//------------------------------//
// Only Time For Magic 
// Story: The Band 
// by Ben Matthews 
//------------------------------//

	The band stands outside the hotel, watching a colorful wagon go by. pulled by a blue coated unicorn. Then stops in the hotel's small parking lot.  As the mare unhitches herself from her wagon, she spots  the band watching.  Then rears up on her hind legs, stretching  her forelegs up and out in the air. "The Great and Powerful Trixie has arrived! Come watch the most powerful unicorn in Equestria perform for you tonight."

Sweetie Belle just rolls her eyes; As boastful as Rarity said she was. Then shrugged her shoulders. Unlike her sister, Sweetie knew you needed to have a bit of an ego in order to be on stage. And boasting is quite alright; As long as you can back it up. if necessary.
Wild Rover simply stares at the new arrival in a complete daze.
Vinyl Scratch yells "Yo Rover, don't go all wild on her.. She's not all that great, or powerful."

Later that day, The Band runs through a practice session.



The band notices the extra passion Wild Rover puts into the song, and begin to wonder who it was about.
With no pressing need, and a bit of boredom, Trixie Lulamoon watches them play, An idea begins to form. and as they take a break, the showmare approaches them.
"The Great and Powerful Trixie has a excellent proposal for you. How about joining my act? We'll call it "Trixie and The Band"
For a minute or two, the band stares at the stage magician in stunned silence.

"Despite our growing success, we can't go any lower with her; We have no class to begin with." comments Octavia.
Vinyl adds, "We could use a bit of sound and light for our show. But the decision is up to you, Sweetie."
Lyra and Rover are silent, for different reasons. The green unicorn has no real opinion, one way or the other. The black coated pegasus on the other hoof is smitten with this brash pony.

Sweetie Belle looks at her band, then at the showmare. "Okay, Trixie, you can join us, We could use your talents and experience, especial when we go on the road."
"Trixie accepts your part of the deal. But maybe Trixie should watch you perform live on stage first before making such a rash decision."

Later that night,The Band gives another small concert in Manehattan.
After some thinking before hand. Sweetie Belle sings the first song:



With Trixie in the audience, watching the show. Wild Rover sings the next song:



Princess Twilight Sparkle steps into the small theater , finally close to her goal; After having spotted  that poster when she first arrived in Manehattan.	 
Twilight Sparkle got closer to the stage as the band performed, but used the shadows and other ponies to stay out of sight as long as possible. When she got close enough to use a subtle detection spell on Sweetie Belle, the Element of Magic pulled the magical songbook out of her saddlebag. Then carefully compared the mystical signatures between the book and the singer. 
Twilight Sparkle nods to herself, just as she suspected; They matched! Sweetie Belle's talent seems so complex and powerful,  It's a wonder that the young singer wasn't a Princess of Music.

When the band finished the latest song, Twilight Sparkle steps out in front of the stage, "Hello Sweetie Belle, we need to talk."
Sweetie stays up on the stage. "Hello Princess, go ahead and talk."
"Sweetie, that song book you found has greatly effected you. I want to study what it did to you, and maybe reverse it."
Sweetie Belle takes a defiant stance, having no desire to be a subject of study. Besides, she has grown to like her special talent. No way was she going to loss this now, along with her cutie mark."No. I am staying with the band."
The band members quietly gather around her in support.

To everypony's  surprise, Trixie gets off her seat and approaches the stage, "The Great and Powerful Trixie with defend  the young singer from the Tyrant Princess Twilight Sparkle."

Twilight face hoofs, This is not going the way she planned. Then looks at Trixie Lulamoon, "What happened to the 'Great and Apologetic Trixie?'"
Trixie flashes a brief apologetic smile, "Still working on that."
Vinyl Scratch steps in front of Sweetie Belle and addresses the Princess,"Why don't Trixie and me study Sweetie while on tour with the band. My knowledge of  music, combined with Trixie's own magical experience; we can keep a good eye on her. "

Twilight thinks for a minute, and then nods. "Deal. As long as I receive regular reports."
The stage magician looked stunned for a moment, then smiles broadly. "The Great and Powerful Trixie would gladly help. Especially when it will improve the act, Trixie and The Band."
Sweetie Belle breathes a sigh of relief, then glares at Trixie, "Okay,  Trixie; time to see if your magic can match the music."