//------------------------------// // Wild Purple One // Story: The Band // by Ben Matthews //------------------------------// Midnight Train to Manehatten The band members looked out the windows as the train pulled into Manehattan's Grand Central Station. "Thank you, Sweetie. You live up to your name." Lyra Heartstrings was nowhere near exuberant, But, for the moment, she was no longer crying her eyes out, either. "Eh, All I did was lend you my ear and shoulder." Sweetie looks at Octavia Melody and Vinyl Scratch sitting together. "Any idea where we will be staying?" "Uhhh. Not sure at the moment.Too many ponies, and not enough couches." "Vinyl Scratch! You mean to tell us that you never booked any hotel rooms?" The DJ shrugs. "Nope, I thought somepony else would take care of lodgings". Octavia face hoofs, and sighs, "Well, this trip is off to a lovely start!" Sweetie Belle started to get a bit worried. She was having second thoughts about this trip. "How many bits do we all have? If we have to, we can sing for our supper." Octavia gave Sweetie Belle a reassuring smile:"Manehattan is a tough city, but there is enough bright spots to make it worthwhile. If I have to, I'll use my cello to keep ponies in line; Starting with Vinyl." "Hay, no need for that!" After lugging their luggage all over the city in search of a place to stay. "Well, its better then sleeping out on the streets," Vinyl shudders as the band looks at the run down hotel. The DJ admits to having low standards; But she still had some.: The Band visits a nearby music store. Inside, Sweetie and Vinyl drifted over to the more modern instruments, The DJ lingers over several electronic keyboards. Then glances at the younger unicorn, and raises an eyebrow. "You're glowing." "Oh.uhm. " closing her eyes for a moment. "Something tells me you should play." "Alright. We are going to talk about this later." Vinyl Scratch stood over a keyboard that somehow felt right. and her own horn lights up as she feels Sweetie Belle's magic seep into her. "That was frighteningly cool.We should collaborate more often. My mad skills and your valuable voice will blow everypony away." Lyra and and Octavia wanders in. "No skills, Vinyl, just madness." "Get with the times, 'Tavi; Metal masters wood." Sweetie Belle looks at Lyra. "Do they always fight?" Lyra just grins, "Pretty much. Gets the creative juices flowing, I suppose. If the variety of insults are any indication, Metal, nah. I like to have wood." "Why don't we check out the competition?" asks Sweetie Belle. while pointing at a poster advertising a music concert. "If there is free food to go with the free show, I'm in." says Vinyl, "Forget food, I want free drinks!" Octavia shakes her head at the antics of Lyra and Vinyl. "I suppose we will all go; I got nothing better to do." A Wild Concert Near the front of the stage, the band waits for the show to start. "I wonder how good this Wild Rover is?" inquires Sweetie, A black coated pegasus with silver mane and tail trots onto the stage; followed by three other ponies, one of each race. Vinyl Scratch lifts her shades up for a moment. "A beer mug and electronic guitar for a cutie mark? This could get interesting. Probably a drunken disaster." "Hello, I'm Wild Rover; And hopefully, it will not take a long time for all of us to have a good time!" Wild Rover picks up a banjo for the next song. Octavia shakes her head slightly "What an ego." "If what my sister, Rarity, told me, Not as big as that showmare that visited Ponyville a couple of times. I think her name was Trixie." "You got to admit, the tunes are kinda catchy. " admits Vinyl. "Not the usual stuff I listen to," "Oh a nice looking stallion too." "Lyra! Shhh, Not so loud!" Sweetie Belle smiles in agreement, along with the rest of the band. But silently hoping that this is not the start of Lyra's rebound from Bon Bon. Lyra Heartstrings begins to get her old grin back. "That sounds like an impressive pony. Sweetie Belle nods in agreement, "That could be a great cutie mark story. Would have been really nice to have heard it long before now," "Okay, enough stroking my own ego," grins Wild Rover unrepentantly, "I'm going to stroke some serious strings instead." "Excuse me while I kiss this guy." "Vinyl! That was not how the lyrics went." "True Octy, But talent like that deserves a reward," Lyra bounces up and down, "I saw him first. so I get to kiss him instead." "Girls! Enough. "Sweetie stomps a hoof on the ground, hard. "We will all meet him back stage. I am getting an idea." "Whoa, who knew you were such a party animal?!" Sweetie Belle shakes her head, feeling her face getting warm "No, Vinyl. At least, not yet. Business before pleasure." Sweetie Belle leads the rest of band backstage after the show; in the search of Wild Rover. "Ah, there you are. Can we talk? And before you get any ideas, this is strictly business." Wild Rover looks at the mares, and nods."Sure, I can spare a few minutes." A grin begins to grow. " and maybe a few hours, if things go well." Sweetie Belle says. "We would like you to join our band..." Then with insistence. "Professionally." "Since I am in a kinda of rut at the moment, and need to expand my musical horizons. I would gladly accept your invitation." Smiling, "You seem to be in charge; for such a young mare." Sweetie Belle blinks in surprise. "I am?!" Looks at the rest of the band, all of whom shrug their shoulders. "You kinda fell into it," explains Vinyl Scratch, and grins. "Besides, you know when to put your hoof down. Can't let 'Tavi here have all the fun in taming us." Winks, good naturally. Meanwhile, back in Ponyville... "Twilight, dear. Do calm down. There is no need for you to be so...." Rarity stalls, trying to come up with the perfect word to describe Princess Twilight Sparkle's current state. Sighs. giving up. "Sweetie Belle maybe trouble; Especially with the rest of the terrible trio known as the Cutie Mark Crusaders. I doubt very much that my sister is in serious trouble. She is with Octavia." Then Rarity begins to whimper, "The only mature pony with her...Maybe you're right to panic. What was she thinking? Leaving like that?!" From above the room, Rainbow Dash pipes in "Hay, what's the big deal? It' s just a book. A silly song book at that." Princess Twilight Sparkle glares up at her loyal pegasus friend, :"It's not just any book. It has the same signature as that comic book Spike had. I am sure of it, If only the blasted thing didn't disappear on us. I would be able to run a comparison." "Easy sugar cube, just take the songbook to wherever Sweetie Belle is." "That's it! Thanks Applejack. You're always the sensible one here." "Aww shucks; Just being practical." Twilight sighs, :"If only Apple Bloom and Scootaloo had found that book sooner" Then looks up and round the room, with renewed determination."Spike! Take a letter..." "Dear Princess Celestia: I may have found the reason for Sweetie Belle's sudden and immense magical ability. Thanks to the rest of the Cutie Mark Crusaders for finding it. This song book has a similar signature as the comic book that turned us into Power Ponies. Unfortunately, a comparison is unlikely due to the comic book's disappearance. I intend track down Sweetie Belle and try to match energy signatures between the young filly, and the songbook. Signed, Still your faithful student, Princess Twilight Sparkle"