Prompt 427: the Mane Six form a band.
“Come on, Twi; the Elements of Harmony is a perfect name for a band!”
“I don’t know, Rainbow; it just feels weird. I mean, the Elements are really valuable, important historical objects. The name kinda feels like…we can’t touch it.”
“Fine, how about…the Bearers?”
“That just sounds silly…”
They were interrupted by a knock at the door. “May we come in?” Rarity called from the other side.
“Go ahead,” Twilight replied, and Rarity and Pinkie Pie both entered the library – Rarity pushing a harp, Pinkie carrying a trombone. They quickly took in the sight of the other four mares, gathered around a jumble of musical instruments and speakers, normally the last thing you would want to see in a library.
“I take it you decided who’s handling the essential instruments, then?” Rarity noted.
“That’s right!” said Twilight enthusiastically. “Rainbow and Applejack are both on guitar…” The two ponies in question strummed their guitars in response. “…Fluttershy’s playing the keyboard…” Fluttershy waved sheepishly from behind her instrument. “…and I’m handling the drums!” She levitated two drumsticks into the air, and they started playing a rhythm more quickly and better paced than any beginner drummer could have managed with hooves.
“Awesome!” cried Pinkie. “My trombone will fit in great!” And she started bouncing around the library, demonstrating her instrument with such passion and volume that it was some time before Rarity could manage to get a word in.
“Um, Twilight, I know I said I’d like to try the harp – but, well, I’m not entirely sure it’s going to fit in with electric guitars and keyboards and the like. But I did have another idea. Have we had any more discussions about who’s going to be the lead singer?”
“Well, no,” said Twilight, a little awkwardly. “I thought we’d save that for…”
“…now, perhaps?” Rarity said. “Because I thought I’d be the ideal choice.”
“You?” said Rainbow, with a raised eyebrow. “Why?”
“Simple,” Rarity explained. “We really need somepony with a carrying, lifting, truly melodious voice to lead this group – and I feel out of all of us, mine is the most fitting.”
“Don’t I have a good voice?” Applejack protested. “I can still sing while playin’ the guitar, and I reckon I can carry a tune pretty darn well.”
“Yes, but yours is rather more suited to a certain…genre, don’t you think?”
“Point taken.”
“And Fluttershy, well, I’m sure you don’t want to be in the middle of the stage singing, do you?” Fluttershy cowered behind her keyboard at the very thought.
“Hey!” cried Pinkie. “What about me? If anypony’s going to be the lead singer, it should be me! I sing all the time! I must have done two songs, a dance routine and a limerick just on my way here!”
“Pinkie,” said Rarity gently, “you’re a wonderful singer, but let’s face it: the band’s not exactly going to be taken seriously if you’re bouncing around the stage, throwing confetti at everyone, is it?”
“Oh, come on, Rarity,” Rainbow Dash scoffed, “we all know the real reason you wanna be the lead singer.”
“And what’s that, pray tell?”
“Because the lead singer is the only one that anypony remembers! I mean, just try and name one member of Hot Punch that isn’t Sleek Skylark, just try! They’re all hanging around in the background while she prances around the front of the stage, flipping her mane, and it’s her face on all the records and posters! And it’ll be exactly the same with you!”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Rainbow Dash…”
“That’s enough!” said Twilight sharply. “I’m not letting us get in a fight over this, and I’m not letting anypony get jealous about not being the lead singer. But I think I have the perfect solution.”
*****
The noise of the Ponyville crowd continued ringing in Perfect Harmony’s ears as they headed for the dressing room, carrying or pushing their instruments and feeling truly elated.
“That was so cool!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed. “We are the best band ever!”
“Maybe you should write to Princess Celestia and see if we can get a gig in Canterlot!” Applejack said to Twilight.
“I was very surprised how well the instruments came together,” said Rarity. “And I must say, who knew little Spikey-Wikey had such a voice in him? My heart was actually going a little listening to him hit those notes.”
“Where is Spike, anyway?” Twilight asked, looking around.
“I think he said something about taking a bath,” said Fluttershy, blushing. “He wasn’t very happy after that mare’s panties hit him in the face.”