One shot.
Sweetie Belle was casually using her magic to levitate the broom back and forth as she calmly swept up Canterlot Boutique. She couldn't help humming a gentle tune to herself.
“The way we are is the way we'll stay, I hope you'll always be there for me. You and me, me and you. The three of us, together...”
“Oh Sweetie Belle that's quite lovely,” A soft voice stated causing Sweetie to jump and turn around to find the source, only to see Fluttershy standing there at the door with a soft smile on her muzzle.”Oh I’m sorry, am I interrupting? I hate to bother you, but have you seen Rarity?”
Sweetie Belle's cheeks flushed, as she fidgeted a bit on her fore hooves, and attempted to look composed. She coughed a bit into her hoof. “Rarity's not here. She's on one of her fashion things. I can't remember when she said she'll be back. Should I leave her a note?”
“Oh...don't bother. It's not urgent. I just wanted to ask her something was all. It's okay. I'll just ask when she gets back.” Fluttershy smiled gently. Fluttershy couldn't help speaking up though, “I must say Sweetie Belle, have you ever considered trying out for the Pony tunes? You have quite a lovely voice.”
Sweetie Belle scrunched her muzzle, and clenched her teeth together, shaking her head. “No...I'd much rather follow Rarity's hoofsteps. I want to be just like her someday!” Sweetie Belle squeaked excitedly bouncing on all four hooves.
“It's great that you admire Rarity so much...but have you ever thought of doing it for yourself?”
Sweetie Belle put the broom she had been using down gently, lifting a fore hoof to her chin and considering the question Fluttershy posed. “I love to sing, but I always get nervous if anypony sees me singing.”
Fluttershy giggled, lifting a front fore hoof against her lips. Fluttershy glanced down to the young filly. “Oh, Sweetie Belle. You remind me a lot of myself. I admit I can be a bit...shy around other ponies, and I get nervous a lot too. But, I love to sing, and my fears were keeping me from doing the thing I loved. Even though I was only able to sing for a small crowd of friends. It felt so good to just let it out without hesitation.”
“I mean no offense Fluttershy, but everypony knows you're shy. And I do mean every pony. I appreciate your concern and all, but I'm not really interested,” stated Sweetie belle, huffing and puffing out her chest a bit, standing tall and proud. She started to trot out the door with her nose held up, mimicking Rarity as she felt a sudden oomph as she hit against the frame of the door.
“Oh! Are you okay, Sweetie Belle?”
“Fine...” Sweetie Belle muttered. “Stupid door,” Sweetie Belle grumbled to herself as she rubbed her nose, and trotted out the door.
Fluttershy couldn't help but chuckle slightly. “That filly just needs the right encouragement,” Fluttershy pondered aloud. “You know Rarity is in the pony tunes too!” she shouted out the door, hoping Sweetie Belle might have not wandered too terribly far off. Fluttershy quickly trotted outside of the Boutique, and glanced around from side to side, looking for the small white filly with the purple and pink mane, but she was already gone. Fluttershy sighed softly.
“What am I going to do now? I can't just....do nothing.”
“Oh hello there Fluttershy, can I help you?” questioned the soft tender voice of Torch Song. The cream colored mare with the pink and lavender mane and tail, with violet eyes spoke. She had been walking by, and noticed Fluttershy seemed to be looking for something, or someone. She thought to stop, and see if there was anything she could do to help her.
Fluttershy let out a soft “eep!” jumping slightly off the ground, before turning her attention towards Torch Song. “Oh, hello there Torch it's so good to see you. You and the Pony Tunes have been rather soothing.”
Torch Song chuckled slightly, raising her front left fore hoof against her lips, eyes widening. “Oh Fluttershy, you are just so precious. I didn't mean to startle you dear. Though I did come to let you know the Pony tunes will be performing for the royal sisters in the next coming week. I know what you said before, but I would think it would be a good chance for you to spread your wings.”
Fluttershy opened her mouth to speak, when suddenly she heard another familiar voice joining the conservation.
“Hey there Fluttershy! How have you been? We haven't seen you around lately. You really should come by more. We miss having you aboard.” Toe Tapper was smiling, the light blue earth pony waving.
“I've been doing alright Thank you for asking.” Fluttershy smiled softly, her eyes darted slightly from side to side. Where did that filly go? “You know I think I will come to the show, however I will be in the crowd watching. And I believe I may even bring a friend.”
“Which one? You do have many friends after all.” Torch Song nodded her head towards Toe Tapper.
“Well...a special little filly that reminds me of myself. She has quite the lovely voice but I think like me she fears being seen.”
“Let me guess, this filly's name is Sweetie Belle?” asked Torch Song with a slight chuckle, raising her front fore hoof against her lips.
“Yes. How did you know Torch Song?”
“Oh, why that is simple dear. Rarity talks about her little sister all the time after a show. She's quite proud of her little sister. It is a shame Rarity won't be back in time for our next performance. We do happen to be one mare short, and without somepony to take her place...I'm afraid we might not be able to perform for the Royal sisters in the next coming few days. If only somepony could step up and take her place...”
Fluttershy's ears flattened to the sides of her face, as her cheeks flushed, and she fidgeted a bit. “I'm certain Rarity will be back, but....even if she isn't you should still perform. I may even know somepony that could help.”
“I assure you dear, there is no one quite like that pony. Rarity is quite the elegant, sassy, classy mare I ever did see and get the pleasure of knowing. Truly, how could any pony take her place?”
Fluttershy giggled, quickly raising her own fore hoof against her lips, flushing more. “Oh. You are so right! There is no pony quite like her indeed. Though I do hope you'll be able to do the show. I've been really looking forward to it, and I'm sure the royal sisters are as well.”
“Well you know how it is. I guess we'll just have to bide our time for now. Have a good day Fluttershy, and do remember not to be nervous. Every pony around here adores you my dear,” stated Torch song, gently nuzzling her head against Fluttershy's wrapping a forehoof around her, embracing her fellow pony.
Sweetie Belle's ears perked up, eyes widening a big grin upon her muzzle as she giggled excitedly. She bounced eagerly up and down on her small white hooves. “Oh! I can do it, I can do it!”
“Oh Sweetie Belle, there you are. I was trying to tell you that your sister is part of the Pony tunes, but I thought you had wandered off...”
Sweetie Belle's cheeks flushed, as she fidgeted on her hooves, crossing one fore hoof across the other. “Well....actually I've kind of been listening to you both the entire time.”
“Sweetie Belle, it's rather impolite to eavesdrop on other ponies conversations.” spoke Torch song, shaking her head, and raising a fore hoof pointing it at her with disapproval.
Sweetie Belle fidgeted a bit. “You should let me sing in my sister's place! I bet I could do just as good, if not better!” she raised her muzzle up into the air, holding herself tall, and poised, closing one eye. Nervously biting the bottom of her lip, mumbling to herself.
Fluttershy chuckled softly, quickly lifting her forehoof against her lips, and flushing. “I'm sure Torch Song and Toe Tapper won't mind, will you?” questioned Fluttershy.
“Oh of course not! We'd love to have you aboard Sweetie Belle. The performance is in the next few days, so you'd best be sure to practice those vocal cords. Just....don't overdo it. Big Mac learnt the hard way the one time.”
“Yeah...I remember.” spoke Fluttershy, flushing deeper, she tilted her head to the left side, burying her face under her mane.
“Fluttershy, there's nothing to fuss over. You were wonderful. We'd love to have you back. Now I must go before Toe Tapper comes back to drag my flank to the pre warm ups!” Torch Song giggled, giving one last affectionate nuzzle to Fluttershy, and waving her forehoof towards Sweetie Belle. “Tootles!”
Sweetie Belle stood there silently, her eyes widening. “Oh no! What have I gotten myself into? This is going to be the talent show all over again, and to make things worse, Celestia and Luna will be there!” Sweetie Belle buried her face in her hooves.
Sweetie Belle felt a wing wrapping around her frame, and pulling her snugly against her. “Oh Sweetie Belle. You've got absolutely nothing to worry about. Just do your best. You'll be great.” Fluttershy closed her eyes and nuzzled into Sweetie Belle's mane.
“Great...right. Well, I'll see you at the performance.” Sweetie Belle trotted off away from the Boutique and headed straight for the clubhouse. “I have to talk to Apple Bloom and Scootaloo right away!” She panted as her small white hooves trotted through town, and out into the small acre of the farm that Applejack had made for the three of them. She panted heavily, stopping short of the ladder.
“Apple Bloom! Scootaloo!” squeaked Sweetie Belle, as she attempted to catch her breath, and wiping the sweatdrops off of her forehead. Sighing slightly, relieved at seeing her two friends looking out from the doorway with puzzled glances.
“What's wrong Sweetie?” Apple Bloom questioned, furrowing her brows a bit, and shrugging her shoulders.
“Yeah, what's up?” Scootaloo added. Sweetie Belle scurried up the ladder to the club house. She took a few moments to breathe, holding up a hoof towards her two friends before speaking.
“I may have signed myself up to be Rarity's fill in for the Pony Tunes without thinking of the repercussions.”
“Woah! The pony tunes are awesome. Why is this a bad thing?” questioned Scootaloo, shrugging her shoulders towards Apple Bloom, shaking her head a bit.
“Yeah...I kind of agree with Scoots here, why's that a bad thing?”
Sweetie Belle's eyes widened, and she took in a deep breath. “Because I am not Rarity, nor will I ever be. And I'm....scared.” Sweetie Belle's cheeks flushed, tilting her head down towards the floorboards.
“Aww, come on Sweetie Belle. Don't be scared. It's just a performance. You'll get the chance you've always wanted to outshine Rarity.”
“And every pony will get to see you!” Scootaloo retorted, excitedly flapping her small wings, and buzzing in the air for a brief few moments before landing back upon the ground.
“Scootaloo!” Apple Bloom glared at her. Sweetie Belle couldn't help but sigh gently.
“She's right though. Every pony will be there! Even the royal sisters. I'm going to be the laughing stock of Ponyville!” Sweetie Belle sniffled, and bit her bottom lip, pouting. “You've got to help me....”
“Well, if any pony can help you it's us, cutie mark crusaders go!” Apple Bloom smiled as the three fillies all put their hooves together and cheered. Sweetie Belle's lips softly rose into a grin and giggled.
“The first thing we need to do is make sure you're prepared for all those admiring fans!” Scootaloo spoke, her small wings continuing to flap at her sides.
“Hehehe. Yeah...right. That's totally what I should worry about.” Sweetie Belle groaned a bit. Raising a forehoof to her lips, and chuckling to herself. “Oh Scootaloo, you really do know how to ease my fears.”
“Eh, it's nothing.”
“So when is the performance?” Apple Bloom questioned, raising her brows and lifting her forehoof to her chin, clearly lost in thought. Sweetie Belle kept giggling, finding it adorable how her friends could make her feel at ease.
“In a few days.” Sweetie Belle spoke.
“Well, I reckon that's plenty of time to get you into tip top shape. Now, we're going to need an audience, and I may know a pony who can help.”
“Rainbow Dash?” questioned Scootaloo excitedly.
“No, but she's pretty good friends with her.”
“Twilight?” questioned Sweetie Belle.
“No, no, no. Pinkie Pie. If any pony can gather up a crowd in a short time it's her. It's a shame the apple family reunion isn't going on or I'd just have you perform for them.”
Sweetie Belle's cheeks flushed a bit, as she fidgeted on her white hooves. She felt a trickle of sweat running down her forehead. She inhaled and exhaled. “I got this.”
“Now that's the attitude I'd expect from a star.” smirked Scootaloo, lifting her forehoof up towards Sweetie Belle. Sweetie Belle chuckled and raised her forehoof against hers, and then Apple Bloom joined in.
“Cutie mark crusaders yay!” they all cheered in unison.
Practice was hard. Harder than Sweetie Belle ever imagined. Apple Bloom had her doing warm ups, “do, re, me, fa, la, te, do.” And if that wasn't already bad enough, she had to do physical warm ups too! Sweetie Belle couldn't help but groan, and roll her eyes. “How do push ups help me sing?” she questioned, looking straight over at Scootaloo.
“Just trust me, we know what we're doing. Besides gotta stay in tip top shape for the performance tomorrow.”
“It's tomorrow? Oh I'm not ready.” Sweetie Belle panicked, taking deep breaths in and out, feeling a hoof upon her back.
“It's okay, Sweetie Belle. You'll do just fine, and we'll be right there the entire time. Just don't think about it, and just you know...sing,” suggested Apple Bloom.
Sweetie Belle groaned, burying her front forehooves into her face, and sighing. That was easier said than done, but she knew Apple Bloom was right.
********8
“Oh Celestia, the Pony tunes show is tomorrow. Isn't it exciting? I have been looking forward to this for weeks!”
Celestia smiled softly, letting her eyelids close briefly as she raised a forehoof to her lips and chuckled. “Oh Luna, I didn't know you were such a big fan. I hear Rarity won't be available though.”
“Oh? Is this so? Then how will the show go on?”
“I am not sure. Though knowing the Pony Tunes, they will find a way to make it work. They always seem so well organized. Just like I am.”
“Ha! You organized. Sister I have seen your room. It is utter chaos.”
“Ah! Luna. I assure you that I am good at organizing things or how else would I be able to teach ponies.”
“That has nothing to do with the state of your living quarters, sister.”
“Now, you know I've always wondered which of us is the better singer.” spoke Celestia, eyes darting from side to side.
“Well that's obvious, me of course. After all my deep voice aids me in both the high and low notes.”
“But I can go much higher than you and for much longer.”
“So you can hold a note for a few minutes, big deal. I am still better than you are sister.”
“I assure you Luna, I am the better singer.”
“There is only one way to settle this. We will ask our guards which of us is better.” suggested Luna. The guards silently stared at one another, wondering if they should say something or simply keep quiet.
“Guards! I beckon you. Tell us which of us is the better singer.”
The guards eyed each other nervously, one coughing into his forehoof.
“Yes, please inform us of whom is the better singer.” The guards said nothing.
“It seems we must figure this out differently. While we are watching the Pony Tunes perform, we will hold a competition and let the residents of Ponyville decide which of us is the better singer, once and for all.”
“Agreed. It shall be so.”
“It is so on sister, you don't stand a chance,” retorted Luna, sticking her head up into the air, closing one eye, raising up her chest proudly, and sitting tall.
Sweetie Belle fidgeted nervously behind the stage. It was less than half an hour before she was to go on stage. She gulped, and tried to compose herself. Remembering Rarity. She'd never panic in a moment like this. “Relax...”
“Hello there Sweetie Belle. It's so good to see you again. I've been meaning to tell you something,” began Fluttershy.
“Oh, hey Fluttershy. Surprised you are here. I thought you hated crowds.”
“I do, but I won't be singing so it's not so bad, even if they still make me rather anxious at times.”
“So what did you want to tell me?” questioned Sweetie Belle. She couldn't help dreading the performance.
“I wanted to tell you, I was you once. I was so scared to perform, that I let it get in the way of my enjoyment of music. You needn't worry your little head off. You have a lovely voice, and I'm sure Rarity would be proud of you for taking this bold step. I know I am. After all, if any pony understands your fears it's me. I was terrified. Truly, I felt like I had experienced a nightmare, but then I realized it wasn't as bad as I had imagined. I was just scared. And I don't want you to keep that fear from enabling you to spread your wings and soar. I know you don't have wings, but it's a figure of speech.” Fluttershy smiled softly, leaning down a bit, and nuzzling her forehead against Sweetie Belle.
“It’s time to go on,” announced Torch Song, looking back through the curtains. Fluttershy pushed Sweetie Belle forward. “Go on...make us proud.”
Sweetie Belle gulped nervously, feeling Fluttershy's hooves pushing her forward. “Break a leg.”
Sweetie Belle eyes widened seeing the amount of ponies there. Everypony was there. Every pony. Sweat dripped down her cheeks, as she stood nervously, biting her bottom lip and fidgeting to compose herself.
“Good evening everypony, thank you all for joining us here today. We have a lovely performance for you all, celebrating the two Princesses, Celestia and Luna. However Rarity wasn't able to join us today, but we found her a fill in for tonight. Her little sister, Sweetie Belle!"
Sweetie Belle's cheeks flushed deeply, letting out a soft squeak, and trying to bury her face under her mane. She fidgeted with her front forehooves, shuffling them from side to side, before taking a deep steady breath in, and then exhaling. “Hello, every pony we are going to give you a performance you'll never forget!”
Torch Song, Toe Tapper, Big Mac, and Sweetie Belle all started singing the song. Sweetie Belle felt relieved for those practice sessions right about now. She opened her mouth and started singing along with the others, she couldn't help glancing out to the crowd watching the reactions of the royal sisters.
We are the stars that shine, bright as the sun, and we know we can raise to face each day with clarity. The light beckons us to shine and we must not let them down. We raise to face our greatest fears. Know that it's just in our heads, and know that the Princesses are here with us, keeping us safe. Keeping the light shining bright. Keeping our hearts full of light. Keeping our bodies safe and warm at night. We are the stars that shine, bright as the sun. Dark as the moonlight, that sparkles over the sky. We are the stars that shine, bright as day, dark as night. Always know the light and dark are one. Know that we always strive to keep you safe and warm. We are the stars that shine so bright. We are the light and dark. Princess of Sun, Princess of Night, know this now, keep it right. We are the stars that shine so bright.
Everypony clapped their hooves afterwards, cheering. Sweetie Belle flushed, and stood proudly, fluffing up her chest fur as she stood beside the other three Pony tunes. They all hugged the small filly tenderly. Sweetie Belle felt a sudden relief wash over her. It was over. “Phew. Is it always this nerve-wracking to be on stage?”
“Well, of course darling. We all get nervous and anxious before a performance, but you mustn't let it get to you so. You have a wonderful voice, and you could go quite far with it. Perhaps you should join us more often when your sister is busy. I must say you filled in her hooves quite nicely.” Torch Song smiled softly, wrapping a hoof around her neck, and nuzzling against her. Sweetie Belle nuzzled back, before trotting off excitedly to reunite with her two best friends Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo.
“Wow! You were amazing. Like totally awesome!” Scootaloo grinned, jumping up and giving her a big hug, her little wings flapping.
“I reckon Rarity will be proud of ya, when she hears what ya did. You were great. You really do have a knack for singing.”
Sweetie Belle's cheeks flushed, smiling sheepishly. “Aww, you are both so sweet. Thank you, but I could never take Rarity's place.” she admitted softly, though she smiled brightly, as she wrapped one forehoof around Apple Bloom and the other around Scootaloo. “Though, I'm happy I did it though, I couldn't have done it without you two. Thank you both. I don't know what I'd do without you girls.”
END.
