//------------------------------//
// Episode 7: New Kid On The Block 
// Story: My Little Pony: Sparkling Harmony: Season Three 
// by Captain_Cosmos 
//------------------------------//

“Hey Twily.” Sparkler cooed at Twilight. “Wanna have some lunch?” She asked.

Twilight smiled and opened her mouth, but refused to sit in the High Chair at their table. Instead staying hugging Moondancer’s neck while the three of them and Spike had lunch outside. Sparkler and Moondancer just chuckled while Sparkler floated over a milk bottle and let Twilight suck on it’s…whatever that opening is called. “I never thought I’d have to do this with Twilight.” She commented.

“Just another Tuesday in Ponyville.” Moondancer commented. “Good thing she has an amazing Mare to take care of her in this state.”

“She has a couple available, she just chooses me 99% of the time.” Sparkler responded.

“Fortunately for us she hasn’t tried to spark yet. Flurry Heart is OP enough.” Spike commented.

Moondancer nodded. That’s when they heard shouting from the distance. “NO! No! We are not going out of town for Lunch Celestia!” Growled Night Mare. “We are staying in town and having something sensible!”

Sparkler groaned while Moondancer sighed. “Any progress in getting them back to normal?” She asked.

“No. And I’m seriously worried about what could happen if we don’t. And not just because I’ve been named Acting Princess.” Sparkler responded. Indeed she was beginning to worry that her temporary “promotion” could turn into a LONG term thing. She could very well be Princess of Equestria, and have to end up also ruling the Crystal Empire for the next 7 years depending on what age Celestia was currently. “Oh my Faust I just realized I could very well have to assume rulership of the Crystal Empire as well if we don’t find a way to fix this soon.” She realized.

“You could always appoint Fleur De Lis to that position.” Spike suggested. “I’m pretty sure there are no Nobles in the Crystal Empire who could sway her.”

“That might be an option we need to explore.” Sparkler responded.

“At least if that ends up happening then you could travel there to go to its Library.” Moondancer commented.

“Ok can we not talk about that anymore?” Sparkler asked. “I can Crystalize. We know that. But we can’t do anything with that information right now so can we not bring it up anymore so it doesn’t drive me crazy so quickly?” Sparkler asked.

“Sorry Sparkler.” Moondancer apologized. “A major step has been taken in solving the biggest mystery we’ve ever seen. That has ponies excited.” She explained.

“Yeah.” Sparkler relented. “I just wish something would come along to change the subject.”

“Yo Medley! Got a minute to talk Your Majesty?” Asked a familiar voice.

Sparkler turned her head around to see who called out her second name…to see Star Sound standing there waving her down. Part of her was annoyed somepony addressed her as royalty, but the other part was glad Star Sound was here. She turned to Moondancer and Spike. “Watch Twilight. I gotta go see what Star Sound wants.” She said as she got out of her seat and trotted over to Star Sound.

“Mr. Sound. Good to see you.” She said happily.

“Good to see you too Sparkler. I hear you’ve been promoted…Your Majesty.” Star Sound responded.

“Temporarily.” Sparkler said. “Temporarily Acting Princess of Equestria—“

“Sparkler!” Came a whiny voice. Sparkler sighed and facehoofed when Celestia approached them. “Sparkler, Night Mare won’t let us go to Canterlot for lunch. I’m tired of the restaurants here!” Celestia complained.

“Give me a sec Mr. Sound.” Sparkler responded. She magically grabbed Celestia’s ear and pulled it in so she could whisper into it. “Listen Tia. It makes NO sense to go all the way to Canterlot just for lunch. And I very much want you to stay in this town until we find a way to change you back. Now, either have something here or go back to the castle and SIT there.” She hissed. She let go of Celestia and gestured her to go back to Night Mare.

Celestia stomped off as Sparkler turned back to Star Sound. “Apologies Mr Sound. Now what can I do for you?” She asked.

Star Sound shook his head clear of what he just witnessed and smiled. “Tell me, do the Harmonic Medleys need a piano player?” He asked.

Sparkler blinked and tilted her head to the side a little in confusion. “Uh…where did that question come from?” She asked.

Star Sound smiled and nudged his head to gesture to the Unicorn next to him that Sparkler only just then realized was there, and she knew immediately who it was. “Allow me to introduce to you, Chroma Keys, AKA Princess Press on stage.” He said.

Sparkler’s eyes widened while the Unicorn Mare smiled and bowed her head. “Your Majesty.” She said.

Sparkler shook her head. “No, no don’t do that. Please, my rulership is only temporary. But oh my Faust.” She said. She couldn’t believe the greatest keyboard player of all time was standing right in front of her. “P-Princess Press…It’s a true honor to meet you.” She said as she shook hooves with Chroma. The mare who could play any keyboard instrument.

“Could say the same to you. You’ve been making the rounds in the music world with your work with Airwave and more recently the Harmonic Medleys.” Chroma responded.

Sparkler didn’t know HOW she was still standing and hadn’t fainted yet. Not only was she meeting a music legend, but that legend affirmed that she herself was a rising sensation.

“Ahem. Not sure if you heard but Chroma’s band, the Keytones broke up last month.” Star Sound explained.

“Aww. That’s too bad.” Sparkler responded. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Yeah.” Chroma responded. “I’m not even sure what happened. It just…happened.”

“Since then Chroma’s expressed interest in joining a new band. She came to me for ideas. And your band was the first one to come to mind which fit her criteria.” Star Sound explained.

“Fun, versatile, adaptive, and features some kind of piano instrument.” Chroma said.

Seriously, HOW was Sparkler still standing? She was talking to two legends in the music industry, one of them had once said her silly little operation in a BASEMENT caught his attention, and now that same pony was here with a famous keyboard player, and by the sound of it, she was looking to join her band that she helped bring to life for FUN. If she didn’t already know that Luna was in no shape to do so, she woulda thought this was a dream Luna gave her.

After a second of staring in shock, Sparkler snapped herself back to reality. “So you’re thinking Princess Press would be a good addition to the Harmonic Medleys.” Sparkler said.

“Yes.” Star Sound responded. “And there’s also the fact that the Harmonic Medleys are playing the main Summer Sun Celebration in a few days, which in my eyes makes it a legit band.” He added.

Sparkler nodded. She remembered two weeks ago when Celestia herself came to her to ask if the Harmonic Medleys wanted a new gig at the Summer Sun Celebration in Ponyville. “Head to the castle, I’ll gather the members of the Harmonic Medleys and meet you there.” She said. She lit her horn and teleported to Moondancer and Spike, asked them to foalsit Twilight just a little longer, and then poofed away.





After alerting Flash, who was at the castle, Sparkler teleported to where Autumn and Feathers were, told them there was an emergency Harmonic Medleys Meeting, and on the way, told them about who she just talked to.

“Wait wait wait, Princess Press, the greatest Keyboard player of all time, is here?” Autumn asked.

“Yep.” Sparkler responded excitedly.

“And she wants to join OUR band? A silly little fearsome foursome only a few months into it’s lifespan?” Feathers asked.

“Yep!” Sparkler responded excitedly. “Can you believe it?”

“It’s awesome!” Feathers responded.

“Heck yeah it is!” Sparkler responded. She fluttered her wings cutely, and suddenly Crystalized. The three mares stopped and Sparkler looked at herself. She shrugged. “Eh, the crown must’ve activated my change power permanently. Who cares, let's go meet Princess Press!” She exclaimed as she resumed walking.

Autumn and Feathers looked at each other, before smiling and chuckling as they followed Sparkler.

Soon they got to the castle, and the four bandmates met with Star Sound and Princess Press. And after a very quick talk among the bandmates and a demonstration of Princess Press’s skills for Flash Sentry, the Harmonic Medleys became a Quintet.

Later, Sparkler walked Star Sound to the train station to see him off. “A pleasure to see you as always Mr Sound.” Sparkler said. “Sorry you missed Airwave.”

“Eh, I’ll catch him on his next tour stop. You and your band are the reason I made a trip here.” Star Sound responded.

“And I thank you for this wonderful distraction from this week’s major Catastrophe.” Sparkler responded.

That got both of them laughing. “I like you Sparkler. You got a real sense of humor.” Mr. Sound said.

“I was being serious.” Sparkler responded.

“Of course you were.” Star Sound responded.

The train arrived and Mr. Sound shook Sparkler’s hoof. “Good luck here Sparkler, I can tell you’re doing a good job.”

“Have a safe trip back.” Sparkler responded. “Feel free to stop by anytime.”

“Oh I’ll be stopping by alright. Sooner than you might think.” Star Sound responded.

“Oh?” Sparkler asked.

“I haven’t been sitting around since my Label went up in flames. I’ve been working hard. And my latest project keeps me busy. That’s all I’m saying there.” Star Sound responded. He boarded the train and shot Sparkler one last look. “Keep your musical skills sharp Medley. You’ll need them.” He said.

Sparkler watched as the train soon pulled out, and she was intrigued. “Hm. I wonder what he’s been doing.” She mused as she eventually walked off the platform and headed back home.

To be continued…