Glorious Song

Chapter Four: The First Step

        As morning approached, I was rudely awakened by the sound of a hoof knocking on my door. Initially, I tried to ignore it, but the knocking persisted. I threw my covers aside and answered the door. The guard looked rather impatient, but seemed rather embarrassed, as my abrupt arrival at the door caused him to punch me.

        “I-I’m so sorry, sir. I just came to let you know that the Princesses are waiting for you in the throne room,” said the guard, his voice shaking.

        “It’s fine. Please tell them that I’ll be there shortly,” I said. My face began to throb.

        “Right away, sir. Um you may want to do something about that.” He motioned to my mane. I looked like I had just walked out of a tornado. When I looked back to the guard, there was nothing but an empty hallway.

        I walked to the mirror on the other side of my room. As I combed my mane, I noticed a black eye from the guard’s punch. My journey to save Equestria hasn’t even begun, yet I’ve already received a wound, however minuscule it may be. This certainly wasn’t an ideal look for an audience with princesses, but it’d have to do.

        The words of yesterday weighed heavily on my mind as I made my way to inform Celestia of my decision. While everypony’s painfully blatant revelation of the sad excuse for a life I’ve been living wasn’t exactly desired, I can’t say I’m unhappy they said what they did. The fact of the matter was they’re right. More so than I’d like to admit.

        I could think of a million other ways I could fix myself. None of them involved risking my life. Of course, none of them found me in the halls of Canterlot either. I stopped. There was that massive door again. As I raised my hoof to push open the door, it dawned on me. Here lies the first step of my journey.

        The first thing to greet me was Celestia’s radiant smile. I couldn’t help but feel as if Luna told her my decision. Then again, maybe she was just happy to see me. I closed the door behind me and approached the two princesses. Nopony said a word, as if we all were waiting on each other.

        “How did you sleep?” asked Celestia, thankfully breaking the silence.

        “I slept well,” I replied. “The beds in the palace are more comfortable than the one in my apartment in Manehattan. Plus, I had a talk with a certain somepony in my dreams.” I hesitated to say more. “Celestia, I’ve made my decision.”

        “Is that so? Then, by all means, tell me.”

        “Alright. I’ll do it. If you all truly believe that I’m the best pony for the job, I suppose I can’t argue.”

        Celestia and Luna both started giggling. “Oh, I already knew that,” Celestia said. “Luna told me while we were waiting. I just wanted to hear it from you.”

        “If this was so important, why didn’t you let me deliver the news, Luna?”

        “Apologies, but we both knew what your answer would be long before you arrived in Canterlot. This was simply a formality,” she answered.

        “She’s right. Even Twilight expected this from you. She’s looking forward to your visit, by the way,” said Celestia.

        “Look, you all may be princesses, but you aren’t psychics,” I stated.

        “We didn’t need psychic powers. We had faith. Something you seemed to have lost sight of in your recent years.”

        “Right, so what should I do first when I get to Ponyville?”

        “First, you must go see Twilight, and retrieve the Elements of Harmony from her. She’ll advise you on what to do from there. Now go, or you’ll miss your train.”

        I left with a “good luck” from the princesses. It was time to see an old friend.

        The train ride felt like forever for such a short distance. When I stepped hoof on the station platform, I wasn’t greeted by an escort. It was at that moment, it dawned on me. I had no idea where Twilight lived. I had no idea where anything was in Ponyville. That Canterlot guard I ditched would be useful right about now.

        Some ponies noticed me from the club in Manehattan. They were too caught up in their curiosity as to if I was DJing for some event, so I got no directions from them. There was one pony I knew though. A mare who found my music...unpleasant, but took a liking to me for some reason. As luck would have it, she just so happened to be in the town square, where I was hopelessly seeking help.

        “Rarity! Rarity, it’s me, Wubs!” I shouted, accumulating weird looks from everypony.

        The stunning, white mare quickly turned around, her luxurious, purple mane flowing with the spin. Her eyes widened and her mouth produced a smile, stretching from ear to ear. I could hardly ask her for help before I found myself in her embrace. Well, she was one of the few ponies who got to know the real me, while she was on vacation in Manehattan.

        “Wubsy, it’s been too long! What are you doing here in Ponyville?” she asked ecstatically. “Didn’t you say you’d never leave Manehattan?”

        I forgot about the nickname Rarity so affectionately gave me, and I reluctantly accepted. “Actually, I’ve been looking for Twilight. Celestia told me to speak with her, but I got kinda lost.”

        “Celestia? So, you visited Canterlot? Perhaps, she sent you here to learn about friendship, so you can quit being a grouch all the time.”

        Ordinarily, I’d have a comeback, but after such a long time, Rarity’s laughter was welcomed with open arms. “Actually, I didn’t visit. I was forced. There’s more important matters than friendly reunions, although you wouldn’t think it if you saw my reception at the palace.”

        “Oh, my dear Wubsy,” began Rarity, “there is always time for friendly reunions. Come, I’ll take you to Twilight, but you must do something for me first.”

        “What might that be, Rarity?”

        “Come with me to the boutique, so we can catch up.”

        “Rarity, it’s very important that I—”

        “Please,” said Rarity, as she stared into my heart with puppy dog eyes and pouting lips. She may as well be a master of persuasion with that face in her arsenal.

        “Fine, Rarity. Let’s go to the boutique. I’ll stay no later than an hour. Then, you have to take me to Twilight’s house. Understand?”

        “Absolutely! Let’s be off then, shall we?”

        Rarity and I locked hooves, and she pulled me along. An hour shouldn’t hurt, right? Twilight might be a little upset, but she’s become less strict since we were little. I hear she spends just as much time locked up in her room reading though. Rarity told me all about the latest fashion as we walked through Ponyville, but I couldn’t be bothered to listen. Fashion wasn’t really my thing. Anypony in Manehattan could tell you that.

        When we arrived at the Carousel Boutique, I was impressed. The building couldn’t compare in size to what I’ve seen, but it had a certain charm to it. The architecture reminded me of my youth. Inside, a filly was tangled in a mess of fabrics. She put on an innocent smile when she saw Rarity.

        “Um I can explain,” said the little filly.

        “Sweetie Belle, how many times have I told you not to play with my materials?” asked Rarity. She seemed upset. I’m guessing this isn’t the first time it’s happened.

        “But, Rarity, I wanted to try making a dress like you.”

        “Sweetie, we’ve been over this. Making dresses isn’t your talent.

        “Third time’s the charm?” Her smile went away, and she looked at me. “Who’s that guy? I’ve never seen him around Ponyville.”

        “Sweetie Belle, don’t be rude! This is Mad Wubs. He’s from Manehattan,” said Rarity. She turned to me and said, “Wubsy, this is my sister, Sweetie Belle.”

        “Mad Wubs? That’s a weird name,” said Sweetie Belle, clearly disregarding what Rarity had said. This filly may not have manners, but neither did I.

        “Well, I’m what’s called a disc jockey,” I said to the filly.

        “I know what a DJ is! I wanna be a singer, so I’ve been studying music.”

        “Sweetie, if you want to be a singer, why do you keep getting into my fabrics?” asked Rarity.

        “Sis, shhh. So, you’re a DJ. That means you play music, right?” Sweetie Belle asked me. There was a certain sparkle in her eyes.

        “I would use the term “play” loosely,” I replied. I felt kinda bad crushing her expectations like that, but I couldn’t lie to her. Well, I could, but I’d feel worse.

        “Boo. Well, at least you got your cutie mark. I’m still trying to get mine.”

        Sweetie Belle fell flat on the floor and dragged herself out of the room. It was...not the reaction I expected. I wasn’t really sure what to think of any of that. Clearly, I hadn’t made the ideal first impression.

        Rarity sighed. “Don’t mind her. She always gets mopey when she thinks about not having her cutie mark. She and a couple friends have been trying for some time to find their special talents.”

        “Has she tried singing yet?” I asked.

        “No, she hasn’t. I don’t think I’ll ever understand her thought process. Anyway, let’s go up to my workshop, so Sweetie Belle won’t interrupt.”

        Rarity’s idea of “catching up” involved more frivolous gossip than actually talking about what’s happened since we last saw each other. A few times, she tried asking about the hottest fashions in Manehattan, a subject that I changed every time. The other day ruined any desire I had to talk about my time in Manehattan, so I decided it was time to switch the focus of this conversation.

        “Rarity, you have quite a few dresses around here. Did you make them all?” I asked. Not sure why I asked that. It’s not as if somepony sneaks in at night and makes dresses.

        “Well, isn’t it obvious? Only the finest dresses are made here at the Carousel Boutique,” replied Rarity. “Ooh, would you like me to make something for you?”

        “Dresses aren’t really my thing. You know, since I’m a guy.”

        “No, no, no. You misunderstand. Do you want me to make you something like a suit, or maybe an outfit for when you perform at the club?”

        “I don’t think I’ll need anything fancy anytime soon, and I doubt I’ll be going back to the club ever again. So, I’ll have to pass this time, Rarity.”

        “Why won’t you be returning? You didn’t quit your job, did you? While I find that place deplorable, a pony your age needs a job.”

        “I didn’t quit. I was...relieved of my position by outside forces. In all truthfulness, I could go back there once my work is done, but I don’t want to. I have no plans of returning to Manehattan.”

        “Your work? Does this have anything to do with Celestia?”

        Perhaps, I said too much. “Uh yea, but don’t worry about it. Anyway, don’t you think it’s about time we go see Twilight.”

        Her eyes narrowed on me. “Yes, it is.” She could tell something was up, but Celestia didn’t say who could know. Sure, Rarity is one of the bearers of the Elements of Harmony, but I’m not telling anypony without Twilight’s approval.

        We went back downstairs to find Sweetie Belle speaking with a yellow mare. Her pink mane covered her face from this angle. I don’t think she’s anypony I know. Rarity left my side to speak with her. They both mentioned something about a spa. I hope I didn’t interrupt anything.

        “Rarity, if you have plans with—” I stopped. Probably should’ve asked her name first.

        “This is Fluttershy,” Rarity said, pointing to the yellow mare. “She and I were supposed to have a spa date today, but she came here to say that she must cancel. Apparently, Twilight asked her to bring me to the library.”

        “I’m sorry,” began Fluttershy, in a soft voice, “but Twilight said we all needed to meet at her house. She didn’t say why though.”

        “As it would happen, we were heading there ourselves, Fluttershy. Come, Wubs, let us all go together.”

        I couldn’t fathom how unbelievably fitting it was for Twilight to live in a library. No doubt, Celestia had something to do with the arrangements. One thing I didn’t expect was for the library to be a tree. Most buildings in Ponyville were...well, buildings. I opened the door and saw four ponies in the room, one of which was giving me an angry glare.

        “You’re late!” shouted Twilight.

        “I’m sorry,” said Fluttershy, her head lowered.

        “Not you, Fluttershy. I was talking about S—” she stopped when she caught the look I was giving her. “I was talking about Wubs. He was supposed to be here an hour ago!”

        Rarity raised a hoof slightly. “I may have had something to do with that.”

        “It’s nice to see you too, Twilight,” I said.

        She sighed. “It’s nice to see you, Wubs,” said Twilight. She pointed at the floor where the other ponies were sitting. “Now, will you please come in? We have important business to discuss.”