Ren's POV
Three Days Later...
We all sat in our front row seats with Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo, and Rarity as the sound of the giant crowd roared behind us waiting for the concert to begin. It had just turned nightfall, and the lights of the stage shined brightly like the lights of the city surrounding us since the concert was in Manehattan's Centrot Park.
"It's so awesome your seat is right next to ours, Rarity." Rainbow Dash said.
Rarity smiled. "Indeed it is. I guess it's amazing to have good connections."
Scootaloo bounced with excitement as she remained seated in her seat. "This is it. I can't believe we're really here, Rainbow Dash."
Rainbow Dash chuckled excitedly. "I know. This concert is going to be so awesome!"
Scootaloo smiled amusingly. "Its a pity Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon couldn't be here. They're probably to busy scratching the spots off themselves."
"I know," I laughed. "This is just too rich for this!"
We all began laughing. They had heard all about the incident with those two fillies from Applejack, and thought it was hilarious to see them get what they deserved. The lights suddenly dropped, and we turned our attention to the stage. The spotlight came on, and set on a pale yellow earth pony stallion, with a light brilliant amber colored mane and tail standing on stage with a microphone headset.
"HEEEEELLO MANEHATTAN!" He called out to the crowd. "And welcome to Centrot Park, where Sapphire Shores's "I tune in to you" tour concert is about to get underway!"
The crowd behind us cheered at the words of the stallion.
"And boy have we got a show for you tonight! We're also aware that there are some of you who have traveled quite the distance to be here tonight, including the winners of the Pop Pony magazine's contest! Well, I guarantee you won't be disappointed, everypony! And now, without further ado, let's get this show started! Fillies and gentlecolts! Give it up for Equestria's pony of pop, SAPPHIRE SHORES!"
The whole crowd, along with us roared with cheer. Moments later, a pale, light grayish gold earth pony mare with a light brilliant cobalt blue mane and tail with light brilliant azure stripes, and wearing a fabulous looking costume began to rise from the stage floor with her back turned to the crowd. She quickly faced them as she and her musicians began to perform the first song.
We all screamed and cheered as the first song Sapphire Shores performed ends. Sapphire Shores smiled and waved to the crowd.
"Good evening, Manehattan," Sapphire Shores said. "It's wonderful to see all of you here tonight! And boy do I have a sensational performance tonight for all of you!"
The crowd cheered loudly. we all cheered along with them.
Sapphire Shores nodded. "Well, let's get to the next song, shall we?! This next one is another from my new album, "I tune in to you"!" She turns to her musicians. "Alright, boys! Hit it!"
We all screamed and cheered once again as the second song Sapphire Shores performed ends.
Applejack's POV
It was late at night, and the bedroom light of Apple Bloom's room was still on. Me, and Big Mac brought Apple Bloom a small mug of yellow colored liquid that was lightly steaming, and handed it to her. She groaned with disgust at the liquid in the mug.
"Ah really don't like this stuff." Apple Bloom said.
I gave Apple Bloom a firm look. "Come on now, sugarcube. Ya know what the doctor said. Ya have ta drink it before breakfast an' before ya go ta sleep."
"Eeyup." Big Mac said.
Apple Bloom sighed. "Ah know. Ah just wish it'd taste better." She started to drink it until she was finished. "What time is it?"
I looked at the bedside clock on Apple Bloom's bedside table. "It's eleven. Way past yer bedtime."
"Alright, but they still itch." Apple Bloom laid down in her bed. "The concert will be over soon."
"Now, ah thought we weren't gonna dwell on that." Big Mac said.
Apple Bloom turned her head to Big Mac. "But Rainbow Dash an' Scootaloo. They'll meet her, won't they?"
Big Mac nodded. "Eeyup."
I tucked Apple Bloom in and turned on a blow fan. "Now ya get some sleep, sugarcube." I kissed Apple Bloom on the forehead. "An' think of good thoughts."
Apple Bloom sighed. "Okay."
We walked out of Apple Bloom's room so she could sleep. I turned the light off, and turned to Apple Bloom. "Good night, sugarcube."
I closed the door behind her, leaving it slightly opened. I really wish there was something we could make it up to her.
Ren's POV
We all screamed and cheered once again as Sapphire Shores and her musicians perform the last song at her concert back in Manehattan, Centrot Park.
We all screamed and cheered once again at Sapphire Shores's last encore performance. Sapphire Shores smiled and waved to the crowd.
"Thank you," Sapphire Shores said. "Oh, you've all been a great audience tonight! Bye for now! I love all of you! Ow!"
The crowd screamed and cheered one last time as Sapphire Shores walked off backstage and disappeared. Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo, and Rarity and Nine of us cheered along side the crowd. Kodi howled happily.
Scootaloo jumped up and down with excitement. "This was the best concert ever!" She turned to Rainbow Dash. "So, can we go backstage and see Sapphire Shores now?!"
"Sure thing, kid." Rainbow Dash said.
"And I as well," Rarity said. "I did make and design her dresses after all."
Rainbow Dash got up. "Come on, little buddy. Let's go."
We got up from our seats, and began to find their way backstage. Along the outside of the stage, there was a entrance to an area that led to the backstage, with two male security guard ponies standing guard at the entrance, and a sign that read "No Public Entry. Authorized Personnel Only." on the side. When we were about to enter, the security guard ponies halted us, preventing us entry.
"And where are you going?" One of them said.
We spoke together. "We're here to see Sapphire Shores."
The other security guard pony spoke to them. "Sorry. No public beyond this point. Now move along, please."
"Oh, it's fine, good sirs." Rarity showed her V.I.P tag. "We're all V.I.P's to see Sapphire Shores. I'm her dress maker and designer."
Rainbow Dash came over us showing our V.I.P tags. "And we're the winners of Pop Pony magazine's contest."
The two security guard ponies looked at each of the V.I.P tags carefully for a few moments, then looked back to us, and nodded. "You all may enter."
The security guard ponies moved out of the way, allowing us to enter. As soon as we entered, we walked down into a hallway, and soon ended up backstage. The backstage was full of ponies handling musical instruments, lights, equipment, and numerous outfits and costumes. We walked around throughout the backstage, and a dark blue earth pony mare came over to us.
"There you are, Miss Rarity." The mare said.
"Hello, Ocean." Rarity and the blue mare blew air kisses at each other.
The blue mare looked at us. "And who are they?"
"Oh," Rarity said. "These are Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo, the two winners of Pop Pony magazine's contest, and those nine humans are, Ren Loodan, Mason Hunter, Carrie Hunter, Jamie Watson, Nicole Bonnie, Skye Jones, and Sarah Gem, and their dog Kodi. They're also my friends."
The blue mare offered her hoof out to us in a handshake, and shook hooves and our hands with each of us. "Hello. I'm Ocean Blue, Sapphire Shores's personal manager." She directed us to follow her. "Come this way, please."
We followed Ocean Blue to the backstage dressing room. Inside the dressing room, there was three make-up and hair ponies, and amongst them, sitting on a make-up chair was the pony of pop herself, Sapphire Shores. She turned around as she saw our reflection in the mirror.
"Ah, Miss Rarity!" Sapphire Shores said. "Glad you could make it."
"Hello, Sapphire." Rarity smiled as she approached the pony of pop. "You were just marvelous on stage tonight."
Sapphire Shores got up out of her chair. "And those dresses you designed for the concert really made me shine out there. Ow!"
Ocean Blue cleared her throat. "Sapphire. I want you to meet Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo, along with Nine Humans and a dog. They're the winners of Pop Pony magazine's contest."
"They're also dear friends of mine from Ponyville." Rarity said.
Sapphire Shores turned to Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo. "Well, hello there, Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo."
Scootaloo looked at Sapphire Shores with amazement. She was face to face with the pony of pop herself, and was almost too nervous and excited to speak. She paused nervously before Rainbow Dash poked her on the shoulder. "Well, go on, kiddo. Say something."
Scootaloo began to talk with excitement. "Oh, Sapphire Shores! It's really awesome to meet you! That was an amazing concert! I just want to say that I'm a really big fan of yours, and have some of your records! You're amazing!"
Sapphire Shores smiled. "Why, thank you, dear. Yes, I do have that effect on ponies."
Scootaloo began to giggle with amazement like a overexcited fan girl, until Rainbow Dash placed a hoof on her shoulder. "Take it easy, squirt."
"Although..." Sapphire Shores raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo, hmm? I was told that one was supposed to be called 'Apple Bloom'?"
"Oh, well me and Scootaloo are sort of standing in for her," Rainbow Dash said. "Unfortunately she couldn't make it."
Rarity stepped forward. "The poor filly's sick in bed with chickenpox. And she was unable to go."
"Chickenpox?" Sapphire Shores's face dropped with pity. "Aww. What a rotten shame. Poor little darling."
Rainbow Dash nodded. "Yeah. A real bummer. So she gave the tickets to us instead."
"And she really wanted to go too," Scootaloo said. "I think she's probably a bigger fan of yours than me."
Rarity's face saddened with pity. "The poor little dear was most disappointed she couldn't come."
"That reminds me." Rainbow Dash reached into her saddle bag with her mouth, pulled out a 'I tune in to you' record, placed it in her hoof, and offered it to Sapphire Shores. "She wanted us to get her your autograph as something special for her not coming. Would you mind?"
There was a pause. Sapphire Shores looked at the record for a few moments thinking. She then smiled, raised her hoof, and gently pushed Rainbow Dash's hoof with the record away. "No."
"Huh?" We all said with shock and surprise.
Sapphire Shores smiled kindly, and winked. "I've got a much better idea in mind."
We looked on in confusion, waiting for what Sapphire Shores was going to say.
Sapphire Shores finally spoke. "If Apple Bloom couldn't come to see me, then how about I come to see her."
Our eyes widened in amazement at what the pony of pop had just said to us.
"Sapphire," Rarity said. "Are you saying...?"
Sapphire Shores nodded. "I am. I'm going to make a special visit to Ponyville to visit that poor filly on Wednesday." She turned to Ocean Blue. "That day is free before my final concert in Canterlot, right, Ocean darling?"
Ocean Blue nodded. "Of course, Sapphire, but you'll have one less day to relax in Canterlot before your performance the next day after."
"Oh that's fine. I think I can afford one less day to relax for something like this." Sapphire Shores turned back to the others. "So, would that be a better idea? Would Apple Bloom like that?"
"Would she?!" Rainbow Dash asked. "She'd love that!"
Rarity smiled touchedly. "Why, Sapphire. That's so kind of you."
"That's so awesome," Scootaloo said. "We'll have to tell her that!"
Sapphire Shores nodded. "It's no trouble. Though I must ask you not to tell everypony in town about this."
Ocean Blue turned to the others. "That's right. Sapphire is doing it for Apple Bloom, not for the press."
"Hey, no sweat," Rainbow Dash said. "We and our friends back in Ponyville can keep a secret. You can count on it."
Sapphire Shores smiled. "Thank you so much. I'll be coming to see Apple Bloom at her home in Ponyville on Wednesday. Though I'll need to know where she lives."
Rarity nodded. "But of course. We'll give you the details."
So, for a few minutes, we told them that we are a militia from Ponyville being formed to establish order and discipline but did not tell anyone about Abacus due to confidential information going on back there.