“Howdy everypony! How’re y’all doin’ tonight?”

Mistress Melodious stomped a hoof, egging her fans on as they cheered and whistled in adoration. As the glammed-up mare looked out into the crowd of adoring fans, she was nearly blinded by the familiar sight of flashing cameras and glowing horns. Not that anypony noticed, though; the sights and sounds of pure enthusiasm only pumped the star up more for her performance.

“I got a special lil’ song for y’all! Who’s ready to feel the love?”

The crowd only cheered louder, excitement building with everyone second.

”This one goes out to my family, my biggest fans!”

As Mistresses Melodious seated herself at the piano and began singing, the crowd hushed into a soft murmur. Among the sea of ponies was Turquoise Ed-er, Brimstone Forrest, arguably the singer’s most loyal follower. Tonight was a very special night for Brimstone, for she had finally saved up enough money for a VIP ticket to meet her idol backstage! Just a few more songs and all her dreams would come true.

Brimstone listened in bliss, hanging off of the Mistress’s every word. She wasn’t like other singers; while all too many pop stars sang meaningless songs about parties or sex, Mistress Melodious sang heartfelt ballads about her family, her closest friends, and, sometimes, certain stallions and mares she had her eyes on. Even though it was clear who the song was really dedicated to, Brimstone couldn’t help but feel that she was singing just for her. She knew it was just another fanfillies’ fantasy; she’d never even spoken to the mare, unless she was barking orders at one of their family reun-oh, nevermind. Tonight, all that would change. She could just feel it.

After the show was over, Brimstone Forrest was the first to make her way over to the backstage entrance. She had to be first in line! Showing her backstage pass to the security guards, she couldn’t help her smile as she trotted in to meet her idol.

Mistress Melodious immediately caught Brimstone’s eye and turned towards her with a welcoming smile. “How d’ya do? You must be…” she looked at her list, “Brimstone Forrest!” She held a hoof out for a shake.

”H-hi!” Brimstone squeaked out, overcome with glee. Mistress Melodious actually knew her name! She shook the pop star’s hoof, but she was so excited she probably overdid it. Clearing her throat, she struggled to get herself under control while disguising her normally-gravelly voice. “I-it’s an honor to meet you, Mistress!”

“Well, it’s a pleasure ta meet ya too, Brimstone! Why don’t I show ya around? Oh, and you can call me Mel. Any fan of mine is just as good as family!”

”Okay…Mel!” Holy mother of Celestia. Getting on first-name terms with the Mistress? A private tour? “As good as family”? Brimstone resisted the urge to squee. This really was a dream come true!

”Water delivery for Mistress Melodious!” One of Mel’s assistants trotted in with a bucket of water, probably for the pop star to cool off after the show. However, she let go of the bucket as she tripped on a stray piece of fabric. Everything seemed to move in slow motion as the bucket of water flew through the air…and landed right on top of Brimstone Forrest.

”Mistress! I’m so sorry, I’ll clean it up-“

”No, it’s okay,” Mel dismissed her assistant, taking a spare towel into her own hoof. “It ain’t yer fault. You go make sure yer okay. I’ll take care of this.”

As Mel lifted the bucket off her head, Brimstone nearly panicked as she looked down at herself. Her body paint ran down her legs, revealing a familiar turquoise-blue coat underneath. It even ran off her flanks, revealing the crossed spearheads underneath. The dye began to drip from her mane, no longer concealing her natural pink highlights. And that invisibility spell, that Celestia-damned spell, had worn away, revealing the dead giveaway: her wings.

”Turquoise Edge?” 

“I-I lost a bet!” Brimstone, now Turquoise, looked away in shame, unable to stop Mel from wiping her down. “T-this isn’t what it looks like!”

”I don’t know,” Mel chuckled. “Ya seemed too happy for somepony who lost a bet. Y’know, it’s real nice to see a familiar face coming to my shows…Are you crying?”

”No!” Turquoise lied, still refusing to look Mel in the eye. 

Mel brushed away the hair hanging over Turquoise’s face, ignoring the dye staining her own hoof. Paint ran down her cheeks, either from the water or her own tears. “Hey, it’s okay. There ain’t no shame in likin’ pop music. Hay, I’m actually glad to see ya here. I always thought ya didn’t like me before. All o’ them schoolyard fights an’ everything. Who knew, right?” She chuckled softly.

Turquoise coughed, covering up a sob. “I-I shouldn’t be here. I’m supposed to be a tough warrior! N-not some stupid fanfilly crying over dumb, prissy pop stars!”

“I’ll just ignore that comment,” Mel deadpanned under her breath. “Ya know you can be both, right? Why, after a day of dressin’ up and singin’ I like nothin’ more than a nice roll in the mud. But I ain’t any less glamorous fer it.”

”F-fine…” Turquoise reluctantly nodded and wiped a hoof across her eyes. “But tell anypony and I’ll end you, you hear me?”

Mel laughed and wrapped a foreleg around her friend. “It’ll be our lil’ secret, O Tough Warrior. Nopony has to know!”

Turquoise blushed as Mel helped her finish cleaning up. Well, her idol had certainly noticed her, but not in the way she expected. Still, maybe this would change things. Maybe, now that her identity was revealed, she’d actually grow closer to her idol. And maybe, just maybe, some of the Mistress’s songs would actually be dedicated to her someday. But that was just a fanfilly’s dream, right?