Counting Stars

by LunaEclipsed15

First published

The human versions of Applejack and Coloratura met at Camp Friendship all those years ago, but unlike their pony counterparts, they remained in touch. After Rara makes it big, they're still counting the same stars from all the way across the country.

The human versions of Applejack and Coloratura met at Camp Friendship all those years ago, but unlike their pony conterparts, they remained in touch. Now years later Rara is making it big in Manhattan and has lost almost everything that made her Rara in the first place.
Essentially, Coloratura/Applejack romance as Rara navigates fame after she breaks away from Svengallop. Not exactly a mirror of what we saw in The Mane Attraction, but kind of similar.

Prolouge: Leap of Faith

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A thirteen year old Coloratura’s fingers hovered over her computer mouse as she bit her lip. Finally after years of vocal training and song writing, she was finally ready to post one of her songs online, but for some reason she just couldn’t convince herself to do it.

She felt a hand on her shoulder, startling her.

She jumped, scooting back in her chair. She spun around to see Applejack looking down at her.

“Ah don’t know what you’re fussin’ about Rara. Your singin’s great, ya don’t need to worry.”

Rara gave Applejack a small smile. She sighed, slumping down in her desk chair.

“I know. I just don’t want anyone to hate it, you know? I worked so hard on this song, I want people to like it.” Coloratura looked back at her laptop screen where HayTube’s posting interface was open. Her video was loaded and ready to go, but clicking that bright red button to post was almost intimidating. Starting on the path to her dreams was just a click away, and something about that just made Rara want to hide under the covers and never come out again.

“Ah get it, but you’re neva gonna get anywhere if ya don’t try.” Applejack took a step back and sat back down on Rara’s bed, where she had been sitting just a moment ago.

Rara nodded, taking a deep breath. She took hold of her mouse again.

“Okay, I’m going to do this.”

She didn’t know if she was telling Applejack or herself. She moved her cursor to the post button.

Rara gulped, and for some reason tears were springing into her eyes. So many things could go wrong, but so many things could also at the same time go right.
It was a leap of faith she was taking here. She could make it across to the other side and come out a star, or she could fall in the river and drown.

“Flip a coin, AJ. I make a splash or I never get to the surface. What’s it gonna be?” Rara looked over her shoulder at her friend.

“Ah know you’re gonna make it big, Rara. Ya just gotta believe in yerself first. And even if ya don’t this time, there’s always another try” Applejack smiled at her and Rara smiled back.

She glanced back at her computer and grabbed her mouse one more time. She looked over at Applejack and clicked the button without even looking at the screen, just focusing on Applejack.

Since day one, Applejack had been her biggest supporter. Ever since that talent show at Camp Friendship, when she finally put herself out there and sang in front of all the campers. When Applejack played guitar for her and she finally felt like herself. It had been one of the best feelings she had ever experienced. A rush that she didn’t know she could feel. And now she was feeling it again, that feeling of being able to do anything.

She looked from Applejack’s encouraging smile up to her eyes. They were filled with admiration, and Rara smiled.

She knew she could do anything as long as Applejack was by her side.

She looked back to the screen. Her video had posted, and now all they had to do was wait. If just one person- just one person with connections- could see it, then maybe, just maybe, she had a chance.

1: Spice Up Your Life

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Rara got the message on her fourteenth birthday, a month after she had posted a video of herself singing a song she wrote to HayTube. A week after the video went viral.

Rara was sitting at her kitchen table, sitting across from Applejack with her phone in her hands. For her birthday, Applejack was sleeping over. As the two ate a breakfast of pancakes and bacon, her parents just in the other room, Rara received a Ponygram private message from an account she had never heard of.

“From: svengallopmanagment.
Hi Coloratura! I’ve seen your video online and would like to take you on as a client. I can make you a star. I know you have potential. Message me back if you’re interested.”

Rara squealed, dropping her phone onto the table. Applejack looked up, raising an eyebrow.

“What’s got ya squealin’, sugarcube?” She took another bite of her pancakes, looking from Rara to her phone laying screen up on the table.

“A manager contacted me! They want to take me on as a client!” Rara bounced up and down in her seat, her breakfast forgotten. Applejack smiled along with her.

“See? Ah knew ya could do it!” Applejack jumped out of her chair and ran around the table to hug her best friend. Rara was tearing up, she was so happy.

“I’m gonna make it big! I’ll be a star!” Rara cried, looking up at Applejack. They grabbed each other’s hands, Applejack pulling Rara out of her chair. The two girls jumped up and down, overwhelmed with joy.

“Ya sure are!” Applejack hugged her best friend, proud of her.

Rara grabbed her phone, running into the living room.

“Mom! Dad! A manager contacted me!” her voice was muffled through the walls, but she still sounded just as excited. Applejack was beyond happy for her friend.

The next morning, Rara’s parents took her to meet up with the manager who wanted to hire her on, Svengallop. She didn’t get to see much of him, but once she had signed the papers, he came out to evaluate her.

“I see potential, Coloratura. Maybe some highlights, trim your bangs, a signature accessory, and we can turn you into the biggest popstar Amareica has ever seen!”

Rara was slightly put off by hearing this guy wanted to change her appearance, but she couldn’t be happier! She was going to be a star! It was all she ever dreamed of. As they left the city side of Canterlot that day, Rara fell asleep in the backseat of her parents car, listening to the singer on the radio and imagining herself there instead.