Soldier of Harmony Chapter 15: The Talent Show, a my little pony fanfic

Note: This chapter will strongly focused on music. AlsoI recently held a .50 caliber bullet and realized my assumption on how large it was is wrong. Because of this I have changed the bullets in Steel's cutie mark from .50 caliber rounds to 7.62x51 NATO rounds.

Chapter 15: The Talent Show

Steel's house, Ponyville
Local time: 0945
One month, one day since arrival

The sunlight coming thru the window woke me up and after what happened yesterday I was not happy being woken up before noon. I waved my hoof around in the air in a vain attempt to remove the offending light. After giving up trying to go back to sleep, I got out of bed and shuffled my way to the kitchen. Once I made a cup of coffee and had a few sips, I noticed a note on the table.

Steel,

Had to go back to Canterlot, I'll be back later to practice for the talent contest.

Luna

With Luna gone, I didn't have to worry about her trying to get me to talk about what happened yesterday. After I finished my cup of coffee, I got my saddlebag and poncho and went out to get everything I would need for today's practice, mostly paper, quills, and ink. As I walked down the street I saw that eveypony was looking at me as I passed by. There were only two reasons for this, one: I had something on myself, two: The rumors about me being an alicorn, which are probably already spreading across Equestria, have reached Ponyville. I hope it's not the second option, but after yesterday, it's only a matter of time until everypony in town knows and I'll have to make some sort of announcement. If there are rumors about me going around town, nopony had the courage to ask me about them. After getting all my supplies and a few awkward conversations with the ponies working at the stores, it was around twelve thirty and I decided to get lunch at Sugarcube Corner. When I walked in, I could feel everypony's eyes following me as I walk to Vinyl who was sitting alone in one of the booths, "Can I sit here?"

"Sure," I sat down across from her. "I take it you've noticed the stares..." I nodded after glaring at the ponies at the table next to us who were staring. "Yeah and I assume there are some rumors going around town, too. But before we start talking about this, can you come over to my place later so we can practice for the talent show, we do only have three days."

"Ok, I'll be over around six. As for the rumors… everypony in town has heard at least one version. All of them include you being an alicorn, but vary on how you became one. In some, you're the long lost brother of the princesses, others a science experiment, there's even one where you an alien from another dimension."

"Let me guess, you started that one." She snickered at my discomfort, because in my opinion, that version is way too close to the truth. Scratch that, it is the truth. Luckily it's too farfetched for anypony to believe except for those who know the truth. "Well, I knew everypony would find out eventually, it was only a matter of time. I guess I'll send Princess Celestia a letter about what to do, situations like this need to be handled delicately." After lunch and some small talk with Vinyl, I went over to the library. When I walked in I saw half of the books on the floor while Twilight and Spike rearranged them, "Um, what's going on?"

"Oh, hey Steel. It's re-shelving day." My confused face said more than my mouth could produce. "Every so often, I rearrange all the books in the library." I sighed, this kind of stuff didn't surprise me. She's so obsessed about books and organization, it's scary. "Ok, well I need to send the Princess Celestia a letter."

"Actually, I already sent her one about the rumors, here's her response."

Twilight, either give this letter to Steel or tell him yourself.

Talk to the mayor and set up town meeting for tomorrow around noon, either Luna or myself will be there to help explain the situation. When Luna is over to practice for the talent show she was telling me about you can make a back story for yourself. I don't think it's a good idea to tell everypony where you actually came from, it might cause a panic.

Princess Celestia

I said goodbye to Twilight and Spike and walked across town to the mayor's office. I had to wait for awhile since the mayor had other things to attend to. After about half an hour of waiting, I was finally ushered into her office. When I walked in she was filling out paper work, "Good afternoon Mayor Mare." She looked up from the papers, "Ah, good afternoon Steel. What can I do for you?"

"Well, I need to set up a town meeting for noon tomorrow. I need to address the rumors that have been going around town; I'm assuming you've heard some of them?" She nodded, "I have, but I've learned not to believe them until I have sufficient evidence to back them up, I'll set it up." I turned and started to walk out, "Thank you mayor, I'll see you tomorrow." By now it was about two thirty so I headed back to my house. While I was waiting for Luna and Vinyl to arrive I practiced my guitar. Looking out the window I played some songs including What About Now by Daughtry, Bottoms Up by Nickelback, and the guitar solo in Na Na Na by My Chemical Romance (2:13-2:39). As I finished up my practice session, I decided to sing and warm up my vocal cords with the last song.

(Trying Not to Love you by Nickelback)

You call to me, and I fall at your feet
How could anyone ask for more?
And our time apart, like knives in my heart
How could anyone ask for more?

But if there's a pill to help me forget,
God knows I haven't found it yet
But I'm dying to, God I'm trying to

'Cause trying not to love you, only goes so far
And trying not to need you, is tearing me apart
Can't see the silver lining, from down here on the floor
And I just keep on trying, but I don't know what for
'Cause trying not to love you
Only makes me love you more
Only makes me love you more

And this kind of pain, only time takes away
That's why it's harder to let you go
And nothing I can do, without thinking of you
That's why it's harder to let you go

But if there's a pill to help me forget,
God knows I haven't found it yet
But I'm dying to, God I'm trying to

So I sit here divided, just talking to myself
Was it something I did?
Was there somebody else?
When a voice from behind me, that was fighting back tears
Sat down right here beside me, whispered right in my ear
Said, I've been dying to tell you

That trying not to love you, only went so far
Trying not to need you, was tearing me apart
Now I see the silver lining, from what we're fighting for
We just keep on trying, we could be much more
'Cause trying not to love you
Oh, yeah, trying not to love you
Only makes me love you more
Only makes me love you more

As the final notes from my guitar faded I could hear somepony or someponies, I couldn't tell, crying behind me. Turning around, I saw Luna and Cadence in the doorway, Luna had tears in her eyes and Cadence was crying. "Steel, that was one of the saddest and most beautiful songs I've ever heard." said Cadence, who had stopped crying, "Why would anypony not try to find the mare, or stallion, of their dreams? Why would they try and fight their feelings, he clearly loves her." I just shrugged, "I can think of a few reasons, but it's just a song, for example listen to this."

(Thnks Fr Th Mmrs by Fall Out Boy)

I'm gonna make it bend and break
Say a prayer, but let the good times roll
In case God doesn't show

And I want these words to make things right
But it's the wrongs that make the words come to life
"Who does he think he is?"
If that's the worst you've got,
better put your fingers back to the keys

One night and one more time
Thanks for the memories
Even though they weren't so great
He tastes like you only sweeter

One night yeah, and one more time
Thanks for the memories
Thanks for the memories
See he tastes like you only sweeter

I'm looking forward to the future
But my eyesight is going bad
And this crystal ball

It's always cloudy except for
When you look into the past
One night stand

One night and one more time
Thanks for the memories
Even though they weren't so great
He tastes like you only sweeter

One night yeah, and one more time
Thanks for the memories
Thanks for the memories
See he tastes like you only sweeter

I only think in the form of crunching numbers
In hotel rooms collecting page six lovers
Get me out of my mind
Gets you out of those clothes
I'm a liner away from
Getting you into the mood

One night and one more time
Thanks for the memories
Even though they weren't so great
He tastes like you only sweeter

One night yeah, and one more time
Thanks for the memories
Thanks for the memories
See he tastes like you only sweeter

One night and one more time
Thanks for the memories
Even though they weren't so great
He tastes like you only sweeter

One night yeah, and one more time
Thanks for the memories
Thanks for the memories
See he tastes like you only sweeter

"See, it's a great song, but I bet neither of you understood half of the lyrics. Ok Luna, as soon as Vinyl gets here you two can go pick out the song we're going to play. And Cadence you're here because…?"

"Well, I wanted to see what the music from your home was like." I nodded just as Vinyl walked in. After tell her what I just told Luna, they went over to my iPod and began looking thru the approximately four hundred songs I had on there. It took a good four hours for them to go thru my songs, while they were going thru them I overheard them talking about what song we should play. These included Drive By by Train, Drops of Jupiter by Train, Hall of Fame by The Script, Don't Ever Let It End by Nickelback, If It's Love by Train, Have A Nice Day by Bon Jovi, The Power Of Love by Huey Lewis and the News, and What About Now by Daughtry. Eventually they pick their top three songs and asked me which one was best. "Ok, let's see what you picked."

Bruises by Train
Lullaby by Nickelback
Into the Night by Santana

"Luna, Lullaby is a good song but not one that I would recommend for your first time on stage, Into the Night is a good song but, Vinyl, there isn't much of a drum part. As for Bruises, it's a duet so one of you will have to sing with me. I'll give you a few minutes to talk with each other and pick a song." While they talked, I went into the kitchen and got some water for everypony. When I walked back into the living room I saw Luna looking at the floor, slightly blushing, while she rubbed one hoof with the other. Cadence and Vinyl were looking at her clearly waiting for an answer to a question. Eventually she nodded, still blushing, and the three of them looked over to me. Vinyl walked up to me with a confident smile on her face, "We've decided to play Bruises… and Luna's going to sing with you."

I slightly chocked on the water I was drinking since I knew it would never work between me and Luna, but still the feelings were there. "Great, let's get started. Cadence, you can stay if you want." She politely declined, saying she had to go back to Canterlot. On her way out, I thought I saw her wink at Luna, but decided I was imagining things since it was about 10:00pm and I was kind of tired. We practiced for a good two hours before calling it a day. We decided to meet back here tomorrow at three, and we made a lot of progress in that time. Vinyl was a quick learner and had about a quarter of the song damn near perfect when we finished. Luna was unsure about herself when we started, but when she was more confident she was amazing. She had one of the most beautiful voices I've ever heard, although I sometimes had to remind her to project her voice. She hadn't learned as much of the song as Vinyl did, but I didn't hold it against her since she had to learn the words and the notes where as Vinyl only had to learn the notes. Before Luna left, I gave her the back story I had created for myself just as Celestia asked. I went to bed thinking about the talent show, we did better than I had expected in our first day. We were at least a contender and if the other practices go as well as they did today, we would definitely be in the top three.

Outside Town Hall, Ponyville
Local time: 1155
One month, two days since arrival

It's strange, I'm fine running through a field while being shot at, but I'm nervous about making a speech. I spent the entire morning going over my back story, making sure there was no way anypony could tell I was lying. Well, except for my friends, who already knew the truth. I waited behind the stage for the one of the princesses to show up. As each second went by, I tried to calm myself with little success. Mayor Mare began to address the crowed, explaining why this meeting was called on such short notice. "… and now to tell us the truth and put the rumors to rest, I give you Flamingsteel." Truth… yeah, right. I nervously walked onto the stage and approached the podium.

"Uh, hello everypony. I know about the rumors going around that I'm an alicorn and I'm here to tell you the truth. The truth is… damn, this is hard, the truth is…" With everypony staring at me I couldn't say it. I tried moving my mouth, but I couldn't form any words. Suddenly, I felt my poncho ripped from my back and everypony gasped. Turning around, and giving everypony in the crowd a good look at my wings, I saw Celestia and Luna standing there, the latter had a mischievous smile on her face and was magically holding my poncho. "Was that really necessary?" I demanded. Luna giggled.

"Well, you were doing such a splendid job of telling everypony, I just gave you a little help." Shaking my head I turned back toward the crowd and muttered, "Just like a Band-Aid, just rip it off in one go." Clearing my throat I readdressed the crowd, "So yeah, I'm an alicorn. Any questions?" Instantly everypony started talking, asking the three of us various questions, while ponies involved with newspapers moved to the front of the crowd. I tried answering a question just to be cut off by another one, this cycle kept on repeating. After awhile I just tried to get everypony to stop talking. When it was clear I couldn't get the crowd under control, the princesses tried to help me. Every attempt we made ended in failure until Luna couldn't take it any more, "Quiet!" The Royal Canterlot Voice not only silenced everypony, but a few of them even backed way slightly. "Excellent, now everypony with a question raise your hoof and Steel will answer you questions one at a time." I scanned the crowd and picked a random pony.

"Ledger Post from Equestria Daily, were you born an alicorn? And if so, where were you born? The birth of an alicorn is big news and as far as I know you were never in any newspapers." Back story time, "Yes, I was born an alicorn. I was born on a small island off the coast; there was one village, a forest, and an active volcano on the island. Next question, you, the red mare in the fifth row."

"How far away is this island and is it part of equestrian?" Celestia stepped forward, "No, the island is not part of Equestria and we're not entirely sure where it was located." This caused many ponies to whisper to each other, "It was, princess." I cleared my throat drawing everyponies attention back to me. "Yes, was. The day I left my island was the same day the volcano erupted, luckily we had ships for traveling to the desert island near by so most ponies that couldn't fly got away safely. Unfortunately as I flew away, I passed out on a cloud due to smoke inhalation and when I woke up neither island was in sight. I just was a filly at the time, so I was too nervous to leave the cloud so for three days I drifted on that cloud until a member of the Manehattan weather team found me. For the next seven years, she took care of me until her death at which time I decided it was time for me to explore the world, this eventually lead to my arrival in Ponyville." I saw many ponies with tears in their eyes, not the desired effect of the story, but it should keep them from asking too many questions. After a few more questions, the crowd dispersed and the princesses, my friends, and myself walked back to my house. For awhile we talked about my story, they all agreed that it was way too sad and when they asked how I was able to make such a convincing story I replied with, "A creative writing class I took in college." Once everypony else left Luna, Vinyl, and I practiced for the talent show for another two hours, with a few breaks of course, then called it a night.

The Prancing Pony, Ponyville
Local time: 1900
One month, three days since arrival

Nothing of real importance happened this morning. Luna and Vinyl came over around eight for one last practice session, which was way too early if you ask me. After that, we went our separate ways doing what ever until we meet up for the talent show. In order to keep the judges decisions as unbiased as possible, we decided it would be best if Luna wore a hooded cloak and used a different name. We were waiting back stage for our turn to perform; it always sucks to be last. "And now the last act. It's my pleasure to give you Flamingsteel, Vinyl Scratch and Titan." Luna wasn't sure about her temporary name, but was ok with it once I told her it was the name of a moon in my solar system. I looked over to Vinyl then Luna who both nodded, we were ready.

(Song: Steel, Luna, SteelLuna)

Haven't seen you since high school
Good to see you're still beautiful
Gravity hasn't started to pull
Quite yet I bet your rich as hell

One that's five, and one that's three
Been two years since he left me
Good to know that you got free
That town I know was keeping you down on your knees

These bruises make for better conversation
Loses the vibe that separates
It's good to let you in again
You're not alone in how you've been
Everybody loses, we all got bruises
We all got bruises

Have you seen him?
Not in years
How 'bout her?
No but I hear
She's in Queens with the man of her dreams
Funny, back then she said that about you
Que sera, you'll never guess who I saw
Remember Johnny B?
Remember him? We're best friends practically
Let's do this soon again… ten years is that what it's been
Can't believe how time flies by
Leaving you makes me wanna cry

These bruises
Make for better conversation
Loses the vibe that separates
It's good to let you in again
You're not alone and how you've been
Everybody loses
We all got bruises
We all got bruises

I would love to fix it all for you
I would love to fix you too
Please don't fix a thing, whatever you do

These bruises
Make for better conversation
Loses the vibe that separates
It's good to know you have a friend
To remember now and then
Everybody loses

These bruises
Make for better conversation
Loses the vibe that separates
It's good to let you in again
You're not alone and how you've been
Everybody loses

Everybody loses
Everybody loses
We all got bruises
We all got bruises
We all got bruises

After the movie faded away, everypony applauded and the judges talked to each other while the other contestants retuned to the stage for the award ceremony. The judges brought the trophy to the stage. "We would like to thank everypony that participated, you all did a great job. However, only one pony or group can win and the winner is… Flamingsteel, Vinyl Scratch, and Titan!" Everypony applauded again while the other contestants left the stage and we were given the trophy.

"I would like to thank the judges for choosing us. I would also like to thank my band mates Vinyl Scratch and Princess Luna." At the same time I said her real name Luna pulled back her hood revealing her face and the crowd gasped. "Now would anypony like an encore?" The applause my question was met with was all I needed; I turned to Luna and Vinyl. "Anything specific you want me to play?" The quickly discussed it, "Play Into the Night." As I played the first notes, I heard Luna and Vinyl play with me. I was surprised, since neither of them knew the song, but my curiosity got the better of me so I let them play with me

(Into the Night by Santana)

Like a gift from the heavens, its was easy to tell
It was love from above that could save me from hell.
She had fire in her soul it was easy to see,
How the devil himself could be pulled out of me.
There were drums in the air as she started to dance,
Every soul in the room keeping time with their hands,
And we sang…

Ay oh ay oh ay oh ay
And the voices rang like the angels sang,
We're singing…
Ay oh ay oh ay oh ay
And we dance on into the night
Ay oh ay oh,
Ay oh ay oh,
And we danced on into the night

Like a piece of the puzzle that falls into place,
You could tell how we felt by the look on our faces.
She was spinning in circles with the moon in her eyes,
No room left to move in between you and I.
We forgot where we were and lost track of time,
And we sang to the wind as we danced through the night,
And we sang…

Ay oh ay oh ay oh ay
And the voices rang like angels sing,
We're singing.
Ay oh ay oh ay oh ay
And we danced on into the night
Ay oh ay oh
Ay oh ay oh
And we danced on into the night
Ay oh ay oh
Ay oh ay oh
And we danced on into the night

Like a gift from the heavens, it was easy to tell,
It was love from above that could save me from hell.
She had fire in her soul it was easy to see,
How the devil himself could be pulled out of me.
There were drums in the air as she started to dance,
Every soul in the room keeping time with their hands,
And we sang…

Ay oh ay oh ay oh ay
And the voices rang like the angels sing
We're singing…
Ay oh ay oh ay oh ay
And we danced on into the night
Ay oh ay oh
Ay oh ay oh
And we danced on into the night
Ay oh ay oh
Ay oh ay oh
And we danced on into the night

Ay oh ay oh ay oh ay
Ay oh ay oh ay oh ay
Singing ay oh ay oh ay oh ay
And we danced on into the night…

After we finished the three of us stood next to the trophy for pictures. The local news ponies in attendance, who were still a little shocked that Luna was here and had preformed twice, took our pictures for the paper. As our picture was being taken, we discussed how they knew what to play, what to do with the trophy and the prize money, "How did you know what to play?" Vinyl shrugged and Luna said, "I don't know, I just acted on instinct." I sighed, "Maybe it was my spell, if it was... well I guess we haven't completely figured it out yet. So, any ideas on what to do with the trophy and money?"

"Well, with my DJ job, I don't need the money and I doubt Luna does either, so the money is yours." I looked over to Luna who nodded in agreement. "Ok, so the money is mine, what about the trophy?" Luna walked over to the trophy and examined it from all sides, "I have an idea." She closed her eyes in concentration and her horn glowed while the trophy was enveloped in the same glow. Three lines appeared on the trophy at one hundred and twenty degree angles from each other and the trophy split into three pieces. "There now we each have an equal piece of it." I looked at Vinyl who only shrugged, grabbed her piece and was about to walk off the stage. "Vinyl wait, I have something for both of you." Luna made her saddlebag appear next to her and pulled out several letters. She gave two of them to Vinyl and seven of them to me. The letters she gave me had my name on one, Twilights on another, in fact there was one with each of the girls names on it. I opened the one with my name on it.

Dear Flamingsteel,

By royal decree, you are here by invited to the birthday party of Princess Luna which is to be held in four days time at Canterlot castle. Arrive at eight o'clock, bring your invitation for admittance.

Just as I finished reading the letter, the clock stuck midnight and the letter glowed. The word four was replaced with the word three. Magic, I doubt it will ever cease to surprise me. "These are you invitations, Steel I trust you can get those to the girls." I nodded, "Good and Vinyl since you're going to Canterlot tomorrow to spend the day with Octavia can you give that to her." She nodded as well, "Excellent, now unfortunately I must return to Canterlot." After she left, Vinyl grabbed her piece of the trophy and left, leaving me on the stage, still shocked at what happened. "Did I just get invited to Luna's birthday party?"

Authors Note: Sorry for the long delay, but I have the next four chapters written down so I've been typing them, I'm almost done so they should be posted in two or three weeks. Also, completely unrelated to the story, I have started playing the My Little Pony game for iPhone, iPod, excreta… and there is a friends feature in the game, so I'm looking for anyone who wants to be my friend in the game. Not sure what it does though. If you are interested, send me a PM and I'll try to figure out how adding a friend works.