//------------------------------// // 3: Five Weeks // Story: Unison: Spectacles and Shades // by Bookish Delight //------------------------------// Week 1 Tuesday It was still a heavenly sight, even now. Keys were pressed at lightning speed across Magical Melody's piano, assembling a collection of tones with a pronounced classical air. In time, Binary Match recognized it as as a casual rendition of Parasprite Waltz. Melody hadn't noticed Binary looking through her window yet, and so continued to play. It was like before they'd met, with one clear difference--instead of wrinkled frustration, Melody's face now displayed a peaceful smile. Only when the song was finished did Binary knock on the front door. Almost immediately she heard the light scrape of a piano stool and the equally light tapping of hooves--galloping hooves, since when did Melody have that much energy?--approaching the door, which opened in mere seconds. And, then, there was Melody, in front of her, staring at her--and still wearing that smile. Binary waved. "Hi there." Melody's smile grew even bigger. "Hi, Binary! Come on in." Binary did so, pulling out a large booklet from her saddlebag and placing it on a nearby table. "Here's some more sheet music for you." Melody gasped. "Even more?" She levitated the booklet, opened it, and sifted through its pages until she happened upon a piece dense with notes. Binary nodded. "Hey, usually this stuff just sits around on shelves. You can borrow it for as long as you want." "Thank you." Keeping the booklet spread open to her chosen song, Melody set it up on the piano and began to play. As with all the songs she learned, things went slow at first, but in under fifteen minutes, strains of jazz-tinted notes burst forth from the piano, in a manner that could only be described as concert-worthy. "You know," said Melody, "you've been giving me these nonstop for days. How do you keep coming across-" She suddenly stopped playing and turned to Binary, a concerned look on her face. "-you're not buying all of these for me, are you?" "I wish I were that rich." Binary shook her head. "My mom's a total music buff. She's got tons of this stuff. Sheet music, records... she was seriously happy when I started taking piano lessons." She chuckled sheepishly. "Not so much once I stopped. But then I told her I made friends with you, and now she's happy again." Binary sighed. "Parents, I guess." "Yes." Melody slowly nodded. "They can sometimes worry, I've noticed." "No kidding! Like I need more help worrying over stuff? I'm already wondering where my cutie mark is." She scoffed. "I know what I want to do in life, and yet I still don't get the stupid butt-picture." She looked behind herself. "Hurry up!" she snapped at her haunches. Melody giggled. "That never works. I've tried it and I still don't have my mark either. But you already know what you want to do? That's a step up from most ponies." "Yep." Binary's confident grin was back. "I'm not in Celestia's school for nothing! Still totally into the math thing. I figure I'll rise up the school ranks, and get the Princess herself to notice me. Once I do that, I've got a whole bunch of theories about how math and magic can be tied together!" Melody blinked. "You want to turn magic into a bunch of math problems?" Binary put a hoof behind her head. "Heh heh. You're not the first pony to say that. But not quite. See, we're all taught that we use our magic mainly by feeling, and that's the end of it. So way too many unicorns think it's all just about raw magic power, y'know? But I think there's more to it." Binary sauntered towards the nearby window and gestured outward. "Math is everywhere in nature--my pop taught me that. And that's got to include magic. If we can better understand our magic and how it works, if we can find the math in it, then break it down into different pieces to put back together however we want... who knows what we can do after that?" Melody gave an understanding nod. "I think that's very noble. How close do you think you are to finding your answer?" Binary shrugged and walked back to her friend. "Not very. I actually just told you everything I said at my interview. Guess that's why they plunked me in turbo-algebra. Enough about school when I'm not in it, though. Let's talk music, huh?" Melody smiled. "Always my favorite subject." --- Week 1 Thursday "Hey, girls! Wait up!" With another school day over, Binary ran towards the same group of ponies she'd declined the study offer from a while back. Once she caught up to them she saw that they were joined this time by a beige-colored filly, with a wild red hairdo that both curled and stuck out in all directions. She stood at the head of the others, a definitive air of leadership about her. As they were all in the same class, Binary recognized her instantly. "Hi, Moondancer!" Binary said in a chipper voice. "Sorry I couldn't make your study session before." "What, the one from a month ago?" Moondancer shrugged. "Well, we all passed. Maybe we might not always need the great superbrain Batch to bail us out after all." Binary let the remark pass. Deserved that one, she told herself. "Oh yeah, about that. You can..." Binary made a decision then and there. "...you can call me Binary. It's okay." That got the other fillies to stop and stare. "Huh?" said Praline, the cream-colored unicorn. "But you said you didn't like being called that." "Oh, right. Um... well, forget all that stuff I said. I've been having a newfound appreciation for my name as of late. Not to mention the concept of being around other ponies. Which brings me to a question. Is it all right if I... well, uh... hang out with you guys?" The other fillies hesitated, shifting back and forth on their hooves. Moondancer broke the silence. "Well, we do have this month's test coming up." Binary shrugged. "That's fine, I guess, I'll totally help out. But I also mean, just, like... you know. Normally. I just want to hang out with you guys. Go with you when you do stuff. Is that okay?" The girls blinked and stared again. "We'll, uh, think about it?" Berry Blue piped up, avoiding the stare she got from Moondancer a second later. "I understand. I've given you a hard time before. Talk to you later, then?" Moondancer sized Binary up, then simply responded with a "Maybe," before the whole group turned to leave. "Works for me." Binary waved a hoof. "Take care!" The other ponies trotted off, and when they were out of earshot... "Yes!" Binary hissed, pumping a forehoof in jubilance. --- "Unison: Spectacles and Shades" A My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic Fanfiction Part 3: "Five Weeks" by Bookish Delight, 2012-2013 All characters and referred properties belong to Hasbro. --- Week 2 Monday "So how's it going with your classmates?" asked Melody. Binary huffed and slumped on the piano stool next to her friend. Her head hit the keys, making an undesirable tone upon impact. "Ugh. Terrible." Melody let out a quick whistle. "Wow. That bad?" "More like that weird." Binary raised her head and threw up her forelegs. "They like weird things! Like shopping, and parties, and talking about other ponies a whole bunch! So when I bring up the fact that a dress they're looking at in a shop window costs so much because of all the pony-hours it took to create it, they look at me like I'm a griffon or something." Melody shivered in reply. "Yeah," Binary said. "Like that." She sighed. "But at least I'm with some ponies in school now. I used to hear them talk about me behind my back. A lot of them had problems with me being alone all of the time. Never really got what the deal was with all that. Not everyone's a pony-magnet." Melody nodded. "Sometimes I see other ponies passing by my house besides you. And they're surrounded by more ponies, all talking at the same time. I look at them and wonder how any of them ever get a word in edgewise." She turned to meet Binary's eyes. "I'd rather wait to find the right friend. But that's just me." Binary's grin became extra-wide. "I like how you think, Melody." "Oh, my." Melody giggled. "A mental compliment from the great genius herself?" Binary laughed. "Hey, I don't give those out to just anypony. Still, even though the two of us get along great, maybe we both could reach out more. Like..." Binary thought for a few seconds, then clapped her hooves together. "Ooh! We could have a... what's it called? A 'slumber party,' or something!" "What's that?" "Well, it's where we all get together at somepony's house, goof off, have fun, and then sleep when it's late enough. At least that's what Moondancer tells me." Melody visibly bristled. "Y-you mean, somepony else's house?" Binary noticed. "Well, yeah. Like, you and the other girls could come over to my place." "Ummmm... well, I'll think on it. I don't usually leave the house." "All the more reason you should every once in a while, right?" "I... " Melody shifted on the stool, still looking uneasy. "I'm not very much of an outgoing pony." Binary shrugged. "That makes two of us?" "No, I mean... it's a long story. I promise one day I'll tell it. But being 'outgoing' is a bit more of an undertaking for me than most ponies." A weak laugh followed Melody's words, which did not fool Binary one bit. Looking into her friend's eyes, Binary saw something far different. Anger? No... frustration? Perhaps a little... ...wait, there it was. Sadness. In spades. The white unicorn nodded, deciding to back off a bit. "Well, it's okay. We can just have ponies come over here to meet you. Worked for me, right?" Melody gave a visible sigh of relief. "Yes, that it did. Binary?" "What is it?" "Thanks. For understanding." "No problem. Just promise me one thing." "What's that?" Binary took Melody's hooves into hers. "I took a huge chance when I decided to knock on your door a month ago. So I want you to take a chance for me, to make things even. I don't care when, but you've got to, just once. All right?" Melody nodded, her smile genuine once more. "One day. I promise." --- Week 2 Wednesday "...and if I divide by four right here, that gives me... 42." Binary stared at her paper, then slumped her head onto the surface in front of her. "Ugh. Forty-two? What kind of answer is that? Doesn't tell me anything." She raised her head from her bedroom dresser and adjusted her glasses using the mirror in front of herself, just in time to see a floating brush sneak up from behind. "Wha-?" By the time she realized what was happening, it was too late. The brush had already started soft strokes through her mane, and all the fidgeting in the world she tried still left her helpless to stop it. "Aw, Mom," she said to the magenta unicorn mare behind her. Said mare's blue eyes twinkled with mirth as she slowly molded her daughter's mane into waves similar to her own. "I keep asking you to at least warn me first!" "Now, now," Free Style said with a chuckle. "You said you've been meeting more ponies, right? Trust me--being presentable is always preferable." Binary mock-rolled her eyes. "Of course you'd say that. It keeps you in business. So how was work today?" "Quite interesting, actually. A married unicorn couple came in with their daughter today." "Wait, I thought you said interesting. Doesn't that happen all the time?" "Well, yes." Free Style whisked aside part of her own pink mane with one hoof. "Except that their little one seemed fascinated with my shop and kept running around the place, trying on all the clothes and touching all of my devices and supplies." "So you stopped her, right? You keep telling me that stuff can be dangerous if you don't know what you're doing." "I wanted to, but first off I'm nowhere near as fast as you fillies these days." Free Style smiled and stared into space. "But more than that... it was the strangest thing. She knew exactly which clothes went with what, and how all the equipment worked. Eventually I simply let her play to her heart's content because I was imagining her as an apprentice the entire time." She sighed. "One isn't treated to a sight like that every day. I actually hope she comes back. Oh, well." "Wow." Binary stayed quiet for a few moments. "Actually, Mom, about that. Seeing ponies again, I mean. Is it okay if I have a friend over?" Free Style's face lit up. "You mean Melody? Absolutely. I'm surprised you thought you needed my permission." "So am I. I mean, since you like her so much and all." The brush stopped. "I detected a clear tonal shift there, young lady." "Sorry, sorry! It's just that..." Binary lowered her gaze and exhaled. "Melody's all musical, and I still remember how sad you looked when I told you I didn't want to try playing music any more. But I tried, I really did, I--whoa!" Before she could react, Binary found herself being levitated into her mother's embrace. "M-Mom?" A record floated its way onto the player in Binary's room. Seconds after the needle touched vinyl, a soothing lullaby filled the air. Free Style shook her head. "Is that what you've been thinking? Honey, I was never sad that you gave up playing music. I was sad that you gave up at something. And even then, it didn't last. Everypony goes through several experiences before one changes their life enough to let them know what their special talent is. My and your father's job is to support and raise you in every way we can, until you find your cutie mark, and beyond. We love you, and we will never love another filly more than you, because you're ours. Understand?" "I..." Binary looked at her mother's cutie mark--a single, glittering hairbrush--and cuddled into her forelegs, soaking in the warmth of both her and the moment. "I love you guys too, Mom." "My little girl." Free Style gave Binary a kiss on the forehead and extra squeeze before placing her back in her chair. "Anyway, finish your homework and we can have ice cream." "Oh, I already finished it. I was just looking at some problems for fun. I'll be down in a little while, okay?" Free Style chuckled and shook her head. "I swear, it's like having two of your father. Sure thing. Just don't study yourself unconscious, all right?" Binary giggled. "I won't." Once her mother left the room, Binary turned back to her notebook, and opened it further, revealing a booklet of sheet music. Bingo. Endless Concerto, it said. It wasn't actually endless, just composed to be seamlessly looped ad infinitum. Years ago, however, one hapless orchestra had had it slipped into its performance list and began playing it, oblivious to its true nature. If not for Princess Celestia's interference, they'd probably still be playing it today. Binary had stopped at the record store earlier that day to find a more recent concert recording--abridged, of course. Now where had she put it... aha! She took it out of her bag, walked over to her record player and put it on, and as the notes flooded the room, she looked at the sheets while she listened, breaking the music down in her mind. Odd. If you really listen to the way this is set up, there's repetition in its layers. Just like on sheet music. And that would mean... She concentrated a little more. C'mon, Bines. Listen beyond the catchy melody. One, two, three, four. One-two-three-four, onetwothreefour- She sat upright, frozen rigid in her seat. Oh my gosh, Mom was right. I have been going about this all wrong. She quickly leafed to a blank page, made a long grid in pencil and started scribbling notes and numbers within it as quickly as her ears would allow. Princess, we are going to have so much to talk about if we ever meet. Count on it. --- Week 2 Friday "Hi, Binary," said Melody, greeting the unicorn who she noticed was whistling a tune as she walked in. "What are you so happy about?" "Well, today we're going to conduct an experiment." Binary plopped down on the floor near the piano. "And I love experiments." Melody shook her head. "Oh, no. I was afraid this would eventually happen. Sorry, but frogs gross me out, and-" "Oh, ha ha." Binary scoffed. "No, no. We're going to try something that just came to me last night." She opened her saddlebag, taking out a few albums. Melody's eyebrows went up. "Records?" "Yep! Got a player?" Binary paused. "Yeah, probably should have thought about asking you that first. Is it in your room, maybe?" "No!" said Melody a little too loudly. "Sorry. I-I mean, it's right over there." She pointed to a far wall. "Great!" Binary walked over to it. "Today we're going to see if you can play by ear." "Wait. So no sheet music?" "No sheet music. Look, the first time I saw you playing with any sort of skill, all your lesson books were thrown on the floor." "But that was because... well, I was just annoyed with the books by that point. But also, by then, well I'd... I'd memorized almost all of the measures." Melody's face went slightly red. Binary gaped. "All of them?" Melody blushed deeper. "Yeesh. Still. You were just going. Unless you've got a photographic memory, you were just sort of putting together what you remembered, weren't you?" Melody thought this over. "Maybe." "Well, see if you can find those measures in these songs! I guarantee you you will. Music's got its own building blocks, just like everything else." Melody nodded. "Definitely learned that while, um, stumbling through notes for a month." "Hey, learning happens to all of us." Binary played one of the records--the same one that had given her epiphany last night. The two listened silently for about half a minute before Melody began playing. The notes that emerged from the piano didn't quite match the song, Binary noted. This far into her impromptu musical education, she could tell guesswork when she heard it. The song ended, leaving Melody nodding analytically. Binary couldn't help but smile. She'd had that look on her own face countless times. "Play that again?" Melody asked. "Again?" "Yes." Her face was still determined. "I... I know what to expect a little more now." "You got it!" Binary reset the needle on the player to the beginning of the song--and this time, her now much more confident friend played along with a piano rendition of the main melody. The third time through, some of the song's background notes were played via piano as well, and the smiles returned to both their faces. That's the spirit, thought Binary as she looked on and listened. And ponies call me the prodigy. --- Week 3 Wednesday The final piano-reproduced notes of a rock record were quickly pressed, just before Melody hit the final chord and let out a tremendous exhale. "Whew!" Binary applauded. That looked like a workout!" "Thank you. And it used to be," said Melody, catching her breath. "But you were right. All music is composed of building blocks. Once I learned where each was, I learned to follow them to their conclusion. Then I can play half by guessing." She got off of the stool and sat on the ground next to her friend. "It's so strange. I set out to learn music, but with all of this breaking down and putting together and sometimes even counting my way through pieces of songs... I feel like I'm branching out into your field a bit!" Melody giggled. Binary nodded. "I know the feeling. I listen to all of these before I bring them to you. I think I've learned more about music this past month than I have in my entire life." "Really?" Melody gasped. "Oh dear. I-I hope I'm not putting you out or anything." "What? No, no, it's awes-" Binary stopped herself. "-uh, highly enjoyable. Doesn't quite have the rush of solving a high-level algebra equation, but still fun in lots of ways I didn't expect. Plus now my mom's ecstatic. Heh heh." "Well, as long as you're happy too." Melody paused. "So you listen to everything you bring me first? Is that why the pieces I've been playing have been getting increasingly..." She looked at the album cover, which displayed the title Iron Mareden: Instrumentals in hard lettering. "...complicated?" "Heh heh. Guilty as charged. But whatever I give you, you still just burn through it. And I've seen where that road goes. You get bored. Then you get frustrated. I..." Binary rubbed her hooves together, an uneasy frown on her face. "...I don't want you to hate your hobby, Mel. This is the happiest I've ever seen you since you started all this." "Don't worry. I won't. I think I just need to find a new place to take my skills." Her gaze went faraway. "Maybe it's time I finally... " "Finally what?" asked Binary. "Huh? Oh, um, nothing," said Melody, with a spaced-out look on her face. "Forget I said anything. Do you have another record for me?" --- But Binary couldn't forget. It was a look that she couldn't get out of her mind, even after getting back home to her studies. Binary knew that look. The look of someone who wished that so many rules weren't always in place regarding the things they loved. The look of someone who wanted to reclaim the rush of discovery, after learning so much, all at once. To see Melody with it twisted Binary's heart in several ways she disliked. The last thing she wanted was for Melody to end up completely like her, caught up in her own activities, shut off from everypony... She mumbled to herself as she pored over a worksheet filled with exercises on the concept of the square roots of negative numbers. Math's so rigid, but always right. She'd taught herself to accept that some time ago, but it'd taken quite a bit to do so. In time, she'd had to make things interesting for herself too. Music has building blocks in math. But music can change. It tries new things all the time. She looked at her workbook, then her sheet music, then the grids she'd scribbled out. If you rearrange the numbers in a math problem, but keep the operations the same, there's a good chance the problem doesn't change at all. But if you rearrange the notes of a song, the piece sounds totally different! She clutched her head. Argh! How can something so reliable be at the root of something so unreliable? Her horn glowed as she groaned in frustration, and the pages of her workbook flipped, at high speed, from beginning to end in a matter of seconds. She watched the numbers and notes fly by, flashing, melding... ...wait. She turned back to the beginning, and flipped through again. Just like last week, she sat up and gaped at what she saw. I have got to stop being wrong all the time. --- Week 3 Thursday The next afternoon saw Binary tearing over to Melody's straight from school. Several loud raps on her door led to Melody slowly opening it, and backing away as she saw Binary's near-manic look. "B-Binary? What's wrong?" "Mel! Mel!" Binary bounded into the house. "I've got it!" Melody recoiled. "Got what? Is it contagious? Are you all right?" "Very funny. No, I mean, think I've got it! The answer to your problems! It might be a little crazy, but hear me out." Melody peered at Binary's expression. It was anxious and hopeful--the same expression she'd had herself over the last couple of weeks. What she wouldn't give to have it back. "All right, let's hear it." "Well, you just play these keys with magic, right? How about you play two songs at once? Maybe even make something new of it?" Binary dug into her saddlebag, pulling out several papers. "Here, I brought a couple of sheets. Easy stuff on their own, definitely, but as i read the notes-" Melody blinked. "You can read measures?" "I've always been able to read music. "I'm just not any good at playing it." She sighed. "Sorry." "No, it's okay! Let's see what you've got here." Melody pored over the sheets and giggled. "You're right. These definitely are easy enough. Let's try them." She placed the music on the piano's counter, and began playing the music on the left using the left half of the piano. Baritone notes filled the room in an otherwise happy, uplifting tune. Melody smiled. "I remember this song from starting out." Binary nodded. "Me too. I think they give this one to everypony who tries piano lessons. All right, now the other one." "Got it." With the right side of the piano a fast, upbeat melody was played with high, light notes, and the similarities between the two songs quickly became apparent. "I don't know, Binary," said Melody. "I think I sort of see what you're going for, but right now I'm seriously just playing two different songs at once. Also, it's taking a lot out of me." Binary's eyes were wild now. "That's because you're still thinking of it like it's two different songs! Solving math problems involves putting two numbers together, but then joining 'em with the right operation, and bam! Usually the answer's pretty awesome." Binary placed her hooves on her friend's shoulders. "You just have to find that right operation, Melody. I know you can. You're the best I know at this stuff." Melody fought off a blush. "I'm the only one you know at this stuff. And this is just so..." Two notes from both sides of the piano hit a perfect harmonic chord. Melody froze for a split second before recovering and continuing to play. "...silly. This is so silly." She kept playing, and another chord fell into place. The moment Binary knew to pay attention, however, was when she saw Melody purposely change a couple of notes, here and there, to fit better. Just a couple, but... enough to count. Binary looked at Melody's face, and saw another expression she was used to carrying herself. Discovery. Creativity. The will to explore and experiment. It wasn't all black and white. Definitely not to the same scale numbers were. For a scant few seconds, Binary wondered if she'd gone into the wrong field of study after all. Finally, Melody flipped to the last pages, ending her singular duet, with perfect harmonic trills. Silence reigned over the room as she sat back, barely able to reflect over what had just happened. "This... this is... oh my gosh. Binary, you're a genius." "I know." Binary blinked. "W-wait, you mean as far as music goes? Are you kidding me? I told you can't even play the stuff-" "You're seriously a genius!" Melody jumped off of her piano stool, cutting Binary off with a huge hug. "Don't you see? So much of music can usually only be played one way. The way the composer intended. At least that's what I thought. Try to follow the beats, the notes, the measures. Try to keep up, try again if you can't. But this..." She gestured towards the two sheets. "Gosh, I had no idea how well some music just goes together. And it's just like you were saying: when you put them together, it's like a whole other song in itself. A whole other song to explore." She let go of Binary, but still looked back at her, her face full of hope and wonderment. "I-I've always wanted to compose, Binary. I think you just provided my first step into that world. Thank you. Thank you so much, I..." She sniffled. Binary wiped away at Melody's eyes before any tears could leave them. "Whoa, hey, it's all right. If it makes you feel any better, I... didn't think it'd work this well either. It was like you were saying--it was supposed to be for silly fun. Messing with combinations is how I got myself through math feeling too restrictive sometimes." "Well, now you know it works for other things. I'm living proof." The two sat on the piano stool together. "You wanna see how I do it?" Binary's smile was as big as the sun. "The Princess herself couldn't stop me." Melody shivered. "Something wrong?" Binary asked. Melody shook her head. "No, I just... interesting choice of words, that's all. Come on, follow my lead, okay?" --- Week 4 Tuesday The second Melody opened her door, Binary bowled her over running inside. "Melody! Guess what?" On the floor, Melody groaned and rubbed her head. "You joined the track team?" "I don't think we have one of those... yikes! Sorry, girl!" Binary extended a hoof to help Melody up. "The school's having a talent show! I looked over the entry lists and you know what they don't have a whole bunch of? Musicians! So I signed us both up." Melody blinked. "You did what?" "I know, I know. It means you might have to leave the house. But think about it. It means you get to play in front of so many more ponies!" "An audience?" Melody's eyes lit up momentarily, before her face was overwritten with fear. "What if they don't like me?" "Not an issue." Binary rolled her eyes. "Sometimes it seems like school doesn't like anypony, but don't worry. You bring your skills, they'll give you your due, and if it's one thing you've got, it's skills. I believe in you, Mel." Melody relaxed. "Thanks, Binary. I..." Binary outstretched her forelegs and Melody allowed herself to be wrapped in them. "...just thanks." "It's what I'm here for. But hey. Just in case you don't believe me, I'll prove it! Be here tomorrow. Play like you did the day you met me. Got it?" Melody nodded. "I'll do my best." --- Week 4 Wednesday Exactly one day later, Moondancer's crowd joined Binary inside Melody's house. "She's amazing." "She's awesome." "I totally quit my piano lessons. So this is what it sounds like?" "I've always hated saying this, Binary, but you're right." "Ha! See? What'd I tell you?" The song finished, and the fillies rushed up to Melody, drowning her in chatter until Moondancer swiped her hoof across the air. "See, Melody?" said Binary. "I told you they'd say the same things I did!" Moondancer gave several boisterous nods. "You are going to be at the talent show, right, Melody? I mean, you're a shoo-in. You've got actual talent. I've checked out most of the other entrants, and let's face it. Our school's full of... well, nerds. Lame nerds. Um, present company excluded, of course." "But I don't even go to your school," Melody said. "Not a problem! I can get you in if you're with me. And being awesome at the talent show is a perfect way for both of us to break the ice! You'll make tons more friends!" Binary grasped Melody's forehooves. "Come on, girl. What do you say?" "I... um..." Melody looked around at the smiling fillies. "Oh, very well." A short, whoop-laden celebration followed. "It's a week and a half from now," said Moondancer, giving Melody a small pamphlet. "Binary should be able to handle the details. All you've got to do is play like that. Got it?" "Y-yes," Melody said, waving the other ponies out. "Thank you." Once she was alone with Binary, however, her worried look returned. "Yes!" an oblivious Binary squealed. "You are the best friend ever! Well, you already were, but this clinches it! Show night is going to be an awesome night! Totally filled with star power, too! I've heard Princess Celestia and her number-one student Twilight Sparkle will both be there to judge, and-" She finally noticed Melody's pained stare. "Huh? What's wrong?" Melody trembled. "A-all these ponies. You talking about me leaving this place, going to school... it's just all too much at once. I know what I just agreed to, but I'm not sure I can, Binary, I-" "If this is about being afraid to perform in front of others," said Binary, "I can help you with that. I give presentations all the time in class. You just have to-" Melody shook her head. "It's not that! I just... I-I'm sorry." She gestured towards the door. "Please. I have to be alone." "Huh? Why?" Melody herded Binary towards and out the front door as quickly as she was able. "Because I can't be with other ponies right now. Not even you. Go!" "What the... c'mon, Mel, wait! You're being nuts here! We can talk this ou-" The door was closed in her face. --- Week 5 Saturday The next day Binary went to visit Melody, she wasn't there. Another day followed with the same result. After five days of no-shows, even over the weekend, Binary had given up, convinced that she'd blown the only friendship she'd ever had. School days went slower. The other girls always seemed happier, just to spite her. Even math problems stopped being fun. She stopped listening to music. And after a long, excruciating week, here she was, on the morning of the talent show. In less than twelve hours she'd be performing one-half of a duet. The much less talented half, her mind told herself. She fully agreed. She sat on her bed in her room, pity party in full swing, when her mother called from downstairs. She hurried down to see Free Style and an older unicorn couple she'd never seen before. "Sweetie, this is Sky High and Earth Bound," Free Style said, pointing to the mare and stallion respectively. "They want to talk to you." "It's about our daughter, Melody," Sky High said. Binary immediately gasped. "Oh my gosh! Is she okay?" Earth Bound replied without answering the question. "First, we want to apologize for Melody's behavior and disappearance as of late." Binary shook her head. "No, I'm sorry. I think I pressured her into something she wasn't too sure about. How is she? I haven't seen her since last week and I'm worried. Seriously, is she all right? And do you think she'll be able to join me tonight?" "Hold on, little one. One question at a time. Though before we answer any of them," Sky High said, "I'm sure you've noticed our daughter is... a little special. And since you and she hit it off so well it might be high time you knew the whole story." "The whole story?" Free Style said, then turned to Binary. "There's nothing you've been keeping from me about Melody, is there?" Binary shook her head again. "You know as much as I do, Mom." Free Style turned to the couple. "Perhaps you should explain everything, then." "Gladly." Sky High's horn glowed, and an image appeared in front of them--a girl's bedroom, filled with stuffed animals and classical concert posters. The sight looked completely normal, except for its centerpiece: a unicorn filly, eyes closed in her bed, barely moving, barely breathing, and certainly not looking as if she were enjoying herself. Binary's eyes widened. "Is that..." Earth Bound nodded. "Magical Melody, yes." He sighed. "And that's also where she's been for the last two years."