//------------------------------// // Chapter 5. The Concert...and the aftermath! // Story: Dancing with Dust // by WittyNameTFM //------------------------------// The lights dimmed, the show seemed to begin as the screen above the stage began to pulse to life. A large DJP3 logo pulsed to the beat of the bass in the starting song. Images of a much younger Vinyl on stage crossed the screen. Her face blurred, or covered with festive masks. Albums titled as "V-Scratch" floating down to the ground. As the music slowed, a little over a minute in, images of diagnoses, hospital rooms...and news reports flashing quickly. A headline read “Aspiring DJ involved in an accident.” “Our thoughts and prayers go out to Miss Scratch, in our meetings where she’s played for us, she’s always been professional and on point.” A man in a suit spoke, the set behind him indicating he was a talk show host. Images of reviewers and critics having mostly inspiring commentary. “Best wishes to V-Scratch! She can get through this!” “Shame, she was so good too. Bet this ruins her.” “V-Scratch can totally bounce back!” Another talk show host appeared on screen. “It’s been a year and her recent work hasn’t been nearly as good. She’s lost her confidence. You can’t connect with your fanbase while refusing to talk to them.” The screen faded to a shot of a hospital room, the blue haired musician sat, staring at her lap, before covering her eyes as the camera neared them. Bandages wrapped around her neck as her shoulders twitched, tears falling down her cheeks. Lean into my side… The lyrics began as a hand rested on her shoulder. The dark haired girl beside her, bringing her into a hug. The girl’s voice was quiet, almost a whisper. “Vinyl...its okay. You can do this.” They parted, her friend, handing her a pair of purple shades...and the bottom of Vinyl’s face revealed a smirk, before panning up to show her wearing her glasses. The music picked up, and flashes of Vinyl on stage, dancing and partying it up with her cheering crowds flashed across the screen. One shot of the DJ showing off a t-shirt by posing with one hand pinching the collar and the other pinching the hem, straightening out the graphic of the name DJ Pon-3. Then flashing to a shake camera looking over the crowd, fans wearing the shirt and cheering, Vinyl turning the camera to herself, posing with them. Headlines about DJ Pon-3 taking the musical world by storm scrolled across the screen. Social media posts again. “Pon-3 is the best rebrand ever!” “I knew she had it in her!” “What a remarkable turnaround for this kid! Jealous I never had her kind of drive.” Interspersed with the posts were clips of her on different stages, larger and larger crowds dancing and partying with her. This time, the names of Countess Coloratura and Sapphire Shores appeared with their social media posts. “She’s an incredible musician and I love her work so much!” With a link to her current song at the time of the post. “That sweetheart’s earned the respect of everyone who ever doubted her! Never say any type of music is the ‘easy way’. DJ Pon-3 has proven that she works just as hard, if not harder to overcome obstacles.” Then the talk show hosts appeared, heaping praise as well. “Quite the long climb, but the artist behind two of the best DJ names in the last ten years has redeemed herself in the eyes of the fans.” Songbird Serenade in an interview, held her hand to her face like a phone “Pon-3, I’d love to work with you, hit me up!” The song slowed again as the camera followed the DJ down the backstage area. She found a storage crate, and climbed up to sit on it as she stared down at the ground, the camera following her hand as she slipped the glasses off and rested them to her side. She held her head in her hands. “Vinyl? You’re on in five minutes.” The voice of the girl from earlier. The camera caught a surprised expression on the lower half of Vinyl’s face before it pulled back into a grin. The girl walking over, picking up her glasses and sliding them on her face. “I knew you still had it…” She said. The DJ gave her a big hug. The music swelled again, as the camera followed her out onto the stage, crowds erupting as she riled them up. Jumping up and down while flailing her arms. The image cutting to her behind her turntables, then to her dancing and jumping about on stage with Sapphire Shores. A flash of her posing with Songbird Serenade. Coloratura wearing matching glasses as the two pointed at each other dramatically with huge grins on their faces. Then it flashed bright before black as the song slowed again. Words appeared on the screen. “This was my journey. Everyone has hardships. Never give up. I support each and every one of you...the same way you supported me. Thank you. For making my dream come true.” The song ended as the crowd began to cheer, the screen cutting in to a camera backstage. A hand knocked on the door that read “Pon-3" on the sign hanging from it, the camera person opening the door to reveal the DJ, wearing a white hoodie,unzipped that showed the cut sleeves shirt with her logo, the loose shirt revealing the blue sports bra under it just slightly, baggy white pants, with electric blue graphics that spelled out her stage name on her left leg, and a crackling lightning bolt down the other.  Her shoes were predominantly white but also with black laces and the same electric blue highlighting the heel portion and the stitching. With the hood pulled up, she hopped on her feet as she warmed herself up. The shot tracked as she stepped past the camera and began walking down the corridor. The back of the hoodie had a graphic of her glasses and turntable with the words "ALWAYS MOVE FORWARD" in black lettering in what appeared as graffiti style writing. She was handed a microphone by a stagehand as she went. She took a deep breath before stopping near the curtain. She looked to her right. The camera panning over to show the girl from the video, arms crossed with a confident smile.  Vinyl smirked, handing the microphone out to her.  “Me? Are you sure?” The DJ rolled her head as she shrugged. The raven haired girl took the microphone before sighing. “You’re impossible sometimes, Vinyl…” The DJ pointed two finger guns at her with a sly smirk. “Ladies and gentlemen!” The crowd began jumping as the girl spoke. “Please give a warm welcome to D. J. Pon. 3!” She gave emphasis to each part of the name as Vinyl pushed past the curtains, another song starting as she hit her turntables. *** "Incredible…" Moondancer mumbled as she watched her friend on stage. This was Vinyl at her most comfortable, banging her head, waving her arms and dancing around to the beats that she created on the fly. 'She has a brilliant musical mind.' Octavia's voice played in her mind. She felt that somehow that praise, even from an accomplished classical musician like Octavia, was still underselling her skills. She looked to her left, Lightning Dust was dancing to the beat, to her right the people beside her danced as well. She was just lost in the music as she bobbed her head. It was loud and jarring...nothing she'd ever experienced before. But it was so good. Never sticking to just one style. Vinyl played regular techno alongside her dubstep mixes and even had a few combinations that included Octavia's cello. *** Vinyl danced and jammed to her beats, watching the audience and changing up her sounds accordingly. Her eyes scanned the crowds, actually spotting several of her schoolmates. Her crew were there in force, though Light and Moondancer were off on their own. Lyra, BonBon and Derpy jammed alongside Roseluck and her sisters. The Rainbooms were all there, Pinkie and Rainbow looked to be having the most fun. 'Poor Fluttershy must be in a bad way…' She thought, seeing the timid girl dancing as...she supposed 'gently' was the best way to describe it. As her eyes scanned the crowd...she spotted them. The sirens stood near the back. Sonata, the blue skinned one, she seemed to really dig it. Adagio, the leader didn't seem repulsed by it and Aria was looking directly at her in response as if she knew right away that Vinyl was looking for them. The DJ pointed to them before switching up the beat, dancing out from behind the tables, the gloves she had slipped on during the last song now powering on. The boards appeared under her hands as her body moved to the beat, each press added to the mix. The show was a huge hit. Vinyl's last video playing a message as she took a bow. A digitized voice speaking for her "Always move forward." Three simple words, but as it spoke, Vinyl turned to show the back of the jacket she wore, holding a fist up above her head. The wording on the back and the lighting adding to the image. The raucous crowd only got louder somehow, Vinyl casually striding off the stage. *** The curtain fell behind her and she took a breath, kneeling down as she tried to come down from the adrenaline rush, looking up to see Octavia. Vinyl jumped forward, tackling her into a tight hug. "I told you you could do it." She said, holding her as the DJ hid her face in her shoulder, shaking softly. "They loved it." She assured, rubbing her back. Vinyl's concerns from the night before played on her mind. She was second guessing telling all of her fans the truth as to why she stopped talking. Octavia had to convince her late into the evening to even do the performance. *** "Love, you have to think about why you're revealing this more than what will come from it." She said. "You've had a hard journey to get where you are...you're showing people that you can achieve your dream, even with the roadblocks." She reached forward, cupping the DJ's chin and turning her face to look at the hoodie hanging on the door, the words on the back resonating with her.  "Honestly, I don't know how you can still have stage fright...with how many shows you've done…" Vinyl's hands moved as Octavia watched. 'It's not every show that I tell the world all about how bad things got for me.' "I know, dear...but you've come so far from back then." She held her shoulders. "You're a confident young woman...and you've accomplished so much for still being in high school. Don't you dare doubt yourself now. I won't allow it." She smiled softly. Vinyl's cheeks reddened before she leaned forward, closing the distance between their lips. *** "That was awesome, huh?" Light asked, walking out the door with Moondancer in tow. "It was so great! I can't wait to tell Vinyl-" She froze, looking past Lightning to see her tormentor. Flanked by two boys and a tall girl. "L-Light…" Lightning turned to face them. "Dust. I believe you have something that belongs to me." This earned a raised eyebrow from the tall girl to her side. "You gotta be fucking kidding me." She rolled her eyes. "She doesn't belong to you! And after the shit you pulled? No way am I gonna let you get near her!" "You don't have a say in the matter." The two guys stepped forward as Light pushed Moondancer back. "Ain't this a bit much..?" Roll asked. "Just get her." Lightning took a step and struck the first guy, the second catching her arm, she spun on her heel, kneeling and using his forward momentum to lift him over her shoulder and slam him to the ground. As she stood, she was hooked under both arms by the first boy. Roll punching her in the stomach. "Stop!" Moondancer begged. The second boy coughed, standing back up as Light was overpowered by the numbers. "Stop her from getting away, Roll." The taller dutifully caught Moondancer as she turned to escape, bringing her back. "Moonie. You...chose this, over me?" She asked with a sneer, taking a handful of Lightning's hair, lifting her head to face her. "You're gonna pay for taking her from me." "You don't own her." Light spat. "She is mine." She reared back to punch her. "She was always mine. She just forgot that." She gave a dark look over her shoulder at the redhead. Roll's grip loosened. "Hey, that ain't the story you gave me.." She frowned, now moving in front of the smaller girl. "Ya said Light was trying to steal her from you. This...this is an obsession, dude." She stepped forward. "You're gonna turn on me now? Right when you've handed her over to me?" She reached back into her pocket. "Just make sure Moonie sees what I do to her main squeeze." She stepped back, taking out a pocket knife. "Whoa, put that away before you make a big mistake!" Roll pushed Moondancer back gently as she walked ahead, her hands up. "Ya got dumped...that don't mean ya gotta go nuts. Take a breath...and think about this." She looked to the two guys who were becoming concerned of the situation as well. She slowly eased between the girl and Lightning. "Deep breaths…" Moondancer's ex did as instructed...seeming to pull back from the breaking point.  Light heard a shocked gasp, Moondancer covered her mouth, from her perspective she only saw Roll's back. Looking down she noted the girl's shoes...indicating she had stepped closer, a trickle of red hitting the ground. "Fuck!" The taller girl grit out, as she sank forward. The grip of the boys at her side loosened as they looked on in shock. Light stood, yanking her arms free, she saw the girl pull back the red stained blade, instinct took over. She moved around Roll, punching her in the face. Hard enough for her hand to hurt. She hit the ground hard, and the knife flew from her hand. Lightning quickly taking her arm and trapping it at a painful angle, pulling her up enough to throw a hook from behind. Hard enough to knock her out. "You two, keep an eye on her." She stood, catching the falling girl. "Stay with me, Roll." She said, easing her to lay on the ground. "Moondancer, call 911." She instructed, holding her hand to the wound. "Sorry..." Light sighed. "Be sorry at the hospital. Now's not the time." Moondancer took her phone out. Within minutes the cops pulled up, an ambulance following suit. Roll was much paler, though she was still conscious. She opened her mouth, but was met with a glare from Lightning. "Not now. Focus on breathing. Stay calm." She instructed. Roll's eyes slowly closed as she looked up at the girl she had been fighting minutes ago. *** When she opened her eyes again...she was met with fluorescent bulbs and blinding white hell. She groaned, attempting to shift over but jolting in pain, hissing softly. "Don't move." Lightning's voice spoke up. "Moondancer, go get a nurse please." The redhead nodded, standing to exit the room. "Gonna be honest, Thunder." Lightning crossed her arms as she stood by the bed. "This isn't how I'd hoped my first date with Moondancer would end." "Heh...sorry about that." She chuckled but groaned in pain. "You weren't in on the whole knife thing." "'Course not. I signed on to knock some sense into you. That psycho bitch said ya were stealing her girlfriend and she was too scared to face you alone." She sighed. "Fleet was right about this job." "I called her. She's on the way." "Fuck." She lifted a hand to cover her eyes. "Why'd you save me?" "Because I ain't about ta let someone get carved up if I can stop it." She huffed. "I wished I had caught onto her before it got to here…" "Well, we left out the part about you beating me up." Light said. "As far as the cops know, you were with us when she pulled a knife on us." "You lied to the cops to protect me? How sweet." "Oh, you want me to tell them?!" "You ain't got the balls!" "Ladies, please! Miss Dust, if you continue to agitate the patient I'm going to have to ask you to leave." "Sorry." She sighed, crossing her arms as the nurse pushed past her. "Miss Thunder, you're going to have to not move around as much. You have a long road ahead of you." "How bad is it?" She asked, looking up. "Luckily it wasn't too bad." She explained. "But you're going to have issues walking around when you're cleared. It'll pull at the wound, unfortunately, so you're going to be on bed rest for a few weeks." "Ugh, call the bitch up, tell her to kill me this time." She groaned. "That topic is no laughing matter. Especially with your friends having waited for you." The nurse chided, Lightning's arms were still crossed, and it was then that she noticed the sleeves of the teal jacket she wore were a deep red. Along with the stomach of her shirt. "You been here the whole time?" "We aren't her friends." Lightning said flatly. "Just wanted to make sure she didn't die." "And yet you haven't left." The nurse smiled over her shoulder. "ROLL?!" The door opened and a manic girl stood in its threshold. Her hair was stuck to her face as she panted, her eyes going from Light to Roll to the nurse before she stomped forward to the taller athlete. She eyed the blood on her and looked to Rolling Thunder again.  "Down, girl. She didn't do it." Roll chuckled before hissing in pain. "Right...she wouldn't be in the room if that were the case." She told herself. "What happened?" "Redhead's ex stabbed me." "I gathered that!" She huffed. "Why?" "Because I wouldn't let her cut up Lightning." "You're a fucking idiot...I told you not to get involved with her." "Yeah, yeah." She shrugged, one hand resting atop the wound. "Stop moving, damn." Lightning huffed. "Fleet, I'm gonna head out now that you're here." "Thanks Light. You're alright." "Whatever." She looked to Roll again. "I'll be back by to check on you. Don't do anything stupid and get kicked out of here." She put her hands in her pockets. "You owe me a new hoodie by the way." "Put it on my tab." Roll waved. She led Moondancer out, who waved to the bedridden girl before joining her. *** "You've been quiet...you okay?" She asked, looking to the shorter girl. "I get that we were in a bit of a bind...but-" "I was scared, seeing her do that...she was never that unstable." "You sure? That was definitely planned. She hasn't hurt you before the locker thing...has she?" The silence between them was deafening. "Moon-" "It's in the past now." "I know it ain't my place to talk about keeping stuff to yourself," She sighed before putting her arm around her shoulders. "She's not gonna hurt you ever again." Moondancer leaned against her as they walked. "Thanks." She mumbled softly.