Everything she has ever seen, done, heard, or thought was layed bare in front of her. Every failure, every success, every brilliant inspiration, every horrible mistake. She can't escape, but she isn't a prisoner. The darkness she is floating in is impossibly big, but claustrophobic. She is nothing but herself. But who is she? Here in this confined infinity, she slowly found identity. One letter at a time, a label, a description, a name came together.
V....
I....
N....
Y....
L....
VINYL.
The name seemed to suit her. She felt like Vinyl. She was Vinyl.
Vinyl was content to float. Alone, crowded, whatever this place was. It felt familiar, comfortable somehow.
Then, in the distance, so small it was almost invisible, a white point. Vinyl moved toward the point. It grew larger, and larger as she approached, slowly obscuring everything else, until finally it is all she can see. It swamps her field of vision. Then come the smells. The smells of a hospital room. Then the sounds. Then the feeling of a bed under her back, and a pillow under her head.
Vinyl gasped and opened her eyes. She layed very still for a few seconds, her mind a hive of activity. She felt her body, like weight pressing down on her from all sides. The oppression of being confined to a single prescence seemed odd after the spiritual freedom she had just exited. Then she realized that was only her dreams, her own mind. She closed her eyes for a second, pondering. Her head was buzzing with questions. Where was she? Why she was there? How did she get into this bed? Why does her horn feel so funny?
Then, she turned her head to see purple eyes staring at her. The eyes were deep, hypnotic, and filled with concern. They were the most gorgeous thing Vinyl had ever seen. Then Vinyl's eyes focused, and she saw the eyes belonged to a grey mare with a jet black mane. Vinyl was still reeling, confused, unable to form a coherent thought, except for one.
"You're....beautiful....."
The grey mane smiled, and placed a hoof on Vinyl's shoulder.
"Vinyl.."
That voice....
Then it all came back in an instant. Octavia. She was dying. Vinyl used her magic. The dark cloud, the roaring. The explosion. Then.... Now.
Vinyl gathered what strength she could and sat up. She propped herself up with her forelegs and rested, for simply sitting up had taken more than she had expected. After a moment, she dared trying to speak again.
"What happened?"
Octavia leaned in and kissed Vinyl on the forehead.
"You saved me, Vinyl. The doctors don't know how or what you did. All I know is I woke to find myself in a hospital bed, with ponies scattered all around the edge of the room like they had been blown back, with yourself lying next to my bed on the floor. Almost all the machines near me looked scorched and bent, like they had been burned and hit with a hammer at the same time. My bedsheets were bunt and smoking. Yet, despite all this destruction, I was unharmed. The last thing I remember before that was at the concert, going from make-up to get my cello. Now I'm here, and you're there."
Vinyl blinked away tears as she relived the moments before she had fallen unconscious.
"I don't know what I did. I just know you died, Octy. I watched you DIE. I felt like every part of me, every atom, every cell, was on fire. I knew you couldn't die. You just couldn't. I knew I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I didn't at least try to save you. I love you, Octavia. And I was not going to spend a lonely life wondering what life would be like if you were here, so I did something about it."
By the time she had finished speaking, Vinyl was out of breath. She had to lay back down on her pillow and rest for a moment.
Octavia leaned closer to Vinyl, so they could continue speaking without Vinyl having to speak louder than a whisper or hold herself up.
"I think I can guess at what you did, Vinyl. I remember reading it in an old history book way back in school. I don't remember all of it, but I remember reading how a long time ago, a unicorn stallion cast a powerful spell to save something, I think it was his village from a flood. Anyway, the story says that he wasn't powerful enough to save his village by himself, but he was so selfless, and loved his villiage so much, he actually converted part of his soul into magic to cast the spell, and so he saved the villiage. But it also said that he never could use magic again, because he used up the magic part of his soul, if that makes any sense to you."
Vinyl thought about this for a minute. Now that Octavia mentioned it, that did sound awfully familiar. The DJ hoped she hadn't used all her magic up, but at the same time, Octavia was worth it.
No matter how I am affected by whatever I did, I have Octavia. That's enough.
"Well, I certainly feel like I went a bit overboard. My horn hurts pretty bad. Does it look any different?"
Octavia got an odd look in her eyes, and didn't answer. Instead she reached over to the small table next to the head of the bed, and picked up a small mirror. She handed it to Vinyl, who held it mirror-side down for a moment before lifting it up to look at her horn.
Except it wasn't a horn anymore. It wasn't anything. There was no trace of her white, spiraling horn that signified her as a magic using unicorn. Just a smooth white forehead with a few strands of lightning blue hair falling over it. Vinyl stared at this for several long seconds, trying to fully grasp the implications.
No more magic... For anything... Ever... I know I didn't use magic as often as other unicorns, but still.... It was a part of who I am....
And it was true, Vinyl was actually considered a frugal unicorn, often only using her horn for things she would find difficult to do without. She usually DJed without it, flipping the switches and dials and changing records using tricks with her hooves. So her job was still secure.
She didn't often use magic around the house. It was usually just as easy to do something manually instead of having to concentrate hard enough to use magic, especially when she was sleepy. Sometimes she used magic to keep a hot bath hot for longer, but that could be done easy enough.
Vinyl looked at Octavia. The look in the amethyst eyes while they studied Vinyl was enough to make her heart melt.
"As long as I have you, Octy, I think I can manage without magic."
"I knew you'd say that, silly. Now I need to go find that doctor. He said to get him when you wake up."
Octavia stood up gingerly, as if in pain. Vinyl's brow creased with worry.
"You ok, Octy?"
Octavia smiled and stretched.
"I'm fine, just a little sore. It's not everyday I get resurrected from the dead."
She kissed Vinyl and left in search of the doctor. A few minutes later she returned, a familiar red stallion behind her. Vinyl smiled at him. She made a mental note to ask him his name and thank him for the break room he had cleared just for her. He walked over to her bedside.
"Hey there, Vinyl. Finally awake, I see. Few more weeks and we were about to give up."
"What!? How long was I out?"
Octavia rolled her eyes at the doctor.
"Don't mind him. You've only been out for about twenty-four hours."
The doctor smiled sheepishly.
"It's true. I just couldn't resist."
Vinyl sat for a second, then started laughing so hard, her sides hurt and when she finally finished she was gasping for breath.
"Oh, doc. That was good. I give you full marks on that. I'll remember that one."
"Anyway, Vinyl, down to business. I have been monitering you fairly closely, and from what I can tell you're in fine condition, just weakened. You have no injuries that time alone can't fix, and so I have decided that, if you agree, you may leave. You are perfectly allowed to stay here, of course, but I believe you will want to spend your time recouperating at home?"
"Of course, doc! I'd hate to cause any more trouble here than I already have."
"Doctor, are you sure she's alright? That's not the Vinyl I know."
"Be quiet, Octy."
The doctor just smiled and shook his head at thier playful banter. Octavia smiled and put her hoof on top of Vinyl's. The pair shared a smile, the kind only those deeply in love are allowed to share.
"Well then, I have paperwork to go settle before you may leave. I should be back within the hour."
The doctor left the room. Octavia and Vinyl sat and talked for several minutes about whatever came to mind, mostly about how little Vinyl's now absent horn would affect her life. After a little while, the doctor returned with a clipboard holding several papers.
"Alright Miss Scratch, if you'll sign here, and here, and here on this one. On this one, sign here, initial here, date and signature there. Last one, sign here, here, here, here and here, and you're done! Allow me to get you a wheelchair and we can cart you out of here."
"Wait, hold on a sec. I wanna try to walk out of here myself."
Octavia and the doctor looked at her with concern.
"Are you sure, Vina? You're awfully weak. I can push you, no problem."
"Lemme try, Octy."
Octavia smiled. That's the Vinyl she knew and loved.
Vinyl pulled the thin blanket she had been laying under off. She carefully swung her hind legs around so they gently rested on the floor. Bit by bit, she started to put weight on them. When she was convinced they would hold, She brought her front legs down. For a second, nopony moved as Vinyl stood unaided. Then they started laughing and clapping thier hooves. Vinyl smiled as if she had won a million bits.
"Octy, you big worrywart. Told you I can do this!"
Octavia smiled as she watched Vinyl take several cautious steps around the hospital room.
The doctor watched from the doorway.
"Well, I can see the wheelchair isn't needed anymore. You two are free to go. Vinyl, if you get to feeling very weak, don't hesitate to come back. I'll personally see to it you are taken care of. Same goes to you, Octavia. Get well soon. Take care, ya'll."
As he turned to leave, Vinyl remembered a question she had meant to ask.
"Doctor! What's your name?"
He just smiled as he turned his head to reguard the white hornless unicorn.
"Just call me The Doctor."
And then he left. Octavia and Vinyl gave each other a look of confusion, then put it out of their minds as they slowly walked to the exit. Vinyl was walking slowly and carefully, but she was indeed walking.
It took them almost half an hour to make it to the front doors of the hospital, and from there more than an hour to walk home, in which both mares had to stop and rest several times. The walk was further impeded by various ponies who came up to wish them well and ask if they needed any assistance. The sore and weary duo both denied help, but thanked all and told the well wishers their offers to help may be called upon later, but for now they just wanted to walk home.
They eventually arrived at the small, blue sided house. Going inside, Vinyl immediately made for the couch and collapsed on it, smiling and sighing. Octavia went to the kitchen and poured two glaases of apple juice, which she took to Vinyl on the couch before sitting beside her. They drank the juice, not saying anything, just resting.
After some time had passed, Vinyl noticed her partner was sitting very still. She looked over to see Octavia asleep sitting, with her head resting on the back of the couch. It looked uncomfortable, so Vinyl roused herself from her spot and stood. She was still feeling weak, but felt she was strong enough to carry Octavia to the bed. She stood on her hind legs only and gently lifted Octavia with her front legs. It was strenuous, but doable, provided she hurried. So step by step, Vinyl carried the sleeping mare to thier bed and layed her down, and climbed in beside her. She was tired, but felt very accomplished. She turned onto her side and put a foreleg over Octavia before falling into a blissful, dreamless, exhausted sleep.
The next two weeks progressed slowly, but steadily. Octavia's cello had been recovered from the wreckage of the theater, where apparently half the ceiling had simply collapsed. Several ponies had been injured, but all were expected to recover. The custom case had done it's job well, and the cello had survived without a mark.
Both Vinyl and Octavia slowly recovered from their weakness, but still staying in the house for the most part. Usually, there isn't much to do around the ScratchPad (as Vinyl insisted upon calling it), but they had a steady stream of visitors to occupy them. Some were friends, stopping by to see if they needed any help or anything from town, but these weren't usually needed, as many also brought food. Vinyl liked those guests the most, as she loved food more than most things, or indeed ponies. She also liked the fact that all the cooked food meant Octavia didn't have to cook and could rest.
Other visitors were reporters and journalists, as well as a growing number of scientists and doctors. The word about what had happened at the hospital seemed to have gotten out, and such an event was sure to cause much wonder. After a week and a half of unanswerable questions, Vinyl stopped opening the door to any pony she didn't recognize. Octavia thought this was rude, but welcomed nevertheless, as she got a fair share of questions herself, and hers were usually the stranger ones. What was it like to die? Did you see a light? What did it feel like? Octavia had heard these questions more than enough, and didn't have an answer to a single one.
Day by day, the never ending crowd of visitors died down as the word got out they were only seeing ponies they knew.. After about three weeks, they had all but stopped coming. So late one afternoon while the two mares were napping, when there came a knock on the door, Vinyl didn't hesitate to go open it. Who she found there was quite surprising, however.
"Princess Luna! What are you do- I mean, welcome!"
Vinyl bowed as she said this, but Luna objected.
"Please, Vinyl Scratch, don't bother with honorifics or bowing. I am here as simply Luna, come to check on the two most gossiped about ponies in Equestria."
Vinyl stood up, and seemed to find the princess's request a bit odd. But she didn't comment on it, rather leading the way into the living room.
"Well, come right in Pr.. Luna. We didn't expect any royalty, or I would have cleaned a bit and woke Octavia up as well."
"Oh, don't worry about it, Vinyl. Allow her to rest. She needs it. We'll just talk quiet as to not wake her. And as for the mess, you should see my room at the castle. My sister is the neat one. I'm more about organized chaos."
"Well that's something we definately have in common! Say, I remember when you came here for Nightmare Night, you were talking all funny, using 'we' and all. What happened to that?"
"Oh, you mean the Royal Voice. I have since learned that is outdated and seen as odd in these times, so I dropped it. My sister has been educating me on how times have changed."
Vinyl sat down in the large chair, and offered Luna a seat on the couch. Luna sat, admiring the quaint room.
"This is a wonderful place you have. I've always wanted a small house, far from the city's hustle and bustle."
"Why can't you? I mean, you are a Princess. You can pretty much do what you like."
"I wish it were so. Sadly, I have many duties as Princess that require me to be at the castle almost all night, every night."
"Of course, Pri.. Luna. Would you like something to drink or eat? We have a ton of leftovers from visitors."
"Oh, please don't worry yourself. I just ate breakfast."
"Breakfast? It's almost dark! Do you sleep all day, too?"
"It is required of me, Vinyl. I stay up all night, governing the moon and stars and other night business, and so I sleep all day."
"I see. I can totally relate. As a DJ, I'm usually up with the moon and getting home at sunrise. Speaking of it, isn't it about time for you to raise the moon?"
"Why, yes it is. Would you like to watch?"
"Totally!"
Luna smiled. It wasn't often she got to show off. She sometimes even felt under appreciated, but then somepony like Vinyl would remind her that ponies did indeed love the night. She closed her eyes, and a faint amaranthine glow surrounded her horn. Vinyl felt a pang of jealously at the horn, but then thought about Octavia in the next room and out it out of her mind.
After a moment, Luna opened her eyes.
"Done."
"No way! That's it? That looked easy."
"Oh, Vinyl. If only it was easy. Then I could have some other pony do it and I could sleep in!"
"Ah, I get it. It's some alicorn magic thing?"
"Yes, it is. Now why don't you go look outside?"
Vinyl went over to the window and pushed it open. Outside, just coming over the horizon, was the moon. But it was bigger, brighter, and more beautiful than she had ever seen it. She heard Luna speaking from the couch.
"I heard a scientist pony talking about what you did, Vinyl. I had never heard of such a thing happening, although when I told Celestia, she mentioned it had, once. A stallion by the name of Shining Force stopped a huge flood from destroying his village, but in the process used all his magic. Celestia said it is because his wife and kids were in the village and couldn't get out in time, and he loved them more than anything in the whole of Equestria. Somehow you did the same thing he did, something only possible when a unicorn loves something or somepony as much as a single heart can love. I find this incredibly romantic and beautiful. How long have you two been in love?"
Vinyl stared at the moon for another few seconds before answering.
"We've been dating for a year and five months, and we met almost two years ago. It's been the best two years of my life."
Luna had to blink away tears, so sweet was the sentiment. Never had she seen two ponies so deep in love. She asked a question she thought was an obvious one.
"So have you two considered marriage yet?"
Vinyl started at this, and gave Luna a shocked glance before looking at the moon again and sighing.
"Yeah, we've talked about it about it, but it's pointless. Gay marriage may be legal, but is frowned on. It might ruin our careers if we announced that. I've seen it happen. Thought you knew. Truth be told, I was thinking you would disapprove of our.... partnership."
Luna simply smiled.
"My dear, it would by very hypocritical for me to judge you on that matter."
A confused look came over Vinyl's face as she regarded the Princess.
"Isn't hypocritical when you say something, then do the opposite yourself?"
"Yes, Vinyl, it is."
"So you... you're... Ohmigawd! Luna! But... You're royalty! Isn't that improper or something?"
"It wasn't when I was last around. It's distressing that it is viewed as it is now. It used to be that a pony could love whomever he or she wanted. It's a sad state of affairs to be judged on your love."
"Yeah... I've been thinking about proposing anyway. Maybe some quiet ceremony, off in the woods or something. Ten, maybe fifteen ponies there. Small, private kind of thing. But I don't know how Octavia would feel about it."
"Well, have you asked her? She might feel the same way."
"I mentioned it once. We agreed it would be the best thing to do. Only problem is, there's only one pony in this area licensed to marry couples, and Octavia doesn't trust him. Says he's too familiar with some of the snooty Canterlot crowd, and she wouldn't put it past him to sell the secret to a tabloids for a few bits. Had a funny name. Pay-der something."
"Pater Matrimonium?"
"Yeah that's him!"
Luna sighed.
"I am familiar with him. Sadly, I would not put him past him to do that either. Are there none else who can do it?"
Vinyl left the window and went back to her chair.
"Not unless we went to Canterlot. It's an awfully long trip, though. We both are going to be busy soon, too. We've been out of commission for a few weeks now and we need to get back to work. If only there was someone else with the authority...."
At the word 'authority' Luna perked up. Her sudden movement made Vinyl jump in her seat.
"Vinyl! I just had a wonderful idea! I'm a Princess, none have more authority than me! Anything I or my sister say is respected by almost everyone! We can say things others without our positions can't!"
Vinyl started to catch on to what Luna was saying, but wasn't sure and didn't want to jump to conclusions.
"Where are you going with this?"
"I can wed you! I have the authority, I can arrange everything for you, and you don't have to pay a cent! And I would love to see the pony that criticizes a couple blessed by a Princess."
"No way! Luna, you'd do that for us? I mean, that's a lot! It would mean everything to us, but still! You'd have to fly all the way here, weddings aren't cheap, and you'd have to leave all your duties off for at least a day..."
Luna interrupted the excited DJ as politely as possible.
"Pardon me, Vinyl. Allow me to explain. Weddings might not be cheap, but you forget, I have the entire coffers of the Royal Family at my disposal for what I deem fit, and I have never met ponies more worth marriage. Also, I wasn't thinking so much of me flying here as I was you coming to Canterlot for a week. Think of it as my wedding present to you."
Vinyl sat and thought about it for a minute. Luna simply smiled at the hornless white unicorn as she ruminated. Finally, after seeing there was no counter argument, Vinyl gave in.
"I would be honored, and I'm sure Octavia will be as well. Damn, will she be surprised!"
"Yes I imagine so! Going to sleep, and waking engaged, with no less than a Princess presiding over the marriage. Quite a dream."
"Oh yeah. Now I just have to figure out how to say it."
"That I will leave to you, Vinyl. It's been a very, very long time since I have even thought of romance. I'll have to ask Tia about marriages these days..."
"Tia?"
"Celestia. Apologies. Sisterly nicknames and all. I feel comfortable enough around you to relax somewhat."
"I'm flattered. Not everyone can befriend a Princess!"
"Not many indeed. Everypony keeps getting distracted by our titles and forgetting that we are ponies too. That's another reason I came by tonight. I just wanted to get out and see some regular ponies and be treated like one."
"Well, I'm glad you thought of us. It's been a pleasure getting to know you, Luna."
"And likewise, Vinyl."
Luna glanced at the clock.
"Oh dear! How did it get so late? You must be tired. And you have quite a day ahead of you. You should get some rest."
Vinyl yawned and shrugged.
"I suppose so. I don't think I'll tell her for a day or two, though. I want to go get her a ring first and do it proper."
"I believe I can help there, Vinyl. I know the jeweler here in Ponyville. He mended a necklace for me a few months ago. I'll ask him if he can make you a good deal."
"Thank you very much, Luna. I am indebted to you."
"Don't worry about it. I'm just trying to be more than a simple Princess that raises the moon."
"Well, I think you're doing a great job. I can't wait to see what you come up with for the wedding."
"Are you wanting anything in particular? A theme or overall tone? Or any special requests?"
"None that I can think of, Luna. You just do whatever you like."
Luna's wings opened halfway as she clapped her front hooves in excitement.
"Gnarly! I can't wait!"
"Gnarly?"
"Apologies. Old slang I seem to have kept."
"I like it! Gnarly!"
Luna smiled and stood, taking a few steps toward the door.
"Well, I must go. I have a few things to take care of, not to mention a wedding to plan! I will personally come to bring you the news when I have set the date and arrangements. I expect it will be fairly soon, possibly within a month if that's okay."
"Yes, Luna, that would be great. Thank you once again."
Vinyl bowed to the Princess Of The Night as she walked outside into the chilly air and spread her magnificent wings.
"See you soon, Vinyl! Take care! Tell Octavia I said hello!"
"Will do! Fly safe!"
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Octavia spent the next three days wondering why Vinyl seemed to be acting more strange than usual. Going off to the market for no reason, or a reason that made no sense. Finally, on the evening of the fourth day, she found out.
She came home from a short cello practice to find Vinyl standing by the door, jacket and shades on as if she was about to leave.
"Going somewhere?"
"Yes, and so are you, Octy! Leave the cello by the door, we won't be long."
Octavia obeyed, and followed her lover out into the chilly dusk. The sun had just set, and the moon was due to rise any minute. Vinyl led the confused Octavia to a hill just outside town. The hill was modest, but tall enough to raise above the trees, offering a breathtaking view of the moon just beginning to appear above the horizon. Octavia gasped as she beheld it, for it was more beautiful than she had ever seen it.
She turned to Vinyl, only to find she had to look down. Vinyl had gotten down to her knees, and had produced a small box from within her jacket.
"Vinyl... Is that what I think....."
"Octavia Philharmonica. You are the most wonderful pony I have ever had the fortune to meet. I want to be there for you every day for the rest of your life. Will you be mine, forever? Will you marry me?"
Vinyl opened the box. Inside was a ring, just the right size for Octavia's left leg. It was a gold band, mostly plain, except for a thin line of treble clefs engraved around the circumference.
"Yes, Vinyl! Of course, yes!"
Octavia felt herself tear up as she shakily took the ring and slid it over her left hoof, where it settled on her leg snugly. She never wanted to take it off.
Vinyl stood, and wrapped her forelegs around Octavia's neck, who returned the favor. After a handful of minutes of kissing and happy tears, they broke apart.
"Oh Vina! This is wonderful! Let's have the ceremony as soon as we can. I don't want to wait a minute longer than I have to."
"Don't worry about that. Princess Luna has it covered."
"What!?"
"Come on. Tell you the story on the way home. I'm freezing."
Vinyl told Octavia about the evening Luna had visited, finishing just as they walked in the house and sat down to cuddle in front of the warm fire.
"Oh, Vinyl. Only you could have a conversation with a Princess and learn a new slang word."
"It's just my natural charm. Everypony just wants to be my friend."
Octavia sighed dreamily as she layed her head on Vinyl's shoulder.
"I can't believe we're actually engaged. That's so exciting! And being wed by the Princess herself. Seems like my days just keeps getting more eventful when I'm with you. I'm almost afraid for my next birthday. Who knows what you're plan.... Why are you smiling like that? What are you planning? Vinyl!"