“No, no, and no!” West hissed under his breath. “Did I say no? No? Well, no!”

Melody Orchard gave him a raised eyebrow. “I thought you wanted to work on your self confidence as well as stick it to your dad?” she said picking up the mics.

“I mean,” West fidgeted, looking at the eyes now on them, “if we’re going to do this, can’t we pick something a little more…

He looked at the karaoke machine. On its screen, was displayed a cover from the show, My Little Human. The song of Melodies choosing, Taking Over Midnight. A dance number that was really technically a part of the show. Rather, ironically enough, a song that the characters in the show had reluctantly sung karaoke too when the fate of the world was on the line. It made more sense in the context of the episode. Although it did spin off some genuine good covers like the one Melody had just recommended.

“-mainstream?” West continued to plee. “I’m not backing out, but maybe this is a little too fast? I still have to live here when this is all over.”

Melody thought about that for a moment. Indeed, wondering if maybe picking a Little Human song was overdoing it. However, in the crowd, she happened to catch a glance of West’s father. The stallion watching them in a way that brought back some painful memories to Coloratura, while ignoring the stubborn fire that was Applejack’s personality when a challenge was accepted.

“Come on, West!” She hit the play button without a second thought. “Trust me?” she asked, handing him the mic as the music started to play.

Heart racing a mile a minute, no way out of this apart from making a bigger deal, Melody’s warm smile, West took in a breath.

“Okay.” He nodded

Melody beamed and turned to the screen, just as the first lyrics came up.

Melody began.

“Friday night, and we’re gonna party till dawn.”

She gave West a nudge with her to pick up.

With a gulp, West sang,

“Don’t worry, daddy, I got my best… gown on.” He gulped as, sure enough, serval ponies in attendance snicker.

Melody frowned, but kept the song going

“We’re Roll to the party, the stallions lookin our way,”

She gave him a shoulder bump, however, West had become frozen in fear. Inside his mind, all he could think about was how much of an idiot he looked. What everyone would say afterwards for singing a kids song. The long talk his dad was sure to have-

“We just keep dancing, We Don’t care what they say!”

Melody sang in a way that was meant to get West’s attention. Stressing the last couple of lyrics to their situation.

It was enough to snap West out of his stupor. Turing to look at Melody who was giving a stern, yet caring face. So what if his dad or family thought he was looking silly just then? He was looking silly with a beautiful mare, who had no problems looking silly herself with him.

“Those other guys are a bore,”

West confidently sang out. Holding tight to his mic.

“let’s show them the door,”

He looked over to Melody again. His face beaming with confidence that was infections to the mare as she sang.

“We’re taking over, the dance floor!”

They pumped their fist into the air, and sang together,

“Oh, oh! We do what we like!

Whoa, oh! We’re taking over tonight!

Oh, oh! We do what we like!

Whoa, oh! We’re taking over tonight!”

Glancing for a moment at the crowd, he was pleasantly surprised to see not as many judgmental faces as he might have feared. A few who had no idea what they were singing, sure. However, the bulk were either the foals who recognized the song, or a few adults, clearly more curious about who, when he looked past his fear, West realized they were more interested in who he was singing with, opposed to what he was sung.

With that little boost, he took Melodys hand, and they sang their next part in perfect synch.

“We’re kings and queens of the disco!

Oh, oh! We’re taking over tonight!”

Melody squeaked in surprise as West lifted up her hand and spun her around. She laughed as they snug,

“Whoa, oh! Taking over tonight.”

After that verse, the song then took a momentarily slower beat. West took the lead there, looking longingly at Melody as he sang,

“When I first looked at you, I knew it was true.”

“The first dance tonight, was a real fright,” Melody sang with a sparkle in her own eyes as she looked into his.. “But here next to you,”

Hands still held, they took turns between each verse.

“I was feeling so blue.”

“Now the hour is midnight,”

This feeling is right,

Together again, on the highest of clouds, they finished off,

‘Here on the dance floor!

Whoa, oh! We’re taking over tonight! Whoa, oh! Taking over tonight! Whoa, oh! Taking over tonight. WHOA, OH! Taking over tonight.”

The music started to die down, and, unaware of how they had started to dance a little, ended up singing the last lyrics face to face.

“Taking over tonight.”

With that, the song ended with a bunch of clapping and cheering foals. Realizing how close their faces had gotten, then bashfully pulled away to bow to the crowd.

“Thank you!” Melody shouted. High on energy, she threw her fist into the air. “We’ll be here all night!”

West laughed. Haven’t having that much fun and not care what anybody had to say in… Ever. He was sure his dad would find something negative to say about him sounding like a fool to a kids song. However, he couldn't be happier. Melody living up to the first half of her name with a nice pair of lungs. Although, now that he was thinking about it, he started to wonder about who those lungs might of belonged to.

At that moment, the karaoke machine started to offer up a list of recommended songs for the next pony. One of which being a cover by the pop star, countess coloratura. The celebrity face and upper torso holding a microphone and winking.

Perhaps if he wasn’t just then thinking about the question, he wouldn’t have noticed how both Coloratura and Melody shared the same raven hair. Or how it looked like if you mixed a little orange in you may have gotten a color very similar to Melody’s. As well as a few other details that made West put two and two together.

“What?” Melody questioned. Still breathing heavily and smiling full of adrenaline. “Is something-

She turned to look at what West had been staring at. It was from the Fame album. Not one of Rara’s more memorable photoshoots. Really should of gone with the a different shade of purple for the hats that day.

Goosebumps racing up Melody’s spin.

“You’re,” West started, eyes widened. “Count-

“No!” she placed his hands onto his. She then noticed the crowd who was still clapping and did her best to give them a warm smile and wave.

“Not here.” she whispered to him.

West remained slacked jawed. However, a pleading look from Melody as she held his hand while she waved told him enough.

“Okay.” he assured, squeezing her hand and waving to the crowd.

*****

“So, The Element of Honesty, and Countess Coloratura?” West said in amazement once they had excused themselves outside for some much needed fresh air.

“Wow.” He grinded. “That’s really-

He stopped himself when he saw Melody was shuffling uncomfortably. “Something wrong?”

Melody flinched away when West reached a hand out to her.

“Melody?” West questioned, a sinking pit in his stomach.

“Well,” arms crossed, Melody let out a breath. “Yeah, I’m a celebrity. Isn’t that awesome?” she said in a clearly sarcastic way. “I bet you’re now thinking about all of the ways you can get rich and famous by me.”

“What? No!” West protested. “What makes you think-

“So you weren't thinking, gezz, I’m dating a famous pony?”

West tried to say no, but knew he honestly couldn’t.

“Well,fine!” He nodded. “But why is that a bad thing?”

Melody huffed and crossed her arms. “You wouldn’t understand.”

It took a bit of effort for West not to get angry at her. Not that he wasn’t. However, all a shouting match would do was draw unwanted attention, and it wouldn’t solve why his marefriend was so troubled by this revelation.

“Well,” West started with a breath. “I’d like to. I really didn’t mean to make you upset just because I figured out who you are.”

Melody started to say something mean, when she froze at West’s concerned gaze. That, and, she knew this conversation was inevitable from the beginning.

“Fine!” the mare said, throwing her hands up. “And you know what? That was unfair of me.” She leaned against the building. “To be honest, it’s the whole reason Aj and Rara fused into me in the first place.”

Not quite understanding yet, but more than eager to listen so he could know how not to upset her, West rested against the wall.

“Coloratura wanted a little break from the spotlight,” Melody continued. “Applejack thought of the fusion spell, suggested it as a way she could hide herself in public, and, well, here I am.”

She sighed. “I mean, it’s not like the celebrity life, at least for me, is all bad, but it gets tiring after a while. Also, to be fair,” she nervously played with her fingers. “They didn’t think they’d meet anybody while Rara was on her little vacation. So, when you came into the picture, um, it was exciting.” She looked up to the sky. “Someone interested in me, who didn’t see me as some prize or stepping stone to fame.”

“Does that happen often?” West questioned with a frown.

Melody turned and gave him a deadpan look, but thought better of getting sarcastic.

“Well… Actually, most ponies are too intimidated to even ask Rara out. So I guess the ones that do are either in that category, or are the more obsessive fan types.” She shuddered at a few of Coloratura's creepy fan mail. “Anyways,” she looked downwards. “Sorry. It wasn’t as if I was naive enough to think you would never find out or I wouldn’t tell you, but it was still my biggest fear.”

West shuffled in place taking on everything she had said. True, he had thought just the fact she was an element of harmony felt awesome enough, but now as a pop star? Yeah, he could see why she’d be so nervous for him to find out.

“So, how do you feel now?” West asked. “I mean, I can't act like it isn’t cool. I can try to tone things down, but,” he swallowed. “Would that be too much of an issue for you?”

Melody clenched her fist. “No. I,” she turned to look at him. “I really don’t want it to be.”

Propelled by the forces of the unknown to crate conflict, from the door they were adjacent to, West’s father stepped out. The stallion had been looking for them.

“Hey, West,” his father started. “Miss-

“Not now dad,” West said rubbing his forehead. “I’ll listen to whatever you have to say about looking like an idiot out there later, but right now Melody and I are in the middle of something.”

To his surprise, rather than seeming angry, his father seemed taken aback.

“Is… Is that what you think?” he asked.

As much as he didn’t want to deal with his dad and marefriend right now-

“You don’t think telling him what he should and shouldn’t do wouldn’t have some effect on his self-esteem?” Speaking of said marefriend, Melody glared at him.

His father's eyes widened and suddenly West both felt very scared, while somewhat aroused at the same time.

Taken aback, but still remembering that he was the father in this situation, the stallion pressed on, “Excuse me, young lady. I’m just trying to help my son.”

“Oh, and you’ve been doing a fine job.” she sneered.

“Melody!” West grabbed her shoulder. “Don’t. I appreciate the support, but this is my battle, not yours.”

She pivoted to let her coltfriend have one, but the look of determination on his face cooled her down.

“Fine.” Melody reluctantly moved aside.

“No.” To West’s surprise, his father said, “I’ll leave you two alone. I just wanted to say, I’m sorry.”

Both Melody and West stared slack jawed.

“I mean, I do wish you would of told me you were bringing a date-

“So you could tell me not to?” West interjected.

His father huffed. “Well, I… Look, I’m really not trying to ruin your life. I care.”

Anger boiling up, West let out. “Oh it really feels like that sometimes. Saying I’m never good enough, one minute saying I shouldn’t act all silly and the next chastising me for acting too anti-social!” A tear rolled down his face. “Always nagging me to keep my house clean, but whenever I do there’s always something I miss, saying I can do better at my job… Saying I should have broken things off sooner with my ex rather than let things get as bad as they did.”

His father frowned. “Okay. And, I can see why that would frustrate you. But if I didn’t think you could do it, would I have helped you buy your house?”

Of course, there was the mater that once his dad found out he was a homie anyways, he had planned to move out, and saw the house buying as some way to still keep control over him. Still, on the other hand, it wasn’t as if his dad was that often wrong on how he could better himself. It was a mixture of his own flaws and how on him his dad could feel at times.

“I’ll leave you two be,” the stallion said heading back inside. “I thought I would at least say, you two looked like you had fun up there. Also, if you’ll believe me, I am glad you found someone. She seemed like a good mare.” He smiled and closed the door behind him.

Melody and West remained in stunned silence for a while. Both trying to figure out what the actually fuck just happened.

“You know,” Melody said at last. “If I’m honest, with those fears I had, I thought I would be the one with the most baggage in this relationship.”

West snorted. “Um, I’m the one who tried to blame his ex problems on my dad. Well, I mean, it’s not as if he wasn’t direct fault somewhat, but yeah. It was also me not realizing the problems sooner.” He fell onto the wall and sank to a sitting position. Melody followed by sitting down next to him. “So, where do we go from here? We still, good, or...

“Um,” Melody pounded. “For all the stress, I still really like you.” She kissed him on the cheek. “Can’t say those insecurities, of mine own with you thinking I’m famous! Yeah, they’re still an issue.”

He took her hand. “I promise I’ll work on my issues with my dad to make myself and these family outings less stressful, if you promise you’ll trust me. Or at the very least, I promise not to go around acting like I’m dating one of the hottest elements of honesty, and the most talented mare in equestria.”

Melody laughed loudly at his attempt at flattery.

“You know,” she said, cupping his chin so they could be eye to eye. “I think that’s a fine idea.” The music in the background changed from something that had been fast and upbeat to something more soft and romantic.

It was also sung by Songbird Serna.

“Oh of everything in this Celestia-damned universe that could have played right now!” Melody fummed.

West raised an eyebrow. “Some kind of celebrity rivalry thing?”

“Eh,” Melody chuckled nervously. “Actually, it’s a much funnier story than that. I’ll tell you some other time. For now, maybe we can just try to enjoy the rest of your nieces birthday party.?”

West responded by taking her hand, and bringing their lips together.

“I’d really like that.”

Author's Note

Revision to come! Busy with pride month the fruits of said labor wanted to let the five you actually reading this to know how it ended ^^’
Song used based on this;

My dad atemp at incorporating music into a story ^^’ >.>
Anyways, once I get my editor to look over this, only a few chapters left...