//------------------------------// // Invincible // Story: How Not To Use Your Royal Prerogative // by Amber Spark //------------------------------// Sunset sat back down in her plush balcony seat after Rara’s fourth standing ovation. The singer had just left the stage for a short ten-minute intermission. Sunset was happy for the reprieve, if only to rest her aching hooves. They were starting to hurt from so much applause. Moon Dancer, Cheerilee and Minuette sat beside her in the private box seats overlooking the massive dance floor. Sunset’s eyes drifted over the crowd. There was an energy to the place that she couldn’t begin to describe. But it was infectious. Sunset couldn’t have stopped herself from smiling even if she wanted to. Not that she did. “Think Trixie is okay?” Cheerilee asked with a glance back at the door. “I’m sure she’s fine,” Sunset leaned back and closed her eyes, allowing the sounds of the nightclub to wash over her. “Spotlight is a pony who looks after her own.” “I still can’t believe they offered her a job,” Moon Dancer said. “She’s been ruining them for almost a year! I hope they weren’t making that up.” “They weren’t,” Sunset said without looking at her. “Rara is definitely the type to keep her word. And somehow, it didn’t surprise me at all that Coco offered it to her.” “It could have just been to get her to talk,” Moon Dancer pointed out. Sunset shook her head. Even with her eyes closed, she could sense Cheerilee doing the same. “You didn’t see Coco’s eyes, Moon Dancer,” Cheerilee said. “She would have made it happen, even if Trixie hadn’t turned on Svengallop.” “That Svengallop pony is bad news,” Minuette declared. “I hope they put him away for a long time.” Sunset cracked an eye open to see her friend scowling. That sight alone sent shivers down her spine. Anypony who managed to annoy Minuette had to be evil. There was simply no other explanation. “I think we’re all on the same page there,” Moon Dancer said with a slight snort. Cheerilee turned and patted Sunset on the shoulder. “You did really well in the VIP Lounge, Sunset. I’m impressed.” “Hardly. We won by the skin of our teeth.” Sunset winced and opened her eyes. “Svengallop had been ready for everything. Spotlight in a wheelchair hardly phased him. Trixie’s accusation didn’t cause him to so much as a blink. He had everything lined up perfectly.” “He didn’t count on you though.” Moon Dancer punched her on the shoulder. “He tried,” Sunset admitted. “And he almost won. After the dragon and the smokebombs, they were ready to completely pull out. Trixie planted the seeds of doubt. Without her, none of this would have been possible.” “Without you, they would have never listened,” Cheerilee reminded her gently. “You showed them just who they were ignoring by siding with Svengallop. You made them see the truth. You cleared the way for Trixie.” “I just opened the door,” Sunset said with a shake of her head. “You led the charge,” Moon Dancer corrected her. “You’re good at that.” Sunset frowned and poked at her seat cushion. “I don’t think I want to be.” “Sunny!” Minuette almost whined. “When are you going to get it? You’re good at this sort of thing! There’s a reason Princess Celestia chose you.” “Ugh, thank you for reminding me.” Sunset groaned, rubbing her face with her hooves. “I am so screwed when she catches wind of all of this.” “I told you so,” Cheerilee sing-songed. Sunset shot her a glare. Cheerilee smiled back at her. The sound of doors opening cut off Sunset’s retort. All four of them turned to see Coco Pommel leading a bewildered-looking Trixie. Behind them, Copper Belle pushed Spotlight onto the balcony, while the shadow of Officer Hops remained on the other side of the door. It couldn’t be anypony else but Hops. Those long ears were a dead giveaway. You think she’d be part rabbit with ears like that, Sunset thought with a smile as Coco and Trixie joined them on the bench. The former saboteur now wore a beautiful purple cloak, something Sunset guessed Coco Pommel had made. Sunset decided the look fit Trixie, though she thought the multicolored stars seemed a bit much. Spotlight rolled up to the small handicap section beside where Trixie looked out over the dance club. “It’s a nicer view than the sound booth,” Trixie murmured with a blush and a smile. “Best seats in the house,” Coco replied. “Perfect for the heroines of the day.” Trixie’s ears went flat and she blushed furiously. She was about to respond when a cheer went up from the crowd. Rara had returned to the stage. A curtain opened behind her to reveal a single grand piano. A second dark violet curtain hung behind it. Sunset thought she saw movement behind the second curtain, but when the spotlight came on and speared Rara’s beaming face, Sunset gave up and just watched her new friend. Rara waited for the crowd to settle a little bit before speaking in a loud and clear voice. “Tonight has been a crazy night,” Rara said. The crowd laughed. “I’m sure you’ve all been wondering what happened. Well, now that a very special pony is in the audience, I’m happy to tell you.” Trixie huddled into her seat beside Sunset, but still kept watching over the lip of the balcony. “First of all, the truth.” Rara beamed at the crowd and Sunset could have sworn her eyes flitted up to their balcony. “Tonight’s ‘entertainment’ was caused by those trying to ruin this show. They were trying to ruin the work my dear friend Coco Pommel and I have done to help the schoolponies of Manehattan. I’m sure you’ll read all about it in tomorrow’s newspapers, so I won’t bore you with the details.” Murmurs of surprise bubbled through the crowd, but Rara’s smile never even flickered. “But due to the courage and honesty of one very special pony, tonight we discovered who was really responsible for these events. She took an incredible risk. She faced some of her greatest fears… and most importantly, she let others help her. For all that and more, I’d like to dedicate this next song to her.” Rara slipped behind the piano and tapped her hoof a few times. And then… she began to play. The music was gentle, washing over the nigh-silent club. The tones of the piano flowed out from the instrument for a few seconds until Rara began to sing in her powerful and compelling voice. “I’m here to show you who I am…” “Take off the veil, it’s finally time…” “There's more to me than glitz and glam, oh-whoa…” “And now I feel my stars align…” Rara poured her very soul into every note, her passion and conviction filling every word with more meaning than Sunset thought possible. This… this is true magic, Sunset thought with a smile. Little specks of light flickered into existence as the unicorns of the dance club ignited tiny light spells at the tip of their horns. Sunset giggled and joined them. With a glance, she saw Moon Dancer and Minuette follow her lead, smiling at each other sheepishly. Trixie, however, didn’t. Sunset chewed her lip as she looked at the burn marks around the base of the mare’s horn. “For I had believed what I was sold…” “I did all the things that I was told.” Sunset nudged Trixie and gestured at the other unicorn’s horn. Then, with a little focus, Sunset tweaked her own spell and managed to land a tiny ball of light atop Trixie’s horn. Trixie looked ready to cry. “But all that has changed, and now I'm bold… 'Cause I know…” As Coloratura’s song entered the first chorus, the backstage lights ignited. To Sunset’s surprise and delight, there was an orchestra silhouetted through the curtain. The dignified shape of a stallion conducted the gorgeous music with a steady beat of his baton as a familiar shape of a cellist played near the center, accompanied by two harpists, two violinists, a second cellist and a guitarist. It was beautiful. Sunset wiped a few tears from her eyes and felt a wonderful warmth in her chest when she saw Trixie do the same thing. “That I am just a pony…” “I make mistakes from time to time.” “But now I know the real me…” “And put my heart out on the line” Despite the delay, the moment Coloratura had first taken the stage, the audience had simply gone nuts. They cheered and stomped in applause, no matter how young or old, how noble or how common, everypony—including Sunset and her friends—were swept up in the sheer energy of the presence of the legendary pop star. This feeling was all that magnified ten times over. “And let the magic in my heart stay true… Whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa…” In the spotlight, Sunset could appreciate the dress Coco had made for Rara on a whole new level. She’s simply outdone herself. Rara’s gown was simply gorgeous with a short black piece covering the chest and a beautiful gray veil-like train that floated around the singer as if it was Celestia’s mane. It was simple. It was elegant and it was stunning. “And let the magic in my heart stay true…” “Whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa…” “Just like the magic inside of you…” And it was perfect for tonight. After the grand illusion of the ‘dragon attack,’ such simplicity was sorely needed. It was… perfect. “And now I see those colors… Right before my eyes.” Trixie put a hoof on Sunset’s and smiled at her shyly. “Thank you,” she murmured. “You… you didn’t need to help me.” Sunset nodded, finding herself barely able to speak because of the knot in her throat. She only now realized that she had saved Trixie as Moon Dancer had once saved her. “I hear my voice so clearly… And I know that it is right!” “I’ve made some pretty big mistakes too,” Sunset whispered back to her. “Granted, my last one didn’t involve quite as much smoke… but it was for much worse reasons.” Moon Dancer poked Sunset in the side and Sunset winced. “Okay, fine, there was just as much smoke. Be thankful yours didn’t actually have any fire.” “They thought I was weak, but I am strong! They sold me the world, but they were wrong!” “He offered me everything I ever wanted. A chance to be part of the show. A chance to be something more than just me,” Trixie whispered. “Then he… tore me apart. He… he wanted to be sure I would always need him.” Sunset put a foreleg around the blue unicorn and pulled her tight. A wave of guilt tried to wash over her, but Rara’s words beat it back. “And now that I'm back, I still belong… 'Cause I know…” “Then you should listen to this song,” Sunset said with a smile. “I think you’ll like it.” Trixie’s gaze turned to Coloratura’s radiant form… which only became more radiant as she belted out the second chorus. To Sunset’s amazement, Coloratura’s cutie mark actually started to glow. Sunset had seen it once or twice before, but had dismissed it as a trick of the light. Now, it shimmered like a sunbeam striking a prism. Light spilled out from the earth pony as she unleashed her magic in a way Sunset never could. “That I am just a pony… I make mistakes from time to time! But now I know the real me… And put my heart out on the line!” Sunset found herself choking back tears as the crowd went wild with applause. Tiny sparks of joyous magical fireworks burst from some of the unicorns below. She blinked a few times, but the tears kept coming. Every word resonated with the pony she was desperately trying to be. Years ago, it was that pony she had accepted as the better piece of herself. The polar opposite of the angry little pony that was sulking in some corner of her mind right now. Even it couldn’t get any wisecracks in under such wonderful, gorgeous music that reached into Sunset’s very soul and stirred everything good and true within her. “And let the magic in my heart stay true… Whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa…” Sunset glanced to the side. Tears streamed down Trixie’s face. She didn’t even try to hide them. But for the first time since she had met the blue unicorn, Trixie was really smiling. These were tears of joy. There was something about the song… something that reminded Sunset of Moon Dancer. And Minuette. And Cheerilee. And Coco Pommel. All sung with the power of Rara’s voice. It reminded Sunset of all of her friends and what she had found within them, even if Sunset was sure she would never deserve it or them. “And let the magic in my heart stay true…” Whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa…” Trixie didn’t try to wipe the tears away. She just sat and let the glory of the artist on stage wash over her, allowing the words to flow through her—into her—as if they were a cleansing river washing every dark and evil thought away. Sunset knew the look. She knew the feeling. Because it was exactly what she felt right now. “Just like the magic inside of you…” The silhouette of the orchestra behind her began to fade and the stage behind the curtain slipped to the ground as the platform was lowered. Coloratura wound down the song with the skill of a master craftspony. “Just like the magic inside of you.” As her voice faded from the dance hall and she stood up from the piano, the applause was like a living force. If Sunset had thought the applause at the end of Vinyl Scratch and Octavia Melody’s duet had been thunderous, then this would be the sound of planets colliding. Everything around them shook, but it shook in a way that was fundamentally right. The cheers seemed endless. Sunset watched the crowd and smiled, the feeling of warmth intensifying. It took her a moment to realize she felt proud. She felt proud that she helped make this happen. Not only for Coloratura, but for Coco, for Spotlight and especially for Trixie. Sunset looked over the crowd. Near the front, she caught sight of a certain rainbow-haired pegasus kissing a certain blonde earth pony. She smiled even wider. But then the crowd went quiet as Coloratura approached the edge of the stage. “Thank you all,” she said in her amazing voice. “These last few days have been hard for me and the ones I care about. But I’m happy to say that tonight, through the help of some new friends, I’ve made another friend. A friend who reminds me a lot of myself.” Trixie perked up beside Sunset and leaned on the balcony railing. Sunset shot a glance at Spotlight and Coco, but both of them had little smiles that gave away nothing. “When I first came to this city, a certain pony tried to become my manager. However, a dear old friend of mine pointed me at somepony far better: my beloved manager, Spotlight.” Fittingly, a spotlight pierced the darkness of the club and speared Rara’s manager. She gave a little wave at the cheering crowd. Trixie flinched away from the light. “Not everypony has had the chances I’ve had. While pursuing my career, I found my best friend, Coco Pommel, a young mare who just needed a chance. I have never met a more generous soul in all my life. She’s the one who made tonight really happen.” The spotlight shifted slightly and Coco waved, blushing a little. A pony who does things because she wants to… not for the glory. That’s the mark of a good pony. She heard the rattle of chains in the back of her head as something inside her disagreed, but Sunset’s joy pushed it aside. “And while some ponies in this business may think that lying, cheating and selfishness are the only roads to success, I’m here to tell you that every single one of them is wrong.” Rara’s voice held the absolute conviction of a prophet. Even Sunset couldn’t tear her eyes from the mare. “So, as I said earlier, this song is dedicated to somepony who proved this fact this very night by standing up to her greatest fear. This song is dedicated to my newest friend… and I’m proud to say the pony who will be opening for me in our next stop in Vanhoover… The Great and Powerful Trixie!” Trixie let out a squeak of surprise as the spotlight shifted and speared her just like her illusionary dragon had speared Spotlight. Her shock was so intense Sunset had to actually use her magic to get Trixie to wave at the cheering crowd. “She looks a little shocked, huh?” Coloratura said with a laugh. “Well, that’s okay. I’m sure she’ll be fine by the time our next show comes around.” Another resounding cheer went up as the spotlight released its grip on Trixie. The blue mare collapsed to the floor, twitching ever so slightly. Sunset had to help her back up to her seat. There, she looked at Sunset. “This… did… um… did that really just happen?” she squeaked.  “Looks like you’re famous now.” Sunset nodded with a smile. “But more importantly… you’re free.” Trixie stared at Sunset for a long time before her eyes slid to Rara down on the stage where she was getting ready for her next number. Tears spilled down Trixie’s cheeks again. “I could have never done it on my own…” she whispered. Something in Sunset cracked and she wrapped Trixie in a tight hug as their friends looked on with smiles. “We never can,” Sunset replied.