The next day, at school, all the fillies and colts were at their desks listening to Ms. Cheerilee, “Alright, class. Now before I dismiss you, I have an announcement to make. Tomorrow night is the talent show, and I am excited to see you’re amazing talents! Now, for an extra treat, some of you can stay and help decorate the stage for tomorrow night!” The students clapped their hooves, and Thomas clapped his hands excitedly. Ms. Cheerilee then saw the pink filly sitting with nervousness, “Diamond Tiara, since you’ve redeemed yourself, and that we’re grateful for, would you like to help Thomas pass out flyers around Ponyville?”
“Absolutely! Me and my coltfriend will be honored to do so! Won’t we, Thomas?” Diamond Tiara asked. “Yeah! Let’s go!” Thomas said, then she let him ride on her back so they can pass out the flyers. “Sweetie Belle, could you tell your sister to make some costumes for everypony? Here’s a list of the costumes for our performers,” Ms. Cheerilee asked, giving Sweetie Belle the list.
“Of course I can! My sister’s one of the best fashion designers in Equestria! She’s gonna love this,” Sweetie Belle said, until she ran off to her sister’s boutique.
“Everypony else may leave for the day and those who want to help decorate the stage may stay and I’ll let your families know when to come pick you up and take you home,” Ms. Cheerilee said, then the students left while others stayed behind.
Meanwhile, in Ponyville, Diamond Tiara and Thomas were still passing out flyers by giving somwto other ponies and stapling some onto trees or on wooden poles. Diamond Tiara then looked at Thomas, “So... what are you gonna do for the talent show?” Thomas then started to brainstorm for ideas, until he heard some music coming from one’s house that sounded like a piano. He and Diamond Tiara peeked through the window and saw a small colt playing the piano while being taught by a beautiful earth pony mare with a white shirt collar with a black bow tie, a black combed mane and tail, purple eyes, and a cutie mark of a purple Treble Clef music symbol. There was also the while unicorn mare with the funky blue mane again. “I think I wanna play the piano, but I’m gonna need some more rhythm,” Thomas said, then something came to his mind. “I have an idea.” Thomas whispered into Diamond Tiara’s ear, then they shook hands/hooves with each other in agreement.”
When they saw the colt and his mother leave, Diamond Tiara thought of an idea, “Hey, Thomas. I’ll continue with the flyers. You deal with them.” Thomas nodded and then Diamond Tiara kissed him softly on the cheek and went off to pass out the flyers.
When he stood by the door, he suddenly bumped into somepony. He looked up and saw Starlight standing there. “Hey, honey. What’re you doing here by yourself?” she asked. “Hey, Auntie Starlight. I’m doing something for my talent show at school,” Thomas said. “I wanna play the piano, but I need more rhythm to this song I wanna write.” He showed his aunt the lyrics, as she looked over them. “You wrote this by yourself?” Starlight asked. “Yeah. It’s a song about my past life and my life here in Equestria,” Thomas said. “It’s something to say thanks to everypony for letting me live here and making this my new home, and giving me a loving family and friends to play with.” Starlight smiled warmly and hugged her nephew as she brought him closer towards her chest, then she leaned her head down and gently gave him a kiss on the top of his head. “Aww... that’s so polite of you, sweetheart. I’d love to hear you play it,” she said softly. “I’ll go talk to Ms. Cheerilee about ordering a piano for the talent show, but after I hear you play.” Thomas nodded and then they went to the door to the music shop.
Starlight knocked three times, until the grey earth pony mare answered the door. “Oh, you must be Starlight Glimmer,” She said in a deep British esque accent. “I assume you are Octavia Melody and that pony over there is Vinyl Scratch?” Starlight guessed. “Correct,” Octavia said. “But why are you here? Are you looking for something to buy or sell?”
“Not exactly. It’s just my nephew here wants you and Vinyl to help him practice his piano skills for the talent show tomorrow night,” Starlight said, as she placed her hoof on his shoulder. The two mares gasped softly in surprise. “Oh hello there, sweetheart,” Octavia said softly. “I remember him. He’s the little dude from the two parties I played the music for,” Vinyl said. “What’s your name, dear?” Octavia asked. “I’m Thomas,” he said. “Don’t worry, sweetie. They just wanna have a look at you,” Starlight said comforting her nephew. “So, you want us to help you practice?” Vinyl asked. Thomas nodded, then showed them his song lyrics. “Hmm... I think I know how we can do this,” Octavia said. “While Vinyl and I teach you on the piano, I’ll help you write some music notes for the keys. Okay, sweetie?” Thomas nodded and then Vinyl let him sit on the piano. “I was also thinking about adding a little more rhythm like a combination of the piano and DJ, but handcrafted,” Thomas said. “We can arrange something like that,” Vinyl said. “Okay, Thomas. Go ahead and show us the piano music, and we’ll help you with the rhythm,” Octavia said. “I’ll listen,” Starlight said.
Thomas replied with a short nod, then he took a deep breath and then carefully played the piano as a demonstration.
While he was playing, Vinyl gave his piano backup vocals, some soft funky music, and Octavia wrote the notes. Starlight was amazed by her nephew’s performance demonstration. When he finished the song, Starlight clapped her hooves. “That was splendid, sweetie! Great job, Vinyl!” Octavia said. “Anytime, Tavi. Now that that’s out of the way, I think I have an idea for some equipment he can use for his song,” Vinyl said. “I’m gonna take my nephew home first so ha can be there in time for dinner and then talk to Ms. Cheerilee about the equipment, but how much will it cost?” Starlight said, after Thomas climbed up onto her back. “Oh, don’t worry, Starlight. It’ll cost you... how about... 24 bits? I know it’s not much, but it’s on the house,” Octavia said. “Thank you for helping me practice for the talent show, Octavia,” Thomas said. “You’re quite welcome, sweetie,” Octavia said. “Yeah, we’re happy to help,” Vinyl said. “Feel free to come over anytime you want, buddy.”
“Okay. Bye now,” Thomas said, as Starlight began to walk him home. “He’s such an adorable little one. He’s got a heart pure of gold,” Octavia said. “Maybe most humans aren’t that bad,” Vinyl said. “Alright, let’s get working on the special piano for his talent show.” Octavia nodded and then they went go modify a new piano.
Meanwhile, at Rarity’s boutique, Sweetie Belle went upstairs to check on Rarity and saw her working on some dresses for clients from Canterlot, “Rarity?” Rarity suddenly jumped and turned around, then saw her standing there, “Sweetie Belle! What is it, darling?”
“Umm... sorry to disturb you, but Ms. Cheerilee wanted me to show you this,” Sweetie Belle said, showing her big sister the list. “Oh, my... this is quite a lot, but never fear, my dear. I’ll try my best and then I’ll let you know later. Why don’t you go draw some pictures?” Rarity said, until the little filly hugged her sister and went off to draw some pictures while Rarity finished up the last dress for Canterlot, and then she got started on the costumes, until she heard Sweetie Belle come back. “Rarity! Thomas’s gonna play the piano!” she exclaimed. “That’s marvelous! And I know just the outfit for him to wear!” Rarity said, until she continued to work on the costumes.
When Thomas had a nice meal of a nice pasta salad with lettuce leaves, olive oil and parmesan cheese and was refreshed from his bath, Fluttershy took him to bed and tucked him under the covers. “Are you excited about tomorrow, sweetie?” Fluttershy asked. “Mmhmm,” Thomas said. “Momma. After school, I met two other ponies, and they run a music shop.”
“Oh, you mean Octavia Melody and Vinyl Scratch? The two mares that are musicians?” Fluttershy asked. “Yep. They helped me write my song for tomorrow,” Thomas said. “That’s wonderful, sweetie. I’m sure you’ll have a good time at the talent show tomorrow night,” Fluttershy said kindly. When Thomas made a soft yawn, she leaned forward and gave her son a hug, then kissed him on the cheek. “Now, get some sleep. You have a big day tomorrow,” she said. “Goodnight, my little one.”
“Goodnight, Momma,” Thomas said with another yawn, as she left the room and then he fell asleep under the warmth of the bed.