//------------------------------//
// The Big Number 
// Story: Fluttershy's Voice 
// by Stratocaster 
//------------------------------//

Chapter 12: The Big Number

Nopony knew what to make of it all. First, the show had been interrupted by a strange rhyming zebra, then by a chipmunk-voiced Deutschpony who somehow had his voice changed. Now, the pony of the hour, Fluttershy, was standing at the front of the stage under a lone spotlight. Everypony wondered what she was going to say and how she was going to say it.
“Oh no, Fluttershy,” said Twilight under her breath. “You don’t have to do this.”
“Do what?” replied Pinkie Pie. “What do you mean? What is she doing? Is she…oh my goodness, she is! She really doesn’t have to do this!”
“What in tarnation are you two talkin' about?” asked Applejack.
“Nothing.” They both answered in unison.
More silence fell as Fluttershy just stood there at that microphone looking out into space. Then, she turned around and gave a nod in the direction of Octavia. The gray mare quickly took the hint and turned to her band. With a tap of her baton, she conducted the orchestra to start playing in a tranquil atmosphere at a slow ¾ meter. Fluttershy faced the crowd and closed her eyes.
“What is she doing?” asked Shining Armor.
“She’s looking for it.” Stratocaster said with a look of astonishment.
As Fluttershy stood there in pseudo meditation, she began to look deep within herself. Inside her very conscience, she could see it, the space where she found her loud singing voice at the first concert. Then she could see the ugly blotches that filled the space which kept her from finding that voice again. With all the concentration and willpower she had, she lost all awareness of the world around her and dove beneath these blotches to look even deeper within. She focused harder and harder as urged to see past the obstacles that kept her at bay. Then she finally felt it. It was the familiar warm lava-like sensation that rose up out of her chest cavity and up her throat. Only this time, it felt more pleasant and pristine than lava. Without focusing on anything else, Fluttershy opened her eyes and began to sing, letting the sensation out.
“Qui creavit coelum, Lully lully lu, Nascitur in stabulo, By by by by by, Rex qui regit seculum, Lully lully lu…Joseph emit paniculum, By by by by by, Mater involvit puerum, Lully lully lu, Et point in praesepio, By by by by by…Inter animalia, Lully lully lu, Jacent mundi gaudia, By by by by by, Dulcis super omnia, Lully lully lu…Lactat mater Domini, By by by by by, Osculator parvulum, Lully lully lu, Et adorat Dominum, By by by by by…Roga mater filium, Lully lully lu, Ut det nobis gaudium, By by by by by, In perenni gloria, Lully lully lu…In sempiterna saeculum, By by by by by, In eternum et ultra, Lully lully lu, Det nobis sua gaudia, By by by by by…”
Not a sound was heard when she finished…until Pinkie Pie broke the silence.
“WHOO!”
And just like that, the audience broke out in uproarious applause. Everypony in the theater stomped their hooves and gave a standing ovation for Fluttershy’s crystal clear angelic voice singing the pleasant classical carol in aria form. Her friends upfront cheered especially loud for her, making her well up with tears of joy. She looked up at the balcony to see the Princesses and Shining Armor standing and stomping in applause, with both Cadence and her husband wiping a tear away. Fluttershy turned around to see that even Octavia and her band were stomping for her. And then, Stratocaster cantered up and swept her up in an elated twirling hug. He looked at her proudly.
“So, how did you do it?” he asked knowingly.
“I just remembered what you told me when we first met.” Fluttershy answered in her sweet normal voice.

After the performance, everypony gathered in the royal throne room to witness the awaited knighting ceremony. As the guests sat in rows facing the front, Princess Celestia stood in front of her throne with her sister and niece beside her; the captain, clad in Canterlot knight’s armor, knelt before her. They proceeded with the accolade while Twilight whispered to Fluttershy.
“I can’t believe you pulled that off, Fluttershy,” she said. “Poison joke is magic and not even a unicorn could overcome its effect.”
“I must say I am deeply impressed,” added Zecora sitting beside. “But how did you do it? I must request.”
“Um, well, all I had to do was look deep inside myself and find where my old voice has been hiding.” Fluttershy said.
“Huh, I guess the effect of poison joke is more psychological.” Twilight replied.
“That was spectaculariffic, Fluttershy,” Pinkie chimed in. “I thought everypony was going to find out about your deep voice.”
“Yeah, what was the deal with that?” asked Rainbow Dash. “That Lindepony whoever said the same thing.”
“Well you see, Fluttershy’s voice was-” Pinkie stopped herself. “Ooh, I can’t say. I Pinkie promised.”
“It’s okay, Pinkie,” said Fluttershy. “It doesn’t have to be a secret anymore.” She then turned to Rainbow. “I accidentally stepped in poison joke which made my voice sound like a stallion’s. We were panicking about hiding my voice because we were afraid that if anypony found out, then I wouldn’t be able to do the performance.”
“Wait, so your voice really was like that dastardly stallion’s?” asked Rarity.
“Yeah, but not anymore.” Fluttershy grinned. “And I couldn’t have overcome it without Stratocaster here.”
“I’m really proud of you, Fluttershy.” Stratocaster replied.
“We all are, sugarcube,” added Applejack. “Your voice is really somethin’ else.”
“Shh, quiet,” interrupted Twilight. “They’re about to finish.”
They all turned their attention back toward the front as the Princess and Shining Armor wrapped up their exchanges.
“Shining Armor,” announced Celestia. “You have been deemed fit for this high estate by your peers, and have indicated your willingness to accept this honor from our hooves. Do you now swear by all that you hold sacred, true, and holy that you will honor and defend the crown and kingdom of Equestria?”
“I will.” He proudly answered with his head down.
“Then having sworn these solemn oaths, know now that I, Princess Celestia, do dub you with thy horn.” She then bowed her head placing her horn on his right shoulder, then left, then right again. “Once for honor…Twice for duty…Thrice for chivalry…” she lifted her head back up. “Arise, Sir Shining Armor!”
The newly knighted Shining Armor stood up and smiled at the Princess. She gave him a ceremonial sword which he sheathed onto his tunic. He then turned toward the crowd who stomped and cheered for him.

The ceremony ended and everypony returned to partying in the royal ballroom where Fluttershy conversed more with her friends. They all laughed as Pinkie did a bellowing impression of her when her voice was changed. Then, Fluttershy felt a hoof tap her shoulder. She turned around and became uneasy at the sight of Till Lindepony. This time, instead of his angry scowl, he wore a warm smile.
“Hello, Fluttershy.” He greeted.
“Um, hi, Mr. Lindepony.” She responded uncomfortably.
“Listen, I just vanted to apologize for mein outrage at the theater earlier. I actually got around to hearing your recordings on mein album, and I must say, I vas impressed. So, I decided not to overdub it und leave it the vay it is.”
“Oh, uh, thanks, I guess.” Fluttershy perked up a bit.
“Fluttershy, I am deeply sorry for trying to humiliate you in front of everypony.” Till continued with a look of guilt. “If I had known you were affected by the poison joke as vell, I vould have had more sympathy. Can you ever forgive me?”
She gave him a friendly smile. “Apology accepted, Till. If you want, I could also sing with you some other time, I mean, um, if that’s okay with you.”
“I think I vould like that very much.” Till returned her smile.
The two shook hooves before Stratocaster’s manage, Platinum, joined in.
“That was tremendous, kid,” he said to Fluttershy. “Everypony is buzzing about your little classical performance. I’m thinking we could do a little side project; a compilation of you singing the hits of ye olden days. We’ll make millions!”
“That sounds great, sir,” she responded. “But to be honest, I think I’m going to keep touring to a minimum from now on.”
“Wait, really?” started Stratocaster. “But you and I are doing so well together.”
“I’ll still sing with you, Strat, but I think I’m still needed in Ponyville.” Fluttershy then looked at her friends who smiled back.
“Well, the next time we meet again,” said Stratocaster. “We’re going to make an album like none other.”
She hugged him tightly. Then, Octavia and Shining Armor approached.
“Congratulations, Fluttershy,” said Octavia. “You performed that aria better than when we practiced it.”
“I couldn’t have done it without you, Octavia.” Fluttershy replied.
“That was an amazing show, Fluttershy.” Shining Armor added.
“Thank you, Armor, oops, I mean Sir Shining Armor.” She grinned.
“You know, you still haven’t done that rock song I requested. I see an empty stage over there, and I see a few musicians in front of me. So what do you say?”
Fluttershy looked at Stratocaster inquiringly.
“Shall we?” he asked.
“The show must go on.” She smiled.
“Whoo! Get ready to rock, Canterlot!” shouted Vinyl Scratch who appeared onstage.
The crowd cheered and danced as Fluttershy and Stratocaster played onstage, with Vinyl, Octavia and Till joining in. As the music rang out, Fluttershy once again let out her true voice.