S4 E 14 everypony! Twilight Time is up next!

.....

Out in one of the fields near Fluttershy's house one morning, Malibu was mostly practicing his flying as well as planning on how he would eventually propose to Rainbow Dash eventually until to his surprise; he hears some singing from below. And it was Fluttershy:

"There's music by the river

and there's music in the grass

and the music makes your heart soar in reply"

Her voice sounded like honey, vocalizing through the air, making Malibu smile big, flying in direction of the sound and landed in the field, spotting her from afar and even having the others joining him.

Fluttershy hits her final notes with one long vocal, raising her hooves and flapping her wings into the air, her animal friends clapping and cheering. She blushes. "Oh, thank you so much. You're too kind."

Pinkie's mouth had dropped open. "Wow!" She exclaimed, making Fluttershy jump, turning to the others, Malibu smiling in his own pride at hearing his best friend's voice. She trembled. "Oh... you... um... didn't hear me... um..."

Malibu spoke up. "Hearing your great voice?" He asked. Rainbow nods, nudging Malibu's shoulder playfully. "Yeah we did!"

It made the yellow Pegasus whimper, cowering much to Malibu's confusion, Twilight doing her best to give Fluttershy calm praise. "Wow. I've never heard you sing a solo like that before!"

Applejack nods in agreement. "It was like a little slice of heaven..."

Pinkie Pie cuts in. "...with ice cream on top!"

Rarity also voices her own opinion. "Fluttershy, I cannot believe your spectacular voice isn't part of the Pony Tones quartet!"

Malibu knew of the Pony Tones, having heard Rarity sing with them and also of Big Mac being in the group too. They were pretty good, he had to be honest. "Um, well, I..." Fluttershy trembled.

The white unicorn continued. "This simply must be rectified. You must share that stunning voice at the event!"

Fluttershy cowered when Pinkie Pie took the more radical approach like she usually did. "Yeah! It'll be so amazing! You'll be there on stage, basking in the hooflights! The center of attention! A shining star! Everypony staring at you, judging you, jealously noting how they could be way better than you! Why wasn't it them? Why wasn't it them? And then, when you choke, they'll turn on you, becoming a seething angry mob, and you'll be horribly humiliated, never able to show your face in Ponyville again!" She screamed, making the animal loving Pegasus start to cry, covering her eyes.

Malibu glared, using his magic to yank her back. "Pinkie, stop that! Don't be ridiculous!" He growled.

Pinkie frowned. "Aw, but I'm so good at it!" She complained, making the teal alicorn roll his eyes.

Rarity sighs. "Come, Fluttershy, you will join the group, making the Pony Tones quartet the Pony Tones quintet!" She said, a beaming smile on her face.

"No." Fluttershy simply answers, still trembling. "Pardon me?!" Rarity gasped aloud, a hoof on her chest, Malibu able to understand especially after Pinkie's unhelpful ramble.

Fluttershy smiles shyly. "I love the Pony Tones, I'm one of their biggest fans, but I do not want to perform with them."

Malibu tilted his head. "Why?" He quipped, Twilight nodding too. "Yeah, why not?"

The yellow Pegasus's eyes darted around, struggling to answer. Rainbow Dash gave a grin. "Spit it out!" She tried to encourage, until Fluttershy couldn't hold it in anymore. "I-I have... stage fright..." She squeaked.

Pinkie Pie gave a loud gasp, quickly hiding in a bush nearby and making Malibu chuckle, shaking his head. "Is it contagious?!" She shrilled.

Twilight giggled too. "Stage Fright isn't a disease, Pinkie. It just means Fluttershy is scared to perform in front of everypony."

Malibu saw Fluttershy give a little smile. I'm very thankful the Pony Tones are singing at the Pet Center fundraiser, and I'm really looking forward to the performance. But I'll be watching safely from the audience." She said, Malibu nudging her in a friendly way. "That's quite fine if you don't want to." He assured.

Rarity gave a sigh but understood. "Well... I think it's a terrible waste of an exquisite talent, but I understand that you're not comfortable."

Fluttershy nods. "Thank you." Angel suddenly after that tapped her foot, showing a clock. "Oh! Angel's right. We'd better get going. There's a lot to do before tomorrow's event."

Malibu spoke up. "Can Shadow attend the event too with Angel? Even though he won't be in the fundraiser he would like to be in a pet themed event."

The yellow Pegasus nods again. "Sure he can! The more the merrier! Now let's get ourselves ready."

....

There were rehearsals going on that afternoon which Malibu decided he wanted to check out just to hear them sing again.

He spotted Rarity and the rest of the Pony Tones up on the stage, getting them ready to sing. "Alright, Pony Tones! Let's run through that again!" She levitated a small pipe instrument, giving it a blow.

Malibu saw Big Mac starting the bass part of the song, singing in a rhythmic way.

"Bum, bum, bum-ba-da, ba-ah

Bum, bum, bum-ba-da ah

Everypony's sayin' you should learn to express your voice

but if talk doesn't seem like it's the answer"

Pony Tones:

"Lucky you have a choice

when you find you've got the music (Rarity: Fiiiiiiiind the music)

got the music in you (Rarity: Oh, you)

Find you've got the music (Rarity: Fiiiiiind the music)

got the music in you!"

The melody had Malibu swaying his body to the song, finding it terribly catchy and even spying Fluttershy watching from afar, giving a soft sigh of longing before heading off to do more organizing. Malibu walked up to the stage, Spike alongside him who was clapping. "Woo-hoo! Yeah! Rarity, you were awesome!" He cheered.

Rarity gave a little giggle, gesturing to the others. "Uh, thank you, Spike, but this is an ensemble."

The teal alicorn saw the others grinning, Spike shrugging. "Eh, the rest of you were pretty good too." It made the other Pony Tones glare lightly until Fluttershy appears.

"Oh, I thought you were all amazing, Pony Tones!" Fluttershy exclaimed, Malibu nodding in agreement. "Yeah, cool song you guys did."

One of the Pony Tones, a mare with a lot of beads in her mane smiles from the compliment. "Thanks, Fluttershy and Prince Malibu."

Malibu's ears lowered. "Uh, I usually prefer just being called Malibu... er... what is your name?"

The mare gives a little giggle before replying. "My name is Torch Song, I'm one of the altos in this group. And this is Toe-Tapper, the tenor." She said, gesturing to the other stallion who bows his head.

Rarity speaks up again. "Now, Pony Tones, I want you all to rest your voices for the remainder of the day. We'll do a final run-through tomorrow before the big event, alright?"

Big Mac agrees. "Eeyup." He says. Torch Song nods too. "Sounds great!"

Fluttershy smiles at both Rarity and Malibu. "Oh, guys, the Pony Tones are really gonna make the Ponyville Pet Center fundraiser so special. Thank you so much for helping me help the animals." She said.

Rarity shrugs. "Oh, yes. It is wonderful when a plan comes together without any sort of drama, isn't it?"

Malibu grins. "Yeah, for sure. And Shadow is looking forward to being a guest there too." He soon went back to Sweet Apple Acres later that day to sleep and be ready for the final rehearsal tomorrow afternoon.

When he went down to the gazebo where the Pony Tones were the next day, Malibu was a little surprised when not seeing Big Mac there yet. Toe-Tapper waved him over. "Hey, Malibu!" He called, Malibu waving back along with seeing Fluttershy. "Morning, Fluttershy!" Torch Song said with a smile.

Fluttershy smiled back. "Good morning, Pony Tones!"

Rarity however didn't look very happy. "Actually, we're the Pony Tones minus one tone. Big Mac is inconveniently late." She grumbled.

Malibu's ears fell a little. "He probably got distracted from his morning chores." He tried to suggest until hearing the bigger stallion running over, panting and giving out raspy breaths.

The white unicorn glared. "Well, there you are! Haven't I told you about punctuality?" Big Mac attempted to speak but was interrupted. "Nah-ah! I don't want to hear it!" Rarity snapped, tying Big Mac's bow tie pretty quick. She picks up the blow pipe, giving it a soft blow.

The group danced a little, but Big Mac couldn't really find himself wanting to sing, looking really nervous. Malibu tilted his head in curiosity, wondering what was going on. "Big Mac? Can you please start the song?" Rarity asked.

Big Mac groaned. "Nope..." He rasped, his voice sounding more wheezy than normal.

Rarity gasped. "Big Mac! Did you lose your voice?" The red stallion gulped. "Eeyup."

It made every pony there gasp, especially Fluttershy. Malibu cringed in pain, not wanting to ever lose his own voice anytime soon. Rarity looked quite devastated. "Whatever did you do to cause this?"

Big Mac shuffled his hooves. "Well..." He started, before soon explaining on how he joined a Turkey Call contest yesterday that Malibu himself watched, but hadn't realized that doing something like that could make you lose your voice. Rarity wasn't pleased, yanking on his bow tie. "A-A Turkey Call?! You lost your voice doing a... Turkey Call?!"

Pinkie Pie hopped by randomly with the medal from the contest. "Lost his voice and the title!" She said, giving out her turkey call, Malibu staring, not wanting to question it. Rarity swished her tail. "Now we can't perform tonight!"

Fluttershy had a hoof over her mouth. "Wait, what? No! You have to perform! Otherwise, the fundraiser will be a disaster!"

Rarity shakes her head, having made her decision much to Malibu's disappointment. "Well, we cannot perform tonight with only three voices."

Malibu looked over to the others. "Why not?" He asked, still very new to the music business. Rarity looked over to him, knowing she had to explain to a clone like Malibu. "Well, it takes rearranging all the music and with it starting tonight, we just don't have the time dear. I'm sorry, you two. But I have no remedy for this situation."

Fluttershy put her hoof on her chin, then suddenly had an idea. "Of course! A remedy! Follow me!" She exclaimed, running into the direction of the woods, Rarity, Big Mac, and Malibu all rushing after her, the three knowing who they were gonna see.

....

In the Everfree at Zecora's hut, Zecora herself was looking over Big Mac, rubbing his throat and looking down inside it with a light while he made weird noises while opening it. She closed his mouth, Malibu and the others watching from afar, Malibu hoping he wasn't sick.

Zecora spoke up after her exam. "I can cure this pony that is hoarse, but it will take a longer course."

Malibu felt really confused, still trying to figure out what she is saying half the time. "Come again?" He asked, making the zebra chuckle at him. "Mm. I can mix a brew that can work just right, but it cannot heal him by tonight."

Fluttershy was now panicking big time. "Oh, no! Ah! Where are we ever going to find a deep voice to replace Big Mac's?"

It made the zebra laugh further, making Malibu frown at why she would do that. "Pardon me, Zecora, but this is no laughing matter! We need a bass voice for the harmonies to work, otherwise the performance will be ruined!" Rarity insisted, stomping her hoof.

Zecora finally stopped laughing. "Please, forgive my strange elation, but I was not laughing at your situation."

Malibu's head tilted. "Then what were you laughing about?"

Grinning at the young alicorn, she explained. "Remember when you pony folk, stumbled into poison joke?"

The teal alicorn gulped, his ears flat when recalling how that blasted flower had turned him back into his gargoyle form somehow. "Thanks for reminding me..."

Zecora continued. "Fluttershy had an unusual change, deepening her vocal range."

That caused the four of them to look over to Fluttershy, Rarity gasping as Malibu wound up remembering her super deep tone. "Yes, yes! Your voice became really low, making it sound like..."

Flutter's eyes rounded. "Flutterguy!"

Zecora pulled out some blue petals she got from the flower. "With these leaves I can mix a brew, creating the same effect on you." Fluttershy nods in determination, making Malibu proud of her. "Yes! I'll do it! I'd do anything for the animals!"

Rarity was rather excited. "Why you'd even appear onstage!"

It made Fluttershy tense up from her words. "Oh, except that."

The white unicorn seemed rather surprised as Fluttershy continued. "I just can't stand to be on stage in front of everypony." Angel gives a squeak, holding up his paw in agreement until Malibu himself had an idea, stroking his chin.

"What if you sang not in front of everypony then?" He suggested, grinning. Fluttershy's ears pricked. "Huh?"

Malibu continues his idea. "While Big Mac here is on stage moving his lips, you sing behind the curtain. You wouldn't have to be so nervous from all those eyes on you." He said, a hoof on her shoulder.

Fluttershy seemed rather intrigued but hat idea, but was still rather doubtful. "Even still, I-I..."

Rarity suddenly lifted up Angel with her magic, her face pleading. "You must! For the animals!" She declared, Angel making Bambi eyes in front of Fluttershy, even Malibu finding the little demon bunny rather cute now with that face.

The yellow Pegasus soon decided, taking a breath. "Oh... okay then... mix it up!" She said, Zecora doing just that. They brought the vial of Poison Joke back to town with them, hoping this scheme will work.

.....

It was finally time for the big show. Malibu had gotten Shadow ready to look nice at the fundraiser. There were so many animals waiting to be adopted by new families as well as a huge crowd of ponies near the stadium which Malibu felt pleased about. This would make Fluttershy really happy.

He winks at Rarity who does the same thing back to him from the stage, Fluttershy hiding behind the curtain as Rarity whispers instructions to her.

Soon Rarity makes an announcement, Shadow squeaking on Malibu's shoulder while Malibu smiled, petting him. "Good evening, citizens of Ponyville! I want to thank you all for coming out tonight and generously supporting the Ponyville Pet Center! Thank you to your kindness, pets are finding loving homes, and we're sure to meet our fundraising goal!"

Everypony including the former gargoyle all cheered as Twilight looked around, rather confused. "Where's Fluttershy?"

Malibu halted his cheering, his face feeling rather warm, not wanting to tell her their little secret while Applejack's eyes rolled. "Probably hidin'. You know how much that pony hates the spotlight."

"Yeah... heh. Exactly." Malibu chuckled, Applejack giving him one of her lying detector gazes which he struggled to avoid. Rarity gestures to the curtain. "So, with no further ado, please welcome the Pony Tones!"

The group with Rarity stood together, the crowd cheering loudly as Rarity blew the pitch pipe, starting the song, Fluttershy inhaling from behind the curtain, Malibu wondering if the brew really worked.

Big Mac moved his lips, Fluttershy singing, now in her deep manly voice. Malibu's ears twitched from the sound, now recognizing it, a grin on his lips while the song kept going. It was working!

Pony Tones and Flutterguy:

"Trot outside and you'll see the sunshine

something's in the air today

Sky is clear and you're feelin' so fine

Everything's gonna be a ok

If you listen carefully on every corner

there's a rhythm playing

then it happens suddenly,

the music takes you over and you'll

Rarity, Toe Tapper

Find you've got the music (Rarity) fiiiiiiind the music

Got the music in you (Rarity) oh, you

Find you've got the music (Rarity) fiiiiiiind the music

got the music in you

Flutterguy:

Oh, o-o-oh

Everypony's sayin' you should learn to express your voice

but if talk doesn't seem like it's the answer

Pony Tones:

Lucky you have a choice

when you find you've got the music (Rarity) fiiiiiind the music

Got the music in you (Rarity) fiiiiiiind the music

got the music in you

got the music, got the music in you!"

The song ended, leaving the crowd rather speechless for a moment before giving loud cheers bigger than before, Malibu also joining in, rather proud for Fluttershy to do this kind of thing. The singing she did in her deep voice was rather cool too, running over to meet the Pony Tones with his friends.

"Wow, that was really great!" Malibu praised, making Big Mac looking really nervous again, Twilight also speaking her approval. "Pony Tones, that was truly amazing!"

Applejack nudged Big Mac playfully. "And you sounded better than ever big brother!" She said, causing him to chortle in embarrassment.

Pinkie Pie suddenly to Malibu's fright had spotted Fluttershy sneaking out from behind the curtain, stepping in front of her. "Fluttershy, you were on the wrong side of the curtain! You totally missed the show!"

Before Fluttershy could explain herself Rarity quickly came over to the rescue, making Malibu breathe a sigh of relief. "Uh, just like a true professional, Fluttershy was backstage making sure everything ran smoothly." She whispered another small praise to Fluttershy whose eyes shone like stars from it.

Malibu saw a large stallion from the crowd with his tiny daughter coming over, signaling Fluttershy to quickly hide which she did, continuing to try smiling like normal, the large Pegasus beginning to speak. "That was fantastic, Pony Tones!"

His little daughter zipped around, holding her puppy. "My new puppy and I thought it was super duper crazy good!" She said super fast, though Malibu liked how cute she was with her glasses.

Rarity giggles. "Why, thank you!"

The little mare nudged her father, gesturing to the Pony Tones. "And we were wondering if you would consider performing at my daughter, Zipporwhill's cute-ceañera." He then offered. "Will you? Will you?" His daughter squealed.

It made the singing group and Malibu looked surprised, Rarity nodding. "We'd love to! When is it? Next week? Next month?"

Zipporwhill and her father both spoke at once. "Tomorrow!"

That was a big downer for the group, Malibu eyeing Fluttershy who was behind the stage, hoping she was looking nervous about it since that sounded too soon for her. But to his surprise, she seemed interested.

Rarity lowers her head. "Oh, gracious, I'm terribly sorry, but that's much too last minute."

Zipporwhill lowered to the ground, looking upset. "Oh, no..."

Her father gave a soft sigh. "Well... I understand." They both left rather despondently, Zipporwhill looking back at them, her eyes watery. The look was enough to break Malibu's heart.

Fluttershy at that moment came out from her hiding place. "Oh, Rarity, Malibu, we can't disappoint that sweet little filly." She said in the deep tone that still weirded out Malibu quite a bit.

Rarity whispered in an undertone. "Are you sure you're up for it?" Malibu was stunned as Fluttershy nods.

"Well, good luck I guess." Malibu said, hoping their cover won't be blown during the performance.

.....

The cute-ceañera was rather packed with a lot of young foals, Malibu there to ensure Fluttershy's protection since he didn't want her exposed in front of the little ones, the Pony Tones once again singing Find the Music In You for the party.

Once finishing the song, Zipporwhill zipped about with her small wings, excitement present. "Who, yeah, alright! We got the Pony Tones! We got the Pony Tones!"

Boy, she has as much energy as Pinkie Pie... Malibu thought for himself, the foals cheering until to the group's surprise; Mayor Mare approached. "Amazing, Pony Tones! And it would be even more amazing if you could perform at my ribbon-cutting ceremony tomorrow!"

Malibu's panic was slowly showing up in his face, looking to Rarity who attempted to decline. "Oh, Mayor, we would love to, but..." Fluttershy's eyes gestured to the side. "Would you excuse us for a second, Mayor?"

Mayor Mare agreed, Rarity and Malibu both going to speak with Fluttershy. "Don't worry, Fluttershy, you don't have to perform again." She promised, Malibu smiling reassuringly at her.

Fluttershy however, had other ideas. "But we wouldn't want to disappoint the Mayor." She pleaded, pointing to her. Soon, Rarity eventually agreed, Malibu wondering how long they could keep up this charade.

The Pony Tones soon sang at the ribbon cutting ceremony which had Fluttershy hide in a barrel, Malibu standing nearby to ensure nopony would look inside it. He noted the spa ponies looking excited, running forward, wanting the group to sing at their Spa.

Rarity shook her head no but Fluttershy peeked from the barrel. "We wouldn't want to disappoint the spa patrons." She said, still smiling. Malibu gritting his teeth. Anymore performances like this and sooner or later; Fluttershy would get revealed. "Flutter, I..."

He was cut off by her eyes which he soon gave into, nodding reluctantly.

The Pony Tones were now singing at the spa, Fluttershy wearing a scuba helmet and singing in the big bath, Malibu making sure she had air to keep singing.

When Cheerilee asked them to sing at the school it was once again the same excuse from Fluttershy to not want to disappoint the school ponies, so them and Malibu took the offer, Fluttershy singing outside. But Flutter was slowly beginning to get carried away, Malibu wincing, trying to hide it under a smile in front of the class.

Fluttershy:

Find the music deep down in your heart

you can find it, oh ye-eah

got the music in you now

ye-e-eah, got the music in you!

Malibu laughed nervously as the fillies and colts all whooped, stomping their hooves on the ground in applause, giving a sigh in relief once it was done.

Rarity however had some finally good news for them all, calling them backstage. "Fluttershy, we must talk to you." She said, Big Mac with her. "Big Mac's voice is all better!" She cheered.

Big Mac smiles. "Eeyup."

Malibu was quite glad to hear that. "Boy, that's great!" He exclaimed, looking to Fluttershy. "Now you can take the antidote bath and get your normal voice back." He said to Fluttershy, whose eyes were downcast.

"It's just... I didn't know that last performance was my last performance." Fluttershy said softly despite being deep voiced. She began walking away in sadness.

Rarity thought for a bit, then called her back. "Fluttershy, stop!" She turns to Big Mac. "Ohh, would it be ok if Fluttershy sang for you one last time?"

Malibu didn't know if he liked that, looking back and forth, wondering what he was gonna say. "Hmm. Eeyup." He replied, Fluttershy smiling big, hugging Big Mac pretty tight. Malibu felt dread looming over him, feeling nervous more than ever about exposure.

.....

They eventually were called to sing in the Town Hall where Mayor Mare had set up a stage for them all, Fluttershy behind the curtain letting her great singing getting to her head further.

Malibu was once again sitting next to Applejack who was eyeing him sharply, his ears super flat from nerves.

Fluttershy:

Hey, find it, oh why, you can find it

in your heart, yeah, find the music, yeah

it's in you right now! Oh yeah!

She had bumped the curtain, making Big Mac stumble forward who stopped lip syncing, startling the crowd in surprise. Malibu's face heated, wanting to sink into the floor.

Eventually Fluttershy soared upward, knocking down the curtain completely, showing her dancing to the song, the crowd staring, silence falling.

Fluttershy:

You can find the music

yeah, yeah, you can find the music, yea...!

She halted singing, seeing the crowd eyes now on her, frozen. Everyone of their friend group gasped. "Fluttershy?" Cried out Twilight and the rest minus Rarity and Malibu. Fluttershy shielded her face with her tail hovering to the ground.

Malibu's heart fluttered for Fluttershy, as the crowd began cheering. Fluttershy had her eyes bulging big, then rushing outside, crying in her deep voice.

Applejack now had enough; jumping onto the stage along with Malibu. "Big Mac, you got some 'splainin' to do!" She snapped, beginning her interrogation. "Turkey call?"

"Eeyup."

"Trash your voice?"

"Eeyup."

"Zecora remedy?"

"Eeyup."

"Not quick enough?"

"Nnope."

"Needed a deep voice?"

"Eeyup"

"Poison Joke?"

"Eeyup."

"Flutterguy?"

"Better now?"

"Eeyup."

Applejack took a breath before finishing. "And that shy filly was livin' her dream in the shadows because she couldn't bring herself to come into the spotlight?"

Big Mac nods, Malibu having no words for that conversation since it was the most simple explanation he ever heard. "Eeyup."

The cowgirl narrowed her eyes at both Big Mac and Malibu. "Well, for corn's sake, let's go!" She shouted, Malibu and Rarity following behind. Malibu hoped Applejack wouldn't yell at him but he figured that was gonna happen.

The friends rushed over to Fluttershy's house who had by now taken the antidote bath. Twilight opened the door. "Fluttershy, you in here?"

Malibu spotted her appearing from the bathroom, a towel wrapped around her mane. "Yes, I'm here." She whimpered, her voice normal.

Before Malibu could help Fluttershy calm down from the stress she endured from her stage fright, Pinkie Pie jumped in. "That was totally unbelievable! I mean, the curtain came up and there you were, singing in front of everypony!" She began to climb up the wall somehow. "And you know, I don't think anypony was jealous, 'cause there certainly wasn't an angry mob! But it must have been horrible standing there on stage, all eyes glued directly on you! It's like you were living your own personal worst nightmare!" She shrieked, right into Fluttershy's face.

Fluttershy began sobbing, tears overflowing. "It was!" She wailed, Malibu glaring, using his magic to pull Pinkie Pie off Fluttershy as she flew outside rather fast. "What, too much?" Pinkie asked, Malibu simply shaking his head at her, running after Flutter with his other friends.

Twilight tried calling to Fluttershy. "What Pinkie meant to say was that you were really great!"

Pinkie blinked. "Wait! Didn't I say that?"

Malibu growled. "Not... exactly!" He snapped, leaving her in the entrance. "Whoops. You were great!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed, following behind.

Fluttershy kept sobbing while running, Rainbow Dash hovering beside her. "You totally blew my mind!" The yellow Pegasus turned another way, Applejack now in front of her. "Incredible!" She gasped softly, zipping off in another direction, only to be met with Pinkie Pie. "Though, no offense, you kind of sounded like a dude." Pinkie said.

"Not helping!" Malibu snapped, Pinkie struggling to correct herself again. "Uh, a great-sounding dude!"

Eventually Fluttershy halted, wiping tears away. "Well, thank you all. I'm glad you enjoyed it." The rest of the Mane 7 watched in anticipation. "Because I'm never going to sing in front of anypony ever again."

That startled everypony, even Malibu. "What?!" They all shouted at once, Fluttershy running off once more. Rarity panted heavily. "Can we please stop running?"

Fluttershy stopped again in front of the original stage from the fundraiser. Malibu looked saddened for Fluttershy. "Fluttershy, I don't understand. You wanted to sing for all those silly events that was requested of the Pony Tones." He said.

She glanced over to their gargoyle clone friend. "You mean, you all knew I wanted to perform?"

Rarity nods cheerfully. "Of course I knew." Fluttershy glanced down. "Oh..."

The white unicorn continued. "And, for all her babbling, Pinkie Pie was right about one thing."

It made Malibu laugh a bit when Pinkie looked frustrated. "Only one?!"

Rarity held Fluttershy close. "When that curtain fell, and everypony saw you singing, you lived your worst nightmare! Was it really that bad?"

Fluttershy sniffled. "Yes!" She covered her eyes with her hooves.

Twilight said her piece. "Well, what was so bad about it?"

"The thunderous applause?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"The praise for your fantastic singin'?" Said AJ.

"The screaming fans?!" Squealed Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy jumping onto the stage away from her, Malibu nudging Pinkie sharply. Eventually however, Fluttershy began to smile, her face pink, willing to try singing one more time, Malibu glad all of this was over now.

....

Malibu sat with his friends near the stage the next day, watching Fluttershy being able to sing without having to be shy, wearing a Pony Tones shirt too.

Fluttershy:

There's music in the treetops

and there's music in the vale

and all around the music fills the sky

there's music by the river

and there's music in the grass

and the music makes your heart soar in reply

Pony Tones:

When you find you've got the music

Fluttershy:

You've got to look inside and find

The Pony Tones:

Find you've got the music

Fluttershy:

'Cause when you look inside, you'll see it

Pony Tones:

Find you've got the music

Fluttershy:

You're gonna find it, gonna find

Pony Tones and Fluttershy:

You've got the music

got the music, got the music

got the music in you!

When finishing the song the rest of the Mane 7, Spike, and Fluttershy's animal friends who were the only audience all cheered, Malibu even adding some mini fireworks with his unicorn horn, Fluttershy giving a bow with the band.

Rainbow Dash flew beside Fluttershy. "You did it, Fluttershy!"

Malibu hugged his friend. "I knew you could get over your stage fright!" He praised.

Applejack nods. "See? That wasn't so bad."

Pinkie hopped up and down. "And you didn't look completely petrified by the fact that we're all staring at you at all!" She squealed, trying to tackle Fluttershy but Twilight halts her in mid air.

"How do you feel?" Twilight asks Fluttershy who thought for a moment. "Surprisingly, ok."

Rarity had an excited look on her face. "Fantastic, because the Pony Tones have been booked for the Apple Family Zap Apple Jam extraordinaire!"

That made Fluttershy quake, not so sure about it. "Oh no... I couldn't do that!" She quickly hid behind the curtain, Malibu and the others all talking at once asking her why. Fluttershy smiles when peeking out. "I'll get there someday. But for now, baby steps everypony. Baby steps."

Things had finally calmed down after the whole Pony Tones adventure. Malibu brought the Journal over to Fluttershy since he figured it would be good for her to write down this experience. The two sat down together, Fluttershy writing her piece:

"Sometimes, being afraid can stop you from doing something that you love. But hiding behind these fears means you're only hiding from your true self. It's much better to face those fears so you can shine and be the best pony that you can possibly be."

A bird friend began chittering, Fluttershy singing with it, Malibu closing his eyes, enjoying her voice. Even though Dash was his special somepony, he figured Fluttershy is a close second in his life.

....

I relate to this message so much since recently I was doubting my skill as a writer and letting the fear of particular people badly judging my fanfics getting to me into not wanting me to write anymore.

Plus there's just the pressure of getting these done in time, you know.