A loud ring filled the air as the sun rose upon the small town of Ponyville. Diamond Tiara grumbled to herself, waving her hoof around to hit her alarm clock. It took her a few seconds to realize her alarm clock was not next to her, as it usually was. It took a few more seconds to realize that it was not the clock that was misplaced, but rather herself that was misplaced.
Her eyes slowly opened, the cursed sun’s rays hitting her in the eyes. She slowly lifted herself off of the floor. She began to wonder why exactly she was on the floor until she saw it: a single orange feather. And suddenly the events of yesterday flooded into her mind.
That and the realization that Scootaloo could potentially be coming over to her house at any second and Diamond Tiara looked like a mess because of all the excitement scootering yesterday, not to mention the fact she had still had no idea what her act was gonna be for the school talent show and Scootaloo was coming and-
“Dust Buster!” Diamond Tiara yelled, running out of the room (but not before carefully placing the feather in the top drawer of her dresser, where she knew it would be absolutely safe).
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Diamond Tiara sat upon her plush couch in her lavishly designed living room, her mane and fur freshly cleaned and brushed, an expensive looking purple dress, made of fine silk, adorning her frame, her trademark tiara sitting upon her head, freshly polished. Diamond Tiara’s eyes remained focused upon the front door, waiting for a certain somepony to approach it and knock upon it.
Dust Buster had attempted to inform her young charge that most children wouldn’t be up at eight in the morning on a Saturday, but Diamond Tiara had quickly and summarily ignored her. That had been two hours ago, and Diamond Tiara was beginning to suspect that Dust Buster was right. If Scootaloo even decides to show up at all... the young filly thought bitterly to herself, sighing softly. She moved to lift herself off the pillow, intent to head back to her room, when a noise filled the air.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
Oh dear sweet moon and stars above it’s Scootaloo. Deep breaths DT. Just because she’s over at your house with the full intention of spending the majority of the day with you is no reason to be nervous..... Diamond Tiara shook her head, banishing her inner monologue from her head as she approached the door, opening it at a pace she hoped appeared to be the normal speed one would open a door at. It did not occur to her that there may, in fact, be somepony else at the door instead of the pegasus in question.
Fortunately for everypony involved, Scootaloo stood on the other side of the door, a well rested look on her face, and looking as beautiful and energetic and happy and amazing as ever..... “Bout time you showed up! Come on, we have work to do!” Diamond Tiara said, welcoming her crush in as nicely as one could with a somewhat haughty hoof point. Scootaloo chose to merely follow the hoof, Diamond Tiara noticed that Scootaloo’s scooter was parked to the side, leaning against her house, the wagon behind it holding what looked like, of all things, a pair of bongos. Diamond Tiara chose not to ask why Scootaloo went through the trouble of bringing a pair of bongos, and merely walked back into her house, taking a seat on her comfortable couch, and offered her guest a seat next to her. (But STILL not as close as she would have liked)
“So DT, what’s the plan for the talent show?” Scootaloo asked, sounding far more relaxed than she had during the entirety of yesterday.
Diamond Tiara froze at the question. I never came up with an idea for an act... The young earth pony steeled herself, ready for the incoming complaints as she weakly admitted “...I...actually never had an idea for what we’d do during the talent show....” Diamond Tiara admitted, looking away. “...it’s ok if you wanna leave....” she muttered weakly.
Her spirits lifted the instant Scootaloo spoke. “That’s no problem. That just means we can come up with something totally awesome to knock everypony’s socks off!” She stated, the excitement apparent in her voice. “Hey DT, you’re good at dancing and stuff, right?” Scootaloo guessed.
Diamond Tiara nodded, all the while wondering what kind of ponies wear socks, and determining that Scootaloo would look adorable in some socks.
“Great!” Scootaloo yelled, jumping off of the couch, walking back to the front door. She exited the building (which worried Diamond Tiara for a moment) but soon came walking back in, the pair of bongos from earlier balanced on her back. She set the bongos down on the floor carefully, and then sat behind them, placing one hoof on each drumhead. “I figure you could dance and stuff, and I could sing a song, accompanied by a cool beat. Wanna hear a song?”
An opportunity to hear your melodious voice serenade me as I dance upon the stage? Absolutely.... “I guess.” Diamond Tiara said, dismissively.
Scootaloo raised her hooves above her head, and took a deep breath.
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“There is no way you are doing at that at the school talent show. Or anywhere, for that matter. I forbid you from playing the bongos or singing in my presence ever again” HOW COULD SUCH A MELODIOUS VOICE SOUND SO HORRID!?!?! IT DOESN’T MAKE SENSE! “Do you understand, Scootaloo?” Diamond Tiara stared at Scootaloo with the most powerful death glare she could manage. Scootaloo winced underneath its gaze.
“I understand.....we’ll think of something else......” Scootaloo said, muttering under her breath how DT wouldn’t know cool music if it hit her with a sonic rainboom. “...I’ll let you come up with the next idea....” Scootaloo’s gaze shifted around the room, trying very hard to not meet the very very angry gaze of the very very angry young rich pony. Fortunately, the moment of anger passed as Diamond Tiara began to think of ideas for an act.
Ok DT, think. One of us is the most amazing filly in Ponyville, and the other is the most amazing filly in the entirety of Equestria. There must be something you two can do together.....she suggested dancing earlier......
A vivid image suddenly formed in Diamond Tiara’s head. A ballroom, draped in various shades of red, the lighting very dim. In the middle stood two ponies. One, a pink furred, purple and white maned earth pony, dressed in a beautiful wedding dress. The other, an orange furred, purple maned pegasus, dressed in a sharp black tuxedo. The two joined together and danced a slow waltz, whispering sweet nothings to each other as time passed. And then, as the dance came to its end, the two looked deeply into eachothers eyes, and their muzzles drew closer and closer until-
“Hey DT, you’re drooling....again. You should really get that checked out.”
DT flinched as she was quickly broken out of her fantasy. and right before the good part.... she lamented before wiping the drool from her muzzle. She then dared to ask a simple question, highly inspired by her fantasy.
“Hey Scootaloo, do you know how to dance?” Diamond Tiara, deep down hoping and praying that Scootaloo would say yes.
“Kind of. I mean, I never took lessons or anything, but I could learn a dance if I really tried. Why? You have something in mind?”
….perfect. Diamond Tiara thought to herself, a wide smile coming to her face.
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The sun was setting over the small village of Ponyville, and soon the stars would cover the sky in their majestic pattern. A small stage was set up in front of the house of the Representative of the Night Court of Luna. Slowly, ponies began to set up blankets, unfurling them onto the ground, while other ponies, the vast majority being young foals, approached the stage itself, heading backstage. There was a sense of excitement and joy filling the air.
In a short time, the sun had set, the moon had risen high into the sky, and the first stars had begun to dot the sky. And a lone mare walked onto the stage, and spoke loudly and clearly, drawing the attention of the gathered parents and family of the young performers who would soon grace the stage.
“Fillies and gentlecolts, family and friends of the performers, the Great and Powerful TRIXIE welcomes you to the Annual School Talent Show! But before we bring out our first act, the Great and Powerful Trixie would like to perform a feat of mind blowing proportions for you all! Watch and be amazed as-”
“I told you you could perform for the audience AFTER the children perform.” a voice from stage right interrupted Trixie’s speech. The showmare looked as if she was going to argue with the voice, but her eyes filled with something that could be described as worry when her eyes traveled towards the source of the voice.
“But before that, I would like to pass the stage over to everypony’s favorite school teacher to introduce the first act of the night. Please give a warm applause to Miss Cheerilee!” Trixie said quickly before exiting stage left. From stage right, a familiar magenta mare entered, sporting a black turban with white trim (which unbeknownst to the gathered crowd Cheerilee had won from a Saddle Arabian in a slightly crooked game of poker) which looked stylish and conveniently hid Cheerilee’s mane from everypony.
“Thanks for coming out tonight parents. I’d like to apologize for the sudden change of venue, but there were some complications. Suffice to say, students will no longer be allowed to handle sound equipment at school functions without adult supervision in the future. and I’d like to thank Representative Trixie so much for getting this stage set up so quickly. Without further ado, I’d like to announce the first act for tonight...”
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Backstage, things were nowhere near as orderly and calm as they were on stage.
“Has anypony seen my costume!?”
“Is there time for makeup!?”
“What do you mean the nitro glycerin hasn’t arrived yet?”
“mmm...tacos.”
“I WON’T EXPLODE THE STAGE THIS TIME! CAN I PLEASE USE A MICROPHONE!?”
And in one corner of backstage, two fillies were having an argument.
“I don’t wear earrings.” Scootaloo said sternly, staring disdainfully at the simple black earring with some orange stone in the middle that sat in Diamond Tiara’s hoof.
“You HAVE to wear it. Your outfit isn’t complete without it.” Diamond Tiara said, a mixture of anger and desperation filling her voice. “And come on, I’m actually letting you keep your outfit, which means you could keep the earring too. Now WEAR it.” Diamond Tiara finished.
Scootaloo brought a hoof to her chin, carefully thinking of her response. It only took about a second. “No.”
...but...but this wasn’t actually for the outfit or for the show....this was picked out especially for you....... “Scootaloo, you are wearing this earring, and THAT. IS. FINAL!” Diamond Tiara yelled, louder than she intended.
“No.”
“...please?” Diamond Tiara asked meekly, mustering up all of the abilities she has called upon so many times in the past to put her best puppy dog eyes on, and pouting ever so slightly with her lower lip. Her daddy had no defenses against this tactic.
Scootaloo seemed a bit disturbed by the display more than anything, but the end result was the same. “Fine. Just don’t stare at me like that. It looks freaky!” Scootaloo said, grabbing the earring out Diamond Tiara’s hoof and quickly walked off for fear of losing her sanity.
She accepted my gift! I hope she likes how it looks! Oh who am I kidding, she’ll LOVE it. I know she will....speaking of which, how long is it till we perform?...wait, who’s actually performing right now?
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“Come one, come all! Come and see the greatest magician trio to ever grace Equestria! Come and see!
“THE GREAT AND POWERFUL DINKY!”
Dinky stood on the stage, wearing a red wizard’s hat and cape, bespeckled crescent moons, front hooves raised high into the sky, mimicking the common pose Trixie often took when she announced her presence on stage. However, she was unable to keep her balance, and she fell backwards, landing upon her flank, her hat becoming slightly askew. “Sorry” she said to the crowd, look apologetic.
The crowd was instantly won over by the cuteness of the display. She really should have stuck with the cuteness.
“And now, I shall be joined by my two assistants, Snips and Snails!”
Snips, wearing a magician’s top hat, came onto stage, rolling a long box onto the stage. The box would have been unremarkable, except for the fact that Snails’s head was sticking out one end of it. And atop the box sat a very sharp looking hand saw.
“And now, with a few magic words, I will saw my assistant in half! And with more magic words, put him back together as good as new!”
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Featherweight breathed in deeply, his back legs crossed, his back leaning against the wall behind him, and his fore legs sitting in his lap. He had to calm himself down if he wanted to focus on his somewhat overly complicated act.
His concentration and attempts at calming himself from his stage fright were quickly dashed by a very pained sounding scream and then what sounded like the representative yelling “I never taught her to do that!! I thought she was gonna pull a rabbit out of her hat! I’m sure your little brother is fine! PLEASE DON’T HURT ME!!!!”
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It was a while before the talent show could go proceed to its second act, on account of a lone pegasus in the crowd reacting somewhat badly to the screams emanating from the would be saw victim, who was actually never in any real danger in the first place. All three foals involved would eventually apologize for attempting to make the act more exciting by adding in magically enhanced screams. The Great and Powerful Trixie would deny any involvement with the act that occurred on stage.
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Diamond Tiara was standing just off stage, boredly watching the acts go by. Between the failed first act, the skinny dweeb standing there before just leaving without any explanation, and two idiots whose entire act was just reciting poetry while skating around the stage, Diamond Tiara was confident that her and Scootaloo’s act would be considered best in show.
When she saw that the next act was going to be that self important Apple filly and her nerdy friend with the lisp, she knew her and Scootaloo would be the act that would finally entertain the crowd, since they were up after those two. She walked away, stopping in front of a full length mirror.
Diamond Tiara carefully analyzed her outfit, making sure everything went together perfectly. Diamond Tiara’s trademark tiara was, in a rarity, absent from her head, instead being replaced by a bright red rose tucked into her mane. The red of the rose was matched only by the frilly Cabellarian Flamenco dancer’s dress she wore. Embroidered on the back of the dress was a design of a rose, matching the one held in her mane.
Pleased that everything was perfect with her outfit, as it should be, Diamond Tiara took a moment to see if her dance partner was ready. She took a cursory glance of the backstage area, hoping to catch a glimpse of her favorite pegasus. Upon seeing feather nor hair of orange pegasi anyway, she was worried that Scootaloo had ditched her. She began to walk around, abandoning her activity of watching the competition. It was about five minutes later that she thought to, instead of wandering around aimlessly and bugging the other foals about where her partner was, to actually check the dressing rooms, where Scootaloo was more than likely changing into her outfit.
As if coincidence itself had planned it, the moment the red dressed filly had approached the dressing room, the door flew wide open, and she was greeted to a breathtaking sight.
The orange pegasus also wore Cabellarian dancers outfit, but unlike her earth pony dance partner, this outfit was one that would traditionally be worn by stallions. A white shirt, buttons lining the front of it, covered the fillies barrel and forelegs, a simple black vest being worn over the shirt. Scootaloo’s flank and and back legs were covered by a pair of black pants. Around the fillies waist was a sash, it’s color matching Diamond Tiara’s dress. Atop the fillies head she wore a wide brimmed black hat, a single rose sitting on it. And hanging from the fillies right ear was a very simple looking earring, with a very simple looking orange stone in its center.
Diamond Tiara felt a blush come to her cheeks as she took in the sight. And without thinking, she began to speak. “Um..Scootaloo...you look so...so...beau-” A thunderous applause erupted from the audience, breaking Diamond Tiara out of her trance (of which she was both relieved to be broken out of it, and at the same time absolutely livid that she was so close to finally admitting SOMETHING only to have the chance taken away.
In her moment of frustration, she did not notice that Scootaloo had gone off to investigate the cause of the applause. Shaking her head of the thoughts that filled it, she followed the orange pegasus, doing her best to not be distracted by how cute she looked in that outfit.
When the two eventually got to the side of the stage, just out of site of the audience, did they see that the applause was because of the act on stage.
And, much to Diamond Tiara’s horror, they were just warming up.
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“We have to follow that!?” Diamond Tiara yelled, incredulous at the display she just saw, and the applause that was still refusing to wear down anytime soon. Even as Applebloom and Twist walked off stage, carrying their various props with them in two large wagons, filled to the brim with all manner of oddities. Diamond Tiara would never admit this, but even she was impressed with the trick they did with the spinning plates, the loop-de-hoop (or whatever it was Applebloom called it) and the chess set. But all of that was beside the point. Diamond Tiara had to face the simple fact that, through curse or coincidence, her act was to follow an amazing act.
Diamond Tiara sighed. Scootaloo is probably as nervous as I am right now. How are we supposed to get best in show now? Why would anypony be excited about a dance after seeing that?
It was at that moment that Diamond Tiara felt a hoof come to rest upon her shoulder. She looked up, coming face to face with Scootaloo, who was doing her best to hide her nerves with a wide smile. “Don’t be so nervous. We practiced all week for this. Everypony will love our act.”
...who’s she trying to convince? Diamond Tiara though to herself. ...but thanks. I needed that.
“Of course they will! Just don’t screw up, ok?”
…....ugh.
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The applause of the crowd was loud and appreciative. Diamond Tiara and Scootaloo, sweating ever so slightly due to a combination of nerves, bright spotlights, and how physically exhausting their routine was, bowed deeply in thanks before exiting stage left and collapsing on a pair of pillows that were left just off stage for the sole purpose of rest.
Diamond Tiara was so tired that she didn’t even notice when Scootaloo leaned against her. “Hey DT?”
“Yeah?”
“...that was kinda cool.”
“...thanks.”
Unbeknownst to the two of them, Featherweight, after his empty performance, was instructed to take backstage pictures for the Foal Free Press. He happened to snap a picture of the two fillies resting together.
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Beebop stood on the stage, an impressive looking soundsystem at her side, a microphone in her hoof. A short distance away, still visibly on the stage from the audience, Cheerilee stood, her front hoof hovering over a big red button conveniently labeled “Off”.
The infamously loud filly, for once, spoke softly into the microphone. “Thank you for giving me the chance to perform. I will now sing for you all a classic song.”
She bowed, took a deep breath, and began to sing very very loudly.
“TROGDOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORRRR”
The sound of the fillies voice reverberated loudly, washing it’s noise over the crowd. Cheerilee jammed her hoof onto the big red button, putting a stop to that dreaded sound system that caused potential hearing loss to the gathered crowds.
Silence reigned over Ponyville for a second. Until a sound, starting off slowly and quietly, bled into the silence. The sound of cracks slowly forming in a window came to the ears of the gathered ponies, ending in an all resounding CRACK, followed by the crinkle of glass hitting the ground.
Slowly, ever so slowly, a wave of ponies all turned their heads in perfect synchronization, turning to the source of the noise. And beheld a very familiar sight: The front window on the Residency of the Representative of the Night Court broken and shattered.
A single cry rang out from the gathered ponies. “Why is it that only my window broke!?”
The eyes also saw a pony, dragging a cart filled with panes of glass, approach the broken window, and began the process of repairing it.
“....ARE YOU STALKING MY WINDOW!?”
The repairpony looked up from his work and spoke in a soft voice which, inexplicably, was heard perfectly by everyone in the crowd.
“Miss Representative, your window is putting my kid through College.”
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“um...for my act, I-I’d like to throw a pot.”
Alula sweated nervously, seeing all of those eyes on her. Particularly the eyes that were staring at the fact she had a horn and wings. Mustering up what little courage she still had, she took a small lump of clay in a noticeably shaky aura of levitation, and floated it over to a pottery wheel that had been set up on the stage. With a soft grunt, she threw the lump onto the center of the wheel. She then sat upon a small stool, and began to pump the pedal on the wheel, making the wheel slowly spin.
A smile immediately came to the winged unicorn filly’s face as she began to mold the lump into a pot. The nervousness that shook her body was all but gone, and her eyes were filled with a look of pure uninterrupted dedication.
Alula barely registered the fact that her classmates were cheering her on from just offstage. Until one cheer managed to break her concentration.
“Yay Princess Alula!”
Alula once again became painfully aware of how much attention was being paid to her horn and wings, and her nerves gave out on her as she ducked behind the pottery wheel, in the process, hitting the pedal incredibly hard, sending the clay flying off the wheel.
A second later, there was a very loud shriek from stage left, and a very angry looking earth pony filly in a red dress came onto the stage, fire in her eyes, a lump of clay in her mane.
Alula saw the anger in the eyes of the local school bully. All nervousness was forgotten by a much more basic instinct: Self Preservation. Alula ran off the stage, and Diamond Tiara quickly gave chase. Cheerilee rushed onto to stage, quickly said to the gathered audience “Thank you for coming to see the annual school talent show! The winners will be announced momentarily!” Before rushing off stage, yelling at Diamond Tiara to not hurt anypony.
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Cheerilee looked around backstage, a horrifying mental image of Diamond Tiara beating up Alula filling her head as she ran through the backstage area. The angry filly and her victim were nowhere in sight, which did not help the image in Cheerilee’s head, which was slowly getting worse and worse and more nightmarish as the search went on.
“Miss Cheerilee!” A voice which the magenta teacher instantly recognized as belonging to Scootaloo came rushing to her. “Miss Cheerilee, it’s Diamond Tiara! She’s in the dressing room, and-”
Cheerilee didn’t wait around to hear the rest of what her student was saying. Fearing the worst, she ran to the dressing room, opened it up with a SLAM, and began to yell. “Diamond Tiara, don’t you dare hu-” and her voice caught in her throat when she saw the scene in front of her.
Diamond Tiara was lying on the floor her eyes closed, a wide smile on her face. If Cheerilee had to guess, the young filly looked as if she was having a very happy dream. Alula was next to the would be bully, a short stick grasped in her aura of magic, poking Diamond Tiara every so often.
Cheerilee stared at the scene in front of her, her mind failing to fully comprehend what had happened. She attempted to verbalize her disbelief, to perhaps obtain information on what happened, but she found her vocal chords also temporarily failing, instead, only able to vocalize a single word.
“....what.”
The word seemed to have an immediate effect on Alula, who suddenly looked up, noticing that the teacher was there. “Miss Cheerilee, I think she’s dead or something. One moment she was yelling and screaming like she usually is, and then Scootaloo came running and said something to her, and suddenly, Diamond Tiara just kinda froze up and now she’s like this.” Alula said, poking Diamond Tiara once more with the stick.
“.....what.”
Scootaloo came rushing into the room, a worried look on her face. “Is she gonna be ok!?” she yelled. The pegasus filly, noting the blank look on her teacher’s face, poked the teacher in the leg to get her attention.
Cheerilee shook her head, and managed to ask a simple question. “What did you say to Diamond Tiara before she went like...this?”
“All I said is that it was an accident and she shouldn’t be mad and that I would even be willing to help brush her mane to make it look all nice and stuff.”
That seemed to elicit a response from the dazed filly, who giggled quietly.
“....what.”
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Diamond Tiara was sitting in Scootaloo’s wagon as the town of Ponyville went speeding past. She ignored all that as she stared disdainfully at the ribbon she had received from the talent show: Best Costume. Not best in show, not greatest show ever, not even cutest couple. And what annoyed her even more is that Scootaloo obviously deserved the award more than she did, especially with how adorable she looked in her outfit.
But soon, far too soon, the scooter came to a stop in front of Diamond Tiara’s house. Sighing, Diamond Tiara jumped out of the wagon, and began to slowly walk to her front door.
So I guess this is it...I was able to perform on stage with Scootaloo, I spent the past week spending lot of time with her in order to prepare, and...I wish it could go on forever...I wonder if I could find some kind of dance competition we could enter together....
Diamond Tiara muttered a simple “good night” to the orange pegasus as she opened the door. Before she had a chance to close it, Scootaloo spoke up.
“Hey DT? Me and Sweetie Belle are gonna be swimming at the lake tomorrow. Would you like to come?”
Oh yes Scootaloo, I would be absolutely delighted to go swimming with you. “Meh, if you insist.” Diamond Tiara said haughtily. “I expect you to pick me up when you’re ready to go swimming” Diamond Tiara put a hoof on the door knob to close it, but she turned back to Scootaloo and said one last thing.
“Hey Scootaloo? We did good at the talent show. We should do this again sometime.” And with that, she shut the door before Scootaloo could notice how red her face was.
...I can’t believe I said that!
Author's Note
A big thank you to GrassandClouds2 for helping me with this story. Also, I am sorry it took so long to get this story out.
Oh, and for the record: As far as I am concerned, the song "Trogdor" was actually written centuries ago by a dragon names Trogdor.
He tried messing with Luna once. Luna won.