Twist stood behind the stage curtains, breathing slowly. Her body was itching in the red and white striped mini dress that hugged her body. She took a step forward and accidentally toppled, falling to the wooden floor.
"Curse these high heels," Twist whispered before getting to her hooves. She was going to be fourth to go and showcase her talent.
They had already trotted down the runway once as the show opener so everypony could see who was contending.
Twist eyed the last contestant, who was a "dark horse" if you will. He, yes he, was groaning as he tried to move in the tight froo froo dress that made his wings clasped to his back.
Twist had heard Rumble had lost a big bet with his older brother, Thunderlane, and had been forced to compete. The pageant was happy to have another contestant, no matter the gender of it.
She watched as the first contestant, Cotton Cloudy, stumbled out onto the stage, barley keeping her footing. She then surged to the center stage, her small muscles flexing under what she wore, a very tight rainbow whole body leotard.
She flipped and ducked, her two rainbow flags twirling and swirling in the air around her. A few times earl yon she tripped up, stumbling for a second before gracefully landing on her hooves.
All the other contestants were watching this through a small gap in the curtains that was hidden from the audience. All but one was missing.
Diamond Tiara.
Suddenly the filly came barreling down the steps that led up to the upper catwalks that the lights hung from. Diamond was out of breath and pushed her way to the front of the small group of contestants to peek through the whole. She was smiling manically as she watched the little white filly dance and twirl.
Soon, the dance number started to come to an end. Cotton Cloudy's movements became slower and then faster, more complicated for the grand finale.
Suddenly cries could be heard form the catwalks as a giant spotlight swung free from its hinges that held it to the metal catwalk. It plummeted towards the little dancing filly, who was oblivious of the ball of metal danger hurtling towards her.
Cotton Cloudy looked up to see the catwalk only seconds away from crashing into her. She attempted to leap out of the way, but her back legs were caught under it. The crunching of bone could be heard as mane raising screams echoed throughout the outdoor auditorium that had been erected outside Twilight's castle.
Medics quickly took onto the stage, fixing a gas mask across the screeching filly's muzzle, putting her to sleep. They then quickly wrapped her legs in a weak cast that would hold until they made it until the hospital.
The medics loaded her onto a carriage, tying her down on a small rolling cot. Her parents and family climbed aboard the vehicle. Then the ambulance was off, its sirens wailing as it disappeared down the street.
Twist was scared to go out on the stage. Her body shook as she watched her best friend Zipporwhil take the stage, opening a small blue cage that held her puppies, Paw and Print.
Zipporwhil speedily set up various obstacles and began leading her dogs through them. She kept glancing up at the sky, as if expecting another stage light to topple from the rafters.
While Zipporwhil continued her performance, a discussion broke out between Rarity and the rest of the Mane Six.
"WE need to shut this down NOW! ' Twilight whispered harshly. "We can't have fillies getting hurt and possibly dying left and right."
"It was probably just a coincidence, Twilight. Just cool down," Rainbow said.
"Ah agree with Twilight. My sis is up onen that stage, an ah don't wanna risk her life just for a lousy pile of bits," Applejack countered.
"BUT WHO WANTS TO END SUCH A FUN PARTY?" Pinkie shouted.
"Uh-uh I don't really care as long as no one else gets hurt..." Fluttershy squeaked.
"I'm on the fence. I was the one who came up with this in the first place, and I love pageants. But my sister is up there. I don't want her to die!" Rarity exclaimed.
But the six returned their attention back to the stage. Zipporwhil had left a long time ago and Archer was currently shooting her bow at a target several feet away.
They began to quietly discuss once again when Archer left the stage, beaming.
Twist watched Archer retreat back to the group of contestants. Twist breathed slowly as she moved onto the stage. She began to sweat.
Twist watched a yellow unicorn mare quickly place a microphone on the stage before cantering into the shadows.
Twist took the microphone between her front hooves and spoke.
"Today I will be singing a song I wrote myself."
She took a deep breath and scanned the crowd. They looked up at her expectantly, eyes shining as they waited for her serenade.
She gulped and began to sing.
"My jasmine
Left me lonnnnnnnnnnnnnng agoooooho."
The ponies in the crowd had their eyes open wide at her tone, scratchy but elegant.
"My lily
She floated away
Deeeeep into the ponnnnnnnnnnnnnnd.
My jasmine, she left me lonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnng agoooooooooho.
I ain't heard from her
No, ain't any more."
Twist was in the groove now. She ripped the microphone from its stand and began to saunter around the stage while she sang.
"MY-Y-Y-Y JASMIIIINNNNNNNNE!
SHE-she left me long agooooooooho.
My Jasmine-ine.
Loooooooooooooooooooooooong gone.
WHO who who whooooooooooooooo.
WHERE HAS MY JASMINE JASMINE GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONE?"
The last notes cut through the air like a keen, sharp blade.
Twist scanned the crowd. Noponyw as clopping their hooves together. No one had liked it.
She began to sulk off the stage, starting to drown in her melancholy, when a sea of hoof clops sounded behind her. She turned around to see every pony there on their hooves clopping for her.
She smiled so wide hat her face almost split in half.
This is the best day ever! Twist thought.
===
Diamond Tiara grunted behind stage.
"That Twist is a problem. To bad I can't get rid of her until later on for my plan to work. Meh, I could actually probably get her out now. But I'll torment her, save her demise for a bit later."
DT then began to hysterically cackle in her backstage room.
Her dad then poked his head in the room.
"Hows my little evil cackling empress? Ready to hurt some more ponies so you can have even more bits?"
"Good daddy. Now go away before you meet your demise! HAHAHAHAHAHA!" DT then pulled out a wicked sword and pointed it at her father, who quickly made his leave, slamming the door shut behind him.