//------------------------------//
// Fluttershy Can Really Fly 
// Story: Fluttershy's Voice 
// by Stratocaster 
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Chapter 5: Fluttershy Can Really Fly

She was on top of the world. Ever since the concert in Ponyville, Fluttershy had been the new biggest thing in the music biz. She received requests left and right for her to perform at various gigs alongside Stratocaster. Platinum had convinced her to record a new album with her counterpart to kick off a cross-Equestria tour. This album, titled Stratocaster: Sounds of Shy, became a double disk release and consisted mostly of songs written by Stratocaster with cover versions of other artists’ hits. Sounds of Shy rose to the top of the charts immediately upon release, and ponies everywhere were swept up by Stratocaster’s new singing partner. The reviews came pouring in with singles such as Smells Like Colt Spirit, Equestrian Idiot, In The End (a cover of Luna Park), Shine (a cover of Collective Foal), Black Hole Celestia, and even a metal hit called Ten Thousand Hooves. Fluttershy and Stratocaster toured all over performing live from Manehattan, to Los Pegasus, to Vanhoover, to Baltimare, to Canterlot, to Cloudsdale, etc. And everywhere they went, tickets sold out and they were the talk of the town. Fluttershy even earned radio deals with several interviewers, like Airtime.
“So Fluttershy, what’s it like working with a hotshot like Stratocaster?” asked Airtime.
“Oh, uh, it’s really fun.” She replied. “We’ve really become good friends ever since we met back in Ponyville.”
“Uh huh, good stuff. So tell me; where are you performing next?” he then proceeded to fiddle with various sound machines as Fluttershy spoke.
“Well, our next stop is in Fillydelphia.”
“Uh huh.” He responded without looking at her.
“Um, we’re hoping to make a big impression with this show.”
“Uh huh.”
“…And we’ll definitely be there to answer press questions.”
“Uh huh.”
“…And you’re not listening to a word I’m saying.”
“Uh huh.”
“So during the concert, I’ll be wrestling an Ursa Major.”
“Uh huh.”
“And Stratocaster will be wearing his tutu while juggling fire.”
“Uh huh.”
“And then Princess Luna will show up to throw pies into the audience.”
“Uh huh.”
“And you’re just wearing a toupee.”
“Uh huh. Wait, what? Whoa!” he quickly pressed a button playing a cartoon sound effect making Fluttershy giggle. “Almost let that one slip by. This is Fluttershy, mares and gentlecolts, stay tuned right here on 93.9 W-HUF the Hoof! We’ll be right back.”
As Fluttershy basked in her newfound fame, she began to grow closer and closer to Stratocaster. At first, the two would frequent friendly outings during their constant touring. But before long, they started to see each other over private dinner dates away from the publicity. Gossip from popular magazines spread about the two pegasi being involved in a heavily romantic relationship; but Stratocaster was quick to dispel these rumors. After completing a Manehattan show, Stratocaster took Fluttershy to a high class restaurant in the city to meet two friends of his.
“Wow, this is probably the classiest place we’ve been to so far.” She said looking around the high end eatery.
“Yup, all the big names in music have come here.” Stratocaster replied. “Ah, and there’s two of them now.”
He pointed to a table for four which was half occupied. Sitting next to each other were too widely celebrated, yet very different, musicians. One was a concert cellist; the other was a techno disc jockey.
“Strat, what is up my stallion?!” called Vinyl Scratch shouting in her companion’s ear.
“Fluttershy, I’m sure you’re familiar with Octavia and Vinyl Scratch.” Stratocaster said.
“Oh yes,” she answered happily. “I saw both of them at the Grand Galloping Gala.”
“Yeah we really stole that show.” Vinyl bragged banging the table.
“Vinyl, please, you’re embarrassing me.” Octavia glared.
The pegasi sat down with the bickering artists as a waiter handed out menus and poured them some aged sparkling cider. A piano began playing in the background.
“So Fluttershy,” greeted Octavia. “I understand you’re quite the vocalist.”
“Oh well, I guess you can say that.” She responded blushing. “Of course I never would have known that if it weren’t for Stratocaster here.”
“Oh you’re always humbling yourself;” smiled Stratocaster. “I just write the music, you’re the real performer.”
“Indeed,” agreed Octavia. “You have certain…ferocity in your voice which I don’t think many singers have these days.”
“Hay yeah!” blurted Vinyl. “You blew my mind when I saw you in Fillydelphia, kid. BLEW…MY…MIND! You were dropping rhymes on the mic like it was nopony’s business!”
“Uh, yeah, I do tend to…drop…things.” Fluttershy said awkwardly swirling her cider.
“Vous desire, mademoiselle?” asked the waiter looking at Octavia first.
“Ah yes, I will have your finest herb salad, with a garlic soup.” She answered politely.
“And I’ll have a DLT with a side of hay fries.” Vinyl added not so politely.
“Do you always have to order that everywhere we go?” Octavia asked her rhetorically.
“What? I’m not a big a fan of variety as you are.”
“Obviously not.”
“Et tu, monsieur?” asked the waiter.
“Veggie steak, please, medium rare.” Stratocaster replied.
The waiter finally turned to Fluttershy. “Et tu, mademoiselle?”
“Um, I would like the buttered linguini, please?”
“Tre bon.” Then the waiter suddenly perked up looking at her. “Ooh, mon deu, you are Fluttershy, no?”
“Uh, yes.” She smiled and partially hid behind her mane.
“Ah, magnifique! You are tre bon singer! You are, how you say, rockstar, no?”
“Um, oui.”
“Ha ha, c’est fantastique. I am big fan. You sign, um, autograph?”
“Well sure.” Fluttershy took the waiter’s pen and signed an empty order sheet in cursive.
“Ah, merci, mademoiselle. I will have orders for you un minute.” He took their menus and took off with a spring in his step.
“Gosh, I never thought I would find myself signing autographs everywhere I went.” Fluttershy said.
“That’s living the dream.” Stratocaster agreed.
“By the way, Fluttershy,” started Octavia. “I wanted to talk to you about doing a performance I think you’ll be very interested in.”
“Oh? What did you have in mind?” she asked.
“Well, your tremendous voice has already proven yourself as a rock n’ roll hit. But I was thinking you could do more. What would you think of singing an aria?”
“A what?”
“You know, a classical song. You’ll be singing solo with an orchestral accompaniment.”
“Oh my, that seems very…fancy.”
“What kind of gig did you have in mind for this, Octavia?” asked Stratocaster.
“You see, Princess Celestia herself is hosting an elaborate party in two weeks to celebrate the knighting of Shining Armor.”
“Shining Armor?” lit up Fluttershy. “I know him! He’s the brother of my friend, Twilight Sparkle. I was even there at his wedding with Princess Cadence. I had no idea he was being knighted.”
“It’s going to be quite a ceremony.” Octavia continued. “And Princess Cadence has requested only the best singer to commemorate her husband’s honor.”
“And…you want me to do it?”
“Who else?” retorted Vinyl. “You’ve got the best voice out there. Everypony wants you.”
“Gee, this is so unexpected. What do you think, Strat?”
“I think you should go for it, Fluttershy.” He encouraged. “Not everypony gets an opportunity like this.”
“I guess you’re right. Plus the Princesses and Shining Armor will be thrilled to see me there. Okay, I’ll do it!”
The waiter returned with their meals and they thanked him courteously.
“Then it’s settled.” Octavia grinned and gave Fluttershy a small paper. “Here’s my address. Meet me tomorrow and I’ll have the perfect song for you to perform.”
“Sounds like a plan.” She agreed as the two mares raised their glasses and began eating.
As a toast for Fluttershy’s upcoming aria, the four musicians ordered dessert: red velvet cake with sweet roasted coffee. After paying for the exquisite meal, they made their warm goodbyes and parted to spend the rest of the night. Fluttershy was brimming with anticipation for her big honor to sing in front of Equestria’s royalty. She couldn’t wait two weeks.

Three days later in Manehattan, Fluttershy walked over to Stratocaster’s house in the picturesque wealthy district. She had paid a couple visits to Octavia’s loft in the city to work on the aria, and she was already making fast progress. It was a new experience for her getting used to classical style, but she enjoyed it nonetheless. Fluttershy rang Stratocaster’s doorbell and sure enough he answered.
“Fluttershy? What brings you here so early?” he asked warmly.
She looked back at him with a troubled frown. “I think I have a problem.” She said in the low deep voice of a baritone stallion.