After the show, an exhausted Quarter stopped and took note of what had just occurred. Armored Hoof had just played an entire album of songs from more than a millennium before hoof, and they’d all sounded excellent. They were so excellent, in fact, that they received a standing ovation and shouts for an encore from the audience. Unfortunately, they hadn’t practiced anything really beyond their first album, so they didn’t have anything prepared. But the audience didn’t mind. They’d received what they’d come for: an excellent evening of music and entertainment…and nopony was more shocked than Quarter himself.
Backstage, he was met by a jubilant Zipp, who quickly threw her hooves around him in an embrace. He liked it when she did that. Her fur was incessantly warm, and her piercing blue eyes were full of support. Yet, there was another emotion written on those stones…one he couldn’t quite read. Was it love, or something even deeper than that? Regardless, it was one he knew he had to have in his life. She’d been his closest friend ever since coming to Maretime Bay. Now, he felt himself shoving a bit beyond that.
“That was amazing!” Chirped a new voice.
The two turned and saw their combined friends standing there. The rest of the band looked as tired as Quarter was, but it also showed that they played their hearts out. Sunny and Hitch stood side-by-side, with matching smiles. Izzy, who had been the source of the chirp, was giddier than ever. Her body quaked with excitement, and she couldn’t stop repeating the lyrics of certain songs she loved. Finally, there was Pipp…who had a curious look. It was obvious that she had enjoyed the show, yet her pop star sensibilities wouldn’t allow her to admit it.
“Come on, Pipp, you know you loved it,” Zipp said, wresting herself from Quarter’s embrace and nuzzling up to her sister.
“Well…I…er…I mean…I…” Pipp stammered.
“She’s turning beet red,” bassist Thumper announced, “and, I must say, it becomes her.”
Everypony laughed as Pipp’s complexion continued to heat up. “Okay, okay, okay!” She finally blurted. “I liked the show…loved it, even. But, this kind of music isn’t exactly popular, especially with my Pipp Squeaks.”
“Don’t worry, Pipp,” Quarter reassured her. “Nopony ever has to know that you attended a metal show.”
Everyone laughed once again as Pipp offered a wry smile. All in all, the evening was considered a smashing success…but, little did they know that there was another face in the crowd. It was one that hated the entire affair, yet stayed for the whole thing. It found the show to be crass and unfit for ponies everywhere, yet also stylized perfectly. Everypony in the crowd was drawn to the sounds of the guitars, drums, bass, and vocals. It was perfection in terms of control…hypnotic, even. She couldn’t wait to get back to the caves and tell her beloved mentor, Meadow, about it.
Scarlet Wing shall rise once more, the wicked mare thought with glee, and I can’t wait to watch Sunny Starscout bleed beneath my mistress’s hooves.
It didn’t take long for this mare to return to the caverns. In fact, she was so good at her teleportation magic that she blasted back into Meadow’s command room within seconds of being at the concert. Her eyes lit up when she saw her mistress, and she immediately went into a full bow. Scarlet Wing had grown stronger under Meadow’s rebuilding project. This mare was absolutely ecstatic. She’d been an ardent supporter of Luster Dawn and the idea that Alicorn hood was meant for power and prestige. Now, Meadow sought to carry on Luster’s ideology. Evolve…or die.
“Ah, Opaline, come in, my filly,” Meadow crooned. “Tell me what you’ve scouted out for me.”
“Mistress Meadow,” Opaline responded with a savage smile, “I believe I’ve uncovered a manner in which we can overthrow Sunny Starscout and Maretime Bay.”
“Even before her coronation?” Meadow asked. “You know, it’s only a few days away.”
“Mm…perhaps it might be best saved for that,” Opaline responded.
“Well, no matter. We can’t decide on that until you reveal what your plan is.”
“Ah, yes,” Opaline responded. “I have just returned from watching the most heinous, repulsive concert ever given by anypony anywhere.”
“Concert?” Meadow asked. “Who gave it?”
“It was a band called Armored Hoof, and-“
Suddenly, Meadow gasped. “Armored Hoof has returned? The band whose music spread peace, friendship, and joy throughout Equestria during the Age of Alicorns? How interesting…”
“You…know of this band?” Opaline asked.
“Yes, yes, I do, dear Opaline. They were some of the fools who dared to rise up against our beloved Queen Luster. Scarlet Wing attempted to find them and destroy them, but they were very clever and hid where we could not locate them. Tell me, did you feel a certain sense of…hypnosis at the show?”
“As a matter of fact, I did,” Opaline said, “and I figured that, if we could usurp that power for ourselves, we could broadcast it all over Equestria! Everypony would bow at our hooves and do our bidding.”
“It’s a good thought,” Meadow said, “however, utterly useless. Armored Hoof are some of the most staunch proponents of Twilight Sparkle’s theories in all of Equestria. If they have returned, then they can use the magical power bound in their instruments to further that agenda. We cannot have that happen, Opaline. Armored Hoof must be destroyed, and their instruments must be flung to the furthest reaches of our land.”
“Yes, mistress Meadow,” Opaline said.
“Good. Now, then, while you take care of those meddlesome musicians, I shall continue building our army. In a few days’ time, Sunny will be made ruler of all Equestria. It will be a day of rejoicing and endless festivities. Canterlot will be reopened, and she shall sit on its throne. However…amidst all that organized chaos…we will sneak in. Our little pony adversaries don’t know it, but Sunny’s coronation day will be her final one. She shall die…because I will remove her head.”