//------------------------------// // Final Count Down // Story: Of Wubs and Men // by MoltenXKid //------------------------------// I stood in the kitchen, frying some eggs and waiting for my day to start. Well, my day had started a couple of hours ago, but my anxiety wouldn’t let me move any further. Today was the day of the competition; I didn’t know why I felt so anxious about it. I was prepared to play my best. Leave everything I had out on the floor, yet it all went away when I woke up that morning. Vinyl and Octavia were gone before I woke; I hadn’t seen them since yesterday, yet I knew they were okay because I received a photo of Vinyl and her trophy. Anastasia went to make sure the preparations were great for that night’s events.  Of course, my parents had left the day before. So, for the first time in a while, I was alone in my house again. I forgot how silent things were. I forgot how it felt to awake without a hangover.  I forgot the peace I experienced in these four walls. I forgot how much I hated it.  No cello practice, no loud bass, no angry phone calls about low inventory. Those are things I came to expect, yet it wasn’t here. It was only me, breathing in the fumes of eggs. “Mr. Mason, you have a phone call!” Tesla spoke, “It’s from Percy.” “Put him through,” I replied  excited to hear another voice. After a short pause, I heard Percy’s voice. “How’s my favorite DJ doing” He asked, brimming with excitement. “I bet you say favorite to every DJ you have,” I said, “And I’m slightly nervous.” “Actually no…Everyone else are real  bummers. Anyway, that’s good. Use that nervous energy and- “ “Channel it into my performance. Yes, I know and I will.” “Well, I guess my work here is done. Social media is going nuts for this. You’ll be big again.” “Yeah…uh I can’t wait.” He sensed something in my voice. For a short moment, he didn’t speak, and I didn’t either. “Mason, go out there, play your best, and just enjoy the night. Don’t worry about the money. Don’t worry about the fame. Just enjoy battling Vinyl and proving you’re the best in California.” We talked for some time longer. Percy ask about everything that had to deal with the night and I told him everything and he simply accepted, trusting Ana’s judgement. After that, we ended the call. The silenced returned . I went back to my eggs. Unfortunately, the heat got to them and they were slightly burnt. Luckily, I like things a bit dark. Or rather, I’ve gotten used to it. So, I scrapped the eggs on my plate, made some toast, and sat down. I took one bite and waited.  I waited for some sign of life, yet nothing came. The only life was me. Getting tired of the silence, I grabbed my food and walked outside. The day was pretty as usual. California never disappointed.  It didn’t take long for me to hear the chirping of birds, the talking of my neighbors, and the loud roar of the few gasoline powered cars still running.  It passed my home and kept driving. From the sound of its engine, it might have needed some work. Though, it looked crisp on the outside. Once it passed, I sat on the ground and relaxed.  Ironically, the noise made me feel better and allowed me to eat in peace.   Then I heard a clunk and the reversing of the vehicle.  It made way for my home until it stopped right in front my drive way. Slowly, the driver’s side window lowered until someone’s face showed through. A face I have not seen in awhile. “Curb…I mean…Clinton?” I asked, getting up walking towards the car.  Immediately, the car was put into gear, and drove off, “I suppose they had the wrong home.” Vinyl’s POV “You look absolutely wonderful in that outfit, “ Octy said as I stepped outside the changing room. “You know this isn’t my style… ” I said “I believe we may have found you a new style.” I stood there wearing a pure white sundress with trim that matched the color of my mane. You could say it was me in dress form. All it needed was my cutie mark and maybe a beer stain. In all honesty, it was beautiful dress, but it was so form fitting that I felt naked. Don’t get me wrong, I like being naked; I just don’t like dresses. “People will laugh if I walked in public like this…” “No…they’ll stare in awe. You’re a very pretty mare. If only you would embrace your feminine side more often.” “I’ll embrace it once you produce a track that’s number one on-“ My sentence was interrupted by something being place on my head. I could not recover before I heard sounds of appreciation coming from Octavia. “This yarn hat will finish off the outfit perfectly.” Said one of the workers. “You are so right” Octavia agreed, “We will take the whole set.” The worker nodded her head excitedly before rushing off to get things ready for our purchase. I looked at Octavia with a confused look, while she looked at me with a smile. We stood there for a moment before I started to undress. I quickly realized I was not in the dressing room, and ran back into the room. Not like I cared about being seen, but public indecency was a major thing here. Before I stripped, I peered into the mirror. For once, I did not look like I had raved for my entire life. For once, I did not look like a mare who could out drink you. For once, I looked like a mare on the beach. I looked like a mare you could take home to mother.  I like this look, but I knew in my heart it was not me. I am a mare of the night who craves the music scene. I stripped down, put the clothes of the hanger, and put them to the side. After that, I began to put on my street clothes. My ripped blue jeans I found at the local thrift shop slid on easily and hugged me in the right places.  I put my black, sponsored shirt on that advertised the event tonight. Finally, I put my glasses on my nose; I felt at peace. When I stepped out the dressing room Octavia had a bag ready for my clothes. I put them in the bag as she ushered me out the clothing store and we began walking around town. Apparently, she had already paid for my clothes even before I tried them on.  I would say she bought them more for her than for me. “How much did these run for?” I asked, trying to find a price tag. “You’re not supposed to ask the price of gift…” Octy replied. “Well when we are on a imposed budget, I gotta ask,” “Just know your new outfit didn’t cost a lot.  Besides, we have to celebrate today” “Really?” “Yes.” Octavia jolted in front of me to grab my hands, “This is your first major performance since we moved here. The crowds, the media, it’ll be like the old days.” I couldn’t help but drift back into my memories of being on stage. Thousands of ponies waiting…begging me to start my track. The lights flashing around the darkness, and the smell of sweat, alcohol, and joy going in the air. Those were my nights and it was time for me to return. Deep in my thoughts, I did not notice that Octavia and I had reached the subway. If she hadn’t had caught me, I would have tumbled down the stairs, and that was a deep fall. Paying attention, we descended and waited to for the next train that would put us close to Club Genesis; Octy and I decided to wait there for the competition. We waited and waited for the train and things seemed to go well until someone gripped my and turned me around.  A man who was pale and clean shaven looked me in the eyes as a smirk stuck to his face. Two other men soon backed him up except they themselves kept their faces neutral. I can’t say they looked familiar, yet the aura they had about them was. “Where do you two think you’re going?” The leader asked. “We are going home…without you all,” Octavia spoke, pulling me away from the men. “That doesn’t sound fun at all. Seeing as me and my friends here have taken interest in you two. You know, there’s been a lot of uproar about ponies appearing. We thought we would get to know a few.” “How about you look for some other ponies? We are currently not looking for more friends,” I said, standing my ground. “Seems like we might have to tame these horses,buddies…” The leaders said, taking a step forward. I ignited my horn to prepare to defend myself and Octavia was breathing heavier than usual. We were ready, but fortunately a female security guard approached us, curious by what was happening. “Is everything alright?” She asked, “Because I have full authority to make sure everything stays alright…” The leader stepped back and his buddies followed suite. “Yeah rent-a-cop. We are alright. Just talking to my new friends here about their event down at Club Genesis. I know some friends would love to be there, so I was just going to pass the word along.” “Don’t you dare”…I mouthed to the man. To which, he simply smiled and began walking away. The moment they were gone, the officer turned to us with her full attention. “I’m guessing those losers were messing with you? Don’t think nothing of it. They are part of some weird religious thing, but since they don’t quite follow the rules, they don’t have good standing. Anyway, Y’all good?” “Yes… we are good. Thanks for coming to our aid.” Octy said. “Just doing my job. Well, the train is coming and y’all don’t want to miss it. “ “Thank you so much and if you’re free tonight, come see my show. I’ll make sure you get in free ms…” “Just call me, Shelly, and sure.  I’ll try.” The train arrived just as she said and Octavia and I stepped aboard. We waved goodbye and I sat on a seat near the door. Calming myself down, I placed my headphones into my ear and prepared to play my heart out tonight. -------------- Mason’s POV “Do you see this line?” I asked Anastasia as I drove up the street, “I haven’t seen a crowd this big in ages.” “Tell me about it…I don’t think everyone can fit inside…the Fire Marshall won’t allow it.” “I think he’ll understand today. If not, we will get him drunk and then he will. Anyway, I’ll see you on the inside.” I parked my civic, opened the door, and breathed in the warm night air. I smelt the food drifting from the kitchens in the surrounding restaurants. I bet they'd appreciate the extra business. I walked towards the entrance only to be greeted by the screams of fans and a couple exposed breasts. The biggest smile spread over my face as many fans ran to hug me or ask for autographs. I felt as if I was back at the height of my career. I was getting lost in the fame until a security guard grabbed me and pulled me inside. What greeted my eyes was a masterpiece to say the least. I haven't seen Club Genesis like this before.  It was clean, shiny, and seemed renovated.  The bar was fully stocked, and the internal kitchen was already bustling with life. The lights were moving with no real direction and the lights on the floor were waiting for command. The speakers stood tale like warriors waiting for battle. And in the middle sat two stations. One for me and one for Vinyl. Each had our separate logos plastered on the front. In-between the stations was a huge screen that I was pretty sure was connected to our stations. Then I saw Anastasia coming out of her office with huge smile. She ran over to me gave me a hug, which came with a kiss. “You outdid yourself,” I said when our mouths disconnected, “You really did.” “I know…I just don’t  know how I did it. With the amount of time I had, I did not know how I was gonna finish it. Then after encountering Vinyl’s speakers, I got a jolt of energy and managed to finish everything.” Huh? Well, I guess that’s good. You could have asked for help though.” “Naw. If it has to be, it’s up to me. No one can do it like I can.” “If you say so. So where’s Vinyl and Octavia?” I asked, looking around. “They are in the backroom…releasing some stress if you know what I mean. And no we aren't going too.” “Thanks for reading my mind.” “It’s what I do. Anyway, we have about an hour before things get interesting. Get set up and rest. It’s about to be showtime!”               `