//------------------------------// // Prologue: A Riddle Worth Asking... // Story: A Song Worth Singing... // by LoveandEdify //------------------------------// A Song Worth Singing Prologue: A Riddle Worth Asking... Rapid Crest's P.O.V. "Watch your STEEEEEEEEEEEEP!!!" I heard a familiar, singsong voice call out as she practically skated past me across the hallway. A way too familiar pink blur almost knocked me over, had I not thought of dodging her the very second I heard her warning. As she was continuing her merry way, it became apparent as to why she was in such a big rush. She was carrying a small plate of cookies, cupcakes and other assorted goods, which almost went careening off her plate. Thinking fast yet again, I grabbed her quickly yet gently by the shoulders so that she wouldn't create a new variety of "faceplant" for our friend Wallflower's garden. "Phew. Thanks, Rapid Crest. My special 'Thank You For Your 5 Years Of Service' treats for Principal Celestia and Vice-Principal Luna would've been totally splattered!!!" Pinkie-Pie thanked, with no underlooked detail of gratitude. She was one of the most caring, energetic and optimistic friends that I have ever known since transferring to Canterlot High. I was lucky enough to have this crazy yet kind friend be one of the first that befriended me at the high school. Ok, that's a tadoff. She actually was the first to befriend me. Even though it initially made me feel somewhat uncomfortable, since my family died in a snowy car-crash a couple of years ago. But eventually, she proved to me that she could be both the surprising, joyful, party-girl; and also the compassionate, dependable friend I have come to know over the years. During that time, she helped introduced me to Sci-Twi, Fluttershy, Rarity, Applejack and Rainbow-Dash. Their little group eventually became known as The Rainbooms, and even though I wasn't as official of a member of the team (due to me being a guy), I was honored and privileged to have joined them. Both on epic, world-saving adventures; and simple, everyday, friendship things. "No problem, Pinkie. But you better hurry up if you want to give them your cakes before school closes!!!" I alerted her, as I pointed to the clock. School was already out, it being 2:06, but I figured that she should better be on her way; much less wait in a long line for the two Headsof the school (although, knowing Pinkie, she'd think that the line would be fun for... well... don't look at me, I'd have no idea as to how that would be fun, AT ALL!!! No thank you, no fun, whatsoever!!!) "Got it, thanks!!! Hey, wanna come over there with me? You can tell me more about your day while we wait. " Well then again, the only time that lines would remotely be fun was with a friend by your side. Especially one like Pinkie. "Sure, why not. It was a pretty dull day though, anyway." Before I could say anything else, however, we both did a quick jog over to the Principal's office, which (sure enough) had a nice, annoyingly, boringly (is that even a word?) long line. Oh well. at least it wasn't as annoyingly long as lines past. Only about 16 or so students this time. "So, whatcha wanna tell me about this time, Rapid Crest?" Pinkie asked in anticipation. My mind drew a blank. I really couldn't think of too much off the top of my head to tell her. Oddly enough, whether it was whoever the heck this "LoveandEdify" magic person that Pinkie kept conspiring to me about was putting stuff there, or opportunity just gave me a love tap; but I turned to see the same girlthat I've seen for the last month, studying my locker as if it were the Final Exams before summer vacation. Her familiar light-blue skin and slightly darker blue hair almost seemed like they were from a nice, calm pool of water near a pleasantly drawn sandy beach. She turned towards me, as I saw her hand seemingly memorize my locker combination with ease as she waved at me with her other hand and smiled sharply, coolly, calmly yet invitingly towards me. I politely smiled and waved back, then she opened up my locker, and placed a small envelope inside, then shut the door. This had me a bit suspicious. "Pinkie, do you know that girl over there?" I asked, as we were now about 9 people away from the office. I figured that if anybody knew who my mystery stalker would be, Pinkie-Pie (who happens to know everybody in the entire school) would tell me. "Ooooh, you mean Sonata Dusk?" she asked, turning with me to see my strange stalker now smiling, blushing and hiding behind the corner towards the nearest locker. "She's one of the former Dazzlings. She's coming to this school now so that she could turn over a new leaf and make new friends." After taking a brief moment to walk ahead to where there were only 8 students left in front of us, we both turned to see a familiar light blue hand that wore a pink bracelet with blue sapphire spikes pop out of the corner for a brief second, then she reappeared from the corner again, as if she was playing Peek-a-Boo with Pinkie and I. We both waved at her and she waved in response. "You know, I think she really likes you, Rapid." she happily suggested. "Likes me?" I turned to her, unsure of whether Sonata would hear me if I told Pinkie-Pie about this. During my hesitation, Pinkie tapped me on the shoulder. "Tell ya what, why don't you go over there and see what she's up to?" she suggested. I eyed the corner suspiciously, now seeing no-one appear from it. "Sonata must be gone by now." I thought. "I don't know, Pinkie." I nervously reasoned with her. "If she really was one of the Dazzlings, then I don't know how much I should trust her. If at all. Besides, everywhere I go, and I know this is gonna sound crazy; but I think she’s been following me everywhere." "Oooooh, fascinating. Tell me more..." Pinkie probed, as if she were a gossip column artist desperately seeking that huge scoop that could change everything in her imaginary career. I sighed, and turned towards Pinkie. 5 people to go in the line now. "Ok, so at the basketball games I play at; I swear that I've seen someone that at least looks like her holding up some crazy sign that's like 'Let's TACO 'Bout Rapid; 'Cause He's Gonna BURRITOS Shots!!!'" I vented in confusion. "Oh yeah, I remember that." Pinkie reminisced, "She was going on about you for some part of the game. Plus, you gotta admit; those were good puns." "Yeah, except I play in a REC league with Rainbow-Dash because I couldn't crack the high-school team." I reminded her, breathing out toxic, angry fumes with that sentence. When my family died while I still lived in Bostallion, my dad put it in their will that I'd live with their butler/family-friend Stalwart Avalanche in Canterlot and for me to go to Canterlot High. While I was the greatest basketball player on my team at Bostallion Middle, I couldn't even figure out how to work at the speed and scheme that Coach Spitfire would want me to play in the new team. Yes, I was very talented; second to only the captain of the team, Flash Sentry. But because I wasn't the right fit for the scheme, Spitfire sympathetically told me that I would be on the 3rd string. I told her that I would rather redshirt this season and play on the second-string, so I could learn from Flash and my other teammates for next season. However, she sadly told me that even though she would like to see me play, she said that she'll keep me as an emergency redshirt, but that I would be better off not with the team in uniform but in street clothes because of how unlikely I would play. I understood. Even though Spitfire was my cousin (and a close friend), I respected her for always wanting to do what she thought was right, instead of what was easy. Right after that, Rainbow Dash invited me to join her in a co-ed rec league she did on weekends that helped keep her on her game and in tip-top shape. Wanting to be better friends with Rainbow anyway, I agreed. And soon enough, we found a greatway to bond closer together and strengthen our friendship, because, Friendship is Magic, right? But still, why would that many people want to come to our rec games anyway and be so passionate about it? Much less wave a sign for someone who shared an even amount of time between court and bench. After mentally reflecting on that for a few brief seconds, I resumed my rambling on about Stalk, er... sorry, Sonata. "Yeah. Plus, for the past few weeks, she's been decorating my locker with all these posters of her." I went on, back to wandering curious confusion in my tone and thoughts. "Well, maybe she's just promoting her show." Pinkie replied, deductively. It obviously made sense, as other areas and lockers in the school were splattered with posters for her upcoming performances. "Maybe," I concurred, "But why would my locker also be covered with stickers, pins, and even have memorabilia from her inside?" I reasoned. "Good point." Pinkie agreed. "Yeah,” I concurred, “I'm still trying to figure out what to do with the hoodie, mug, thermos, t-shirt, cd, confetti, book, and that ‘commemorative’ blanket." I stressfully went on. "You didn't throw it all in the dumpster, did you?" Pinkie asked, hoping that I wouldn't risk offending Sonata, hurting her feelings and potentially ruining a chance at a new friendship. If there was such thing with a Dazzling. "No, of course not," I replied, honestly and reassuringly, "The only thing I'd have to throw away is that blanket. My body has a reactionary disorder to wool. My skin puffs up almost like a balloon every time I come in contact with it. Donation Center didn't want it, I have no family to give it to, I asked around school and nobody else wanted it..." I rambled on, before Pinkie interrupted. "Well, I could take it off your hands if you need someone to take it." She offered, eyes brightening up from the opportunity. I didn't want to say no to my friend anyway, she's always so kind to me even when I don't deserve it, so I enjoy finding new opportunities to brighten up her day. She gasped in excitement, "You mean it?!"she asked with excitement in her voice. I nodded, then she wrapped me uplike a sleeping bag in a big hug. "Oh thank you thank you THANK YOU!!! " she responded gratefully, as we turned to realize that we were now the ones holding up about 7 students. "Tell ya what, howaboutwegopickuptheblanketafterourhangoutatSugarcubecornerandthenwe'lltalkmoreaboutSonataafterthat." she suggested. I, didn't say anything, but rather nodded and quickly made my way to my locker so I could check to see what Sonata hid this time. Because the lockers weren't that far from the office, my jog was easy enough to get to my locker. Which was, weirdly enough, two lockers away from the corner that Sonata waved to me from. Turning the combination and holding my breath, I open to discover the small note she left me. I opened up the envelope to see a message, neatly folded up. As I unfolded it, I read the contents of the message. If you had a taco right now, who would you share it with? -- Sonata 😁 "Ok, that was weird." I thought quietly to myself. "Solved the riddle yet?" a familiar, bubbly voice awoke me from my distracted thoughts. I turned to the corner to see Sonata, standing right behind me in anticipation. I jumped back slightly, not out of fear, but because I was caught off guard by my blue-skinned stalker. "Sorry, didn't mean to scare ya." Sonata apologized in a friendly tone, "I just wanted to see ya get my letter to ya before I left today," "It's quite alright, Sonata." I replied, trying to regain my cool after the minor jumpscare. "How long have you been hiding behind there?" I asked, mentally crossing my fingers hoping that she didn't hear what I told Pinkie-Pie about her behind her back. Sonata scratched her chin, recollecting the memory before responding, "Well, after I waved to you and Pinkie, I left to get my school things and then I came back here just now." she said, holding out a bag. I inspected it to find, not schoolbooks, but rolled-up posters. "Whoopsies. This is my merch bag." she said, blushing for her mistake. I rolled my eyes in indifference. "If you want, I could help hang these posters up for you while you get your schoolwork." I offered, knowing that it would be the right thing to do. "Oh no, I couldn't let you do that." she said, shying away from the offer. “Why not?" I asked, wondering if she meant because she was trying to be nice by deciding to take her things back, because she would be hiding some sort of scheme, if she needed me for something else, or all three. "Because you'd probably need to be somewhere right now, and I don't wanna hold up your precious time." she nervously explained, with her eyes looking downward, as if she wasn't wanting me to go anywhere for a while. I turned to see Pinkie waving at me, ready to get the day going. I turned to wave at her, then to Sonata. "I do have to be going soon; but tell you what, after I get all of this hung up, I'm going to be meeting Pinkie at my house, and then we're going over to Sugarcube Corner for dinner. If you want, we could talk more then." I hoped my offer was generous enough. Even though the last thing I wanted was to entertain the idea of having her bug me again, I figured that it'd still be the right thing to do; plus, there could be more to her than met my eyes. Who knew? "Y-you really mean it?!" Sonata asked, excitedly. "It's not a date, but I thought that you could at least get to know me better and maybe make some new friends. Or maybe help me with this riddle?" I politely informed her, self-control being the key factor. "Wow." Sonata responded cheerfully, giddly running in place while happily screeching in a high-pitched noise that made me cover my ears, like, vice-like. After she stopped, I quickly uncovered my ears. "Well, the riddle you should really solve yourself; but I'd love to meet with you and your friends!!! 😁😁😁" I mentally fist-pumped. I knew that the riddle part was gonna fail anyway, but 2 out of 3 wasn't bad, right? "I gotta get my school stuff, and I'll just hang it all tomorrow. But would you mind holding my stuff for me while I get it. Please?" she asked. "Sure." I shrugged, then I was being wrapped around like a taco and then she jumped up and down like a jackhammer on 57,000,000 energy drinks and almost as high as a professional pogo-stick-jumper. "Thank you so very much!" she thanked, before releasing me as I nearly hit the ground before quickly recovering. "I'll be right back with my stuff, you're the greatest, Rapid!!!" she happily screamed as she sprinted towards the place she last left her things. Luckily, it was just me and Sonata inside the school; otherwise we'd all be going to the Principal's Office for the not-fun reason right now. I sighed in relief, hoping that everything would go well for all of us, tonight. "I really hope I don't get fanboyed too much by her this time. I don't even get why she would do it for someone like me." I thought in curiosity.