//------------------------------// // Act V, Chapter I // Story: My Little Clony // by therealfeedback //------------------------------// MY LITTLE CLONY Chapter I, Act V School Is In Session “This is unbelievable.” “What are you whining about now?” Vinyl moaned. “I’m complaining, not whi—“ “Do I honestly look like I care about nitpicking words right now?” she interrupted. “Just answer the question.” “Coming back here of all places, and with you of all ponies, it’s…it’s ridiculous!” “Listen, do you really think I’m any happi—wait, ‘back’? You’ve been here before?” the DJ asked. “Where do you think I learned my craft? I’m not some self-taught ruffian figuring spells out of a streetside flyer, only the finest academy was suitable for my talents.” The unicorn with a huff. “Well excuse me, princess…” Vinyl rolled her eyes, tossing a suitcase onto one of the two beds in the room. “Look, like it or not, you and I are stuck at the School for Gifted Unicorns until we get the signal. We’re supposed to keep an eye out for anything suspicious, so we might as well make the best of it, alright?” “Fine. If you’ll excuse me, I need a walk if you’re going to unpack your…things. The last thing I want is to see your mess while it’s even more of a mess.” Without waiting for a response, she walked out, leaving Vinyl alone in the room. “So much for making the best of it. Great and powerful my ass, that bitch needs to get…” ----------------------------------------------- There was a strange sense of nostalgia as I trotted up and down the halls. I had spent years of my life in here, important years, and it had been so long, yet it all felt familiar. The walls had been repainted, but other than that most of it was intact. It felt like it had been ages since I walked these white halls, the red carpet soft beneath my hooves. It was funny in a way, when I first came here, I thought I knew everything. When I left, I thought that I was a fool then, and that now I knew everything. Even then I was wrong. As much nostalgia as the school brought though, I didn’t want to be here. They may have taught me here, but I hated it. Some ponies like the idea that there are others like themselves, that they fit with a group. I was always told I was special this and that, and that I was great and wonderful, and then I find out that not only were there others like me, there were those better than me. “Not for long though.” I said to myself beneath a chuckle. “I may have worked my ass off, may not have kept any friends from here because of it, but I showed them. I was the best, bar none. Nobody beats the Great and Powerful Trixie when she puts her mind to work.” I laughed again as I said the name. This place was where I first got that nickname. It was something I thought up myself after a talent show in Magic Kindergarten. A nickname I liked. And a nickname I maintained by working. The only way to be powerful in a place full of talented and powerful ponies is to either be a bully, or work yourself insane. I wasn’t stooping as low as to pick on others, but I was willing to go insane. “It all paid off in the end though.” I mused to myself, a grin now on my face as I neared my destination. “Because when graduation day came, every award, every honor, every title, every record, every trophy, every single thing that could possibly be won,” I closed my eyes before walking forwards, relishing that first look when I would open them. I was in the school’s “hall of fame” so to speak – a place where trophies are kept, medals are pinned, photos are hung, and the greatest accomplishments of the school’s students are placed on display for everyone to see. It was the first time I’d stepped in here since graduating. “Every single thing in here…” At that, I opened them. “Was…mine?” ----------------------------------------------- Vinyl grinned as she finished. She had spent the time since Trixie had left decorating her half of their room, adorning her side of the white walls with assorted musical memorabilia, from autographed CDs to a poster of Hoofpac Shakur, and even a gold disc. A keyboard, stereo, and turntable now sat on a once-bare mahogany desk in the corner of the room across from the foot of her bed, and a small plush pony sat on her pillow. She had even put some effort into a peace offering, making up Trixie’s bed and putting a small chocolate bar on her desk for her. Suddenly, the door swung open, nearly hitting her in the face and slamming into the wall behind it, knocking the Hoofpac poster down. A furious-looking Trixie stood in the doorway, walking right by Vinyl without acknowledgement. “Why would you do that?” Vinyl sighed, more sad than angry. “It took forever to get it even…” “Shut up.” Came the reply. “What did I—“ “I said, shut up.” She cut in. “Shut up you useless, overhyped, traveling noise-making buffoon of a unicorn!” “…I thought we were trying to make the best of things?” annoyance began creeping into Vinyl’s voice, as well as her face turning from hurt to anger as she spoke to Trixie, who was now lying on her bed, facing away from the DJ. “I even got you a snack as a gift.” “I don’t want to go eat a Goddamn Snack!” Trixie snapped, turning around to face Vinyl, who could now see that her eyes were red, tears down her face. “I want you to shut up.” “…Um…look, I…I’m not much of the touchy feely type, but you seem…upset?” at that, the magician jumped out of the bed. “Gee, you think?!” with every word, she stepped closer to Vinyl. “I come in here slamming a door, drop onto my bed without a word, snap at you when you try to talk to me, and you think I’m upset?! Goddess, you’re denser than those two idiots in Ponyville!” By now, Trixie was right up against Vinyl, their muzzles scrunching against each other and their horns poking each other. “Um…making the best of it?” she replied meekly, causing Trixie to snort in annoyance. “Well, um…do you want to…talk about it?” the other unicorn spun around, causing her horn to nick Vinyl’s forehead. Although no blood was drawn, it still hurt, causing her to reach up and rub her head. “Ow…” “You wouldn’t understand.” Trixie said. “It’s…a long story.” “Try me. I already set all my stuff up, so I have time.” Trixie let out a sigh, before lowering her head. “…Fine.” She replied. “Just…promise not to laugh?” “I don’t really think this is a laughy kind of mood right now.” Vinyl observed. “I don’t really think I care what kind of mood it is.” Trixie replied. “Alright, fine.” Vinyl said, rolling her eyes. “I won’t laugh. Now can you tell me?”