Sunny Knight: a Pony's Tale

by TheothersideofSunny968

A Sunny time in Manehatten

Looking out the train's window, Sunny could hardly contain himself with excitement. "This is so cool! I've been to Manehatten before, but never to actually site-see! Thanks for taking me along, Octavia!"

"Now rememberY Sunny, we aren't just here to 'site-see'" Octavia restated as she sat down next to him with a small tray of food. "I've been given the honor to play for one of the most prestigious musical professors in all of Equestria,Professor Arrow Song. Who will have the power and influence to get me into the Silver Notes! The greatest musical orchestra Equestria has ever known! If I secure a position in their very prestigious group, it is assured that my musical career will be full or riches and wonder!"

Scratching his head, Sunny took all of what she said in, but couldn't figure out something. "That's mighty great and all, but why do ya need me ta coma long with ya then instead of yer other musically gifted pal, Vynal Scratch?"

After sitting down and taking a small sip of a tall glass of water, the cello player sighed as she wiped her mouth. "I would have loved for Vynal to come, but she had a gig in Vanhoofer. And right now, I really need a friend to help keep me calm. I always feel better when I have somepony I personally know and can rely on at my side."

"Well shucks, now ah feel honored Octy" Sunny said with a grin as he shifted his hat.

After chewing a small bite of her salad, Octavia picked up a napkin and cleaned her still neat mouth before replying. "Please, Sunny, Call me Octavia. Vynel calls me Octy, and she knows it gets on my nerves."

"Oh... ugh, sorry Octavia" Sunny gulped.

"Don't worry too much about it, Sunny" Octavia replied as she waves a hoof at him then took another small bite.

Watching Octavia eat her salad and drink down her tall glass of cucumber water made Sunny's mouth run dry and his stomach growl. "Say, Octavia, where did you get that Salad?"

"I ordered it before we took our seats. It's a few hours until we reach our stop and I need to be well nourished and hydrated for my practice as well as my performance" Octavia explained, closing her eyes to enjoy the full taste of her salad.

"Will anypony be by to take orders?" Sunny asked, his stomach growing again.

This time Octavia heard his stomach and noticed how her traveling companion eyed her salad. Rolling her eyes, annoyed at Sunny's lack of consideration, the cello player grabbed the package of crackers her salad came with and tossed them over to him. "Here. Next time, plan a little ahead."

"Gee, thanks..." Sunny said as he picked the crackers up then glanced at the tall glass of water Octavia began drinking down. Suddenly, the yellow unicorn lost his appetite...

(https://youtu.be/SJMizrTFiFo)

Manhattan was a large city with buildings that stretched to the skies, and everywhere you looked there were shops of all sized, carts running around carrying and pulled by ponies, stands set up where there was free space, and ponies running all around. It was so much to take it that every turn Sunny took made everything seem new. Which only lead to Octavia growing more and more annoyed whenever she had to clear her throat and redirect his attention to the matter at hoof.

The two ponies were on their way to check in at the Diamond Stables hotel that Octavia had made reservations at months in advance. It was the fanciest and tallest building Sunny had ever seen! Walking inside, Sunny and Octavia reached the counter and were instantly greeted by a few stallions who offered to take their bags up to their room after they checked in. Sunny was more then willing to let them do so, especially after Octavia told him they were on the 32nd floor! While Octavia talked to the mare up at the desk about their room, Sunny chatted with the bell hops a bit, telling them a few jokes Pinkie shared with him and Big Mac. After earning a few laughs from the gentlecolts, Sunny's next punchline was interrupted by Octavia's outraged voice.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU OVER BOOKED?!" The cello player snapped at the mare at the desk.

Sunny took that as a sign to interview and see what all the hallabaloo was all about. Leaving the bellhops behind as he joined Octavia at the desk, the yellow unicorn looked between his angry friend and the nervous mare behind the desk. "What's goin' on?"

Octavia was the first to answer, her tone sharp from her heavy breathing. "From what this mare told me, the hotel manager foolishly overbooked this week end and used 'my' room, that I booked months in advance, to compensate by renting it out to somepony else who 'didn't' have a reservation!"

The last part of her rant Octavia directed more at the mare behind the desk then at Sunny, raising her voice yet again.

"I-I-I'm really, really sorry Miss Octavia" the mare nervously fumbled around her papers avoiding eye contact. "M-maybe I can get you another room! How about one on the 21st floor! We-"

"THE 21st FLOOR?!" Octavia raised her voice, outraged by the mare's suggestion. "Let me get this strait! You not only over book, booting me out of the room I booked 'MONTHS' in advance, when I am a regular here at this hotel. But now to try and make it up to me, a loyal customer, you want to put me on a 'LOWER' floor?? A LOWER FLOOR?!"

The mare had shrunk behind the desk with her ears stuck to the side of her head. As the poor, frightened mare cowered behind the desk, a rather official looking stallion in a suit appeared to Octavia's side.

"Miss Octavia, I'm so terribly sorry for the mistake" the stallion shot the cello player a huge smile. "I'm the new manager, and under my new supervision, it seems you slipped through the cracks. Please, take the penthouse suit in the 35th floor, all expenses on us."

Calming herself down and brushing the strands of her mane out of her face, regaining her composure, Octavia cleared her throat and turned to face the stallion now. "Now that is how you deal with a mistake. I accept your offer."

"How long would you be staying?" The manager asked, still promoting his large smile. "Shall I have some food prepared for you? A couple bottles of cider perhaps?"

"We'll be staying for a few days" Octavia replied with a small smile of her own. "My friend and I are in town for some rather important business today, but will be enjoying the city, site seeing and the like, after today."

"I'll have some bottles of cider put on ice for the both of you, ready upon your arrival" the manager lowered his head in a small bow as he stepped back. "Terribly sorry for the mix up, I promise I'll never forget you again."

Raising her head in a proud and triumphant stance, Octavia casually walked past Sunny heading towards the elevator. Not really wanting to say anything at the moment about what just happened, Sunny followed quietly behind her. He didn't care for how his refined friend handled the situation, it seemed kinda... well, wrong. But Manehatten is different then Ponyville, maybe this was how things were handled here. Before the elevated doors closed, Sunny caught one final look of the secretary, who was on the verge of tears. Without a doubt, Sunny knew he would have to have a good long talk with his friend about how she handled that situation.

After relaxing in the penthouse for a bit while Octavia rehearsed, Sunny thought about how best to talk to her about what happened down stairs. He casually listened to the gentle, but heart breaking songs Octavia produces as he let his mind dance around the topic. But by the end of her practice, it was time to head to the tryout, and Sunny still had no idea how to talk to her.

'Maybe it's best I wait until afterwords anyway' Sunny thought as he followed Octavia into the elevator once more, heading back down to the lobby. 'I don't want to distract her and mess up her chances of nailing this tryout.'

Traveling down and out of the fancy hotel, Sunny and Octavia steadily as ether way towards the theater. Octavia wanted to be sure to have as much time to practice back stage as possible, despite having spent hours practicing back at the hotel, so the two friends left early and planned to arrive hours ahead of schedule. Wanting to still take in some of the sights, Sunny couldn't help but let his eyes wander as he continued to listen to Octavia go on about these 'Silver Notes'.

"... all the greatest musicians either started with, or ended up as a member of the Silver Notes" Octavia happily continued, holding her head up high. "It was about time I received a letter of recommendation to their tryouts. Once they hear me play, I know they'll-"

"Pardon me, miss" a dirty pony in rags hopped out from behind a trash can, looking up at Octavia with the biggest, saddest eyes he could muster. His ratty red mane spread out around his head but kept down by a wool beanie, with a pair of blue eyes sticking out between the parts where the rather lengthy mop parted. The stallion's orange coat was mainly covered up by a dirty jacket, but where it did show, it was mainly smudged with some sort of black substance that looked and smelled like a combination of dirt and sludge. Sunny had never seen a pony more in need of a mane cut and a bath. Or six. His voice was weak, but he spoke up as best he could to the cello player. "Could you please spare a bit or two? I haven't eaten in-"

But Octavia ignored the homeless stallion and kept walking and continued where she left off. "I couldn't decide whether I should go with my silk purple bow tie or if I should go with my casual black one. Ultimately, I thought purple to be the best rout."

Sunny watched in horror as Octavia just passed by the homeless stallion without even giving him a second glance. The yellow unicorn, however, found it impossible to ignore such a pony in need. Remembering that he packed some emergency provisions, Sunny lifted his Stetson hat off the top of his head to reveal a full, signature Apple family apple pie. While Octavia continued to talk and casually stroll further and further away, Sunny stopped in front of the homeless orange stallion.

"Here you go, partner." Sunny said with a smile, looking into the poor stallion's blue eyes. "Baked it fresh this mornin'. Ain't nothin' like ah Apple Family pie."

The homeless stallion paused and looked from Sunny, down at the pie in front of him, then back at Sunny. He did this several times before finally speaking weakly. "Is... is this whole thing for me?..."

"Sure it is," Sunny said with a growing grin as he readjusted his Stetson hat. "Eat up. But enjoy it. The Apple family make the best apple pies in all Equestria."

For a long moment, Sunny couldn't read the stallion's face. But that moment quickly passed, and the homeless pony's face exploded in tears as he jumped up and gave Sunny a great big hug,
Making sure to carefully miss stepping in his apple pie. Octavia watched, wide eyed as the homeless stallion thanked Sunny profusely while squeezing him in a bear hug. Right as Sunny's face started to turn red due to a lack of oxygen, the homeless orange pony released him, picked the apple pie up, thanked him again, then ran off with the pie, cheering and skipping until he vanished from Sunny and Octavia's sight.

Bearing a wide half smile, Sunny chuckled as e rejoined Octavia. "Well now, ah think he might like pie."

"You may want to check your wallet" Octavia said flatly, her expression unamused.

"What? Why?" Sunny asked with a raised brow as he rejoined his friend.

"I know you like believing Everypony is good and pure, but that was just an odd way to thank somepony for just a pie. I'm willing to bet my bow tie he hugged you to throw you off and get close to you to pick your pockets." Octavia explained monotone as Sunny took his hat off and double checked for his wallet.

Both the wallet and his magical lavender bag were still there in the rim of his hat. As he counted the bits in there, his smile returned when he finished counting. "Yep, still there, all bits present and accounted for."

"Well that's surprising" Octavia commented as she rolled her eyes and continued down the street, heading towards the theater.

"Ah know ya'll have been in busy cities and fancy places like this before, Octavia" Sunny started to say as he caught up with her, walking to her right. "But ya know, maybe ya could give someponies the benefit of the doubt. Not Everypony is out ta get ya."

Chuckling lightly, Octavia cracked a small smile, but not because she was happy. "Sunny, Sunny, Sunny. I love the fact that you always see the brighter side of things, and see the good inside Everypony, even if there is none. Don't take this the wrong way, but you wouldn't last a week in a place like Manehatten."

Before Sunny could ask why, he and Octavia were approached by a pair of rather confused looking adolescent mares. One holding a map approached Sunny first. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to bother you two, but it's our first time here. And we're trying to find my grandmother's retirement home. Do either of you know where-"

"I'm sorry, we're in a rush" Octavia said coldly as she walked past the two younger mares. "There's a police pony down the way directing traffic, you can ask him."

Once again, Octavia rises her head and proceeded to simply walk away from a pony in need. Sunny, on the other hoof, couldn't just let the two fillies wander around aimlessly. Even if they did find the cop Octavia and he passed, the cop was directing traffic and couldn't really do much to help them. Stepping closer to the two fillies, Sunny looked at the map they were holding.

The place they had circled in red was called 'Golden Arch Acres Retirement', which Sunny assumed to be where they were looking for. He noted a few land marks on the map that would be hard to miss; A statue at the center of a round about, a small park with a lake at it's heart, and a musings that was parallel to the retirement living area.

"Ok, it looks like your Grandmother lives here..." Sunny pointed out with his hoof to the circle on the map. "And if you look up, we're here, just a few streets over. I noticed this statue on our way here. So if you take this street down, then head over about three streets south, you'll come to a museum, and just on the other side of that is your destination. But if you hit this park here, you've gone too far."

"Oh! That makes sense" one of the two fillies said, taking another look at the map.

"Now I see it" the other commented, pointing out several spots on the map. "We went too far here, and made a wrong then here..."

Both fillies shot Sunny a smile and thanked him as they started down the street, heading in the right direction this time.

"Again, you could have just let them get help from the traffic cop" Octavia noted, annoyance heavily in her voice now. "If you're all done doing good deeds , I'd like to get to the theater to have ample time to practice."

As Octavia began to walk angrily down the street again, stopping at a cross walk, allowing Sunny to catch up, she tried desperately to focus on the task at hoof. But Sunny wasn't going to let any of this go.

"Why do ya have such ah hard time helpin' out others in need?" Sunny himself was beginning to sound annoyed but kept his cool. "Ah mean, all those girls needed was a little help with directions. It took me only ah few moments ta figure out where they needed ta go."

"I'm not against helping others" Octavia said, her tone flatter then week old soda. As the light turned green indicating it was safe to walk, Octavia crossed, allowing Sunny to keep up with her pace. "But I know this city, and other cities like it. Ponies here aren't like ponies back in Ponyville. They're always looking to make a quick bit. They look out for themselves first, and others much much later. You can't always trust what they say, and 'you' need to be more on your guard."

Quickening his pace, Sunny started to walk ahead of his regal friend. "Did... did somepony hurt you?"

Sighing heavily, Octavia just turned and began to walk away. "I'm not going to have any time to rehearse if we don't get a move on. Let's go."

Sunny didn't say anything further on the matter and just followed quickly behind his friend. The rest of the walk to the theater was silent. Sunny didn't want to upset Octavia before her tryout, but that was proving more and more difficult by the moment.

Rounding the corner of the street, both Sunny and Octavia were met with the light and up beat techno sound of a piano. It wasn't too hard to find the source of the light hearted music. It was technically a 'piano' but a smaller version that the colt could balance on his lap while a strap connected to each end also wrapped around the back of his neck. A hat was placed in front of him with a sign saying 'raising money for music school'.

The song the little blue colt was playing was an original piece Sunny had never heard of. Octavia on the other hoof had heard her roommate and best friend play the song on more the one occasion. It was a beginners song, most pianists knew how to play it, just given an electric twist. Needless to say, Octavia was both unamused and unmoved by his song. Sunny on the other hoof was completely moved. Not just by the colt's playing, but also by the effort and heart he put into every key and every note. The foal was so passionate about his music, Sunny was surprised he didn't already have a cutie mark for some talent involving music. But the blue colt with a light brown mop of hair still continued to play with all his might on the edge of the concrete, hoping to raise enough money to attend a music school.

No longer surprising Sunny, Octavia walked past the colt without a second glance or hesitation. But the colt remained unscathed by her cold atmosphere and continued to play, almost as if nothing could break his spirit. Sunny made sure to walk a few steps behind Octavia so he could pause and drop a few bits into the colt's hat. The colt, happy that somepony so gerously gave him a few bits, changed the music to a brighter, louder, and more complex song to show off his gratitude.

"What do you think you are doing?" Octavia appeared by Sunny's side and began to rush him along. "My tryouts are in less then an hour. I'm hardly going to have any time to practice if we keep stopping!"

As quickly as they could, Sunny and Octavia walked past the corner and rushed down the street. Now out of ear shot, Octavia began her lecture. "Sunny, you can't possibly believe that that colt is honestly attempting to enter into a music school."

"Why not? He was really good" Sunny guickly responded.

"Here's something you might not yet know" Octavia began to explain, actually pausing to look Sunny in the eye rather then continue on their walk towards the theater. "Keyboards, like the one he has, can have settings in them that play music for them, without them even having to actually hit a note. I've seen it before. Ponies just pretend that they're tying to better themselves, get back up on their hooves, or even really younger ones without cutie marks, pretend to be musically talented and get a key board with songs in the settings, and pretend to play. When in reality, it's the key board doing all the work."

Sunny felt a little taken back. It wasn't that he actually believed Octavia... well... not 100%, anyway... He had seen how his grey friend reacts with the other ponies of the city, and how she assumed the worst. But what really got Sunny doubting himself was the fact that he had little to no idea about the technology that ponies had now or days. It's possible that some pony could have pulled the wool over his eyes thanks to Sunny's ignorance of machines and devices ponies had in this recent day and age.

But despite his hesitation, Sunny was able to clear his mind once more and meet Octavia eye to eye. "Octavia, all day ya'll have been assuming th' worst of ponies, thinkin' they were out ta con ya. But even if that's true, and ah ain't sayin' it is, what harm could giving a little colt ah bit or two for his troubles? Even if th' feller ain't really musically talented, you and ah don't know that he ain't gunna be one day. For all we know, th' little guy wants ta be but really can't afford music school. What if that were th' case?"

Sighing heavily, now completely done with trying to reason with the yellow unicorn, Octavia looked away for a moment, trying to compose herself before she said something she'd latter regret.

When she got her breathing back down to normal, Octavia once again looked at Sunny with colder eyes then before. "Let's just get to the theater. I'm tired of talking about this, and want to have a clear mind when I perform."

And that was all that was said between the two ponies for what seemed like hours, even though, realistically, it was only a matter of minute until they reached their destination.

Walking up to the theater, Octavia presented the bouncers at the door with two silver tickets. Both bouncers nodded and allowed Sunny and Octavia inside. The two friends didn't say a single word as Octavia checked in, walked down a hall to a private room where she could rehearse, and settled in. After tuning her cello again, Octavia readied herself to practice the piece she had specially written for the tryouts for the Silver Notes, at least one last time before she went on. She felt it was her finest piece yet, and had practiced it for hours before hoof. But like every good musician knows, one can never get in enough practice.

Sunny remained with Octavia in the private room, listening to her wonderful piece in until it was time for Octavia to take her place in front of the judges, leaving only once to fetch him and Octavia some water when his friend looked a little dehydrated. Once it was Octavia's turn to perform, Sunny was lead out into a sea of empty seats while Octavia quickly set up on a large theater stage. Three judges sat upfront at a small table. Two Sunny recognized as Fancy Pants and Hoity Toity, from pictures Rarity and Pinkie Pie had shared about some of their adventures. But the third, the pony who sat on the far left, was somepony Sunny didn't recognize, but guessed that it was this Professor Arrow Song, that Octavia had told him about earlier. She was a taller mare then Sunny was used to seeing, with a cream colored coat, blue eyes and a dark brown mane. But what Sunny found most peculiar was the red streak designs in her mane. All three judges put in their best poker faces as Octavia cleared her throat, letting her know she was ready.

"Thank you all for taking the time to see me today" Octavia began with a virtuous smile and slight bow.

"Thank you for coming" Fancy Pants, who was seated on the far right said with a slight smile, still trying not to show favoritism. "What is it you will be playing for us today?"

"It's a piece I've written myself" Octavia began to explain, catching the attention of all the judges. "I wrote it just for the occasion. I hope you all enjoy..."

Taking her seat, Octavia closed her eyes and began to let the magic inside her flow. Like most earth ponies, the magic inside of Octavia is channeled in a very subtle way. Rather then allowing her to fly and control weather, or levitate and teleport objects, Octavia channels magic from deep within her, then into her hooves, allowing her to play her signature instrument with little to no flaw. It was a talent she had discovered at a young age, and since spent years learning, expanding her knowledge, and delving deeper into the art. Now it was time for her to take it to the next level, and join the most prestigious musical group in all of Equestria, the Silver Notes. All she would have to do is put her best hoof forward and show the judges what she was made of.

But several notes into her song, not even past the first line of notes, Octavia's melody was silenced when the Judge on the far left raised a hoof and yelled out "that will be all, miss Octavia."

"What? Really? That's all you needed to hear?" Octavia was a little shocked, but relieved that Professor Arrow Song was so sure of her decision. "I'm honored that you think I'm talented enough to join the Silver Notes. I won't let you-"

"I'm sorry, Miss Octavia" Arrow Song interrupted the grey earth pony once more. "I think you're mistaken. I'm not stopping you because I want you in the Silver Notes. I stopped you because I can see by your... self written song, that you are far from joining the Silver Notes."

"W-what?..." Octavia's eyes went wide as her heart sunk, her legs feeling weak and wanting to give in beneath her.

"I'm sorry, Miss Octavia" Arrow continued, sighing as she flipped a stand of her mane back out of her face. "But it didn't take me long to see just what kind a musician you are. I've secured the position of judge for the Silver Notes strictly because of my own talent."

Sunny hadn't looked at the Professor much until that point, but the rather tall and lengthy unicorn had a cutie mark of a music note with an angled arrow layered behind it. He had no idea what that meant, but at the moment, the yellow unicorn could care less. Turning his attention away from the Professor, Sunny thought it best to begin an advance towards the stage as the Professor began again.

"I can tell where a musician's career is going just based on how they play, I can tell what direction a musician should take their career or education, and whether they could rise up to become a member of the Silver Notes, taking their careers on the road with solo acts, or even end up just as subtle entertainment at foal's parties. It's a sad, cold fact. But to save you years and years of trying to be something you're not, miss Octavia, I'm going to tell you now that you are-"

"The greatest cello player in all of Equestria" a thundering voice boomed as a certain yellow stallion walked onto the stage. A stage hoof tried to stop him, but with a single, hard glance, Sunny silenced the pony, stopping him dead in his tracks, and continued to join his friend on stage.

"And who might you be to make such a bold statement?" Hoity Toity asked as he lowered his sunglasses and shot Sunny a sharp glance.

"I'm her friend" Sunny stated, taking another step closer to Octavia as his own eyes returned a sharper glance back at the small, purple coated earth pony. "And I'll have you know that even though my knowlage of musicians in this time are a little dated, I have heard ponies play from all over Equestria, on instruments of every shape and size, but no pony, and I mean NO PONY, plays with half the heart as Octavia. Miss Arrow, you are making a foolish move to let Octavia walk away from joining your group."

Raining a brow for a moment, Arrow song sighed as she rubbed the top of her muzzle, breaking eye contact with Sunny, who's gaze felt like it was burning her to the core. "Mr..."

"Sunny" the yellow unicorn answered. "The name Sunny Knight".

"Mr.Sunny" Arrow said as she took another breath and looked him in the eye as best she could. "Your friend is very talented, that's true. And you're right, there are few ponies in all of Equestria as good as she is. But from what I can see, she is best as a solo act. Despite the Power and control she seems to have with the cello, she projects well enough to not only outshine and overpower anypony else in an orchestra if she wanted, but her tone is what I'm most afraid of."

"I'm afraid I'll have to agree" Fancy Pants admitted as he levitated his Monica's off of his face and began cleaning it. "I've heard Octavia play with ponies before in a small orchestra. And I'll admit, I've seen a great progress on her part. But despite her... achievements and growth, she still lacks in the proper 'tone' that is expected of the Silver Notes."

"Which, before you ask what 'tone' we are actually talking about" Arrow jumped in when she could before Sunny could speak further. "I hear a very sad, secluded song in Octavia. It's very refined, very polished to shine, but ultimately it is a dark feel. The Silver Tones don't need to shine as brightly as gold, thus the name, but they all do need to shine, as well as blend together as one. Music that brings great strength to others, that lifts them up to touch the stars in the sky.

"I'm afraid that at her best, Octavia is just a dark solo act" Arrow said as she once again looked Octavia in the eye. "I'm sorry, but that's the cold, hard fact."

Before anypony could say anything else, be it Sunny defending Octavia, or any of the judges shooting her down, Octavia quickly grabbed her stuff, packed it up, and rushed off stage. Sunny hesitated, jumping from soft and concerned emotions for his friend, and cold earth for the judges, but chose to leave with his friend. The last thing either of them heard from the judges as they rushed out of the theater was Arrow Song calling 'NEXT'.

Octavia made sure to keep her head down as she walked quickly enough to stay just ahead of Sunny, who so desperately wanted to be by her side.

"Octavia, what up!" Sunny called out several times before his musical friend finally stopped, her head still hanging low enough to have her eyes hidden by her mane.

"What do you want, Sunny?" Octavia's words were hard and harp as they slid out through her teeth.

"Octavia, ya know yer waaaaay better then half th' ponies trying out fer them stuck up snobs" Sunny started to say while catching his breath. "Ah wouldn't listen to that crazy, old Arrow Song anywho. Ah love your music. It's-"

"Dark and depressing!" Octavia snapped, her voice growing into a yell. "You don't have to lie to me Sunny! I know my music is dreary! It's not all 'sunshine and rainbows' like the Silver Tones! I know! I've tried to practice such pieces! But you know what Sunny?! I JUST CANT PLAY IT!"

Finally able to look her in the eye, Sunny saw tears had been streaming from Octavia's purple colored eyes, probably since they left the theater. Her blood shot eyes along with the rivers that ran down her cheeks shocked the yellow unicorn, and once again, like with Thunderlane and Big Mac, he didn't really know what to do to make the situation better.

"Octavia... I..." Sunny's glow faded as he broke eye contact with the grey mare.

"Just leave me alone!" Octavia pushed past Sunny, carrying her cello over her back and running as fast as she could, to where, not even she knew. All Sunny could do was watch as she ran down the street and out of sight...

Sunny had wondered around looking for Octavia for hours. The sun was beginning to set and he was starting to worry. He thought she might show up back at the hotel, but she wasn't in the room and no pony had seen her. As time passed, Sunny thought to take to the streets and search for his troubled friend. He wanted to take in the sights, but not like this, not on a hunt for his hurt friend.

After what felt like walking the streets for hours, Sunny felt his legs grow tired, and he fell back on his haunches on the edge of the sidewalk. He sighed with frustration. The yellow unicorn wanted to keep looking, to keep pressing on, but he hadn't walked this much sense the march onto Griffinstone over 1000 years ago. Reluctantly, the yellow unicorn pulled out a harmonica that Applejack gave him and began to play.

For some reason unknown to Sunny, Applejack thought it would be a fun idea for the two of them to play instruments together. Not like start a band, but just for fun. She tried to teach him the banjo, but that was a disaster. Then she had the idea to let him try the harmonica. And although it took some practice, Sunny actually started to get pretty good at playing the instrument. He didn't know what he was playing, but Sunny found himself playing a song of some sort.

(https://youtu.be/iU6E9DcGw3E)

As he continued to play, some ponies walked by and began dropping a bit or two into a hat that was anyone about three or four feet away from him. When Sunny looked up and over to the hat, he noticed the little blue colt sitting there, admiring him and his playing.

"Wow, mister! You're really good!" The colt said with a wide smile, digging the gold could ponies dropped out of his hat. "Here, these are yours!"

Sunny smiled, shook his head and pushed the coins back to the colt. "Take 'em. Ah hear music school's expensive."

"I thought you as your friend didn't believe me when you ran off like that" the colt said as he happily added the bits to a small compartment underneath his key board, leaving only one or two in the hat.

"Ah believe ya" Sunny admitted with a grin. "And ya should never give up on yer hopes and dreams. Ya'll get there one day. Just don't ever give up, ya hear?"

"I won't!" The colt said with a grin and offered a hoof out to Sunny. "The name's Blue, Blue Sparks. My friends call me Blue, but my mom calls me Sparks or Sparky."

Meeting his hoof with a hoof bump, Sunny smiled and tipped his hat. "Name's Sunny, Sunny Knight. Friends Call me Sunny. It's ah pleasure ta meet ya Blue."

"Same" Blue said with a smile. "Hey, where's your friend? The lady with the cello?"

Sighing and looking away from the little blue colt, Sunny lowered his hat more over his face. "She... ran off..."

"Where did she go?" Blue asked innocently.

"Ah have no idea" Sunny continued and looked out onto the street. "I've been looking for her for hours. Ah'm gettin' mighty worried."

"Hey mister!" Somepony called out as she ran up to Sunny. Instantly, Sunny recognized her as one of the two fillies he helped out earlier. "I'm sorry, but I couldn't help but overhear your conversation. I saw your friend enter the park a few minute ago! Come on! I'll show you!"

"You will?! Thank you!" Sunny got up and began to follow the filly, with Blue tagging along, tossing his keyboard over his back and his hat atop his head.

The trio were quickly joined by the second filly that Sunny help earlier along with an elderly mare in a wheelchair that the second filly pushed. Together the new team ventured into the park, but the sun was quickly setting, soon it would be impossible for anypony to find anypony alone in the park.

Luckily for them, Sunny's ears quickly caught the faint tone of a deep, stringed instrument, one that he had heard before and recognized easily as Octavia. As he lead the foals and elderly mare in the direction of his friend, Sunny found Octavia subtly playing her cello half heartedly on a park bench. He raised a hoof to the group, signaling them to remain hidden behind some trees as he carefully approached his friend, knowing she was in an emotionally fragile state.

Taking a few, slow steps towards the cellist, Sunny didn't want to alter her to his presence just yet. Unfortunately for him, he didn't secure the harmonica in his hat as best as he normally did, and about half way to hug friend, the instrument fell out. As it flew to the ground, wind was caught and shot through it, making a loud and high pitches noise.

Octavia looked up, saw Sunny and sighed. "I'm not in the mood to talk Sunny. Even you with your bold statements, commanding voice, and regal tongue couldn't help me... just leave me alone..."

Not wanting to give up, Sunny at first thought to try something Twilight would do for one of her friends. But he had never read about an adventurer that the princess of friendship had that was similar to this situation. If there was one, the yellow unicorn certainly couldn't think of it at the moment. Instead, Sunny's eyes fell on the instrument that he dropped. It was then that the glow inside of him returned and a crazy idea came to mind. It was worth a shot. And Octavia did say 'no words' right?

Slowly, and starting off a little off key and low, Sunny started playing his harmonica for his down trotted friend. The tone and rhythm was slow and gentle at first, lacking in the instrument's own natural voice. But Sunny didn't want to scare off his friend. Octavia stopped her playing and actually watched her yellow friend as he tried to speak to her through the power of music.

He was starting to win her over, but the sadness was still there in her eyes. Sunny needed help. Look my over at Blue, Sunny played his harmonica, hitting a higher stream of notes that the harmonica was naturally meant to play, giving it more of the 'blues' tone that the harmonica was meant to play. Blue tossed his key board in front of him and began playing, mimicking the notes Sunny was hitting and gradually made his way to Sunny side, now facing Octavia.

Shocked to see the little colt who had joined him, Octavia watched with wide eyes as Sunny and Blue played off each other, note for note. But despite the duo's tag team, it still wasn't lifting Octavia's spirits up to were she needed to be. That's when the two fillies and their grandmother joined in. They had no instruments to play, true, but something the two fillies loved doing when they visited their grandmother was sing with her. Their grandmother retired from singing at a fairly young age to raise her child, but had never given up the art. And instead, passed it on to her daughter and now to her daughter's daughters. With Sunny and Blue on their instruments, and the three mares singing back up tones, the only thing the group needed was a leader and direction.

That's all she needed.

No long able to stand by and just take it all in, Octavia stood up, grabbed her cello, ran the bow across the stings, and began to play with all her heart once more. This time, something else inside sprang to life, a new light. She no longer kept her eyes shut to conceal herself and focus on her music. This time, Octavia's eyes were kept wide open as she played without even having to look at her own hoof movements. She wanted to keep an eye on her new band mates, to take in the wonderful sight before her, and create a wonderful memory from it. Their small band had grown so loud and was so full of life and energy that it actually started to draw a crowd to the park!

Most ponies kept away from the park after dark, especially in the big city where muggers and other criminals could be lurking in the shadows. But after hearing the wonderful music that was emerging out of the park, ponies couldn't help but be drawn to it. Some had left a concert a couple of weeks ago, one that stared a new up and coming filly who sang about overthrowing the royal based government and finding the strength within to govern themselves. That music had filled them and driven them with anger and hate. But hearing his small band had some how flushed that violent music out of them. Those ponies who attended the concert couldn't remember why they felt that way before. The music that Octavia and her band of misfit friends were playing now filled the ponies with sense of joy, adding. Spring in their step and an uplifting tone in their hearts.

As the song came to a close, Octavia looked away from her group and realized that a full crowd had gathered to hear them play. Her eyes had grown unusually wide for the second time today as she watched ponies cheer and stomp their hooves in applause.

"You were great, Octavia!" Sunny said as he put a hoof on her shoulder. "I told you you were the greatest cellist in all Equestria."

"You were... half right, Sunny" Octavia said as she turned to the ponies who had joined their little 'band', and gave them an apologetic smile. "I'm so sorry... for being so short and nasty with all of you. There is no excuse for the way I acted."

"Eh, it's all good" Blue said as he tipped his hat.

"You looked like you kinda had a lot on your mind" one of the fillies said with a grin.

"Besides, your coltfriend was kind enough to help us out" the other filly said with a light giggle.

"We're just friends" Sunny and Octavia said at the same time, paused, looked at each other, smiled and then let out a light laugh.

"Congratulations, miss Octavia" somepony said as she stepped out of the crowd, the familiar voice running chills up Sunny and Octavia's backs as both turned to see Professor Arrow Song join the group, stepping out of the crowd. "I must say, it's been a long, long time since the last time I've had to say this about a fellow musician, but I was wrong. I swore I had you pegged as somepony completely different when I first heard you play. So dark, cold, solid like stone, standing alone like a monolith. But seeing you up here, playing with this group of misfits, all playing in harmony, with instruments that aren't naturally supposed to even be together, I'm more surprised today then I ever have been!

"Miss Octavia" the cream colored pony stepped forward and offered a hoof, "would you do me the honor of not only joining the Silver Tones, but also becoming my apprentice? By my side, I know you can do great things. Maybe even replace me in ushering in a new wave of musically gifted youngsters. What do you say?"

Looking at her hoof, Octavia hesitated. Hours ago she would have been jumping for joy at the chance to be offered such an honor. But now... now she felt something wasn't right. She looked back at the ponies who had come to her aid, even after the way she had treated all of them. With another sigh, Octavia turned back to Arrow Song and simply said "No."

Everypony was shocked to hear the cellist's answer, and immediately Sunny jumped to her side. "Octavia, this is what ya wanted, ain't it? What ya've been dreaming 'bout fer years?"

"You're right, Sunny. It was..." Octavia started to say as she turned to the group of 'misfits' she had just played with, smiling happily as she could at them. "But today, I learned something. Music is a gift. A gift that can't be wrapped up in gold and silver. A gift that can lift us up when we are at our lowest. But I still have a lot to learn about giving before I can expect to receive any credit at all."

Shocked at first, Arrow son cracked a smile and nodded. "I don't know what's changed you in the past few hours, miss Octavia, but I see a bright future ahead of you. Anytime in the future you decide you are ready, I'll be waiting."

"Speaking of futures" Octavia said as she pulled the little blue colt closer to her and Arrow Song. "This little guy wants to go to music school, but lacks in the financial aid. Do you think you could help him?"

Looking at the little blue guy, Arrow bobbed her head for a moment before turning back to Octavia. "That all depends, do you think he's destined for greatness?"

"I think if he applies himself like he did today, he'll be better then even you or I one day" Octavia stated with great confidence, not just generous words.

"Anypony 'you' recommend, I will defiantly aid" Arrow said, cracking a smile as she looked down to Blue. "How's a full scholarship to the 'Manehatten school of Musical Arts' sound?"

Blue didn't know what to make of it. "... you mean... I wouldn't have to perform on the streets anymore?"

"Not unless you wanted to" Arrow answered.

"And... and my mom wound have to work two jobs anymore?" Blue asked, his hat dropping off his head.

"Again, not unless she wants to" Arrow repeated herself. "And trust me, I don't think any sane mare would want to work two jobs."

"SPARKS! SPARKS!" A light blue Pegasus mare in royal guard armor made her way though the crowd. She had an electric blue mane and tail that seemed to glow off the golden armor she wore. When she looked over and saw her son surrounded by ponies, carrying his key board and hat, she knew what he was up to. As the Pegasus guard closed the space between her and her son, ignoring Everypony around her, her voice began to grow louder and louder. "SPARKS! How many times have I told you, NO MORE STREET PERFORMING! What if something happens to you!? You could have gotten foal-napped! Or hurt!"

"Mom guess what?! I just got a full scholarship to go to music school!" Blue said excitedly, ignoring his mother's lecturing.

"I don't care how many bits you got today! I told you with my second job I can..." it took the Pegasus mare a while but the words finally caught up to her. But when they did, the poor mare felt faint. "You... got a scholarship?"

"Yes he did" Octavia said, stepping forward and helping the unsteady looking mare onto the park bench. "Your son has a great talent that I can't wait to see blossom. He'll be going to the 'Manehatten school of Musical Arts'."

Looking up at Octavia, the Pegasus mare in royal armor couldn't believe what she was hearing. "This... this is really happening? My little Sparky can go to that fancy of a school?"

"Indeed" Octavia replied with a nod. Before she could say anything else, the guard gave Octavia the biggest hug she had ever revived.

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! THANK YOU!" The light blue mare replied as her helmet fell to the ground, revealing a rather short cut mane. "I don't know how to thank you enough!"

"Actually, the thanks goes to Proffesor Arrow Song..." Octavia managed to squeeze out. "She offered-"

"I only said I would take anypony 'you' recommend, Miss Octavia" Arrow said with a half smile. "So the tanks actually goes to you, for your generous support."

Releasing Her from the hug, the guard held Octavia's hooves in her own as she looked her right in the eye. It was the guard's time to cry, but this time, tears of joy. "My name is Rhapsody, and if there is anything I can do, or you find yourself ever in need, please, call upon the guard named Rhapsody!"

"Hey Sunny" Blue nudged the yellow unicorn. "Aren't you a guard too?"

"What?! M-me?! No! No!" Sunny tripped over his words. "I'm just a farmer. What would give you an idea like that?"

"Well, your name is Knight, so I thought..." Blue started to say but trailed off.

"Wait! Your name is Knight?" Rhapsody said as she let Octavia go and ran right up to Sunny. "Tell me, do you know a 'Charming' 'Knight'?"

Shaking his head, Sunny just watched as the light blue mare with a short cut mane sighed and hung her head slightly. "Sorry, it's just... somepony I used to know went by that name... anywho, I say this calls for a celebration!"

"I couldn't agree more!" Octavia said, stepping forward. "Let's all head back to the Diamond Stables hotel! Party on the 35th floor!"

As Octavia made the announcement to the entire crowd, the sea of ponies cheered as they all galloped to the prestigious hotel that loomed over the entire city.

"That's mighty generous of you, Octavia" Sunny said with a grin as they walked over with their new group of 'misfit' friends. "Gunna be awful pricy."

"I can handle it" Octavia sad as she pranced along, almost as if she weren't carting the second most heavy instrument on her back. "Besides, it feels really good to give to others, even if I don't know them all very well. Which reminds me...

"Would you do a favor and invite that sweat little mare behind the counter at the hotel to our party? I want to apologize in person for my rude behavior and try and make it up to her as best I can." Octavia's spring in her step slowed as she thought about how she had been acting all day.

Playfully, Sunny nudged her in the side, pulling her out of her dark pit. "I'm sure she needs the break and would love to come. And Octavia... I'm proud of you."

Hearing that come from Sunny for some odd reason really made Octavia feel better then she had in years. Like a light just flickered on inside her. 'There's something about him that I really admire. Applejack better tie him down or I might just run away with him.' "Thank you, Sunny. But if you want, you can call me Octy."

Author's Note:

Big thanks to my friends Delanie Korenthal and Brittany Simmons for the use of their Pcs. Thanks guys for letting me use Arrow Song for the judge, Rhapsody for the single mother and Blue Sparks for the gifted youngster.

You guys rock! And don't worry, they'll be back in future chapters