Canterlot Academy Trials

“Okay genius. What’s the plan?” Dawn playfully asked as she leaned against the wall. “The choir hall hasn’t been used in years, so I don’t think they’ll show up for just anyone.”

Nebula glared at her with a flat expression as his ears flopped downwards. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.” His ears then perked up as he approached the hall of old instruments. “I’m basically going to put on a show to help everyone get over their troubles after all the crap we’ve gone through. Perfect in time for Hearth’s Warming.”

Dawn rolled her eyes. “I suppose I’ll have to help you. I don’t want you embarrassing yourself in front of your marefriend.” she added with a snicker.

“You’re kidding, right? Oh by the way, how are you getting along with Star Tracker?”

“Uhh…” the mare idly shuffled her hooves on the floor. “Can we change the subject--”

“Oh now look who’s the nervous one,” Nebula teased her, causing the mare scrunch up her face and look away.

“...touche,” she muttered under her breath, then walked up to the stallion as he went through what appeared to be a closet of old instruments. “But seriously, I actually genuinely do want to help you here. I actually am not very well-versed in the art of music.”

“I know--”

“Damn, dude--”

“No I literally am aware,” Nebula levitated various instruments including horns and violins outside of the closet. “I was the top woodwind player in the Academy when I was younger. Not much has changed since then. Everyone’s always too hung up on their raw magic power that they’ve forgotten how to have fun.”

Dawn let out a small sigh. “Don’t I know it. Then again, I guess that’s why the Princess so desperately wants me to make friends.”

“Canterlot itself is also pretty stuffy. The ponies here need to lighten up a little, yeah?” Nebula had sorted every instrument by type. “Even though we’re mercs, we can do more than just go out and fulfill contracts, can’t we?”

“Yeah, I suppose that’s true,” Dawn agreed as she levitated one of the violins with her magic. “This idea of yours doesn’t sound half bad anyway. But we’re gonna need a few more band members if we’re to make a real performance. Not to mention, where will we even play?”

“The square in Canterlot where most of the decorations are. It’ll be perfect.” He smirked as he heard the beautiful notes play off of the violin strings from Luster Dawn’s magic. “Hey, not bad at all.”

“You think so?” Dawn’s ear flicked as she opened her eyes, “I don’t really dabble in music that much.”

“I’ve heard worse, and that’s all that matters,” Nebula consoled her as he levitated some of the instruments towards the door. “Come on. You bring the strings, I’ll bring the woodwinds.”

“...Is that really all we need?” Dawn questioned Nebula’s intent, but the stallion had already walked off. There was no point in trying to stop him now when he was already deadset on something, and Dawn knew better than to push him.

Out in the middle of Canterlot’s snowy square….

Hearth’s Warming decorations were set up and lined across each home and building. Ponies and other creatures were all dressed up in coats, hats, mittens, and other articles of clothing.

Nebula had grabbed himself a black scarf and a green pair of earmuffs. With his flute prepared, he started to play a few notes with the other instruments set up nearby. “Perfect. Now we just need to see if anyone else is willing to join in.”

“This is your plan?” Dawn asked as she appeared next to him with an orange scarf and yellow earmuffs. “Drag out the instruments and start to play music in the square with the vain hope of someone joining in?”

But Nebula continued to play sweet notes of melodious nature from his flute, earning the attention of some of the passersby.

“Come on, Dawn,” he paused to glance over at her, “It’s the holidays. We need to lighten up a little, don’tcha think?”

Dawn watched as Nebula continued to play his flute, and couldn’t exactly disagree. Eventually, she found herself playing along and strumming the violin with her magic.

Nebula would eventually be proven right, as other students from the academy would all begin to show and expressed a desire to join in and play music. This in turn, would give the symphony an even greater melody with the accompanying horns and string instruments.

The result was a sweet symphony that had the ponies and various creatures of Canterlot stopping by to listen to and even dance to the beautiful music that the group was spreading through the air. It was exactly what the population needed after the devastating demonic invasion at the hands of those hostile primate summoners.

“See?” Nebula commented in between notes, “This is just what everyone needed, Dawn.”

“...yeah. You’re right,” she agreed as she continued to play along with him and the rest of the group.

Their efforts would bear fruit, as the rest of Canterlot would start to bob their heads and some would even sing along with the music. It was the perfect way to recover after such a tragic event affected the opulent city.