about this war that has everypony on pins and needles.”
“That’s it. I am not very good at talking with mares I do not know very well. Granted I have checked a couple of books out from her, but I barely know her.” He began to be flustered as the words stumbled out of his mouth.
“Well the best way is to just think like you’re talking to me or Derpy. You have no trouble with that.”
“Alright perhaps I will. Can you come with me? Just in case I can’t.” Blushing as he slightly shrunk.
“No problem old friend.” She smiled warmly.
Bedbug attempted to wrap this up at the inn as fast as she could. She instructed some of her helpers to take over while she was away. With that she loaded up her own saddle bag and left with a still blushing Showtune.
