More Than Just The Music

by Renegade3299

The Return To Ponyville

Seven months came and went after Nightmare Night- not necessarily uneventfully, but it was just the typical schedule of the Midnight Manes. An interview here, a concert there, and so on. Then came the day that all four of us had undoubtedly been waiting for- the day that the studio in Ponyville had finally been completed, and everything was set in place. That’s right, we were returning to Ponyville- home.

We sold our penthouse in Manehattan, not needing it any longer since we wouldn’t be staying there for any extended amounts of time. Fortunately, we didn’t really know anypony personally in Manehattan, so there were no sad farewells- only the anticipation of finally being in our home town. After signing autographs for a few fans who had spotted us at the station, we boarded our train and found our cabin. To be honest, I kind of felt the way I did when I moved to Ponyville for the first time. Within minutes, the train began moving and our journey home began. As we left Manehattan, I turned on the radio that was in our cabin, and heard the classic jam “Ponyville Groove” by the rock legend Ace Card. Laughing and grinning, we all began singing along.

Been a year since I was here
On the streets, I was passing my time away
To the left and to the right
Buildings towering to the sky
It’s out of sight in the dead of night

Continuing our laughter, my bandmates pointed at me, saying “Take it away, Shadow!”, meaning they wanted me to go solo for the next verse

Here I am
And in this city
With a hoof full of bits
And baby, you’d better believe

The three now joined in again and we all sang the chorus in unison.

I’m back!
Back in the Ponyville Groove
I’m back!
Back in the Ponyville Groove

We continued singing along merrily, excited that all four of us were, indeed, ‘back in the Ponyville groove’.

*******************************

The day that the train arrived back in Ponyville, we went to go and get some food from Sugarcube Corner. I opened the door, only to be greeted by darkness.

“That’s strange,” I said to my bandmates “They usually aren’t closed at this time. Maybe we could-”

I was interrupted when the lights all of a sudden came on, and a swarm of voices rang throughout the building.

“SURPRISE!!!”

The room was filled ponies and tables with treats, along with a large banner that said, “WELCOME HOME, MIDNIGHT MANES!”

Pinkie Pie came forward, raising a wine glass. The other ponies in the room followed suit and she spoke.

“We are so happy to have you back! Welcome home!”

“Welcome home!” the ponies repeated.

The four of us approached Pinkie and gave her a group hug.

“You’re crazy, Pinkie…” Striker said, “But we love you and we appreciate this.”

“It’s no trouble! I said that I’d throw you guys a party when you moved back here!” she answered with a grin. Four of our usual Ponyville friends came up beside Pinkie- Twilight, Rarity, Fluttershy and Applejack, each greeting us with a friendly embrace. We began to tell them about what had been going on since the Nightmare Night Festival. I was busy telling them about the day-long concert we were playing next month when I heard the door open. Paying no attention, I continued speaking.

“The bands playing so far are us, Linkin Ponies, 30 Seconds To Canterlot, Filly Idol, Nine Inch Tails and-”

I was cut off when I felt somepony tap on my shoulder. I would have asked for them to wait until I was done speaking, but when everypony started cracking up, I turned around.

“Hi, stranger.”

It was Rainbow Dash. I pulled her into a hug.

“I was wondering where you were.” I told her.

*******************************

The party continued for the next two and a half hours, all of us exchanging stories and updates. Once the party was over, we all went our separate ways for the day, as we usually did. Rainbow asked if she could tag along with me, and I was more than happy to have her along.

“I’m looking forward to living here again.” I spoke as we trotted through Ponyville. “I really missed living here.”

“We really missed having you guys here.” Rainbow Dash added. Suddenly, she stopped dead in her tracks, her eyes widening and jaw tightening.

“What’s going on?” I asked her.

“Shh." she began, before whispering, “Glamour Gem’s over there.”

My head moved to the left, where she was motioning to. Indeed, there was that irritating mare, speaking with Diamond Tiara and another friend. She didn’t seem to notice us, but I didn’t want to give her the chance.

“All right, let’s go this way.” I said in a hushed tone.

I led Rainbow over to the where new recording studio stood, which had not been opened yet. Therefore, Nopony was allowed in, except for us.

“C’mon, she won’t think to look in here. We can take refuge until she leaves.”

Unlocking the door, we went inside and I turned on the lights. Rainbow Dash looked at her surroundings. Since we were here already, I decided to go ahead and show her around the place. I took her from room to room, explaining the purpose and uses of the rooms and equipment. We stopped in the practice room, which we had decided to build as an addition to the studio.

“So those are the instruments you use during your shows?” she asked, looking over to the wall on the right, where six electric and three acoustic guitars stood on stands.

“Actually, they aren’t.” I explained. “These are just our practice instruments.” I picked up one of my practice guitars, seated myself on a nearby stool and picked at a few strings.

“You can pick it up if you want.” I told her. Grinning, she did so and sat on the stool across from me. Then, to my surprise, she began strumming a tune.

“Rainbow, do you play?” I asked.

“A little bit.” she replied. “I play when I write songs. It‘s one of my hobbies that most ponies don‘t know about.”

“So you write songs as well?” I inquired, a bit more surprised.

“Yeah, but they’re not any good.” she said, hanging her head in mild embarrassment.

“C’mon Rainbow.” I said. “No songwriter should ever have any doubt about their songs. It happens, but it isn’t true.”

“You think so?” she asked me, perking her head up.

“Absolutely. I mean, I hated all of my songs, but look where they got me.”

She picked at a couple of strings, appearing to be going over something in her head. After a few moments, she looked at me.

“Do… do you want to hear one of my songs?” she asked, gritting her teeth in hesitation.

“I’d like that.” I said.

She pondered a few more moments, probably thinking about which one to let me hear. Then, she nodded and got up from where she was sitting. She then walked over to the guitars and replaced the electric she was holding with an acoustic. She then seated herself and cleared her throat.

“Now just bear with me, Shadow.” she said. “I’m not that good at singing either.”

“And no singer should ever doubt their voice either.” I answered with a grin.

“This song… I…” she stammered. “I… I actually wrote this song after I met you.”

“Is that so?” I asked. “Now, I’m even more excited to hear it.”

Clearing her throat once more, she began strumming a slow and slightly haunting tune. Then, she began singing the lyrics.

If this world is wearing thin
And you’re thinking of escape
I’ll go anywhere with you
Just wrap me up in chains
But if you try to go on alone
Don’t think I’ll understand

Stay with me…
Stay with me…

In the silence of your room
In the darkness of your dreams
You must only think of me
There can be no in between
When your pride is on the floor
I’ll make you beg for more

Stay with me…
Stay with me…

She finished playing and said “That’s as far as I got.”

I was at a loss for words. Her voice was actually very mesmerizing.

“Rainbow, that was great!” I exclaimed. “It’s a really haunting song.”

“I still need to finish it.” she said. “It’s not done yet.”

“If you want, Rainbow,” I told her. “I can help you finish it.”

“Would you really?” she asked in wonder.

I nodded my head, and we both began exchanging lyrics and ideas, but none of them seemed to fit the song. We continued for about fifteen minutes. Then, I remember a song I was working on a while back. I had been inspired by our mild sorrow in Manehattan, our constant longing to be back in Ponyville. I had not finished this song either, so I figured that it wouldn’t hurt to see how it would go with Rainbow Dash’s.

“There’s a song I haven’t completed, so if you want to hear it, maybe it will work for the song.” I said. Rainbow nodded and I began playing my guitar, adding the lyrics.

You’d better hope and pray that you make it safe
Back to your own world
You’d better hope and pray that you wake one day
In your own world
‘Cause when you sleep at night they don’t hear your cries
In your own world
Only time will tell if you can break the spell
In your own world

As I sang, Rainbow began moving her head in rhythm, indicating that she liked it. Then, she began playing and joined in singing the chorus after I’d sung my piece. Together, we began closing the song out. The song and music seemed to flow brilliantly between the two of us.

Stay with me
Stay with me
Stay, stay with me
Stay, stay, stay, stay, stay
Stay with me

After the song had finished, Rainbow hopped out of her seat, excitement rushing through her.

“That was awesome!” she exclaimed, bumping hooves with me.

“You know, Rainbow, you should have that recorded.” I told her. “That’s a song that nopony will forget anytime soon after hearing it. In fact, I’ve been meaning to give the equipment a test run. So, why don’t we come down here tomorrow afternoon with the rest of the band, and we’ll make a recording.”

“Sure, why not?” she asked.

*******************************

The next morning, Rainbow Dash stopped by our place, the other five ponies joining her. Twilight informed us that they had to go on a mission that was ordered by Princess Celestia. Before Rainbow walked away, she assured me that they would be back in time for us to record the song. She gave me a hug and the six left.

The hours passed. I went and visited a few ponies that I hadn’t seen in a while, then I met up with Striker for lunch. He informed me that he and Pinkie Pie were becoming close friends, much like Rainbow Dash and I were. We also spoke of our suspicions that Virtuoso was building a similar bond with Rarity. After we finished, I returned to the house to find it empty. That was no bother to me, so I picked up one of the Daring Do books and began to pass time until Rainbow returned.

However, when sun began to set, I became a bit concerned. Rainbow Dash, nor any of the six had returned. I was just about to make my way to Rainbow’s house, thinking she may have forgotten, when Princess Celestia herself showed up.

“Shadow Chord, thank goodness you are here.”

“Is everything all right, Princess?” I asked, giving a bow.

“We need your help.” she said, not needing to answer my question.

“Help? What’s going on?” I inquired, trying to keep as calm as I could. She entered, and motioned for me to take a seat. When I did, she followed suit and began her explanation.

“As you know, I sent Twilight and her friends on a mission today. They were to vanquish the evil foe known as Tacis. Long ago, he once wished to rule the entire world, as most evil beings do, but was banished by the great hero Melodia. No one knew where Tacis went, but he wasn't heard from again. However, just last week, we discovered that he had been hiding out in a region of badlands west of here, a place where nopony usually sets hoof in. From what my scouts have gathered, he’s been planning to return to Equestria and attempt to take it again in a quest to conquer the world once more.”

“I sent Twilight Sparkle and her friends to get rid of him, but they have been captured and imprisoned in the castle. Now, he has escaped to another hideout, and has left one of his minions to oversee them. You, Shadow Chord, must go to the castle. There, you are to rescue my six pupils, preferably vanquish the one watching over them, and find out where Tacis has fled to.”

I bowed and inquired, “Of course. I am at your service, Princess. But, why me? What makes me the one for the task?”

“You will receive the answers you seek later. For now, you must head to the castle. Take this.”

She produced a map to the castle, and then what appeared to be a small glass orb that fit into my hoof.

“Should you see the minion left in charge, throw this orb onto the ground with all of your might. When it breaks, it will take effect and vanquish him.”

I bowed once more and said, “As you wish, Princess.”

She arose and said “Get some rest. You leave at dawn.”

She left the house and I awaited the next day, where I was to embark on a journey like I’d never been before.

Author's Note:

Again, my apologies for taking a while, I was out of town for a while. But I've now got a solid story plot, so I shouldn't be so long on future chapters.

As you may have noticed, I have used a couple of songs that are written and performed by other artists.

The songs used in this chapter were "New York Groove" by Hello and "Stay" by Shakespear's Sister.

There will be future chapters with songs from different artists included.

The reason for this is because I've seen quite a few instances where custom songs have been stolen and used without permission and others claiming it as their own. While I will be using quite a few custom songs, I don't want to risk, as a songwriter and musician, my works being plagiarized.

Plus, some songs will fit the story better than a custom; and some will be slightly altered to fit MLP, as seen above with "New York Groove" (becoming Ponyville Groove)

And not to worry, I will be sure to give all credits to their rightful owners during 'song chapters'.

Comments

[Latisha McPeanuts]

Love the story! Can't wait to see where it goes!

[The Flash]

Oooh shit just got real son

[Rainbow Song]

really REALLY!? ok for me that went no where BUT i am willing to give this a chance
still its great at the start