//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: Second Life Part 1 // Story: The Game Of Life // by Luna Plays Minecraft //------------------------------// Lyra Heartstrings sat outside of Sugarcube Corner, playing her lyre. It was a tune that she knew well, and had played many times before. Yet, she enjoyed the familiarity of it. She called it 'Setting Sun', as that is what it reminded her of. She played a few more notes, before Pinkie Pie slowly stumbled out of Sugarcube Corner. Her hair was completely flat, which was something Lyra had never seen before. Whenever she saw the the pink pony, she was always full of life and energy. But looking at her now was just... depressing. "What has you so down, Pinkie Pie?" Lyra asked the mare. "Oh, hi Lyra. Sorry if I bothered you, it's just that a good friend of mine just recently passed away." Pinkie said, tears forming in her eyes. Now Lyra was not expecting that. "Gee, Pinkie. I'm so sorry. It must be awful for you. Care to talk about it?" The green mare asked. "I guess, if you want to listen. Her name was Rainbow Dash, element of loyalty. Me and her used to always pull awesome pranks together, and hang out. She was a lot of fun to be around. But one day, her and Vinyl Scratch went missing. They came back a year later, but they were both alicorns like the princesses. I guess they were mad at Celestia, so they wanted to join the Lunar Republic. They both went to a night club to join, but after making a mean fat kid joke, poor Dashie was shot in the head. It was so awful..." Pinkie Pie explained, earning a hug from Lyra. Lyra hardly knew Rainbow Dash. They had talked a few times, but that was it. "It's gonna be alright, Pinkie. It may be over for her, but i'm sure she would want you to live it up, and not stay like... this." Lyra said, gesturing the pink mess that was Pinkamina Diane Pie. "You're right Lyra. Sorry for wasting your time." Pinkie told the mint green mare. "Oh, it's no problem, Pinkie. Anything for a friend." Said Lyra, and the two mares parted ways. Lyra began to head to her and Bon Bon's small house, when she was suddenly knocked over by a white and blue blur. "Hey Lyra, wanna come to the epic party i'm hosting for Rainbow Dash?" Vinyl Scratch asked. "Wh-what? Vinyl, you know I don't do parties." Lyra told the alicorn mare. "Oh, I see." Vinyl said. "Yeah, sorry, I ju-" "You don't have enough bits to pay for any cider! Don't worry, I'm using all of Dash's bits, so I got ya covered." Vinyl told the mint green mare, wrapping a hoof around Lyra. "That's not what I meant at all! And why would you use your dead friends money? That's so disrespectful!" Lyra exclaimed. "Disrespectful? What are you talking about? I'm throwing her an awesome party, so I don't think she'll mind if I use a few of her bits." Vinyl explained, causing Lyra to sigh. "Look, I appreciate the offer, but i'm just not a party pony." Lyra said, pushing Vinyl's hoof away. "I'll pay you!" Vinyl said quickly. "What?" Lyra asked. "I normally wouldn't do this, but Dash was a lot cooler than I gave her credit for. I just want her party to be the best it can be." Vinyl said, holding out a small pouch of bits, causing Lyra to sigh. "Alright, fine, I'll come. But quit wasting Rainbow Dash's money." Lyra told the alabaster alicorn, causing her eyes to light up. "Great! Just come on by Luna's night club at 8:00, and be ready to have the best night of your life!" Vinyl said, and ran off, nearly knocking over another pony. --- At 8:00, Lyra walked into Luna's night club. The music was blaring while Vinyl got her DJ equipment set up. Suddenly, a wild Luna appeared! "Greetings, Lyra. Vinyl Scratch told us that you would be attending. Tis going to be a fun night, as we celebrate the short life that Rainbow Dash had. We hath even brewed up our special moonshine for the occasion." Luna said, pulling out a bottle of foul smelling liquid. "Er, sorry princess, I don't drink." Lyra stated, pushing the bottle away. "Ah, tis a shame. perhaps you would like a nice glass of water instead?" Luna asked. "That would be lovely, thank you." Lyra said, and Luna pulled a glass of water out of nowhere, and handed it to Lyra. The mint green mare took a sip, but immediately spit it out. "Gah! This isn't water!" Lyra gasped. "We are sorry, but thou walked right into that one. Now, we must go request a song for Vinyl Scratch to play before there is a lineup. Goodbye, Lyra." Luna said, and walked off. Suddenly, Vinyl popped up in front of Lyra, causing her to fall backwards. Well, speak of the devil and she shall appear. "Hey Lyra, glad you could make it. Only two minutes in, and everypony's already having a good time. I'm getting closer to breaking Pinkie's record!" Vinyl said happily. "Let me introduce you to some friends of mine," She said, and pulled up two pegasi. One was orange with a fiery mane, and the other was a pale blue with a dark blue mane. "This is Spitfire, and This is Soarin." "You got the Wonderbolts here?" Lyra gasped. "Well, yea! I mean, Dash saved their lives. Why wouldn't they come?" Vinyl explained, and then pushed the two pegasi away. "Oh, uh, I dunno. Maybe cause you pranked them in the other universe?" Lyra asked. "How do you know about that? Oh no, they remember, don't they? They probably told awful lies about me! I'll probably never get a DJing gig again!" Vinyl exclaimed. "Oh, no no no no no! They only told me as a... joke! Yea, a joke. They're all cool about it!" Lyra said quickly. "Well, that's a relief! Aw, shit, Twilight's calling me. Probably gonna give me a lecture on how I should be wearing a disguise." She rolled her eyes. "Well, see ya around Lyra." Vinyl said, and walked off. Lyra breathed a silent sigh of relief, and began to make her way towards the door. She told Vinyl that she would come, but not stay. Three feet away from the door, and a song began to play. Not a nice, peaceful song that Lyra would usually listen to, no. This was the dreaded rock music. But Lyra didn't cover her ears. No, she kept listening. But that wasn't even the strangest thing. Lyra was actually liking this song! Jealousy, turning saints into the sea Swimming through sick lullabies Choking on your alibis But it's just the price I pay Destiny is calling me Open up my eager eyes ‘Cause I'm Mr. Brightside What was happening to her? The ponies that Lyra usually played lyre with shunned this type of music. For Lyra to be enjoying it was like a crime! But Lyra kept listening, and even started dancing until the song was over. Vinyl must be rubbing off on me. Lyra assumed, and hastily walked out the door.