"Oooh, my head..." Vinyl Scratch groaned as she awoke from a night of drinking in celebration of her latest album. She got out of bed and entered the shower. Against her sore body and throbbing head, the warm water was paradise. She let the water take her over before shampooing, conditioning and cleaning with her favorite body wash gel. She got out and dried off. She was too tired for anything fancy for breakfast so she made a bowl of cereal as she turned on the TV.
She chuckled. "Of course. Neon was watching the entertainment news." Her brief moment of chuckling was quickly dismissed.
"And in breaking news, the self proclaimed 'God of Lights,' MC W1sh has been found dead early this morning." the reporter said.
"WHAT?!?" Vinyl made a beeline for the TV and turned the volume up, tears already forming.
"MC W1sh was found dead in an alley late last night into early this morning. While there was no signs of a sexual assault, it appears to be a mugging. MC W1sh was due to marry DJ Pon3 later this month. We have been unable thus far to obtain a comment from her and-" Vinyl turned off the TV, the tears pouring out. She screamed as loud as she could. This isn't real! Please say it isn't real! the alabaster unicorn sobbed as her phone rang. It was Octavia.
"Vinyl, I just heard. I am so sorry." Octavia said. Her voice was shaky like she was about to cry as well, "I'm on my way over!"
"N-No, Octy... You've got a concer-"
"They have a backup cellist, now I am coming over! My best friend needs me!" Click. Vinyl walked into her bedroom again and grabbed Neon's favorite jacket from the hanger on the back of the door. She lied in bed, lost in memory. Recalling all the times they'd lay here talking, every kiss shared, every promised whisper, every night of intimacy. She let herself slip into memory, crying her magenta eyes out.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(6 years ago...)
Vinyl Scratch had just graduated from the Muliard School of Music in Manehattan, top of her class. Vinyl's parents stood in the audience, overwhelmed with pride that their daughter was living her dream. She'd also signed with a big name record company who promised to make her big. She wanted a stage name, though. So that night, her friends and family went to the club to celebrate. Vinyl was instantly enamored by the DJ, the way she controlled everypony on the dance floor.
Vinyl's body rocked to the rhythm of the beat, the vibrations from the wubs. She'd found her career choice. And thus, DJ Pon3 was born.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(4 years ago...
Vinyl was two years into the business. Her first album was a flop but her second album sold like Sweet Apple Acres cider. She'd won a gold record for her second album and it was her prized possession. DJ Pon3 was on the rise. She'd just finished a tour of Equestria and there were whispers of her being nominated for a Grammy.
She got into her apartment, dropped her bags in her room and ordered out. By the time her Shanghai style noodles, wonton soup and two chicken egg rolls arrived, she had her tv on. She was watching an interview with a new Dj that burst on the scene. He'd called himself MC Wish, with an number 1 replacing the I in Wish.
She grabbed at her pork and held her chopsticks with her magic. "Damn, he's cute." Vinyl said to herself. He was a unicorn with a light blue coat, spiky black mane and a white tristar cutie mark.
"So what do you think about other musicians? Say for example, DJ Pon3?" the interviewer asked. "Pon3's nothing but a mediocre act." Vinyl gagged on her noodles. She drank some of her wonton soup to clear her throat. When she was fine, she glared at the TV.
"What do you mean?" The interviewer asked. "Pon3 is huge now. But it took two tries to get there. I show up and I get huge on my first shot! If she's willing to, I'm calling her out. Pon3, if your watching and willing to try and shut me up, come find me. Otherwise, go back to Ponyville with your tail between your legs, chickens(bleep)t."
To say that Vinyl was pissed was an understatement. She took to every outlet she could. From the news to social networking. She didn't hold back. She blasted W1sh every chance she got. Their agents met and set up a Battle of the Bands type event in Canterlot. W1sh had met with Vinyl before the event.
"Pon3, can we talk?"
"Piss off, asshole." Vinyl retorted. "Look, I just... I wanna apologize." Vinyl did a double take. This very same stallion who had spent two weeks bashing her was apologizing. But his eyes were genuine and sincere so she gave him a chance.
"I didn't want to say those things. My manager thought that if I rivaled with you, both our sales would go up. My manager was actually trying to help you as much as me. Truth is, Pon3-"
"Vinyl." she introduced herself.
"Ok then. I'm Neon. Anyways, truth is, Vinyl, I actually really respect you and I like your music. Guess you could say I'm a fan." Neon turned to walk off. "Wait..." Vinyl sighed.
"Apology accepted. And... Well, I've seen a few of your shows and... well... Your light shows are kickin. Team up? My wubs and your lights? It'd make for a great show." Vinyl offered.
"Deal! Meet for drinks after the show?" Neon offered. "Sure." She watched Neon leave before thinking to herself Ok wow, he's actually really sweet...
~~~~~~~~~~~~
(Now)
There was a knocking on her apartment door. "It's open..." She called. Octavia had found her way to Vinyl's room. "Vinyl..." Octavia held her forelegs out for a hug, which Vinyl accepted. "Vinyl... if you could, would you please recall what happened...?" Octavia asked.
"My new record was a hit.. It sold half a million copies in Manehattan alone. My agent and I went drinking..." She sniffled, "I got so shitfaced... I called Neon for a ride but he never showed..." She slapped herself as hard as she could. "Stupid bitch!"
"Vinyl Scratch, stop! You had no way to know what would happen!" Octavia exclaimed.
"But if it wasn't for me, Neon would be..." She sobbed harder into Octavia's shoulder as Octavia slowly rocked her friend. "You get back in bed, Vinyl. I'm yours for the day."
"T-Thanks, Octy..." Vinyl sniffled. As soon as Octavia closed the door, Vinyl got back in bed and slipped once more into memory.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(3 and a half years ago)
Vinyl Scratch and Neon Lights had gotten along rather well. They dropped the ball that they were friends and the paparazzi went nuts for it. They'd been hanging out for half a year now. Vinyl's feelings for Neon kept growing but she was scared to make the first move.
Would Neon feel the same? Would she be rejected and lose her best friend? So many questions and so many worries. Neon had taken Vinyl to the beach on one of their rare days off together. They sat on the sand, talking and laughing for hours. Celestia was starting to set her sun.
"Wow, talk about beautiful." Vinyl said, in awe of the sunset. She wasn't expecting this next phrase. "Yes you are." Neon said. She looked at Neon. His cheeks were red and he was looking right into Vinyl's red eyes. Vinyl scoffed, trying to play it cool. She was afraid her hammering heart would sell her out.
"Pfft, me? Beautiful? You hit your head or something, Neon?" Vinyl said. "You are. I've never seen red eyes on a mare before so that makes you unique. Your music style is amazing, your really kind and funny... Vinyl, you've been on my mind for a while now." Neon said.
Vinyl couldn't believe her ears. Neon was saying everything she felt for him. "Neon... truth is... I feel the same way about you... When I first saw you on that interview, my first thought was how cute you are."
"Vinyl, I think... no, know what? I KNOW I'd like to be with you. What do you say?" At that, Vinyl kissed Neon. "I love you, Neon." Vinyl smiled. "I love you too, Vinyl."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(Present day)
Vinyl had started funeral preparations. She wanted it to be the perfect sendoff for her lover... No. In Vinyl's heart, Neon Lights was Vinyl Scratch's soulmate and she wanted to give him the perfect goodbye. She planned to make it so that Neon's fans could say goodbye as well. She planned for it to be a memorial concert in Neon's honor. She'd even written a new song dedicated to Neon.
Octavia sat with Vinyl to decide what of Neon's to donate to charity, or have placed in a museum. Ultimately, she kept Neon's collaboration trophies as most of them were collabs with her, some clothes that meant the world to her, his and her engagement rings and his jacket he wore to every concert. Finally the sorting and sending was done and Octavia had to leave. "Will you be ok until the service, Vinyl? I can stay longer."
"No... But thanks, Octy. Thank you for everything you've done." she smiled weakly. Vinyl was met with a hug. "It was my pleasure, Vinyl." Octavia smiled as she left. She got ready for bed and clutched the stuffed penguin Neon won her and her dream was of the day Neon proposed to her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(One year ago)
After two years of dating, Vinyl decided it was time to meet the parents. As usual, he was the picture of a true gentleman. Her mother loved him. Her dad, not so much. He was still bitter over the events leading up to their rivalry. Vinyl had explained up and down that it was just a PR stunt to boost sales. He wasn't convinced. As Mrs. Scratch cut the red velvet cake, Neon asked to speak to Mr. Scratch in private.
"What?" he grunted when they were alone.
"Well... I've been dating your daughter for a few years and... Sir, she means the world to me."
"Get to the point."
"I want to marry your daughter." Neon said, pulling the ring from his shirt pocket.
Mr. Scratch's red eyes widened. Nopony, stallion or mare, have ever done this. Asking the father for Vinyl's hoof in marriage. He cleared his throat. "The fact my daughter is bisexual doesn't bother you?"
"No sir."
"Are you ALWAYS going to be there for her? To help her when she's sick or sad?"
"Yes sir.
"Heh. You're all she talks about, you know. Ok. You won me over by asking me for her. Just be good to my little girl."
"Yes sir!" Neon beamed.
"Oi, guys, c'mon! The Fillydephia Eagles are getting killed here! Manehattan Giants are dominating!" Vinyl called. "Shall we?" Mr. Scratch asked. He turned off the TV as soon as they got back. "Yo! Eli was just about to score the winning touchdown!" Vinyl complained. "Vinyl..." Neon started.
Her magenta eyes focused onto Neon. "What up, babe?" Neon got down on one leg. "No..." Vinyl gasped.
"Vinyl, we've been together for years. You're all I think about, all I dream about. You've made me so much better as a pony since we've been dating. Vinyl... Will you marry me?"
Both Vinyl and Mrs. Scratch screamed in shock. Vinyl gave him his answer in the form of a deeply passionate kiss. Vinyl's world was perfect. She waited that night until her parents were asleep before she and Neon made love for the first time.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(Now)
The day had come. Fans were out in droves to say goodbye. Wearing Neon's jacket, she began the concert. She felt as though he was right there with her. However, she paused the track half way through. "S-Sorry..." She said into the mic, fresh tears forming. Fortunately, her and Neon's fans were understanding of the ordeal. It took her a minute and Octavia to come out on stage to hug her friend for her to continue.
She poured her heart and soul, her very being into this entire album she was debuting at the memorial concert for Neon. After the last song, they began to lower Neon's coffin into the ground. Fans had turned it into a beautiful garden of flowers, thank you letters to Neon. As the ponies cleared out, soon it was only Vinyl and Octavia at the headstone.
Neon Lights
10/20/1990- 6/15/2014
Loyal friend, God Of Lights, loving husband
As Octavia led her friend home, she looked over the hill of the cemetery at Neon's grave one last time. "I love you, Neon. I can't wait for us to be together again someday... Goodbye..."