Chapter 1: Thundersteed
The deafening blast of the music roared through the dark sky, obscuring all other sounds of that warm Ponyville evening. Heavy bass pulsated through the soft ground as giant amplifiers whipped up rhythmic blasts of wind. The air in the stadium was thick with the smell of sweat and excitement as bodies danced and thrashed about, hooves flying through the air. On stage, a brightly dressed singer screamed her heart out to the song being madly played by her band mates. The young purple unicorn mare closed her eyes as she smiled, absorbing the ambiance of the scene. The flailing bodies of dancing ponies nudged against her occasionally, but Twilight didn't mind. It was all a part of the experience. On most nights, she was a dedicated student, reading deep into her books and studying late into the night. However, once every two months, Twilight let go of her duties and surrendered herself to her guilty pleasure. The pounding of the double-bass drums, the lightning fast shredding of the guitar, the steady rumbling booms of the bass. They were music to her ears. As the song reached a crescendo, Twilight let her hooves fly into the air, a cheer resonating from her open mouth.
Twilight smiled as she sipped her drink. The show had been even greater than she'd expected. Ponyville Stadium had long been a launch pad for up and coming bands, but it had been some time since a band of tonight's caliber had emerged. Twilight turned and spotted her long-time friend, Spike, who was busily chatting to a couple of young mares. She grinned as he moved his arms around, weaving some tale to impress the pair.
“Oh, Spike...” she thought to herself. “Always after the ladies.” Once the two mares had trotted off, Twilight moved across the crowded bar to the stool where Spike sat, a dejected look on his face.
“Get any numbers?” she asked.
“No,” he groaned. “I never do...”
“Don't worry,” she reassured, nuzzling the dragon's head with her hoof. “You'll find love one day.” Spike remained unamused.
“You always tell me that,” he groaned. “I just wish I had the guts to ask her.” He motioned over to a white unicorn sitting at a piano in a corner of the bar. Her soft purple curls bounced around her lovely face as she filled the air with a soothing melody. Twilight laughed, provoking a glare from Spike.
“Sorry,” Twilight returned, grinning a bad poker face. Spike simply turned back to his drink, sipping it slowly.
“Say, y'all wanna know bout that there pianist?” the young bartender asked, her voice marked by a distinct southern drawl. Spike's eyes shot up to the orange mare, who gently cleaned a glass in her hoof. “Her name's Rarity,” the bartender continued. “She showed up a few weeks ago lookin fer a job. Said she could play the piano right well. And, boy howdy, she sure can! I reckon that old thing hadn't been played like that since it was built.” Spike hung on every word from the blond earth-pony's mouth.
“Wh—what's she like?” he stammered. “Where does she live? Do you have her number?”
“Whoa, hold on there, lover boy,” she said with a grin. “We don't ask a whole lotta questions round here. And I sure ain't one ta give out personal information. Tell ya the truth, I never really talked to her that much. She's a bit too fussy fer my tastes.” Spike's eyes fell, and the bartender thought for a second. “Well now, don't y'all go givin up already. Why don'tcha go talk to her. Tell her ol Applejack sent ya.” Spike thought for a second before getting up and nervously moving towards the piano. Applejack smiled as she watched him.
“Don't mind my friend,” Twilight said jokingly, sipping her drink. “He's a bit of a flirt.”
“Aw, it taint nothin at all,” Applejack replied as she hung the freshly cleaned glass on its rack. “Say, I know I seen you round here from time ta time, but I never did catch yer name.”
“Um, I'm Twilight,” she replied somewhat sheepishly. “Twilight Sparkle. I, uh... come out for the shows.”
“You and everypony else,” Applejack joked, picking up another glass. “We always get a rush right after a show. Great fer business. I tell ya, buildin the Sweet Apple next ta Ponyville Stadium was the best idea Granny Smith ever had. I'm Applejack, by the way.” She grabbed Twilight's hoof and began to shake it vigorously.
“Uh, it's nice to meet you,” Twilight replied, shying away slightly from the aggressive bartender, her eyes darting back and forth.
“So, whatta y'all do round these parts?” Applejack asked, oblivious to the unicorn's nervousness. “Tell ya the truth, y'all don't really look like the show goin type.”
“Well, um... I'm actually a student at Ponyville University.” Twilight stammered. “But, uh... music is kind of my passion.”
“I know how ya feel,” the bartender replied as she began to pour a drink for herself. “I grew up here back when the stadium was new. I used ta wanna play the guitar like them ponies on stage. Never did get too good at it. So what about you? You play anything?”
“Oh, no. I—I can't really--”
“Aw, c'mon!” Applejack cut her off. “Y'all sure do look like you got some talent.” Twilight blushed slightly at the compliment.
“Well, I—uh... I used to sing a little.”
“I knew it!” Applejack barked excitedly. “I knew I took y'all fer a singer! C'mon, why don'tcha show us somethin?”
“I, uh...” Twilight averted her eyes nervously. “I haven't really done it in a while. I don't think--”
“Aw, nonsense,” the bartender interrupted, taking a big swig from her glass. “I'm sure y'all could--” She was cut off mid-sentence by a loud cheering. A group of ponies dressed in blue skin-suits trotted through the door as the bar patrons cheered. It was the Wonderbolts, the band who had played earlier that night. Fans crowded around the musicians, enthusiastically asking for autographs. Twilight craned over from her seat, trying to get a good look at the band. She slowly began to tip-hoof through the crowd, nudging her way through the throng of excited ponies to get a better view. The Wonderbolts had been one of the best bands to play in the stadium, and it was everypony's expectation that they would be heading toward a record deal.
“If I could just get an autograph from that singer, or maybe that guitarist...” Twilight murmured to herself as she wove through the bodies, trying to see over the heads of the crowd.
“Alright, alright, everypony, back up,” the band's lead singer, a mare with bright orange hair, ordered. “If you all make a line, we just might get to most of you.” The crowd scrambled to form some semblance of a line as the brightly dressed pegasus started signing posters and albums. Twilight hopped around nervously as she was pushed back by the crowd.
“I have to do this,” she ordered herself. “This may be my only chance.” She ducked and weaved between the crowd of ponies, trying to get as close to the line as possible.
“Hey, Spitfire,” a voice called from the front of the crowd. “Y'know, if you'd let me sign some of those, we could go through this line a lot faster.” Twilight hopped in place to see who had spoken.
“You can sign after I'm finished,” Spitfire, the lead singer, replied with an air of smugness. Twilight continued craning her head, trying her best to view the conversation.
“Y'know, you don't always have to hog the spotlight all the time,” the first voice retorted. It had come from a band member with a rainbow-colored mane. “I am the lead guitarist, after all. You'd think I could get at least some recognition.”
“You know, you've got a lot of nerve, Dash,” Spitfire snapped back. Everypony in the crowd had stopped, watching the tensions that had risen between the two bandmates. “I wasn't going to tell you this yet, but I guess I might as well.”
“Tell me what?” Dash asked with a cocked eyebrow.
“Well, me and the band have been talking, and we decided we're putting you on backup.”
“What?!” Dash yelled back angrily. “You're putting me on backup? Why? Who's gonna play lead then?”
“Soarin's going to be taking over as lead guitarist,” Spitfire replied, motioning to a band member with dark blue hair.
“Soarin?!” Dash shot back in disbelief. “I've got more talent in one hoof than Soarin has in his whole body!”
“Watch yourself, Dash!” Spitfire returned angrily. “The band voted on it, and we think it's what's best for all of us, especially since we're gonna be signing with Equestria Records.”
“Well then, you can sign with Equestria Records without me!” Dash blurted. “I quit!”
“Fine!” Spitfire turned and started to storm out the door, followed by the other Wonderbolts.
“And where do you think you're going?!” an angry, high-pitched voice shot from across the room. Everypony turned to see a poofy-haired, obviously drunk, pink pony lumber from her chair over to the band, an angry glare in her eyes. “You jerks wouldn't know talent if it came up and bit you on the plot!”
“And just who are you?” Spitfire demanded.
“Who am I?” the pony slurred in disbelief. “Who am I? Are you sayin you don't know who I am?”
“That's exactly what I'm saying,” Spitfire returned, annoyed.
“I'm friggin Pinkie Pie!” the drunk shot back. “But of course you wouldn't know that. You obviously have the taste of a diamond dog!”
“You know, I'm getting tired of you,” Spitfire said back threateningly as she moved towards the drunken pony.
“You looking for a fight?” she yelled back.
“Maybe I am.”
“Hold it!” a loud, southern voice pierced through the air. In a flash, Applejack stood between the glaring mares, a shotgun in her hoof. “Now, listen up and listen good,” she ordered. “Down here at the Sweet Apple, we got a couple o rules. No fightin. I don't care who y'all are, if y'all're gonna fight, ya do it offa my property. Ya got that?” Everypony stood in silence for a moment before Spitfire broke it.
“We were just leaving,” she said smugly as she trotted away. “C'mon, guys, let's go.” She exited, followed closely by her band. Pinkie Pie glared from the floor where she had fallen in her stupor.
“That big meanie meanie-pants,” she grumbled. Twilight stood, mouth agape, among the crowd of awed onlookers before the group slowly began to disperse. Applejack reached out and helped the drunken, pink mare to her hooves.
“Now Pinkie,” she scolded, “I let y'all come in here and drink, but ya can't go pickin a fight with anypony just cause ya don't like what they have ta say. Now, I agree, that was a mighty rude thing for her ta do, and I know your particular circumstances, but y'all gotta learn ta control yerself, Pinkie, or I'm gonna hafta send ya home.”
“I'm... I'm sorry, AJ...” Pinkie slurred as she wobbled over to a stool near the bar. Applejack let her go and moved to console the forsaken guitarist, who had stripped off her Wonderbolts' costume and thrown it angrily to the floor, where it had been picked up by an eager fan.
“Y'all alright, Sugarcube?” she asked meaningfully.
“Yeah, I'm great,” Dash replied sarcastically. “I just got kicked out of my own band. So yeah, I'm fine. I haven't felt better in weeks.”
“Well, I'm sorry bout what happened,” Applejack consoled. “It ain't right what that mare did. Y'all're better off without em. How bout a drink on the house?” Dash smiled weakly.
“Sure, thanks,” she replied as the two moved toward the bar. Twilight slinked through the group of patrons, following them.
“This could be my chance,” she mumbled. “I bet I can get her autograph if I just...” Dash sat down next to Pinkie, who was resting her head on the wooden surface.
“Hey,” she said as she shook the pink mare's shoulder.
“Wha...?” Pinkie mumbled in her stupor.
“Hey, thanks for sticking up for me back there,” Dash said back. “I don't really know you, but... thanks anyway.”
“I'm sorry...” Pinkie slurred back. “I don't know, sometimes ponies like her really get me riled up. See, I used to play in a band, but they kicked me out, and just look at me now!” She dropped her head again, sighing.
“Well, don't fret it,” Dash replied, sipping the drink that Applejack had poured for her. “This isn't the first time I've been kicked out of a band. I'm Rainbow Dash, by the way.”
“Pinkie Pie,” the drunk replied, loosely shaking the blue guitarist's hoof. Twilight stood silently eavesdropping on the conversation, small sweat beads forming on her forehead.
“Darn it, Twilight, what's wrong with you?” she silently berated herself. “You already know Applejack, just get her to introduce you and you can get that guitarist's--”
“Hey, Twilight.” Twilight jumped into the air at the sudden onset of her dragon friend's voice. She put her hoof to her mouth to suppress a shriek.
“Spike!” she whispered loudly.
“What?” he replied at his normal tone of voice. “I was just gonna ask if you got that guitarist's autograph yet.” Twilight's eyes went wide as Rainbow Dash turned in her stool to face the nervous unicorn.
“What's that?” she asked. “Somepony wanted my autograph?” Twilight tried to hide away, but Spike pushed her forward.
“Go on,” he whispered.
“Um... ah...” Twilight stammered out, flustered. “I was kinda wondering if--”
“Sure thing!” the guitarist replied, smiling. She grabbed the Wonderbolts poster from Twilight's hoof and quickly scrawled her signature on it. “I guess it's not really current anymore,” she said, giving it back, “but whatever. Say, what's your name?” Twilight opened her mouth to speak, but was cut off by the loud voice of the orange bartender.
“Her name's Twilight Sparkle,” Applejack informed cheerily. “She's a singer.”
“Um, I'm not really--”
“Really? Cool!” Dash replied enthusiastically. “Let's hear something.”
“Um, well, you see--”
“Aww, c'mon, Sugarcube,” Applejack coaxed, putting her hoof around Twilight's shoulder. “We could all use some lightenin up.”
“But, I--”
“C'mon, Twilight, you're really good,” Spike added. Twilight's eyes darted about, avoiding the gaze of the other ponies surrounding her.
“Okay...” she sighed.
“Great!” Applejack exclaimed as she gave Twilight a light slap on the back. “Hey Rarity!” The white unicorn turned from her piano bench, an uninterested look in her eyes. “Play us somethin' nice fer Ms. Sparkle.” Rarity turned back and began to play a gentle melody on the old piano. Twilight gulped as the notes to the familiar song floated through the air. As the song rose to a crescendo, she closed her eyes, and began to sing.
Twilight laughed along with the others as she sipped her drink. Applejack wiped her eyes as she chuckled heartily at Rainbow's story. The bar had emptied out, save for a few ponies. Twilight sat with Applejack, Dash, Rarity, Spike, and the barely coherent Pinkie around a circular table as they chatted back and forth.
“I must say, my dear, your performance was absolutely lovely,” Rarity said to Twilight. The purple unicorn blushed as she thanked Rarity for the compliment. She had been terrified at the prospect of singing in front of others, so she had simply closed her eyes, imagining that she was alone in her room. She had used this same technique countless times in her younger years, when she was still in school.
“I told you she's good,” Spike added, trying to inconspicuously inch closer to the pianist. Rarity didn't seem to notice, her attention focused on Twilight.
“I daresay with a voice like that, you could sing professionally.” she continued.
“Oh, I'm not that great,” Twilight squirmed nervously.
“Now now, dearie, don't be so hard on yourself,” Rarity said as she patted Twilight's shoulder. “I think your voice is much nicer than a lot of singers who've come through here. Certainly better than that mare from tonight's show.”
“I have to agree with you on that one,” Dash added with a smirk. “Say, have you ever sang in a group before?” Twilight sank a bit in her chair as she felt the gaze of the other ponies on her.
“I, uh...” she began sheepishly. “I used to sing some stuff in school, but never really in a group.” Her eyes darted about. She had never told anypony that about herself before, and yet here she was, with a group of ponies she barely knew.
“Well, I think your voice is perfect for a band,” Dash replied. “If I ever get a new group together, you can be my singer.”
“Oh, well I--”
“Now that's an idea!” Applejack cut Twilight off. “I can see y'all bein in a band together. Heck, I'd listen to ya.”
“Yeah,” Rainbow continued. “Hey Pinkie, you were in a band once, right?”
“I—what?” the drunken mare mumbled.
“You wanna be in me and Twilight's band?”
“Heck yes, I'll be in your band,” Pinkie chirped up. “I'm good at... being in the band...” her head fell again, her eyes opening and closing out of sync with each other.
“Wait, you're not actually thinking about doing this?” Twilight asked.
“Why not?” Dash replied. “You're awesome. I'm awesome. We'd make an awesome band! What did you used to play, Pinkie?”
“I sang...” Pinkie slurred out. “But I also know how to play the drums. I can play the drums like a crazy mccrazy pants!” She began to flail her hooves about, mimicking the sound of crashing drums with her mouth. Rarity backed away as Pinkie's spittle began to fly in her direction. Spike grinned as the unicorn unknowingly brushed up against him.
“Well, if you're forming a band, you've absolutely got to have a pianist,” she declared. “I humbly offer my services.”
“Um, thanks,” Dash began. “But, ah... I don't think we'd need a classical pianist for a hard rock band.”
“Oh, Rainbow Dash, just because I prefer to play classical pieces doesn't mean I'm entirely unfamiliar with other genres,” Rarity replied. “And don't think that the piano has no place in heavier music. They do call it melodic death metal for a reason.” Dash was taken aback.
“Melodic death metal, huh?” she asked, a grin forming on her lips. “I didn't take you for a metalhead.”
“I simply enjoy listening to melodic chord progressions,” Rarity said back. “I am not a 'metalhead'.”
“Say, Applejack, what about you?” Dash asked. “You play anything?”
“Eh, I dabbled around a bit on the guitar,” Applejack replied, sipping another drink. “Never got too good, though. I got rhythm, I jus can't get my hooves to move all fast, or do chords or nothin. I used ta fiddle around on Pa's old bass, though.”
“Well then, you can be our bassist!” Dash replied, giving her a slap on the back. “What's a band without a bassist?”
“Well then, if y'all want me, I gladly oblige,” Applejack said back, giving Dash a much heartier slap in return. “I guess that's everypony, then.”
“Well, wait a minute,” Dash interrupted. “I can play lead, but I'm gonna need another guitarist to back me up. We need a rhythm guitarist.”
“Don't look at me,” Applejack said back. “I told y'all, I can't do no chords.”
“Well, can anypony else play the guitar?”
“...I can.”
Everypony turned their head to the source of the soft voice. A small, butter colored pegasus stood behind a table, her eyes fixed on the ground. Rainbow blinked.
“Um... was that you?” she asked. The little pegasus nodded her head and raised her eyes to look at Dash. The two stared in silence for a bit, until Dash spoke again. “Well, um... what's your name, then?”
“I'm Fluu...” the pegasus mumbled inaudibly.
“Um... sorry, didn't quite catch that.”
“I'm, uh... Fluttershy,” the yellow pony repeated, slightly louder. “I couldn't help but overhear you needed a guitarist. So I... um...” She began to trail off again, her eyes dropping to the floor.
“You mean, you're a guitarist?” Dash asked sceptically. The little pony backed up nervously, bumping into a table.
“Wait, it's okay,” Twilight called. “You can come sit with us. We're all friends here.” She blinked, realizing what she had just said. She had never used the word 'friend' to describe anypony before, other than Spike. Fluttershy nervously made her way over to the table and took a seat next to Twilight. “So, ah... Fluttershy. You're a guitarist?” the unicorn asked. Fluttershy nodded.
“I've been playing for a few years now,” she said softly. “But I've never, I mean...”
“Well, don't you worry yer pretty little head, now,” Applejack interrupted, shaking the little pegasus's hoof vigorously. “I'm Applejack. This here's Rarity, she's a pianist. That'n there's Pinkie Pie. She's gonna be the drummer. Ms. Twilight here's the singer, and boy howdy can she sing! And that'n over there is Rainbow Dash. She'll be our lead guitarist.” Fluttershy glanced up at Rainbow, who still had a skeptical look on her face. She held out her hoof and shook Fluttershy's.
“Alright, then. I guess you can be our rhythm guitarist.” Fluttershy breathed a small sigh of relief. “But first, we're gonna have to see what you're made of. Not just any guitarist can handle playing alongside Rainbow Dash!” Applejack rolled her eyes. Fluttershy sunk back in her seat, hiding her eyes behind her long pink mane. Twilight gave her a little pat on the shoulder.
“Don't worry about her,” she consoled. “Rainbow Dash is, well... Rainbow Dash. I'm sure she'll warm up to you soon.” The little pegasus looked less than convinced, but sat back up in her chair. Rainbow turned back to Applejack.
“Now then, there's one more thing this band needs to get off of the ground,” she began, “and that's a manager. And I know from experience that having a band member be manager is never a good idea.”
“Well, Spike's good with money,” Twilight suggested.
“Hey, just cause I'm a dragon doesn't automatically mean I'm a money grubber,” Spike shot back.
“Well, it's true,” Twilight added. Spike shrugged sheepishly.
“I guess I could be you girls' manager. If I play my cards right, I might even be able to get a show at the stadium!”
“Woah now, that's a bit far down the road,” Applejack interjected. “We'd need ta do a lot of practicin before we put on a show like that.”
“Well, I think it's good to set your sights high,” Rarity added. “I'm sure Spike here will do a wonderful job as manager.” Spike's cheeks turned bright red as he tried to hide his blushing face. Rarity pulled out a pencil and scribbled something on a scrap of paper. She floated it over to Spike. “Here's my number, if you need to contact me.” Spike's face erupted in a huge grin as he grasped the scrap of paper.
“Will do, Ms. Rarity,” he replied eagerly. Rarity giggled a bit to herself, her purple curls bouncing lightly with each bob of her head.
“That's a good idea,” Applejack added. “Everypony give yer number ta Spike, so he can get in contact with y'all.” Spike made his way around the table, collecting the scraps of paper in his hands. As he returned to his seat, Twilight gave him a grin.
“Well, you've just gotten five mares' numbers, Spike,” she joked. “Aren't you lucky?”
“Hey now, this is purely business,” Spike replied, tucking the scraps of paper into his bag. “Now then, as my first act as manager, I say we need to come up with a band name.”
“Well now, I hadn't thoughta that,” Applejack said, scratching her chin. “Anypony got any suggestions?”
“Ooh! Ooh! How about Cake Tornado!” Pinkie blurted out. “Or Cotton Candy Meltdown! Oh no! Wait! How about Chocolate Drippin' Thunderstorm!” Twilight and the others winced at Pinkie's suggestions.
“Uh, Sugarcube, maybe we aughtta go with somethin that's not related ta food,” Applejack said gingerly. Pinkie, distracted by her own tongue, didn't respond. “Hey now, since this was Rainbow's idea, why don't we let her pick a name?”
“Hmm...” Rainbow mused, scratching her mane. “We need something powerful. Something that shouts 'We're awesome!'. How about... Thundersteed?” A silence fell across the room. Fluttershy was the first to speak up.
“I... I like it.”
“Yeah, I reckon that's a mighty fine name,” Applejack added. “Thundersteed. Hoo boy...”
“That's waaaaaay better than any of my names!” Pinkie shouted. “You'd better look out! We're Thundersteed, and we're gonna getcha!” She fell out of her chair, making buzzing sounds with her lips.
“It's a bit garish for my tastes,” Rarity said, somewhat snootily, “though if everypony else likes it, than it's fine with me.”
“Then it's settled,” Twilight grinned. “Thundersteed it is.” The six ponies reached their hooves out, hoofbumping over the middle of the table.
“To Thundersteed!” Twilight beamed as she looked across the table at her new bandmates, her new friends.
