//------------------------------// // Chapter 17 // Story: The Inheritors of Friendship // by NgKQ //------------------------------// “I was wondering how we’ve been doing so far,” said Raisin before they started practicing. “We’re doing well all the way,” said Peanut. “I can say, I’m feeling confident towards myself,” said Chaos. “Time flies and we’ve been practicing until it’s a week until the competition!” “Totally agree, Chaos,” replied Thunder. “I’m almost like the feeling when the Cutie Mark Crusaders won a talent show years ago. I’d loved Scootaloo’s singing.” “Oh gosh, I can’t wait to see Sapphire Shores face to face!” cried Pizza. “You’re always excited for Sapphire, eh, kid?” teased Peanut. “Well anyway, who’s coming to cheer us?” asked Prudence. “I’m afraid we’ll get over-excited.” “Don’t worry, our friends are coming to cheer us,” assured Pepper. “There’s no way they’ll leave us alone! Besides, Platinum has agreed to design our band outfits.” “Then we’ll look awesome!” cried Pizza. “*sigh* I wished that it just happened,” said Thunder. “I’d wanna be famous now.” “We’ll see about that,” said Peanut. At Canterlot, on the day of the competition. The band was at the backstage, making their final checks. “Strings, check. Beat, check. Keys, check. Clashing, check. All right, everything’s perfect!” beamed Pepper after checking the instruments. “Hope that nothing goes wrong here,” said Chaos. All of a sudden, the music that was playing ended and Sapphire Shores spoke. “You performed well, but I didn’t feel that was quite catchy. So, very sorry. You’re under my expectations.” “Oh, no,” gasped Pizza. “After one more performance it’s our turn already!” “We’d better try not to make something embarrassing. Otherwise all our efforts are for nothing and we’ll be added to the list. I can hear almost half of the participants eliminated already!” said Raisin. “Hey, Thunder, can you go check out the audience?” requested Peanut. “Righty!” In a second, he was gone. He came back about half a minute later. “Looks like all of our friends are there. I think I can see Orion as well,” reported Thunder. “What? Orion is here, too?” asked Chaos with shock. “This explains the commotion here earlier,” said Prudence. “Did he request a day off from Princess Celestia?” “Not sure,” said Pepper. “Maybe he’ll see us later.” At that moment, Melody entered the backstage with Twilight. “I hope you all are confident enough,” said Twilight. “Break a leg, pals,” encouraged Melody. “Oh, gee, thanks so much you two!” cried Pizza, bowing to them, making mother and daughter giggle. “Which reminds me, why is Orion here?” asked Chaos. “Oh, he just got a day off,” replied Melody. “Working shifts, you know.” “Now that explains it,” said Peanut. “Okay, I’m not gonna disturb you further. Just keep calm and do well,” said Twilight before she and Melody returned to their seats. “Did you hear that? They’re done performing!” said Pepper after the music stopped. “Another one again,” said Raisin after Sapphire made her remarks. “Please, we wanna be the best!” prayed Pizza. Then, an announcement sounded, signifying that it was their turn. The band members carried their instruments anxiously onto the stage. When the audience saw them, they cheered. Sapphire Shores was seated with two other judges. “I can’t imagine if I were my mom,” whispered Chaos. “She used to have stage frights!” “So,” began Sapphire Shores when the band took their positions. “You’re the Neo-Generation Friendship Band, huh?” “Yep! For short, the NGFB!” answered Pizza. “Oh, I see. So you must be some of the kids of the representatives of the Elements of Harmony, huh? Wanna sing something to be done with a tale or something?” The audience laughed. “Well…” thought Pepper. “Never mind, just kidding. Anyway, do you have what it takes?” “Yes, madam!” shouted Peanut. “OK then, go ahead.” After that, Peanut, strumming his electronic guitar, began the intro verse. Standing right here, we’re of different races, Of different beliefs, of different ages; Yet right here, we dream of the same dream, And fight for the goal we badly wanted to achieve. As the band started the music, the audience gave an instant applaud. Then, Pizza sang. Born as a fluffy little filly, You’re never abandoned to somewhere chilly; Still, there’s that something in your life, Wisdom – that is, you’ll never stop to strive. Prudence then took into the second verse. It’s like those fillies before us, That faced their problems with most earnest; For they believe that if they fall and stop, They wouldn’t get to that dazzling shiny mountaintop. It was when then all members went into the chorus. It’s the spirit of friendship that makes our day, Like the feeling when you’ve got heaps and heaps of hay; Come and share this wondrous magical moment today, For it’s all the smiles and laughs that make you gay. After twenty seconds of music, Pizza sang the first verse again, followed by Prudence, and then the chorus. Just after the second chorus, Pizza and Prudence took turns singing each line of the bridge before singing together the final line of the bridge. It’s true that you’ll meet days that are upside-down, But at that time, you have to remember, Loyalty, generosity, kindness, honesty and laughter, And it’s these magic that makes your day! After singing the chorus twice for the final time, they struck their final pose. “Uh, did they like it?” asked Chaos. For a second, there was silence. Then, they could see Orion clapping his hooves before the whole audience followed suit and cheered with shouts of encores. All seven had smiles on their faces. “Wow, that was amazing,” said Sapphire Shores once the applaud died down. “I have to say, your performance has met most of the criteria required. Your pose, your style, your stamina, and your way of letting your feelings out during the performance. In fact, I have never come across a band as good as you all.” “So, what do you say?” asked Pepper. “The result is,” announced Sapphire. “I give you all a ‘yes’.” She showed them a card bearing the number 10. The other two judges followed suit. As the audience cheered another time, all band members hugged together. “Omigosh omigosh omigosh!” exclaimed Thunder. “We did it. We finally did it!” cried Pepper. After the prize-giving ceremony, the band stayed back to take some photos with those who went to watch the contest. “I’m quite proud of you all,” praised Cheese Sandwich. “Let’s party tonight!” said Pinkie Pie. Orion Galaxy approached them a while later. “I’m pretty amazed on how you did today,” praised Orion. “It doesn’t matter,” replied Raisin. “All credit goes to Pepper and her brothers,” added Chaos. “They’re the ones who started it.” “Oh, really?” He turned to the siblings. “Now you’re gonna make yourselves famous to Equestria!” “We’d love to!” said Peanut. “Uh, well, I wanna ask you something: Can I join your band?” “Join us?” asked Thunder. “But you need to serve under Princess Celestia! You can’t neglect your duty!” “It’s okay, I can be a part-time member as well. Honestly, I’m not good at one of those instruments you’re playing, but I just wish that I can do the singing part. Is that okay?” “Well…” said Pepper. “If that’s the case, you’re welcome!” “Welcome to our number eight member Orion Galaxy!” exclaimed Pizza out of a sudden, pulling out party poppers. Orion just gave a shy squee. “You’re just beginning to raise your reputation within your stakes, huh?” teased Melody. “Oh come on!” “So you’re the band that I came across earlier!” Sapphire Shores appeared behind them, sending the friends to a jump. “It’s Sapphire Shores!” cried Prudence. “Sapphire Shores,” Suddenly Pizza appeared before her and bowed down to her. “I’ve been your greatest fan since I was a foal and I just can’t believe that I’m meeting you face-to-face today!” “Oh, really?” gasped Sapphire. “Sapphire Shores,” confessed Pizza, at the same time producing a pen and a cardboard paper he had been keeping from the time he and his friends left for Canterlot. “May I have your autograph?” Sapphire Shores paused for a moment. “Oh my, I didn’t think…” She took the pen and drew her signature on the cardboard. As she finished, everyone cheered. “Thanks. I love you!” Pizza jumped up and hugged her. “Oh, there you are,” Sapphire Shores noticed Rarity among the group. “Fancy seeing you judging my daughter and her friends’ performance!” complimented Rarity. “And I’m surprised you turned up to support her as well.” “Well then,” said Peanut. “Since my kid brother has his dream fulfilled, shall we have a group photo with Sapphire Shores?” “Alright! Let’s do it!”