The nine teenagers, along with the ten year old filly, finally having their fill of fried pickles (Sweet Heart having to pull Stone Brook away from the pickle stand after his third basket), slowly walked down to the town square. Celestia’s sun had not yet fully set and the late afternoon sky was beginning to become an array of gorgeous pink, orange, red and purple, Luna’s stars just starting to twinkle, ready for the night to come.
The stage in front of town hall had the curtains drawn. The Delegates would be the first band of the night. They were the most anticipated act, even by the other bands and soloists, which included the famous DJ PON3.
Amethyst and Lightning Strike met up with Junie, Sea, Bolt and the rest of the group in front of the stage. The Mane Six also arrived soon, Twilight taking a spot beside Sea Breeze.
“Hey, Twi!” Sea grinned happily, giving her foalhood friend a hug.
“Great night for a concert, right?” the alicorn smiled. Sea nodded excitedly.
On her other side, Bolt was quivering more than Pinkie Pie on a sugar rush. It wasn’t a secret that the brown pegasus’ favorite band was The Delegates and this would be his first time seeing them perform live. Sea leaned into him and whispered in his ear.
“I hope you’re this excited when I perform,” she said jokingly.
“Uh-huh, yeah,” Bolt responded absent mindedly. Sea rolled her eyes, smiling and giggling at her coltfriend. She placed a quick kiss on his cheek, making the colt flinch.
“Gah!” Bolt sidestepped and looked down at Sea, who was trying to conceal her giggling. “You think that’s funny, huh?” Sea nodded, letting out a few laughs. Bolt loved her laugh. He smiled and bent to kiss her lightly on the lips.
“Ugh. Enough of the PDA,” Lightning Strike groaned and shielded his eyes.
“But they’re so cute!” Rarity gushed.
“I’m with Striker, Rares. Get a room, you two,” Rainbow Dash said from above.
“Oh, lay off, Rainbow. We all know that ya got eyes on a certain Wonderbolt,” Applejack smirked. Rainbow stared slack jawed at the farmer pony.
“Eeeaaaeeee,” was all the sound Dash could make. Twilight leaned over to Applejack. “I think you broke her, AJ,” the alicorn giggled. Applejack was trying to hold back her laughter, failing horribly. Rainbow Dash shook her head, a light blush on her cheeks. The pegasus huffed and glared at her farmer friend and landed beside Fluttershy.
“Hey, guys! It’s starting!” Phoenix said from beside Sweet Heart. Everypony in town square and beyond immediately quieted as smoke began to accumulate around the stage.
The curtain was pulled back to reveal the five stallions. Bass at his drums, Step Beat with the bass guitar, Rhythm had his favorite guitar, Rock Blues was at the keyboard and center stage stood Eight Note with a microphone, his usual black sunglasses perched over his eyes.
Bass started on the drums, Rhythm falling in behind with a few strings on his guitar. Blues hit a few notes on the keyboard, Rhythm once more playing his guitar.
Eight sung the first lines of the song:
I can feel it coming in the air tonight, oh Lord
And I've been waiting for this moment for all my life, oh Lord
Can you feel it coming in the air tonight, oh Lord?
Oh Lord
Well, if you told me you were drowning
I would not lend a hand
I've seen your face before my friend
But I don't know if you know who I am
The crowd stayed silent in total awe as the red stallion sang. Eight Note continued on with the next few verses.
Well, I was there and I saw what you did
I saw it with my own two eyes
So you can wipe off that grin, I know where you've been
It's all been a pack of lies
Sea softly sang along. Bolt heard her and smiled down at his marefriend.
Well, I remember, I remember, don't worry (worry, worry, worry)
How could I ever forget?
It's the first time, the last time
We ever met (met, met, met)
But I know the reason why you keep your silence
No, you don't fool me
Well, the hurt doesn't show, but the pain still grows
It's no stranger to you and me
As Bass went into the drum solo of the song, the crowd went wild. Rhythm began playing his guitar and Step Beat the bass guitar.
I can feel it coming in the air tonight, oh Lord
Well, I've been waiting for this moment for all my life, oh Lord
I can feel it in the air tonight, oh Lord, oh Lord
Well, I've been waiting for this moment for all my life, oh Lord
All the citizens and out-of-towners began singing along as well.
I can feel it in the air tonight, oh Lord, oh Lord, oh Lord, oh Lord
Well, I've been waiting for this moment for all my life, oh Lord.
I can feel it in the air tonight, oh Lord (oh Lord, oh Lord)
The legendary song ended. The entirety of Ponyville didn’t calm throughout the rest of the song. Eight Note smiled as his ears picked up the shouts his and his friend’s fans. He lifted up his hoof and motioned for everypony to settle down. Several minutes went by before everypony ended their shouts and hollers.
“GOOD EVENING PONYVILLE!” Eight shouted in the microphone, once more causing the town square to erupt. He chuckled happily and turned to his band mates. Even though he couldn’t see them, he knew that they too were smiling. Soon the audience settled once more.
“We are so glad to be here tonight! We know that many of you traveled a long ways to come to this music festival in one of the friendliest towns in Equestria. But we aren’t the only acts of the night. We have everypony’s favorite DJ, DJ PON3!” Vinyl Scratch trotted out on stage, her trademark purple sunglasses perched on her muzzle.
“Also with us is Sapphire Shores!” the olive colored earth pony strode stylishly on stage and gave Eight a light kiss on his cheek. The red stallion’s ears went up and he shook his head. “Ah, Sapphire, you sly kitty. Better be glad my wife isn’t here.” Sapphire kissed his other cheek in response, causing the crowd to laugh. Eight cleared his throat as the Pony of Pop took her place beside Vinyl.
“Moving on. We have many other great ponies and bands backstage that are excited to perform for all of you tonight.” Sapphire Shores and DJ PON3 walked off stage. “There is also going to be a singing competition. I was told not show any favorites, but there are two particularly great young mares that are going to competing. And I’m not saying that just because they are my honorary nieces.” Sea Breeze blushed slightly after hearing that.
“Now, there’s a whole lot of fun to be had, so on with the show!! But first, a song written for one of our close friends who is no longer with us,” At that Bass began a soft beat on the drums. Step Beat, Rhythm and Blues followed with their instruments.
“I know you all will recognize it. It’s a song of living every day as if it were your last,”
My best friend gave me the best advice
He said each day's a gift and not a given right
Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind
And try to take the path less traveled by
That first step you take is the longest stride
(Step Beat and Blues) What if, what if
If today was your last day and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
(Would you? Would You?)
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every bit you had?
(Would you? Would you?)
To everypony’s shock and amusement, Rarity began bouncing up and down and singing along. Noticing everypony’s stares, she stopped. “What?”
Against the grain should be a way of life
What's worth the price is always worth the fight
Every second counts 'cause there's no second try (try, try)
So live like you're never living twice
Don't take the free ride in your own life
(What if, What if)
If today was your last day and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
(Would you? Would you?)
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every bit you had?
(Would you? Would you?)
And would you call those friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories?
Would you forgive your enemies?
(Would you? Could you?)
And would you find that one you're dreaming of?
Swear up and down to Faust above
That you'd finally fall in love (finally fall in love)
If today was your last day
If today was your last day
Would you make your mark by mending a broken heart?
You know it's never too late to shoot for the stars
Regardless of who you are
So do whatever it takes
'Cause you can't rewind a moment in this life
Let nothing stand in your way
'Cause the hands of time are never on your side
If today was your last day and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Eight Beat paused, the rest of the group also pausing mid way. “Sing it, Ponyville!!” The entire town square erupted in song right where he left off.
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every bit you had
(Would you? Would you?)
The group picked back up.
And would you call those friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories?
Would you forgive your enemies?
And would you find that one you're dreaming of
Swear up and down to Faust above
That you'd finally fall in love
(Would you? Would you?)
If today was your last day?
Once more Ponyville erupted in loud cheers.
“WOOOO! Go Daddy!” Junie shouted, flapping her wings excitedly. Bass smiled and waved to his little filly.
“Give it up for The Delegates!” Mayor Mare said into her microphone as she came on stage. She stepped up beside Eight Note. “Don’t worry, they will be back,” she said, noticing some the down trodden looks from several of the mares in the crowd. “Next up we have DJ PON3 with some of her newest beats.”
~~~
Vinyl Scratch’s tremendous performance earned her an almost ear killing applause. Sapphire Shores had everypony, young and old, dancing to her fast pop songs. The light show that went along with her performance had all the young fillies and colts mesmerized. Sweetie Bell cheered the loudest as Sapphire ended her last song, the little unicorn being Sapphire’s biggest fan.
As the Pony of Pop finished, Mayor Mare came out onto the stage. “Good evening once more, citizens and visitors of Ponyville. I do hope that you all have enjoyed this evening so far,” she said, smiling as the crowd applauded. “Very good! We still have a long night of entertainment, but first, it is time for the talent show that I know so many of you are excited for. We are going to take a fifteen minute break so that our contestants can get prepared.”
~~~
Sea paced backstage. Only two more contestants before her and Junie would be performing. On stage. In front of hundreds of ponies. Staring at her. Just waiting for her to mess up.
“I can’t do this!” Sea cried out, falling onto her belly and covering her head with her hooves just Eight Note came in. Hearing his niece’s words, he trotted over to where he believed her to be.
“I can’t do this,” Sea said once more, burrowing her face even more in her arms. “AAHH!” The pegasus jumped as she felt a hoof on her shoulder. She relaxed when she saw the earth pony.
“Oh, hi, Uncle Note,” Sea glanced down at her hooves. Eight extended a hoof and helped Sea onto her hooves. He nodded his head over to where he remembered some chairs being. “Come, sit,” he said. Sea followed and sat down beside the blind stallion.
“Now, tell me, what’s wrong, sweetheart?” Eight asked.
Sea took a deep breath to settle her nerves. “I—I’m scared. Scared to go on stage. To sing in front of all those ponies.” Sea sniffed. “I promised Junie that I would sing with her, but I—I just can’t. I’ve tried singing in front of ponies before and it never works out. I don’t want to disappoint my sister, but I don’t want to perform, either.”
Eight pondered her words for several moments. Their situations were really quite similar. Growing up, he had had his sight. He was able to do all the things a teenage colt could. Until that tragic day that robbed him of his little brother and took his sight. Not being given the gift of magic or flight had left the young pony practically useless. And that’s what he began to think of himself as being. Useless. He couldn’t do anything for himself, always needing help to do even the simplest of tasks. The sixteen year old colt was depressed because he believed that he couldn’t do anything. At least until his best friend since pre-school, a blue coated, blond maned unicorn by the name of Bass Tempo, brought Eight out of his depression and self doubt, changing Eight’s life forever. For the first time since loosing his eyesight, Eight believed that he was worth something.
“You know that isn’t true, that you can’t do it. You can do it. There is no such thing as can’t. I used to think that without a horn or wings, that I was useless. I was an earth pony colt, blind, had to depend on my parents and my older sister. I was always saying that I can’t do this or I can’t do that. And you know, I began to believe it. Until a good friend knocked some sense into this noggin of mine and I realized that I could.
“Can’t. Whomever came up with that word ought to be slapped silly. Can’t is practically saying “I give up.” You’re surrendering to your fears. If you surrender to your fears, they will eventually consume you. You have to rise above the “I can’t” and change it from “I can’t” to “I CAN”.” Eight smiled and got up.
He paused right before getting to the door and said, “Sea, I don’t think you can do this. I KNOW you can do this. And no matter what happens out there, have fun on that stage with your little sister. You never know what might be right around the corner.” Eight Note continued out the door. Letting the door shut softly behind him, he removed his sunglasses and wiped the tears he felt brewing in his eyes. Placing the glasses back on, he turned his head up to the sky.
"I miss you, little brother. I miss you, Coda. More than words can say.”
~~~
Eight Note’s words continued to spin around inside Sea’s mind. Saying I can’t means you’re surrendering to your fears. You have to rise above your fears.
“Sis! There you are! It’s almost our turn!” Junie fluttered in, her parents, Lightning, Bolt, the Mane Six, and Sea’s friends coming in behind her. Sea smiled and stood up, Junie landing on her back.
“You’re going to do great, sweetie,” Amethyst reassured her eldest daughter.
“Hey, what about me?!” Junie piped up. Bass Tempo levitated his filly off her sister’s back and into his hooves. “You’re gonna do great, too, silly filly.”
Twilight trotted to Sea and swung her hooves around the younger pony’s neck. “Don’t think about all the ponies that are out there. Just imagine you’re with your friends and you’ll be just fine,” the princess released Sea from the hug, Sea smiling up to her oldest friend.
“Thanks, Twi. I think—no, I KNOW that I can do this. Just needed somepony to show me that I could,”
“That’s the spirit,” Twilight hugged her friend once more.
As soon as Twilight walked away, Sea was tackled by her friends.
“Good luck, Breezey!” Sweet Heart grinned.
“You’re gonna be awesome!” Phoenix said.
“The best,” Moon Glow nodded.
“Totally,” Glacier and Sky Racer hoof bumped Sea.
“Absolutely,” Red Knight and Stone Brook hoof bumped the grey pegasus as well.
“See ya after the show!” Phoenix smiled as she and the others began filing out the door. Sweet Heart gave Sea Breeze one last hug before following. Bass Tempo ruffled Sea’s mane as he went by, winking at her when she looked up. Once everypony left, save for Junie, who was over by the curtain trying to look out at the audience, Sea saw Thunder Bolt standing by the door. He trotted over to his marefriend.
Sea smiled sweetly and nuzzled the brown pegasus. Bolt wrapped his wing around her, pulling her close.
“You’re not nervous, are you?” Bolt asked, kissing her cheek.
“Not anymore,” Sea responded, gazing up into his eyes. Bolt leaned down, but before his lips could connect with Sea’s…
“If you two kiss again, I’m gonna puke!” Junie gagged from beside the curtain. Sea giggled and lightly pecked Bolt on his lips before trotting over to her sister.
“Are you ready, little sissy?” Sea asked Junie.
“I was born ready, big sissy.” The stage manager poked his head through the backstage door.
“You two are on in thirty seconds,” he said before closing the door once more.
Bolt trotted up to the sisters. “I’ll be right up front. You two will be awesome,”
Before leaving, Bolt stepped close to Sea Breeze and whispered, “I have a surprise for you later on.” Sea lifted a brow, but smiled and nodded.
The pegasus colt blew a kiss to his marefriend as he went out the door. Sea acted as if she caught the kiss and placed it on her cheek. Turning to her sister, she said, “Let’s do this.”
~~~
“Next up, Sea Breeze and Daisy Juniper!” Mayor Mare introduced the pegasus sisters. Junie was practically vibrating with excitement as she emerged from back stage. Sea walked behind her. The mare paused right before she could be seen by the audience, but she could see them. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and slowly let it out. You can do this, Sea. Give it your all and you’ll do fine. Don’t let the fear consume you.
Opening her eyes, she smiled and trotted out on stage beside her sister. They stood behind two microphones. Junie reached over to her sister and gave her an encouraging hug before standing back up straight just as the music began. Junie began the lyrics first, singing softly with her high pitched, but passionate filly voice.
I’ve been waiting for my dreams to turn into something
I could believe in and lookin’ for that magic rainbow on the horizon,
I couldn’t see it
Sea closed her eyes and ignored the large crowd of ponies, picturing just her friends and family. Her part came quickly and she gave it her all as she sang out the lyrics.
Until I let go, gave into love,
Watched all the bitterness burn
Now I’m comin’ alive, body and soul,
Feelin’ my world start to turn
The sisters turned towards each other and sang the next verse together.
And I’ll taste every moment
And live it out loud
I know this is the time; this is the time to be
More than a name or face in the crowd,
I know this is the time; this is the time of my life,
Time of my life.
Sea looked out towards the crowd and laid eyes on Bolt, who was smiling brightly at his marefriend. She looked at her friends, Sweet Heart, Phoenix and Moon Glow about to burst with glee. Pinkie Pie was bouncing up and down. Her parents had smiles of pride, Amethyst having tears of joy in her eyes.
Junie began the next verse
Holding onto things that vanish
Into the air, left me in pieces, but,
Now I’m risin’ from the ashes
Finding my wings and all that I needed
Was there all along, within my reach
As close as the beat in my heart,
And I’ll taste every moment,
And live it out loud, I know
This is the time, this the time to be
More than a name or face in the crowd, I know
This is the time; this is the time of my life.
Time of my life.
Junie stepped back and let Sea take center stage.
And I’m out on the edge of forever, ready to run!!
Keepin’ my hooves on the ground, arms open wide,
Face to the sun!
And I’ll taste every moment,
And live it out loud, I know,
This is the time, this is the time to be
More than a name or face in the crowd, I know,
This is the time, this is the time of my life!! My life!
More than a name or face in the crowd, I know,
This is the time, this the time of my life!!! (Nah, nah, nah nah)
This is the time of my life!!! (Nah, nah, nah, nah)
Life.
Sea and Junie turned to each other once more and sang softly in unison.
Time of my life,
Time of my life,
Time of our lives.
As the song ended, the crowd went wild. Junie jumped into Sea’s hooves and hugged her sister tightly, Sea hugging back just as tightly and burrowing her muzzle in the filly’s mane.
“You did it, sissy! You overcame your fear!”
“I couldn’t have done it without you, Kid,” Sea pulled her sister away and looked her in the eyes. “You’re awesome, you know that?”
Junie smiled and said, “Only because I have you as my big sister.” The sisters hugged once more.
“WOOO!!!” Came the shouts of Sea’s friends as they rushed up on stage. The filly and mare were lifted up on the shoulders of Stone Brook and Thunder Bolt, the rest of Sea’s friends crowding around the colts.
“You guys were amazing!” Phoenix cheered, hugging Sea she wiggled away from Bolt.
“Nixie-can’t-breathe,” Sea choked out.
“Oh, breathing’s overrated,” the yellow pegasus laughed.
Mayor Mare trotted up to the group. “Okay, everypony, let’s vacate the stage, please,” the grey mare smiled. As the teens and the filly walked off stage, the mayor turned to the audience. “Give it up for Sea Breeze and Daisy Juniper!!” The crowd once more erupted into cheers. “They were the last contestants, so now our judges will talk among themselves and decide a winner. Good luck, singers,” Mayor Mare trotted off stage and over to the judge’s table.
As Sea and Junie came off stage, they were once more stampeded, this time by Twilight and the rest of the Mane Six, their parents, Lightning and the remaining members of The Delegates. Bass pulled his girls into a big hug. Amethyst kissed her daughters on their foreheads once her husband finished smothering them.
“We are so proud of you two,” Amethyst smiled tearfully.
“I have to say, that was pretty awesome,” Rainbow Dash said from above. “Though, it would have been twenty per cent cooler had I been up there with you.”
“Rainbow!” Twilight glared.
“What? I was just joking,” Rainbow shrugged. The alicorn rolled her eyes at her speedy pegasus friend. Turning to Sea Breeze, she said, “That was so brave of you, Sea. Overcoming your fears to perform onstage takes a lot of courage.” Twilight smiled. Sea grinned back and gave her foalhood friend a hug. “Thanks, Twi,”
“This calls for a PARTY!!” Pinkie Pie shouted.
“Not just yet, Pinkie,” Applejack replied, putting a hoof on the vibrating party pony’s back, only to start bouncing beside her.
~~~
It was time for the winner and the runner ups to be announced. One of the judges, Lyra, came onstage.
“Third place goes to, Cloudchaser and Flitter!” The pegasus sisters trotted onstage to get their ribbons.
“Second place goes to, Caramel!” The earth pony stallion strode onstage to collect his ribbon. He moved over beside Cloudchaser and Flitter.
“And first place goes to, Sea Breeze and Daisy Juniper!” Sea’s jaw dropped as she heard her and Junie’s names called out. “What—How?” the grey pegasus stuttered.
“C’mon sis!” Sea shook her head and glanced down at the little pink filly pulling on her leg. It wasn’t until Bolt bumped his head against her shoulder that she began moving forward and up the steps behind her sister.
“Congratulations, girls!” Lyra smiled brightly, levitating the first place trophy to Junie. “You’ve earned it.” Ponyville cheered loudly as the green unicorn stepped back and stomped her hooves in applause. Cloudchaser, Flitter and Caramel joined in the applause, all cheering for the victory of the sisters.