All My Tears

“Ooh, I’m so excited! It’s not every day you get to see your sister’s high school musical!”

Rarity giggled as she looked through the play program. Twilight was sitting with Lilac, Spike, and Longshot a few seats away. The school was putting on a play that night and most of the class had brought family and friends to watch. Lilac jumped up and down in her seat excitedly. She wasn’t quite old enough to go to school yet.

She levitated the program with her tiny horn and read through the casting:

               The Phantom of the Opera

Written and Composed by: Andrew Lloyd Webber

Directed by: Ms. Cheerilee of Ponyville Elementary School

                     Main Cast

Phantom - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Featherweight

Christine - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Narisa

Raoul - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Pipsqueak

Carlotta - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Sweetie Belle

Piangi - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Tornado Flash

Madame Giry - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Diamond Tiara

Meg  - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Dinky Doo

Firmin - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Snips

Andre - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Snails

                 Ensemble/Extras

Scootaloo                            Raindrop

Lightblossom                         Thunder Heart

Silver Spoon                        Lumos Maximus

Twist                               Rider

Cinnamon Swirl                      Carlisle

“Daddy, why is did they put Christine? Narisa’s name isn’t Christine.”

Longshot smiled at his daughter and explained.

“That’s her name in the musical. She’s a character like all the other ponies.”

“I wish she wasn’t.”

“Why is that?”

“’Cause now she can’t watch with Lightblossom and I!”

“Honey, Lightblossom’s in the play, too. Your mother and I will watch with you though.”

“Horse-feathers!”

Over the three months that Narisa had lived with the Sparkle family Lilac had started treating her as a sister. It was annoying at times but also very sweet.

The chit chat died down as the lights dimmed. Every head turned towards the stage where a mare with a milky white coat, coffee colored hair, and red spectacles stepped out.

“Good evening everypony. I am Ms. Rosemont, teacher of Ponyville High School. I’d like to welcome you to out production of The Phantom of the Opera! As a reminder, please, no photography. We have hired professional photographers and pictures will be sent to all the parents. Now, without further a due, The Phantom of the Opera!”

The room lights turned off and the stage lights switched on. The play had begun.

                                                             *

The crowd cheered with deafening whistles and shouts. The curtains closed to let the performers change out of their costumes. Narisa threaded her way over to Sweetie Belle. Narisa’s coat and wings had been painted white and a rose had been also painted on her flank. Twilight had turned her hair brown for the night. The spell was starting to wear off as her mane and tail gradually darkened.

Sweetie Belle had mascara, eye shadow, and red mane dye. Other than that, she had been perfect for her role as the leading soprano, Carlotta. They hugged each other and started to talk of the performance.

“Sweetie Belle, I never knew you could sing like that. It was beautiful!”

“Well, I got my cutie mark for singing so I guess it can’t be too shabby. You also did amazing! Too bad Apple Bloom is sick with chicken pox.” She brought her voice down to a whisper, “My princess, you have a gift. Your voice is your natural voice, not generated by the spell.”

They continued talking until the crowd of actors and actresses thinned out a little. After they had washed themselves clean of paint, dye, and make up, they walked out. Rarity and the Sparkles were waiting for them along with Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash. They exchanged greetings and praises.

“Well, the night’s not getting any younger. Scoots and I need to get home. See you tomorrow!”

The two pegasi departed with smiles.

“I think I have too agree with them. It was lovely seeing you all act up there, Sweetie Belle. I already hear yawns.”

She looked at Lilac and Narisa who were indeed yawning. They walked out of the theatre and into the starlit lane.

“Twilight, can I fly Lilac home? She looks too tired to walk all the way.”

“Sure. Go ahead, just be careful!”

“Thanks! Ok, Lilac get on up here.”

Lilac clamored aboard her “sister” and held on for dear life. Narisa lifted off the ground and with one wing beat she was off.

                                                             *

“I have a job for you, Nightingale.”

“Yes? Whatever you want, I’ll strive to achieve.”

“Perfect… I need you to bring me a royal guard. Preferably that old Abendilow or whatever his name is. Do you think you can rack up enough of those idiotic stallions to do the job?”

“Yes, I believe with some persuading we shall accomplish your will. If I might be so bold as to ask, what do you need the old guard for?”

“I shall tell you this: He is the key to Celestia’s… undoing.”

                                                             *

Abendigo walked through the castle grounds. He was most at home in the fresh night air. Bending down to smell and Ice Lily, he caught the scent of something else.

“Who’s there?!”

He felt a sharp pain in the back of his head. Then… nothing  but blissful blackness.