//------------------------------//
// Closure. 
// Story: Vinyl Secret. 
// by Proud Blank Flank 
//------------------------------//


Chapter 5: Closure.


Vinyl Scratch's whole life at this point was a lie. She wanted nothing more but to be a normal pony and Star Shy kept that from her. Vinyl ran and sobbed all the way to the train station. She avoided looking at anypony. She didn't want anyone to realize her horrendous secret that now, even she had to hide.
The filly stood at the train station, looking directly at the floor the whole time. She had already bought her ticket to Canterlot upon arriving. Tears continued dripping from her eyes and She no longer wore her goggles. The train arrived to take Vinyl to Canterlot.
She used her job earnings to pay for a secluded room. She needed to be alone for the remainder of the trip. She thought about what her life would be like if the incident in Manehatten had never happened. Vinyl promised herself that after she saw her parents, she would expose her secret.

The train came to a stop in Canterlot. Vinyl Scratch composed herself and exited the train. She went over the address to her parents in her head. This was a problem for Vinyl. Vinyl has no knowledge of Canterlot and it's streets. She would have to ask for directions. She spotted a colt in a uniform selling train tickets outside the gates of the station. 
Vinyl exited the station and walked up to the colt, keeping her head down. She asked him where the address would be. He pointed his off to the left and told her that the residence is a few blocks that way.  Vinyl thanked the colt and galloped away.
Finally, she found the address she was looking for. Nervously, she knocked on the door.  A light blue filly with white mane answered the door.
“Hello, May I help. . . you. . .” asked the home owner. 
“Mother?” Vinyl whispered, looking directly into the eyes of the stranger.
“Vinyl. . . Is it. . .Is that you?”
“Yes. . . Yes it's me mom.” 
“H-Honey get over here!” she turned and yelled.
“What is it?” a white colt with light blue man said, appearing behind Vinyl's mother.
“It's Vinyl.” she answered.
The colt peered over her mothers shoulder. “Vinyl. . .? Vinyl!”
“Hi, Dad.” Vinyl said with a smile on her face and tears on her cheeks.
The reunion started with hugs and kisses. Vinyl was invited into their home and welcomed to stay. She couldn't though and she knew it.
“I can't stay. They know I'm here. We could all be in danger.” Vinyl explained.
They knew this too. Her parents were told not to talk to Vinyl and that rule had been broken.
Vinyl sat upon the couch and so did her parents. There was something that bugged her.
“Why did you guys agree to stay away from me. . .” She asked. She felt unloved and unwanted despite their joy to see her.
“We had too, Vinyl. They told us that if we were to speak to you, it would confuse you and mess with your brain.” her mother explained.
“It was hard for us, Vinyl. We didn't want to say goodbye, but we didn't want you to die either.” said her father.
Her mother placed her hoof on Vinyl's back. “We did it because we love you.”
Vinyl sniffled then smiled. She hugged her mother and father in a group hug. Her parents wanted to celebrate their daughter's return. They both insisted on going into town and picking up a few things in order to make Vinyl dinner. Vinyl hated the idea at first but her parents promised she would be safe, and as an added measure; they would lock all the windows and doors before leaving, which they did. Her parents left Vinyl alone in the house. Vinyl spent her time in the guest room thinking about her new , normal, life. She wanted to stay here with her parents forever, however; it wasn't an option. 

A knock on the door was heard. Vinyl got up, suspicious of who could be knocking. She had an idea of course, but if it was Star, this was her chance to finally end it. Vinyl opened the door slowly and she was right.
Star Shy kicked open the door. Vinyl backed away very quickly. 
“You're so predictable, Vinyl.” Star mumbled with the device in her mouth. She released it from her mouth and held it in her hoof.
“What is that?” Vinyl asked and stopped moving.
“It's an EMP. It's small, so I have to be in within a close range of you. It's designed to disable your brain, allowing me enough time to bring you back to Manehatten for reprogramming.”
“Why can't you just leave me alone??” Vinyl stomped.
“Because, we still need results.” Star answered.
“Results for what?”
“I told you already. We need your data in order to create artificial intelligence. That's why we repaired you.” 
Vinyl didn't want to go back to her life. Vinyl bit her lip and pleaded. “Please don't do this. . .”
Star Shy placed the EMP on the floor and held her hoof over it. “I have to. Your brain will help future generations.”
Star Shy's hoof fell.
“Wait!” Vinyl yelled. Star Shy stopped right before her hoof activated the device. 
“What?” 
“Remember how you used to tell me you became a doctor in order to help others? You wanted to help individuals recover from their accidents and get on with their lives. I thought that's what you wanted. That's the Star Shy I know and love.”
This was true. Star Shy became a medical doctor in order to heal others. Star had betrayed her beliefs and Vinyl for her own career. Star Shy had become so wrapped up in her own lie that she too became someone she wasn't. 
Shame flooded Star's mind. She placed her off down away from the EMP and hung her head. “You're right. . . I became so obsessed with the project that I forgot why I became a doctor in the first place. . .” said Star.
“But I have to do this. . .” she added.
“Star, Please, No.” Vinyl pleaded and cringed down to the floor.
Star Shy stomped her hoof down on the EMP.