//------------------------------//
// The Basement Tapes 
// Story: The Band 
// by Ben Matthews 
//------------------------------//

Bang The Drum

The next day, before heading to Octavia and Vinyl's home, Sweetie Belle decided to check the Cutie Mark Crusaders' clubhouse. "Scootaloo, there you are! I have been looking all over for you yesterday. Guess what?" The unicorn flashes her flank at her pegasus friend.

"Awesome! We all got our cutie marks now. No more putting up with being called blank flanks." Then her smile turned  into a frown. "But that won't stop those two from bugging the hay out of us."

Sweetie knew who she meant. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. She changed the subject as she looked around the room. "What's with the musical instruments?" In a slight daze,  she picked up a guitar with her magic.

"Oh, just figuring out what to keep and what to throw out now that we all got our cutie marks." Scootaloo slid in behind the drum set, intending to bang out some frustrations picked up over the past few days despite achieving her goals: Getting her cutie mark, and the ability to finally fly right was awesome. But, what to do next?



Apple Bloom entered the clubhouse and blinked as what looked like a magic field fading away, "What the hay?! I must be seeing things. I think the paint fumes maybe still lingering."
Both her friends shake their heads as it they were just waking up.

"Hi Apple Bloom!" Sweetie Belle smiles warmly as she puts down the guitar. "Glad you are here. What should we do now that the purpose of the Cutie Mark Crusaders have been achieved?"

Apple Bloom sat down, "Applejack suggested we help other colts and fillies to get their cutie marks; And since we are the last ones in school to get ours; It won't be until next school year before we do that."

Scootaloo nodded in agreement. "Yeah, except for Bab Seeds in Manehatten, we are pretty much done. Unless we fail, we graduate from school at the end of the year."

Sweetie Belle looks at the clock on the wall. "Geez, I'm going to be late for the audition! Scoots, can you take me and Bloom to Octavia and Vinyl's home in the wagon?"

"Sure but why all of us?"

"I want my friends there" Sweetie answered with a nervous smile.

The Audition 

In the wagon being pulled	by Scootaloo o her scooter.  Sweetie Belle yells, "Scootaloo, wait, Stop!"

The pegasus almost crashes the scooter and wagon when "slamming on the brakes". She looks back at the wagon wondering what the problem was. She spots Button Mash as Sweetie Belle jumps out the wagon to greet the young colt. "Oh, more mush, Yuck!" 

Apple Bloom admonishes her tomboyish  friend, "Don't knock it. there is one for  you out there."

"I do hope.." Quickly adds "not" to cover up a growing yearning.

"Hey Button, Can you join me and the rest of the crusaders at Octavia and Vinyl's place? Please." giving her boyfriend, an inviting smile.

Button Mash thinks for a moment "Since I'm not really doing anything, okay." 

Sweetie's smile grows into a grin."Thank You."

Button yells back at the house "MOM! I will be with Sweetie Belle and her friends at Octavia's"
"Alright dear; Have fun!"
Button Mash and the Crusaders take a short walk, the rest of the way.

Sweetie Belle knocks on the door to Octavia and Vinyl's residence.
Octavia opens the door, "Hello. I see you made it." Looking over Sweetie's shoulder "Along with your friends. Do come in."
Button Mash and The Cutie Mark Crusaders filed in passed Octavia. "Everyone is down in the basement. Where Vinyl has a small recording booth set up."

Scootaloo looked around the tiny room. "Wow, this place is small, and crowded." Along with the owners, Octavia and Vinyl, there was also Bon Bon, and Lyra in the room. Making a total of eight ponies in this cramped quarters. 

"Yeah, but it does make for some interesting sounds" explained Vinyl Scratch. "Okay, Sweetie Belle, Is it?"  The DJ sees her nod yes. "Anytime you're ready,"

Sweetie Belle steps in front of a microphone. Glances at Button briefly, then closes her eyes a moment as she takes a breath. Magic from her horn subtly slipping in everywhere.



Apple Bloom stares at her friend in astonishment "That is some fancy singing,"

"Oh yeah, quite cool to hear." Vinyl looks over her equipment and around the room; Then lifts the shades from her eyes and looks at Sweetie Belle with slight suspicion "Okay, let's try something with a little more pizazz."

Sweetie Belle gives a nervous nod, then closes her eyes as she takes a calming breath. Her horn really lights up as she opens her eyes, staring straight at Button Mash.



There is a moment of complete silence as Sweetie Belle lays flat out on the floor in exhaustion. Then everyone else cheers and stomp their hooves loudly.
Then reluctantly, Octavia slowly raises a hoof as if in school. "Why would she need us if she can do something like this?"

Vinyl looks over Sweetie Belle as her young friends gather around in congratulations, and a little concern."I suspect that more actual instruments and voices involved, the easier it is for her special talent to pull off this sort of stunt on a regular basis."

Lyra Heartstrings, a fellow unicorn nods in agreement. "Magic may make things look easy for us. But there is some mental strain just to move stuff. Then there is even physical strain when lots  of magic is involved. That singer almost suffered mystical burnout."