It has been a full month since Melodious Melody's passing and Fluttershy has been deep in sorrow the entire time her friends have no idea how to help Fluttershy since she had kept her promise. A knock on her door she answers it to see Derpy in her mail carrier uniform. Derpy hands her a letter and flies off. The royal seal is emblazoned on the flap. Fluttershy breaks the seal and reads the letter that is inside.
Dear Fluttershy,
It is with deepest regret that we have received the sad news of your mentor's passing he was truly a great stallion. In honor of his life we have decided to hold a grand concert featuring all Equestria's finest musicians at the end of this years Summer Sun Celebration. We would be most honored if you would be the closing act. Though we understand if you are reluctant.
Yours truly HRM
Princess Celestia
"Of course she'd know about him. I might as well He did say he wanted to hear me put my life to music." Lucy brushes against her legs purring making Fluttershy smile. Fluttershy sends a letter to reply to princess Celestia's letter saying that she would except the offer. Once she sent the letter she picks up the guitar she recieved as a gift and begins to create the song she'd be playing.
The Summer Sun Celebration had crept upon Fluttershy but she was ready she like the other musicians wait in a large area waiting to hear the start of the celebration. Her friends walk up to her smiling.
"Fluttershy darling though I am glad that you are stepping out of your comfort zone I do wish you'd of let me design you a new dress instead of that simple Tuxedo." Rarity states in her stunning dress.
"Well my teacher always wore a tux said that it is more professional then wearing something glamorous that way your audience is more focused on the music rather than the performer."
" Fluttershy I didn't even know that you even played an instrument. Why did you keep it a secret from us?" asked Twilight Sparkle
"I haven't played for very long. I didn't want to get your hopes up girls. Besides my teacher wanted it to be a surprise until I was ready."
"Your teacher? Who are they do we know them?" Applejack
"No. He was very shy and rarely went into town."
"Was? What happened to him?" Twilight
"He died not too long ago he was very sick, but before he passed he made me my instrument."
"Is that why you've been so sad lately? No wonder I couldn't cheer you up thought I was losing my touch." Pinkie Pie
Fanfare begins to sound in the distance. "I'd love to talk to you girls but it is time to start." with that the mares leave to watch the Summer Sun Celebration leaving behind Fluttershy. A gray mare approaches her in her own tux.
"Well what do we have here? I hope you're not here to embarrass all of us real musicians by performing some little filly song or something? It would not bode well for you since somehow or other you've managed to be our closing act right after my orchestra. So please whatever it is you have planned don't mess up." Said Octavia with her prim and proper voice.
"Thank you Octavia your concern for my well being is quite endearing but don't fret I assure you that the piece that I am performing is no child's song. Just wait you wont want to miss it." Replied Fluttershy with her guitar still strapped to her back.
"Well we'll see wont we?" Huffed Octavia as she walked back to her orchestra members tuning their instruments.
The concert went with out delay each musician played their songs followed by the next in line with smooth transitions. Then before long it was Fluttershy's turn she takes a deep breath and steps out onto the stage. She looks out into the sea of faces staring at her with bated breath she opens the case pulling out her guitar the crowd gasps at its beauty. Once she puts the strap on she begins a slow arpeggio performing an onstage sound check once done she begins with soft notes. The music was so gentle and sad like being hugged by a rain cloud. Octavia listened intently her heart ached she felt like she knew the song that's when she realized it it was similar to her brother's style of playing. Unable to control herself Octavia went out on stage with cello in hoof and sat next to Fluttershy and begins a low staccato harmonizing with the guitar soon one by one every musician in attendance came out on stage and added their music to the song. When the last musician joined in something magical happened every ponies cutie mark that was there started to glow. The light drifted from their cutie marks into the air and formed dancing butterflies made of light. Every ponies eyes glistened like stars for the music was so heart wrenching it captivated the audience. Fluttershy ended the song with fading pinch harmonics symbolizing the death of her master she bows deeply and walks off stage. With the music over the light butterflies evaporate into the night sky and every pony stomped loudly with appreciation it was deafening.
Octavia rushes after Fluttershy." Fluttershy wait! Who taught you how to play like that? The only pony that I know of is my brother but he's been dead for years."
"I am sorry but your brother was alive he taught me before he died recently. He staged his death all those years ago so you could grow as a musician. He protected you from the forest while you were there so you could pass through safely."
Octavia just sat there dumbfounded by the news Fluttershy wanted to console her but knew that it would only hurt her more so she left. Fluttershy returns home places the guitar in the corner of her room and goes to sleep to dream of her friend listening to her song. A blue butterfly flies through the open window and lands on the guitar's head a single tear falls from her face as she smiles.