Vinyl strolled the quiet, dark streets of Canterlot with a spring in her step. The wedding was a smash, everypony loved the mix. Celestia had even asked her to work a party for a friend of hers, and without hesitation she silently nodded in agreement. It was the perfect night, especially following the ordeals of earlier that day. She’d always thought shape-shifters were just an old mare’s tale, but that wedding was something else. Vinyl was never one for sappy lovey-dovey stories, chick flicks or any of that really girly stuff, but something about happy endings just evoked some curious feelings in her. Envy? Probably a bit, but not to the point of resent. Joy? It did bring her a smile no matter how short the moment was. Yet, the big one was hope. Hope that she could someday have her own happy ending, hope that things will get better. Without hope everything was pointless. Her mind buzzed with these thoughts as she trotted down the empty roads.
However, as she walked alone the silence was deafening. Her hooves made no sound as they struck the pavement. She looked into the windows of closed shops and in each one she saw a faint reflection of herself. Window after window she saw her soft, bright eyes reflected until a fleeting glance at the window of a fortune tellers shop showed an entirely different pony. Her coat was a deep black and her mane a range of fiery oranges. They were exact opposites. Vinyl hung her head in despair. They had met many times before, none of which had been a pleasant encounter. As she lifted her head so did the being in the mirror. As Vinyl lifted a hoof so did the shade. Finally they locked eyes. The demon's eyes were stormy and despairing and on its face grew a wide grin. It spoke directly into Vinyl’s mind.
“It’s been far to long deary.” The haunting voice echoed in her head.
“Not long enough if you ask me.” They both “spoke” telepathically.
“Why that’s no way to speak to yourself.”
“We are not the same person.”
“You speak those words with a slight authority, but do you actually believe them.” It chided.
Doubt crept into Vinyl’s mind as she attempted to state with resolve. ”I am not you.”
“If you say so.” the apparition shrugged indifferently. “Well at least when you go home you will have a story to share with all of those Ponyville ponies. If only they could hear you.”
The words stung Vinyl, she knew exactly what this thing was talking about. Since she was a filly she had been unable to make a sound. When she spoke there was silence, when she stomped a hoof on the ground no sound was heard. She had been cursed, she knew not how or why, just that she would never be able to make a sound. And this is how she found music. For as long as she could remember she had been writing, listening to, playing and just enjoying music. It seemed that her music was not cursed and could be heard by everypony. This eventually lead to the receiving of her cutie mark. However no matter what she did in her life this phantom followed her. Her name was Silere and was the embodiment cruelty. She and Vinyl shared an involuntary and unwanted connection. For what seemed to be forever they had searched for any way to be rid of one. They had tried everything, but it seemed that she would have to remain as the unwanted reflection of Vinyl. It only made it worse that this was the only pony Vinyl could actually communicate with.
“This is no time for a trip down memory lane.” The voice hissed into her thoughts. “So how has your night been?”
“It was great until you showed up. Do you enjoy sapping the joy out of every good thing that happens to me?”
The reflection looked upward in mock contemplation. “Why yes, I actually take great pleasure in it. I mean misery loves company does it not.” She added a vicious sneer to complement the phrase. “So, I heard everypony loved the mix, to bad you couldn’t thank them.”
Vinyl felt a strangling lump of sadness in her throat. “Why, why are you so cruel?”
“It’s fun. you should try it sometime with your friends. Oh, wait.” She burst into a cruel laugh. Suddenly the sadness in Vinyl’s throat melted into a fiery ball of resentment.
"What do you want? Other than to ruin my life." she put as much loathing as anyone can into a single thought.
"I want you to be quiet and listen."
"Oh hardy har har, you are hilarious, as if I could possibly make a sound. You’re a hoot." sarcasm dripped from the words.
"Yeah, I just came up with it. Regardless I actually have some good news for you. Something is coming up, something that could let us no longer be bound one to another."
"Well, what is it?"
“There is a pony who can help you, she has a curious curse. It actually seems to be quite the opposite of yours. She has a passion for music, listens to it often and yearns to create some of her own. However, whenever she draws a bow across a cello, there is only silence. When she strikes the keys of a piano, well you get the idea. She tries to play music and nothing happens. With some help from her you should be able to break our bonds and set us free.”
Hope replaced the hate in a heart beat. Vinyl couldn’t believe this was possible. ”Who is she? Where can I find her? How can she possibly help.”
"That's for me to know and for you to find out." Then the eidolon let out a chuckle that audibly echoed through the streets.
Anger surged through Vinyl as she reared up and smashed the window. The glass shattered everywhere, but there was not a sound to be heard. She suppressed tears as she noiselessly galloped down the street.