PonyHeart continues touring. Their next stop is in Japone.
“This tour hasn’t turned out to be horrible!” ZP says.
“You’re right!” Herman says.
Didier grunts.
They hit the road for an extended period of time as they head to Japone.
When the reach Japone, with some helpful ferry usage, they quickly book a gig at a large stage.
That night, the band plays their usual set, and the few pony crowd loves it. The band has learned how to practice, and they have done so.
“Thank you Japone! We will be back!” ZP says.
The band heads backstage, where they talk for awhile.
“We should hold another concert in Oxford, we can conclude the tour there,” Hoofman says.
The band notifies Halford and Stratovarius of the idea, so they agree. Therefore, PonyHeart heads towards the touring coach for a really long trip.
“I can’t believe I have to suffer with you guys for a whole ‘nother album,” Didier grumbles, kicking up some dirt.
“I was wondering where Didier went, glad you’re okay,” Sam says.
They get in the touring coach, and the band sits around the inside.
“We really need a bigger touring coach,” Hoofman says.
“You know what, when ponies start coming to our concerts, I’ll totally do it,” Sam says.
“I’m sure ponies will come to our concerts, we just need to look on the brighter side,” Diccon says.
“Shut the buck up with your optimism shit! I hope you fall from the sky, you can’t seem to land!” Didier snaps, pointing his hoof at Diccon.
“That’s just low,” ZP says.
Vadim trots over to comfort Diccon.
The band settles into the long ride, with Didier complaining the whole way.
Finally, the band reaches Oxford, and Sam has just about had it with Didier’s constant insults.
“Why don’t you shut up! Stop insulting everypony on board!” Sam shouts.
“Says the pony who likes his coffee spiked,” Didier fires back.
Sam has nothing to say to that one.
“Guys, we’re at Oxford, let’s just get a bucking crowd, and put on a bucking show.” Hoofman points his hoof at Didier and Sam.
The ponies hop out of the touring coach. PonyHeart heads up to the stage. They were ready to put on a show.
“Welcome everypony to PonyHeart’s concert! We have four songs for you, along with Halford and Stratovarius! I hope you enjoy, because we sure as hell will.” ZP points to everypony but Didier,”Valley of the Damned!
“We will start with the title track, Valley of the Damned, and we hope you enjoy!”
The band plays Valley of the Damned, Diccon situating himself in the air as usual. The get through, having found out the meaning of practicing at their hotel stops.
“Could you stomp your hooves for that bucking performance?” ZP starts stomping his hooves, and the audience obliges. Word-of-mouth had gotten them somewhere, they wouldn’t be selling out stadiums but at least they were making some money.
“Next up, we’ll be playing Revelations, hope everypony brought their Celestial Bibles, because Revelation is the basis of this song! Take it away Didier!”
The song starts, and the band plays it. After that’s over, Hoofman plunges the stage into darkness.
“Starfire’s next everypony. Vadim, we need you out there singing. I’ll position the piano.” Hoofman does exactly that. Positioning the piano on stage,”Get out there Vadim.”
Vadim takes out to the stage, and Hoofman turns on the lights, albeit dimly.
“Hello everypony, you might not’ve noticed me jamming out on the keys, as nopony cares about that. However, I’m here to perform you a song. A little ditty we call Starfire.”
Vadim peforms his glissando, brushes his mane out of his face, and starts up the song. He performs an acoustic version of the tune, and sings it himself. After the song is over, PonyHeart takes a trip up onstage.
“That was our keyboardist! Stomp your hooves for him, we’re about to perform our last song for tonight Disciples of Canterlot!”
The band starts, Hoofman performing the required instrument swaps. The audience loves it.
“We are PonyHeart! Let’s hear it for our guitarists Hoofman Li and Sam Trotman! Our keyboardist Vadim Pruzhonov, our bassist Diccon Lyre, our drummer Didier Almounzi, and of course, me on lead vocals ZP Theart!”
The audience begins to stomp their hooves, but nopony notices Didier throw a drumstick at an airborne Diccon. It nicks him right in the wing. Before you know it, the stage is filled with a terrible,”OUCH!”
Diccon is lying on the stage, his wing is bent at a funny angle, and he’s clutching his right foreleg in pain.
“What the hell did you do that for Didier? All I wanted was to have a fun tour with 5 ponies, and you prevented me from having that! I think I broke my leg!”
“So the whole optimism thing was a façade, that’s all I wanted to know. You’re much more likeable this way.” Didier stands up from his seat.
The audience gasps.
“No, the optimism thing was not a façade, I really love this band, and all I wanted was a fun time. Thank you Didier, for breaking me, figuratively and literally!”
“That was downright dirty, Didier, you’re fired!” Hoofman shouts.
“You can’t fire me, I quit! I’ll join the band Steve set up without any zebras in the band.” Didier tosses his drumsticks on the snare and they fall to the stage with a clatter. He trots off-stage.
“We’ll see what we can do about Diccon, sorry everypony, here’s to hoping Halford will raise your spirits. Sorry you had to see that,” Vadim says. The band heads backstage, and notifies Halford it’s finally their time.
“What will we do, we need a new drummer and bassist. This band will get nowhere!” Hoofman hangs his head in sadness.
“Hoofman, no band ever had a completely clean track record. No pain, no gain,” Sam says.
Hoofman looks up,”Here’s to hoping.”