It's been years since Vibrant Tone last released anything. Since then, the music scene has changed, new artists dominate the field, and very few even remember who Vibrant is.
And yet, despite these challenges, Vibrant is expected to mount some sort of come back in what may very well be her last chance at relevancy.
A task further complicated by the fact that she herself doesn't feel like the artist she once used to be.
In fact, she feels like someone else entirely.
So! First story in 8 years... Kind of daunting. I was actually content to never write again but Krickis over here decided to bully me into coming back by being just an amazing and kind person.
All blame goes to her.
Proofreading/Editing by Krickis and Darkraimaster12
Chapters (4)
Welcome back! I always loved your past work. I can’t wait to see how this goes.
10732553
Thank you! This means a lot ^_^
I'm very excited to share this story with you.
I hope you like it.
10732573
Thanks. I’m sure I will. Your writing was always very well done.
10732921
Thank you! You don't know how much that means to me <3
It feels good to be back
Good stuff, I'm really interested now
10733088
Thank you! I hope the chapter coming out on Sunday manages to keep your interest
I dunno who this """Krickis""" person is, but she sounds like a real bitch for making you write
But then again, with a story this good, I guess you can't argue with the results. An amazing start to this fic, Vibrant Tone is such a real feeling character, and that twist at the end... I can't wait to see what happens next!
10734992
>\\\<
Yeah, yeah. Rub it in. I’m going to be insufferable when your next story comes out. You will absolutely regret being nice to me in public.
Enjoy this while you can
Darkprep is writing again???
I am SO reading this! 
10740030
>_<
Thank you!! I’m sure I’ll see you around Krickis’ server ^_^
Love this chapter, and the title in it is perfect. The flashback chapter is extremely well done and does a lot to flesh out the already relatable Vibrant Tone. You also have a knack for making me like and care about characters I'll probably never see again, like Candy, you bastard. Keep it up!
10744058
You’re too kind. The titles came first so, if anything, the story matches the titles, not the other way around ^_^.
I remember how scared I was for you to read this. I’m glad it lived up to expectations.
Yessss the OTP is here! Honeytone forever
This was a really great chapter, both characters feel so real and you have a great way of capturing depth with these interactions. I loved every minute of this, and I can't wait for the final chapter to come out so I can reread the entire story as a whole
10759110
Lol. I love how excited you get for these characters.
Your willingness to declare any two mares that share screentime together an OTP never ceases to amuse me.
Wow, eight years of hiatus huh. Looking back to the past, the difference between 2013 and now must be thought provoking. What you experienced, how you changed...
8 years ago I was ten years old. And it would be the last year of elementary school, with a group of friends that I still miss today, won't get to see most of them for the next eight years, and will probably never get to see them again. It's weird, looking back on the experiences I had in that school, and it also feels weird that the silly kid that experienced all of that was me. Feels like a world away.
Good times, though.
10765567
Well now I feel ancient
But yeah, 8 years is a long time and things are definitely different. However, the main thing that I've had to learn and that I was hoping to get across with this story is that change is a constant that we should strive to be willful about. Looking back is an important part of tracking progress, but nowhere near as important as choosing who your next version will be.
For what it's worth, however weird it feels to think that "the silly kid that experienced all of that" was you, it has nothing on what your future self will feel. It's a trip.
There are so many great things about this story... The style of course, fluid and seamless, full of personality which instantly make the story stick and fit the universe; the characters and the excellent depiction of some tribes of Equestria; but most importantly it's the message behind it that resonated most strongly within me.
This is a great story! Thanks for writing it ^^
You can has review!
Was this story tailor-made?
Logically, I know the answer is no, but there’s so many parts that have been written or implied to make me interested in this story. A story about an old artist trying to relive her glory days? An interesting concept that might have something to do with the fact I was linked here from my trans story? An interesting writing style?
These are all things that I’m very much interested in, and I absolutely can’t wait to read the rest.
Vibrant is a Changeling. I admit I should’ve seen that coming, but also, the fact that she is makes me more interested. It suddenly makes sense why she burned out, why she doesn’t need to eat, as those pills could very well be little capsules of love.
I do love the setup here, start with the end and then move onto the beginning, it’s a very unique way to structure a story. I very much enjoy these characters and hopefully will be reading the rest.
What a fantastic story. I feel like I can relate with Vibrant Tone a lot on this one, mainly her entire perspective on being an artist.
At some point ‘good enough’ isn’t ‘good enough’ anymore, and then you get burned out, and lose your spark. Expending her energy got her closer to who she really was, until she started overexpending it. Then, she became an unreformed Changeling before the hive’s eyes, as noted. It reminds to put in effort into the art I create, but not so much I start to regret doing it in the first place. It’s a more nuanced look at what perfectionism can lead to. While Honeysuckle did overexert herself a little, it wasn’t to a disastrous degree, and it carries the message that a friend can help you if you’re feeling down.
I loved the entire framing as a comeback for an artist who’s past her prime. It shows that it’s never too late to make ‘art’, and it seems like that’s a massive point of your FiMFiction journey. While I have never left, I can appreciate this story for what it is, and how much it can mean to anyone who’s feeling burnt out and left behind.
Also, the technical concept of the story, with it really only being chronological starting at the end of chapter 2, is a fantastic way to do exposition, and I very much enjoyed that.
While not a trans story, it doesn’t have to be, and I don’t regret reading it at all.
11175099
Aww, well aren't you nice? ^^
I'm glad you enjoyed the story for what it was. Reading your comments really brightened up my day
From the very first line, this was astoundingly meta. I certainly look forward to seeing how the rest of the story unfolds.
Maybe the bug struggles with starvation, but I don't think your readers are starved for the drama.
I hadn't expected the realistic take on Svengallop, one that was true to him being an antagonist, but not a villain, and presenting him as not needing redemption.