The next day, Applejack and her friends were setting up The Big Apple Stage for a concert, while Fluttershy was coming over with Thomas. “Wow, Applejack. I had no idea, but are you sure you’ve never managed a concert before?” Twilight asked. “Well, it turns out doin’ up a concert’s the same as settin’ up a rodeo,” Applejack said. “I see. And thanks to Pinkie’s connections with organizing the Ponypalooza Rock Concert, we’ve got quite a lineup for the Helping Hooves Music Festival,” Twilight said, then they suddenly saw Pinkie Pie rush over. “Everypony!” she exclaimed. “What is it, Pinkie?” Twilight asked.
“I have the most amazing news ever! News that will totally freak your frizz!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed. “Well, spill it out already!” Rainbow Dash said. “But to be honest, it wasn’t easy. In fact, we suddenly got a message from the biggest pony pop star in all of Equestria and she said she’d like to accept herself as the main attraction of the Helping Hooves Music Festival! It was no other than the one, the only, Countess Coloratura!” Pinkie Pie explained, showing them a picture of the pop singer pony she mentioned.
Applejack was shocked about her appearance, “Rara?” They all gasped and asked in unison, “RARA?!”
“You know Countess Coloratura, Auntie Applejack?” Thomas asked. “That’s right. It was basically a nickname I gave her when we were friends, but it took place when we were fillies,” Applejack said, and then she explained after she brought Thomas close to her chest.
*flashback*
“We had the best time at Camp Friendship! Rara was just so easygoin’! Me and her were like two fresh apples from the same branch.” Applejack and Rara were doing an obstacle course together, and then they were splashing in the lake. “Rara and I prepared this song for the camp talent show one time. When she performed, she suddenly belted it out, singin’ in the most colorful clear voice I’ve ever heard!”
”Equestria, the land I love
A land of harmony
Our flag does wave from high above
For ponykind to see
Equestria, a land of friends
Where ponykind do roam
They say true friendship never ends
Equestria, my home”
Coloratura suddenly got a cutie mark of 5 colorful music notes surrounding a yellow star, and the camp ponies cheered, and she hugged Applejack, until they looked at each other with warm smiles.
*end of flashback*
“Then after camp ended, we wrote to each other for a little bit, but somehow we lost touch,” Applejack said. “But Rara always did want to go to Manehattan to try and make it big.” Thomas saw how fashionable she looked on that poster, “Umm... am I allowed to meet her when she comes?”
“Meet her? Of course ya can, sugarcube,” Applejack said. “But just you wait. Once Rara gets here, you’ll see she’s just a plain old pony like all of us.” Pinkie Pie suddenly wrapped her hoof on Applejack’s shoulder, and pointed her hoof to a far distance, “We don’t have to wait. SHE’S HERE!”
“Really?” Applejack asked. They all heard pop background music from the distance and saw some backup dancer ponies carrying a huge golden crystal carriage, and then they placed it on the ground. The carriage opened up with smoke popping and then out came Countess Coloratura, who was an earth pony mare with light grayish aquamarine fur, a long light grayish orchid mane and tail with moderate purple streaks, and moderate opal eyes with huge false eyelashes on her upper eyelids. She was wearing a maroon leather punk jacket with studs on her cowled collar and sleeves, a purple shirt with a heart shaped crest on her barrel, a purple beaded necklace and a black collar with teal studs, two studded bracelets and two beaded bracelets in purple and teal on her forelegs, and a black veal with a studded headband.
Applejack gasped softly and saw that her friend was an actual diva, “Rara?” Thomas saw how attractive she looked, “Is that her, Momma?”
“Yes, sweetie. That’s the countess,” Fluttershy said, then she gave him his poster for an autograph. “Go on. Go see her.” Thomas gulped nervously and walked over to singer, who was walking out of her transport and was having her pictures taken and signing autographs. A pony named Svengallop was bordering them, “Clear the way! Stand back! Keep your hooves and tails to yourselves!” Thomas suddenly felt scared of Svengallop, and then started to cry because he wanted to talk to Countess Coloratura, until he looked down in sadness and then at his poster of her, until tears fell out of his eyes and after he put the poster in his pocket and hugged his teddy bear.
Applejack saw how sad he looked, so she decided to do something about it, and then went to go talk to her friend.
Now that’s how you make and entrance! Big, bold, absolutely stunning!” Svengallop said. “Thanks, Svengallop,” Coloratura said. “Uh... excuse me. If ya don’t remember me, I’m Applejack. And I gave you the nickname “Rara” at camp?” she explained from behind. Coloratura turned around after hearing Applejack’s voice, and then she saw her face, “AJ? Is that really you?”
“Yeah! Howdy, Rara!” Applejack replied. “Oh my gosh! I’m absolutely thrilled to see you again! You have no idea how much I’ve missed you,” Coloratura said, trotting over to the country mare. “I know, but I’m sorry we haven’t wrote in a long time,” Applejack said. “It’s okay, AJ. At least we can see each other face-to-face,” Coloratura said. “Oh, yes, how cute and... common,” Svengallop said. “Of course, I was the one that started calling you Countess, and just look at how you've moved up in Equestria since then! Why, you've gotten everything you've ever wanted! Speaking of which, where is the pony Pinkie Pie?” Pinkie Pie came over, “Ooh! I'm the pony Pinkie Pie, Mr. Manager, sir!”
“Do you have the water imported from Rainbow Falls that I requested for Countess Coloratura?” Svengallop asked. “I have twenty glass containers full right here!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed with a cart full of glass bottles with straws. “Did I not tell you to provide straws in all of Countess Coloratura's beverages?” Svengallop asked rudely. “Uh, I don't think so. But lucky for you, I have the biggest straw collection in Equestria! I call this straw Fernando,” Pinkie Pie said. “Hm. Let us confirm that you acquired the rest of the items that Countess Coloratura requested before she performs her run-through, shall we?” Svengallop said. “Ooh, we shall!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed as she got all the stuff. Svengallop then took a walkthrough, “Floral arrangements from the royal Canterlot gardens... Chocolate éclairs made by Gustave le Grand... A selection of crystals from the Crystal Empire... Freshly picked cherries from Cherry Jubilee's farm separated red from yellow...”
“Abso-toot-ly!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed. “Well, by some miracle, your requests have been reasonably met. So anyhow, Countess! You realize we have to rehearse now!” Svengallop said. “Sorry, AJ. I gotta rehearse. We’ll talk later, okay?” Coloratura said, then she received a nod from Applejack, and went to rehearse.
Applejack then turned around again, and saw Thomas continuing to cry, and sitting by the stage with his knees hugged to his chest and he was still hugging his teddy bear.
“I don’t believe it,” Applejack said. “She truly does have a sense of style!” Rarity said. “Oh, my shining star! Thanks to the sparkling costumes, dazzling choreography, and brilliant vocal effects that I designed, your performance was spectacular, Countess Coloratura!” Svengallop said. “Oh, thank you, Svengallop!” she said with a soft blush.
The mares suddenly heard Thomas crying from a distance. “Aww... poor little darling,” Rarity said sadly. “I hope he wasn’t rejected,” Fluttershy said. “I’ll handle this,” Applejack said, then she walked over to Thomas.
When she got closer, she sat down next to him and suddenly saw him hug her tightly and cry with his face buried in her fur, then she wrapped her forelegs around his shoulders to calm him down, “It’s alright, little feller. I’m right here now. Now, tell Auntie Applejack what happened.”
“I... I-I ju-just want-wa-wanted t-t-to m-me-meet her, b-bu-but th-that me-mean p-po-pony sh-sh-shoved me out of-f th-the w-w-wa-way!” Thomas said, then he continued to cry. “You wanted to go talk to Rara?” Applejack asked. Thomas nodded and wiped his tears. “Alright, let’s go get ya an experience with my friend,” Applejack said. “Can I stay by your side?” Thomas asked. “Sure ya can. But it looks like she’s busy right now, but I promise I’ll take ya to see her,” Applejack said, then she walked over to Coloratura again.
“Rara?” she asked. “Oh, it’s you again. What do you want this time?” Svengallop asked. “Hey, it’s okay. She’s my friend,” Coloratura said. “Alright, but take your time,” Svengallop said. “I’m glad you’re enjoying this big diva thing of yours, but is it okay if we talk for a moment?” Applejack asked. “Yeah. What do you need?” Coloratura asked. “Umm... somepony wanted an autograph. But I must warn you, he’s very shy and sensitive around others, so I advise you to be cautiously careful with him,” Applejack said. “He’s also with the school ponies, if ya have the time.”
“Ugh. I can always get you out of meeting with those schoolponies, Countess,” Svengallop said rudely. “Absolutely not. My favorite part of any event is meeting with the little ones, especially the schoolponies!” Coloratura said. “The schoolponies will be so happy to hear that, Rara!” Applejack said, and then saw Fluttershy coming over and saw her holding Thomas on her hoof. “I’ll take care of it,” Fluttershy said, and then she walked over to Coloratura for her to meet her son.
All the fillies and colts gathered around Coloratura for an announcement, “Ponyville schoolponies! As being part of the Helping Hooves Music Festival, I’m holding a contest where some of you or either one of you will get a lucky chance to sing with me onstage at the concert tomorrow night! Sound fun?!” The foals started cheering, then she saw Fluttershy walking over to her while holding Thomas in her hoof, so she dismissed the fillies and colts with her hoofsies, and then went to see the pegasus mare with the child in her hoof.
“Fluttershy, right?” Coloratura asked. Fluttershy nodded and then the countess saw Thomas hugging his mother’s chest while being held on her hoof, “Countess Coloratura... umm... I want you to meet somepony special. Come on, sweetheart. Turn around and look.” Thomas then turned around after she put him down, and walked forward to Coloratura. “Go ahead, sweetheart,” Fluttershy said. Thomas then walked closer and hugged the countess on the chest and nuzzled with her soft chest fur. Coloratura then saw him give her his big cute little eyes, then she smiled warmly at the sight of the small child hugging her and nuzzling her chest fur, and then wrapped her foreleg to gently lift him up and held him with her hoof and he leaned his head on her neck and curled his arms against her chest and gently nuzzled with her mane as a blanket.
“Wow, he’s really a sweetheart, huh?” Coloratura asked as she smiled warmly at him nuzzling with her mane. “He also did that with his Auntie Starlight’s mane, but he used to hide underneath my mane when he fist came here,” Fluttershy said. “Thomas, right? Your Auntie AJ told me about you. Is it true that you were bullied and pushed away at the orphanage you came from?” Coloratura asked, and Thomas nodded. “Aww, I’m so sorry for your pain, sweetie. Nothing as sweet as you should suffer like that,” she said, then Thomas smiled softly at her and he continued to hug her, until she gave him his autograph and kissed him on the cheek, then he ran off. The Crusaders were happy that their little brother got to meet Countess Coloratura, and Applejack was proud of her as well, “Now that's more like the Rara I remember.”
Applejack heard Pinkie Pie from a distance, “But... I got everything you requested!”
“That was for Countess Coloratura! This is for me! And what I want is premium oats!” Svengallop said in a harsh demanding tone. “Oh! Well, we have lots of tasty oats right here in Ponyville!” Pinkie Pie said, showing him the oats she mentioned, but Svengallop got angry again. “I would not feed those to a chicken! I want top-of-the-line Appleloosan oats! Next, it appears that we are surrounded by apple trees. Bring me five hundred pre-peeled, pre-cored apples, and I want those things in forty-eight hours!”
Pinkie Pie gasped, “But that's impossible!” Svengallop got closer to Pinkie Pie and pressed his muzzle on hers, “Do you want me to pull Countess Coloratura from your little podunk charity show?! Because I will!” Pinkie Pie then ran off crying, until Svengallop tightened his tie.
Meanwhile, Applejack saw Pinkie Pie crying in Twilight’s chest, “Applejack! Svengallop just made all of these new demands and he said—“
“I heard, Pinkie. But don't you fret. I'll talk to Rara and fix things right up,” Applejack said.
“Did ya see, sis?! Did ya see?! Thomas was so happy!” Apple Bloom exclaimed excitedly. “Is this the little sister you wrote to me about, AJ?” Coloratura asked. “You wrote to her about me?!” Apple Bloom asked eagerly. “AJ said you were the best little sister ever, Apple Bloom. You should be proud,” Coloratura said. The three fillies squealed with excitement. “Alright now, you’d best get along, little ponies,” Applejack said, then the little fillies ran off giggling. “I’m sure glad Thomas got to know ya.”
“Mmhmm. He was really the sweetest thing,” Coloratura said, with a soft warm blush.
Coloratura heard Pinkie Pie crying into Rarity’s chest, “What’s going on here?” Thomas went over to hug Pinkie Pie, until she hugged him back, and then Applejack looked back at Coloratura, “Uh... Hey, Rara, you mind if I talk to you about your manager?”
“Sure, what about him?” she asked. “Well, while you were meetin' with the schoolponies, he was demandin' all sorts of stuff from Pinkie Pie,” Applejack said. “Svengallop works very hard as my manager, AJ, so if he needs some things when we're on the road, I don't see anything wrong with that,” Coloratura said.
“Well, do you see somethin' wrong with him tellin' Pinkie that if she doesn't get those things by tomorrow, he'd pull you from our charity festival?” Applejack said. “What? But he knows how important charity is to me, and leaving the festival would completely ruin my image!” Coloratura said. “But it was for himself!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed. Coloratura then gasped, “Are you sure?”
“I'm afraid Svengallop doesn't give a pickled pippin about your charity work,” Applejack said. “Isn’t that what my son would want?” Fluttershy asked, until Thomas let go of his mother’s leg. “Countess... you just can’t go! It’s not fair!” Thomas said, as he went up to her for another hug and buried himself in her chest. “Aww, sweetheart. Don’t be like that. I promise I won’t cancel the contest,” she said, until she gave him another hug. “I promise.”
“Rara? I think I have an idea about how we prove that Svengallop is either the pony you think he is or not, if you’ll give me a chance,” Applejack said. “How are you gonna do that, Auntie Applejack?” Thomas asked. “Just trust me, and do as I say,” Applejack said.
“Come on, sweetheart. Let’s go home and have some dinner,” Fluttershy said, as Thomas climbed up onto her back and then they all went home for the day.
Later on, Thomas was tucked into bed and slept peacefully, until he woke up feeling bad about the contest’s cancellation by Svengallop, so he took his Snuggle Bear teddy and went to Fluttershy’s bedroom and then saw her sleeping, “Momma?” Fluttershy suddenly woke up softly and saw her son standing there, “What’s wrong, baby?”
“I can’t sleep. I’m worried about Countess Coloratura and the contest for my classmates,” Thomas replied. Fluttershy then smiled warmly and then uncovered a spot on her bed and then gently lifted her son from the back of his shirt with her teeth and then placed him on the bed. “Just go to sleep and it’ll be all better tomorrow,” she said. Thomas nodded, and then he scooted closer to his mother and then she placed her hoof onto him, and then went back to sleep.
The next day, Applejack and Pinkie Pie were peeling and coring apples for Svengallop as they finished bagging the Appleloosan oats. “I can’t believe Svengallop would just go off like that! It just ain't right! He's manipulatin' her!” Applejack said. “Less talk, more peeling!” Pinkie Pie said. “Sorry, Pinkie. But I’ve got an idea about how we can expose Svengallop’s true nature to Rara! Come on! Oh, and we’ll use that for the pies,” Applejack said as she and Pinkie finished off the peeled and cored apples, and went over to the stage.
Later on, Countess Coloratura was assigning positions for her backup dancers, until she was now looking for her manager, “Svengallop? Svengallop? Where are you?” Svengallop appeared, “You called, Countess? What do you need?”
“I know this is hard for me... but I was considering canceling the contest,” Coloratura explained. Svengallop suddenly chuckled, “Oh, Countess! This is so wonderful! I’ve been waiting for you to cancel that pointless schoolpony contest.”
“Wait, you have? Why?” Coloratura asked. “Precisely! You do it at every charity event, and it does absolutely nothing to promote the fabulous and gorgeous Countess Coloratura image that I personally built! But now, consider it cancelled!” Svengallop said, until he saw Pinkie Pie appear. “Oh! Pinkie Pie! Perfect, and just on time! We are making some adjustments to the show. Follow me!” Pinkie Pie followed Svengallop, unaware that Twilight caught some footage from behind while flying.
“What do you need?” Pinkie Pie asked. “Cancel the contest for the fillies and colts, and then schedule me a spa treatment. Now that I don’t have to oversee a rehearsal with those miserable brats, I have time for the works! So, you know the drill! Deliver, or the diva ditches your dippy charity!” After Twilight heard everything, Thomas reported it to Coloratura, until she got angry.
“Okay, Countess Coloratura, all taken care of!” Svengallop said. “That’s good, but one problem,” she said. “Do you mind explaining this?” A feedback was shown. “I want top-of-the-line premium Appleloosan oats! Next, it appears that we are surrounded by apple trees. Bring me five hundred pre-peeled, pre-cored apples, and I want those things in forty-eight hours!... Do you want me to pull Countess Coloratura from your little podunk charity show?! Because I will!... ...schedule me a spa treatment. Now that I don’t have to oversee a rehearsal with those miserable brats, I have time for the works! So, you know the drill! Deliver, or the diva ditches your dippy charity!”
Coloratura was angry at him, “So that’s how you’ve been managing things? Forcing others to get what you want if I don’t perform?” Svengallop acted natural, “Yeah, so? What’s the problem, Countess?”
“The problem is that you’ve been using my name to forcefully intimidate ponies to get what you want, and you’ve been taking it too far!” Coloratura explained. Svengallop scoffed with a gasp, “But I work incredibly hard for you! I deserve everything I get!”
“But not because you scare ponies into thinking that I won’t perform for their charities otherwise, or for regular concerts for fun!” Coloratura said. “I would never do anything so cruel like that to my fans! Which is also why you should know I would never cancel the schoolponies’ contest!”
“Hmph! Oh, please! All this charity and schoolpony nonsense is just remnants of that boring little Rara I met back in Manehattan! I made you somepony popular! What can you even do without me?” Svengallop said. “Okay, that’s it! You clearly don’t understand the real me! And to make matters worse...” Coloratura nodded to Applejack, and mentioned Thomas to walk up to her with a short tap of her right hoof, and as he did, she wrapped her foreleg around his shoulder for a hug and then she felt him nestle with her chest fur, “You made me ignore my friend! A pony who I cared about as a filly, but until I met a fan who has a special charm. A human... with a good heart. Why can’t you see the goodness in their hearts?”
“Ugh! What a revolting creature!” Svengallop said. “You do not speak about our nephew that way! Ever!” Rainbow Dash said.
“You ought to be ashamed of yourself, making others feel bad for doing your bidding! How could you be so... so cruel?!” Fluttershy angrily asked. “You have no right treating our sisters and their friends too hardly, and especially our darling little nephew!” Rarity said sternly.
“Oh, give me a break! Like that filthy ape is special! That’s a joke! You signed this contract for agreement and then accepted your destiny!” Svengallop said, showing the contract. “Well, you can accept the removal of your contract because I now no longer need your demanding attitude towards ponies for your personal needs around me again, so since we’ve seen enough, I’m giving you 12 minutes to clear your stuff out of my trailer, including your desk,” Coloratura said. “What? Are you saying...” Svengallop asked. “Yes, Svengallop. It’s over. You’re fired,” Coloratura said. “But... But... the concert! What would you do without me there?!” Svengallop asked. “I’m mature enough. Because I have somepony else to thank,” Coloratura said, then she leaned down and gave Thomas a kiss on the forehead. “But I’m the manager! I do the firing!” Svengallop said. “Not anymore. SECURITY!” Coloratura said, then two big security stallions with black fur and dark blue shirts, and black sunglasses took Svengallop out of the way.
Coloratura then looked down at Thomas stroking her fur, then she gently patted his shoulder with her hoof. “Are you gonna be okay, Countess Coloratura?” Thomas asked. “I don’t know, sweetie. Svengallop was in charge of everything,” she said. “But don’t worry, the show will go on. I promise you.” Thomas nodded, and then she looked back at Applejack, “Thanks for your help, AJ. I couldn’t have done this without you.”
“No problem, Rara,” Applejack said. Coloratura nodded, until she thought about of an idea, “Thomas? Do you want to sing on stage with me?” Thomas nodded, “I guess it might be fun.” Coloratura then thought of another idea, “Hey, Rarity? Could you help me with something?”
“Of course, darling,” Rarity said.
Later on, it was evening, and all the ponies of Ponyville were waiting for their singer to perform, but Coloratura was nervous. “Oh my gosh! I know it’s better that Svengallop’s gone, but I don’t know if I can do this!” she exclaimed. “But, Rara. You’re an inspiration to everypony,” Thomas said. “You really think so, cutie?” Coloratura asked. “Mmhmm. I’ve seen you perform. You’re one of the most talented ponies I’ve ever met, and you have a good heart like I do. That mean Svengallop turned you into a countess and pretended to be your friend so he could enjoy all the traits that came with you being a star. But it’s not who you are underneath, but it’s what you do that defines you. And you’re the brightest star Auntie Applejack and I have ever seen shine,” Thomas said. “Aww... you’re such a sweetie!” she said, then she gave Thomas a hug.
When she was ready, Twilight stood up and made the introduction, “Good evening, everypony! Welcome to the opening night of the Helping Hooves Music Festival! Now it is my great honor to introduce you all to our headlining act - Countess Coloratura!” The ponies cheered at her, but she was wearing a black dress with a black linen skirt, and she had her mane redone in the curls she used to have as a filly and her colors redone in dark grayish indigo and added the same old dark indigo and moderate opal highlights.
“Hey, everypony. I know what you’re thinking, but the truth is, this song maybe kinda similar, but yet, it’s totally different. It’s kind of like me, Rara,” she explained, until the crowd was confused.
The crowd cheered, then she stood off the piano and spoke, “Thank you, everypony. But the truth is, when I arrived at the Helping Hooves Music Festival, I somehow forgotten who I really was! But somehow an old friend reminded me what true friendship is, and then a certain human child also told me that if I wasn’t true to myself, I couldn’t go wrong, because he said to me, that isn’t who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me. So, I have a special surprise for her and her friends, including Fluttershy. Thomas, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, come on up!” They all came up on stage and then Thomas sat on Coloratura’s lap, and the girls stood by the piano.
“Rara, if it’s okay... I wrote a song for you. It’s about what would happen if friendship didn’t matter to you,” Thomas said. “Thanks, sweetie,” Coloratura said, then they all started singing.
When they finished singing, the crowd cheered, and then Thomas climbed onto her back as she went to take a bow, and then she held the boy on her right foreleg. “Everypony, let’s hear it for Thomas, the sweet little boy who helped me be true to my heart!” The ponies applauded, and he smiled warmly until he saw his mother with liquid pride, and then smiled at the crowd as he hugged Coloratura.
