Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow, Twilight, Sunset, and Fluttershy were all set up, tuned-up, and ready to roll. Of course, out of all of them, Twilight and Fluttershy had the least to set up; but they were all ready and waiting on Pinkie to show up. Not much sense in getting started without their drummer. They had put a halt to writing any new songs until they got all the old ones down with Sunset and Twilight; which they had almost done.

With Sunset on guitar, she was able to add harmony lines that just expanded the songs so much. And Twilight, she had such a pure singing voice, it took the songs in another direction. Rainbow had been good, but her raspy voice always limited the feel of the songs and what songs they could write. With Twilight (and Sunset, who also had an excellent voice), they were freer to write whatever they wanted to.

While they waited, the girls made small talk. Twilight asked Rarity if she could teach her to play the piano. Twilight had some ideas in her head, but didn't know how to get them out. Rarity agreed. She loved sharing her knowledge with anyone, on any subject matter. And, to be honest, while she still loved being in the band, it was taking time away from her real passion, fashion (namely fashion design), and could see a day when she would have to bow out of the group; so it was good to have an understudy.

Another thing all the girls talked about was how Fluttershy was coming out of her shell. It had only been six days since she moved in with Rarity's family, but the change was dramatic. She spoke up more, spoke to strangers more, she wore more stylish and form flattering clothes, and even started flirting with boys (although her heart was still set on Bulk). It was as if once the great weight of her mother's abuse was gone, she was free to fly. Don't misunderstand, she wasn't a "party girl" by any means; but considering what she had been, she was downright Kim Kardashian.

"Applejack!" The voice was unmistakable, it was Pinkie. The others looked as she came running in and gave Applejack a great bear hug, "How's my future sister-in-law doing?"

Next was Sonata who, likewise, ran up and started hugging Applejack. "Yeah, how are you future sister-in-law-in-law?"

"What the hay? Get off me!" Applejack shook free of the two giddy, huggy bears. "What are two talking about?"

"Maud and Big Mac silly! Their date last night went great! Ohhhhh it's going to be great having you as sister. Well sister-in-law, but still sister! Ew, should we start picking out bridesmaids' dresses?" Pinkie was overflowing with exuberant joy. Even more so than usual.

"Hold on now," Applejack said annoyed, "they only had one date now. It's a bit early for all that now. At least wait for the second date."

The other girls just looked at each other in shock. Twilight whispered, "Big Mac went on a date with Maud?"

"Must have been the quietest date ever," Sunset whispered back.

"I don't know," Fluttershy whispered, "they're both, um, reserved, . . ."

"Freakishly strong," Rainbow interrupted.

" And both have good hearts," Fluttershy continued. "It could work."

"Like the Titanic," Rarity added. "Besides, she's what, four years older than him? That's a big age difference."

"It's not that big Rarity. If true love can overcome being in separate dimensions, or being the same gender; a few years shouldn't make that big of a difference."

"Well, I know why you would feel that way Fluttershy," Rarity said with a slight grin on her face.

"Whoa. You know something about Fluttershy that I don't Rarity?" Rainbow asked a bit annoyed. Fluttershy was her oldest and dearest friend; if anyone had the right to know everything about Fluttershy, it was her.

Rarity and Fluttershy exchanged glances. Rarity's said if you don't tell them I will. Fluttershy's said please don't, then fine, ok. "I have a crush on the janitor, Bulk Biceps." Fluttershy blushed.

"WHAT!" Rainbow shouthed and Applejack, Pinkie, and Sonata all looked over to where the others were.

"What're ya'll talkin' about over there?" A.J. asked, still mad.

"You have a crush on Bulk Biceps?!" Rainbow halfway asked, halfway shouted at Fluttershy.

Now the other girls gasped. Fluttershy looked down at the ground and said, "Yes. I think he's nice. And an absolute stud muffin." A small smile came across her lips as she said the last sentence.

"Well, dang girl, I didn't think you had that side in you." A.J. was almost laughing with joy when she said that.

"I'm glad to see you're finally noticing guys, but ya think you could choose someone more age appropriate, unless you want to visit him in jail for the next couple of years," Rainbow said.

"I'm not going to pursue anything with him. But a girl can always fantasize can't she?" Fluttershy looked up with a wicked smile on her face.

The girls all started laughing. Little sweet Fluttershy was REALLY coming out of her cage now. Rainbow went over to her and gave her a hug. "Welcome to life Fluttershy," she said.

"Alright now," A.J. spoke, "can we get to practicin' now?"

Rainbow turned around with a somewhat sad look on her face. "Um, guys, you know how I usually go to soccer camp over the summer? Well I'm going again this year as well; so I won't be able to do the band thing. Sorry."

Rarity spoke next. "Well, that's ok Rainbow. Honestly; I want to start working on my designs again. I haven't been able to as much since joining the band. So I won't be around this summer as well."

"And, honestly, Twilight and I are going to need to get jobs over the summer. So we won't have much time to practice also," Sunset said.

"Well then," Rarity spoke in an excited voice, "I know what we'll do! Let's make my birthday party our farewell to summer show. Go out on a big bang. Then when school starts again, pick up again. It'll give us all a chance to recharge our creative batteries. How about it?"

"That . . . sounds . . . AWSOME!" Rainbow shouted. and the others all agreed, Rarity's birthday party would be their big and final show until summer was over.

Author's Notes:

Some might see this chapter as filler since not much happens. But I assure you this sets up some major events to follow, like Rainbow getting a boyfriend. I don't want to give too much away since I know how much some of you hate "spoilers". But I haven't lost the plot yet. Everything is moving forward. The Sirens and Trixie won't return until the third act and the big showdown. But there are still plenty of major events to come in this act, some happy, some really sad. So stay tuned. Or don't. It's your free time and I can't tell you how to spend it. Just beg that you do.