//------------------------------//
// Ch.1:  Discovery 
// Story: Sweet and Delicate 
// by Nordryd 
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Time: 5:00 PM, Thursday, Canterlot Castle


There's got to be something better for me than this...

Something a young unicorn named Coppermane always had on his mind. One thing he had longed for more than anything else in the world was a chance to be himself without being bullied or exiled. That was the story of his life...and Copper longed for something more...

Two things Copper lived for were magic and music, mostly the former. He's been studying magic ever since he was little. He always kept to himself when he was younger, isolating himself from the outside world just to study more magic. Not that he didn't like talking with friends, but he didn't really have any. He had lived in Canterlot all his life, and for his entire life, he's been bullied. Always being the nerd in the schoolyard, he would be held down, and beaten up on a regular basis. Afterwards, the bullies would humiliate him in front of everypony else, announcing that he's weak and pathetic, reducing him to tears, and making the situation even worse.

Copper has always viewed himself as very plain. He didn't know what was so special about a pale-white unicorn with brown-eyes. Even his aura was a plain white color. His mane was reddish-brown and was always a little messy. Not an appearance that stands out too much. His cutie mark wasn't really anything special. It was a black staff with a treble clef with sparkles behind it, symbolizing his two talents.

Probably the only thing that Coppermane loved more than magic was music. Particularly, he loved music sung by a barbershop quartet. There was nothing more heavenly sounding than four talented voices singing together in harmony. He owned many records of barbershop quartets, and always sang along with them, longing to be in a quartet of his own.

After a while, Copper decided that he had enough of all this bullying and decided that he was gonna try for his dream school: Princess Celestia's Magic School for Gifted Unicorns. He had always dreamed of going to a school where he wouldn't be ridiculed for practicing magic, but rather it would be part of his curriculum. During his entrance exam, he had the privilege of having Princess Celestia herself in the audience. Princess Celestia was extremely impressed with his abilities, mainly when he demonstrated his ability to levitate. It had taken him years to master that technique, but now he could do it with ease. Princess Celestia was so impressed in fact, that she personally took Coppermane under her wing. It was a dream come true for Copper. Not only was he not going to be bullied anymore, but his new teacher was his hero, Princess Celestia herself.

One day, Coppermane discovered a spell in his books that could possibly make all his dreams about being in a quartet come true. A duplication spell. Along with his studies, Coppermane also dove into trying to learn how to clone himself, in hopes that he could finally be in a quartet. He brought it to Princess Celestia, and she helped him to learn it. After months of intensive training, he could finally make three stable versions of himself, and his dream was fulfilled: his own barbershop quartet. The first time he ever sang with them is when he finally earned his cutie mark; the moment when he combined his two talents together to make one end product. His cutie mark sure took its sweet time. It didn't help with the bullying at all though.

When he wasn't practicing his magic, he was practicing barbershop music, learning every part of every song out there for his own enjoyment. He never really intended to perform for anyone else, but nevertheless, he kept that fantasy in the back of his head. He dreamed of all the ponies in the audience cheering for him, and finally feeling accepted by everypony. That's what Copper wanted more than anything else: acceptance for who he is.

Coppermane had always longed for a better life. Even though he had the princess of Equestria herself as his teacher, adept skills in magic, and the ability to create his own barbershop quartet, there was one thing that he wanted more than anything else in Equestria: a friend. Not that he was ungrateful for what he had, but friendship is something he's always longed for, but always told himself he didn't deserve it...not after what he did in the schoolyard. He could never forgive himself for what had happened. The biggest mistake of his life. Copper has cried himself to sleep on some nights thinking about what he did, and berated himself for it, saying he was worthless, pathetic, and a monster. A monster who didn't deserve friends.

Being all alone his entire life, and being as insecure as he is, he would always berate himself, and would never give himself credit for anything, mostly because he didn't think he deserved anything positive. As bad as the bullying got in school, Coppermane's conscience would never fail to be his own worse bully. Always berating himself, always discrediting himself, he longed for somepony to reach out to him. Somepony to show him sympathy. Somepony to show him compassion. Somepony to give him the benefit of the doubt. Somepony to accept him for who he is, in spite of his transgressions. Somepony to save him from himself.

Coppermane, it's never going to happen. You know you don't deserve help. Not after what you did. You know this. Stop hoping against hope.

But...there has to be somepony out there...right?

Not in this universe, Coppermane. Just get back to practicing. Be grateful for what you have already, because it's all you're ever going to have. Honestly, you don't even deserve what you already have.

Coppermane let out a depressed sigh and returned his attention to his quartet. This was his life...and that's how it was always going to be.

Somepony...anypony...there has to be somepony...there just has to be...please...

Little did Coppermane know, on this particular day, fate was finally on his side.

Copper had no idea that Princess Celestia was wandering nearby in the courtyard where he was practicing...and for the first time ever, she heard him sing...and was absolutely astounded. She had no idea that he had such a beautiful singing voice. How could he keep that all to himself? She simply had to find a way to show off his abilities. She knew about Coppermane's past, and knew that he was, and still is, very socially isolated. She had to find a way to get him out and making friend, while also allowing him to show off his talent as a gifted unicorn, and as a musician. But how? How could she get Coppermane out of his shell?

After a while of thinking Princess Celestia had an idea. The Summer Sun Festival was coming up, and they still had to find some entertainment for the event. This year, it was being held in Ponyville, which was where another one of her students was in the same position of Coppermane, and ended up making lifelong friendships, and made them want to stay in Ponyville. Maybe the same would work for Copper? Ponyville would be a great breath of fresh air for him. Plus, if he performed for the people in Ponyville, they would all love him. Ponyville was the friendliest town in Equestria, and Copper would finally feel accepted for who he is. The only thing in the way of this plan was, ironically, Coppermane himself. The princess knew that it wouldn't be easy to coax him, but she knew that it was time for him to make some new friends. It was time for him to put himself out there. Princess Celestia knew that Coppermane desperately needed help. He's been depressed for far too long. He's been alone for far too long. Princess Celestia knew it wasn't going to be easy to persuade him, but she can't stand idly by watching one of her students beat himself up like this day after day after day. It was going to be a challenge, but it was for his own good.