My Little Pony: The Portal 2

Chapter 19: Confidence

Rarity made her way towards the dressing room area, checking in with all of the Pony Tones members before the show started. She made her way towards the break area where Evan had said Alex was hanging out at by himself.

She found him sitting on a couch by himself snacking on some candy while listening to his music. His eyes looked distant, as though he were thinking about something and not really focused on anything physical. She came over to him and got his attention.

"Hey, Rarity," Alex said, taking his headphones off. "Is it almost showtime?" He asked, beginning to stand up. Rarity shook her head, letting him sit back down.

"Oh no, dear, we still have some time. I simply wanted to check in with everypony. Is everything alright with you though? You've been quiet lately." Rarity asked with real apparent concern. Alex smiled a bit and nodded his head.

"Oh, I'm fine. I've just been thinking about some stuff is all." Alex admitted. Rarity took a seat next to him.

"What's on your mind?" She asked. Alex adjusted how he was sitting a bit in order to look at her.

"Just accustoming to everything and all. This is all so new to me: doing shows, being recognized, having fans. I enjoy it, don't get me wrong, it's really great, I just never expected something like this could happen to me." Alex went through his thoughts and feelings.

"I can certainly understand that, but you're doing such a wonderful job, darling. You've been quite consistent for these past few shows, and the public loves you." Rarity pointed out reassuringly.

"Yeah, I've seen that. It's still a little overwhelming." He admitted, looking down a bit. Rarity gave him a side hug, which he returned.

"You didn't feel pressured into this, did you?" She asked.

"No," He was quick to respond. "No, I didn't feel pressured. I just feel the pressure now is all, heheh. I've always thought about performing, but now that it's actually happening, I really wanna make sure I do well each and every time." Alex lamented. Rarity nodded again.

"And you certainly have been. We enjoy having you during practice. You should be very proud of what you've accomplished. I know we certainly are." Rarity said with a smile.

"Thanks, Rarity. That means a lot." Alex said, nodding and giving her a softer, more meaningful smile.

"You're quite welcome. Now, be ready in 15 minutes. We'll be going through final rehearsal before the show then." Rarity instructed, getting up and beginning to head back.

"I'll be there." Alex said with a chuckle before putting his headphones back on.

It was another fantastic show filled with intoxicating applause. As they all took their bows, Alex's eyes kept on sweeping through the large Las Pegasus crowd. It was the biggest turnout that they had seen so far. The number of fans there was substantial.

They all went backstage again, filled with delight and adrenaline and excitement. They all exclaimed happily. Alex glanced back at the stage again, sighing happily as he rejoined the others.

"This tour is going so well!" Torch Song exclaimed happily.

"There were so many ponies here today." Fluttershy said, in awe of it herself.

"They certainly looked satisfied in the end." Rarity commented with a grin.

"Another successful show!" Toe Tapper clapped.

"Another successful show indeed," An unfamiliar voice said as two similar looking ponies entered the room. "Everypony did so wonderful. Truly, it was music to the ears!" The one without a mustache said.

"Indeed. And now, if you would all kindly step this way! Your adoring fans await!" His mustachioed partner gestured behind them.

"What do you mean?" Evan asked.

"Why, autographs of course! Signing, pictures, the whole shebang!"

"Are you two the organizers for this show?" Alex asked, stepping forward. The two of them shook his hooves with vigor.

"Indeed we are. Flim and Flam, at your service, Alex. And I gotta say, a lot of the fans here are very excited to see you." The one named Flam said with a sly chuckle.

"They're all lining up now. Surely, you don't want to keep them waiting." Flim added, urging them to follow. Rarity and Fluttershy exchanged a glance, but led the way behind them.

Flim and Flam led the Pony Tones over to a table where they could all sit side by side. They all took the seats marked for them. From left to right: Big Mac, Toe Tapper, Torch Song, Evan, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Alex was seated all the way to the right.

"Alright, everypony! No need to get rowdy now. Everypony will get the chance to see the Pony Tones." Flim and Flam reassured the line before opening it up for ponies to come over. Quickly, the fans at the front of the line started to pour in.

Soon they found themselves caught in a whirlwind of excited fans, paper and ink. Alex, for his part, was blown away from just how many ponies were especially excited to come and see him. He received far more compliments than what he was prepared for.

This was no doubt what Flim and Flam had been referring to.

"Oh my gosh! My sister and I are such huge fans of yours. We love your voice!" Two particular mares who had stopped in front of him were saying with ecstatic grins.

"Hey, thanks. I really appreciate that," Alex said as he signed two more autographs. "It means a lot to have fans like you two."

"You sing so well! Have you ever thought about doing your own music?" The other sister asked.

"Um," Alex hummed and shrugged his shoulders. "Can't say I have."

"You totally should! You'd be really good! Thank you!" They said, waving to him with wide grins as they went off now.

Alex's eyes began to wander again. He'd lost count of how many times he'd heard opinions like this just in this signing session alone. He was unsure what it all meant, and if this was something he really could even consider. More fans made their way down, and Alex put on another smile.

"Darling, are you alright?" Rarity asked, leaning over towards him. Alex glanced over at her.

"Are you hearing what they're all saying about me?" He asked.

"Which part? I've overheard quite a bit." She pointed out with a small chuckle.

"They keep saying I should sing on my own." Alex specified what was on his mind. Rarity tilted her head a bit.

"How do you feel about that?" She asked.

"I don't understand why they're so fixated on me." He said quickly before signing more autographs. Once there was another pause, Rarity continued the conversation.

"Perhaps it's because you're something new. With the parts that you have, you certainly do stand out here and there. And you would do great." Rarity encouraged him.

"Do you think I should go for it?" He asked.

"That's for you to decide, really. If you do, just wait 'til after the tour." She said to lighten the mood a bit. Alex chuckled a bit.

"Oh no, we're finishing this. I just think they might be exaggerating a bit." Alex commented.

"Perhaps you just don't have enough confidence in your abilities." Rarity pointed out. Alex addressed the fans that came to him, but did not continue the conversation afterwards.

He didn't have a reply for that...