//------------------------------//
// Week 2: Would You Believe? 
// Story: Bop-It! Beep-It! Ski-Boop-It? 
// by TundraStanza 
//------------------------------//

~Singing quickly is not enough

You've got to have sense of self

And you have to remain mindful of

Your opponent's state of mood~


~Getting sickly within the beat


Taking on the best of the best


Not as low as trick or treat


Gotta be awesome enough to pass the rest~


...

"Not bad, Rainbow." Starlight Glimmer glanced to the side. "Although, it looks like you broke your combo several times."

"Hey, as long as we're enjoying the competition, that's all that matters!" Rainbow Dash smirked.

After some refreshments at the party, someone had the bright idea to have some rap battles for fun.  Starlight ended up taking on several rounds in a row against the others willing to try.  The visitors The Boyfriend and Girlfriend had taken to sitting on top of the speakers.  They were bouncing along to the various beats.

"Um, Princess?"

Twilight Sparkle turned to look at the voice.

Sweetie Belle tapped herself on the head before waving her hoof dismissively. "Sorry, I meant Princess Celestia."

Celestia lowered her neck so that her face was about eye-level with the filly. "Yes, Sweetie Belle?"

"I heard you also learned to rap battle against those demons.  Is that true?"

Girlfriend's wings flapped several times while red sparkles danced in her eyes. "Oh my goodness, yes! You should have seen the look on Accord's face as she tore him down!  Practically MasterCard!"

"Bop!" The Boyfriend seconded the excitement with a raised hoof.

Celestia smiled. "Oh, I'm sure anyone would have done the same in my position at the time."

"Aw, that's ridiculous." Spike crossed his arms. "Nobody can replace you down to a T."

"Thank you." Celestia brushed one of her feathers under her muzzle. "I think."

Sweetie gazed with wide eyes. "Wow.  So, um... would you please show me what you can do in a rap battle?"

"What?!" Scootaloo tilted her head. "You want to take on Celestia herself?"

"Ah, that's not unbelievable." Apple Bloom gave Scootaloo a look. "It's not like she's asking for a magic or flying competition. Any creature that can talk can put words together."

Scootaloo remained unconvinced. "Some creatures can better than others."

"I don't see why not." Celestia looked over to the current set up. "Would that be alright with the rest of you?"

Rainbow Dash scratched behind her mane. "Well, I was about to beat my own score, but I guess I can wait for you, Princess."

On the other side, Applejack nodded and stepped down, forfeiting her turn.  With that matter settled, Celestia and Sweetie Belle walked over next to the speakers.  Several background ponies turned to watch this side of the room.  They figured anything Celestia did was worth some attention.


(Sweetie Belle vs. Princess Celestia)



3... 2... 1... G-


"Excuse me!"

For a moment, everyone's faces looked dark blue and aghast.  However, that moment immediately passed away.  A mare with too many facial surgeries marched forward while dragging her filly along.  Said filly with a crown accessory was avoiding eye contact with all of the stares.

"My daughter should take a turn now!" Spoiled Rich harrumphed.

The daughter tried and failed to pull away. "But I don't-"

"One minute, Diamond Tiara." Spoiled glanced at her before looking back at the princess. "If you have time to play with a blank-flank, then you have time for the next-in-line behind the richest pony in Equestria!"

Diamond Tiara looked incredulous. "Sweetie Belle isn't a blank-flank anymore-"

"I said, 'One minute, Diamond Tiara.' " Spoiled cleared her throat. "Now, you will let my daughter take part or you will hear from my husband about this! He won't be happy."

Applejack held Rainbow Dash by the tail.  Twilight was busy countering whatever spell Starlight was charging up.  Fluttershy hugged Pinkie Pie for support.  Apple Bloom had her hooves tied up, restraining Scootaloo from galloping.  Luna took a couple steps forward, but halted when Celestia shook her head.  Sweetie Belle looked around at everyone, unsure of what to do.

Spike's ear fins twitched and he turned toward the new sound.  The Boyfriend and Girlfriend were muttering to each other and chuckling.  He pulled off his cap and gestured to the side.  She nodded and flew over the small stage to face the mid-life crisis.

"Tell you what, hotshot." Girlfriend curled one wing out and the other wing inward. "How about a little warm-up first?  If you win, you and your daughter can rap with the princess as much as you want.  But if you lose, you've got to wait your turn."

"Excuse me?!" Spoiled Rich snarled.

"No, you're not excused." A stray glint reflected off Girlfriend's fangs. "That's my offer. What'll it be?"

Eyes gazed at the stammering Spoiled Rich.  In that moment, Diamond Tiara slipped out of view.  After adjusting her necklace, Spoiled regained a modicum of composure.

"A rap battle is just a sharp tongue and a strong wit!" Spoiled puffed up her chest. "Compared to my husband, you have neither!"

As the music started, The Boyfriend tapped his hooves to an impromptu percussion.


(Girlfriend vs. Spoiled Milk Rich)



"Aye!"


...


"Yeah!"


...

~All of that bark is a dog stuck on an old leash~


"Wait, what... Where did these arrows come from?"


~Haven't got any tricks to teach~


"Do I... go my left? Or her left?"


~Spoiled Rich, oh that's rich

Posing as a power-hoarding lich~


"H-Hey! That's not fair!  I demand a restart!"


"Gyah!"


~Go call your husband, go call your daughter

That is all you are good for

But then the going gets you to lose all of your bets

Don't let the splinters from the wood hit you through the door~


"This just isn't my genre-"



*Crack*



*Beeoooo*



Retry?


---

Spoiled Rich fell over.  Her tail firmly clamped itself between her legs.  She was sweating bullets.  Diamond Tiara slowly trotted into view, eyes wide and muzzle trembling.  The rest of the party's attendees were clapping and congratulating Girlfriend's performance.

"Oh my Celestia!" Diamond shouted. "You killed my mother! You bat!"

Luna gasped. "How dare you falsely accuse my sister of wrong-doing?"

Celestia tapped Luna on the shoulder. "I think she was using a turn of phrase."

Luna groaned. "Can't children ever speak plainly anymore?"

Spike used his wings to hover in place. "This coming from Princess 'Royal Canterlot Voice'?"

"Not now, Spike!/Not now, Spike!" Twilight and Starlight shushed him in stereo.

Spoiled shakily lifted her hoof from the floor. "I'm... not... dead."

"In a minute, Mother!" Diamond flicked her tail.

With a bit of a dizzy haze, Spoiled chuckled. "Oh... that's... kind of... what I... said to... you... so funny..."

Diamond ignored her. "I demand to see your manager, and a wambulance for my mother's hindquarters!"

Girlfriend folded her wings. "Suit yourself." She turned around. "Sweety-kins, can you field this one?"

"Beep." The colt hopped off the speakers and galloped over.

"You?" Diamond tilted her head. "How are we supposed to come to an understanding through your thick accent?"

"Bop-bee boh?" The Boyfriend adjusted his hat.

"Didn't really want to do this, but fine.  Whatever." Diamond sighed as the next song shuffled on.


(Diamond Tiara vs. The Boyfriend)



~What seems to be the problem, little pony, today?


Caught up in the hustle, what do you want to say?~


~My mother's hurting and you are the sources to blame

Taking apart the elderly, have you no shame?~


~Can't be sorry for truth


Part of rapping is follow-through~


~Are you joking me, sir? Do you see this as just a game?~


~Singing and speaking is life


Whether it is for good or strife~



*Bass drop*


~I can't believe

That you can be good and still slander with your mouth~


~But don't you see?


That there is an art to the way that we say, "boop-bop-bee"~


~If I'm a diamond, then why do I feel so rough

I'm as hard as a stone; even that's not enough~


~Is there something deeper to this whole state of fury?


You seem distracted with things like turmoil and worry~


~This isn't about me

Stop pretending it's therapy~


~Were you pressured to live up to standards instead of free?~


~Leading's my destiny

Don't act like you know all of me!~


*Cymbal crash*



~Yes, I believe


That you always wished you could be somebody else~


~No, you can't see

The ways I have tried to be the pony I want to be~

---

Diamond Tiara wiped her eyes.  Drops of water continued to spill from them.  She turned around and stood beside her mother.  Another filly, Lily Longsocks silently lifted the unconscious mare above her head.  Diamond nodded as the two trotted out of Sugarcube Corner.  Nurse Redheart put on her cap and trailed the small group.

"Well, I'm glad that was settled without too many casualties," said Starlight Glimmer.

"You two have beautiful voices," Sweetie Belle said.

"Bo beep," said The Boyfriend.

"Aw, thank you." Girlfriend nodded.

"Wait a minute!" Scootaloo interjected. "In all the excitement, you never got your turn!"

"Oh, yeah." Sweetie Belle scratched her head. "I forgot.  Do we still have time for that?"

Celestia hummed. "I still have an hour before I need to lower the sun."

Apple Bloom tapped a floorboard. "Sounds like a yes to me!"

The Boyfriend and Girlfriend took their respective seats, dangling hooves off the speakers.  The party crowd had thinned down, but those still present seemed intent on watching this match up.  Pinkie Pie passed a foam finger to Luna.  The latter simply stared at the prop in bewilderment.


(Princess Celestia vs. Sweetie Belle)



1... 2... 3... Hit it!



~I just realized I don't know the words to this song!~


~Do not worry so; with rhythm, just follow along~


~Do we need to throw in insults, or is that bad taste?~


~Only if you want to and you feel it fits the pace~


"Well, um... alright.  Here I go!"


~Your cake is not a main food group, your tea is bittersweet


And pawning off your work to Twilight is an anti-treat~



*Collective gasp*


"Ha ha ha ha ha.  That is a good one."

~Sometimes you sound indistinguishable from your other friends

Shouldn't you be old enough to know means don't justify ends?~


~This feels weird. Can we back off just a smidge?


It's like the floor is lava while the ceiling is a fridge~


~Fair enough, even though it's just a start

There is time for quips and compliments so sweetened yet so tart~


*Epic guitar solo*



1-2-3! Hit it!


~So, lay it all out

Emotions are high

Even without stakes~


~Oh, I am the stumped


Still got to try


Whatever it takes~


~For dusk or for dawn

Sing out your heart

Remember: have fun!~


~More trust than a~ "Pawn?"


~From the very start


Doesn't matter who's won~



~Round and round the verses go/Round and~ "Another round? I mean-" ~Go~



~No pony knows the end!/No pony knows the end?~



~Let's finish with a high-held note/Let's finish~ "Higher? Wait, no!" ~Note~



~My little/My little~


~Friend!~

---

Sweetie Belle swore she tasted iron.  But when she wiped her mouth, only translucent saliva stuck to her hoof.  She closed her eyes while taking several quick breaths.  She didn't even realize some pony was talking to her until they were all gathered closely around her.

"W-What?" Sweetie blinked twice.

"That was amazing." Twilight tapped her feathers against each other.

"You did spectacularly, Sweetie Belle." Rarity nuzzled her little sister.

"But, I lost." Sweetie Belle raised her brow.

"So what?" Scootaloo scoffed. "You managed to stand your ground and keep fighting.  I say that still counts as a brownie point."

"Speaking of which, brownie?" Pinkie Pie offered a plate of warm, fudge-filled squares.

"Uh, thanks." Sweetie Belle levitated one treat in a gentle green glow.

"I'm glad I finally had the chance to witness your performance first-hoof." Celestia briefly bowed her head. "Many thanks."

"Wha...?" Sweetie Belle blushed. "I should be thanking you!"

Girlfriend chuckled. "This has been a fun little romp."

"Dah!" The Boyfriend agreed.

---