The Mane Attraction
Pony's Log Number 524: Fame and Popularity can change a pony, but sometimes the change isn't the pony itself, but who they've decided to hire as their...support...
It was a busy day at Sweet Apple Acres as the ponies of Ponyville were all hard at work setting up a rather large and elaborate stage for a big event. Applejack and Mario were working together to supervise the work. Rainbow and Cloudchaser were working together hanging some pennant streamers between some poles that had vertical flag banners on them. Fluttershy and Rarity were working together to hang up some grape colored drapes along the bottom half of the stage while Shenran had been the one to hold the materials off the ground to keep it from getting dirty. The three ponies presented their completed work to Applejack and Mario, who both smiled in approval as the latter checked her clipboard, which had been organized by Amethyst Star since Applejack had Mario help her with other things.
"Alright, we're ahead of schedule, Amethyst," said Mario and Applejack nodded in agreement, "Keep up the good work." Amethyst Star smiled and headed on her way as Twilight approached.
"Wow, Applejack!" said Twilight, "Are you sure you've never managed a concert before?" Applejack just smiled sheepishly.
"Good management skills just run in the Apple Family, Sweetheart," Mario told Twilight as Applejack gave her older brother a grateful smile.
"Well, it turns out doin' up a concert's the same as settin' up a rodeo," Applejack replied.
"And thanks to Pinkie's connections organizing the Ponypalooza Rock Concert," said Twilight as she held a very long list, "we've got quite a lineup for the Helping Hooves Music Festival."
"Twilight! Applejack! Mario! Rainbow Dash! Rarity! Fluttershy! Shenran! Spike!" said Pinkie as she got into each pony's face that she had named, and Spike, who sitting on a longue chair reading a magazine, "Pinkie Pie!" Pinkie then realized she was staring at herself from a glass pane that two ponies were holding and carrying to the stage.
"Oh wait, that's me," said Pinkie, "Everypony!" The rest of the Mane eight walked up to her.
"What is it, Pinkie?" Twilight asked curiously.
"What's got you even more hyper than normal?" Mario asked.
"I have the most amazing news ever!" Pinkie announced excitedly, "It is totally gonna freak your frizz!"
"Great..." said Mario annoyingly, "Just brushed my wife's mane this morning."
"What's the big deal," said Twilight, "if it frizzes, you get to brush it again and you love brushing my mane."
"Oh yeah...true," said Mario with a smile. Twilight smiled back but still rolled her eyes.
"Well, spill it, Pinkie!" said Rainbow anxiously since she wanted to hear what Pinkie's big announcement was.
"It wasn't easy," said Pinkie as she paced about in the foreground, "In fact, it was terribly difficult. But I have managed to book the biggest pony pop star in all of Equestria as the main attraction of the Helping Hooves Music Festival!" She leaned into Applejack as she stood on her fore-legs excitedly with her hind legs raised in the air.
"Sapphire Shores?" Applejack asked.
"Sapphire Shores?! Please!" said Pinkie in disgust and then walked up to her in a snooty fashion, "Sapphire Shores is merely the second biggest pony pop star in Equestria."
"Rarity and I disagree with that," said Mario indignantly as Rarity had the same look on her face and nodded in agreement.
"I have booked the one, the only, Countess Coloratura!" Pinkie announced with a big smile on her face.
"Ahhh..." said Fluttershy, Shenran, Rainbow, Rarity, and Twilight excitedly. Applejack and Mario just had blank looks on their faces.
"Who in the hay is Countess Coloratura?" Applejack asked.
"I've never heard of her," Mario added. Bon Bon and Lyra gasped dramatically. Amethyst Star also gasped in the same fashion. Then Fluttershy, Shenran, Noteworthy, Rainbow, Rarity, Royal Riff, Spike, Sprinkle Melody, and even Twilight gasped as well as they stared Applejack and Mario down. The two siblings looked very uncomfortable at all the stares.
"I've failed my husband," said Twilight as she covered her face with a fore-hoof in shame.
"Oh for crying out loud..." Mario said with an eye roll. It was then Pinkie's mane and tail frizzed into the air.
"My frizz has been freaked!" Pinkie said in shock as Mario just face-hoofed himself.
(Main Theme)
Once the rest of the ponies had calmed down, and Pinkie was busy fixing her frizzled mane, Applejack and Mario both walked up to her.
"Pinkie Pie, who is this Countess Coloratura pony?" Applejack asked again.
"Uh, I just told you that she's the biggest pony pop star in Equestria," Pinkie replied, "How-how-how-how-how have you not heard her?!" Pinkie knocked Applejack onto her back and stood on her stomach. She then glared at Mario, "And how-how-how-how-how do you not know about her when Twilight has every record she owns?!" Pinkie then made Mario fall onto his back as the pink pony stared him down.
"Just cause my wife listens to Countess Coloratura's music doesn't mean I listen to it," said Mario as he got back up again, "I prefer mostly smooth jazz."
"You mean the lame "oldies but goldies" station on the radio," Rainbow remarked in the background. Mario shot the Pegasus a stern glare.
"Don't mock the classics!" Mario snapped and then continued with Pinkie, "My point is that I don't follow the current pop stars in music. Just Sapphire Shores. What about you AJ?"
"Don't know," said Applejack, "Thought I did know a gal named Coloratura when I was just a filly." Applejack laughed and did a light pig snort as Twilight and Rarity stood behind her.
"Wouldn't it just be the funniest thing if that Coloratura and this Coloratura were the same Coloratura? Heh." Applejack remarked.
"Could be possible Sis," said Mario, "You remember all the familiar faces I've meet since moving to Ponyville."
"Do you mean to tell me that you actually know Countess Coloratura?" Pinkie asked rather bitterly as she glared at the orange pony.
"Well, I don't think it's the same pony," said Applejack as she walked away from the glaring pink pony, "since my friend wasn't any sort of high-falutin' countess.
"Do you remember her cutie mark?" Pinkie asked sternly.
"Sure do," Applejack replied, "It had this super colorful bunch of musical notes that just shimmered in the light."
"You mean...like this?!" Pinkie asked as she showed a sticky note on her flank that had a picture of a cutie mark with the exact description Applejack had said.
"Well, fancy that!" said Applejack in surprise, "That there's the very same cutie mark!"
"It's a small world after all..." Mario sing sang until Pinkie shoved her fore-hoof over his mouth.
"Mario, you can't sing that, it's copyrighted!" Pinkie warned sternly.
"Sorry..." said Mario annoyingly. Pinkie removed her fore-hoof from his mouth and stuck her face into Applejack's angrily.
"Do you have any idea the number of hoops I had to jump through to get her to perform at the festival!?" Pinkie snapped before extending her neck to emphasize her point. Applejack just shook her head timidly, "A whole lot of hoops! That pony is very demanding!"
"Nah," said Applejack with dismissive wave of her fore-hoof.
"Yah!" Pinkie retorted, leaning into her face again.
"If you had to reduce yourself to doing something like that for her to show up," Mario said firmly, "I would've said forget it!" Pinkie gasped over-dramatically.
"I can't BELIEVE you just said that," said Pinkie sternly, "This is Countess Coloratura for pony's sake! That was so worth it!"
"Good grief," said Mario with an eye roll.
"I completely understand," said Rarity, "We artistes require certain necessities in order to do our best work."
"That's...actually very true," said Mario, his tone softening as he finished speaking and felt insecure.
"This was clearly some sort of misunderstandin'," said Applejack, "'cause Rara was just down home as me!"
"Rara!?" Fluttershy, Shenran, Pinkie, Rainbow, Royal Riff, Spike, Sprinkle Melody, and Twilight said at once.
"What's the big deal?" Mario replied, "Rara is a nice nickname."
"Darn tootin' it was," said Applejack, "Even that big name was too fancy for her, so I shortened Coloratura to "Rara"!"
Flashback
A visual was shown of a campsite where many little colts and fillies were shouting and having a good time. They were all wearing an olive green girl/boy scout style shirt with a dark orange scarf around their necks and a green cap.
"We had the best time at Camp Friendship!" Applejack narrated as her younger self and a pale blue filly with navy blue mane and tail that had natural curls in it were doing tug of war against another team. However, the two fillies were soon pulled into the mud. They were both frazzled at first, but then filly Rara began to laugh and filly Applejack did as well.
"Rara was just so easygoin'!" Applejack continued as the two fillies raced for the lake, jumped in and started splashing at each other to clean off the mud, "We were like two apples from the same branch." Later the two fillies were seen standing on a wooden stage before some other campers.
"Rara and I prepared this song for the camp talent show," Applejack said as her filly self grabbed a guitar and filly Rara looked rather nervous, "When we performed, she belted it out, singin' in the most colorful, clear voice I'd ever heard!" Filly Applejack gave filly Rara a supportive smile as the pale blue filly started to sing.
[Young Rara - As she sang from her heart, filly Applejack played her guitar and smiled. The other campers were blown away by filly Rara's voice. Then her cutie mark began to glow, surprising filly Applejack as filly Rara's singing became more passionate.]
Equestria, the land I love
A land of harmony
Our flag does wave from high above
For ponykind to see
Equestria, a land of friends
Where ponykind do roam
They say true friendship never ends
Equestria, my home
Filly Rara finished with a long note and Applejack then gave a metal triangle a ting. The other campers were most impressed and cheered for filly Rara, who smiled happily with tears pricking the bottom of her eyes.
End Flashback
"After camp, we wrote to each other for a bit," said Applejack, "but...then we lost touch. But Rara always did want to go to Manehattan to try and make it big. But a demanin' diva? Just you wait, Pinkie. Once Rara gets here, you'll see she's just a plain old pony like you and me." Applejack gave Pinkie a funny look about Rara turning into a diva.
"I hope so, AJ," said Mario wearily, "When you make it big, the fame can go to a pony's head no matter how down to earth they can be. Believe me I would know..." Mario looked sadly away as Twilight nuzzled his cheek.
"Well, I'm pretty sure that couldn't have happened to Rara," said Applejack, "You wait and see, Big Brother."
"I don't have to wait - she's here!" Pinkie shrieked excitedly as a huge smile appeared on her face.
"Really?" said Applejack as she and Mario smiled. It was then a large golden palanquin appeared being carried by four stallions all dressed up in punk rock style attires as some pop BGM music was played. It was then the golden crystal-like structure opened and a cloud of smoke hissed from inside, which contained a throne as well as the silhouette of a pony reclining on it. Some sun-shaped pillars appeared in the background as Countess Coloratura appeared before them. While Applejack recognized the cutie mark, her mane and tail were styled with long gene style ponytails and were now purplish white with some darker purple highlights. She was also wearing a dark purple jacket that had some stud along the button area with a darker purple top under it. She also had some black studded bracelets and necklace as well as a similar styled headband with a veil over her face. Lastly, she had on some very thick black top and bottom eyelashes. Everypony smiled and Pinkie bounced on her hooves like a fangirl, except for Applejack and Mario who just looked at the pony in disbelief.
"Rara?" Applejack exclaimed.
"I'm really hoping the inside isn't as over the top as the outside," said Mario. Meanwhile, Pinkie was fangirling.
"Countess Coloratura!" Pinkie squealed excitedly and then fall onto her back and pretended to pass out. Mario then blinked when he noticed a greyish-white stallion with pale orange mane and short tail, wearing a blue suit with yellow vest, white shirt and red tie and some glasses on his nose.
"Well ain't it a small world after all," Mario said as he gave the stallion a glare.
"You know him?" Applejack asked.
"Yes," said Mario darkly, "His name is Svengallop. My old manager from my days as a racer."
"I thought your manager was Spoiled Rich?" Twilight, who had been standing nearby, asked curiously.
"She was my biggest sponsor, honey," Mario corrected, "and she was the one who hired Svengallop as my manager." Twilight just hummed in understanding.
"Clear the way! Stand back!" said Svengallop as Countess Coloratura, or Rara, followed right behind him with two stallions in front and behind her acting as bodyguards, "Keep your hooves and tail to yourselves." As they walked past, several ponies didn't hesitate taking photographs of the pop star as Rara walked with a snooty persona. Applejack was still in disbelief.
"No...that can't be her," said Applejack.
"Shall we find out?" Mario asked as Applejack nodded and the two siblings walked up to the pop star. Applejack cleared her throat before speaking.
"Um...hi," said Applejack as Rara seemed to ignore her, "Remember me? We met at Camp Friendship? I gave you the nickname "Rara"?" The nickname seemed to do the trick as the pop star's demeanor softened.
"AJ?" Rara asked in surprise.
"Yeah!" the orange pony replied as Mario stood beside her and smiled, "Heh. Howdy, Rara!" It was then Svengallop appeared and whispered something to Rara. Applejack and Mario looked at the interaction curiously before they were each splattered on the cheek with a horse stamp that was shaped like a red heart.
"Wuh?" said Mario in shock.
"Hoofsies!" said Rara with a short laugh as Svengallop held the stamp pad before putting it away. Then the two ponies walked off. Rarity then approached the two siblings.
"Ooh, you got hoofsies from Countess Coloratura!" said Rarity, "Look! Ooh, she clearly thinks you're very special!" She showed the stamp to Applejack using a hoof-held mirror.
"You think so?" Mario asked as he used his magic to wipe the stamp off and pointed to a Rara, who had a long line of ponies lined up before her. Applejack and Rarity watched the scene before them.
"Hoofsies! Hoofsies! Hoofsies!" Rara repeated as she stamped several ponies on the cheek and gave a short laugh.
"Yeah...real special," said Applejack annoyingly as she rolled her eyes and wiped her cheek clean.
"You can say that again," said Mario with an eye roll, "To think I used to do something similar back in the day..."
"And may I ask what that was?" Rarity asked.
"It's really embarrassing," Mario groaned.
"Just this once," said Rarity, "here, do it for Twilight." Rarity then pushed Twilight up to Mario, who glared at Rarity before looking at her husband. Mario then flicked his mane and gave Twilight a very confident, but also arrogant smile.
"Hey!" Mario said slowly with a eye wink.
"SQUEEEEEE!" Twilight squealed before falling into her back like a fangirl. Rarity and Applejack were both stunned at Twilight's reaction. Mario was surprised as well before he smiled.
"I've still got it," Mario said smugly.
"Oh brother..." said Applejack annoyingly as Rarity giggled to herself. It was then another stallion got in front of Rara to say that the hoofsies sharing was over.
"Now that's how you make an entrance!" said Svengallop, "Big, bold, absolutely stunning! Though it was muddied a bit with your interaction with that dusty farmpony."
"Excuse me?!" said Mario sternly, making Svengallop freeze and turn around to see the Alicorn prince standing before him with a stern look on his face. Svengallop flinched a bit but then gave Mario a glare of his own.
"Well, well, well," said Svengallop arrogantly, "If it isn't my former client, the Flying Unicorn."
"It's alicorn now, Svengallop," said Mario, showing his wings, "I'd say it's nice to see you again...but I won't."
"Wait...you used to be the manager of the Flying Unicorn?" Rara asked in surprise.
"Used to be is the word," said Svengallop, "I once turned him into Equestria's most famous celebrity and then he threw it all away in a heartbeat."
"I crashed and broke both of my legs!" Mario snapped, "You quit on me! You even had the nerve to leave me with the medical bill after my big accident!"
"Details, details," Svengallop said dismissively, "Care to explain why you're budding into the business of Countess Coloratura?"
"Because that "dusty farmpony" as you called her is my little sister," said Mario firmly. Rara blinked.
"Wait," said Rara, "Are you Big Mac?" Mario looked surprised but chuckled.
"No, I'm Mario Star," said the alicorn prince, "I was born after Big Mac and just before Applejack."
"I didn't know AJ had two brothers," said Rara, still puzzled while Svengallop just looked disinterested.
"It was a recent discovery," said Mario.
"Do you actually know her?" Svengallop asked rather irritably as Mario gave him a discreet glare.
"Oh, yeah," said Rara, "that's my childhood fillyfriend AJ! She's the one who started calling me Rara."
"Oh, yes, how cute and...common," said Svengallop snootily as Mario gave another glare, "Of course, I was the one that started calling you Countess, and just look at how you've moved up in Equestria since then! Why, you've gotten everything you've ever wanted!" Mario then made a funny face as he mimicked Svengallop behind his back. The manager pony then turned around but Mario was just smiling innocently. Rara covered her mouth with a fore-hoof to hide her snicker.
"Do you mind?" Svengallop asked. Mario ignored him and took a step toward Rara.
"It was a pleasure meet you, Countess," said Mario formally with a light bow.
"Same to you, Prince Mario," said Rara as she bowed back and Mario walked away.
"Now that he's out of the way," Svengallop muttered under his breath, "and speaking of which, where is the pony Pinkie Pie?"
"Ooh! I'm the pony Pinkie Pie, Mr. Manager, sir!" said the pink pony as she walked up pulling a cart loaded with various items.
"Do you have the water imported from Rainbow Falls that I requested for Countess Coloratura?" Svengallop asked.
"I have twenty glass containers full right here!" Pinkie replied as she held a case with glass bottles of the rainbow water.
"Did I not tell you to provide straws in all of Countess Coloratura's beverages?" Svengallop asked with a glare.
"Uh, I don't think so," Pinkie replied, "but lucky for you, I have the biggest straw collection in Equestria!" Pinkie then presented a straw for Svengallop.
"I call this straw Fernando," said Pinkie with smile as she wiggled her eyebrows and some flamenco music began to play. Svengallop just snubbed the pink pony and headed over to the other side of the wagon.
"Hm. Let us confirm that you acquired that rest of the items that Countess Coloratura requested before she performs her run-through, shall we?" Svengallop demanded.
"Ooh, we shall!" said Pinkie as she appeared from behind the wagon and stood beside the manager.
"Floral arrangements from the royal Canterlot gardens..." said Svengallop as he located the items from Pinkie's wagon, "Chocolate éclairs made by Gustave le Grand...A selection of crystals from the Crystal Empire...Freshly picked cherries from Cheery Jubilee's farm separated red from yellow..."
"Abso-toot-ly!" Pinkie replied in her usual demeanor as Svengallop snootily walked up to Countess Coloratura, who just kept a blank look on her face.
"Well, by some miracle, your requests have been reasonably met," said Svengallop snootily, "So let's move on...to rehearsal!" The two ponies walked away as Pinkie approached Applejack and Mario, whom the latter had gone back to speak with after his little meeting with Svengallop.
"See, Applejack?" said Pinkie, "Demanding!" Applejack, Mario, and Rarity turned away from the pink pony to speak with each other.
"Pinkie's right, Rarity and Mario!" said Applejack, "The Rara I knew didn't hide behind a veil givin' out fake stamp kisses, sippin' up imported water, and needin' her cherries separated." Applejack looked most upset as Mario held her close for comfort.
"Oh, I do understand," said Rarity, "Sometimes it's hard to see our friends change."
"She's become a whole other pony!" said Applejack.
"Take it from somepony who was once consumed by the glamour and prestige himself," said Mario, "It's easy to become captivated by the taste of imported waters and wanting your foods in a certain manner. Enjoying the finer things is one thing, but it's another when you lose yourself to those perks. And it's all your accept and nothing less..." Rarity and Applejack looked at Mario in awe.
"You know, you sound so much older when you talk like that," said Applejack.
"Nice to know you think I talk like an old stallion," said Mario, with some sarcasm in his tone.
"We meant that you're very wise beyond your years, darling," said Rarity, "It's inspiring." Mario blushed as Applejack chuckled to herself, but then still felt rather down.
"Trust me," said Rarity to Applejack as she pointed at the stage, where Svengallop sternly got the back up dancers to stand by, "Once you see Countess Coloratura perform, you simply won't believe it."
"Alright, let's see what the fuss is all about," said Mario for Applejack as the stage went dark.
[Countess Coloratura/Rara - the lights flickered as she made her way down a rather twisted staircase. As she headed down, she was flicking her head and pony tail about to the beat of the music and flickering lights. She then gave a shout, which made some sparklers shoot out from the bottom of the stage and her voice was remixed as her mane and tail were blown upwards.]
Time for the spectacle
Time for the show
The lights are bright and the colors glow
I'm not just anypony
I think you know
The time is now, it's about to blow!
[Countess Coloratura/Rara - the back up dancers on the right side of the stage were shown, then the dancers on the left. Then Rara stood on her hind legs and smog from some off-sight machines shot in front of her.]
Razzle dazzle
Glitz and glam
Turn it all up, it's a spectacle
[Countess Coloratura/Rara - She sang and danced as a laser light show went on behind the fog. She then walked up assertively to the fore-ground as her back up dancer posed]
Razzle dazzle
Glitz and glam
Turn it all up, it's a spectacle
[Countess Coloratura/Rara - the six dancers continued to move in sync as Rara walked to the middle of the stage as the laser lights and smog continued to fill the area. Then one of the dancers fired a laser light from his horn against Rara's necklace, making it glow light blue as she vocalized and her voice was then monotuned.]
Give me more
Razzle dazzle
Glitter eyes, big surprise
Lights, cameras
[Countess Coloratura/Rara - As she sang, the left dancers were seen, then the right dancers. She then stood on her hind legs again.]
Razzle dazzle
Glitz and glam
Turn it all up, it's a spectacle
[Countess Coloratura/Rara - She stepped forward a bit as her backup dancers moved to the front edges of the stage. She then walked toward the background before she turned around to make a very dramatic but very over the top pose.]
Hear the applause
Here to impress
Not just a pony, I am the Countess!
All the ponies except for Applejack and Mario cheered excitedly. The former looked a little stunned at what she had just seen.
"Rarity was right!" said Applejack, "I don't believe it!" Back on stage, Svengallop approached the stage as the background ponies made their exit.
"Oh, my shining star!" said Svengallop excitedly as he walked up to Rara, "Thanks to the sparkling costumes, dazzling choreography, and brilliant vocal effects that I designed, your performance was spectacular, Countess Coloratura!"
"Oh," said Rara with a short laugh, "thank you, Svengallop." The two ponies then walked off the stage as Applejack and Mario just watched them do so. They had heard everything.
"Correct me if I'm wrong here," said Applejack to Rarity, "but that feller isn't actually complementin' Rara. He complementin' all the bells and whistles he's piled on to make her Countess Coloratura."
"Oh, no-no-no-no-no, you don't understand, Applejack," said Rarity, "Creating all those elements is alot of work, and Countess Coloratura's performance wouldn't exist without them."
"If you ask me," said Applejack as she started walking off, "that wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing."
"I have to agree with Applejack," said Mario, "While the visual effects are impressive in their own right. They seem to take the focus away from Rara herself and she's supposed to be the focus of the show and this is why I'm not very fond of certain pop music. The visual effects outshine the performer."
"Oh how would you know?" Rarity asked annoyingly.
"Rares, remember our grand opening at the Canterlot Carousel?" said Mario, "All those visual effects Sassy added to our dress line up during our presentation?" Rarity flinched.
"Point made, darling," said Rarity, "but this is a completely different situation." Mario just hummed.
"Guess this music just isn't my cup of tea then," said Mario as he went to catch up with his sister. Meanwhile, Rara was speaking to Svengallop.
"Oh, if we're all done here," said Rara, whining lightly, "I'd love to go back to my trailer and rest, Svengallop."
"Actually," said Pinkie as she appeared out of the blue, "right now you're scheduling for your meet and greet with the school ponies!"
"Ugh," said Svengallop indignantly before saying discreetly, "I can totally get you out of meeting with the school ponies, Countess." He didn't know that Applejack and Mario were behind him and had heard what he said. The two ponies gave him angry glares.
"Absolutely not," said Rara firmly, "My favorite part of any event is meeting with the school ponies!"
"The school ponies'll be so happy to hear that Rara," said Applejack.
"Allow my sister and I escort you to the schoolhouse personally," said Mario, "I'll led the way!"
"What are you, a tour guide?" Applejack asked annoyingly.
"I'm no tour guide," said Mario indignantly before adding in a silly voice, "I'm a robot!"
"Follow me please. Follow me please," said Mario in a robotic tone as he wobbled away. Rara giggled as she and Applejack followed a short distance behind him.
"You're brother is so funny!" said Rara.
"Well, he is known among my friends as the group doofus," Applejack replied.
"I heard that!" Mario retorted indignantly as the two mares chuckled to each other as they headed on their way. Svengallop just watched them disappear with an indignant look on his face. It wasn't long before Rara was standing on a small stage surrounded by the school ponies, which included Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara. Photo Finish took some photographs from the side of the mini-stage.
"Ponyville schoolponies!" Rara announced to the excited fillies and colts as she wrapped a fore-leg around a colt and Sweetie Belle, "As part of the Helping Hooves Music Festival, I'm holding a contest where some of you will get a chance to sing with me onstage at the concert tomorrow! Sound fun?" The little ponies all cheered excitedly.
"Alright! Now who wants more hoofsies?" Rara asked as the little ponies cheered again. Sweetie Belle was about to get in line with her friends for the contest when she felt somepony tap her shoulder. She turned to see Silver Spoon standing beside her.
"Are you gonna show it to her?" Silver Spoon asked excitedly.
"Show what?" Sweetie Belle asked with a puzzled look on her face.
"That new song you've been working on!" Diamond Tiara added as she joined the two fillies conversation, "You should totally show it to Countess Coloratura!" Sweetie Belle winced.
"Are you crazy?!" Sweetie Belle retorted as Scootaloo and Apple Bloom came up to her, "There is no way she'll be interested in a song written by a little filly."
"But you're not just any little filly," said Silver Spoon, "You did have the one hit, Jump Up Pony Star. Remember?"
"The key word there is one hit," Sweetie Belle reminded.
"Come on, Sweetie Belle," said Diamond Tiara, "we're friends now. Silver and I wouldn't be suggesting this if we didn't think your song wasn't good enough."
"She's got a point," said Apple Bloom supportively.
"Yeah, you should share it with Countess Coloratura!" Scootaloo added. None of the fillies were unaware that the pop star had approached them and was now listening with a warm smile on her face. Sweetie Belle sighed.
"Look girls," said Sweetie Belle, "I appreciate the encouragement, but I'm not sure if the song is ready yet. It just some words I slapped together when I finished a test early last week."
"Did I hear somepony is working on a song?" Rara asked curiously. All five fillies gasped when they saw her.
"C-C-C-C-Countess Coloratura!?" Sweetie Belle exclaimed.
"Y-y-y-y-yeah," said Apple Bloom as she struggled to recover.
"It's right here," said Scootaloo as she held the paper with Sweetie Belle's song in her fore-hoof.
"Hey!" said Sweetie Belle, a little offended that Scootaloo had gone through her school bag without her permission. Rara took the sheet of paper and began to read the lyrics. Sweetie Belle just started the floor nervously.
"These lyrics are pretty good," said Rara, "Why don't you come this way and sing a few lines for me? I'd like to get a feel for the melody of your new song." Sweetie Belle and the rest of the fillies smiled excitedly as they headed off. Applejack and Mario smiled as they watched everything from a short distance away.
"Guess she's down to earth after all," said Mario.
"Now that's more like the Rara I remember," said Applejack.
"But...I got everything you requested!" Pinkie Pie said from the background. Mario and Applejack both heard.
"Sounds like Pinkie's in trouble," said Mario, "Come on!" Applejack nodded in agreement as they found Pinkie with Svengallop as they listen from behind an archway to avoid being seen.
"That was for Countess Coloratura!" Svengallop snapped, "This is for me! And what I want is premium oats!"
"Oh! Well, we have lots of tasty oats right here in Ponyville!" said Pinkie as she held some oats for the manager on a plate.
"I would not feed those to a chicken!" Svengallop retorted as he flicked the plate away and spilt the oats all over Pinkie's mane and tail, "I want top-of-the-line Appleloosan oats. Next, it appears that we are surrounded by apple trees. Bring me five hundred pre-peeled, pre-cored apples, and I want those things in twenty-four hours!" Pinkie gasped. Applejack and Mario glared at the stallion bitterly.
"Nice to see you've changed," said Mario bitterly.
"Guess he was like this when you worked for him?" Applejack asked.
"Yeah," said Mario, "At first, I actually enjoyed it since I had been bullied so much, but then I saw him doing this and knew he was going too far. I didn't speak up then...and I'm seriously regretting it." Mario looked rather sad as Applejack gave him a sympathetic look.
"But that's impossible!" Pinkie protested.
"Do you want me to pull Countess Coloratura from your little podunk charity show?!" Svengallop threatened as he got into her face and then stomped off importantly. Pinkie looked very upset as Applejack and Mario walked up to her.
"Applejack! Mario!" said Pinkie, "Svengallop just made all of these new demands and he said-"
"We heard, Pinkie," said Applejack, "But don't you fret. I'll talk to Rara and fix things right up."
"If she is willing to listen or believe us," said Mario worried.
"Well, unlike you, Rara isn't that lost in the fame," said Applejack confidently, "I'm sure she'll listen to me."
"I hope so," said Mario doubtfully before following the orange pony. He had caught up to her by the time they had arrived back at the smaller stage. Apparently, Rara had already selected the Cutie Mark Crusaders as the winners of her personal contest. Apple Bloom excitedly ran up to both Applejack and Mario.
"Did'ja see, sis and bro?! Did'ja see?!" Apple Bloom asked. Before either pony could reply, Rara approached with Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle.
"Is this the little sister you wrote to me about, AJ?" Rara asked.
"Hold on, Applejack," said Apple Bloom, "You wrote to Countess Coloratura about me?!"
"AJ said you were the best little sister ever, Apple Bloom!" Rara added. Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Apple Bloom all looked dumbstruck as their jaw hung open. They couldn't believe that Applejack knew Countess Coloratura. Applejack waved a fore-hoof over Apple Bloom's shocked face, but the yellow filly didn't budge.
"And...we've lost her," said Mario with chuckle.
"Alright now, you'd best get along, little ponies," said Applejack. The three fillies smiled as they left the stage, still looking at Rara.
"Oh! Before we go," said Sweetie Belle, "Thank you for helping me with my song! I can't wait to hear you sing it at the concert." Mario and Applejack blinked.
"Wait, you wrote a new song, Sweetie Belle?" said Mario.
"She sure did and it's pretty good too," said Rara, "I look forward to singing it." Sweetie Belle clapped excitedly as she and the two other fillies made their exit. Rara laughed at how cute they were. Applejack and Mario both remembered why they had come in the first place.
"Uh...Hey, Rara, you mind if I talk to you about your manager?" Applejack asked.
"Sure, what about him?" Rara replied.
"Well, while you were meetin' with the schoolponies," said Applejack, "he was demandin' all sorts of stuff from Pinkie Pie."
"Svengallop works very hard as my manager, AJ," Rara replied, "so if he needs some things when we're on the road, I don't see anything wrong with that."
"While needing a few comforts and necessities is fine," said Mario, "I'm afraid Svengallop is crossing the line."
"What do you mean?" Rara asked skeptically.
"Well, do you see somethin' wrong with him tellin' Pinkie Pie that if she doesn't get those things by tomorrow," Applejack explained firmly, "he'd pull you from our charity festival?"
"What?" Rara exclaimed, "But he knows how important charity is to me, and leaving the festival would completely ruin my image!"
"He seemed rather eager to cancel the contest with the school ponies," Mario reminded her.
"I'm afraid Svengallop doesn't give a pickled pippin about your charity work," said Applejack.
"That's not true!" Rara said, clearly offended, "Svengallop has always supported me in all my interests. You're both just saying those things because you're jealous!"
"Are you listening to yourself?" said Mario, "I worked with Svengallop once. The fact I don't want to ever work with him again should've given you a red flag that something is wrong. Me? Jealous that he works with you and not me? Puh-lease!"
"Well, you're obviously jealous!" Rara accused as she pointed a fore-hoof at Applejack.
"Jealous of what?" Applejack retorted, "A pony who hides behind a wall a veil so thick she can't see when somepony's usin' her? No, I'm not jealous of that, Rara!"
"I'm not Rara! I am Countess Coloratura!" Rara said snootily, "And while we may have been friends when we were young, we have clearly gone in different directions!"
"Guess you're right," said Mario in a sad but stern tone, "Because you're going down a path neither of us are willing to follow. And you're too blind to see it." Rara huffed and walked off importantly. Applejack was left feeling very hurt. Mario just put a fore-hoof on her shoulder before she sternly shrugged it off and looked at him bitterly.
"I can't believe there was a time when you were this stupid!" Applejack yelled, clearly venting her feeling out at Mario, "What made you think this was so acceptable, especially Svengallop's behavior?!" Mario gritted his teeth as tears began streaming down his face.
"I was angry," said Mario, his voice cracking as he began to cry, "I was tired of being bullied and seeing Svengallop treat ponies like that felt like sweet revenge. I was tired of feeling rejected by the world. I wanted love and acceptance...and I nearly lost myself trying to get it and Svengallop encouraged every step of my awful behavior. Then that accident happened and I lost everything. If you think I walked away from that unscratched, you're dead wrong! I might have redeemed myself, Applejack! But I still regret, especially when life seems to shove my past mistakes in my face over and over and over again!" Mario then felt his tears overtake him. Applejack bit her tongue, feeling her heartbreak seeing Mario having a mini-meltdown.
"I'm so sorry, Big Brother," said Applejack as she held him close, "I know you're sorry for what happened all those years ago. I just lost my temper. I don't want to see Rara go through all that heartache and regret that you have to deal with."
"I know, Sis," Mario croaked as he tried to calm down, "but when you're that consumed with the fame. You don't want to be saved. And sometimes...the only way you're learn your lesson...is the hard way." Applejack couldn't help but bury her face into her shoulder and began to cry. She didn't want to see Rara learn her lesson the hard way.
Once Mario and Applejack had recovered, they went to go help Pinkie with peeling and de-coring the five hundred apples Svengallop had requested. Poor Pinkie looked stressed out as her mane and tail, while still poofy, has lost alot of its cute curl and was covered in pieces of apple. Applejack worked quietly at first, but was soon too upset to continue de-coring any more apples.
"It just ain't right!" Applejack complained, "He's manipulatin' her, and she's just not seein' it!"
"Enough stwein', more peelin'!" Pinkie snapped, but Applejack had had enough.
"Sorry, Pinkie, but there is no way I'm lettin' that lousy Svengallop use my friend like that," said Applejack as she stomped away. Mario then went after her.
"We already tried to help Rara before, Sis," said Mario, "but she clearly doesn't want to listen to us. I don't think she wants us helping her."
"Mario, you are the last pony I would think would even hesitate to stop a pony from taking advantage of somepony else," said Applejack. Mario flinched but then looked away.
"Because nopony was willing to keep trying to help me when I refuse to listen," said Mario.
"And that means I should give up on Rara?" Applejack asked rather defensively.
"Of course not," said Mario, "I just know that I refused to listen to reason no matter how many times ponies tried to help me. I'm just wondering if reasoning with her is worth the effort or if she'll just tune us out."
"Mario," said Applejack as she put a fore-hoof on his shoulder, "I hardly ever listen to reason when you try to help me see sense, but you've never given up on me, do you?"
"No," said Mario, "I mean, being completely honest, I did have doubts if speaking up was even worth it, but...I could never bring myself to turn my back on you."
"Then this case should be no different," said Applejack, "even if Rara ignores us one hundred times, we gotta help her. After all, you know as well as I do that Svengallop is taking advantage of her. He did the same to you and got away with it. Do you want Rara to suffer the same fate?" Mario listened and then a very determined look appeared on his face.
"Svengallop," said Mario as a smirk, "It's time you and me are gonna have one big showdown." Mario just nodded with anticipation. Applejack was just happy she got Mario motivated to help her out with Rara. Pinkie just groaned at being left behind as she tumbled into a pile of already pre-peeled and pre-cored apples.
Back at the main stage, Rara was talking to two of her background singers with Applejack and Mario approached with smiles on their faces.
"Countess Coloratura!" Applejack called out.
"Wow, AJ, you said my real name," said Rara, clearly impressed.
"I said your new name," said Applejack, "but I saw the real you hangin' out with those schoolponies yesterday. And I know somepony that'd perfer if you stop doin' those little events."
"Ugh, not this again," said Rara annoyingly as she looked away.
"Come on now," said Applejack, "You've just got to give me a chance to prove what I'm sayin' is true."
"AJ is only tryin' to look out for you, Rara," Mario added, "and while it seems like I'm carrying a grudge against Svengallop, I don't want him betraying and hurting you like he did with me. He doing to you what he used to do when I worked with him and we're going to prove that to you,"
"And just how are you going to do that?" Rara asked, still feeling skeptical.
"Do exactly what I say," said Applejack, "We'll see if that Svengallop truly has your best intentions at heart." While Rara rolled her eyes at the two ponies, she did concede to their idea.
Later that day, Applejack's idea was put into action as Rara stood in the middle of the stage as Fluttershy, Rainbow, and Twilight were busy setting up some lights above the stage.
"Svengallop? Svengallop!" Rara called out, "Where are you, Svengallop?"
"Here I am!" said Svengallop in a cheery tone and gave a bow, "Did you need something?"
"Yes, I was...considering..." said Rara sadly, "m-maybe cancelling the contest with the school ponies...?"
"Countess, this is wonderful!" said Svengallop happily, "I've been waiting forever for you to cancel that pointless school pony contest."
"You...have?" said Rara, clearly surprised.
"You do it at every charity event, and it does absolutely nothing to promote the Countess Coloratura image that I built! Consider it cancelled," said Svengallop before shouting, "Pinkie Pie!"
"Yes, Svengallop, sir!" Pinkie said, clearly out of breath as she coughed an apple core that had gotten stuck in her throat.
"We are making some adjustments to the show," said Svengallop, "Follow me..." He then turned and noticed Rara looking at a sheet of paper.
"What, may I ask, is that?" said Svengallop disapprovingly, "I thought I told you to keep fan mail inside your trailer!"
"It's the lyrics to a new song I want to add the show," said Rara, "I'm sure you can fit it into the routine for me." Svengallop looked indignantly as he snatched the paper with a fore-hoof and shoved it into his suit jacket.
"I'll see what I can do," Svengallop said snootily and then made Pinkie follow him. Rara watched them walked off before giving Applejack and Mario curious looks since they had been watching the scene unfold. The two ponies just smiled and nodded before they gave Twilight a signal. Twilight then smiled and flew off, making her horn glow as she saw Pinkie and Svengallop chatting behind the stage near Rara's trailer. Poor Pinkie nearly tripped but managed to recover as Svengallop started to speak.
"Cancel the contest for the fillies and schedule me a spa treatment," said Svengallop, "Now that I don't have to oversee a rehearsal with those brats, I have time for the works!" Pinkie just looked miserable and said nothing.
"You know that drill!" Svengallop threatened as he got into her face, "Deliver, or the diva ditches your dippy charity!" Svengallop then walked off, feeling very pleased with himself until he remembered the song Rara had said she wanted added to the song. He looked at the sheet of paper and then scoffed at the lyrics.
"She thinks this jumble of words is music?" said Svengallop and then rubbed his fore-hooves together to shred the paper, "I can think of something far more image worthy for Countess Coloratura and all the glory will go to me!" Svengallop then returned to the stage with his smug smile. Rara was waiting for him.
"Okay, Countess Coloratura, all taken care of!" said Svengallop. It was then some audio was heard and he winced. There on a projection Twilight had recorded was his conversation with Pinkie.
"You know the drill! Deliver, or the diva ditches your dippy charity!" the recording of Svengallop said aloud. Then Mario made another projection appear of Svengallop ripping up the lyrics to Sweetie Belle's new song.
"She thinks this jumble of words is music? I can think of something far more image worthy for Countess Coloratura and all the glory will go to me!" said the audio record of Svengallop. Rara and the Mane Eight all glared. The other surrounding ponies were shocked.
"So that's how you've been managing things?" Rara asked angrily.
"Yeah, so?" said Svengallop arrogantly, "What's the problem?"
"The problem is," said Rara as she walked up to him sternly, "is you've been using my name to intimidate ponies to get what you want!"
"But I work incredibly hard for you!" Svengallop retorted in his defense, "I deserve everything I get!"
"But not because you scare ponies into thinking I won't perform for their charities otherwise!" Rara snapped angrily, "I would never do that to my fans! Which is why you should have known that I would never cancel the school ponies contest! One of the winners was the one who wrote the very song you tore up behind my back! And I should also mention she's famous for the song Jump Up, Pony Star, which is still higher than any of my best hit songs that have made the Hayboard charts!"
"Hmph," said Svengallop, "that pathetic little filly should have never even been on those Hayboard charts in the first place! Besides, all this charity and school pony contest nonsense is just remnants of that boring little Rara I met back in Manehattan!"
"You clearly don't understand the real me!" said Rara, "and how dare you call my new friend Sweetie Belle a pathetic little filly. Every future singer starts their dream when their young, just like me!"
"Ha, that's a joke!" said Svengallop haughtily, "I made you somepony! What can you even do without me? Good luck, Countess Coloratura! Good luck!" Svengallop walked off the stage with his nose in the air, making it clear he was quitting on her. Rara looked most upset and Mario stomped in front of him.
"Where do you think you're going?" Mario asked sternly.
"It is clear that Countess Coloratura doesn't appreciate my help," said Svengallop snootily, "She can manage things herself!" Mario laughed, but it wasn't a happy or funny laugh.
"You know, I've met many stupid, stubborn, and dense ponies in my day," said Mario with a hallow chuckle, "but you are one of the worst."
"Will you get out of my way!" Svengallop threatened.
"NO!" Mario yelled angrily, "You just dumped Rara just like you dumped me all those years ago. And why? Because you can't handle it when ponies don't want to do things your way! Which is bullying others and taking advantage of other ponies for your own benefits. All you care about is filling your pocket book and not their best interests. And if I let you just walk away, you're only going to do the same thing to some other pony. Not to mention you cross the line when you decided to bully my best friend and baby sister!" Mario pointed to Pinkie, who looked very drained and miserable, leaned against Twilight's shoulder and cried as the reality of the situation set in. The purple alicorn held her gently for comfort. Svengallop just looked apathetic.
"What's your point?" he asked huffily, "You can't do anything to me!" Mario smirked.
"I don't have to," said Mario, "That projection you just saw? It was aired not just here in Sweet Apple Acres, but also Ponyville, Canterlot, Manehattan, Appleloosa, Vanhoover, Baltimare, Fillydelphia, and every other major city in Equestria!" Svengallop jaw dropped as Mario gave him a devious smirk.
"Looks like you're out of a job," said Mario smugly as Svengallop gritted his teeth angrily, but then to Mario's surprise, he smirked.
"You may have ruined me," said Svengallop darkly as the six backup dancers surrounded him, "But these stallions all work for me and they've got some choice words to say for you depriving them of their chance to perform with Countess Coloratura. Get him!" Mario looked around to see them growling at him and others pounding one fore-hoof into the other to show they were ready to beat him up. The rest of the Mane eight were worried, especially when the stallions charged at Mario. Mario made his horn glow.
"SHOWTIME!"
(cue Bowser turn battle)
The Mane Eight and Rara, minus Twilight and Fluttershy, were rather stunned at the turn battle set up. Mostly because Mario was standing on his hind legs looking rather intimidating as the six stallions were standing on the right side of the battlefield, glaring at him with Svengallop standing at the far back to command them.
"This is new," said Rainbow.
"It's a new turn battle style," said Twilight, "Mario showed it off during our last friendship mission."
"It's more strength oriented than agility," added Fluttershy.
"Either way," Svengallop boasted, "Mario is clearly outmatched. He's going to learn he's playing with the big boys now."
"Then let's play!" said Mario as he stomped up one stallion, reeled back his left fore-leg. Then it glowed the emphasize maximum power and then...
POW!
Rainbow, Applejack, Rarity, and Rara were left with their jaws hanging out as Mario punched a stallion at full power, knocking him out instantly.
"Woah..." said Spike, surprised as well.
"Now that's what I call a power punch!" said Shenran, very impressed. Svengallop snarled.
"Get him!" he shouted as the first stallion charged at Mario head on. Mario just stood calmly on his hind legs and did a fast left hook, knocking the stallion back and ending his attack. The second stallion did the same and got the same counter attack. The third stallion was a little smarter. He charged but then leaped into the air to try and belly-stomp on Mario's back.
"Mario look out!" Rara called out.
"I've got this!" said Mario as he squatted at the last second.
BLOCK!
The above word appeared above the alicorn to show that Mario had nullified any damage the attack would have done and made the stallion wobble back to his side of the battlefield. The fourth stallion tried the attack as well, even trying to fake Mario out, but...
BLOCK!
Mario blocked the attack as well. The fifth stallion just went for a charge and tried to fake Mario out by stopping mid-dash, but got slugged in the face anyway. The fifth stallion also felt a tooth come out of his mouth. He then whimpered and fled the battle.
"Coward!" Svengallop shouted, "You'll never dance on stage again!"
"Good to see you care about the dancers," said Mario sarcastically as he marched up to the third stallion, reeled back...
POW!
Knocked him out with a single fully powered left punch!
"Go get him Mario!" Pinkie shouted, now feeling better. Now it was the three remaining stallions chance to try again. The second went for another charge, even stopping twice before Mario did a quick punch and knocked him out. The third stallion then tried the fake out and jump into the air.
BLOCK!
But Mario blocked the attacked with a perfectly timed squat. The fifth stallion the tried to fake Mario out by charging and then stopping three times, even trying a jump fake to make Mario squat, but Mario managed to quickly recover and left punch him, knocking the stallion out. Only the third stallion remained and he was looking very frightened.
"Come on!" Svengallop shouted angrily, "You can take a slug in the face! You would be nothing without me!" The third stallion just trembled nervously as Mario stomped up and began to reel back for the punch. Just as Mario's left fore-hoof was about to glow...
...the third stallion swapped himself out...
...and now Svengallop was the target!
Svengallop saw Mario's left-hoof glow and his pupil shrink into tiny dots.
"Momma..." he whimpered.
POW!
It was not only fully powered, but it was a lucky hit!
"Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" Svengallop screamed like a little filly as he went flying into the air and then disappeared into the blue sky with a twinkle.
(Battle Victory!)
Mario smiled as Svengallop disappeared.
"Bye bye, Svenny! I'll miss you! NOT!" Mario called out as the rest of the Mane Eight cheered. That is until they noticed that Rara was still looking very upset. Applejack was the first to understand why as she walked up to the dejected pop star.
"Oh, Rara, I'm so sorry," said Applejack, "Are you gonna be okay for the concert tonight?"
"Of course," said Rara bravely, "After all, the show must go on!" Mario then walked up to her.
"I know you don't want to disappoint you fans," said Mario, "but there's nothing wrong if you need time to yourself, especially after all this."
"I'll be fine," said Rara firmly.
But by the time the sun was setting, Rara was anything but fine. She had changed her look so she was wearing a purple top with blue gems, a gem studded pin on her tail, some purple gem studded boots on all four hooves, and her mane and tail were down with gems tied into them. Plus she had some gem studded fake eye-lashes.
"Oh, my gosh, Rarity, Svengallop's right!" Rara panicked as she paced about and looked at herself in the mirror, "This is gonna be a disaster! I'm gonna be terrible!" Whether Rarity was even listening was debatable since she was trying to get Rara's headset on and the pop stars pacing was making the job impossible. Rarity could feel her patience slipping when Applejack and Mario arrived.
"Can you give us a minute, Rarity?" Applejack asked the white unicorn.
"Certainly," said Rarity, but still felt a little annoyed as she took the headpiece with her.
"Now, why's it gonna be so terrible?" Applejack asked.
"Because Svengallop was in charge of everything!" Rara explained worriedly, "The lights, the visuals, the sound! Without Svengallop, I have nothing!"
"Now, now, don't go gettin' yourself into a tizzy there, Rara," said Applejack. Mario gave the pop star a warm smile.
"I used to think the same thing," Mario told her, "especially after my accident, but I learned that having somepony like Svengallop only made me famous because they turned me into somepony different."
"Mario's right," said Applejack, "Svengallop turned you into Countess Coloratura and acted like your friend so he could enjoy the perks that came with bein' a star. But the real perk of friendship is gettin' to see your friend bein' true to their self."
"Indeed," said Mario, "As you can see, I've been far more successful being true to myself than when I was the Flying Unicorn. In fact, being myself is what helped me earn my wings." Mario opened them up proudly, which made Rara smile, but then it disappeared since she was still worried.
"And Rara," Applejack continued on behalf of her older brother, "when you're simply yourself, you're the brightest star I've ever seen shine." Rara just looked at herself in the mirror and smiled. She then turned to Mario.
"Mario, can you do me a favor?" Rara asked.
"What's up?" Mario asked as Rara leaned into his ear and whispered her idea. Mario listened attentively and then gave her a smile.
"You got it!" said Mario excitedly as he zoomed away. Rara watched him disappear and then went to get ready for the concert.
By the time the sun had set completely and the stars were now dancing about the night sky, the area surrounding the stage was now filled with ponies as they cheered excitedly for the concert to start. Twilight, the host of tonight's show, took to the front part of the stage.
"Good evening, everypony!" said Twilight, "Welcome to opening night of the Helping Hooves Music Festival! Now it is my great honor to introduce you to our headlining act - Countess Coloratura!" The ponies cheered as the curtains opened to reveal the pop star standing near a baby grand piano she had asked Mario to get for her. She had also changed her outfit. Her mane and tail now had their natural swirls along the edges. She had on a black top that had some gray lacing along the neck. Since, as a reminder to all that most ponies don't wear clothes, she had on a see-through black mini skirt.
"This song may be familiar, but yet, it's totally different," said Rara, "Kind of like, me, Rara." The other ponies were left stunned and confused at the nickname. Rara just shook off their puzzled murmurs and began to play the piano.
[Rara - She did a mini-piano solo before she sang. The view then zoomed out to show the audience listening attentively as the spotlight shinned above her.]
I'm here to show you who I am
Throw off the veil, it's finally time
There's more to me than glitz and glam, oh-whoa
And now I feel my stars align
[Rara - As she continued her singing and piano playing, several unicorns lit up their horns in the audience to make little balls of light.]
For I had believed what I was sold
I did all the things that I was told
But all that has changed. and now I'm bold
'Cause I know
[Rara - A silhouette of a mini orchestra could be seen behind a screen in the background of the stage.]
That I'm just a pony
I made mistakes from time to time
But now I know the real me
And put my heart out on the line
[Rara - The audience was now watching with smiles on their faces, clearly captivated by her voice. The Cutie Mark Crusaders were smiling and holding each other. Sweetie Belle raised a fore-hoof in the air.]
And let the magic in my heart stay true
Whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa
And let the magic in my heart stay true
Whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa
Just like the magic inside of you
[Rara]
And now I see those colors
Right before my eyes
I hear my voice so clearly
And I know that it is right
[Rara - her voice began to echo as she continued the song.]
They thought I was weak, but I am strong
They sold me the world, but they were wrong
And now that I'm back, I still belong
'Cause I know
[Rara - As she reached the chorus again, her cutie mark started glowing and the audience cheered loudly and excitedly. The Cutie Mark Crusaders were still smiling happily as Apple Bloom was trying to mouth the words. The Mane eight were also smiling as well, especially Applejack and Mario. Applejack could feel her eye filling with happy tears. Mario was already crying as he put a fore-leg around his little sister and kissed the side of her head as they exchanged smiles with each other.]
That I am just a pony
I make mistakes from time to time
But now I know the real me
And put my heart out on the line
[Rara - She was now crying happily as she poured her heart and soul into her singing. Then raised a fore-hoof in the air as she sang the final note.]
And let the magic in my heart stay true
Whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa
And let the magic in my heart stay true
Whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa
Just like the magic inside of you
Just like the magic inside of you...
The audience roared with delight as Rara finished her song and walked up to the front of the stage.
"Thank you, everypony!" said Rara, her voice amplified from what could have been a hidden mic, "When I arrived at the Helping Hooves Music Festival, I had forgotten who I really was! But then an old friend, with additional help from her brother, reminded me what real friendship is about, and she told me that if I was true to myself, I couldn't go wrong!" The Mane eight knew who that friend and brother were as they all looked at Applejack and Mario. The two ponies blinked at being called out and felt a bit embarassed, especially when Rara smiled at them.
"So I have a very special surprise for her," Rara continued, "Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, come on up!" The three fillies smiled as they made their way to the stage and smiled excitedly as they stood around the pop star. Then the spotlight shined on them as they began to sing.
[Rara and the Cutie Mark Crusaders - as they sang, a giant flag of Equestria appeared behind them and raised a fore-hoof to it.]
Equestria, the land I love
A land of harmony
Our flag does wave from high above
For ponykind to see
[Rara and the Cutie Mark Crusaders - Rara extended a fore-hoof to pull Applejack onto the stage and held her close as they finished the song.]
Equestria, a land of friends
Where ponykind do roam
They say true friendship never ends
Equestria, my home
The audience cheered as Sweetie Belle used her magic to raise a metal triangle next to Applejack. The orange pony gave it a light tap before she and Rara shared a warm hug with each other on stage. Once the cheering had died down, Rara let go of Applejack and stepped forward.
"And now, fillies and gentlecolts," said Rara, "I have one more surprise for you. Recently, I have had the pleasure of meeting the writer and singer of the famous song, Jump Up Pony Star, Sweetie Belle!" The ponies cheered as Sweetie Belle nervously stepped forward as a spotlight shined on her.
"And now, for the first time ever," said Rara, "We shall sing her newest single, Harmony Light." The audience cheered as Sweetie Belle felt sweat dripping down her brow. Rara gave her a comforting smile as they took a deep breath together. The orchestra began to initial melody and Sweetie Belle began to opening part of the song.
[Sweetie Belle - She started singing shakily as first but then her voice grew louder and more passionate as she sang.]
Colors weave into a spire of flame
Distant sparks call to a past still unnamed
Bear this torch against the cold of the night
Search your soul and reawaken the undying light!
[Rara - She gave Sweetie Belle smile before putting her vocals to full use. But as Rara mentioned the world coming to an end. Mario's horn and eyes glowed pink. There before him was Equestria in what looked like a devastated landscape.]
On that day, when the sky fell away
Our world came to an end
In our eyes, did a fading sun rise
In the dark glimmering shadows
[Sweetie Belle - Mario then saw Ponyville looking a bit deserted and the Carousel Boutique was boarded up and empty. He then saw a familiar unicorn overlooking the devastation with a sinister smile on her face.]
Silence grows in the spaces between
Stretching out beyond time
Rising up as a chorus of souls
Find a voice
Flickering through the void
[Rara - Next Mario saw was the specks of a small group before what appeared to be a strange but dark looking kingdom. And saw everypony else being overwhelmed by the changelings before a heart made of flames expanded at the changelings.]
These little sparks, cling on to life
Everyone caught in the struggle
And then the storms of change
They fan the flames
Scattering ashes to the wind!
[Sweetie Belle - Mario then saw before him a small pony trapped in a mass of darkness before a small light came from what looked like his heart but then began to fade until it was consumed by what looked like a giant pony made out of shadow.]
Every soul contains a whisper of light
Gleaming faintly as it dwindles from sight
No escape, no greater fate to be made
In the end, the chains of time will not break
[Rara and Sweetie Belle - Mario then saw six silhouettes, each of them standing on a pillar as their bodies began to glow. They stood before the shadow pony and shot their beams of light at it before the light consumed his view.]
Colors weave into a spire of flame
Distant sparks call to a past still unnamed
Bear this torch against the cold of the night
Search your soul and reawaken the undying light!
[Rara - Mario then saw several airships he had never seen before, each them sending large menacing creatures that started to conquer and invade the land. It was then one creature looked to be holding an ancient staff of some sort that held within it some familiar magic as it smiled deviously.]
As fate spins,
A thread without end
New life draws it's first breath
Blossoming in a soil reclaimed from the past
Where destiny holds fast
[Sweetie Belle - Mario then saw several ponies as well as different creatures, joined hands/hooves/etc as they rallied together to fight off the creature with the staff and his army. Then what looked like six pony shadows charged the creature with the staff as he aimed it at them to attack before a burst of light blocked Mario's view of the result.]
Here where we stand
Hoof clenched in Hoof
Everypony caught in the struggle
This is the day we finally find our way
Stepping into our tomorrow!
[Rara - Mario was now in the middle of a crystal cave, before him were six more shadows, only one was a pony, another was a griffon, another a yak, followed by a dragon, a creature he didn't recognize, and...a changleling?! Some coals beneath them suddenly erupted into flames, causing some light to sketch a drawing into the wall behind the shadows.]
Every soul contains a whisper of light
Growing louder as it calls to unite
From the distance sings a chorus of souls
Rising slowly, stirring heat from the coals
[Rara and Sweetie Belle - Just then, the six creatures began to glow, each of them a color from the Elements of Harmony minus one. It was then a Pink glow appeared in the middle but the light made it too difficult for Mario to see who or what it was.]
Colors weave into a spire of flame
Distant sparks call to a past still unnamed
Bear this torch against the cold of the night
Light will guide you on your way to the ultimate fight!
[Rara and Sweetie Belle - Mario had just snapped back into reality as some electric guitar fanfare was played. Twilight looked at him worriedly, but Mario just mouthed that he was fine and went to watch Sweetie Belle and Rara re-sing the chorus. Twilight let it go, but she still looked rather concerned at what had happened to her husband. He noticed that Sweetie Belle was looking very comfortable on stage now.]
Every soul contains a whisper of light
Growing louder as it calls to unite
From the distance sings a chorus of souls
Rising slowly, stirring heat from the coals
[Rara and Sweetie Belle - The two ponies smiled at each other as they put a fore-hoof over each other shoulder and waved their free fore-leg about as they sang. As they sang the final word, the held a long note as they slowly lifted their free fore-leg high into the air.]
Colors weave into a spire of flame
Distant sparks call to a past still unnamed
Bear this torch against the cold of the night
Light will guide you on your way to the ultimate fight!
With a short fanfare from the orchestria, their duet was complete and the ponies in the audience raised their fore-hooves into the air as they cheered and roared with excitement! Rara and Sweetie Belle gave each other wide smiles before they exchanged a heartfelt hug with each other. The Mane eight were cheering loudly as well, with Mario and Shenran whistling loudly. Applejack, however, didn't cheer, but had a warm and teary smile on her face.
She knew, that no matter how far apart life took them.
She and Rara would be friends forever.
SURPRISE! I bet none of you were expecting Rara and Sweetie Belle to sing a ponified version of "Lifelight", the theme song to Super Smash Brothers Ultimate. And if you read the content in the brackets. Mario literally saw a vision of the future, or what is going to happen from the season 5 finale and beyond. Can you name all the future events Mario saw?
I have to admit that the way Svengallop just walked out on Rara with no remorse or consequences for his actions was what always kept this episode from being one of my favorites. He needed to get some sense knocked into him. So hope you enjoyed the bonus battle where Mario gave him his just desserts!
And for those who have not heard. Hasbro has confirmed that season nine is the final season. So it lets you know when this story will have its end. I'm still not sure if I'll write beyond season nine just yet, but I do know you want Mario and Twilight to become parents so...I'll figure something out.
Next time: The road to Mario and Twilight's most difficult battle yet is upon us. If you remember, Mario seems to be struggling with something and he's still holding a grudge against Starlight over what happened at the beginning of the season. I might take a short break from writing to prepare myself for this...but I'm still not sure.
Peace Pony Fans!