//------------------------------// // Applejack's request // Story: Rara's Reality // by Gear Works //------------------------------// On the lower streets of Broadway in Music City, Nashville has been one of the biggest tourist attractions to humans and ponies alike. It has also been the friendliest to establish relations between both types. Both humans and ponies would walk the streets to listen to music, share drinks, exchange stories, and have fun. With the money exchange program in place, and equestrian passports for ponies to have around, it has made things easy for ponies to experience the lifestyles that humans enjoy. And it is here that six mares walk the streets to visit a friend that they first met outside of their profession as the Ambassadors of Equestria. Applejack, who was wearing her usual red button-up shirt, blue jeans, and Stetson hat, was leading the group. She felt like that Nashville was more of a second home here. Next to her was Rainbow Dash, wearing her blue jogging pants, white shirt, and blue jacket with the Wonderbolts symbol on the back. Fluttershy was next to her, wearing a simple white sundress. On the other side of Applejack was Pinkie Pie, wearing her blue and pink party dress. And next to her was Rarity, dressed in a white blouse and long purple skirt. As they were walking down the street, they were getting several looks. Actually, it was Rarity who was getting those looks from men and stallions alike, and Rainbow Dash didn’t like it. “Seriously Rarity, did you have to go all out on this visit?” asked Rainbow Dash. “Darling, if you plan to make a big impression, then you have to go big,” replied Rarity. “But we’re in Nashville, not New York City. It’s like the difference between Appleloosa and Manehattan,” explained Rainbow Dash. “Well, it’s not stopping you from all of those photo ops with the humans here,” explained Rarity. “That’s because I’m a member of the Wonderbolts, and we’re well known in this world,” explained Rainbow Dash. “Now, now. We came here to see our friend, Rick, while we’re taking some time off this weekend,” said Applejack. “Is that why you brought that flier?” Now Princess Twilight Sparkle would be the last one to join them, but she had to attend a princess conference, so it was her student, Starlight Glimmer, who came in her place. Wearing a lavender shirt and blue pants, she was still new to this human world…and also new to their new human friend. “Indeed it is, Starlight,” said Rarity. “Rick used to play music after he finished with college, but couldn’t make it big time,” explained Applejack. “He tried on this show called American Idol many years ago. I think it was in it’s second season, from what he’s told us, that he tried out. He made it through the auditions, but that’s as far as he got.” “I think it had something to do with image,” added Rarity. Applejack continued. “Anyway, he tried his luck in the local music scene, but wasn’t getting anywhere far, so he put it to the side and focused on work. Wasn’t until a new show call The Voice came on that he decided to try music again. The show only focuses on a person’s signing voice, but he didn’t get picked by any of the judges the first time he tried out. They said that he should work on his signing some more and come back next season. So he did and was able to join one of the teams, but was eliminated during the first elimination rounds. That’s when he decided to just give up on music.” “So what has he been doing all this time?” asked Starlight. “He used to work for some private company in the past, but their department moved to a new city a month ago, and he didn’t feel like moving,” explained Applejack. “He’s doing fine in the money area, but I don’t think he has yet to find a new job to keep him busy. I’m hoping this can get him going again.” “You really think he’ll go for this?” asked Rainbow Dash. “We saw the videos that he posted since we met him, and he does sound pretty good,” explained Rarity. “I think it’s worth a shot.” “Come on, Rarity. You know he can do it,” said Pinkie Pie. “You’re just saying that just to stay positive in all of this,” said Applejack. “Doesn’t she always?” said Starlight. Pinkie Pie shook her head up and down while smiling from ear to ear. “Um Applejack. Were are we going anyway?” asked Fluttershy. “Legends Corner,” replied Applejack. “Best place for ponies to hang out with humans.” “And they serve the best apple cider in America. Just close to the cider from the farm,” explained Rainbow Dash. “That’s because I was able to work with some owners of an apple farm in America and showed them how we make it on our farm,” explained Applejack. “Been a big help for the ponies who visit this world. Besides, I already know the owner of Legends Corner and told him that we were coming. Just hope Rick shows up as well.” As they continued walking down the street, they finally arrived to the building on the corner. Pinkie Pie was able to look through the window, and luck would have it that she was able to find Rick at the bar. “Found him!” The others were able to look through the window and Starlight asked, “Which one is he?” “He’s the man with the short brown hair, wearing the white shirt and tan slacks,” explained Rarity. “Should be easy to point out from there.” The six mares went around the corner and walked inside. The boss working behind the bar noticed Applejack and wave at her, which she waved back. Rick turned around and noticed that Applejack and her friends were here. Well, all but one. “Thanks for coming, Rick.” “Thanks for inviting me, Applejack. Where’s Twilight?” “At a princess conference, dear,” replied Rarity. “Queen of England?” Rarity sighed and said, “Yes, dear. I just wish I could be there to help.” “You just wanted to see what the UK has to offer, that’s all,” said Rick. “Besides, I have a feeling that it takes royalty to work with royalty. Once everything works out, I’m sure you’ll have time to visit and help out.” “I hope that you are correct, Rick,” replied Rarity. Applejack leaned on the bar and said, “Hey boss. Six apple ciders for me and my friends.” “No problem.” The boss went to the apple cider dispenser and begin pouring six mugs of cider. Rick had a glass of water and took a sip before asking. “So who’s your friend here?” “This is Starlight Glimmer,” responded Applejack. “So you’re Twilight’s student, correct?” as Rick extended his hand to shake her hand. “That’s…right,” Starlight responded nervously. Rick went up to Starlight and whispered, “Don’t worry. We all make mistakes. We just learn from them and move forward.” He gave a wink, which made Starlight feel at ease. “So, Applejack. What is it that you wanted to talk to me about.” “Want you to take a look at this.” Applejack took out the flier she brought and showed it to him. Rick looked at the flier and said, “A talent show? You know I gave up on this some years ago.” Applejack said, “We know that, but look at who it’s for?” Rick looked at it again and said, “Countess Coloratura? That’s your friend, Rara, right?” “Eeyep. She’s trying to get her career going again, and her new manager wants to pair her up with a human artist.” “Why a human artist?” asked Rick. “Rick, dear. Most ponies have cutie marks, which in a way defines what we can do,” Rarity explained. “And Sapphire Shores has taken over as manager to all of Svengallop’s clients, including Coloratura.” “And it’s hard to know what you can do because you don’t get cutie marks, so you have to try what you can do, and keep trying if you want to get what you want,” added Applejack. “So it’s hard to find a rising artist when you already have a career in music anyway. And this can help with human and pony relations if a human was able to perform with a pony in both worlds.” “Look, I know what you are trying to do, and I get it. But I haven’t tried to perform in years,” Rick explained. “I just don’t see the point of a thirty-something guy like myself having a chance to perform with a popular pony like her when there are other singers younger than me who are looking for their big break as well.” “So what. You experienced talent shows like this before, and maybe it didn’t go so well, but that didn’t stop you from trying again,” Rainbow Dash explained. “And we saw your videos as well, and you sounded good in them. Plus, you have us. You were easy going when you first met me and Applejack when we were in Downtown Franklin. I’m sure you can get along with Rara easily when you win.” “If I win,” Rick corrected. The boss returned with six mugs of apple cider for Applejack and her friends when he saw the flier in Rick’s hands. “Can I see that?” Rick handed him the flier. He looked at it and saw the name on the flier. “Isn’t that the pop diva from Equestria?” “I don’t know if pop diva would be the right choice of words to use about my friend, but that’s her alright,” replied Applejack. “She’s trying to revive her career, and her manager is thinking about doing this.” “As long as he doesn’t do any harm to her or whoever will be performing with her.” “You must be talking about her former manager, who was just in it for the perks,” said Rarity. “Her new manager is Miss Sapphire Shores, who is a well known fashion client of mine, by the way.” “As long as any of them aren’t like that loser of a manager that’s been in the media as of late.” “Now who can be worst than that?” asked Applejack. Rick whispered into Applejack’s ear the guy’s name and reason, which displeased her. “Are you kidding me? I swear, if Svengallop did THAT to Rara, I kick his sorry plot to the moon.” “I figured you would do that,” said Rick. The other mares were wondering what Applejack and Rick were talking about. “Let’s just say that it’s…disturbing. I’ll explain when we get back home,” said Applejack. “Boss, if you want to post that around here, you’re welcome to do so. I’ll have more of those mailed out to some of the businesses later on.” “Thanks Applejack.” And the boss pinned it to the wall and went to help other customers. “So, you going to give it a shot?” asked Rainbow Dash. “Yea, maybe you might finally get yourself a mare-friend,” Pinkie Pie added while twitching her eyebrows. Applejack glared at her and said, “Pinkie, we are NOT here to hook Rick up.” “Well, while I do think that you have the right idea Pinkie, Applejack does bring up a good point,” Rarity explained. “Besides, when celebs date other celebs, they sometimes fall apart. Let’s just focus on getting Rick’s music career off the ground.” Starlight leaned over to Fluttershy and whispered, “What are they talking about?” Fluttershy whispered back, “Rick’s been single for about 20 Earth years. So Pinkie and Rarity were thinking about helping him in that department, but his former co-workers have tried this in the past and has failed him on the spot.” “Sounds like he just gives up easily,” whispered Starlight. “I know the feeling,” whispered Fluttershy. “Look. All we’re asking is for you to get it one last chance,” Applejack explained to Rick. “All you have to do is submit a recording and then perform at the show in about a month. That’s enough time to get your singing voice going again. If it doesn’t work out, then we won’t even bring it up again.” “Promise?” Applejack looked at the others and said, “Pinkie promise girls.” All six of them spoke in unison as they repeated the motions. “Cross my heart and hope to fly. Stick a cupcake in my eye.” “Trust us. No one ever breaks a Pinkie promise,” said Pinkie Pie. “OK. I’ll give it one last try…just for you girls. Just let Twilight know this as well.” “Don’t you worry, partner. We will,” replied Applejack. Rick raised his glass and the mares raised their mugs as they clanked them all together to celebrate this new opportunity and has been given to Rick.