//------------------------------// // Chapter 8: No More Sorrow Part 1 // Story: Electronic Heart Beat // by Nightlock106 //------------------------------// I grabbed my ticket from the mare behind the counter and made my way to the train. I turned back and let out a sigh of misery. Casting my gaze down to the ground, I stepped onto the train. I handed my ticket to the stallion in the doorway and took my seat. I looked out the window at the pain filled town I called home. I placed my hoof on the window, finding my faint reflection transform before my eyes. Her face was there, smiling and happy as ever. With a tear running down my cheek, I bid my final farewell to the one I loved,"Goodbye Pinkie, I'm sorry for everything." I looked one more time at her face as it began to fade back into my reflection. The tears began to flood my eyes as I tried to hold them back. But it was no use, they ran down my face and fell onto the floor, pooling themselves into the shape of a broken heart. I sat there in the pain and sorrow, letting the tears pull me into the bottomless void of loneliness. The train rocked back and began it's journey to the darkness I never wanted to see again. I sat there looking out the window in silence, watching the rain form little pools as it landed on the glass. The train was lively; everypony was talking among themselves, soft music was playing in the background, and the atmosphere was on high. I let it all pass by in a blur, letting my mind go blank as her words bounced around my head. "J-Just go." That was the only thing I heard, the only thing I would hear, and the only thing I could hear. "And you think I don't know how you feel." I couldn't shake it. The whole scene was still playing in my mind. "After everything we've been through?" Did I really make the right choice? "I-I'm sorry." "You don't know what it's like to have your heart shattered by somepony you love." "This is my story and you're not a part of it." "The Vinyl that I know is long gone. Fine, I see how it is." "Just go." I jolted awake and looked around. The train was darkened, the music silenced, and the ponies asleep, save for one. I looked at the window, rain still lingering on the glass. "Why did this have to happen?" I thought. But there was no answer. There never was. I got up from my seat and walked all the way to the last car of the train. It was small and cramped, barely big enough for two or three ponies. I opened the door and stepped out on the outer platform. There was another mare standing on the platform and I walked up beside her. "It's beautiful isn't it?" she asked, looking out into the fields. "I guess." "I always love the look of nature after a storm." I didn't respond. "I'm Lyra. Lyra Heartstrings." "I'm Vinyl." "You sound like you've got a lot on your mind." "It's nothing." She sat down at the table that was bolted to the platform, patting the seat next to her. I sat down at put my head on the table. "You thirsty?" she asked, pouring two mugs of cider. "I don't drink." "It's non alcoholic." I took the mug, "Thanks." "So what's got you so upset?" I placed my mug on the table, "I did something awful, and now it's cost me the one I love most." "What happened?" I told her how I fell in love with Pinkie, how I fell in love with Neon, and how I lost both of them when I confessed what I had done. "I'm sorry that had to happen to you." "I just got too caught up in the lies. They say that the truth hurts, but they never say how much it costs you." I finished my cider and got up from the table. "Thanks for talking with me, and thanks for the cider." "No problem. If you ever need somepony to talk to, you know where to find me." I went back to my seat and went back to sleep. "Where am I?" There was no answer. "Hello!" I called. There was crying coming from every direction. I followed the direction of the crying, finding a little filly sitting all alone in the darkness. "Who are you?" I asked. She just kept crying. "Are you alright?" She shook her head. "Can you at least tell me your name?" "V-V" I tilted my head, "V-V?" "V-Vinyl." My heart sank, "Why are you crying?" "B-because, I'm all alone. I have nopony to talk to." "You're talking to me." "I'm talking to myself." "It's still somepony to talk to," She just shook her head. Just then, I began to hear Laughter coming from behind me. I turned around and saw a young pink colored filly standing behind me. "Pinkie Pie?" She ignored me and skipped up to me, well, the younger me. She giggled and gave her a cute smile. My younger self smiled back, got up from where she was sitting, and began to hop along with Pinkie. The were really happy; laughing, skipping, and having the time of their young lives. Just then, the ground began to shake. A giant crack opened in the ground between the two fillies, separating them. The crack continued to open itself in my direction. I ran to avoid it, but it was faster than I was. The ground gaped beneath me, and I fell in. I jolted away again. Looking around, I noticed that everypony was getting up from their seats. "Final stop, Manehatten," said a voice over the intercom. I grabbed my things and got off the train. I was back in Manehatten, my home town that was filled with pain and misery. I walked to a phone both and flipped through the phone book. Once I found the number, I placed one bit into the phone and dialed. "We're sorry, the number you have dialed is no longer in service. Please hang up and try your call again." I slammed the phone, cursing under my breath. With nothing better to do, I began to wonder aimlessly around the city. Everyplace I went, I'd get the occasional whistle or smack on my flank from the stallions I used to service for food. I ignored them and kept walking. I found myself walking into the local diner and sitting at a both. "Can I get you anything?" asked the waitress. "Just some coffee." "Anything else?" "No thank you." She walked away and brought me back a small cup of coffee. I gave her two bits and began sipping on the only bit of warmth that I'll ever know in this city. I was staring out the window, taking in the sight of the city that I used to call home. The buildings were still the same as they've always been, the streets as crowded as usual, and ponies busier than they'll ever be. Just then, a mysterious mare sat at my both right across from me. I turned to see who it was. My face went from a look of deep thought to a look of extreme joy. "Are you surprised to see me?" asked the mare. "More than you'll ever know."