My Little Universe: Season 6

by EquestrianKirin


A Hoof in the Right Direction

Earth itself may be going through it's ups and downs, but off back in Ponyville, the current events playing out was on the up, up, and up. With summer now in full swing, there was a little something going on for the mares and stallions. Amongst one area of Ponyville, closer to the school, there was quite a bit set up. Along the path by the nearby stream, there was plenty of booths lined up: some for geese, some for rabbits, some for foxes, etcetera, etcetera. Over in some nearby trees, a few colorful flowers were hung up, which included banners and streamers hung along the trees across the way, and balloons and bows decorated and tied in several places, be it on bushes or by a potted flower plant. Even a nearby shrub was trimmed to look like a pony for said event. Some of the booths were selling bird houses as well. some ponies around town were setting things up, but off from the bridge to the north, another little something something was getting handled and set up.
The decorations were pretty good and all, but a group of four ponies were setting up a few things for themselves as well. The group was made up of two stallions and two mares:
A tall, azure colored earth pony with a cutie mark of a star made up of shoes, named Toe-Tapper.
A yellowish grey Mare with a deep red mane, and a hat cutie mark named Torch Song.
A light grey mare with a dark gray mane and tail, and a violin cutie mark named Octavia
And Big Macintosh, a face well known in Ponyville.
Each one of these ponies was dressed up in greenish-blue suits, bow tie and all, and in front, Octavia started to clear her throat.

"Very well, everypony. Once more from the top," Octavia said. Toe, Torch, and Big Mac nodded, and Octavia then blew on a small starting whistle. And with the beat going through them with a small starting tap of Octavia's hoof, Big Mac went first.

Bum, bum, bum-ba-da, ba-da
Bum, bum, bum-ba-da ah
Bum, bum, bum-ba-da, ba-da (Oh, ah-ah-ah-ah)
Bum, bum, bum-ba-da ah (Oh, ah-ah-ah-ah)

Everypony's sayin' you should learn to express your voice (Oh, ah-ah-ah-ah)
But if talk doesn't seem like it's the answer (Oh, ah-ah-ah-ah)

Luckily you have a choice!

When you find you've got the music (Fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiind the music)
Got the music in you (Oh, you)
Find you've got the music (Fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiind the music)

Got the music in you!

Some of the nearby crowd gave their round of applause to their rehearsal. Even if it wasn't the finished product, it sounded simply great.

.......

The world may be fine over there, but back on Earth, things were starting to escalate. With Connie now having ran off, and with Lion no less, the situation for the Crystal Gems was a bit precarious now, at least when it came to Steven.
Over in the Beach House, Steven was left in a bit of a slump, unsure what truly happened and what he did to Connie to make her so mad. If anything, what he did was supposed to save her, or at the least make her go "wow thanks", but that didn't happen at all here. And with so many other scenarios and monster fights they've dealt with when the result was the same and in a positive way, that's a bit of a problem. The half Gem stayed in his room, unsure of what to really do, or what he should do. Should he go and talk to Connie? Or should he figure out what he did wrong first? As he laid on his bed and trying to contemplate, some of the other Gems in the room were starting to pick up on Steven's slump, and worrying a little themselves.

"He's still down about what happened?" Noted Amethyst.

"I don't know why he is. He tried to save Connie, from what I heard," said Jasper.

"Well, yes, but something else happened out there," Garnet sighed. The fusion knew the detail of what happened that seemed to miss everyone else. Steven nearly gave himself up, yes, but that wasn't the only thing.

"And what's that something?" Jasper asked. Garnet would say, but with Steven sitting right there, she was oddly quiet. Why, they don't know, but Fulgurite knew one thing that needed to happen.

"Garnet, this something Steven has to know?"

"Steven has to learn it himself," Garnet stated, taking a moment to walk off to Steven, enough to catch his attention.

"Steven?"

"Hey Garnet. ... Are you mad at me too?" Steven asked.

"Not at all, Steven. Tell you what: how about you take some time, and go visit Ponyville? I heard they're doing a fundraiser, and I think they could use your help," Garnet advised. Steven was more worried about his own predicament, but if it can clear his head, then perhaps he should go and try to see what he can do. Steven got up off the bed, feeling a little sore still from the scuffle thanks to that beast of White Diamond's, but he still was good enough to head on out. Not too cheery, but not too mosur able either, quite in partial.

"Yeah, ok," Steven replied, walking out the door. The Gems simply stayed quiet as he left, Garnet knowing well what's going on here.

"... Good luck, Steven."

~~~~~~

Pretty soon, distraught Steven was off and at Ponyville now, and while the town was as giddy as it could be to any event in regards to this, he still had more than enough to try and figure things out in his own mind. Maybe he should at least try to talk to Connie and better figure it out ...

"HI! What'chu doing?"

"AAHH!"

"AAHH yourself! But that doesn't answer my question, silly."
And out from a nearby flower pot, out came the happiest pony on the face of Equestria Pinkie Pie. But not even her smiley muzzle could bring a smile to Steven's face. Pinkie Pie hopped out and shook off the spare dust, moving out so quick that the flower went up and down, right back into the pot.

"Why the looooong face?" Pinkie asked, her hoof pulling down Steven's mouth for some comedic measure. While funny, it still didn't help him out.

"Hi Pinkie," Steven said, "It's just ... well, a lot has happened, I'm just trying to figure things out."

"Figure what out? Is it a mystery? Detective Pie's got your back," Pinkie said, pulling out a magnifying glass from her mane and looking around as if trying to find clues. Steven didn't want the others too freaked out over this problem yet, so he tried to think of something else to keep his mind busy.

"Well, no," Steven said.

"Oh. Aww man, I wanted a detective montage," Pinkie sighed, tossing the lignifying glass out of shot.

"It's ... kinda hard to explain."

"Lay it on me, Stevie, tell sister Pinkie what's on your mind," Pinkie insisted, hoof up to her ear and ready to listen. Steven had a bit of a suspicion that she'll keep nagging at him until he would tell her, so to avoid trouble he might as well go and get this over with. So, he whispered to her ear the situation, and ...

*GAAAAAHHHHH*

"B-But it's gone now!"

Pinkie breathed a long sigh of relief on that answer, laying on the ground, drama obverted. Pinkie got up to her hooves, and looked right to Steven.

"We have a friend emergency!" And much to Steven's surprise, Pinkie then pulled out a megaphone from her mane.

"Everypony be calm, there is a friend emergency, I repeat, friend emergency, situation's being taken care of, we have a friend emergency, thank you!"
So much for not freaking anypony out, but lucky for him the ponies didn't go into frantics, but now the problem's scattered everywhere. Even cheery Steven found himself with a hand to forehead on that response, something Pinkie Pie caught.

"Pinkie."

"Oops." That was really all Pinkie could say before putting the megaphone away.

"Ok, can you please promise me you won't tell anypony else? Maybe it's for the best," Steven said. Pinkie felt a bit confused, but she knew when a friend needed to keep something quiet.

"Cross-my-heart, hope-to-fly, stick-a-cupcake-in-my-eye," Pinkie promised. Steven had that reassured for him, but he still didn't feel too good.

"I don't know what to do. I mean, I didn't do anything wrong, did I?" Steven asked, a bit more meek than usual. The pink mare scratched her chin, and then shook her head quick.

"Nope, nope, nope."

"You sure?" Steven asked, this time Pinkie nodding.

"Yep, yep, yep. Come on, Mr. Grumpy, let's go and see the Pony tones, that'll turn your frown upside-down!"

"The Pony Tones?" Steven asked. Pinkie bolted off for a brief moment, Steven ending up in a tailspin for a moment, and another one again once the pink mare came back, this time with a poster in her mouth for Steven to see. This one showed all four Pony Tones up on stage, singing in unison, with a banner above their heads of bunny rabbits and a heart at the center.

"They're a music group who sings great songs. And they don't even need a starting musical number! Come on, they're rehearsing right now for tonight's show," Pinkie insisted, giddy like a little mare as she hopped off to see em. Steven thought it over, and before he decided to go, he took out his phone. He planned on texting Connie ... but there was no reception in a place like this, so he was just going to have to wait until later.

.......

Speaking of the Pony Tones, the singing group was over back at the same stage they were already practicing in, but at the moment instead of the four like yesterday, there was instead three. Octavia stayed quiet and pacing back and forth as Rarity was getting a few decorations up for some flashy display for the show. Toe Tapper and Torch Song were present and ready, but Big Mac had yet to show up, much to Octavia's dismay. Fluttershy was the only one there to watch the show with her bunny Angel, wanting to see how the Pony Tones were doing.

"Where is that stallion? We can't begin practice until he shows up," Octavia sighed, her back hoof tapping the ground with impatience. Rarity finished up putting some bows up when she heard this. Octavia then took a look up to Rarity.

"Are those decorations set up yet?" she asked.

"Almost," Rarity said, trying to get a bow up just right. She moved it back and forth, inch by inch, until she found it to be in the perfect spot. Both she and Octavia stepped back a bit to see the work Rarity put in, and to sum it up, it was simply beautiful.

"Well done, Rarity. I knew I made a good choice in putting you for decoration," Octavia complimented.

"Oh, it's nothing really. Anything to help with the Fluttershy's animal fundraiser," Rarity said, waving her hoof. As nice as the decorations were, they still needed the forth member, and soon they began to her hoofsteps galloping their way. They hoped it would be Big Mac, but instead it was Pinkie and Steven coming by to see them practice. Good for a crowd, but not for the time.

"Hi! How're those canary-singing Pony Tones?" Pinkie asked, as Steven hopped off.

"Well, not all of our ... "canaries", had showed up yet. You hadn't seen Macintosh on your way here," Octavia asked. Unfortunately, both the pink mare and half-gem shook their heads, much to the discomfort of the mare. However, they didn't have to wait for too long, and soon some heavy hooves stepped up onto the stage. Big Mac looked a little worried, if not tired, but he was there.

"Macintosh, there you are. What in Equestria kept you, we need this moment to finalize our performance for the show, and we can't waste time any longer," Octavia stated, getting a bow tie onto Big Mac's suit before the other performers got into position. She brought the same whistle up, and then began to tapping. normally, big Mac would begin the chorus, but this time ... well, he wasn't saying much of anything. Toe Tapper nudged him to go, but he still didn't feel too ready. However, as they always say in show business, the show must go on. So ...

*BUM, bum bu - *hack* *cough**cough*

Uh oh. Big Mac covered his mouth, the other Pony Tones surprised, as the small crowd, to hear such a hoarse voice. And no, that's not meant as a corny pun. Big Mac, ears folded back, felt pretty sad on what had happened.

"Oh no. Did - did you lose your voice?" Rarity asked urgently.

"... Eeyup," Big Mac croaked, scratchy in his voice. No wonder he was taking his time showing up, and when they found this out, Octavia began to feel a little bit troubled.

"Oh dear," Fluttershy said, worried herself.

"Oh sweet Luna, of all times to have a frog in one's throat, and the show starts tomorrow!" Octavia said in dismay. Pinkie hopped up on stage and checked Big Mac's throat.

"I don't see any frogs, but his throat does look a little scratchy," Pinkie said. Octavia rolled her eyes, but at least she didn't have to explain to the mare.

"Now what're we supposed to do? We don't have enough time to get a replacement for bass," Octavia wondered. Steven got up onto the stage, Big Mac trying to get his throat working again, but only to be met with dry coughs.

"How'd it happen?" Steven asked. Big Mac felt a bit more embarrassed as he tried to think about it.
As far as he could contemplate and explain, not long after his first rehearsal, he could only figure out one particular moment in mind: a family-friendly contest of turkey calls. A little something that just so happened to occur after his practice yesterday, and while for the first bit he did fairly well against his fellow kin, he ended up going into a bit of trouble on the last opponent. ... You can probably guess what happened next.

"A ... turkey call. ... You grew hoarse from A TURKEY CALL?!" Rarity asked, not believing her own ears. Big Mac thought it was fun at the time, but then again most things are without thinking about the consequences, and for this stallion, he just couldn't do it.

"Well, this is just wonderful," Octavia sighed.

"It is!" Pinkie suddenly said.

"What? That's just an expression, Pinkie, like the one with the frog."

"I know, but I still didn't see any frogs. But we got Mr. heals-a-lot standing right there! He can spruce him up good as new!" Pinkie said, though putting Steven on the spot. Steven was still a bit down, but he didn't want to disappoint.

"Ok, just give me a second. You'll get your voice back," Steven reassured, as he licked his hand. big Mac was a bit concerned, if not grossed out, when he felt the spit smeared onto his throat, making big Mac shiver a little bit. Once that was done, the group waited a minute for Big Mac to start again.

"Well? Anything?" asked Rarity. big Mac tried to clear his throat.

Bum, ba, bum bum bu - *HACK*

Didn't work.

"Mr. Heals-a-lot?"

"I-It doesn't always work," Steven said, meekly. What a time for it NOT to work, and he had such a good record too.

"Well, nothing for it. We'll have to cancel our performance."

"Wait, what? No! You have to perform! Otherwise, the fundraiser will be a disaster!" Fluttershy said in worry.

"Well, we cannot perform tonight with only three voices," Octavia stated.

"Why not?" Steven asked.

"It would take rearranging all the music, and we just don't have time. I'm sorry, Fluttershy, but I have no remedy for this situation," Octavia said. That sure sounded bad, and Steven felt more baggage for not being able to heal Big Mac of his throat. However, the word remedy did get Fluttershy's gears rolling, and suddenly she got it.

"Of course! A remedy! Follow me!" Flutters insisted. If she had the answer, then what do they got left to lose? ... Well, aside the show, that is.

~~~~~~

"Hmmm ..."

And what better person for special remedies than a zebra? Zecora took the time to look over Big Mac's sore throat, quietly taking her time, and Big Mac trying not to hack and cough again in the zebra's face. Fluttershy, Steven, Octavia, Angel, Rarity, and Pinkie were waiting off nearby for some answer to the problem, and hopefully one that could fix it up in time. Eventually, Zecora allowed big Mac to close his mouth.

"I can cure this pony that is hoarse, but it will take a longer course," Zecora said.

"Uh, come again?" Rarity asked. Zecora sighed.

"Mm. I can mix a brew that can work just right, but it cannot heal him by tomorrow night."

"Oh, no! Ah! Where are we ever going to find a deep voice to replace Big Mac's?" Fluttershy asked.

"M-Maybe we don't have to? I can do it for him!" Steven insisted, trying to mend his mistakes, but unfortunately Octavia shook her head.

"I appreciate it, but no: The Pony Tones have four parts in it: Soprano, Bass, Tenor, and Alto. You're voice isn't uh ... Bass enough. sorry," Octavia said, which was true.

Yeah it is, look!" Steven began to clear his voice, and quickly began to do the part.

Bum, bum, bum da da bum bum, bum da bum buda bum!

"... No, too high-pitch," Octavia sadly said, bumming him out even more, as Pinkie tried to comfort him. As if to add to injury, they suddenly began to hear Zecora chuckling.

"Pardon me, Zecora, but this is no laughing matter! We need a bass voice for the harmonies to work! Without it, the performance will be ruined!" Rarity made clear, slightly angry, but Zecora just smiled.

"Please, forgive my strange elation, but I was not laughing at your situation," Zecora stated, before moving over to Big Mac.

"Then what?" Fluttershy asked.

"Think on back, my pony folk, when your kind stumbled into poison joke," Zecora began.

"Oh, not the fondest memory, and such a horrid mane too."

"And I couldn't even talk. I mean, what a life without talking, I couldn't laugh, crack a joke, smile, all I could do was spit and wiggle my tongue all day. It was horrible!" Pinkie added.

"Yes, it was hard and I can see why, but remember what occurred to Miss Fluttershy?" Zecora brought up. Pinkie and Rarity thought it over for a short bit, but then Rarity realized something on memory, especially when fluttershy first spoke.

I don't wanna talk about it.

"Yes, yes! Your voice became really low, making it sound like..."

"Flutterguy!" Fluttershy gasped. Now they got the idea! At least, most of them did.

"May somepony explain to me how somepony else's trouble with poison joke can help in our problem?"

"Miss Fluttershy has an unusual change, deepening her vocal range. And her deepened range of voice will be the Pony Tones' perfect choice," explained Zecora, already beginning to work out something in a nearby cauldron pot.

"With these leaves I can mix a brew, creating the same effect on you," Zecora reassured, looking to Fluttershy.

"Zecora, that's fantastic!" Steven beamed. Maybe the show would be saved yet.

"Yes! I'll do it! I'd do anything for the animals!" fluttershy said, sounding determined in the task at hoof.

"Why, you'd even appear on stage!"

"... Oh. Except that. I just can't bring myself to sing on stage in front of everypony," Fluttershy said meekly. not a good answer to hear, and angel, who moments ago was cheery, was now simply disappointed.

"I think you'll be great!" Steven insisted, thumbs up. And then Pinkie decided to come in ...

"Yeah! It'll be so amazing! You'll be there on stage, basking in the hooflights! The center of attention! A shining star! Everypony staring at you, judging you, jealously noting how they could be way better than you! Why wasn't it them? Why wasn't it them? And then, when you choke, they'll turn on you, becoming a seething, angry mob, and you'll be horribly humiliated, never able to show your face in Ponyville again!

... WHAT. WAS. THAT?

"Pinkie Pie!" Rarity and Octavia snapped, Octavia even hitting her with her tail. Seemed that hit got her back to her senses, but sweet Luna, it didn't help the Pegasus out.

"What if you sang not in front of everypony?" Rarity decided.

"Huh?"

"What if Big Mac was on stage, moving his lips while you're behind the curtains singing his part? It would be just like singing in your house! Nopony would know it was you!" Rarity confirmed. That did sound a bit better for the shy mare, but it just didn't seem to fit her all well.

"Even still, I just don't think I could sing in front of -"

"You must! For the animals!" Rarity said, bring up Angel bunny, who at the moment was doing a sort of "puppy dog eye" routine, even putting in some tears to good work. It was just enough to make it work.

"Oh... Okay then... Mix it up!"

.......

So, it was soon back at the stage, and after some explaining to the rest of the Pony Tones, it was time to do some "modified" rehearsal. Big Mac was still there up with Toe Tapper and Torch Song, something that simply had to happen at this point. It would still be sometime until the group was to be ready, and so they needed to do another rehearsal just to be sure that things would come across correctly. Steven was up there to help them out too, having a whistle in hand.

"Ok, everyone ready?" Steven asked, the Pony Tones nodding.

"Fluttershy, are you ready?" he called, looking off back stage. Fluttershy poked her head out from behind the curtains.

"I don't know. You sure about this?" Fluttershy asked. Zecora surely wasn't kidding about a deep voice, any deeper and he'd of thought she was talking underground. But it still matched big Mac's voice close enough.

"Just do it like we said," Steven insisted.

"Oh ... Okay," Fluttershy replied, heading backstage. Steven raced up to front, and went on with the starting whistle. Octavia did the starting off hooftaps, this time loud enough for Fluttershy to hear. After getting the beat down right, Fluttershy closed her eyes, and then began.

Bum, bum, bum-ba-da, ba-da
Bum, bum, bum-ba-da ah
Bum, bum, bum-ba-da, ba-da (Oh, ah-ah-ah-ah)
Bum, bum, bum-ba-da ah (Oh, ah-ah-ah-ah)

Trot outside and you see the sunshine (see the sunshine!)
Something's in the air today (Oh, ah-ah, today!)
Sky is clear and you're feelin' so fine (Oh, ah-ah-ah-ah)
Everything's gonna be A-Okay (Everything's, oh-OoooooKay!)

[Toe-Tapper and Torch Song]
If you listen carefully (Oh, ah-ah-ah-ah)
On every corner there's a rhythm playing (Oh, ah-ah-ah-ah)

[Toe-Tapper and Octavia]
Then it happens suddenly (Oh, ah-ah-ah-ah)
The music takes you over and you'll (ahhhh - AHHHH)

find you've got the music (Fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiind the music)
Got the music in you (Oh, you)
Find you've got the music (Fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiind the music)

Got the music in you!

"... Not gonna lie. That's the best performance I've ever seen," Steven said, very impressed as Pinkie Pie applauded them for a job well done. Fluttershy poked her head out, seeing how happy they all were, and it made her start to feel a bit better about things.

"Well done, everypony, well done. Though, may I suggest some extra practice."

"D-did I do something wrong?" Fluttershy asked, backing up a little bit.

"No, no, you were fine. But if we really are doing this, Big Mac, Fluttershy, you two need to be more in synch. I notice your mouth not linking to the words at least four times," Octavia noted. It was a bit of a bummer to hear, but hay, they got until tomorrow night to figure this out.

"Don't worry you two, it'll blossom in no time at all by the time the performance arrives, just you wait and see," encouraged Steven.

"You really think so?" Fluttershy asked.

"I know so, and I'll help you out until it happens."

"You don't have to do that, Steven," Octavia said humbly.

"Practice makes perfect, silly!" Steven insisted.

"Uh, I-I think it's okay, you don't have to do that," Fluttershy insisted.

"I want to help, really, it's ok! come on, let's try again," Steven insisted, ready to blow the whistle. Guess the Pony tones will have an extra helper in their little practice. So, as Steven was left there to help the Pony Tones, Rarity and Pinkie Pie walked off to get everything else handled for the fundraiser, or at least just to be sure everything's handled at this point.

"Sure's a hoot that the Pony Tones have their little helper," Pinkie said, hopping and smiling, though she was more happy to see Steven happy. As they went though to the south bridge, Rarity began to wonder about something she managed to overhear earlier.

"Uh, Pinkie Pie, mind if I ask you something?"

"Ask away."

"... You mentioned something earlier today about a "friend emergency"?" Pinkie suddenly stopped hopping in mid air, only to slowly float back to the ground. Rarity stopped.

"Pinkie Pie -"

"NO, I can't! I made Steven a Pinkie promise, Pinkie. Promise. Steven will be crushed if I did say anything," Pinkie said, quickly digging a hole into the ground, and shoving her head in like an ostrich.

"Is something wrong with Steven, Pinkie?"

"LA LALALA, CAN'T HEAR YOU!" Pinkie shouted, muffled from the dirt on her head.

"Come now, Pinkie, you can tell me. ... Tell you what, I give my Pinkie Promise not to tell anypony else," Rarity reassured. Pinkie bolted her head out, her mane and face now covered in a block of dirt.

"Really?" Pinkie asked, still muffled until the dirt fell off, showing Pinkie with a more suspicious expression on her face. Rarity knew how this worked, so she sat down and cleared her throat.

"Cross-my-heart, hope-to-fly, stick-a-cupcake-in-my- OW!" Rarity's Pinkie Promise was cut short when her hoof ended up actually hitting her eye, but the point was still made across for the pink mare. Pinkie looked back to the young boy with the Pony Tones, who on the surface looked pretty happy.

"Oh ... Okie-dokie," Pinkie decided, waving her hoof so Rarity was in whispering range of the mare. Pretty soon, Pinkie explained the situation just as Steven had told her, and when she was finished, Rarity looked simply appalled.

"O-Oh my Celestia. Did they find out where she went?" Rarity asked, only for Pinkie Pie to shake her head. Rarity and Pinkie shared a moment and looked back to Steven.

"He must've took it pretty harshly. do the others know?"

"Nope, nope, nope," Pinkie replied.

"Hmm, well ... Oh, we'll just have to wait until he's willing to talk about it," Rarity said.

"Good answer," Pinkie replied. She JUST promised Pinkie, and breaking it moments after was not going to do well, as much as it would be wrong to leave the others out of it.

~~~~~~

So, the hours ticked away, and to the next day, the Pony Tones had been doing some pretty good time in practicing for the upcoming show. Even with Big Mac's hoarse voice still evident, with Fluttershy's voice cover, it appeared as if nothing had happened at all with Macintosh. Not too bad really, but as many of the Pony Tones were getting themselves prepared, something seemed to be missing. And Octavia was still pacing.

"All this practice, and she's still not here? Did anypony see her on the way here?" Octavia asked. Unfortunately, Toe Tapper and Torch Song shook their heads.

"Nnope," Big Mac croaked, still sore in the throat. This was starting to get a little troubling, and now at sunset, it was starting to get close to showtime, as a number of ponies were getting themselves settled and ready for the show. Nice to see a crowd, but it didn't help the situation all too much. Eventually though, Steven did end up showing up, but Steven Universe looked simply beat, his eyes looking a little red.

"Steven! ... You feeling alright?"

"Me? no, I'm fine, never better! Is everypony ready?" Steven asked, though clearly Steven was simply out of it and tired.

"Almost, soon as Fluttershy gets here we can perform. did you see her on your way here?"

Before Steven could answer, Rarity then galloped on in. Steven may look out of it from all the practicing, but Rarity looked a bit worried herself.

"Everypony, we have a little problem."

.......

"Fluttershy? You in here?!"

And suddenly, the group turned from the stage, and now Rarity and Steven were off and back to the only place where Fluttershy would actually run off to; her own house. At first, no one really answered, but eventually Steven and Rarity opened up the door into the cottage, just to see that Fluttershy was on her couch, huddled up and in worry, and now that she saw the other two. Guilt.

"Yes... I'm here."

"Fluttershy, what're you doing? The show's going to start any minute now," Steven said.

"I ... I just can't."

"What?! Y-You can't just throw the show like this! I really believed in you! I really believed in us!" Steven insisted, shocked as ever. Fluttershy knew he was right, but she just couldn't bring herself up to such a thing.

"I-I'm sorry, Steven. Rarity. W-What if they find out it's me singing? W-What if they get mad at me? I won't be able to show my face in Ponyville again!" Fluttershy said, tears down her face. Rarity and Steven needed to talk to Pinkie Pie after this, but first things first. Rarity walked over to the shy mare, sitting down next to her with a hoof on her shoulder.

"Trust me, Fluttershy, they won't. You've been going strong, and if you ask me, you've got the most beautiful voice out of any mare I know," Steven complimented. Fluttershy blushed a little bit.

"W-Well ..."

"It's only for one night, I promise you that. Your performance is everything they need, and I know that they'll have the times of their lives," Rarity reassured. Fluttershy looked between Rarity and Steven for a moment or two, seeing that they truly believed in her. She may not be able to perform on stage, but the Pony Tones still needed her. Eventually, Fluttershy got up to her hooves, and smiled.

"Let's go, everypony."

Good answer. So, Rarity and Fluttershy started to head off, and Steven began to trail them behind. It was nice to see Flutterhsy happy, but then Steven began to play out what had just happened in his head. His smile began to disappear, and a utter realization struck him.

"But what about our training? Stevonnie. Jam buds. I believed in us. We could have done it together."

"This is different," Steven insisted.

"How? How is it any different from the monsters we fought before?" Connie asked.

"That monster was owned by White Diamond, it wasn't gonna stop until it had me, and look - everyone's ok. ... Well, you weren't for a bit, but you're good now too."

"But... I'm hurt."

"... Connie. ..."

~~~~~~

Nighttime. And just a short minute away for the Pony tones to make their ultimate performance for the group on outside for the fundraiser. Octavia, Toe Tapper, Torch Song, and Big Mac were all in position outside, with Fluttershy hidden just behind the curtains. The mare could hear the chatter outside, looking out from a crack in the curtains. This was it. This was the big moment for her. Sure, she wasn't out there, but Fluttershy and her deep voice was what they needed here. Rarity and Steven were out in the audience, waiting for it to begin.

"Just like how we practice. Like I'm at my own house," Fluttershy quietly told herself, trying to calm down. Pretty soon, they began to hear the starting whistle from Octavia, and the signature hoofsteps. Fluttershy and Big Mac both smiled.

The time is now.

Bum, bum, bum-ba-da, ba-da
Bum, bum, bum-ba-da ah
Bum, bum, bum-ba-da, ba-da (Oh, ah-ah-ah-ah)
Bum, bum, bum-ba-da ah (Oh, ah-ah-ah-ah)
Bum, bum, bum-ba-da, ba-da (Oh, ah-ah-ah-ah)
Bum, bum, bum-ba-da ah (Oh, ah-ah-ah-ah)


Trot outside and you see the sunshine (see the sunshine!)
Something's in the air today (Oh, ah-ah, today!)
Sky is clear and you're feelin' so fine (Oh, ah-ah-ah-ah)
Everything's gonna be A-Okay (Everything's, oh-OoooooKay!)

[Toe-Tapper and Torch Song]
If you listen carefully (Oh, ah-ah-ah-ah)
On every corner there's a rhythm playing (Oh, ah-ah-ah-ah)

[Toe-Tapper and Octavia]
Then it happens suddenly (Oh, ah-ah-ah-ah)
The music takes you over and you'll (ahhhh - AHHHH)

find you've got the music (Fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiind the music)
Got the music in you (Oh, you)
Find you've got the music (Fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiind the music)

Got the music in you!

Oh O-o-o-oh!
Everypony's sayin' you should learn to express your voice (Oh, ah-ah-ah-ah)
But if talk doesn't seem like it's the answer (Oh, ah-ah-ah-ah)

Luckily you have a choice!

When you find you've got the music (Fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiind the music)
Got the music in you (Oh, you)
Find you've got the music (Fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiind the music)

Got the music in you!

The song concluded, and just like that, the crowd began to cheer for a job well done, and when Fluttershy was hearing this, she began to grow very happy about it. Rarity was right after all.

.......

And back in Beach City, once it was all over and done, Steven had to at least try and make things right over Connie. It had been a little too long since there was any word, and he had to at least try to fix things. Soon as he got back home, no one was there except for Blue sleeping nearby. Steven quietly went for his phone and sat down, trying to give Connie a call. ...

...

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