"Please...don't...move...a...single...inch..."
Fluttershy was standing in Rarity's boutique in the fashionista's workroom. She was wearing a shimmering blue dress made of and it fit closely to her body. Rarity was carefully inspect it, making sure it fit her form as perfectly as any pony could reasonably hope for. The unicorn was wearing her glasses and was currently passing her hooves down the front-right sleeve of the dress, feeling how it fit Fluttershy's form. Floating in the air was needle and thread which she levitated in case she needed to make any last minute adjustments. At last she decided to break the silence again.
"So, Fluttershy, I decided I'm going to attend your concert tomorrow night."
The yellow mare perked up, as she moved she bumped Rarity's hooves, knocking the unicorn back and causing her to drop the needle.
"Oops, sorry."
She bent down to pick the needle up, but Rarity had already recovered it. Fluttershy straightened herself back up and remembered what they were talking about.
"Wait, do you really mean that? You've never been to any of Cry for an Angel's concerts before, I thought you hated metal."
Rarity resumed her task, and while working calmly replied.
"Yes, dear. I do hate metal, I still don't see how a nice mare like you could get into it, but I love you, and tomorrow will be the last time we'll see you until you come back. I'm proud that you have managed to get this far. Besides, your voice is simply beautiful, I figure just listening to it will make the rest of the noise bearable."
Fluttershy turned to face Rarity and smiled, and then found herself throwing her hooves around Rarity's neck.
"Oh, thank you, thank you so much!"
She then noticed the needle was once again lying on the floor and immediately her cheeks filled with color as she let go. Rarity followed her gaze and spoke.
"Don't worry, it's fine, I don't think I'll need that after all. Though it could be a bit tighter, I think it's about a centimeter too long, and I think the hem is a little bit too bold..."
"Don't fret yourself, you did a great job on it, I think it's perfect. When we go to Canterlot I'll tell all those rich ponies about how you made it and then we will go to Manhattan and..."
She paused for a second, and stared at the floor.
"Fluttershy, what's wrong?"
She sighed, and then whispered out her reply.
"Well, I, I don't know if I'm ready for the tour. It's going to be so long, and we are going so far a way. I don't know if I'll be able to handle it. What if I mess up in the middle of performance?"
Rarity let out a little laugh.
"You're a great singer, I doubt that will happen. You have perfect pitch and a great technique."
Fluttershy sighed again and hung her head.
"No, that's not a what I meant."
Rarity stared at Fluttershy for a second, and then realized what she meant.
"Oh, that. Fluttershy, I have faith in you. Your social skills have improved immensely since I first meant you, and so has your courage. I dare say I'm rather impressed with how far you've come. As far as I know you haven't choked up during a performance yet, so singing in Trottingham should be no different. I'm sure you will do just fine. I'm sure nopony will mind any of your other quirks, ponies just love it when their musicians are like that, it's like the jewel in the dress. It gives them flavor."
Fluttershy stared incredulously at Rarity.
"Are you sure about tha-"
At that very moment the door to the workroom flung open. Standing in the door way was a pretty young mare. She was slender, but not overly thin, her coat was a milky shade of white, and her mane was like a bushel of cotton candy, an appetizing bundle of curls which went down to her shoulders. Her cutie mark was a modest microphone, which showed as she started shouting before she even looked into the room.
"Hey sis, where did you put the...oh, uh, am I interrupting something important?"
Rarity let out a very unladylike moan and turned to her sister before she replied. An edge could easily be heard in her voice.
"Yes, Sweetie Belle, you did-"
Fluttershy cut her off.
"No, you're fine. In case your wondering we were just talking about my concert tomorrow at Sweet Apple-"
Sweetie Belle softly gasped.
"It's tomorrow? I thought it wasn't until the 13th. Thanks for telling me, I, uh, just want to tell you that I love your music."
Now Rarity gasped, but her's was a bit harsher. She disengaged from Fluttershy and approached her sister.
"Since when did you start listening to heavy metal? I'm sorry Fluttershy, I don't mean to offend, but I cannot believe a mare of my blood listens to that "music"! Why-"
Sweetie Belle fully entered the room and shouted down her sister.
"I can do what I want! You aren't my mom!"
As the two sisters fought Fluttershy tried to break them up, but they took no notice of her, so she snuck into the corner and covered her ears. Eventually the dispute ended and Sweetie Belle called out to Fluttershy.
"Hey, Fluttershy, I got what I needed back from Rarity, so I'll be leaving now. See you tomorrow!"
And with that she strutted out of the room and closed the door behind her, leaving Fluttershy and Rarity once again alone with each other.
***
Meanwhile, at another ponies house a birthday party had just came to a close. A band of three young stallions known as The Mouse had been hired to play for the occasion, and now they were walking home from the event with their payment. In the front and carrying the cash was a handsome yellow unicorn with a crested white mane named Knuckle Duster. He was the bassist and singer for the trio. Behind him and standing side by side were Jiggles, a red stallion with a blue mane who was rather chubby for the work he did as the drummer, and Pipsqueak, the guitarist.
Pipsqueak was a rather scrawny colt with a scraggly brown mane and a matching goatee. His coat was mainly white, but it was also mottled with brown splotches, including one around his left eye. This eye reminded him of an eye patch, and he found he always had a love for pirates and other rogues who were frequently missing one eye. Indeed, that was probably why he decided to groom himself the way he did, so he would look like a rogue. The rogue look suited him well, in the very least he thought it suited his personality, and it was not out of place for a guitarist in a garage band. Well, at least it was a garage band until that day.
Pipsqueak turned to face Jiggles, who was struggling to pull a cart which was holding his drumkit as well the speakers and amps behind him. Pipsqueak and Knuckle Duster were holding their instruments on their backs.
"Hey, Jig, we finally did! We finally played a gig!"
The pudgy earth pony grunted, managing to speak under the strain.
"I know! I can't believe somepony...urg...somepony actually wanted us to perform for them. And not only that, but they actually payed us!"
Knuckle Duster jingled the bag of bits as Jig said this, then snorted.
"Well, I say we did pretty well, but don't get full of yourself. That was just some kid's party. We still have a long way to go, after all we are still just a band of losers from Ponyville."
Jig spoke again, this time without any difficulty.
"Hey, speaking of bands from Ponyville, did you know that Cry for an Angel is playing their last performance in Ponyville at Sweet Apple Acres tomorrow? Afterwards they are going to go on tour! I hope we can get that good."
Knuckle Duster stopped, causing the whole band to come to halt and the items in the cart to jingle. He then turned to face Jig.
"Cry for an Angel is going on tour? How did they manage that? Sure, they might have been our best local band, but I thought they were still just a local band."
He turned back to the front and resumed walking home, forcing Jiggles to gather up his inertia again. After they picked up their pace Knuckle Duster continued.
"Anyway, I don't think I'll be able to show up to that, I going out with my fillyfriend tomorrow and she doesn't like them."
The drummer groaned, then turned to Pipsqueak.
"Hey Pip, you coming? I really don't want to show up alone, that would be awkward, well, even more awkward than I usually am. "
Pip thought for a moment. He was thinking about hanging out with his friend Hay Kicker and his buds tomorrow and play poker with them, but he then realized that despite their acclaim he has never actually been to a concert or anything by Cry for an Angel, and this would be his last chance for awhile. Besides, he had just played poker with Hay Kicker a few days ago.
"Yeah sure, I'll come, just tell when and where to meet you and I'll be game!"
Jig's house pulled into sight, and he brought his cart up to his house.
"Okay, that's great, I'll see you here at seven tomorrow!"
He then waved out to his bandmates, who headed off in opposite directions.
***
Fluttershy's heart was racing beneath her new silk dress. She was sitting in Applejack's barn, strumming AJ's acoustic guitar and leaning against a bale of hay. Even though she could now play both lead and rhythm guitar decently she didn't actually play in the band. It simply wouldn't be practical for her to be doubled up on vocals and an instrument, and the other guitarists were much better than she was, so in the band she would only sing. However, that wasn't going to stop her from playing to soothe her nerves while she waited for the show to start. The rest of the band was also in the barn, but she didn't feel like talking with them right now. Outside the barn was a makeshift stage, and beyond that was the field of Sweet Apple Acres, which was now full of ponies. In a moment she would have to stand on that stage and face the crowd.
Fluttershy stopped playing and her head shot up as she heard someone trot infront of her. Standing there was a lanky white stallion with brown dreadlocks. Heart Shreds was the lead guitarist and backup singer of Cry for an Angel.
"Hey, Fluttershy, it's time. Get with the rest of the group, we're on stage in less than five minutes and I'd like to speak to everypony first."
Fluttershy sighed and put the guitar down. Her heart was building back up to a gallop, and she was starting to feel sick, but she couldn't fail her bandmates, her friends, and her fans now. She got up and followed Shreds to the circle of four other ponies against the wall, squeezing herself between a lean yet muscular, dark grey stallion who was the drummer, and a green mare who served as the keyboardist. Once she and Shreds settled in and the ring was tight he spoke.
"Okay, as you all know this concert serves as our last performance here in Ponyville, and tomorrow we will be leaving for Canterlot. Just one last show and we are on the road! We've practice this a million times already, we should do just fine, but just fine isn't going to good enough. Tonight we are going to rock their horseshoes off! You hear me! Tonight we are going to give them our all so we can get out of this town with a bang!"
After he finished yelling he extended his hoof to the center where it was met in a six sided hoof bump. The group then broke apart and headed out of the barn and onto the stage stage. Fluttershy inhaled one last time and stepped out, her heart racing faster than ever.
***
Sweetie Belle was standing side to side with Scootaloo. It was the orange pegasus who had introduced Sweetie Belle to hard rock and heavy metal years ago, her first exposure being the glam ballad that Scootaloo wrote for a talent show of theirs back when they were in Ms. Cheerilee's class. She was now by no means a huge fan of metal, but she did find it enjoyable like most forms of music, liking it more than most fillies. She rather enjoyed loud and rowdy music. There were a few acts she loved, like Cry for an Angel. Maybe it was just because Fluttershy was her sister's friend and her friend, but she still loved the music.
They were standing together in the field of Sweet Apple Acres, looking at a crude stage assembled infront of the barn adorned with mikes and instruments. Scattered through out the field were other ponies and groups of ponies who had gathered for this performance. Fluttershy and the rest of Cry for an Angel decided that they wanted to have an outdoor performance that night, and that's exactly what they did. The pair had been waiting for the performance to start for awhile now, and while Scootaloo rambled on about some adventure she had Sweetie Belle began to drift off. Sweetie Belle was thinking about how great it would be to have a two scoops of strawberry ice cream when she felt Scootaloo's elbow enter her side and bring her back to Equestria. She turned to face orange pegasus, who was pointing at the stage with her other hoof.
"Hey look, it's finally starting!"
Sure enough Sweetie Belle watched as Fluttershy and five other ponies walked onto the stage and took their places by their instruments. A white stallion now wearing a guitar approached his mike and spoke into it.
"Hello everypony. I'd like to thank you all for coming here tonight and I hope you have a great time. I'd also like to thank the Apple family for letting us use their land for our performance tonight. Since this is our last performance in Ponyville for a long while we are going to try our hardest to make this a night to remember."
He paused for a second, then proceeded to scream into the microphone.
"NOW WHOSE READY TO ROCK?!"
A cheer immediately issued out through the crowd. As it died down Fluttershy could then be seen inhaling and bringing her own mike to her mouth.
"Um, hello everyone. To get this night started I'd like to begin with a song from one of my favorite bands, Steel Filly. Rolling 'Through Tartarus' in 3...2...1..."
As Fluttershy started counting down the dummer tapped his drumsticks together. A second after Fluttershy said "one" he crashed down on his kit and soon the rest of the band joined in the making of music. The night had begun.
***
Pipsqueak found himself panting at Jiggle's doorstep. He had spent far too much time playing ping-pong with Truffle Shuffle, and now it was far after seven. After he managed to catch his breath he hauled himself up to the door and knocked on it. A moment later a plump pink stallion with an azure mane opened the door.
"Hello, are you Pipsqueak?"
He nodded.
"My son told me that you should be coming. He left over an hour ago, and told me to tell you to meet him at Sweet Apple Acres as soon as possible."
Pipsqueak swore under his breath, thanked the mare, and headed off as fast as he could in the direction of the concert, ignoring the stich in his side.
***
As Sweetie Belle danced to the music with Scootaloo something caught her eye. Keeping her distance from everyone else was a familiar white unicorn with a majestic purple mane. At the sight of her sister Sweetie Belle stopped moving. Sure, the designer didn't appear to be enjoying it very much, but she was still focusing on that stage, and more importantly she was there. Scootaloo also stopped banging her head and tucked her wings in when she finally noticed Sweetie Belle wasn't dancing.
"What's wrong?"
Sweetie Belle didn't even turn to Scootaloo as she growled.
"Rarity, she's here. Yesterday she threw a fit when I said I liked this band, and now she has the nerve to show up. I'm going to speak my mind to her right now!"
She then trotted away from Scootaloo and headed straight towards her sister. The pegasus followed after her at first, trying to stop her, but she just stopped and brought her face to her hoof as Sweetie Belle continued marching on. Once the unicorn was within earshot of her sister she began shouting above the music.
"What are you doing here! You hate metal, and you attacked me just for liking Angel's music!"
Rarity let out a small scream, but stopped when she turned and saw her sister. She scrunched up her face and then let out her own assault in defense.
"I'm here supporting a friend when she needs it! No, I don't like the music, but I like my friend and I will be there for her. Besides, she has a great voice, and the keyboards and ballads are okay."
"Well why can't I support her, why won't you support me!"
"You can, but you aren't just supporting her! You are getting into this "metal" and "rock" and it's bad for you! Fluttershy...she's different. Not only is she....Fluttershy, but she isn't my family, so I don't have that type of responability for her. Also, she is actually making money from this, you're not. You need to understand that Fluttershy has been unemployed and relying on generosity from ponies like me to help financially support her animals for years, it means a lot to her to know I'm still with her. Knowing that I'm making a sacrifice because I don't even like metal makes me showing up all the more generous."
Rarity humphed and turned away from Sweetie Belle, who responded by doing the same. She then headed off to be alone her own and pouted.
Meanwhile, on stage the current song came to a close. Fluttershy took in a deep breathe and delivered her last song introduction.
"Okay everypony, we've had a wonder performance tonight, and I really appreciate every single pony who managed to show up tonight, it means a lot to us. Now, I'd like to close the night by performing an personal favorite of mine, it's a classic ballad I'm sure you've all heard. Queing 'Flower of the Season'!"
Rarity sighed in relief as she heard the intro on the piano, but Sweetie Belle felt just as down.
***
At hearing those words Pipsqueak moaned. Sure, he still managed to hear a few songs, but he had ended missing most of the concert, and now it was coming to an end. At least Jiggles only said "Hey, glad to see you're finally here, I was getting worried" when he finally showed up, and left it at that. As the song played he was reminded of his own failure with regards to love and everything else.
However, as he stared into the crowd, he noticed something. He saw pretty mare with a milk colored coat, a mane that looked like candy, and eyes of jade. She was the most beautiful creature she had ever seen. He noticed she was staring at the ground, looking sad, and as the chorus of the song started for the first time he felt inspired, breaking away from Jiggles.
"Hey were are you going?"
He turned back to reply, but he didn't stop walking towards her.
"I think I finally found a chance to make a flower bloom!"
Jiggles smiled wildly and waved his hoof back.
"Well I wish you luck!"
***
"Hey, I know you're the flower of the season, so there is no reason to run."
Sweetie Belle looked up as she heard a stallion's voice. The cheesiness of the attempt at a pickup line made her forget that she was angry with her sister, but it was his face that made her forget she was even angry at all. His features struck her as boyishly handsome, but it was his eyes that seduced her. They appeared to be full of life, amplified by the whimsical spot around one, and the cute little goatee also helped. He also seemed to be showing genuine concern. That was one thing all the other colts lacked.
"Oh, um, thanks, but I don't know why I would even want to run from a colt like you."
"You don't? That's a first. I guess they must be afraid of my sexiness"
He let out a small chuckle, then stopped.
"What's the matter?"
Sweetie Belle sighed, and looked down again.
"It's my sister. She is close friends with Fluttershy, but she is still mad that I'm here tonight because she doesn't want me to listen to rock."
Pipsqueak put his hoof on hers.
"Hey, don't give her any mind. Just enjoy the music, tonight is a night to have fun!"
He smiled and she had to smile back. Now they stared directly into each other eyes, and they felt a connection. Even though they had just met they felt love. They held hands and danced for the rest of the song, and while they had only known each other for a few minutes at the end they kissed through the final chorus.
You're the flower of the season
Not yet blooming for some reason
Lift your head up from the ground
To the bright light of the sun
Push your way through all the sadness
All the hatred, all the madness
Bloom with beauty once again
There's no reason to run
At last the night was over. Now that Sweetie Belle opened her eyes she could see Scootaloo staring at her. Embarressed, she broke out of Pipsqueak's embrace.
"I'm sorry, but I've got to go. Goodbye."
And so she left Pipsqueak standing stupefied. Even though he had just met her seeing her leave made it feel like his heart had just been torn out of his chest, leaving a gaping hole. Once he returned to his senses he would vow to see the magical mare again, but for the moment he could hardly speak.
"Good...bye..."
Author's Note
Sort of created for Indigo Eclipse's Shipping Challenge, though I "entered" way after the entry deadline, and I didn't finish in time. You can consider this a sequel to http://www.fimfiction.net/story/28757/heavy-metal-fluttershy . The ballad is here:
