As Celestia's sun rises over the town of Ponyville shining down on it's residents however, lately there's one place the light can't quite seem to reach anymore. You see dear reader, as of last month the two lovebirds we know as Lyra and Bon Bon; well they got into a heated argument in which in the finality of it Bon Bon decided that it would be best not to see each other anymore and to go their own separate ways. Since then Lyra has completely shut herself away concealing herself in her home, locking the doors and closing her curtains tight separating herself from the outside world only leaving her home now and again for alcohol and snacks.
Lyra woke up coughing and spluttering on the filthy floor that was once her favourite living room carpet. Her head was pounding like a bassline from DJ Pon 3's last gig and the heavy smell of stale alcohol and food made her guts swill making her wretch, she tried to hurry to her hooves but tripped on the empty bottles causing her to vomit everywhere. Tears streamed down her face as she whimpered too weak to cry as the reality hit, looking around her broken home and the sorry state she was in laying in, seeing through her sobering eyes finally realising she was laying in her own filth.
Her heart ached for Bon Bon as she wallowed in misery, feeling incomplete without her, just then amidst the haze of her pounding head and her nausea wracked body a soft ray of light caught her sore bloodshot eyes. She followed it down from the slight break in her curtains landing atop of her harp making it sparkle and shine. It brought memories back of how Bon Bon would sit behind her and hold onto her tight as she played their favourite song. The rhapsodies and symphonies which had filled their home and hearts with so much laughter and joy had now fell silent.
Just then she had a flash of inspiration, it was if an epiphany had unclouded her mind offering her a glimmer of hope amid the despair. With a newfound purpose she struggled to her hooves and staggered her way over to her discarded harp as her head swayed to and frow as she pulled up her pew.
The music which flowed from her bruised hooves possessed a raw aching beauty. It pulsed with her longing, her regret but most of all her unwavering determination. An idea began to take shape as she poured her soul into the melody, but she still couldn't mend her broken heart as she realised that her harp alone wasn't enough to express her deepest feelings for her lover, now an impossible task as she realised that needed more instruments.
Lyra lowered her head feeling disheartened as she looked down at her blooded hooves marred with the indentations from the strings. "Hmm they don't call them 'wire wounds' for nothing, do they?" She said softly to herself before looking across to the counter to a half full bottle of wine. Closing her eyes tight refusing the darkness to take her again, Lyra took a deep breath slowly standing up holding on tight to that last slither of hope like the bead of light gleaming down on her harp, she knew it was time to reach out to her friends for help, if she was going to finish this score...but first she needed to get cleaned up.
With a newfound surge of resolve, Lyra ventured outside into the midday sun which stung her eyes, she quickly put her shades on and hurried into town. As she got closer to the crowds she saw ponies stopping and whispering as they watched her trot through the town as she tried to hide from their judging gazes. Out of no where a voice squeaked out startling her a moment. She looked around to see a small white unicorn beaming a wide smile at her. "Hey Lyra! Me and my friends here were just about to stop by and see how you are! I'm so pleased you're getting out the house again!" Lyra smiled politely trying not to wince at the unicorns ear piercing shrill reverberating through her sore hungover head. "Why thank you Sweetie Belle, that's very thoughtful of the three of you. I'm just on my way to see Octavia, I don't suppose you've seen her around on your travels have you?" The three fillies put their hooves to their chins, straining hard as they thought. After a few moments Applebloom broke into a wide smile. "Sure thing Lyra! Ah saw her heading over the Cafe Hay to perform with her violin!" Lyra smiled. "Thank you girls and thank you again for thinking of visiting me...I think I'm going to be okay. The three of you take care now." She smiled as she headed in the direction of Cafe Hay.
By the end of the day Lyra had managed to gather all of her musical friends together under the roof of the Ponyville theatre to discuss her score piece and if it was actually doable.
Lyra looked at her friends sitting in the front row seats eagerly awaiting as she took to the stage readying herself to play her harp. once she called out. "Thank you so much for joining me here this evening on such short notice. I know I haven't been the best pony as of late but I have an idea and I can't do it without you guys. Thank you again." She sat on her pew taking a slow deep breath before dancing her hooves over the harp strings as the theatre soon filled with the harmonic sound as she poured her heart and soul out with every tender note with the outpouring of her longing for Bon Bon as the passionate mare reached the crescendo. The sweat was beaded on her brow and her heart was pounding through her chest as she sat back catching her breath
The theatre was silent as her friends were taken aback a few moments by her euphonious sound before they stood up applauding her. Octavia stepped forward. "You just came up with that, this morning with a hangover? Well hay Lyra, that's a gift!" Medley chimed in. "That was lovely dear. So Lyra, what do you need from us?" Lyra wiped a small tear from her eye as she got her breath back. "Well, I'm looking for an E or G Major and maybe need string and wind instruments composing of four movements consisting of a fast movement in sonata-allegro, a slow second movement, a mid-tempo minuet and trio and a fast closing movement. I feel as if it's missing something...maybe a violin or some synth...you know? Just to give it that 'umph!'" There came some soft chuckles from her friends. Vinyl Scratch piped up. "Lyra, I don't know what kinda 'umph!' you're looking for, but I can say on behalf of everypony here that you just touched our souls with those mad notes!" She applauded again. Octavia rubbed her chin with her hoof a moment. "Hmm Lyra, can you go back and start at the open G again please? I have an idea." She smiled taking her violin from it's case before joining her friend on the stage. Once on stage she gave a nod with a gentle smile to the harpist to begin.
Music filled the air once again the friends looked at each other with wide smiles as they began tapping to the beat. "This is what she meant by 'umph!' I get it now! come on guys you know what to do!" Beauty Brass cheered. They grabbed their instruments quickly joining in with the mares on the stage. Lyra's heart fluttered to life. This was it! This was the sound she was searching for! She began to smile wide feeling new life surging through her once again as her friends began joining in with their unique musical talents.
After a few hours they were played out, the musical troupe had made all sorts of suggestions of changing rhythms and tempo's, instead of one instrument for one part they'd switch it with another and such like. They eventually sat panting on the stage. "Okay everypony, that's a wrap for today!" Lyra said with a smile as she continued. "I can't thank you guys enough for doing this for me. I couldn't do this without you all." They smiled giving their friend some shoulder pats and hugs.
Octavia hugged her tight. "That's what friends are for, we're always here for each other." She kissed her friend on the cheek. "But for now you've got us beat...so, we'll meet here tomorrow to go over it again? I'd like to tweak that E minor with my cello." She winked. Lyra smiled kindly. "That sounds great everypony and be sure to get plenty rest, we're going to need it." She softly smiled. As they ventured back outside they breathed in deep the fresh night air into their lungs before heading their separate ways. Octavia stopped looking back over her shoulder. "Say Lyra! You wanna join me and Vinyl for a drink?" Octavia called out. Lyra smiled politely. "Thanks guys, but this is my first day sober in over a month." She smiled turning to leave. Octavia called back. "And it's your first day back in the real world with your friends who care a lot about you in over a month also...so c'mon!...err you still drink coffee right?" Lyra scoffed smiling."Yeah I still drink coffee...just take it easy on me okay, I've been fighting the hangover from Tartarus all day." She laughed linking both her friends as they headed to Octavia's home.
A week of tireless preparation ensued and Lyra had managed to stay sober whilst practicing hard to create the perfect song for her Bon Bon with the help of her friends. However, she still couldn't find the right words to tell her betrothed how she really felt about her within the song.
She was humming the tune of her song as she arrived at the theatre before cutting off with a gasp. "What in Faust happened?" Gasping upon seeing a heavy lock and chain wrapped around the theatre door. Medley limped forward. "Sorry Lyra, we were setting up the equipment and the lighting rig fell and its made a hole in the stage, turns out some trainee didn't tie it off properly" Lyra shook her head in disbelief. "My goodness are you all okay?" She asked, frantically looking them over for any injuries. "Not to worry Lyra, just a couple of bumps and bruises but we can still play." Vinyl Scratch eased her with a smile. Lyra shook her head. "That wasn't my point, I just don't want to see my friends getting badly hurt because of me." They all gathered around for a group hug. "Well, what shall we do now?" Beauty Brass asked. Medley grinned. "I know just the place and I know just the ponies to ask to help us." They gathered their instruments and headed off.
A short while later came across the Cutie Mark Crusaders clubhouse. Lyra and the others looked at Medley a little puzzled. "What are we doing here, shouldn't we be looking for a new stage. Medley smiled. "Why of course and I've just found us one." She smiled. Lyra looked at the others. "Did she hit her head in the accident? Because this is a treehouse and we're all never going to fit in there." Just then Medley called out. "Hello? Girls! Is anypony there? We need your help!" Within seconds the young trio leapt into action landing at the mare's hooves holding action poses, taking the musical troupe by surprise.
"Girls, we would like your help if that's alright?" Melody smiled softly. Scooterloo raised her eyebrow. "What do you want us to do lady?" The orange Pegasus dryly asked. Beauty Brass cleared her throat. "Well you see girls, our friend Lyra here is wanting to make a song for her special somepony but this morning there was an accident at the theatre and we have no stage to perform on...so we are wondering how you'd feel helping us make a new stage..." The fillies gasped. "Oh no! I hope no pony was hurt!" Sweetie Belle cried out. Medley stepped in. "Thankfully there wasn't any serious injuries, however we are on a tight schedule to get this music piece finished." Lyra stepped towards them. "Please girls, it would mean so much to me if you could help." She almost begged. "Well sure we can! Why wouldn't we help? We are the Cutie Mark Crusaders!" The three fillies cried out together smiling wide as the trio leapt into another action pose. "Err do they do that every time you call them that?" Vinyl Scratch whispered into Octavia's ear. The shocked cellist could only shrug as she stared on. Medley smiled wide. "Oh that's wonderful news! Come on then we'll show you where we'll be setting up!"
A few hours later
The fillies were hammering nails into the beams of the makeshift stage whilst the musical troupe practiced over and over again as Lyra tried putting her heartfelt words in to it. Her throat had soon become dry and she stepped to oneside to grab a drink. "Girls, don't forget to stay hydrated!" She called out to the fillies. Sweetie Belle came over and joined her taking a sippy cup from the cooler. "So what are you making this song for Lyra?" She asked full of foalhood innocence as she took a drink. "Well, you see Sweetie Belle, Bon Bon and I we had a bit of a falling out and she left and now all I want to do is get her back." Sweetie Belle raised an eyebrow at the green mare. "Me and the girls fall out all the time over silly arguments, just tell her you're sorry, even if it wasn't your fault and then everything will be okay again." Lyra smiled softly at the filly's innocence. "Well, I want to do something special to help assure her how much she means to me, Sweetie Belle. It's not that simple...you'll find that out as you get older." She said patting the unicorn on the head with her hoof before rejoining the others. Sweetie Belle sipped her juice watching the mares play their instruments and tapping their hooves to the beat and soon began humming and tapping along to the beat herself. Scooterloo looked to Sweetie Belle as the music filled the air once again. "Do you think all this will be worth it in the end?" Sweetie Belle passed her friends a juice box each. "Well if it's not, it will make a heck of a story to tell." She said as her horn glowed, picking up a hammer and nail as she got back to work.
The next day they all met up for rehearsals as the cutie mark crusaders picked up where they left off. Medley and Beauty Brass smiled at eachother watching Sweetie Belle shaking her butt to their rhythm as they played. As the music stopped abruptly, Sweetie Belle carried before singing out with an angelic voice which struck them all.
And now your song is on repeat and I'm dancing on to your heartbeat And when you're gone, I feel incomplete So, if you want the truth...🎶
Sweetie Belle stopped suddenly realising that the music had stopped and all eyes were on her before hearing applause and cheering making her blush. Lyra was already making her way over to her. "Hey Sweetie Belle, that sounded amazing! Can I speak to you for a moment? Let's grab a juice I bet you need it after that." She smiled warmly. They sat under a tree in the cool shade drinking their juice. "That was lovely singing Sweetie Belle, where did you find those lyrics?" Sweetie Belle blushed. "Well, I sometimes just come out with them...did I do something wrong?" Lyra smiled ruffling the filly's mane. "Quite the opposite, Sweety. You've helped me find the words for the part I've been struggling with. So who do you get your musical talent from?" Sweetie Belle looked up at Lyra. "None. My parents aren't musical and my sister is a fashion designer." Lyra smiled softly. "Well Sweetie Belle, you have a special gift and I think it would be a shame to waste it. Do you think your friends would mind if I steal you for a duet?" Sweetie Belle's eyes widened. "Wow, really? I don't think they'd mind at all!"
The big day was finally upon them and Lyra was so nervous her hooves were clammy and her mouth was dryer than a day old hay burger. Her friends tried to calm her nerves. "C'mon Lyra everything will be okay. We're ready, the instruments are finely tuned and the stage is set. We're all ready to go." Octavia smiled hugging Lyra reassuringly. Lyra looked up tears threatening to burst their damn. But what if she doesn't come? What's all this been for? I'll have wasted everypony's time!" Octavia took her friends face in her hooves giving her the warmest smile. "Tonight will not have been for nothing Lyra. Just look at you, you've picked yourself up and brushed yourself down and now you've created a beautiful song for us all to enjoy! Now that's the Lyra I remember."
Vinyl Scratch, Medley and Beauty Brass went over a few musical scores to make it more of a special night if Bon Bon was to turn up whilst the cutie mark crusaders took a well deserved break for getting the stage all set up and Sweetie Belle was under strict orders to rest her voice for tonight. They put the word out wherever they could that if anypony saw Bon Bon they were to tell her to be at the Buckball field tonight for seven sharp.
As the day went on, Lyra stopped by the boutique to pick her dress up for tonight. As she entered the shop the door bell rang out above her head. A white unicorn with a deep purple mane came trotting towards her with a wide smile. "Ah there you are darling! I have your dress all ready for you. I bet you're quite excited for winning your special somepony back!" Lyra smiled nervously. "Well that's if she turns up if not it's just going to be me and the band in the middle of the field." She grimaced at the cold thought of that happening. Rarity picked up on Lyra's tattered nerves and turned the conversation around. "Chin up dear, everything will work out eventually. Would you like a cup of tea whilst we get your dress a touch up? Lyra smiled. "That would be lovely thank you." The fashionista trotted off to make the tea whilst Lyra changed into the dress. It was an elegant black dress with see-through lace on the shoulders she gasped with a smile upon seeing that Rarity had made an embossed harp from gold dust with crushed diamonds for the strings.
As she gently ran her hoof over it with admiration she hadn't noticed Rarity had come back and gave a little jump when she spoke. "That's just a small token of my appreciation for taking my Sweetie Belle under your wing. I'm sure she'll flourish on the stage with you tonight darling." Lyra was lost for words with heartfelt gratitude. "Thank you so much for this Rarity it's truly beautiful. Your sister has a gift and it would be a shame to waste it. She's a natural." Rarity passed her a cup of tea. "That we can definitely agree on. Now let's see you in that new dress shall we." She smiled taking a sip of tea.
The mane event
Lyra was so nervous she began trotting back and forth behind the stage. Sweetie Belle came up behind her blocking her step. Lyra startled a moment looking down at the little pony standing strong in front of her with a furrowed brow. "Hey stop that! Whatever happens tonight this is all you. Your friends, me and the girls we are all here because of you all because you created a beautiful idea and turned it into a reality and we're all thankful to you for that. So, chin up and take nice deep breaths because either way we're going to have a great night." She smiled wide and walked away leaving the Lyra and her friends dumbfounded. Octavia walked up behind Lyra. "I couldn't have said that better myself, are you sure she's a filly? She's quite mature for a pony her age. She chuckled patting Lyra on the back. "Come on girl, time to win your marefriend back!"
It was almost seven and Lyra popped her head out through the red makeshift curtains to see if Bon Bon was anywhere to be seen and almost screamed with shock as saw the local townsfolk begin crowding around the stage. She quickly tugged her head back inside turning rather pale to her troupe. "Hey guys... there's ponies out there...lots of them..." Octavia raised an eyebrow and peeped out. "Sweet Celestia! Well good news is that if your girl is a no-show then at least we have a crowd to play to now....just saying..." quickly regretting her cander upon seeing Lyra's scowling face.
Lyra's friends all gathered round her giving her support and strength. "Okay so it's not quite how we planned it, however we've played concerts before so just think of it as that and we'll be fine. The crowd will cheer us to know end whatever we do." Octavia smiled. "Now go out there and introduce us Lyra and one more thing..." Lyra turned to her. "And what's that?" "Enjoy your big night." She smiled warmly. Lyra smiled kindly and headed out.
Lyra took to the makeshift stage and gazed out over the ponies of Ponyville. "Thank you all for being here tonight, I wasn't expecting so many of you to come. As some of you know already, just over a month ago I hit a real low when my special somepony left...but waking up thinking about her one day I found a new purpose and picked myself up and with the help and support of my friends, this is the reason that we're all here tonight, so please give them a round of applause!" Her friends came out smiling bowing their heads before taking their seats and tweaking their instruments.
Lyra looked across the crowd to see if Bon Bon had arrived but couldn't see as the dark began to set in. She took a step up to the mic closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. "This song's for you Bon Bon."
Lyra🎶 I've been hearing symphonies Before, all I heard was silence A rhapsody for you and me And every melody is timeless Life was stringing me along Then you came and you cut me loose Was solo, singing on my own Now I can't find the key without you
And now your song is on repeat And I'm dancin' on to your heartbeat And when you're gone, I feel incomplete So, if you want the truth I just wanna be part of your symphony Will you hold me tight and not let go? Symphony Like a love song on the radio Will you hold me tight and not let go?
I'm sorry if it's all too much Every day you're here, I'm healing And I was runnin' out of luck I never thought I'd find this feeling 'Cause I've been hearing symphonies Before all I heard was silence A rhapsody for you and me Sweetie Belle (A rhapsody for you and me) And every melody is timeless And now your song is on repeat And I'm dancin' on to your heartbeat And when you're gone, I feel incomplete So, if you want the truth
I just wanna be part of your symphony Will you hold me tight and not let go? Symphony Like a love song on the radio Will you hold me tight and not let go?
Lyra&Sweetie Belle And now your song is on repeat And I'm dancin' on to your heartbeat And when you're gone, I feel incomplete So, if you want the truth (oh)
Right at that moment Bon Bon leaped up on to the stage taking Lyra by the hooves singing out.
I just wanna be part of your symphony! Will you hold me tight and not let go? Symphony! Like a love song on the radio Symphony! Will you hold me tight and not let go? Symphony! Like a love song on the radio...
The mares stand lost in each others eyes. Harmonising the last line together... 🎶Will you hold me tight and not let go?🎶
The song Lyra performed was a masterpiece of vulnerability and affection. It whispered of her sorrow and longing, but above all, it celebrated the unbreakable bond between she and her special somepony. As the final notes faded into the air, they kissed as the crowd erupted in thunderous applause.
