//------------------------------//
// Chapter 5 
// Story: Love Sick 
// by Mr. Self Destruct 
//------------------------------//

	Today was the day that Vinyl Scratch had looked forward to for so very long. It was the day of the tribute concert for Soul, the one she worked so hard to put on. She was extremely excited yet nervous as she knew that Soul would be there in spirit, watching her perform for him. She got up very early that morning, and then made her way through Soul’s studio to get the tracks for not only previous compositions by Soul, but the completed mix of Love Sick. Since all of the other studio equipment was already set up at the music hall, she then quickly made her way to Canterlot.

She boarded a train and was seated, idly looking out the window, as she awaited the departure of the train. Shortly after, she was accompanied by two travelers who took their seats just across from her. At first, they just fiddled around with their belongings before they each took a good look at who they sat across from.
“W-wait… Are you DJ PON3?” One of the two asked. Vinyl Scratch looked over at the two and nodded with a smile.

“Oh, yes. I am.” She said, blushing slightly at the attention.
“Wow, I can’t believe I’m getting to meet you! We’re just on our way to your show in Canterlot! My name is Anemone and this is my friend Eureka.” Anemone extended her hoof. Vinyl extended her own hoof and gave her a bump in greeting. “We’re super excited to see your show! Especially since it’s a tribute to DJ Soul. We were actually there when you debuted at his show.” Vinyl giggled before responding.
“Well, thank you so much! I’ve been working really hard on this show. It has to be perfect… I just hope I don’t let him down.” Eureka leaned in and placed a hoof on Vinyl Scratch’s shoulder.
“Don’t worry, I know he’ll be proud. He’ll be watching.” Vinyl smiled before Anemone continued on.
“You two seemed very close. I’ve seen you two around town a few times and I have to say, you two looked adorable together.” 
“Well, I loved him. I loved him very much. At first, I envied his talent and saw him as an inspiration. But as I got to know him, he was more than that. He was my true love. I still love him obviously, but I do miss waking up to that smell of tea. He always was a morning person and was up well before me. I miss seeing him sit back in his chair as he listened to music in the studio. He was always just so radiant and gave off nothing but good vibes. I’ll never forget the time we shared.” Vinyl Scratch began to tear up, but she held them in. Eureka and Anemone simply sat back and smiled as they understood what she was feeling as a comfortable silence overcame the three of them.

The train soon arrived at its destination. The three stood from their seats and as they did, Anemone and Eureka both took a chance to hug Vinyl Scratch.
“Hey, good luck. We’ll be cheering you on the loudest, okay?” Anemone said. Vinyl Scratch nodded and smiled as the two stepped off the train. Vinyl Scratch let the crowd of people rushing off the train die down before she finally got off as well. The town was full of fans strolling around, waiting for the show to start. Posters with both DJ Soul and Vinyl Scratch’s names on them were posted across the town, vendors with open stalls selling their goods for the crowds. As Vinyl Scratch made her way down to the music hall, occasionally she’d hear someone yell her name or wave at her. The attention was quite flattering and she couldn’t stop smiling. On the way, she did stop at a few stalls to pick up a bite to eat and had a look at some of the fan made stuff. Signs, hats, glasses that were like the ones she wore, and much more. It was surprising that the turnout was so large but there was serious hype behind this show. It started to sink it and the pressure was starting to build on Vinyl Scratch, making her more nervous, but she continued to just think about Soul to get by. 

When she finally arrived at the music hall, the staff could be seen checking and double checking the equipment, making sure everything was in place and working correctly when the time came. She walked around the stage, examining the equipment as well and greeting the staff as she did, before finally going up to the turntables. The same ones DJ Soul used. She quickly began to upload her mixes so they would be ready for the show. She was especially excited to finally get to show off all the parts of Love Sick to the crowd. She started playing with the turntables, creating beats on the spot idly. A group of people had already accumulated early before the show began, however, when Vinyl Scratch started playing around on the turntables, the small group cheered her on in response. When she finished, Vinyl Scratch laughed and waved at the group before walking backstage to wait for the show to begin as the time was near.

Normally, you’d wait for the show to start in a room backstage and get a call to come out. Vinyl Scratch, however, was too nervous to even sit down. She stood just off the side of the stage behind the curtain and watched the crowd build. What was once just a small group of people at the edge of the stage had soon grown larger and larger, people beginning to fill up to the corners of the room and become louder with incoherent chit-chat. This would be the largest crowd she has ever had the chance to perform in front of to date. 

The lights cut and the room went completely dark. With apprehension, Vinyl Scratch walked out under a single spotlight and walked up to the turntables. The crowd went crazy, cheering for her all at once, before a chant of  “PON3, PON3, PON3” filled the hall. Vinyl Scratch waved before she spoke into the microphone. She had to wait a moment for the crowd to die down just enough so she could speak over them.
“Thank you guys so much… Normally, I wouldn’t give this kind of an introduction but this is a special night. We’re here to pay our respects to one of the best musicians that ever lived. I had the opportunity to play alongside of him and know him personally. I had the opportunity to fall in love with him…” She stopped as the crowd cheered once more at that statement. She then continued. “Normally, I play loud music, heavy bass, fast beats, and adrenaline filled mixes. However, today, I want to play some stuff by DJ Soul. One set of songs in particular that has never been heard before today. A mix that was only partially finished before his unfortunate passing…” 
A slow beat rolled in that would mark the beginning of the set of songs known as Love Sick. The familiar beats filled the room and left the crowd feeling like they were at a true DJ Soul show. Many danced and moved to the beat with true emotion. As the songs went by, the new songs that were never before heard began, mixing into the previous parts. The songs continued, slow and harmonious, leaving the crowd in a familiar trance of bliss. It continued on until finally it cut out, slowly and beautifully ended with Vinyl Scratch standing there. The emotion could be felt in the air, the loss of a great person set in once again. However, instead of sorrow, the crowd felt peace. They missed him, but the crowd was happy to experience what they just did. The moment of silence after the music ended was picturesque in itself.

Vinyl Scratch then slowly let a heavy bass seep into the silence. She leaned into the mic to speak. “Again, I love you Soul and I am glad you’re here watching… It’s time to get crazy in here!” The bass broke into a heavy and speedy beat, lights flashing and forced adrenaline into the crowd. People instantly started jumping with the music, both Soul and Vinyl Scratch came from different musical backgrounds yet they were like yin and yang. They went together perfectly. The music was non-stop and hit hard, just like DJ PON3 was known for. Time went by and the show would soon come to a close. As it did, the crowd roared as it proved to live up to the hype of the show it was said it was going to be. Vinyl Scratch took her glasses off this time. She wanted everyone to see the emotions she felt. Tears ran down her face as she held a smile. All she could do was look up, as if to look up at Soul as he watched. 

As was the scene at every show, people lingered around the music hall. Vinyl Scratch stood at the exit, meeting fans and signing autographs as she usually did. Being that it was such an emotional night, people came up to her hugging her, some even with tears of their own. The show was beautiful and anyone who had missed it, missed something magical. Amongst all the people Vinyl Scratch had met after the show, there was one in particular that stood out to her. A young, white filly with purple and pink mane. 

The young filly looked up at Vinyl Scratch and spoke with elation, 
“I’m so excited to meet you! I’m your biggest fan!”
Vinyl Scratch smiled and responded, “I’m glad to hear that!” She was especially flattered because she remembers when she was in a similar situation with DJ Soul.
“I’ve been to a lot of your shows and I want to be a well known musician like you! Although, I’m more into singing than anything!”

Vinyl Scratch placed a hoof on the fillies shoulder before she spoke,
“I’d certainly love to hear you sing sometime.”