Ponyville Rock City

Fluttershy’s Voice
By Stratocaster

Chapter 1: Ponyville Rock City

“Angel…wake up…it’s time to get out of bed, silly bunny.”
Fluttershy stood in her living room by Angel’s basket bed. The little white rabbit that was her favorite pet only stirred beneath the covers as she tried to urge him awake.
“Come on now, Angel, it’s already 10:00 AM.” Fluttershy said still retaining her gentle motherly tone. “You don’t want to sleep through the whole day do you?”
Angel poked his head out from the covers and glared at his caretaker with beady eyes. He stuck out his tongue like an immature foal and hid beneath the blanket again. Fluttershy frowned.
“Angel, please, you had better get out of bed this…” she tried desperately to raise her voice but ultimately suppressed the shout. “…instant.”
Her squeak did nothing to draw the stubborn bunny out of his comfy little sanctuary. Fluttershy sighed and decided to go with plan B. She strode to the other side of the room grabbing a fishing pole with a carrot tied to the end of the line. Keeping out of Angel’s sight, she cast the veggie bait over next to his bed. Sure enough, the bunny’s nose began to twitch and he rose from under the blanket. He eyed the delectable orange morsel and joyfully pounced on it. With hook line and sinker, Fluttershy reeled the bait in pulling her little friend along. Eventually, Angel hung off the end of the pole clamping the carrot in his mouth. He was not amused.
“That’s a good little bunny!” smiled Fluttershy victoriously.

After washing up and enjoying a fresh breakfast, Fluttershy stepped outside her woodland cottage by the Everfree Forest. She usually woke up earlier to tend t her morning birds, but today seemed like a lazy day. The duckling yellow pegasus stretched her feathered wings and inhaled the brisk fall air as she began the day with her typical chores. She grabbed a watering can in her mouth and fed the flowers sitting by her front door. As the droplets toppled on her azaleas, she began to hum a folk tune to herself. Everything for her was perfect; so peaceful, so quiet, so serene, so-
“Hi Fluttershy!”
“EEP!”
Fluttershy shot upward, dropping the watering can, and hovered in midair curling into a frightened fetal position. Shaking, she opened one eye and looked down at her surprise visitor. But it was none other than her hyperactive pink earth pony friend smiling up at her.
“Oh, uh, hi Pinkie Pie.” She responded sheepishly and floated back down to the ground.
“Sooooooooo? Have you heard the big news?” asked Pinkie Pie knowingly.
“Um, what news?”
Pinkie gasped melodramatically. “You mean you haven’t heard?! It’s only the biggest, bestest, magnificentest, extraordinariest thing to ever come to Ponyville…well besides Princess Celestia…and Princess Luna…and the circus, I love the circus…and the Wonderbolts…and Hoity Toity…and…”
“Pinkie, um, sorry to interrupt but, what is it?”
“It’s Stratocaster!”
Fluttershy stared at her ecstatic friend briefly with no reaction.
“Um, I’m sorry, what is that?”
“You don’t know about Stratocaster?! Where have you been? Living in a cottage?!”
“…um…well…”
“He’s only the most awesome musician from Cloudsdale!”
“Oh, well, I don’t listen to a lot of modern music, I’m afraid.”
“Oh come on, Fluttershy, he’s like the best rock star in Equestria! And he’s coming here to Ponyville to play live!” Pinkie hopped in place letting out an excited squeal.
“Uh, that’s great, I guess.” Fluttershy shrugged. “That sounds like something you and Rainbow Dash might enjoy.”
“Ooh, why don’t you come to see him with me, Fluttershy? I’ll even pay for your ticket.”
“Oh, that’s okay, Pinkie. It’s really not necessary. I’m not that big a fan of rock music.”
“Come on, it’ll be fun! There’s nothing wrong with a little rock n’ roll!”
“Well yes but, it’s just so…loud.” She said with a quiver.
“So we’ll just watch from the back. Come on, what do you say?”
“Uh, I don’t know.”
Before Fluttershy could continue, a loud whoosh came from above. She and Pinkie Pie looked up to see a rainbow streak over their heads. As expected, their hotshot pegasus friend Rainbow Dash swooped in and landed between the pair.
“Oh…my…gosh!” the sky blue pony exclaimed. “Fluttershy, did you hear that Stratocaster is coming to Ponyville?!”
“Well actually, Pinkie Pie here was just telling me…”
“Yes!” interrupted Pinkie. “It’s going to be the best concert ever!”
“I know, right?!” replied Rainbow just as excited as her.
“Wow,” said Fluttershy. “Are you going tonight too, Rainbow?”
“Oh the concert’s not tonight,” she explained. “It’s a week from now. But I heard that Stratocaster himself is coming today at noon!”
Pinkie let out another eccentric gasp. “That’s just a few minutes away! I can’t believe it! The one and only Stratocaster is coming to Ponyville! Here, of all places! We should head over to town right now so we can see him. Come on, Fluttershy!”
“Oh, uh, I don’t know if that’s…”
Fluttershy’s two friends were already galloping off before she could respond. She stood on her walkway not knowing what to do. She debated whether to stay and tend to her animals or see what all the commotion over this strange musician was about. Pressured, she inevitably started floating toward town after Pinkie and Rainbow.
“Oh dear.”

Fluttershy followed her friends all the way to town square where a crowd of ponies were gathering around anxiously. Among the crowd, she spotted Twilight Sparkle who greeted her warmly.
“Hey Fluttershy, are you here to see Stratocaster too?” the lavender unicorn asked.
“I guess so. But to be honest, I’ve never even heard of this pony.”
“Really?! He’s been topping the music charts for weeks. Have you even heard any of his songs before?”
“Not really, I’m not that into rock, actually.”
In fact, Fluttershy was more into folk music. She adored the hushed mellow tones of softly played acoustic instruments, the resonant harmonized vocals, and the lyrics telling of nature and tranquility. Her collection included vinyl records of the biggest artists from the genre such as Buck Dylan, Pony Mitchell, and Stallion and Garfunkel. But never would she catch herself listening to the loud uproarious mainstream music of her day. Rock n’ roll in particular was not in her list of preferences. As Fluttershy joined next to Twilight, she heard the shout of a random pony in the crowd.
“He’s here!”
Suddenly, all the ponies began cheering and whinnying in anticipation. Fluttershy looked around astonished at the hype and even saw Twilight hopping in place while gazing up at the sky. She looked up to where her friend was focused on and noticed something flying closer and closer to town. It was a black carriage limousine pulled by two pegasus chauffeurs. The crowd dispersed clearing a path for the stretched carriage to land. Fluttershy squinted to see who was inside the back seat of the limo, but the windows were for some reason tinted. After galloping for a bit, the pair of chauffeurs finally stopped the carriage and one of them walked over to the back. He opened the rear left door of the limo and instantly, everypony cheered even louder and reared back flailing their front hooves in the air. Fluttershy could hear a gaggle of mares upfront shrieking ecstatically at whoever was the high class passenger; and then she saw him. Exiting the back of the limo was a royal blue pegasus stallion sporting a black leather jacket and a pair of aviator sunglasses. His longish brown mane was combed into a stylish mop top, and his cutie mark was an electric guitar. Incidentally, he carried an actual similar guitar slung on a strap across his back. The stallion who was called Stratocaster greeted his public with a bright grin. Fluttershy gawked at the celebrity pegasus who waved to his left and right as he strode proudly through the crowd.
“It’s him! It’s him!” shouted Twilight who was still jumping in place.
“That’s Stratocaster?” queried Fluttershy.
“Yeah, isn’t he amazing?”
“Uh, I guess.”
Fluttershy didn’t know what her friends saw in this eccentric stallion. To her, he looked more like an action movie star than a musician. Then again, she wasn’t a fan of action movies either. She looked on as Stratocaster approached a stage with Mayor Mare waiting to greet him. They stood together sharing a microphone.
“Mr. Stratocaster,” started the Mayor. “It is a great pleasure to have you come to Ponyville as part of your tour.”
“Thank you, Mayor.” Stratocaster replied in a warm deep voice.
“We hope you will enjoy your stay here. Until your concert, take your time to tour what we have to offer here in Ponyville, such as the beautiful wide open fields of Sweet Apple Acres.”
“Darn tootin’!” cheered the voice of Applejack from somewhere in the crowd.
“I’m sure I’ll have plenty to see around here for the week.” Stratocaster said.
“But for now,” continued the Mayor. “Why don’t you demonstrate your musical talents for us here today.”
“Well, I couldn’t possibly…”
Then, the mass of ponies cheered once again urging him to play a song.
“Oh alright.”
Stratocaster proceeded to plug his guitar into a nearby amplifier and stood on the edge of the stage. He started out with strumming partially muted chords in a pop rhythm. Then he stunned the crowd with a sudden power chord progression played in a heart pumping punk style. Among repeating this progression, he added improvised licks which he quickly articulated. This continued for the next two minutes as the crowd glued their eyes and ears to him. Fluttershy watched him slide his hoof across the stringed neck in curiosity; it always baffled her how ponies could master this instrument with hooves. Her ears flickered at the loud wailing tones of the guitar hitting her. She was usually uncomfortable with loud noises, but she figured in this case that it wasn’t so bad since it was in music form. Finally, Stratocaster stopped with a low power chord that he let resonate and fade out. The crowd stomped and cheered in applause for their proud performer. Not wanting to be rude, Fluttershy stomped her hooves as well nonchalantly.
“Thank you, thank you!” Stratocaster waved to his audience happily. “And if you liked that, Ponyville, then make sure to see me this Saturday night at eight. Thank you!”
The citizens of Ponyville continued their ovation as the rock n’ roll pony disappeared offstage. Fluttershy kept watching in wonder until she felt a hoof touch her shoulder.
“EEP!”
“Fluttershy, darling, wasn’t that amazing?”
She turned around to see the pearly white unicorn who was her spa day partner.
“Oh, hi Rarity.” She replied. “Um, it was very…interesting.”
“Oh that Stratocaster is such a dashing performer. I can’t wait for his concert next week.”
“You’re going too? So I guess you’ll be joining Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash, huh?”
“Yes, along with Twilight and Applejack. But I haven’t heard anything from you, Fluttershy. Why don’t you join us? It’ll be absolutely spectacular.” The fashionista pony fluttered her eyelashes in emphasis.
“Uh, I don’t know about that, Rarity. Rock music is awfully loud and I don’t want to ruin anypony’s good time.”
“Oh nonsense, dear, it’ll be just fine. Why don’t I buy you a ticket? It’s the least I can do to pay you back for covering our last spa date.”
“I’m not sure. I think I may need to think it over.”
“Well don’t take too long. Stratocaster tickets sell out fast. But do let me know when you’re ready, Fluttershy. Have a nice day!”
“Yeah, uh, see ya.”
Now all five of her friends were attending this concert. Fluttershy didn’t want to let them down, but a rock show was just not her cup of tea. She gave a troubled sigh and walked back to her cottage as the other ponies left.
“Oh what am I going to do?”

Stand-in Singer

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Chapter 2: Stand-in Singer

The next morning, things were slightly less lazy than yesterday. Three eggs belonging to a pair of cardinals had just hatched in Fluttershy’s bird aviary outside her cottage. Unfortunately, the parents wouldn’t be back for a few days and now the gentle pegasus had three more mouths to feed. Of course this didn’t bother her much with her knack for animal care. She was more than happy to baby-sit the little chicks. Fluttershy carried a basket full of soil and live worms and trotted out into her front yard where the nest was waiting for her on a bird stand.
“Okay little cardinals, time to eat.” She called.
The tiny featherless chicks peeped with excitement poking their heads out from the nest.
“Now, now, settle down, their’s plenty for all of you.”
One by one, she dangled the worm larvae over the chicks and they gulped the maggots down with glee. Then Fluttershy felt a slight tap on her side. She looked down at the unhappy face of her pessimistic bunny.
“Angel, I’ll give you your breakfast after I’m done with these chicks. Just be patient.”
That he did not. In a melodramatic fit, Angel stomped his large feet rapidly. But the shock from his immature pounding shook the bird stand tilting the nest over the side and causing it to careen to the ground. Fluttershy gasped in horror.
“Oh my goodness!”
Without hesitation, she dove and caught the doomed nest just inches away from the ground. She sighed with relief as the chicks screeched in fright and she looked angrily at Angel.
“Bad, Angel! Naughty bunny!”
As the fussy rabbit hopped off in a huff, Fluttershy turned her attention back to the nest.
“Oh, it’s alright, little chicks. Don’t cry, now.”
As she replaced the nest back on the stand, she racked her mind for a way to sooth the panicking baby birds. Then it came to her; she could sing to them. Fluttershy cleared her throat and began singing non-lyrical vocals in a tranquil lullaby. Sure enough, the chicks ceased their screeching and slowly began to close their big beady eyes. Before long, Fluttershy had successfully lulled the little birds to sleep.
“Phew.”
“Excuse me.”
“EEP!”
The skittish pegasus jumped and hid behind the bird stand, making sure she hadn’t woken up the cardinals. She poked out from behind the stand to see another familiar face. This time, it was somepony she had never met. There standing on her walkway was a deep blue male pegasus with a longish brown mane, tail and matching colored eyes. It took Fluttershy a second to wrap her mind around who it was until she noticed the electric guitar cutie mark.
“Oh sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.” Stratocaster said scratching the back of his head.
As she came out from behind her poor hiding place, she stared at him in shock and confusion. What was the fabled biggest rockstar in Equestria doing on her lawn? Fluttershy kept staring without a word. Stratocaster spoke for her.
“Um, anyway, my name is Stratocaster, that is if you don’t already know. And who might you be?”
Fluttershy scuffed the ground casually before answering. “I’m, um…I’m Flutt...” She trailed off into a silent mumble.
“I’m sorry, what was your name?”
“…um…Flutter…” Another mumble.
“Didn’t quite catch that, say again?”
She only hid her face behind her long flowing pink mane and whimpered nervously.
“Wait, did you say your name is Fluttershy?”
She perked up a bit; this was the first time somepony had guessed her name right. “Um, well, yes.”
“Nice to meet you.” Stratocaster gave a friendly smile. “Listen, I was just walking by to tour the Everfree Forest when I passed by your house here. I heard you singing to those baby birds, and I got to say, you have a beautiful voice.”
“Oh, um, uh, thank you, I guess.” Fluttershy blushed. “I do like to sing to my many bird friends every once in a while. It’s not much really.”
“Not much? What are you talking about? Yours is one of the best singing voices I ever heard. I mean it, it’s practically angelic. You could be a real concert soprano.”
“Uh, well I don’t know about that. I could never sing like that.”
Then, as if on cue, one of Fluttershy’s blue jays swooped in and perched upon her back.
“Well, let’s find out.” Stratocaster suggested.
Fluttershy looked between both blue winged visitors. The lone jay whistled three ascending musical notes. Instinctively, she copied the jay’s notes precisely with her soft voice. The spunky bird then gave her five notes in the same fashion. Sure enough, she repeated his pattern. This went on between Fluttershy and the blue jay with the pattern of notes becoming more and more complex and she nailed every echo with vocal accuracy. Eventually, the pegasus and the jay ended up harmonizing in sweet melodic tones that rose skyward in pitch. At last, Fluttershy ended with a sustained high C and the jay stopped, his little chest puffing as he gasped for breath. She ceased her note and looked back at the tuckered bird who gave her a feathered thumbs up and flew off. Then she looked back at an astonished Stratocaster and hid behind her mane in embarrassment.
“Eh heh heh, sorry, was that a little much?” she asked returning to her hushed tone.
“Fluttershy, that was spectacular!” he replied. “There’s no doubt in my mind, you have the voice of a professional. In fact, I want to make you one.”
“Uh, what do you mean?”
“Well lately, I’ve been looking for a singing partner for my next album. But some ponies just don’t really cut it. But you, Fluttershy, you’re perfect for this job. I want to make you my new singer for my band.”
“Me? A singer? But, but, don’t you want to keep singing?”
“Eh, my voice isn’t what it used to be. All of this touring has really done a number on it, and I’m afraid of losing my vocal cords entirely if I have to sing again. I guess that’s what I get for experimenting with grunge rock. But I think a female voice will be just what I need to kick off this next album. Ooh, or better yet, why don’t you come perform at my concert this Saturday?”
Fluttershy gasped a little. Singing was one thing, but doing it in front of an audience was an entirely different matter. She cringed at the thought of thousands of pony eyes staring at her onstage. She remembered what it was like to get stage fright while performing in the Hearth’s Warming Eve Pageant with her friends. It was brutal, and she considered herself lucky that she made it through the play without freezing up. She shook her head in refusal.
“No, there’s no way I could possibly sing…live.”
“Oh come on, it’ll be a blast. Haven’t you always wanted to perform onstage in front of a thousand ponies watching nothing but you?”
She moaned in fear and covered her eyes trying to erase the awful image from her head.
“No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no,”
“What’s wrong? Are you alright?”
She peeked out from her hooves. “Um, well, it’s just that, I’m terribly scared of being onstage. I can never deal with the pressure. Just the thought of all those ponies staring at me, pressuring me, mocking me, waiting for me to slip up, just makes me want to…to…” She sat on her haunches, hid her tearing eyes behind her hooves again and began sobbing lightly. Stratocaster now looked at her more sympathetically and laid a hoof on her shoulder.
“I’m sorry about that, Fluttershy. You know, I was a lot like you when I began my career just a few years ago.”
Sniffling, Fluttershy looked up at the stallion with glassy eyes. “Really? You had stage fright too?”
“Of course. I had just graduated from the Cloudsdale Arts Institute and I already booked my first gig. It was at a local club so I didn’t think it would be so bad, until I saw how many ponies were there. They were crowding the entire place waiting for me to come on; I even saw a few Wonderbolts in the audience!”
“My goodness, you must have been so nervous.”
“I certainly was; so nervous in fact, I actually puked all over the club manager.”
She gasped in sympathy. “You poor thing!”
“It was lucky I wasn’t kicked out. But I was such a wreck I couldn’t even bring myself to speak when I went out onstage with my bandmates. But you know what I did? I just closed my eyes for a few seconds, paid no mind to the audience, and looked deep inside myself to find the voice that I lost. And just like that, I sang as loud as I could into the mic. And when I finished, the audience cheered for me.”
“Wow, so it was that easy for you?”
“It’s easy for anypony. Listen, Fluttershy, it would really mean a lot to me if you came to sing at my concert. I know it seems scary, but all you have to do is look deep inside yourself, and find where that voice of yours has been hiding whenever you get nervous. I promise you won’t regret it. So, what do you say?”
Fluttershy stared into Stratocaster’s eyes. There was a strange sincerity in his face which caught her by surprise. Her vision of a typical rock artist had always been pompous, rude, egotistical, and downright smelly; but not this time. She actually saw kindness in the blue pegasus who stood there waiting patiently for her answer. With newfound trust, Fluttershy gulped and spoke.
“Um…well…okay, I’ll do it.”
“Fantastic! Why don’t you come visit me later today? I’ve rented out a studio for the week near Sugarcube Corner. If you stop by, I’ll teach you a song I think you’ll really like.”
“Alright, that sounds nice.”
“I’m glad to have met you, Fluttershy. I think we’re going to be fast friends.”
“I’m glad I met you too, Mr. Stratocaster.”
“Please, you can just call me Strat.”
“Um, okay…Strat.”
The two pegasi shook hooves and Stratocaster walked off down the trail from the cottage. Fluttershy watched him wander off with her mind racing. Suddenly, she had an obligation to sing at this celebrity stallion’s concert in just a week. Had she lost her mind? There would be thousands of ponies there, including her friends. And she would make a complete foal of herself in front of all of them. It was then, that Fluttershy felt another poke on her side. Angel looked up at her with curious eyes.
“I’m stumped, Angel.” She said to him. “I don’t want to let him down. But if I go onstage and…sing, then I’ll just freeze up or even pass out, and I’ll be the laughingstock of Ponyville. Oh what ever should I do?”
She felt Angel’s little white paw touch her shoulder and she looked at him to see that he was smiling encouragingly.
“You’re right, Angel, I can’t be a quiet little filly forever. I’m going to step out onto that stage and sing the best that I can…I just hope I’m not kidding myself.”

The Lessons Begin

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Chapter 3: The Lessons Begin

“Okay, I can do this. I can do this. I think I can do this. Can I do this? Yes, yes I can.”
Strolling through town, Fluttershy mumbled to herself in anticipation. It was taking very ounce of her brainpower to summon up courage.
“I’m going to do it today. I’m going to show him and myself that I’m not scared. This is the new and improved Fluttershy.”
She walked through the Ponyville marketplace where farmers and merchants were out and about exchanging fresh produce and fresh bargaining.
“This is it. It’s time for me to shine!” said Fluttershy whispered reaching her destination.
“Miss, can I help you?” asked the grain vender.
The little pegasus snapped back to reality. “Oh yes, hello. Um, I’d like to buy a sack of birdseed. It’s for my little cardinal friends.”
“Coming right up!” replied the elderly earth pony stallion as he lifted a burlap sack onto the counter. “That’ll be forty bits.”
“Oh, uh, I don’t mean to impose but, last time it was only twenty bits.”
“Well, demand suddenly skyrocketed. Forty bits, please.”
Fluttershy looked sheepishly at her saddlebag knowing that she did not have enough money. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and faced the farmer again trying to rekindle her courage.
“Um, could I maybe give you twenty five? I mean, if that’s okay.”
“Ma’am, I don’t haggle.” The farmer now looked at her more sternly. “The price is forty, no more, no less.”
“Uh, how about thirty?”
“Nope.”
“Thirty two?”
“Ain’t happening.”
“Thirty two and a half?!”
“Now you’re just being ridiculous! Forty bits, or no birdseed!”
“Uh…uh…” she quivered nervously and then sighed. “Okay, never mind. Sorry.” She left the stand with her head hung low. “One of these days.” She whispered to herself.
Fluttershy walked toward Sugarcube Corner planning next to visit Stratocaster. She saw the studio up ahead next to the familiar bakery where Pinkie Pie lived and worked. As she continued down the road, she heard a rowdy voice call her name from behind.
“Howdy, Fluttershy!”
“Oh hi, Applejack.” She replied. “I thought you weren’t selling apples until tomorrow.”
“Nah, Ah’m just headin’ over to Pinkie’s for a visit. We’re both gettin’ ready for the Stratocaster concert.”
“Yes, I heard you were going with the girls. I didn’t know you like rock music, AJ.”
“Well it’s certainly not like good ol’ fashion country, but Ah can get used to a little city pony music. Are you comin’ too, Fluttershy?”
“Actually, as a matter of fact…” she paused to take back her words. It had escaped her that her friends would find out about her singing with Stratocaster. But she knew better than to lie to the Element of Honesty, so she only said what was technically true. “Um, yes I’m going to be there.”
“That’s great! I’m proud of you, sugar cube, goin’ to a loud crowded concert and all.”
Fluttershy gulped at the very idea. “Yup, it’s going to be…fun. Um, Applejack, can you tell me what Stratocaster’s music is like exactly? I honestly never heard his songs before.”
“Well shoot, why don’t you just borrow this?”
The orange earth pony pulled something out from her saddlebag and gave it to Fluttershy. It was a plastic CD case with Stratocaster on the cover standing on a lighted stage; the title read Stratocaster Comes Alive. On the back was a track list of twelve songs.
“This is his first album.” Applejack continued. “You can take that home and listen to it if ya want.”
“Oh thanks, AJ. But, um, there’s just one little problem. I…don’t have a CD player. I only listen to vinyl records.”
“Tarnation, you really are out of it. Alright, I’ll let you borrow my CD player too later. By the way, where are ya headed?”
Fluttershy looked quickly at Stratocaster’s studio and chose her words carefully. “I, uh, I’m just going to visit a friend of mine.”
“Well if it’s Rarity, tell that pony to return my Stratocaster t-shirt. I’m pretty she already has one. Ooh, Ah almost forgot.” Applejack then conjured a small bag full of birdseed. "Here's a little somethin' fer your bird friends."
"Oh thank you so much, AJ! These are just what I needed."
"It's no trouble at all, sugar cube. I'll see ya at the concert!"
“Yeah, see ya!” Fluttershy sighed and turned toward the studio as soon as Applejack left.
It seemed that the entire town was swept up in Stratocaster fever. Some of the merchants in the marketplace were even selling tour shirts, bobble heads and other novelties of the rockstar pegasus. Fluttershy approached the small rickety looking building that was the studio not knowing what to expect. Looking around for anypony she knew who would get suspicious, she knocked on the door. After a few moments, she was met with no answer. Hesitantly, she opened the door and entered slowly closing it behind her. Fluttershy found herself in a small empty hallway leading down to a room where the sound of tuning instruments could be heard. She walked nervously in the direction of the music and entered the room.
“Fluttershy, glad you could stop by!”
There sitting in what appeared to be an open recording room was Stratocaster and his signature guitar. He and three bandmates had been busying themselves with their instruments and other recording equipment. Stratocaster put his guitar down and walked over to his shaky visitor.
“Hey guys, this is the mare I was telling you about.” He said to the band. “She’s the one with the awesome voice.” He then turned to her. “Fluttershy, I’d like you meet my bandmates. That’s Moog, Gibson, and Ludwig.”
He pointed to the keyboardist, the bassist and the drummer respectively and all three of them gave an apathetic wave. Fluttershy tried her best to put on a friendly smile despite her tension.
“Um, should I come back tomorrow, Strat?” she asked him. “I don’t want to bother you if you’re busy.”
“Oh don’t worry about it,” he replied. “We’ve actually been waiting for you all day. Right, guys?”
No response cam from the band except for Gibson who only yawned; Stratocaster stood uncomfortably awkward.
“Uh Strat,” said Fluttershy again. “Didn’t you say you have a song for me to learn?”
“Oh yeah! Why don’t you take a seat? I’ll be right back.”
Stratocaster walked off into a back room as Fluttershy sat in an open chair. She noticed the band staring blankly at her and gave them a casual little smile and wave. The three sluggish ponies turned their attention back to their instruments and Fluttershy simply hid behind her mane. She could hear some distant rummaging from the room Stratocaster disappeared into. He came back holding a few pages of manuscript.
“I really think you’re going to like this one.” He said to her. “It’s a song called ‘Try’.”
“Try?” repeated Fluttershy.
“Yup, parenthesis, ‘Just A Little Bit Harder’. It was written by one of the greatest mares in rock n’ roll history: Janis Cloplin. She’s been one of my idols for a long time. That’s her photo on the wall there.”
He pointed to a framed photograph on an adjacent wall. It showed a bright green female earth pony with a wiry red mane who sported yellow tinted sunglasses and a dress splattered with tie-dye. The mare was standing on a lighted stage and singing vigorously into a microphone. A caption beneath the photo read Janis Cloplin at Hoofstock. Fluttershy couldn’t imagine singing like that.
“So, you ready to get started?” asked Stratocaster.
“Right now?” gasped Fluttershy. “But, I don’t know how this song goes.”
“Don’t worry, once you get an ear for the music, it’ll be a lot easier. I’ll also show you some other songs afterward.”
“Gosh, you must really like how I sing, huh?”
“Soon, everypony in Ponyville will too. We have a lot of work to do for the concert.”
“So, I’m going to be singing this…onstage?”
“That’s the gist of it. Now, can you read sheet music?”
“Actually yes. I sometimes borrow manuscripts from my friend Twilight, so I can sing along to my folk albums.”
“Perfect. Let’s start this thing.”
Fluttershy cringed and looked away from him.
“What’s wrong? Still nervous?”
“Yes. Um, I ‘m just not comfortable singing in front of other ponies.”
“Oh don’t worry about them; they wouldn’t know singing if it bit them on the flank.”
“I heard that, you hothead!” blurted Ludwig.
“Come on, Fluttershy,” said Stratocaster. “I’ll help you out along the way. We’re going to make this a concert to remember, I promise.”
Fluttershy saw the affectionate sincerity in his brown eyes again. She figured that all she would have to do to regain her confidence from then on was to look at his trusting face.
“Alright, let’s do this.” She smiled.
“Okay guys, we’re doing Try, let’s take this from the top. Ready…one, two, three, four!”

Just A Little Bit Harder

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Chapter 4: Just A Little Bit Harder

The big night had come. Over at the Ponyville amphitheater, it seemed like the entire town had shown up to witness Stratocaster. The many ponies huddled around in front of the colorfully lighted stage conversing amongst each other in anticipation. Somewhere in the back of the crowd were Twilight Sparkle and her friends, minus a certain yellow pegasus.
“This is going to be so cool!” cheered Rainbow Dash. “We are so gonna have our faces rocked off!”
“Well that’s not the best way I would describe it,” said Twilight. “But I sure can’t wait for him to come out.”
“Have you girls seen Fluttershy?” asked Rarity. “I reserved a ticket for her.”
“Maybe she’s not coming at all.” Rainbow shrugged. “I told you guys she would chicken out on us.”
“Hush your mouth, Rainbow,” scolded Applejack. “Maybe a concert like this just isn’t for a pony like her.”
“Poor dear,” sighed Rarity. “I hope I didn’t make her too nervous to come.”
“I’m sure she’s fine.” Twilight replied. “We should get her something after the concert.”
“Ooh, we should get her one of Stratocaster’s albums!” suggested Pinkie Pie. “Like maybe L.A. Mare, or Dark Side of the Luna, or Lt. Salt’s Lonesome Hooves Gang Group, or”
“Pinkie, save it for when the show starts…please!” interrupted Twilight.

Backstage in a rehearsal room, Stratocaster was calmly tuning his prized electric guitar while a distraught Fluttershy was pacing back and forth in front of him not as calmly.
“You felling okay?” he asked her.
“How can I feel okay?” she replied. “There are so many ponies out there. What if I don’t do well?”
“We’ve been practicing all week, and you’re a real fast learner. I’m sure you’ll be fine.”
“I don’t know. Did you ever mess up onstage?”
“Nope, not once…well…there was one time in Baltimare when I broke a guitar string…then I tripped over the edge of the stage and broke my shin. And there was another show in Manehattan where I slipped on water and slid into and amp which electrocuted me and pretty much knocked me unconscious…but I’m positive that won’t happen to you.”
Fluttershy whimpered.
Five minutes before show time, the two stood behind a curtain offstage, looking out into the mass of eager ponies. Showing great anxiety, Fluttershy frantically stroked her pink mane in fear of stepping out into the sight of thousands of eyes. Stratocaster touched her shoulder.
“I can’t do it, Strat.” She said. “I’m an absolute wreck! You’re better off just performing without me.”
“No way, Fluttershy, you’re going to be great.”
“I’m sorry, Strat, but I just can’t bring myself to go out there. All this was for nothing.”
As Fluttershy turned her face away from Stratocaster, he pulled her close and wrapped his fore hooves around her in a hug. She was overcome with warmth and relief.
“Just remember what I told you,” he said keeping this embrace. “Look deep inside yourself and find that missing voice.”
He pulled away and she stared back with starry eyes. Then, as the announcer gave one minute to show time, Fluttershy smiled at her mentor.
“So, are you ready?” he asked.
“Let’s, um…rock.”
“That’s the spirit.”
“Mares and gentlecolts,” boomed the announcer revving the crowd into cheers. “Give a big Ponyville welcome to…STRATOCASTER!”
The ponies went into frenzy as the bold blue pegasus flew out onstage, did a single aerial loop, and struck a heroic pose in midair, guitar in hoof. This drew attention from the crowd, which helped Fluttershy get passed her stage fright as she walked meagerly onstage.

“Yeehaw, there he is!” yelled Applejack. “Hey wait, who’s that onstage next to him?”
“I don’t know,” answered Twilight. “It’s hard to tell from all the way back here.”
“I can’t believe these seats were fifty five bits each.” Rainbow sulked.

After making his eccentric entrance, Stratocaster landed stage left and approached a microphone on a stand. Fluttershy did the same on stage right.
“Hello Ponyville!” announced Stratocaster sending the crowd into another round of cheering. “It’s really great to be here tonight. I think you’re in for a real treat, because for this concert, I’ve hired a guest singer to help me along. Mares and gentlecolts please put your hooves together for the beautiful voice of…Fluttershy!”
The audience responded with a smaller applause and some supportive cheering. Fluttershy hid behind her mane.

“FLUTTERSHY?!” gasped five of the Mane Six.
“What the hay is SHE doing up there?!” blurted Rainbow.
“She’s singing for Stratocaster?!” added Twilight.
“There wasn’t anything about this on the ticket!” complained Pinkie.
“That pony’s crazy!” shuddered Applejack. “She’s not really gonna sing in front on an audience like this is she?”
They watched their yellow friend standing on the stage in shock. The thought of her singing for all of these ponies caused Rarity to faint.

“Now let’s get this show on the road!” Stratocaster finished and nodded to his band.
Ludwig and Gibson started off with a steady groove at 112 beats per minute; Stratocaster and Moog then joined in with a funk-like rhythm. Fluttershy’s knees shook as she stared out into the sea of faces staring back at her. Her cue came up and she spoke the first lyric.
“Try,” she began singing quietly.
“Try,” Stratocaster backed her up on the next measure.
“Try,” she repeated the third time.
“Try,” echoed Stratocaster.
“Try,” Fluttershy gave the fifth time a bit more flourish without raising her volume. She could see the front of the audience looking at her in confusion. Then the intro ended.
“Just a little bit harder,” the two sang in unison.
“So I can love, love, love him, I tell myself.” Fluttershy continued on her own still retaining her hushed tone. But the audience showed no change in reaction. Immediately, her cue to raise volume came but she hesitated and missed it. Fortunately, Stratocaster gestured to the band to give her a couple more measures for her to regain her composure. But Fluttershy felt it was hopeless; her eyes started welling with moisture as she took a step back from the mic. She looked over at Stratocaster with helpless eyes. As he strummed, he only responded with another trusting stare. Something in those big brown eyes reminded Fluttershy that the show must go on. She closed her eyes to wipe away the image of the audience and time seemed to slow down for her. As she kept her eyes sealed, she began to feel something swirling within her near her heart. It was as if fiery molten lava rising up through a volcano. She assumed it was vomit, but realized it was something else. Her throat swelled as this feeling crept up her windpipe and reached her lips. Right on cue, she opened her eyes and grabbed the microphone forcefully.
“I’m gonna TRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY just a little bit harder, so I won’t GIVE, GIVE, GIVE, GIVE him to nopony else!”
The crowd jumped in surprise. Somehow, Fluttershy had managed to shout/sing into the microphone with an electric heart-racing vibe. She gawked briefly at how loudly she had just burst out and turned again to Stratocaster who met her with an elated smile. The ponies upfront wore the same reaction as they began to have new faith in this stand-in singer. Fluttershy’s face lit up and she went on.
“Well I’ve been waitin’ for such a long time, I ain’t gonna LOSE my chance, no I ain’t gonna lose it, ain’t gonna LOSE my chance to make you mine, all mine!”

“Sweet mother of Celestia!” exclaimed Pinkie. “I’ve never heard a mare sing like that!”
“Was that her?” gasped Rarity. “I had no idea Fluttershy could sing that loudly!”
“I don’t know about you guys, but she sounds amazing!” marveled Twilight.

As the song progressed, the audience went wild for Fluttershy who sang at the top of her lungs. In her mind, she was baffled: this new voice doesn’t sound like me. This can’t be me. Then who is it? Nopony else is singing. Could this really be my true singing voice? Oh to hay with it, just keep singing!
“Yeah, I’m gonna TRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY just a little bit harder, so I can GIVE, GIVE, GIVE, GIVE him every bit of my soul!”
Fluttershy became swept over with joy. As she sang her heart out, she even shuffled a little around her spot on the stage. She even grabbed the microphone stand dramatically and slid across the floor. It was then that Fluttershy felt like a true rockstar. At the middle of the song, the music stopped leaving only the sound of Stratocaster, the band and the audience clapping and stomping their hooves to the beat. Fluttershy seized the mic from its stand and sang solo with the blue pegasus backing her up. She even leaped into the air, mouth wide agape, as she kept up her vocal cord straining streak.
“TRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!”
“Just a little bit”
“TRYYYYYYyyyYyyyyyYYYYYyYYYyYYYyyyyyyYYYyyYYYY!” she added more flourish.
“Just a little bit”
“Oh darlin’, darlin’, darlin’, darlin’, I gotta trust, com on, I just gotta put my hooves around you, I said, I said I gotta hold my man, I said I gotta make you understand, WHOA BABY, I just gotta try, try, yeah, try, try, yeah, try, try, OOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHH, TRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!”
“Just a little bit”
“TRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY, HEY, HEY, HEY, HEY, TRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!”
“Just a little bit”
“TRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY, YEAH, YEAH, YEAH!”
After another minute of more relentless “TRY”s, the song finally reached its close and the band stopped altogether leaving Stratocaster to finish off.
“Try…just a little bit…”
The two harmonized the last word. “Harder…”
And just like that, the crowd cheered in an ecstatic applause. It was truly a sight to behold for the little pegasus who had just found her voice. Amongst the screaming ovation, she could hear her name being chanted.
“FLUTTERSHY! FLUTTERSHY! FLUTTERSHY CAN SING REAL HIGH!”
She took a courteous bow toward them and looked at her singing partner. Stratocaster ran up to Fluttershy and gave her a congratulatory hug. She squeezed him back then pulled away.
“I did it, Strat! I really did it! And you said I could!”
“I’m so proud of you, Fluttershy. You sounded exactly like Janis Cloplin. Now, do you think you have enough in you for the rest of the concert?”
Fluttershy gave him a cute smile. “The show must go on!”

The show went on, and without a hitch. During each song, Fluttershy rallied the crowd with her newfound electrifying voice and stage presence. They praised her as the night pressed on. When the concert came to a close, flowers were tossed onstage and camera flashes went off like fireworks. Fluttershy and Stratocaster took their final bows side by side and departed the stage. As they retired to their rehearsal room, the met a silver stallion earth pony wearing a snazzy business suit and sunglasses. Stratocaster made the introductions.
“Fluttershy,” he began. “I’d like you to meet my managing producer, Platinum.”
“Nice to meet you.” Fluttershy said once again in her soft tone.
Platinum shook her hoof. “Kid, that was spectacular!” he said to her in a suave manner. “Your voice is like none I’ve ever heard before. That’s why I want to make you a star. How would you like to team up with old Strat here and tour Equestria? You’ll be the biggest duo since Stallion and Garfunkel. We’ll make millions!”
“Um, well, that sounds nice.” She answered nonchalantly.
“Great, super, fantastic, excellent,” shot Platinum quickly. “You’re gonna make it big, kid. You’ll sell twice more albums with Strat than he ever did alone.”
“Hey.” Stratocaster glowered at him.
“Oh lighten up.”
“Fluttershy!”
The yellow pegasus turned around to see her five friends galloping toward her excitedly. Before she could react, Fluttershy was swept up into midair by a cyan blur and squeezed tightly.
“That was so awesome!” Rainbow exclaimed as she gripped her friend in a suffocating hug. “You literally rocked my face off!” She dropped Fluttershy back on the ground where she was surrounded by the rest of the group.
“Uh, thanks, Rainbow.” She said.
“Well paint me blue and call me Luna,” cheered Applejack. “Ah had no idea you could sing like that, sugar cube!”
“Yeah Fluttershy, that was a fantastic performance!” added Twilight. “You must have a real gift you never knew you had.”
“It was really nothing.” Fluttershy replied humbly.
“Nothing?!” shot Pinkie. “That was more than nothing! That was something! No, it was more than something! It was…a lot of things! I honestly couldn’t stop dancing while you were up there!”
“Thanks, Pinkie.” Fluttershy smiled. She then turned to Rarity who looked at her proudly.
“Oh darling, that was extraordinary!” the unicorn praised. “I nearly became weak at the resonant sound of you’re a capellas.”
“Rarity, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you or anypony else.” She replied. “I guess I was just too nervous. And I’m really sorry I made you waste a ticket for me.”
“Oh go on, dear, it was well worth it just to see you sing your heart out on that stage.”
“We’re really proud of you, Fluttershy.” Twilight hugged her along with the rest.
“Didn’t I tell you this would be a concert to remember?” Stratocaster nudged her.
Rainbow gasped loudly at the sight of him. “Oh…my…GOSH! It’s- it’s- it’s- it’s you! I am such a HUGE fan of yours! Can you sign my wing?!”
Stratocaster briefly stared bewildered at the fanatic pony then smiled. “Well sure.”
He grabbed a black marker pen as Rainbow unfurled one of her broad wings. He scribbled his signature across it; she gawked and sighed in astonishment.
“I will never wash this wing again!”
Rainbow grasped her rock idol in another suffocating embrace as Twilight, Applejack, Rarity, and Pinkie all crowded around him giving praise and asking fan questions at a frantic rate. Platinum smiled at Fluttershy.
“You see? That’s gonna be you very soon.”
“Yeah…I guess so.”
Fluttershy smiled with the future in her eyes. To her, it was looking bright.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: If you want to hear the real song, go to youtube and look up Janis Joplin singing Try live at Woodstock. And just imagine Fluttershy taking her place. AWESOME!

Fluttershy Can Really Fly

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Chapter 5: Fluttershy Can Really Fly

She was on top of the world. Ever since the concert in Ponyville, Fluttershy had been the new biggest thing in the music biz. She received requests left and right for her to perform at various gigs alongside Stratocaster. Platinum had convinced her to record a new album with her counterpart to kick off a cross-Equestria tour. This album, titled Stratocaster: Sounds of Shy, became a double disk release and consisted mostly of songs written by Stratocaster with cover versions of other artists’ hits. Sounds of Shy rose to the top of the charts immediately upon release, and ponies everywhere were swept up by Stratocaster’s new singing partner. The reviews came pouring in with singles such as Smells Like Colt Spirit, Equestrian Idiot, In The End (a cover of Luna Park), Shine (a cover of Collective Foal), Black Hole Celestia, and even a metal hit called Ten Thousand Hooves. Fluttershy and Stratocaster toured all over performing live from Manehattan, to Los Pegasus, to Vanhoover, to Baltimare, to Canterlot, to Cloudsdale, etc. And everywhere they went, tickets sold out and they were the talk of the town. Fluttershy even earned radio deals with several interviewers, like Airtime.
“So Fluttershy, what’s it like working with a hotshot like Stratocaster?” asked Airtime.
“Oh, uh, it’s really fun.” She replied. “We’ve really become good friends ever since we met back in Ponyville.”
“Uh huh, good stuff. So tell me; where are you performing next?” he then proceeded to fiddle with various sound machines as Fluttershy spoke.
“Well, our next stop is in Fillydelphia.”
“Uh huh.” He responded without looking at her.
“Um, we’re hoping to make a big impression with this show.”
“Uh huh.”
“…And we’ll definitely be there to answer press questions.”
“Uh huh.”
“…And you’re not listening to a word I’m saying.”
“Uh huh.”
“So during the concert, I’ll be wrestling an Ursa Major.”
“Uh huh.”
“And Stratocaster will be wearing his tutu while juggling fire.”
“Uh huh.”
“And then Princess Luna will show up to throw pies into the audience.”
“Uh huh.”
“And you’re just wearing a toupee.”
“Uh huh. Wait, what? Whoa!” he quickly pressed a button playing a cartoon sound effect making Fluttershy giggle. “Almost let that one slip by. This is Fluttershy, mares and gentlecolts, stay tuned right here on 93.9 W-HUF the Hoof! We’ll be right back.”
As Fluttershy basked in her newfound fame, she began to grow closer and closer to Stratocaster. At first, the two would frequent friendly outings during their constant touring. But before long, they started to see each other over private dinner dates away from the publicity. Gossip from popular magazines spread about the two pegasi being involved in a heavily romantic relationship; but Stratocaster was quick to dispel these rumors. After completing a Manehattan show, Stratocaster took Fluttershy to a high class restaurant in the city to meet two friends of his.
“Wow, this is probably the classiest place we’ve been to so far.” She said looking around the high end eatery.
“Yup, all the big names in music have come here.” Stratocaster replied. “Ah, and there’s two of them now.”
He pointed to a table for four which was half occupied. Sitting next to each other were too widely celebrated, yet very different, musicians. One was a concert cellist; the other was a techno disc jockey.
“Strat, what is up my stallion?!” called Vinyl Scratch shouting in her companion’s ear.
“Fluttershy, I’m sure you’re familiar with Octavia and Vinyl Scratch.” Stratocaster said.
“Oh yes,” she answered happily. “I saw both of them at the Grand Galloping Gala.”
“Yeah we really stole that show.” Vinyl bragged banging the table.
“Vinyl, please, you’re embarrassing me.” Octavia glared.
The pegasi sat down with the bickering artists as a waiter handed out menus and poured them some aged sparkling cider. A piano began playing in the background.
“So Fluttershy,” greeted Octavia. “I understand you’re quite the vocalist.”
“Oh well, I guess you can say that.” She responded blushing. “Of course I never would have known that if it weren’t for Stratocaster here.”
“Oh you’re always humbling yourself;” smiled Stratocaster. “I just write the music, you’re the real performer.”
“Indeed,” agreed Octavia. “You have certain…ferocity in your voice which I don’t think many singers have these days.”
“Hay yeah!” blurted Vinyl. “You blew my mind when I saw you in Fillydelphia, kid. BLEW…MY…MIND! You were dropping rhymes on the mic like it was nopony’s business!”
“Uh, yeah, I do tend to…drop…things.” Fluttershy said awkwardly swirling her cider.
“Vous desire, mademoiselle?” asked the waiter looking at Octavia first.
“Ah yes, I will have your finest herb salad, with a garlic soup.” She answered politely.
“And I’ll have a DLT with a side of hay fries.” Vinyl added not so politely.
“Do you always have to order that everywhere we go?” Octavia asked her rhetorically.
“What? I’m not a big a fan of variety as you are.”
“Obviously not.”
“Et tu, monsieur?” asked the waiter.
“Veggie steak, please, medium rare.” Stratocaster replied.
The waiter finally turned to Fluttershy. “Et tu, mademoiselle?”
“Um, I would like the buttered linguini, please?”
“Tre bon.” Then the waiter suddenly perked up looking at her. “Ooh, mon deu, you are Fluttershy, no?”
“Uh, yes.” She smiled and partially hid behind her mane.
“Ah, magnifique! You are tre bon singer! You are, how you say, rockstar, no?”
“Um, oui.”
“Ha ha, c’est fantastique. I am big fan. You sign, um, autograph?”
“Well sure.” Fluttershy took the waiter’s pen and signed an empty order sheet in cursive.
“Ah, merci, mademoiselle. I will have orders for you un minute.” He took their menus and took off with a spring in his step.
“Gosh, I never thought I would find myself signing autographs everywhere I went.” Fluttershy said.
“That’s living the dream.” Stratocaster agreed.
“By the way, Fluttershy,” started Octavia. “I wanted to talk to you about doing a performance I think you’ll be very interested in.”
“Oh? What did you have in mind?” she asked.
“Well, your tremendous voice has already proven yourself as a rock n’ roll hit. But I was thinking you could do more. What would you think of singing an aria?”
“A what?”
“You know, a classical song. You’ll be singing solo with an orchestral accompaniment.”
“Oh my, that seems very…fancy.”
“What kind of gig did you have in mind for this, Octavia?” asked Stratocaster.
“You see, Princess Celestia herself is hosting an elaborate party in two weeks to celebrate the knighting of Shining Armor.”
“Shining Armor?” lit up Fluttershy. “I know him! He’s the brother of my friend, Twilight Sparkle. I was even there at his wedding with Princess Cadence. I had no idea he was being knighted.”
“It’s going to be quite a ceremony.” Octavia continued. “And Princess Cadence has requested only the best singer to commemorate her husband’s honor.”
“And…you want me to do it?”
“Who else?” retorted Vinyl. “You’ve got the best voice out there. Everypony wants you.”
“Gee, this is so unexpected. What do you think, Strat?”
“I think you should go for it, Fluttershy.” He encouraged. “Not everypony gets an opportunity like this.”
“I guess you’re right. Plus the Princesses and Shining Armor will be thrilled to see me there. Okay, I’ll do it!”
The waiter returned with their meals and they thanked him courteously.
“Then it’s settled.” Octavia grinned and gave Fluttershy a small paper. “Here’s my address. Meet me tomorrow and I’ll have the perfect song for you to perform.”
“Sounds like a plan.” She agreed as the two mares raised their glasses and began eating.
As a toast for Fluttershy’s upcoming aria, the four musicians ordered dessert: red velvet cake with sweet roasted coffee. After paying for the exquisite meal, they made their warm goodbyes and parted to spend the rest of the night. Fluttershy was brimming with anticipation for her big honor to sing in front of Equestria’s royalty. She couldn’t wait two weeks.

Three days later in Manehattan, Fluttershy walked over to Stratocaster’s house in the picturesque wealthy district. She had paid a couple visits to Octavia’s loft in the city to work on the aria, and she was already making fast progress. It was a new experience for her getting used to classical style, but she enjoyed it nonetheless. Fluttershy rang Stratocaster’s doorbell and sure enough he answered.
“Fluttershy? What brings you here so early?” he asked warmly.
She looked back at him with a troubled frown. “I think I have a problem.” She said in the low deep voice of a baritone stallion.

Bass Cannon

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Chapter 6: Bass Cannon

“…wh-…eh…uh…I…bu-…y-…what…”
Stratocaster stood in his doorway stammering moronically with his eyelid twitching. Fluttershy faced him with a humiliated expression. He was having trouble wrapping his mind around the fact that she had just spoken to him in a male bass tone.
“Oh, I'm really sorry about this, Strat.” She said in this new guttural bass.
“What the- What the hay happened to your voice?!” he exclaimed.
“Well, it's kind of a funny story. I mean, it's probably not that funny now.”
“Good Luna, you sound like Barry Flight!” he referred to the deep toned pegasus who sang passionate love songs.
“I know. It's really embarrassing. You see, this only happens to me whenever I touch poison joke.”
“Poison oak?”
“Joke. It's a magic flower that plays pranks on whoever steps in it. I was out strolling through the Manehattan countryside when I must have accidentally stepped in some while trying to help a squirrel find an acorn. I guess this is kind of a setback.”
“Setback? You have an aria to sing in ten days! Who knows what ponies will say when you start singing in bass?!”
“Yes, I kind of realized that.” She scuffed the floor.
“Well is this going to wear off? Is there some kind of cure for this?”
“No, I don't think...wait a minute, of course. Zecora! She's a zebra who makes herbal remedies. She's the one who cured me of the poison joke the first time.”
“Wait, this happened to you before?!”
“Oh yeah, I guess I should've mentioned that.”
“Well where is this Zecora?”
“She lives in the Everfree Forest outside Ponyville.”
“You mean now we have to go all the way to Ponyville with your voice all deep?”
“Uh, I suppose so.”
“I need to lie down.”
Stratocaster plopped onto his couch and rubbed his temples.
“Don't worry, Strat. Zecora is really wise, and she'll have just the cure for me.”
He sighed. “Whatever we do, we have to make sure nopony hears you this way. We can’t have all of Manehattan knowing that the biggest female singer in Equestria sounds like a crooner.”
“Hello? Stratocaster? Are you home?”
The pegasi snapped back to the open door to see a dusty gray mare wandering in.
“Ah there you are.” Octavia said seeing the two. “Oh Fluttershy, I was looking for you. You didn’t show up for our lesson and I figured you were here.”
“Hi, Octavia.”
“Don’t say anything!” pleaded Stratocaster already too late.
Octavia gasped. “Fluttershy, your voice! What in Equestria happened to it?”
“I stepped in some poison joke and now I can't help talking like this.”
“Oh good gracious!” whined Octavia. “There’s no way you can sing the aria now! What are we ever going to do?!”
“Look Octavia, don’t worry.” Stratocaster said. “Fluttershy said she has a friend in Ponyville who can help her. But please, for the love of Celestia, do not tell anypony about this.”
“My lips are sealed.” She replied. “Nopony will ever know…except for maybe”
“Hey what’s goin’ on in here?” asked Vinyl Scratch as she strode into the house.
“Hi, Vinyl Scratch.”
“Fluttershy!” blurted Stratocaster.
“Oopsie, my bad.”
A long silence fell before Vinyl fell to the floor rolling in laughter. “Pfffffff ha ha ha ha ha ha! Oh my gosh, Fluttershy, your voice is hilarious!”
Fluttershy blushed and hid her shame behind her mane as Vinyl continued guffawing.
“Ha ha ha ha ha, wait, wait, wait, say ‘Luna, I am your father’!”
“Luna, I am your-”
“Don’t say it.” Stratocaster said face hoofing.
“Oh that is just rich!” Vinyl gasped for breath.
“Vinyl, behave yourself!” scolded Octavia. “This is not a laughing matter.”
“Okay, okay, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” She calmed her breath holding her sides. “Woo! Alright, that’s all I need for now. I’m out.”
“Where do you think you’re going?” asked Octavia.
“Back to Canterlot. I have to set up the sound system for Shining Armor’s party. By the way, Fluttershy, I told Princess Cadence that you’re going to be singing there. She said she can’t wait to hear you. Peace!”
Fluttershy hung her head in pity as Vinyl walked off still snickering.
“Well she was…supportive.” Stratocaster rolled his eyes.
“Don’t worry, dear,” said Octavia. “We’ll get your voice back to normal. I’ll come with you to Ponyville.”
“Me too. I’m not going to let my favorite singing partner down.”
Fluttershy smiled gratefully and hugged the stallion.
“Oh thank you so much, Strat. You're such a sweet pony.”
Stratocaster winced and flipped his ears down at the sound of Fluttershy’s baritone breathing down his neck. He had never known what it was like to be flattered and creeped out simultaneously. He patted her back awkwardly with his best false smile.

The next morning, the three ponies set out for Fluttershy’s home town. They caught the next train out of Manehattan and settled in for a long ride. Aboard their cabin, Stratocaster sat on a bunk and kept his mind occupied by fiddling with his guitar in privacy. However, he found it difficult to practice with the sound of Fluttershy’s strange new voice across the cabin from him. Octavia stroked her cello as the distraught yellow pegasus sang with her in her booming bass.
“Do, Re, Mi, Fa, So, La, Ti, Do, Do, Ti, La, So, Fa, Mi, Re, Do-”
“Ugh, please, enough!” interrupted Octavia. “Why do I even bother?”
“I'm sorry, Octavia. It's awfully strange singing this way, and kind of creepy.”
“Oh, don’t fret, Fluttershy. It’s not like you aren’t a good singer anymore. In fact, that’s surprisingly one of the best basses I’ve ever heard. I never thought I would have to say that about a mare though.”
Fluttershy uttered what could barely be described as a female giggle.
“You know, just for the hay of it,” continued Octavia taking a manuscript out of her cello case. “Why don’t you try this song? It’s more suited for deep toned stallions.”
“Um, okay.”
Octavia resumed with her bow as Fluttershy began singing a sullen classical piece. With an annoyed grunt, Stratocaster dove his head under a pillow to escape the droning bass.
At long last, the train reached the station at Ponyville in the afternoon. The three music sensations hid their faces away from any prying public eye as they strode through town. Fluttershy led her two friends past her cottage and into the entrance to the Everfree Forest. Thanks to her warning, they kept their eyes peeled for any poison joke.
“So Fluttershy,” said Stratocaster. “How exactly did you come across this zebra?”
“All of us in Ponyville used to think Zecora was a wicked sorceress. And when my friends and I were affected by the poison joke, we all thought she had placed a curse on us. But as it turned out, she was actually brewing a potion to cure us. Once we realized that, we felt awful for judging her and we've been friends ever since.”
“I can imagine why you thought she was an evil sorceress. Who in the right mind would live all the way out here? This forest gives me the creeps.”
“Oh come now, Stratocaster,” replied Octavia. “I think it’s rather beautiful.” She stopped and widened her eyes. “EEK! A snake!”
There blocking their path was a scaly green serpent coiling on the ground and hissing menacingly. Octavia hid behind Stratocaster, who only hid behind her in the same frightened fashion. Oddly enough, Fluttershy kept her ground without an ounce of fear.
“Fluttershy, what are you doing?!” blurted Stratocaster. “That thing has to poisonous!”
Ignoring him, Fluttershy stepped closer to the snake. It let out a terrifying hiss and reared back to pounce on its larger foe. She lowered her head and starred back at the reptile with chilling eyes. In an instant, the snake seemed to be overcome with panic and slithered away intimidated. Stratocaster and Octavia looked at each other shaking in astonishment as Fluttershy gloated in front of them.
“That's just a little trick I use on naughty animals. By the way, it was just a garden snake; completely harmless.”
The proud little pegasus continued on the trail as the other two followed her with their tails between their legs.
Soon, the threesome finally reached the makeshift hut that was the home of Zecora. Strange herbs, tribal masks and storytelling urns piled outside the front door; the flickering light of a small fire glowed from a single window. Fluttershy knocked on the door, and before long, a gray and black striped zebra darning exotic gold jewelry answered with a welcoming smile.
“Fluttershy, my pony friend,” she greeted. “What brings you to see me again?”
“Uh excuse me,” started Stratocaster. “Are you Zecora?”
“Why yes I am, my pegasus guest. Were you expecting only the best? Yes, Zecora is my name, and brewing potions is my game.”
He blinked in a confused look, trying to wrap his mind around this zebra’s odd couplets.
“Miss Zecora,” said Octavia. “We have a bit of a situation that apparently only you can help solve.”
“What ever do you mean, kindly stranger?” asked Zecora. “Is there some kind of impending danger?”
“Well not exactly,” answered Stratocaster. “It’s something relating to Fluttershy here.”
“I’m afraid my understanding is quite weak.” Zecora replied. “And why does Fluttershy not even speak?”
Fluttershy looked at her with shame. “…Because I don't want to.”
Zecora gasped and face hoofed. “Oh no, Fluttershy, say it is not so. Into the poison joke you did not go!”
She only gave her a deflated nod.
“She told us that you’re the only one with a cure for her so we came here all the way from Manehattan.” Stratocaster resumed. “And we could really use one. Fluttershy is expected to sing at royal party.”
“I'm really sorry, Zecora. I hope you're not mad at me.”
Zecora grinned forgivingly. “Oh of course not, my silly little mare; I’m sure your excuse is quite fair. Now that you all have come this way, come inside and sit down for a stay.”
“Oh thank you, Zecora.”
The three ponies entered the hut and gawked at the interior. More voodoo décor lined the walls along with stacks of dusty tomes and tables scattered with ingredients. In the center, a pit fire sat with a metal cauldron boiling over it. Stratocaster felt uneasy in this strange witch doctor’s home. Zecora led them to sit on her couch.
“I will just be a minute to finish some chores.” She said stepping toward a back door. “Then we will fix that voice of yours.”
She went outside to her garden leaving the ponies sitting in awkward silence for a couple minutes. Finally, Stratocaster broke the ice with a clap of his hooves.
“Alright, I’ll be the one to ask. Why does she only speak in rhymes?”
Before Fluttershy could answer him, Zecora reentered the hut with a basket full of toadstools and green leafy stalks. She dumped her contents into the bubbling cauldron and stirred the elixir with a wooden spoon.
“What do you think she’s making?” whispered Octavia.
“Maybe it’s some kind of weird enchantment that’ll make you grow a second head.” Stratocaster quivered; Fluttershy rolled her eyes at his outrageous accusation.
Then, Zecora slurped a sample of the mixture from her spoon and nodded with satisfaction. “Mm, this carrot stew will most certainly do.” She turned to the curious ponies. “Now Fluttershy, if you’ll allow me, I will help you out with a little alchemy.”
“I can't thank you enough, Zecora. I'll be so relieved to have my old voice back.”
“It is my pleasure to help a friendly face. Soon you’ll be rid of that stallion bass.”
Zecora gathered various herbs and grains and began to grind some of them in a stone bowl. She even chanted while mixing her ingredients. “Toe of frog, eye of newt, spiced tealeaf and bitterroot, skin of a lemon and seeds of a lime,”
“Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme?” perked up Stratocaster.
Zecora glared at him for finishing her couplet, incorrectly.
“Sorry.” He blushed.
“The final product is very near.” She announced. “Now all I need is some” she gasped. “It is not here!”
“What isn’t here?” asked Octavia.
“Claw of griffon is what I am looking for,” answered Zecora. “But for some reason it is not in my drawer.”
“Well, can’t Fluttershy just take the cure without it?” shrugged Stratocaster.
“It is the main part of the antidote, but the fact that that it is missing really gets my goat.”
“Do you have anymore claw of griffon anywhere?”
“I wish I did but unfortunately not. It is a rare flower and there is not a lot. I am afraid that without a complete mix, your poison joke ailment is impossible to fix.”
“You mean she’s going to be stuck with this voice?” gasped Octavia.
“I am sorry, Fluttershy, I am an honest zebra who cannot lie. But until I find more griffon’s claw, I am afraid your voice will continue its flaw.”
Fluttershy stared at the floor with tears welling up. Stratocaster touched her shoulder.
“Hey cheer up, Fluttershy, it’s not too late. Zecora, you can get more of that claw of griffon right?”
“It will not be easy with it being so rare,” she answered. “But I will do anything to aid this poor little mare.”
Fluttershy peered up at Zecora with an enlightened smile.
“I guess you're really not an evil enchantress..”
“You know that quite well, my young pony belle.” Zecora returned her smile but then turned to Stratocaster who was looking curiously at her décor. “You there,” she scolded. “Keep your hooves off that mask! And watch that table you nearly broke a flask!”
He stumbled skittishly tilting the mask on the wall and nearly knocking a few alchemic instruments off the table next to him. He caught a flask before it fell to the floor. “Uh, sorry!”
Fluttershy and Octavia giggled at the clumsy rockstar.

Expected Entertainment

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Chapter 7: Expected Entertainment

Princess Cadence paced the floor back and forth in her royal bed chambers. Things were bustling throughout all of Canterlot. The unicorn residents of the city buzzed about the upcoming knighting ceremony of the captain of the royal guard himself, Shining Armor. Already, Canterlot Castle was being decorated for the celebration of this event and the three regal alicorns were preparing to commend the young captain. But Cadence was struggling with her preparation as she worriedly paced her room muttering under her breath. She was interrupted by her husband opening her door.
“Cadence? Are you descent?” he asked before entering.
“Oh, yes dear; come in.” she replied nervously.
The strapping white unicorn stepped in with an inquiring look. “I was looking all over for you. Princess Celestia said she hasn’t seen you all morning.”
“Oh, um, I was just sleeping in, that’s all.”
“Are you okay? You never sleep in, especially when a party is coming up.”
“I’m fine, darling, really. I’m very excited for your knighting next week.”
“Come on, what’s getting you down?”
Cadence resigned and sighed. “I wanted this to be a surprise for your party. But I requested a singer to perform an aria in the castle theater.”
“That’s great. Who did you get?”
“Well, I talked with Vinyl Scratch. You know, that odd unicorn DJ? She said that her friend Octavia got somepony who’s voice was good enough for the aria. And that pony just happens to be Fluttershy.”
“The Fluttershy?! Holy crabapples, Cadence, I don’t believe it. She’s only the biggest singer in Equestria. Now I’m actually going to meet her!”
“Uh, Armor, you do know that you met her before, right?”
“…huh?”
“She was the pegasus who organized the bird choir for our wedding?”
“You mean Twilight’s friend? That’s her?”
“Honestly, Armor, you can be quite forgetful sometimes.”
“Hey, there were a lot of ponies at our wedding; and she was pretty quiet. Though I guess it’s ironic that she became a successful singer. Good for her.”
Cadence smiled and rolled her eyes at her lovable but quirky husband. “If there was one reason I married you, it certainly wasn’t for your memory.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. So what’s the trouble? Having Fluttershy at my party doesn’t sound bad at all.”
“Well, it’s been four days since Vinyl Scratch contacted me; but I haven’t heard any confirmation from Fluttershy herself. I’m starting to worry if she’s not coming.”
“I don’t see why you should have to worry; it’s my party after all.”
“Of course dear, but I want everything to be perfect for you. This is a tremendous opportunity for only the bravest soldier in Equestria. You’ll soon be my knight in-”
“I know, I know, like I haven’t heard that one before. Don’t get so worked up just for my sake. Whether Fluttershy shows up or not, I’ll still have a wonderful time, as long as you’re by me.”
“You know I will be.” The slender pink alicorn kissed her husband’s cheek. “Now why don’t you join Celestia and Luna for lunch? I’ll be down in a bit.”
“Sure thing…your highness.”
“Oh please, you know I hate it when you call me that.”
“That’s what you get for having me move into the castle. So you’ll be down for lunch?”
“You bet…Sir Shining Armor.”
The couple gave each other loving looks and Shining Armor exited. Cadence breathed a heavy sigh and went over to her desk. She levitated an inked quill and began scribing a letter on parchment.
“Dear Twilight Sparkle, I’m sure you are well aware of your brother’s ceremony. I look forward to seeing you there next week. It will be nice to see my favorite filly I used to sit for. Anyway, I have a matter to discuss with you concerning your friend, Fluttershy…”

Later that same day, Fluttershy, Stratocaster and Octavia exited Zecora’s hut in the Everfree Forest. The zebra mare stood at the doorway to see them off.
“Thank you for letting us stay, Zecora.” Octavia said. “But we really don’t want to be a burden. We’d best be setting off for Canterlot.”
“It is no trouble, Octavia dear,” replied Zecora. “If you need more help, I will be right here. And Fluttershy, I promise to finish the cure for you, before your performance at the party is due.”
“Thanks again, Zecora, I'll see you soon.”
Zecora waved the musicians goodbye as they walked the trail back to Ponyville. Upon exiting the forest, they proceeded to Fluttershy’s cottage.
“She seemed nice,” said Octavia. “I sure hope she gets that cure for us soon.”
“Hey Fluttershy, I never asked,” added Stratocaster. “Who’s been taking care of your animals while you’re away?”
“Oh, I left my friend Pinkie Pie in charge. I wonder how she's doing.”
They approached the front door of her cottage and opened it up to chaos. In the living room, squirrels, chipmunks, raccoons and other rodents were running amuck around the floor and various birds scattered above screeching and squawking. Immediately, a pink earth pony came rushing in holding a squirming white rabbit.
“No! No! Stop!” shouted Pinkie Pie. “The squirrels aren’t supposed to eat the bird food! And the birds aren’t supposed to eat the fish food! Oh how in Equestria does Fluttershy live with this?!”
“Um, hello?” announced Stratocaster.
The pink mare gasped at the sight of him. “Oh my gosh, it’s Stratocaster! And Fluttershy! I’m so glad you’re back!”
Octavia cleared her throat expecting some recognition.
“So what brings you back, Fluttershy?” asked Pinkie.
Fluttershy opened her mouth but hesitated and instead whispered in Stratocaster’s ear.
“Uh, she just wanted to stop by to check on her animals.” He spoke for her.
“Oh it is not as easy as you promised it would be. I don’t know how you manage to control all these critters! I even have to get Applejack to wrangle them up every now and then. It’s nothing like taking care of the Cake twins. Ouch!” Angel bit her hoof making her let go and he scampered off. The bunny grasped himself onto Fluttershy’s leg and she hugged him lovingly.
“Oh by the way, Fluttershy,” continued Pinkie. “Congratulations on singing at Shining Armor’s knighting ceremony!”
The three musicians became startled.
“Wait, how did you know about that?” asked Octavia. “I was told Fluttershy’s appearance was going to be a surprise.”
“Well you see, our friend Twilight got a letter from Princess Cadence. She actually knows Twilight because she used to foal-sit for her when she was a filly. And then I met her when we found out she was marrying Shining Armor who just happens to be Twilight’s brother. And then we showed up to their wedding, but then this creepy changeling lady-”
“Could you speed this up, please?” asked Stratocaster impatiently.
“Oh sorry. Anyway, the Princess was worried that Fluttershy wouldn’t show up. But Twilight replied to her saying that she would, and that the rest of her friends would come to see her sing. It’s going to be great! Hey Fluttershy, are you okay? You’re twitching more than I do.”
She nodded with a squeamish expression shaking in her knees.
“Come on, Fluttershy, you can talk to Auntie Pinkie. What’s getting you down with that old frown?”
Fluttershy avoided Pinkie’s gaze behind her mane.
“Um, Pinkie Pie, she has to save her voice for the party.” Octavia lied.
Just then, a distraught pigeon swooped over their heads. The bird knocked a framed photo off of Fluttershy’s wall causing it to fall straight down toward her, bonking her on the head.
"YOUCH! ...oopsie.”
After a second of stunned silence, Pinkie screamed and swiped up Angel in her hoof. She then grabbed a spoon and pointed it threateningly at her friend.
“Who are you and what have you done with Fluttershy?!” she exclaimed in panic.
Fluttershy face hoofed and gave her a discerning stare. “Pinkie, it's still me.”
“Liar! Fluttershy’s voice is soft and apparently loud nowadays. She does not sound like you, imposter!”
“Look, Pinkie,” said Stratocaster. “She just stepped in poison joke. She told me you knew about that.”
Pinkie dropped her weapon and the angry bunny in realization and then strangely returned to her usual smile. “Oh, is that all? Fluttershy, you know Zecora can just cure you.”
“That’s the thing.” Octavia explained. “Zecora is unable to complete the antidote. We’re still waiting for her to find the missing ingredient before the knighting next week.”
“Pinkie, please, you can't tell anypony about this; especially not Shining Armor, the Princesses, or our friends. Please, do you Pinkie promise?”
“Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my- OW!” she poked her eye while making the appropriate gestures. “But you should be careful. The entire town is talking about your performance at Canterlot Castle. And you wouldn’t want everypony to find out your voice is all big and deep. But I swear I won’t tell anypony, that’s a Pinkie promise.”
“Well I’m not sure what that means but we should get going.” Stratocaster said. “We told Zecora to meet us in Canterlot once she’s finished the cure. We’ll just be on our way.”
“Thanks a bunch, Pinkie, you're a great friend.” Fluttershy hugged her before following the other two out the door. “Take good care of my little friends; I owe you one!”
“Wait a minute, where are you going?” asked Pinkie nervously. “I still don’t know what I’m doing. DON’T LEAVE ME-”
The trio closed the door leaving her to tend to the stampede of critters. They walked down the road from the cottage leaving the sound of crashing and yelling behind them.
“It’s best that we head to Canterlot anyway.” Octavia said. “If Princess Cadence is worried, we’d better make sure to show up with you, Fluttershy.”
“But I can't talk to the Princesses or Shining Armor like this.”
“Not to worry,” replied Stratocaster. “I’m sure your friend Zecora will show up in time. For now, we just got to keep you away from…”
They stopped in their tracks to see a gaggle of ponies in the road grinning at them.
“Look, it’s Fluttershy!”
The crowd cheered loudly and circled the three. Fluttershy whimpered.

Pony Paparazzi

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Chapter 8: Pony Paparazzi

In every direction, the giddy residents of Ponyville gathered around Fluttershy, Stratocaster and Octavia elated to see the famed female singer from their hometown. Several journalists pushed their way upfront lousy with questions.
“Fluttershy, what brings you back to Ponyville?”
“Are you in preparation for Shining Armor’s knighting ceremony?”
“Have you received any word from the Princesses?”
“Will this have any effect on your career with Stratocaster?”
“Are you planning to move to Manehattan?”
“What is your favorite music genre?”
“What do you do on the weekends?”
“Who does your mane?”
Fluttershy darted between the pestering interviewers sticking tape recorders in her face. She dared not speak to any of them, so Stratocaster backed her up.
“My partner really doesn’t have time for questions; she’s very busy.”
“Stratocaster,” said a paparazzo. “Will you be attending the show at the knighting?”
“Yes, now if you’ll excuse us, we have to get back to Manehattan.”
Fluttershy gave him a confused look and whispered in his ear. “Strat, I thought we were going to Canterlot.”
“That’s just to throw them off so they won’t follow us.” He whispered back.
“Stratocaster, will you be performing at the castle as well?” asked another journalist.
“Will you and Fluttershy be working on another album?”
“Octavia, are you planning on recording with Fluttershy?”
“Let’s get out of here.” Octavia urged.
The three struggled through the crowd with little success. The ponies slowed them down chattering indistinctly and blocking there path. Finally, they pushed all the way out of the fanatic mass and hurried down the road. But a quick double take showed them that the ponies were charging after them.
“Oh goodness, these ponies just won't leave us alone.”
“Trust me, I’ve had worse.”
“Oh please, Strat, now is not the time to brag.”
The music stars galloped into town through the streets where more excited ponies spotted them and joined in the chase. Throughout the town, they tried to shake the crowd off by making sharps turns into smaller streets; but the mob only grew bigger and continued their pursuit. They attempted to fly away, but only to be blocked by pegasi fans. At one point, the musicians sat on a bench hiding their faces in newspapers; at another, they darned wigs and false facial hair and misdirected the crowd away from them. But despite their efforts, they could not escape Fluttershy’s loyal fans. Eventually, the trio was backed into a dead end in an alley, and the crazed masses piled in.
“Great, we’re trapped like rats!” quivered Stratocaster. “Whatever you do, Fluttershy, don’t say a word to them.”
“Oh, if I have to keep quiet any longer, I'm going to scream!”
“Please don’t!” exclaimed Octavia.
Suddenly, the three were met with a blinding light; they shielded their eyes not knowing what to expect. Strangely, the sound of the ponies’ chattering had died out and silence had replaced it. Cautiously, they opened their eyes to view their surrounding. They found themselves in what appeared to be a library constructed from the wood interior of a tree. Before any of them could speak, a familiar lavender mare entered through the front door.
“Phew, that was a close one;” said Twilight Sparkle closing the door behind her. “It’s a good thing that teleportation spell of mine worked. Are you all okay?”
Fluttershy beamed at the sight of her friend and badly wanted to speak to her. But she quickly caught herself and kept her mouth shut.
“Hey, aren’t you another one of Fluttershy’s friends?” asked Stratocaster.
“Yup, my name is Twilight Sparkle; I run this library. I heard from the ponies in town that Fluttershy was back so I went to see the commotion. But then I saw that everypony was hounding you three, so I took matters into my own hooves and brought you here with my magic. You should be safe here; I won’t give you guys away. Let me get you three some lemonade.”
Twilight walked into her kitchen leaving the musicians to talk amongst them.
“Strat, I have to tell her what happened.”
“Fluttershy, at this point, we’re just deliberately telling ponies one by one that your voice is messed up.”
“But Twilight is really trustworthy; she won't tell a soul. Besides, she's super smart. Maybe she can help us get to Canterlot without being followed.”
“She has a point, Strat,” said Octavia. “If she was able to save us from those fanatics, then she might help us after all.”
“Alright, you can talk to her,” Stratocaster said to Fluttershy. “But only if she can really help us.” He felt a sense of irony telling her singing partner to shut up
Then Twilight returned into the main room with a tray full of lemonade glasses.
“So Fluttershy,” she said. “I heard that you’re going to sing an aria at my brother’s knighting. You must be so honored.”
“Thanks, um, you're going too, right?”
“Why of course I am, I wouldn’t miss it for the…” Twilight’s expression became stunned at the sound of her friend’s deep tone. “…Oh please tell me you didn’t.”
“Yup, poison joke.” Fluttershy rubbed the back of her head embarrassed.
“Fluttershy, didn’t you go to Zecora to get cured?” asked Twilight with a face hoof.
“We did, but she couldn't complete the antidote. But don't worry, she promised to get it to me in Canterlot before next week.”
“Then why are you still here?”
“We tried to get to Canterlot after seeing Zecora,” said Octavia. “But Fluttershy’s fans would follow us wherever we went and we can’t have any of them knowing about her voice.”
“I see your point.” Twilight replied. “Ever since that first concert, all of Ponyville has been buzzing about you, Fluttershy. I even heard that Scootaloo started a fan club where all the members where long pink wigs.”
Fluttershy shivered at the image of all those ponies dressing up as her.
“But I don’t see how you’re going to sing at the knighting with a voice like that.” Twilight continued. “If Zecora can’t help you, then I don’t know what you’ll.”
“Twilight, please don't tell anypony about this. I already told Pinkie Pie and she promised to keep it secret. You won't tell will you?”
“Of course not, Flutterguy, I mean, shy.” She said still trying to cope with her friend’s bass. “What are friends for?”
“Okay good,” said Stratocaster. “Now can you help us get to Canterlot? It’s important that we get there before we risk letting this secret slip by. Maybe you can use that magic thing you did to get us there.”
“Sorry, but teleportation isn’t that easy; and my magic would never be strong enough. However, I do have a better way to get you to Canterlot. Follow me upstairs.”

Outside the Ponyville Library, the Fluttershy fanatics crowded around literally barking up a tree. They waited eagerly for her as they had somehow tracked her down to Twilight’s home and business. Then, they perked up as they saw some rustling in the top leaves of the tree building. Rising from the foliage was a small purple hot air balloon ascending into the air. The crowd cheered randomly.
“FLUTTERSHY!”
“IS THAT FLUTTERSHY?”
“FLUTTERSHY I LOVE YOU!”
“FLUTTERSHY!”
Twilight popped her head out from the basket of the balloon. “Nope, just me; I’m just going out for a little ride. Now could you all please kindly GET THE HAY AWAY FROM MY LIBRARY?! We’re closed!”
The disappointed ponies walked away murmuring grudgingly at her. As the balloon cleared the skyline of Ponyville, Twilight turned to her refugees crouching below in the basket.
“We’re in the clear.” She told them. “Now it’s nothing but smooth sailing to Canterlot.”
“Thanks so much, Twilight. Anymore running and I wouldn't have enough breath to sing. I mean, if my voice wasn't so...you know.”
“How long will it take to get us there?” asked Stratocaster.
“It’s going to be a while,” answered Twilight. “But we should make it there by the end of the day.”
“Uh oh, I just thought of something bad;” quivered Octavia. “What if Vinyl Scratch tells somepony about Fluttershy?”
“Maybe they Vinyl thought she was just kidding.” Stratocaster suggested. “Or maybe they won’t believe her.”
“Well no matter what happens,” added Twilight. “I just hope Zecora gets that cure to you before it’s too late.”
It was a long balloon flight to the unicorn city. The lack of strong wind kept them floating along at a slow cruise. Before long, Celestia’s sun began to set and the travelers were growing bored. At one point, Stratocaster attempted to hock spit on passing carriages below, much to Fluttershy’s laughter and Twilight and Octavia’s disgust. After several long hours of sluggish flying, Canterlot finally came into view as the sun completely set. Twilight eased off on the torch that had lifted the balloon and they descended toward an open plaza outside the front of Canterlot Castle. Upon landing, the four hopped out of the basket and were greeted by two royal guards.
“Princess Cadence has been expecting your arrival, Miss Fluttershy.” One of them said.
Fluttershy only gave a grateful smile. Then the other guard turned to Twilight.
“And Miss Sparkle, it’s great to have Princess Celestia’s pupil here again. I’m sure your brother will be glad to see you.”
“Thanks, Cutlass. How’s the family, Saber?” replied Twilight.
“Great, thanks for asking.” The first guard answered. “We’ll take you to the Princesses.”
“Actually, this is where I take my leave.” Octavia said. “I’m going to find Vinyl and make sure she didn’t spill. I’ll come to see you at the knighting. Good luck Fluttershy…really.”
Fluttershy hugged her cellist friend before she departed into the city and the guards led the remaining three into the castle. Stratocaster spoke out of earshot of the sentries.
“Okay, now we got a new problem. How are we going to keep this little secret of ours from the Princesses?”
“Well, we can’t lie to them that Fluttershy’s sick.” Twilight said. “I mean, I guess that’s actually kind of the truth, but still it would completely put a halt on the performance.”
“You know any spells that could help?”
“Hmm…there is one that would a situation like this. Just leave it me.”
As they stood in the foyer, they saw her descend the grand staircase. Princess Celestia in all her divine majesty walked gracefully to her guests with her usual warm smile.
“Twilight, my favorite student,” she spoke. “It’s great to see you showed up early for your brother’s knighting. And Fluttershy too, Cadence will be so relieved to see you made it.”
The three bowed to her formally.
“Princess, it’s my pleasure to tell you that Fluttershy has agreed to perform the aria.”
“Oh wonderful! You have such an amazing voice, Fluttershy, I’m very proud of your success.”
“Um Princess, do you mind if I use your bathroom? It was kind of a long flight.” asked Twilight.
“Of course, Twilight, you know where it is.”
“Thank you.” Twilight walked down the foyer to the left and turned behind a corner.
“So what brings you here so early?” asked the Princess.
Fluttershy darted her eyes from side to side with not a clue on how to respond to this without revealing her ailment. Suddenly, she felt something tingling inside her throat and noticed Twilight peeking from around the corner. Her horn was glowing with her magic, and as soon as she began moving her lips, Fluttershy found herself speaking in her old voice.
“Oh, um, I just wanted to get a head start so I wouldn't have to rush the day before the knighting. Plus I wanted to practice in the castle theater and get more acquainted with Shining Armor.”
“Well that was thoughtful of you.” Celestia replied. “There’s plenty of room for you, Twilight, and Stratocaster to stay until the knighting. Allow me to show you to your guest rooms.”
She walked back up the stairs. Fluttershy gawked in confusion with Stratocaster wearing the same reaction. Twilight walked over beside her.
“Twilight, did you-”
The unicorn shushed her and proceeded to follow the Princess upstairs; Fluttershy and Stratocaster joined her. They came to a hall lined with many decorative doors that led to the guest rooms of the castle. Celestia stopped and opened one.
“You’ll be sleeping in here, Fluttershy. Twilight and Stratocaster can take the two rooms down. I do hope you all enjoy your stay.”
“Thank you, Princess. We really appreciate it.” Fluttershy spoke again involuntarily.
The Princess left them to take in their surroundings. Fluttershy turned to Twilight.
“Was that you making me do that, Twilight?”
“Yup. I don’t know why didn’t think of that before. It’s a spell called Ventriloquism; it allows one to make another pony speak in any voice. All I had to do was picture your old voice and use the spell on you.”
“Wait a minute,” said Stratocaster. “If you can make her speak in her normal voice, then maybe you can have her sing too. If push comes to shove, you can just use the spell to make her sing the aria.”
“But Stratocaster, I’m not much of a singer. I mean, I do enjoy breaking out into random motivational song every once and again, but there’s no way I can sing an aria; especially not like Fluttershy.”
“Besides Strat, wouldn't using the ventriloquism spell be kind of, um...cheating?”
“I’m not saying it’s our only fallback. But if Zecora doesn’t show up sometime this week, we won’t have much of a choice. For now, let’s just hope and wait.”
“You’re right.” Twilight gave a long yawn. “Well, it’s getting kind of late. I think I’m going to turn in.”
“Me too. Goodnight, Twilight. Are you going to be okay, Fluttershy?”
“Yes, I'll be fine. I'm feeling pretty tired myself after a day like this.”
“I know what you mean. I guess that’s the price of fame.”
“Well goodnight, Strat.”
“Goodnight, Fluttershy.”
They hugged each other warmly and retired to their rooms hoping that the next day would be less stressful.

Meddling With Metal

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Chapter 9: Meddling With Metal

The next day, Stratocaster entered the castle humming a catchy tune in his head. In his mouth he gripped a bundle of colorful balloons by the strings. Twilight was sitting in a chair in the front lounge, burying her face in an ancient magical tome borrowed from Princess Celestia. Next to her, Fluttershy sat on the couch skimming through a biography of Star Swirl the Bearded with only half interest. Both mares peered up to see Stratocaster waltzing in with his floating collection.
“Um, do I even have to ask?” said Twilight eyelids lowered.
“Twilight, I think I- Whoops!” Stratocaster opened his mouth to speak only to realize that he let the balloons float free. He quickly flew upward and reclaimed most of them leaving a few to float out of an open window to their doom. He landed back down and tied the survivors to his wing. “Twilight, I think I finally found a way to get Fluttershy’s voice back.”
“You have?”
“But Stratocaster, I told you,” replied Twilight. “We still have to wait for Zecora to get here with the cure.”
“I know, I know, but if we can cure Fluttershy ourselves, then we won’t have to bother Zecora and we’ll be set for the performance. Why put off until tomorrow what you can do today right?”
“Uh, I guess so.” Twilight rolled her eyes.
“Um Strat, if you don't mind me asking, what exactly are the balloons for?”
“It’s simple, Fluttershy,” he explained. “These balloons are filled with helium. One quick inhale from these babies and your voice will be higher than ever. You ever breathe in helium before?”
“Well no, but I have seen Pinkie Pie do it quite a few times with party balloons. She even passed out one time after doing it at my birthday party...and her birthday party...and Nightmare Night...and the Summer Sun Celebration...I guess she really likes balloons.”
“Well if this works,” continued Stratocaster. “We should be able to get that baritone of yours back to your normal tone.”
“That seems a bit crude,” said Twilight. “But it just might be crazy enough to work.”
“Great, let’s do it.” Stratocaster pulled a balloon from the bunch and gave it to Fluttershy.
“Do I just...breathe it in?” she looked at the balloon with curiosity.
“Yup, give it a shot.” He answered.
Without further question, Fluttershy untied the knot at the base of the balloon but held it as not to let it deflate. She held it to her mouth and slowly let the helium be sucked down her windpipe. When the balloon finally emptied, Stratocaster and Twilight looked at her with anticipation. Fluttershy dropped the balloon and paused.
“Well? How do you feel?” asked Twilight.
After staring blankly, she smiled. “I feel better already!”
Twilight face hoofed. “Ah, I should have known it wouldn’t work. Her voice hasn’t changed one bit.”
“Now hang on,” said Stratocaster. “Maybe we just didn’t use enough. Try another one.”
Fluttershy took a second balloon from him breathed in its helium. Once finished, she took a deep breath and sang a line from her debut song. “I'm gonna try, just a little bit harder!”
Twilight cringed.
“Wow, that poison joke is strong stuff.” Stratocaster added. “Let’s just keep trying the balloons; it’s got to work at some point.”
“I really don’t like where this is going.” Twilight moaned.
Throughout the course of the next ten minutes, Fluttershy continued sucking the helium from the balloons. But after each intake, her voice still showed no change in pitch. After a long ordeal balloons, she sat on her haunches and rubbed her temples.
“Darn it, twenty four balloons and it’s still not working.” Stratocaster stomped his hoof.
“I'm starting to get a headache.” Fluttershy graoned and tried to hold her lightened head steady.
“Strat, this is obviously pointless.” Twilight told him. “Poison joke is a magic plant, and that means it can only be solved with magic.”
“Well in that case, do you have any bright ideas, Miss Librarian?” he replied mockingly.
“I told you, only Zecora knows how to cure Fluttershy. Why are you so quick to solve this yourself?”
“Strat, I'm starting to think you don't have much faith in Zecora.”
“Well maybe I don’t. I know she’s your friend and all, but I’m just saying there’s a chance that she won’t b able to finish that cure in time. I’m just taking matters into my own hooves. Now listen, new plan, maybe if we could somehow get you infected with laryngitis-”
“No Strat, just stop trying to help.” She looked at him sternly. “Zecora will be here so there's no reason to intervene. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going on a walk through town.” She held her head high preparing to leave in a huff, but she collapsed to the floor, passed out before taking a step.
“Too much helium?” shrugged Stratocaster.
“I would think so.” Twilight replied flatly.

After finally regaining consciousness, Fluttershy left the castle to tour the streets of Canterlot. She avoided conversation with passersby in order to hide her voice as she window shopped through the many boutiques and jewelry stores. She realized that her walk through the ritzy town would have been much livelier if Rarity was next to her. As she strolled along, her attention became distracted by a display dress similar to the one she wore to the Grand Galloping Gala, when she collided with an unsuspecting stranger. Fluttershy stumbled back and saw that she had walked straight into a metallic gray stallion earth pony causing him to drop his saddlebag.
“Oh, pardon me, miss.” The stallion spoke; his heavy accent indicated that he was a Deutschpony.
“No, I'm sorry I-” she paused realizing her blunder. “Oh no, I did it again!”
“Ach du libre!” the Deutschpony gasped. “Your voice is not like a mare’s.”
“Oh please don't tell anypony. I'm in enough trouble as it is. I'm supposed to sing at the knighting of Shining Armor and I'm still waiting on a cure for my voice”
“Vait, vait, you are singing at the knighting? So, you must be Fluttershy?”
“Uh, yes.”
“Ah yes, you are the new rock sensation from Ponyville. It is a shame that your voice has changed so drastically.”
“Tell me about it.”
“But I must say, it is also quite fortunate.”
“What do you mean?”
“Allow me to explain. My name is Herzeleid, and I am a guitarist for a band. Perhaps you’re familiar with Rammsteed.”
“Um, not really.”
“Vas? You never heard of only the biggest Deutschpony metal band? No matter. Anyvay, ve are here in Canterlot to record a new album. Unfortunately, our singer has become incapacitated due to a run-in vith something, vat vas it called, ‘poison joke’. Now his voice is higher than the littlest filly, and our album is only half finished. But you, Fluttershy, your voice is low enough to sound just like his. How vould you like to be our replacement singer for the rest of our recording?”
“Oh, uh, I don't know about that. I'm already pretty busy with the knighting and all. But I appreciate the offer. maybe I'll see you later. Have a nice day!” She turned to walk away.
“That is a shame; because it vould be most unfortunate if anypony found out about your little predicament.”
She stopped and turned back. “What are you saying?”
“It is quite simple, fraulein. Either you help out my band, or I let my tongue slip about your voice to the public.”
“You wouldn't!” she looked around nervously to see if anypony had heard her outburst. “Um, would you?”
“That depends if you are villing to help or not. If you are, your name will not be featured on our album and nopony vill be the viser. Plus, I vill gladly throw in a little something your vay. How does ten thousand bits sound?”
“Ten thousand? Gosh, I can sure buy a lot of birdseed with that.”
“So, vat vill it be, fraulein?”
Fluttershy paused to consider her situation as Herzeleid stared at her with a tempting grin. She didn’t want to complicate the performance at the castle, but she also didn’t want word to get out about her voice. She breathed deeply and spoke.
“Okay, I'll do it.”
“Vunderbahr! Okay, meet me at this address tonight and ve’ll get right to vork. I really appreciate this, Fluttershy. It vill be a pleasure vorking together.”
“Yeah...I'm sure it will.” She replied reluctantly and departed.

The next day, a knock came on the door to Fluttershy’s guest room in the castle.
“Fluttershy, are you in there?” called Stratocaster. “I think I really figured it out this time. Hear me out. You know how when foals get their tonsils removed, they get to eat all the ice cream they want to ease the swelling on their throats? Well I got about sixteen cartons of chocolate, mint chip, rocky road, pistachio, moose tracks, butter rum, Fluttershy are you listening?” he opened the door and stepped in to an empty room. Curious, he knocked on the door of the next room.
“Come in!” called Twilight.
Stratocaster entered to see the unicorn sitting on her bed with another open book. “Hey Twilight, have you seen Fluttershy?” he asked.
Twilight peered up from her pages. “She said she would be back an hour ago. She’s not in the castle?”
“No, I can’t find her anywhere. I mean where could she go?”
“I’ll ask Princess Celestia.” Twilight stood up from her bed. “Let’s just hope that Fluttershy hasn’t spoken to anypony.”
“Oh I hope she’s okay. You think she’s still mad at me?”
“Fluttershy’s not one to hold a grudge.” She told him with a smile. “And I’m sure wherever she is, she’s doing just fine.”

Fluttershy found herself sitting in a recording booth at the Canterlot music studio staring at a manuscript of lyrics in confusion. The only other pony in the studio was Herzeleid who stood next to her smiling.
“Um, Herzeleid, I'm not exactly sure what these lyrics mean. I don't speak Deutschpony.”
“But you are able to pronounce the vords, right?”
“I guess. Come to think of it, I remember reading a Deutschpony storybook that my friend Twilight loaned me. She helped me out with the pronunciation.”
“Gut! I’ll just leave the music for you to play back and sing over. Don’t vorry if you finish before I get back.”
“Wait, where are you going?”
“I’m going to run some…errands vit mein band. Ve already got the music recorded, so ve just need your vocals. Ven you’ve finished a song, just hit the red record button here and press it again to start a new one. Gut luck!”
With that, Herzeleid left Fluttershy alone in the studio. The utter solitude made her uncomfortable as she stared at the lyrics, record button and microphone in hesitation. She sighed and pressed play on the track for the prerecorded music. The icy silence that filled the room was immediately blasted away as she was hit with the pounding rhythm of the industrial Deutschpony metal. She jumped slightly at the menacing volume; she had recorded a few metal songs with Stratocaster before, but they were more melodic and elaborate. Fluttershy buckled down and began to sing her cue. At first, the vocal melody was quite simple as she practically had to keep a single steady guttural note in the verse. She was surprised by how well she was reciting the robust Deutschpony language. Then, she raised her tone slightly as the chorus came.
“Willst do bis der Tod euch Scheidet treu ihr sein fur alle Tage?! NEIN! NEIN!”
Before long, the song was finished without a hitch. She pressed the button stopping the recording and then proceeded to play the new track back. Fluttershy frowned at the sound of her bellowing tone growling the strange foreign words in such a sinister manner; she would later feel the same reaction from the rest of the set list which she looked at with another sigh.
“Well, one down, ten to go.” She said to herself. “At least nopony will ever know it's me.”

Dinner Conversation

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Chapter 10: Dinner Conversation

“And that was ‘Heavy’ by Collective Foal, here on the Hoof. Coming at you later, for all you metal fans, we got some Rammsteed to kick off their upcoming new album. And we’re also still holding tickets to the Los Pegasus music festival for the next lucky caller. Uh what else? What’s in the news? Oh yeah, everypony over in Canterlot is expecting Fluttershy to sing an aria at the knighting of Shining Armor. But recently, nopony has seen much sign of her, not even the Princesses or the captain himself. Some are even starting to doubt if she’ll even be there at all. Well let’s hope they’re wrong. This is your host Airtime right here on 93.9 W-HUF the Hoof! We’ll be right back!”

Stratocaster and Twilight paced the floor of the castle lounge worriedly. They had spent the whole day searching all over town for Fluttershy with no luck. To complicate matters, all three of the Princesses were busy in Manehattan meeting with ambassadors from the land of the griffons, so they were no help in the search. When the two returned to the castle that night, Fluttershy had still not returned. They became concerned.
“I don’t get it, Strat.” Twilight said. “Where could she have possibly gone? It’s not like Fluttershy to wander too long.”
“Well we have to find her soon.” He replied. “With the knighting in four days we already have too much trouble.”
“Is that all you can think about? She could be in serious danger.”
“Twilight, the danger is that the Princesses will have my head if she’s not here to sing.”
“Ugh, you’re impossible! How can Fluttershy even stand to work with you?”
Just then, the door to the lounge opened with Fluttershy standing outside.
“Fluttershy!” shouted Twilight.
“Oh thank Celestia you’re okay.” Stratocaster smiled. “I was so worried about you.”
Twilight rolled her eyes at him. “Where have you been?” she asked her. “We’ve looked everywhere for you.”
Fluttershy darted her eyes nervously. “I, uh, I was in, uh, the castle library. Yeah, that's it. It's kind of one of the only places I can go where I don't have to talk.”
“You spent the whole day at the library?” queried Stratocaster.
“We looked there four times.” Twilight added.
“Um, I got lost there?” she shrugged feigning embarrassment.
Stratocaster looked at her with a raised eyebrow, but Twilight seemed accepting.
“Well I guess that’s a good point. I’ve gotten lost in that library a few times, myself.”
“You really shouldn’t stray too far from us, Fluttershy.” Stratocaster said. “Not that I don’t trust you, but we still can’t have anypony knowing about your voice.”
“Strat, don't worry about me. I know how bad this situation is and I don't need you to remind me.”
“All I’m saying is that the performance will be ruined if anypony finds out.” He said.
She began to grow agitated at him. “Listen to yourself; I feel like you don't even trust me anymore.”
He backed down a bit. “Gee Fluttershy, I didn’t-”
“Look Strat, I think I'm perfectly fine keeping my own voice a secret.”
“Is somepony in there?”
“EEP!”
They hushed down at the sound of a stallion’s voice outside the door. They watched as the knight-to-be entered.
“Big brother!” exclaimed Twilight as she ran over to hug Shining Armor.
“Hey sis, sorry I didn’t get to see you arrive the other night. The misses had me visiting Fillydelphia for a party.”
“‘The misses’; listen to you, big bro. I still can’t get used to the fact that you’re married.”
“Well, you’re going to have to get used to me being a knight too.”
“Uh, Captain Armor,” greeted Stratocaster nervously. “It’s a pleasure to meet your acquaintance, sir.”
“The pleasure is mine.” Shining Armor shook his hoof. “I’m a big fan of your music; especially with Fluttershy here.”
“Heh heh, fantastic.” Stratocaster chuckled hiding anxiety.
Shining Armor then turned to Fluttershy. “It’s great to see you again, Fluttershy. And I’m honored to have you sing at my knighting party.”
Fluttershy smiled courteously and shook his hoof. She darted her eyes in the direction of Twilight hoping she would take her hint. It took the unicorn a bit to understand before she showed a look of realization and ignited her magic. Fluttershy felt the tingling in her throat again.
“I'm very happy to do it, Captain.”
“Oh you can just call me Armor; any friend of Twilight’s is a friend of mine. So, I suppose you’re getting ready for the aria?”
“Oh yes, I've been warming up ever since I was given the opportunity. I assure you and Princess Cadence will be in for quite a prformance.”
“That’s terrific! But, there was something I wanted to ask you, if it’s not too much trouble. I was wondering if you could also sing one of your rock songs after the aria.”
“What?!” exclaimed Twilight at the same time making Fluttershy respond similarly.
“What?!”
“Yeah, maybe you could sing something from Sounds of Shy.” He continued. “I love that album. I mean, would that be okay?”
Fluttershy looked to Twilight for an answer but she was equally speechless. Then Stratocaster once again intervened.
“Uh, sure, of course. And I’d be happy to accompany her for that other song. Yup, no problem, right Fluttershy?”
She nodded slowly.
“Thanks so much.” Shining Armor replied. “I really appreciate you doing this. To tell you the truth, I’m looking forward to your show more than I am to the actual ceremony.”
Fluttershy gulped trying to keep down a whimper.
“Well, I’ll see you all in the morning.” He made back toward the door. “Oh by the way, Princess Celestia is going to have a banquet for us tomorrow. I hope you can make it. Have a good night!” he exited the lounge.
Twilight waited until he was out of earshot. “How did I ever get wrapped into this?”

As Shining Armor said, the royal servants of Canterlot Castle were preparing an elaborate feast the next day. In the kitchen, the chefs were hard at work whipping up the various meals, while the stewards bustled about setting the long table in the dining room. The three Princesses, the two musicians, the captain and his scholar sister all sat down as the first course, Frenchpony onion soup, was brought out. Fluttershy stirred her bowl innocently trying not to draw acknowledgement from the other six. Princess Celestia, sitting in the host chair at the end, unfortunately acknowledged.
“So Fluttershy,” she said. “Are you enjoying your stay here?”
She nodded with a courteous smile.
“Still trying to conserve your voice are you? I understand. It’s going to be a great show.”
“Indeed, we look ever forward to this aria of yours.” Princess Luna said sitting to the right of her sister. “How go the preparations for the song, fair master of the electric lute?”
After slowly realizing the boisterous moon princess was talking to him, Stratocaster replied. “Oh, um, everything is going smoothly, Princess. You won’t be disappointed.”
“We hope not.” Luna scoffed. “This is after all a momentous royal occasion.”
“Aunt Luna, please,” said Princess Cadence. “Don’t make our guests nervous. You might give Fluttershy stage fright.”
Fluttershy cringed recalling the memory of the first time she stood in front of the large audience back in Ponyville. She managed to finish half of her soup before the stewards took the bowls away and replaced them with the second course, a vinaigrette sunflower salad. She noticed that hers seemed a bit dry and started to speak up for dressing. But she stopped herself knowing where that would lead and choked down the salad. Twilight saw her discomfort and changed the subject.
“So Princess Celestia, I’m curious to know how a knighting ceremony goes.”
“Oh it’s quite simple, Twilight.” Celestia answered. “All Shining Armor has to do is kneel before me as we recite the accolade for knighthood. Armor, I trust you’ve memorized the oath like we practiced?”
“Yes, Princess.” Shining Armor answered; his tone indicated that she had asked him multiple times.
“He was adorable;” said Cadence teasing him. “It took Armor forever to memorize the oath. One time he even wrote it on his hoof.”
Everypony giggled with Fluttershy snickering silently not letting her bass slip out. Shining Armor rolled his eyes embarrassed.
As they continued their banter, the salads were replaced with large plates of a strange appetizer. Stratocaster noticed Fluttershy’s confusion at the platter and spoke for her.
“Uh, Princess,” he said to Celestia. “Pardon me for asking, but what exactly is this?”
“It’s an older recipe that Luna knows.” Celestia answered.
Luna explained. “Tis a platter of spiced breads stuffed with only the finest herbs and aged cheeses from exotic locations outside Equestria. We assure it is the ideal appetizer for our guests.”
Curious, Fluttershy sampled one of the miniature stuffed breads from her platter. Her eyes bulged; it was one of the worst things she had ever placed on her taste buds. She discretely covered her mouth to suppress her utterance of disgust and looked up to see the others’ expressions. Twilight tried the bread and reacted the same way trying to wash the taste out with cider. Shining Armor turned his head and dropped his bread over his shoulder giving his in-laws the impression that he ate it whole. However, Luna was wolfing down the bitter appetizer, and Fluttershy was surprised to see Stratocaster doing the same.
“What? It’s not bad.” He said as she looked at him questioningly.
They carried on conversing despite Luna’s off tasting bread samples. Soon, the stewards brought them each a hoof bowl of water and a saucer of lemon sorbet to cleanse their palates. Fluttershy couldn’t have been more thankful for the icy taste cleaning treat. After cleansing, it was time for the entrees.
“I hope everypony will like this.” Celestia announced. “It’s an exotic confection: flower sushi, an authentic recipe from the ponies of the Far East.”
They all eyed the entrée with delight. On rectangular plates were assortments of flowers wrapped in seaweed and rice in colorful bundles. Fluttershy tried a pink one of the bundles and smiled as her mouth became alive with exotic flavor. Everypony seemed to enjoy the flower sushi as well, although Luna was a bit skeptical about cultural foods unfamiliar to her.
“This is delicious, Princess.” Twilight said.
“Yeah, it’s better than any restaurant I’ve been to.” Stratocaster added.
“Only the finest for our guests.” Celestia replied.
Fluttershy loved the flower sushi and couldn’t get enough. She noticed an odd mushy green glob on the side of her plate. Willing to try, she took a small chunk of the glob and ate another sushi roll with it. She perked a bit as the taste of the new substance tingled on her tongue; but it didn’t seem to stop. Immediately, the tingling sensation shot up through Fluttershy’s nasal passages and to her nose. She realized that her sinuses were now burning excessively. Thinking quickly, she tried to find something to quell the searing pain. She saw a side of red orangey sauce also on her plate and ate another roll with it, thinking the new taste would block out the searing. But it only made things worse. Now her tongue began burning from the sauce adding to the pain in her nose and the roof of her mouth. She chugged down her glass of water until it was empty, but it did nothing to douse the heat. Her legs trembled and her heart began pumping faster as the intense burning increased. Fluttershy covered her mouth trying to keep her pained voice hidden. She desperately wanted to yell out in agony but somehow managed to keep quiet control. Stratocaster turned noticing her face turning red.
“Are you okay?” he whispered.
Fluttershy nodded, and then shook her head. She knew she couldn’t ask for the bathroom, but she didn’t want to leave abruptly. She whispered back.
“I think I forgot something in my room. I need you to help me out.”
“Why? What did you forget?”
“Please just get me out of here!”
Not bothering to question, Stratocaster turned to Celestia.
“Princess, I hope you don’t mind, but Fluttershy and I have to, uh, fix something on our sheet music.”
Celestia looked confused. “Do you really need to go now?”
“Uh, yeah,” he said. “It’s important that we do it now before we forget. Yup.”
“Well if you say so.”
Fluttershy and Stratocaster both left the dining room without another word. With nopony else around to see, Fluttershy dashed down the hall toward the staircase.
“Fluttershy, where are you going?” called Stratocaster.
She didn’t respond and galloped up the stairs screaming with her mouth closed. Stratocaster chased after her not knowing what the trouble was. He saw Fluttershy speed down the corridor and into her room. She slammed the door and blurted out.
“HOT! HOT! HOT! HOT! HOT!”
She sounded to Stratocaster as if she had been repressing the urge to shout for a while.
“Wait! Fluttershy!” he yelled.
He entered her room to see her standing in her bathroom with her head in the sink gulping the running water. Concerned, he approached the doorway.
“What happened?” he asked.
Fluttershy turned off the faucet and hung her head panting. She paused then perked up suddenly and clenched her stomach. In an instant, she slammed the door closed on Stratocaster who then pressed his ear against it. He became surprised to hear the sound of Fluttershy vomiting in her bellowing tone. He cringed and decided to sit down on her bed to leave her in peace. After a good ten minutes, Stratocaster then walked back over hearing nothing but silence. He opened the bathroom door to see Fluttershy sitting on her haunches by the toilet hiding her face in her forelegs. He went over to sit beside and put his hoof over her shoulders. She raised her face a bit to reveal streams of tears.
“I can't do this Strat. I just can't do this.”

Show Stopper

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Chapter 11: Show Stopper

Worry had settled within Canterlot Castle. The previous night, Stratocaster returned to the Princesses’ banquet without Fluttershy who stayed in her room; nopony bothered her for the rest of the night. The next morning, she still had not come out which concerned her friends. Twilight went in to check on her in private with Stratocaster pacing patiently outside in the hall. After about an hour, she finally exited Fluttershy’s room.
“How is she?” asked Stratocaster.
“She’s alright for now,” answered Twilight. “But she’s still upset about this whole crisis. It certainly doesn’t help that Zecora hasn’t shown up yet.”
“I feel awful; all this time I was so worried about Fluttershy’s voice getting her kicked out of the performance, when I was really putting more pressure on her. I doubt if she wants to see me.”
“It’s nopony’s fault, Stratocaster. And I’m sure she still trusts you as much as she does me. Fluttershy’s very forgiving.”
He smiled at her. “So are you, Twilight.”
They turned to see Princess Celestia approach them. “Is she feeling alright?” she asked.
“She’s fine for now, Princess,” said Twilight. “I think she’s just building up stress about the performance tomorrow.”
“I guess I should take some blame.” Celestia sighed. “I was a fool for serving sushi to her so close to show time.”
“Uh, yeah, don’t worry about that.” Stratocaster tugged his ear.
“There’s still time until the preparations for tomorrow.” Celestia continued. “Although I hope last night hasn’t taken a toll on poor Fluttershy. If you need any of my help, I won’t be far.”
“Thank you, Princess Celestia.” Twilight bowed.
As Celestia left them, Stratocaster looked sadly at Fluttershy’s door. “I wonder if there will even be tomorrow.”

The whole day went by slowly and silently. Fluttershy had not come out of her room and only Twilight had paid her visits to bring her meals and talk. Stratocaster dared not enter still feeling guilty for his partner’s misery. That night, he lay in his bed staring up at the ceiling knowing that getting sleep would be near impossible. After a couple hours of tossing and turning, Stratocaster heard his door creak open. He sat up and was shocked to see Fluttershy standing in the doorway.
“Fluttershy? Is something wrong?” he asked rubbing his eyes.
Fluttershy paused before speaking. “I just wanted to tell you something.”
She walked slowly over to his bedside looking at him with soft eyes.
“Sorry if you're still creeped out by my voice.”
“I think I’m used to it. What’s on your mind?”
Fluttershy sat on the bed and looked at the floor while swinging her back legs. “I know you were just worried about me ruining the performance. You had every right to be strict.”
Stratocaster touched her shoulder. “No, Fluttershy, I was being a jerk. I’m sorry I got you so worked up. I remember how quiet you were when I first met you. It’s really unfair that you have to be cooped up like this. Your voice is beautiful, and I shouldn’t try to keep you in the dark.” He began to tear up a little; but he then felt Fluttershy’s hoof touch his cheek as she smiled at him.
“I don't blame you.” She said and laid a kiss where her hoof was. “You're a loyal partner and a terrific friend. That's nothing to feel ashamed of.”
Stratocaster blushed at her kiss and smiled. “So, are you feeling any better?”
“Actually, I've been having trouble sleeping. Maybe I could...join you?”
He blinked surprised. “Uh…sure.”
“Thanks.” Fluttershy climbed into his bed and snuggled next to him. Already, she closed her eyes as she rested her head on the pillow.
“Hey Fluttershy.”
“Yes, Strat?”
“No matter what happens tomorrow, you still have the best darned voice I’ve ever heard.”
She hugged him close and the two of them fell fast asleep.

It was the big day. The streets of Canterlot became flooded with carriage traffic and the plaza in front of the castle was swarming with invitees to Shining Armor’s knighting celebration. Princesses Celestia and Luna stood in the foyer greeting and shaking the hooves of the distinguished guests; Princess Cadence was helping her husband prepare to meet his public. Throughout the royal soirée, Shining Armor, the Princesses, Stratocaster, Octavia, Vinyl Scratch, and Fluttershy and her friends socialized around the castle in fine dress, with Fluttershy of course keeping speaking to a minimum. During an elaborate dinner, Shining Armor received congratulatory speeches from his family and closest friends; Twilight had no trouble embarrassing her brother with memories from their youth. After more partying and praise for the knight-elect, it was finally show time. The crowd gathered in the large castle theater with the royals and Shining Armor sitting in a balcony. Octavia was prepping a small orchestra on the rear of the stage as a single microphone sat on the front waiting for the star singer. Fluttershy stood backstage with Stratocaster looking out into the audience where her five best friends were sitting in the front row. She especially paid attention to Pinkie Pie and Twilight, who were the only ones in the audience who knew about the trouble with Fluttershy’s voice. Before, she desperately hoped that they hadn’t broken the news to Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Applejack who were less discrete. But by now, Fluttershy had given up hope that the poison joke cure would arrive and it didn’t matter to her who knew and who didn’t. Soon, the crowd settled down and Celestia addressed them under spotlight.
“Honored guests, it is with great pleasure that I introduce your entertainment for this special evening. What better way to celebrate our Shining Armor’s title than with Equestria’s most popular singer. Mares and gentlecolts, please welcome…Fluttershy!”
The ponies clapped and whistled with enthusiasm. Before stepping out, Fluttershy gave a final hug to Stratocaster.
“I guess there's no hiding it anymore.” She sighed.
“It’ll be alright.” Stratocaster smiled. “You’ll still always my music partner.”
With one more look at his trusting green eyes, she walked out onstage and approached the microphone. The spotlight cast upon her as the audience hushed. Without further waiting, Fluttershy took a deep breath to reveal her voice. But something kept her from letting the breath out; she had a hunch it was the distant sound of hooves clopping hurriedly toward the doors outside. Then, breaking the silence, the left doors swung open letting in bright light behind a pony-like silhouette. Fluttershy looked stunned as she heard a familiar mare voice.
“Wait, nopony do a thing! Fluttershy must not yet sing!”
The audience turned their heads around in confusion; to Fluttershy, it was as if she was visited by a guardian pegasus. Galloping down the aisle toward the stage was Zecora with a saddlebag across her back. The zebra hopped up onto the stage and stopped next to Fluttershy.
“I am ever so sorry that I am late,” she panted. “The claw of griffon was hard to locate.”
Fluttershy smiled with relief and whispered to her. “It's better late than never.”
“For sooth, what ever is the meaning of this?!” ordered Luna.
“My apologies, dear Princess,” said Zecora bowing to her. “But there is something I must confess. Fluttershy must take medication, before she makes her presentation.”
“What medication?” asked Stratocaster, who stepped out. Zecora looked at him with a discerning stare; then he got the memo. “Oh right. Uh, you see, Princess, we had Zecora here whip up a serum to, uh, cleanse Fluttershy’s throat so she’ll sing more clearly.”
“Well, can’t this wait?” asked Celestia.
“I am afraid not, Princess, we must make haste.” Zecora replied. “I did not go to so much trouble to have this serum go to waste. We will be backstage, but not for long. Then Fluttershy will be able to sing her song.”
“Very well then.” Celestia shrugged.
“But make quickly! We hath but little patience!” Luna scolded.
Fluttershy followed Zecora back toward behind the curtain; she whispered to her again.
“Do I really need to drink it?” she asked.
Zecora pulled out a small wooden bowl filled with turquoise liquid from her saddlebag. “Actually, it is not for your throat; it is an ointment that you splash on your coat.”
“So, just one little splash and I'll be cured?”
She nodded. “There is no need to fear, Fluttershy my dear.”
“HALT!”
Everypony turned back to the opened doors where they heard the shouting, which came in a Deutschpony accent. Standing in the doorway was a steely gray earth pony stallion similar to Herzeleid, only much more imposing. This stallion had the tall muscular build of a draft horse, and his greasy black mane was styled into a frontward wave. A few burn marks on his face and body indicated that he had somehow been involved in high use of flames. His cutie mark was a bass clef inside a metal gear. The audience gazed in slight fear, as the intimidating stallion glared with piercing green eyes; that is until they heard him speak in the voice of a filly.
“I have been looking for you!” he yelled.
A short silence came before most of the audience burst out in laughter. Even the alicorns and everypony onstage snickered, although Fluttershy was confused as to why this odd pony was pointing to her.
“You, Fluttershy, I am talking to you!” blurted the high-pitched stallion.
She stopped snickering and her knees began shaking. The gray stallion stomped down the aisle drawing more laughter from the crowd at his squeaky voice.
“Stop laughing at me, you ingrates!” he ordered them and leaped up onto the stage.
“Excuse me, but just who are you?” asked Cadence after most of the laughing ceased.
“Does nopony recognize me?” he replied. “I am Till Lindepony, lead singer of the one und only Rammsteed. Und I have ein bone to pick mit your beloved Fluttershy!”
Fluttershy backed up, intimidated, but then Shining Armor appeared onstage to interject.
“Now wait a minute,” he demanded. “Just what could you possibly have against her?”
“I am talking about her singing mein part on the new Rammsteed album.”
Some of the audience murmured in confusion.
“What?!” exclaimed Stratocaster.
“That is right.” Till continued. “Everypony's favorite singer has been involved mit Rammsteed. I get infected mit poison joke, und suddenly she comes along mit ein deep voice und replaces me.”
“Fluttershy, is this what you’ve been hiding?” Stratocaster looked at her hoping it was not true. But she only responded by guiltily avoiding his gaze.
“What are you talking about?” Shining Armor countered Till. “Fluttershy sounds nothing like you in your songs.”
“Wait, Armor, you listen to Rammsteed?” Cadence stared at her husband with disgust.
“Uh, well, I mean, I’ve heard about them…on the radio.” He lied and scratched his head.
“Oh I assure you, herr Shining Armor,” said Till. “Her voice is not vat it used to be. Mein band told me everything. Those idiots hired her because she sounds just like me.”
“Is this part of the show?” asked Pinkie Pie unheeded.
“Go ahead, Fluttershy,” Till smiled at her evilly. “Tell everypony your little secret. Show them how deep your voice really is. This is payback for besmirching mein album.”
Fluttershy winced with tears, too scared to speak to him. Then Zecora stood in front.
“Now you leave her alone, you squeaky Deutschpony.” She scolded. “I assure you that Fluttershy is not a phony. Her voice is still pleasant, sweet and high, so you have no reason to stand here and lie.”
“Ach, enough of your rhyming, zebra,” growled Till. “It is quite annoying. This is between me und that lying pegasus.”
“If you don’t like the way I talk, then maybe you should take a walk.”
“I said enough!” Till then knocked the bowl out of Zecora’s hoof making her cringe and hold it in pain. The bowl holding the cure flew up into the air to Fluttershy’s horror. Quickly, she flew up to retrieve the bowl. But as she reached out and tried to catch it, she instead redirected it in midair making it hurdle toward Till. In that instant, the entire contents of the bowl splashed over him. Till growled in a fit of rage and burst out at Fluttershy.
“YOU VILL PAY FOR THAT!”
He covered his mouth in shocked realization. The giggling ponies finally stopped as they heard him shout in a booming baritone.
“Mein voice, it is back…ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! At last!” cackled Till in his low drone. “Vell then, I guess I should thank you, zebra, for unknowingly restoring mein glorious bass.”
“But…but…but…but…but…” stammered Stratocaster with wide eyes.
“Now that I am cured,” resumed Till. “I can finally get back to vork and replace the damage done to mein album.”
“Somepony get him out of here!” ordered Cadence. “He is ruining this performance.”
“No need, frau Princess,” said Till. “I vill show mein self out. I have much vork to do.” He walked down the aisle and stopped at the doors to call back. “Gut luck, Fluttershy. Now that I think about it, you should be thankful to sound just like me. Till Lindepony is back!” He closed the doors.
The entire theater became silent and all eyes now turned to the yellow pegasus.
“Fluttershy, is it true?” asked Shining Armor. “Is your voice really like his?”
She darted her eyes all around nervously, and then hung her head in defeat. But instead of speaking, she walked over to the microphone on the front of the stage.

The Big Number

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Chapter 12: The Big Number

Nopony knew what to make of it all. First, the show had been interrupted by a strange rhyming zebra, then by a chipmunk-voiced Deutschpony who somehow had his voice changed. Now, the pony of the hour, Fluttershy, was standing at the front of the stage under a lone spotlight. Everypony wondered what she was going to say and how she was going to say it.
“Oh no, Fluttershy,” said Twilight under her breath. “You don’t have to do this.”
“Do what?” replied Pinkie Pie. “What do you mean? What is she doing? Is she…oh my goodness, she is! She really doesn’t have to do this!”
“What in tarnation are you two talkin' about?” asked Applejack.
“Nothing.” They both answered in unison.
More silence fell as Fluttershy just stood there at that microphone looking out into space. Then, she turned around and gave a nod in the direction of Octavia. The gray mare quickly took the hint and turned to her band. With a tap of her baton, she conducted the orchestra to start playing in a tranquil atmosphere at a slow ¾ meter. Fluttershy faced the crowd and closed her eyes.
“What is she doing?” asked Shining Armor.
“She’s looking for it.” Stratocaster said with a look of astonishment.
As Fluttershy stood there in pseudo meditation, she began to look deep within herself. Inside her very conscience, she could see it, the space where she found her loud singing voice at the first concert. Then she could see the ugly blotches that filled the space which kept her from finding that voice again. With all the concentration and willpower she had, she lost all awareness of the world around her and dove beneath these blotches to look even deeper within. She focused harder and harder as urged to see past the obstacles that kept her at bay. Then she finally felt it. It was the familiar warm lava-like sensation that rose up out of her chest cavity and up her throat. Only this time, it felt more pleasant and pristine than lava. Without focusing on anything else, Fluttershy opened her eyes and began to sing, letting the sensation out.
“Qui creavit coelum, Lully lully lu, Nascitur in stabulo, By by by by by, Rex qui regit seculum, Lully lully lu…Joseph emit paniculum, By by by by by, Mater involvit puerum, Lully lully lu, Et point in praesepio, By by by by by…Inter animalia, Lully lully lu, Jacent mundi gaudia, By by by by by, Dulcis super omnia, Lully lully lu…Lactat mater Domini, By by by by by, Osculator parvulum, Lully lully lu, Et adorat Dominum, By by by by by…Roga mater filium, Lully lully lu, Ut det nobis gaudium, By by by by by, In perenni gloria, Lully lully lu…In sempiterna saeculum, By by by by by, In eternum et ultra, Lully lully lu, Det nobis sua gaudia, By by by by by…”
Not a sound was heard when she finished…until Pinkie Pie broke the silence.
“WHOO!”
And just like that, the audience broke out in uproarious applause. Everypony in the theater stomped their hooves and gave a standing ovation for Fluttershy’s crystal clear angelic voice singing the pleasant classical carol in aria form. Her friends upfront cheered especially loud for her, making her well up with tears of joy. She looked up at the balcony to see the Princesses and Shining Armor standing and stomping in applause, with both Cadence and her husband wiping a tear away. Fluttershy turned around to see that even Octavia and her band were stomping for her. And then, Stratocaster cantered up and swept her up in an elated twirling hug. He looked at her proudly.
“So, how did you do it?” he asked knowingly.
“I just remembered what you told me when we first met.” Fluttershy answered in her sweet normal voice.

After the performance, everypony gathered in the royal throne room to witness the awaited knighting ceremony. As the guests sat in rows facing the front, Princess Celestia stood in front of her throne with her sister and niece beside her; the captain, clad in Canterlot knight’s armor, knelt before her. They proceeded with the accolade while Twilight whispered to Fluttershy.
“I can’t believe you pulled that off, Fluttershy,” she said. “Poison joke is magic and not even a unicorn could overcome its effect.”
“I must say I am deeply impressed,” added Zecora sitting beside. “But how did you do it? I must request.”
“Um, well, all I had to do was look deep inside myself and find where my old voice has been hiding.” Fluttershy said.
“Huh, I guess the effect of poison joke is more psychological.” Twilight replied.
“That was spectaculariffic, Fluttershy,” Pinkie chimed in. “I thought everypony was going to find out about your deep voice.”
“Yeah, what was the deal with that?” asked Rainbow Dash. “That Lindepony whoever said the same thing.”
“Well you see, Fluttershy’s voice was-” Pinkie stopped herself. “Ooh, I can’t say. I Pinkie promised.”
“It’s okay, Pinkie,” said Fluttershy. “It doesn’t have to be a secret anymore.” She then turned to Rainbow. “I accidentally stepped in poison joke which made my voice sound like a stallion’s. We were panicking about hiding my voice because we were afraid that if anypony found out, then I wouldn’t be able to do the performance.”
“Wait, so your voice really was like that dastardly stallion’s?” asked Rarity.
“Yeah, but not anymore.” Fluttershy grinned. “And I couldn’t have overcome it without Stratocaster here.”
“I’m really proud of you, Fluttershy.” Stratocaster replied.
“We all are, sugarcube,” added Applejack. “Your voice is really somethin’ else.”
“Shh, quiet,” interrupted Twilight. “They’re about to finish.”
They all turned their attention back toward the front as the Princess and Shining Armor wrapped up their exchanges.
“Shining Armor,” announced Celestia. “You have been deemed fit for this high estate by your peers, and have indicated your willingness to accept this honor from our hooves. Do you now swear by all that you hold sacred, true, and holy that you will honor and defend the crown and kingdom of Equestria?”
“I will.” He proudly answered with his head down.
“Then having sworn these solemn oaths, know now that I, Princess Celestia, do dub you with thy horn.” She then bowed her head placing her horn on his right shoulder, then left, then right again. “Once for honor…Twice for duty…Thrice for chivalry…” she lifted her head back up. “Arise, Sir Shining Armor!”
The newly knighted Shining Armor stood up and smiled at the Princess. She gave him a ceremonial sword which he sheathed onto his tunic. He then turned toward the crowd who stomped and cheered for him.

The ceremony ended and everypony returned to partying in the royal ballroom where Fluttershy conversed more with her friends. They all laughed as Pinkie did a bellowing impression of her when her voice was changed. Then, Fluttershy felt a hoof tap her shoulder. She turned around and became uneasy at the sight of Till Lindepony. This time, instead of his angry scowl, he wore a warm smile.
“Hello, Fluttershy.” He greeted.
“Um, hi, Mr. Lindepony.” She responded uncomfortably.
“Listen, I just vanted to apologize for mein outrage at the theater earlier. I actually got around to hearing your recordings on mein album, and I must say, I vas impressed. So, I decided not to overdub it und leave it the vay it is.”
“Oh, uh, thanks, I guess.” Fluttershy perked up a bit.
“Fluttershy, I am deeply sorry for trying to humiliate you in front of everypony.” Till continued with a look of guilt. “If I had known you were affected by the poison joke as vell, I vould have had more sympathy. Can you ever forgive me?”
She gave him a friendly smile. “Apology accepted, Till. If you want, I could also sing with you some other time, I mean, um, if that’s okay with you.”
“I think I vould like that very much.” Till returned her smile.
The two shook hooves before Stratocaster’s manage, Platinum, joined in.
“That was tremendous, kid,” he said to Fluttershy. “Everypony is buzzing about your little classical performance. I’m thinking we could do a little side project; a compilation of you singing the hits of ye olden days. We’ll make millions!”
“That sounds great, sir,” she responded. “But to be honest, I think I’m going to keep touring to a minimum from now on.”
“Wait, really?” started Stratocaster. “But you and I are doing so well together.”
“I’ll still sing with you, Strat, but I think I’m still needed in Ponyville.” Fluttershy then looked at her friends who smiled back.
“Well, the next time we meet again,” said Stratocaster. “We’re going to make an album like none other.”
She hugged him tightly. Then, Octavia and Shining Armor approached.
“Congratulations, Fluttershy,” said Octavia. “You performed that aria better than when we practiced it.”
“I couldn’t have done it without you, Octavia.” Fluttershy replied.
“That was an amazing show, Fluttershy.” Shining Armor added.
“Thank you, Armor, oops, I mean Sir Shining Armor.” She grinned.
“You know, you still haven’t done that rock song I requested. I see an empty stage over there, and I see a few musicians in front of me. So what do you say?”
Fluttershy looked at Stratocaster inquiringly.
“Shall we?” he asked.
“The show must go on.” She smiled.
“Whoo! Get ready to rock, Canterlot!” shouted Vinyl Scratch who appeared onstage.
The crowd cheered and danced as Fluttershy and Stratocaster played onstage, with Vinyl, Octavia and Till joining in. As the music rang out, Fluttershy once again let out her true voice.