//------------------------------// // The Musician // Story: Three Days in Two Years // by Frost Bear //------------------------------// Sunset Shimmer sat lazily in a chair. She sighed looking at several posters of her. “What’s the matter, Sunny?” Flim asked. “Why am I doing this again?” “You’re one of the most popular mares in Equestria,” Flam chimed, “One of Princess Twilight’s friends AND the one who defeated the sirens! Ponies from all over will flock to see you!” “I don’t care about that,” Sunset growled, “I just want to get back to Canterlot.” “Look, Sunny, makes us some bits and we’ll buy you a ticket for Canterlot. Right now you have a show to perform!” “And what IS the show I’m performing?” Flim and Flam looked at each other with uncertain glances. Sunset face hoofed with a sigh, “That explain why I’m in the most lewd positions on those posters.” Flim chuckled, “Gotta start somewhere!” Flam coughed, “But we did set up a microphone, instruments, magic props, etc. just in case you think of something.” “So you prepared for anything and had no details in the posters but you sold tickets?” “Sold out the entire theater!” the twin brothers cheered. Sunset buried her face, “You doomed us all.” “Mope later, it’s time for the show!” Flam kicked her out to the stage. The stage was a dump in a run down theater. Old paper cups and newspapers scattered across the floor along side dried soda puddles and popcorn kernels. She noticed the props in the back, visible for the audience. A single pink guitar with white stars was the most disguised item she saw. The curtains opened up and blew a newspaper at her hooves. Sunset looked down and noticed the front page title, “Discord Destroys Ponyville.” Sunset picked it up and started reading. The audience leaned forward with anticipation. Several had muted on popcorn or sipped soda waiting for her act. Every time she moved her head of gasped the audience braced themselves. This went on for a few minutes until someone was tired of waiting. “This is it?! I paid 40 bits for this?! What a rip-off!” the stallion stormed off. Flim and Flam stopped him, “Wait wait wait wait, We promise the real performance will start soon! She’s just… a little shy!” “Real performers are not shy,” a mare shouted, “I demand my bits back!” Several ponies started an uproar, demanding their money returned and ready to gang up on Flim and Flam. The twins shivered with terror as the large crowd slowly moved towards them. Their worst fears were about to be realized as the angry ponies glared at them with mad eyes. Their lives were going so well until now. Why did they think this was a good idea. “Hello, Applewood!” the microphone buzzed with feedback. The audience clenched their ears in pain and looked at the stage. Sunset Shimmer stood in front of the mic with a smile. The newspaper she was reading sat beside her, neatly folded. The audience waited for her to finish. “Sorry about the delay, I had to think of a good song for my first show,” Sunset levitated the guitar to her and strummed a note, “Now… LET’S ROCK!” The audience cheered, Flim and Flam sighed with relief, and Sunset started singing. “Gather around, fillies and colts. Dance with my notes.” The audience went back to their seats with smiles and Sunset continued. “Long ago and far away, I lived in a land I feared to leave.” The tone was slow and sad at first but gained energy as she went on. “But time went by and I had no choice, there were people out their who had to hear my voice!” A giant strike on her guitar pushed the audience back. “I don’t shine bright but I’ll last long! You’ll see me shimmer on! The lights out but I’ll still shine! It will always sparkle in your eyes!” The audience got chipper with the beat just as it slowed down again. “Weeks to months to years so sad. I look back to what I had lost. The days of youth weren’t always happy but what I don’t remember doesn’t matter! The past was a blast, the future was bright! My heart was the fire in the night. Hear me now and listen well.” She struck two chords, “Harmony is always better.” She started a solo that lasted a full minute. The crowd was electrified by the performance. They stood and cheered as she danced with her guitar. With a smirk she used her magic to flash some lights and create sparks that threatened to burn the place down. Thankfully, she kept it under control. “My friends are far and lost, separated by claws of chaos. Discord knows as well as I, our friendship will never die! I don’t shine bright but I’ll last long! You’ll see me shimmer on! The lights out but I’ll still shine! It will always sparkle in your eyes!” The pace slowed down. Sunset frowned. “The sun and moon are trapped in stone. Order has taken the throne. Our only hope is to live two years. Then our friends will be back and we’ll start our attack!” A fiery spark of energy burst from her guitar and rained teal energy on the crowd. For strange reason the crowed became even more energetic. Their cheers became a thousand times louder. Their stomps nearly cracked the frail floors. Most of all their smiles radiated enough to rival the sun itself. Sunset smiles with minor confusion. ‘Magic of music, I guess’ she thought before finishing her song. “I don’t shine bright but I’ll last long! You’ll see me shimmer on! The lights out but I’ll still shine! It will always sparkle in your eyes! The pain we feel and the pain we’ll have will be forgotten fast. Remember those words and remember them well, joy will triumph over despair!” She finish the song with a strong spike of thunderous magic lightning. It echoed through and out the building. The crowed gained so much joy in her performance they threw themselves against each other during their applause. Sunset was incredibly happy and embarrassed. Flim and Flam took her off stage, ending the performance. “That was a spectacular display,” Flam shouted, “We had no idea you were so talented.” “Yes, those stallions could’ve expected something different but that performance left them happier than they were coming in,” Flim noted. “So… what now?” Sunset asked. “Now we schedule your next performance. Maybe set up a record deal. We’ll see in time.” As they were headed back to their home on a hill, Flim turned to Sunset. “Be sure you practice that magic with your music. It was great tonight but it can always be better.” Sunset nodded with a smile. ‘Magic of music, hmm… not the powerful magic I expected but this could lead to something.’