The Sorrow series

CHAPTER 9 Lady Terra

"Anon? Anon!" Picks greets as he waves over at the human walking up, holding his new guitar on his back as both him and Picks start walking together. They just got word that the whole competition is going to start in the next three weeks, so this gives the human more time to practice.

"So, we're finally starting today, eh?" The teal stallion asks as he looks up at Anon with a big grin on his face. Anon is smiling simply as he walks with the pony “Yeah, it’s finally happening,” Anon replies with a nod, his excitement evident in his voice. He adjusts the strap of his guitar, feeling a surge of anticipation for the competition. As they walk together, Anon mentally rehearses the songs they've been practicing, eager to showcase their talent on stage.

“And hey, with three weeks to go, we've got plenty of time to fine-tune everything,” Anon adds optimistically, glancing over at Picks with a determined expression. He's ready to put in the work to make their performance unforgettable.

Anon rubbed the back of his neck out of habit, and the stallion laughed with him as they both shared some stories. Soon, they came up to the back of the guitar shop where two mares were setting up stuff, and a single stallion was sitting with the drums. Once they spotted Picks and the human, they trotted over to greet them.

“Picky? Is this the human you were talking about?” the gray mare said. Picks chuckled, adjusted his glasses, and hugged the mare. “Anon, meet Granite. She's our piano player in the group. And also my special somepony. Hon, meet Anonymous,” Picks said, lifting a hoof to point towards the human. Granite had dark gray fur and a lighter gray mane and tail with some white spots on them. She also had four white hooves halfway down her limbs.

“Picks had said some great things about you. Nice to meet you!” she said before pulling the human into a tight hug. 'She… is too… strong…' Anon thought as he struggled a bit in her embrace. She broke the hug and laughed loudly. The other mare then trotted up to Anon. He had recognized her from some of the times he had picked up a few things for his iPon. He lifted a hand to point at her. “I’ve seen you around DJ's some of the time,” he said, and the mare nodded before bowing her head lightly, politely.

"Salutations, Anon," Octavia greeted warmly, her refined voice carrying a melodious tone as she moved some of her coal-colored mane out of the way. She smiled brightly up at the human, her amethyst eyes sparkling with genuine interest. "Vinyl has mentioned you on a few occasions," she continued, her tone friendly yet composed.

Before Anon could respond, the stallion trotted up, flapping his wings to adjust his height and be eye level with the human. His fur boasted a striking solid green coat, complemented by a mane and tail dyed a vibrant orange at the tips. Despite his colorful appearance, there was an air of confidence and charm about him.

With a warm smile, the stallion extended a hoof, offering it for a friendly hoof bump. "I'm GreenBay," he introduced himself, his voice smooth and upbeat. "nice to finally meet you, Anon. Picks has been raving about your musical talents." Anon chuckled nervously, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the attention. "Nice to meet you too, Bay," he replied, trying to match the stallion's upbeat energy. Glancing around at the group of ponies, he felt a mix of excitement and apprehension about joining their band.
Picks, ever the enthusiastic host, couldn't contain his excitement. "Alright, let's get down to business, shall we?" he exclaimed, rubbing his hooves together eagerly. "Anon, we've got a lot of ground to cover before the competition, so we better get started!"

Picks trotted up to his guitar, casting a glance over at Granite with a smile. "I see you lot were setting up before we arrived?" he observed, prompting a snort of agreement from Granite as she chuckled. "Yeah, didn't you and Anon think we'd be here soon. But hey, that gives us more time to meet our newest member," she remarked, shooting a grin up at the human.

Anon clapped his hands together, looking around at the scattered crates. "Is there anything you need help with?" he offered, eager to lend a hand. Before anyone could respond, GreenBay flew over to Anon, excitement clear in his voice. "Oh, maybe you can set up your guitar! I want to see the WintersColts!" he exclaimed, zipping over to where Anon had set down his case.

As he put his case down and pulled out the green and white guitar, GreenBay's eyes widened with excitement. "Wow! That is an oddball indeed!" he exclaimed. Octavia, noticing Anon's reaction, playfully slapped GreenBay's leg. "Hey! What—oh, sorry. I didn't offend you, did I?" he asked, his tone turning apologetic.

Anon chuckled, shaking his head to reassure the stallion. "No worries, mate. It's all good," he said, calming GreenBay down. "So, what made you buy this one?" GreenBay asked, hovering nearby as Anon plugged some cords into the amp. Anon glanced down at the guitar, admiring its color and shape. Seeing his reflection in the glossy finish, he smiled lightly.

Anon's words carried a hint of melancholy as he spoke. "She's a lost soul... and wished to be something important, like me... we're connected," he said softly, his fingers gently caressing the guitar's surface. Octavia trotted up, her smile warm as she observed Anon's care. "You know how to show respect for your instruments," she remarked, a note of admiration in her voice.

"Does she have a name?" GreenBay's curiosity prompted Anon to glance down at the green stallion. With a thoughtful expression, Anon pondered for a moment, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. As GreenBay trotted over to his drums, boasting proudly about his instrument, Anon couldn't help but admire the passion in his friend's voice. “this is Flamebay! He has the most powerful drums set ever in all of equestria!” He said before grabbing his sticks and doing a drum roll.

Octavia rolled her eyes and smiled lightly as she pulled her cello out and played a simple note. "This is my cello, her name is Voidling," she said, playing the strings again. Picks and Granite trotted up with toothy grins, quickly rushing to their instruments. Anon looked over and set his guitar down, walking over to the pair as Picks pulled out his bass guitar. The cosmic colors returned, and Anon spotted the text on the bottom.

"Meet Darling," Picks said with a proud grin, lifting his bass guitar, "she's a special piece from a special somepony." He cast a loving glance at Granite, who blushed and rolled her eyes playfully. "You just love to make me blush, don't you?" she teased. Picks winked at her. "What can I say? I'm good at my charm."

GreenBay, always the joker, patted Anon's shoulder with a mischievous grin, making a fake gag sound. Octavia, the epitome of elegance, responded by slapping GreenBay's leg, her demeanor maintaining its grace even in jest. Anon chuckled at the camaraderie among the group, feeling a sense of belonging in their playful banter.

“This was once my father’s keyboard. He called her Legacy," Granite shared, her fingers gracefully dancing across the keys. "She's one old instrument, but plays like it was made yesterday!” As the melody filled the room, the band members watched Anon with a sense of wonder in their eyes, gathering around him.

Picks, ever the creative one, broke the silence. "So, does she have a name? 'Cause I can think of a good one," he said, a mischievous glint in his eyes. GreenBay, always ready with a playful suggestion, flapped his wings and lifted a hoof high in the air, waiting for his chance to contribute.

“Oh oh! How about the monkey!” GreenBay chimed in eagerly, only to receive another slap on the hoof from Octavia, who shot him a reproachful look. Wincing, he quickly apologized, his enthusiasm slightly dampened.

Anon, meanwhile, remained focused on the guitar, a nostalgic smile playing on his lips. He gazed at the reflection, feeling as though he could see echoes of his old life on Earth—the familiar landscapes, the towering buildings, the warmth of his family's presence.

“Lady Terra…” he murmured softly, his voice tinged with reverence. The group turned to him, their brows furrowing in curiosity at his choice of name. Anon proceeded to explain the significance of the name, sharing the memories and emotions it evoked within him. As he spoke, a sense of understanding passed among the group, and they exchanged satisfied looks, appreciating the deeper meaning behind Anon's connection to his instrument.

“Lady Terra…. Okay! I like it!” GreenBay exclaimed enthusiastically, earning a frown from Octavia. "What made you the judge?" she questioned, her tone laced with mild annoyance.

Undeterred, the green stallion took to the air again, placing a hoof on his chest fluff in a theatrical gesture. "I think this human has some strong reasons, and it’s fitting with our instruments," GreenBay reasoned, gesturing towards the rest of the group to emphasize his point.

“Darling, Legacy, Voidling, Flamebay, and Lady Terra! It’s all fitting for all of us. Anon is officially part of this band now,” GreenBay declared proudly. Picks chuckled in agreement, then picked up his bass guitar and plugged it in. Anon smiled and followed suit, grabbing his guitar and eyeing the strings thoughtfully. Suddenly, he remembered his plan for which song to practice.

“Hey, I have an idea that might help us win the contest!” Anon exclaimed, drawing the group's attention. He grinned and produced a piece of paper. “This piece of paper has lyrics from an old song from my world that we can use for practice. I have a good memory for songs, so I won’t mind finding other songs for us to try,” he explained, causing Picks to grow excited as he examined the paper, with Granite looking over his shoulder. Octavia smiled and sighed as she observed the music notes, impressed by the effort Anon had put in.

“WOW! Humans have interesting ways of singing their songs,” Granite remarked, attempting to hum a verse from the notes. She then looked up at Anon, who promptly assumed his position, grabbing Lady Terra and starting to play the song.

I'm yours

[Anon]

Well, you done done me in, you bet I felt it
I tried to be chill, but you're so hot that I melted
I fell right through the cracks
Now I'm trying to get back

Picks quickly grabbed his bass and stood close to Anon, while Octavia grabbed her cello and GreenBay darted towards his drums. The two nodded at each other and listened closely.

[Anon]

Before the cool done run out
I'll be giving it my bestest
And nothing's gonna stop me but divine intervention
I reckon it's again my turn
To win some or learn some

But I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait, I'm yours

And soon the group starts playing, with Picks now clearing his throat and grinning up at Anon.

[Picks]

Well, open up your mind and see like me
Open up your plans and, damn, you're free
Look into your heart and you'll find love, love, love, love
Listen to the music of the moment, people dance and sing

We're just one big family
And it's our God-forsaken right to be…

[The group]

Loved, loved, loved, loved, loved

[Picks]

So I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait, I'm sure
There's no need to complicate
Our time is short
This is our fate, I'm yours

And soon both Anon and Picks stand close, nearly back to back, as they play their instruments. Lady Terra's strings ring out around the store, catching the attention of the ponies and drawing them in with the music, both loud and soft. Picks holds Darling close, playing carefully and with feeling, smiling as he looks around at his friends joining in. Octavia plays with her eyes closed, fully immersed in the melody. GreenBay wears a grin as he pounds on his drums, adding energy to the mix. Picks's marefriend maintains her tune beautifully, humming along with the melody. And soon, Anon hums loudly before singing again, his voice blending harmoniously with the music.

[Anon]

I've been spending way too long checking my tongue in the mirror
And bending over backwards just to try to see it clearer
But my breath fogged up the glass
And so I drew a new face and I laughed
I guess what I be saying is there ain't no better reason
To rid yourself of vanities and just go with the seasons
It's what we aim to do
Our name is our virtue

But I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait, I'm yours

[Anon and the band]

Well, open up your mind and see like me (I won't hesitate)
Open up your plans and, damn, you're free (no more, no more)
And look into your heart, and you'll find (it cannot wait)
That the sky is yours (I'm sure)
So please don't, please don't, please don't (no need to complicate)
There's no need to complicate (our time is short)
'Cause our time is short (this is)
This, oh this, this is our fate (our fate)
I'm yours

As the song slowly comes to an end, the group exchanges smiles, their eyes meeting with a shared sense of accomplishment. They flinch in surprise as the sound of hooves stomping fills the air, followed by loud cheers from the surrounding ponies. Anon and Green both blush in embarrassment, attempting to wave off the attention, while Picks trots over to Granite and pulls her into a tight hug. Octavia bows gracefully to the ponies, acknowledging their applause as it gradually subsides.

Gathered together, the group cheers in celebration, their spirits lifted by the success of their impromptu performance. Anon revels in the feeling of singing again, reminiscing about the times he used to play guitar with his teacher back on Earth. Reflecting on the experience, he realizes that they just performed his favorite song. Looking down at Lady Terra, he sees his reflection in the guitar's surface and smiles brightly. Lady Terra truly lives up to her name. Determined now more than ever, Anon resolves to do whatever it takes to win the upcoming contest—not for the prize money, but for the joy of making music with his newfound friends.

Not long after, one of the main six catches sight of the group performing: Fluttershy, the gentle pegasus. She approaches Anon with a warm smile, praising their song. Anon returns the smile and gently scratches behind her ears, eliciting a contented coo from the shy pony. Picks and Granite join them, greeting Fluttershy warmly. Shyly, Fluttershy hides her face behind her mane before peeking out and smiling warmly at the group. “Hey Picks, how are you doing?”

The teal stallion's smile brightens as he responds, "Doing just fine! Anon and I were playing one of his human songs. We're planning on using one for the concert." Fluttershy's smile widens, and she claps her hooves together in approval. "That's wonderful. My friends and I are also entering too. We were hoping to have Anon, but it looks—" Before she could finish, Rainbow Dash swooped in front of the human, causing him to stagger and fall on his rump.

"But it looks like we're too late!" Rainbow Dash declared, causing Fluttershy to hide her face behind her mane once more. GreenBay gasped at the sight of the sky blue Pegasus and quickly dashed under his drums for cover. Octavia stepped forward to help the human back up, her expression turning slightly disapproving as she glanced at Rainbow. "The hay are you doing, Anon?" Rainbow Dash demanded, her tone incredulous.

The human dusted himself off and smiled lightly back at the mare. "Oh, you know, joined a band, playing for the concert," he replied, causing Rainbow to groan and flop on the floor in frustration.

"And there goes our power card," she lamented. Fluttershy helped the mare back up and offered an apologetic look. "Sorry about that. We were looking for you, to see if you wanted to help, but... it looks like we're too late," she explained, looking away with a hint of disappointment. Anon shrugged and got down on one knee. "It's okay. Plus, I don't think Rainbow would let a human take all the pride," he joked, trying to lighten the mood.

"Oh, you know what? You're on, human! If we win the contest, you'll have to owe me all of your bits from your times drinking with me!" Rainbow Dash declared, a mischievous glint in her eyes. Anon gasped in shock; that's nearly a thousand bits to pay back. He might need to have a part-time job to cover that!

"Okay, fine, but if we win, then you will have to..." Anon paused, scanning the area for a split second before noticing GreenBay's eyes peeking out from behind the trees as he was hiding.

"Take my friend GreenBay on a double date with me and Twilight," he said, causing the Pegasus to drop his jaw in surprise. Picks and Granite chuckled, while GreenBay tumbled out of the tree to the ground. Octavia and Green both shouted, "HUH?!" along with Rainbow Dash. Fluttershy blushed and hid her face behind her mane again. Rainbow looked at GreenBay up and down before she shrugged and flew to be eye level with Anon.

"Deal... But I'm going to win! So, good luck... Anon," she said before she and Fluttershy flew away, leaving GreenBay trotting over to Anon. "What. The. Buck," was all he said before he dashed back to the drums and did a solo really fast. Once he was done, Bay looked at his group and smiled brightly.

"We're gonna need to win this now."