//------------------------------// // Chapter 8: Hearths Warming Eve // Story: The Scratch Ends Here // by TigerSwirl448 //------------------------------// Chapter 8 Hearths Warming Eve The buzzing sound of her phone woke Octavia. She rolled over to look at the clock that sat on the coffee table to see that it was five in the morning. She groaned then reached next to the clock to pick up her phone. She opened the phone to see a picture of Beauty Brass as the caller ID. “Do you have any idea what time it is?" Octavia whined into the speaker. She could hear Vinyl groan as she rolled over on her back, starting to snore obnoxiously loud. Octavia reached her hoof over to close Vinyl's mouth, hearing the unicorn giggle, opening her eyes. "I'm sorry to wake you up Octavia, but I have some news that you need to hear." Brass said hurriedly. Octavia sighed rubbing her eyes again, yawning. "What news?" She said while yawning, too tired to be polite. Vinyl groaned again watching as Octavia’s face went from tired to shock. "WHAT!" Vinyl sat up at the tone. "What do you mean he's going to court?" Octavia turned to see Vinyl mouthing, "Who?" Octavia waved her hoof at Vinyl to be quite. "A Will? What kind of Will? Brass sounded frantic on the other line. "Listen to me, it turned out that Vinyl had a Will made and it seems that a story writer from the Equestria Daily Magazine got a copy of Vinyl's Will. Her agent went to court to validate that everything that belonged to Vinyl is now his." Octavia turned to Vinyl to see her staring at her curiously. "Just one moment Brass," She pressed her hoof on the mouth piece and turned to Vinyl. "Vinyl, did you already make a Will?" Vinyl looked at her with bafflement. "No!" She said shaking her head. "I haven’t even made one yet." "Brass said that your agent has went to court trying to pass everything that was written in your Will to him." Vinyl looked spooked. "I never signed a Will! Heck, I don't even have one!" "Well you do now and it's in the news right now... Oh Brass sorry what did you say?" Vinyl started to think wondering when she ever signed a Will. She signed many things without thinking but this was ridiculous. "Wait, what did you just say?" Octavia's voice cracked in shock. Vinyl gulped getting more worried. "Wait, wait, wait, let me get this straight." She said out loud so Vinyl could hear. "You’re telling me that Vinyl made a Will stating that everything she owns will go to him if she dies?" Vinyl gasped her mouth dropping open. "Everything? Even her bank account?" "Everything, darling, everything! There was a big talk about it that even everything she earned from her recent CD will be his. All the money, everything! Do you even know how rich Vinyl is right now? She's a millionaire now!” Octavia turned to Vinyl with a spooked expression seeing Vinyl trying to think. "Vinyl? A millionaire?" Vinyl felt her mouth drop open again. "Really?" She whispered in shock. Octavia nodded pointing to her phone. Vinyl groaned falling on her back from the shock. She's a millionaire now? "Well I might have exaggerating the amount money she has.” Octavia made a deadpanned expression with a face hoof hearing Brass chuckling nervously. “Anyway, Octavia, this is serious. Ponies are now finding this very unusual and making him the number one suspect of a possible murder trial. It turns out our old friend... you remember Gregory Gavel right?" "Yes, he was our old friend from college, why?" "Well he has been on that stallion’s case for years and he's the one that called out that he had done the same thing with his last five clients." "Really?" Octavia asked patting Vinyl on her shoulder. "Yes, it turned out that surprisingly his five clients also had written their Wills stating that all of their money, everything they own, will go to him. Many of the family members of the five clients were somehow out of the wills. There were no objections because, well, they were dead. So if anyone lived, they can revoke the will. Do you understand what I'm saying? Without Vinyl-" "He will win and get what he wants. With Vinyl alive she can make a new Will to cancel this one and he won't get anything!" Octavia grinned at Vinyl seeing her sit up staring at her. "Exactly my point. But this judge who liked Gregory said that he won't pass anything unless he has a body or proof of life from Vinyl. So far everypony that is working for Vinyl's agent are searching for her all over Canterlot. Equestria Daily is the only news group that's keeping a close tabs on the case. Octavia, I fear for you and Vinyl right now. There are good and bad ponies looking for her." Octavia nodded with a sigh. "I know. Are there any clues pointing that we left the city?" Vinyl gulped at the thought. "I don’t know dear, they might be thinking of leaving soon. But since most of Canterlot is under snow drifts it'll take them a while to do more searching, especially in this weather. Are you thinking of anything right now?" Octavia paused thinking hard, she looked to Vinyl to see her staring back at her. Octavia sighed. "After the holidays, once this snow is under control, I'll take a trip to Canterlot and talk to Gregory." She turned seeing Vinyl shaking her head. Octavia shushed her. "Oh no, not you, I was talking to Vinyl. But yes, I'll be there in the beginning of the New Year. I'll ask Lyra if she would come with me. She's concerned about Vinyl as well." "Octavia..." Brass's voice was soft and worried. "Did you learn what happened to Vinyl?" Octavia blinked turning to Vinyl with sad eyes. "Yes, I did." "What happened?" Octavia took a while to answer trying to think of the better way to say this. "Brass, she was taken advantage of, that's all. She was cruelly treated and if this... Stallion thinks he can get away with it then he'll have to face me in court. Because not only are we going to fight for this Will battle, but also we're going to finally put him in the open and show Equestria his crimes and locked him away for good." She turned to Vinyl again to see her shaking her head mouthing the words, "NONONONONONO!" "Well I better get going Octavia, we have a rehearsal today downstairs and I have to get ready. Stay warm and stay safe." Octavia smiled. "I will, and you stay warm and tell me if anything else develops. Bye." Octavia sighed closing her phone then turned to Vinyl. "You can stop that now." Octavia said flatly. Vinyl has her eyes squeezed shut, she was pulling her ears, and still mouthing "No!" shaking her head. She stopped to glare at her. "Why did you do that for?" She asked with worry. "Vinyl this is serious. Tell me the truth, did you sign anything that resembles a Will." "I don’t even know what a will looks like, Tavi." Octavia sighed face hoofing. "Did you sign anything?" "Well yeah, a lot of things." "Without reading them?" Vinyl blushed. "Well I did, then he ordered me to just sign it, then I signed it, that's it." Octavia’s lessened her glare and sighed rubbing her eyes. "I'm sorry." Octavia whispered with a sigh feeling another headache coming. "No... I'm sorry. You were right about him from the beginning Octavia. I was just too naïve to see it." Octavia hugged Vinyl, kissing her on the cheek. "Don’t worry, we'll fix this." Vinyl sniffed. "How? I'm screwed, big time." Octavia moved away to get a better look at Vinyl's face and eyes. "We'll figure something out. First and foremost we need to get you walking and strong again. Then we'll have that party to go to. Then by the end of winter, I'll go to Canterlot to get more information on what to do. Then by that time we'll have to reveal you to the world that you are alive and ready to fight for your life." Vinyl gulped at the thought and nodded. "Okay Tavi. But how can I stand up to him ... he took everything away from me. Even my spirit." Octavia sighed softly, looking at Vinyl’s long mane, thinking. "Don’t worry, we'll get you back on your hooves in no time. But first," Octavia looked at Vinyl's tail to see it in mats and dirty. "We need to get you cleaned up before the party. It’s a week away and you don’t want to look messy or you've been stuck in a basement for three months." Vinyl made a face looking at the hairs of her mane. "What's wrong with my mane?" "It's been a long while since you've seen a mane stylist hmm?" "So?" Octavia gave her a deadpan look, "Fine," "First and foremost, let's get you walking and regain the lost muscles in your legs. Then we'll get your mane and tail groomed and fixed up then you’ll be back to your old self in no time." Sure enough after a good trot for an hour around the basement Octavia went upstairs at eight to see Lyra and Bonbon about Vinyl's mane and tail. Bonbon recommended Rarity at the Carousel Boutique to help, but Lyra said that Rarity had problems with her shop and would be unavailable for a while at least. The snow will make things difficult so Octavia asked Lyra to help cut Vinyl's mane but Bonbon took it upon herself to help as well. In the bathroom the three mares went to work on Vinyl's messy mane and tail. To Vinyl's distaste she sat still on a stool as the three mares went to work. "There!" Bonbon said after cutting one last cut on Vinyl’s tail. "Take a look Vinyl. You look like your old self." Vinyl opened her eyes to look into the mirror and smiled fluffing her short mane. "Wow, yeah I guess Tavi was right." She said admiring her old look. "Man I didn’t realize that I needed a haircut that bad." She giggled happily swinging her light weight tail. "Wow, even I have more movement." She blushed turning to her three friends. "Thanks guys. I feel like a new mare." She leaped off the stool and stumbled a touch but managed to regain her balance chuckling seeing their shocked faces. "Oops." "Vinyl!" The three mares scream out. "Don’t scare us like that." Lyra scolded. "You’re not completely back on your hooves yet." "Sorry," Vinyl said chuckling enjoying the feeling of a light tail and mane. Octavia chuckled. "Continue walking around." Octavia turned to Lyra and Bonbon. "Thanks for the help." "Aw, it's no big deal." Lyra said. Bonbon stood to find the flyer Dinky gave to Octavia and gasped. "Are you planning on joining the band at the party, Octavia?" "Huh?" The other three mares asked. Octavia then noticed the flyer Bonbon had on the floor. "Oh that? I was, but up until now I don’t think so." "What band?" Vinyl asked walking over to read the flyer. She grinned after reading it. "Yeah, why not? You're a bad ass cello player what's so hard in playing the violin. I remember you played it sometimes. Do you have it with you?" Vinyl asked seeing the cello case. "Well, um, it's with my cello yes, but after the recent news about the court case and the Will, I don’t think it's a good idea." "Well now wait a second." Lyra said making everypony turn to her. "I mean, isn’t the snow in Canterlot pretty bad still?" The three mares nodded. "And Hearths Warming Eve party isn't until next week, right? So I bet it'll be fun to hear you play your violin at the party, Octavia." "Yeah!" Vinyl cried out smiling. "That will be fun, come on Tavi! Please play, for me?" Vinyl begged showing a puppy pout. Octavia winced turning to see Bonbon holding the flyer with her ears flat on her head with pleading eyes. "Oh um…" She turned to see Lyra traitorously joining their puppy pouts. Octavia groaned with a sigh. "Oh alright, fine I'll do it." "Yes!" Vinyl glomped her to the ground kissing her on the lips, getting a startled look from her marefriend. Lyra and Bonbon were laughing as Octavia pushed Vinyl off of her. "Alright, alright, I'll play. But I don’t play like... the country types." Vinyl scoffed. "Please Filly, you just play the same way you do at your gala parties, but make it faster and higher and well... perkier! Yeah perkier!" Octavia sighed gain and grins. "Alright I'll do it." "I'll call Applejack and tell her about you. Oooh, this is going to be so exciting!" A week later, on Hearth Warming Eve, everypony at the cottage started their Hearth Warming Eve very early since the adults were going to the party that night and the kids will be at home sleeping. Octavia tried to go out to give everypony gifts for a thanks and for the holiday. It was hard to find all the gifts. Octavia gave Lyra a writer’s journal to write music for her Lyre. Bonbon was given a new pot for soups. For Star a book on magic which she adored. For Rain, a small toy flute which it didn't take long before Lyra started to teach her how to blow it properly. For Race, since it was easy to find something for the colt, a comic book which was adapted from the book series called DARING DO. Then for Vinyl, Octavia gave her some new clothes for the party, a dark hoodie to replace her old one and a scarf. Octavia could tell it wasn't what she expected. But Octavia was excited for the next morning because she had a very special present for her in the morning. When the clock struck seven, the four mares got dressed in warm sweaters and scarves and coats to walk to the party. Lyra made sure the children were in their beds before kissing them good night and telling them to behave while they were gone. Downstairs in the basement, Vinyl was excited but nervous to be back outside after practically three months in the basement. Octavia helped her into her new hoodie and wrapped the rosy colored scarf that matched her eyes around her neck. Vinyl blushed then fixed Octavia's pink scarf for her too, to return the favor. "Ready?" Lyra called from upstairs. "Yeah, we're on our way up!" Octavia called. She turned to retrieve her violin when she stopped to see Vinyl holding it for her. She grinned. "Ready?" She asked. Octavia nodded admiring Vinyl from her position, she looked just like her old self except for one missing piece. "What?" Vinyl asked looking at herself, wondering if there was something on her hoodie. "Nothing,” Octavia said smiling. “It's a shame that you lost your sunglasses. You look naked without them. You always wore them outside." Vinyl stuck out her tongue at her. "Says you." Octavia chuckled taking the violin case and started up the stairs. Vinyl gulped staring at the steps. She practiced on them before but it still tired her out. She shook her head at the scary thoughts and started to climb up one step at a time. Octavia waited at the top of the stairs smiling warmly as Vinyl finally reached the top panting. "Made it!" She cheered. Octavia chucked and flicked her tail at her nose getting a smirk in response. The two trotted after Lyra and Bonbon out the door into the snow. As they walked, Vinyl smiled in awe seeing that the clouds were gone showing a beautiful star pelted sky. "Wow, I forgot how many stars were out here." She whispered with nostalgia remembering the star filled sky from her childhood. Octavia nodded looking up to see the stars, too. "Yes, it is amazing. Princess Luna sure made a masterpiece tonight." Vinyl trotted up so she could walk beside her marefriend feeling her warmth through her hoodie. They followed Lyra and Bonbon out of town to the apple orchard. Octavia was amazed at the amount of trees in the orchard. Vinyl chuckled seeing her reaction. "Cool huh?" She asked. "Oh yes it sure is amazing." There was a sign on the fence with a huge red arrow pointing to the entrance to the orchard. The four continued to walk through the trail until they could see many more ponies from Ponyville walking over saying their holiday greetings and introductions were made. At first Octavia and Vinyl were concerned about Bonbon openly introducing them to the neighbors. Many have heard the news about Vinyl's disappearance and expressed their worry. But after meeting so many ponies with smiles on their faces, their worries started to ease. They reached the farm and they can see the lights were on inside the large barn. The four mares went inside to be greeted with warmth, light, happiness, and not to mention the smells of food! Octavia felt her mouth drop open at the amount of apple based foods at the buffet table. A lot of ponies were dressed in sweaters, scarves, hoodies; everypony dressed warm. There were some heavy coats hanging on pegs by the door with snow boots and shoes under the coats. Octavia pulled off her heavy coat to hang it on a vacant hook, she kept her red sweater on since the bar was still a mite chilly. Lyra and Bonbon did the same, hanging their heavy coats. Lyra was dressed in a dark green hoodie as Bonbon wore a red and green sweater. Vinyl kept her hoodie on with that huge smile on her face seeing the large barn. "Howdy!" The four turned to see an orange earth mare with a Stetson hat walk up. She was dressed in a light jacket with a green scarf. "Welcome to the Hearths Warming Eve party. Nice to see you Lyra, Bonbon." Lyra and Bonbon smiled in greeting to the mare. "Applejack, how has everything been since the storm?" Lyra asked. Applejack sat down rubbing the back of her head. "Well the pig barn lost its roof. Luckily we had the pigs moved to this barn before the storm so nothing horrible happened. But other than that everything here is pretty well. I heard about your store, it's a right shame." She said with a frown of concern. Bonbon shrugged. "We were just lucky that the roof only collapsed in the kitchen and not the whole shop like other places." Applejack nodded in understanding. "Well if there is anything you need let me know, ya hear?" Lyra nodded. "Thank you, Applejack." Applejack grinned then turned to Octavia and Vinyl. "Hmm I don’t think I've seen you two before." She pointed at Vinyl. "You do look very familiar. Have we met somewhere before?" Vinyl grinned. "Applejack, you mean you forgot me? Come on take a guess." Applejack stared at the white unicorn for a while until Vinyl pulled back on her hood fixing her mane grinning. Applejack blinked in shock. "Vinyl Scratch? Is that you?" "Yep, in the flesh." Vinyl said tapping her chest with her hoof to prove her point. Applejack pulled off her hat scratching her mane. "Aw geez Vinyl. It's been so long. Boy and the news spreading about you being missin' and all…. Wait a minute! How long have you been gone fer?" Vinyl sighed. "I'm trying to get away from someone, alright. I was poisoned and if it weren’t for Octavia I would probably be dead right now. We’re just trying to lie low for a while. So can't you um…. You know, not speak so much about me?" Applejack nodded with concern placing her hat back on her head. "Of course I won't, Sugarcube. Besides, many folks here were worried sick about you. Shoot, even Ditzy sure was worried." Vinyl snapped her attention to Applejack with worry. "You mean Derpy? Where is she?" Applejack shrugged. "I haven’t seen her yet. She might not be coming this year ‘cause of the storm and the mail that was backed up, you know. Or uh did you already know she's a mail mare?" Vinyl nodded. "Yeah... Wow," "I hate to interrupt but who is Derpy?" Octavia asked with a blush. Applejack smiled. "Aw that's her nickname she got at school. Her real name is Ditzy Doo she runs the Post Office in town and part time Weather patrol pegasus." Applejack looked sad as she looked at the medium sized crowd. "Actually all the weather pegasi in town are also gone." She stomped on the ground with a glare of disappointment. "Drat, I was so excited to go against Rainbow Dash in a pie eating contest. But it looks like we will have to wait until another time." Vinyl grinned licking her lips. "Mmm, apple pie sounds great right now." She gasped. "Oh hey AJ I’ll like to introduce you to my marefriend, Octavia." Octavia blushed as Applejack blushed. "Uh Vinyl that was a little too strong of an introduction." Octavia said flatly making Vinyl blush too. "Oh oops." Applejack started to chuckle. "Ma’am, Vinyl was always too strong." She blinked remembering the name. "Ah so you’re Octavia that Bonbon told me about?" She looked her up and down. "So you have some experience in fiddling?" "Well I play the Violin but I can do some... fiddling with it." Applejack didn’t seem like she believed her. Vinyl stepped up. "Hey AJ just let her try. I begged her to play tonight so please let her play. Put her up with any other fiddler, yeah make it a fiddle battle." "What?" Octavia exclaimed seeing Applejack smiling. "You know, get her used to the ways and get her moving and that will make everypony want to watch. How ‘bout it AJ, come on. It'll be fun." Applejack started to smile and then she started to laugh. "Aw shoot why not. It sounds like it'll be fun to watch and dance to. Of course if you're alright with this Octavia." Octavia looked at AJ to see her worried. She turned to see Vinyl smiling at her. Octavia sighed then nodded. "Alright, it's going to happen anyway." "YES!" Vinyl whooped getting looks from other ponies. "This is going to be fun!" Applejack nodded and patted Octavia on the back. "I'll get you when we're ready. For right now drink some cider and have some treats and find a place to sit. Enjoy yourselves." Vinyl voiced her thanks and ran to the buffet table to pick her first treat. Octavia chuckled shaking her head turning back to Applejack. "Thank you, Applejack." Applejack shook her head. "Nah, I should be thanking you." Octavia blinked in confusion. "For what?" She asked. Applejack pointed to Vinyl as she sat down with Lyra and Bonbon eating with them. "You might not know this sugarcube, but Vinyl was a very good friend of mine when we were fillies. I was sad to have left school to work on the farm full time. When she left, I never got the chance to say good luck and good bye to her." Octavia noticed the sad look in her green eyes. She smiled happily turning to Octavia. "I thank you for helping her when she needed it most. You must be a very true friend to her." Octavia nodded. "Well of course I am, I mean I love her to death. I would be dying myself if she was dead." Octavia felt Applejack placing her hoof on her shoulder with a stern look. "If you need anything at all, you let me know." "Oh, um, of course Applejack. And I thank you for letting me join your um band as it were." Applejack chuckled. "I'll go tell my cousin that she’ll have a partner. She’ll be excited to meet you. Have fun.” Applejack trotted away nodding a hello to a couple of unicorns before disappearing into the crowd, leaving Octavia to pounder on what she just heard. After finding herself a portion of food, Octavia sat down with her friends hearing the band playing a small song. On front of the stage was a dance floor where ponies were dancing. The ponies at the tables watched as the dancers danced with the song. Dancing with a partner the couple would dance around a circle and start twirling and stomping hard on the floor with the beat. Then suddenly a yellow earth pony with a green mane styled in pigtails let out a whoop stomping hard playing her fiddle the way Octavia plays, standing on her hind legs. The dancing started getting faster and many were hooting and hollering for more. Octavia was smiling and stomping with the rest of the audience as the music beat went faster and everypony cheering, whistling and hollering. Octavia turned to see Vinyl with her eyes closed stomping her hoof to the ground. Lyra chuckled grabbing Bonbon’s hoof and pulled her over so they too could dance with the ponies. Once they got the steps down they were soon merged with the dancers. Octavia turned her attention to the band to see a stallion playing a small piano bobbing his head to the beat. There was a small drum set with a mare playing on it. There was another mare playing a banjo with a younger mare playing a mandolin. An older stallion plays a guitar and then the yellow and green mare played the fiddle. Octavia even can see a young colt playing with some spoons bouncing them on his knee. "Here we go now!" The fiddler screamed out as she started a fast solo. Ponies were cheering as the music went faster. "YEEHAW!" The band cheered with the crowd as they continues stomping or dancing. Octavia was blown away by the performance and started to shake. She couldn't play that well. She felt somepony touch her arm making her squeak in alarm turning to see Vinyl grinning. "Hey, no sweat it Tavi, you'll do great." Octavia gulped drinking her drink clearing her throat. The fiddler pony turned to see Applejack telling her to wind it down. The fiddler nodded. "Alright boys another round, Woo!" She called playing another verse. The music went quick again then it started to slow with the fiddler pulling the bow down the strings lower and lower. The drums rolled as she goes to the lowest cord then went high holding that note making everypony cheer, drummer hit the cymbals the music ends. Everypony on the dance floor and at the tables all cheer and whoop, applauding for the performance. The fiddler bowed to the crowd then waved her hoof to show the band and whooped as Applejack and red stallion walked on stage. Applejack patted the fiddle on the back retrieving the microphone as the large red stallion balanced a tray of drinks on his back letting the band members drink their fill and rest for a moment. "Alright, give it up to our entertainment Filly’s and Gentlecolts." The crowd applauded as the band drank and waved to the crowd smiling. Applejack winked at the crowd only to Octavia. "That's you!" Vinyl whispered as Lyra and Bonbon walked back to the table sweating from the dance. Octavia gulped and nodded holding her violin case close to her as she trotted to the stage. "Tonight my cousin Red Delicious couldn't come tonight so we were one short of a fiddler her in the band. So I sent out flyer which I'm sure many of you have seen last week. Well no worries everypony 'cause I found me a pony to play. Now she's new her in town so let's give her a big Ponyville welcome to Octavia!" The crowd applauded as Octavia leapt on the stage pulling off her sweater knowing she would get hot quickly. She decided to leave her scarf on knowing that having something around her neck will make her comfortable. She trotted over and smiled shyly as the crowd cheered for her. Applejack winked at her and motioned her to get ready. She nodded and opened her case to pull out her old violin and started tuning it as Applejack continued talking. "Now that was a fine welcome folks. And so it's only fitting since every year my cousins battle it for fun so we're going to continue the tradition tonight on this stage. That’s right folks, my cousin Apple Fritter will play with the Canterlot Mare musician, Octavia!" The crowd gasped and were in awe hearing Octavia's title. Octavia turned to who must be Apple Fritter to see her grinning as if excited. Octavia grinned back with a gulp pulling her scarf to loosen it a bit. "Now we're going to let these two and the band prepare for another set so get ready fillies." Applejack called hearing applauds for the two fiddlers. Applejack took the microphone and stand and took it to the side so she could talk to Octavia. Octavia gulped feeling sweat. "You alright?" Applejack asked smiling. "I've never played in front of this type of audience before. I was always in a garden party or a gala where nopony even looked at the musicians, just listening to it." Applejack chuckled. "Well this is the fun for it. Here outside of those big hoity, toity cities, ponies want to watch you play. Just play and let your heart and spirit take form." "Like I do with my cello?" Applejack patting her on the back. "Now you got it. Play as if you're playing with your cello. But a warning though, I suggest you let Fritter play first to set the mood. Then once the beat is set the band will play but they will be expecting you to take the next turn." "Meaning?" Octavia asked feeling afraid as she watched Apple Fritter tuning her fiddle preparing for the duel. "Look just let the music take you. In a fiddle match one of you plays first. Since Apple Fritter’s more accustomed to this sort of thing, she'll go first. Then you should go after her when she pauses. You have to play when she makes that pause. Then well... it gets exciting after that. Trust me sugarcube no sweat." Applejack trotted across the stage to talk to Apple Fritter and her band. Octavia snorted. "Easy for you to say." She sighed seeing Vinyl, Lyra and Bonbon watching the stage excited. "It's now or never, Octavia." She took in a breath then exhaled. She walked out on stage with a gulp and stood up on her hind legs and stood firm, ready. Apple Fritter nodded to Applejack getting a hug from her. Applejack smiled at Octavia as she took the microphone. Everypony went silent as the band ran to their positions with their instruments, sitting down ready to play. This confused Octavia. Shouldn’t it just be her and Applejack’s cousin playing? "Fillies and Gentlecolts, it is time for the show of the season!" The crowd cheered ready for action. Octavia gulped turning to see the barn door opening as a bunch of pegasi were walking in silently. Many ponies turn and smile seeing their pegasi friends coming in. Octavia noticed a familiar teenage unicorn mare she met at the post office there. Dinky Doo saw Octavia and waved her hoof in the air. Octavia winked in response, smiling getting ready. A gray pegasus with a blue scarf ushered the young unicorn and an older unicorn to a table to watch. "We have on this side of the stage, my cousin and the best fiddler on this side of the Everfree Forest, Apple Fritter!" Applejack pointed at the mare as everypony cheered. Apple Fritter stood up on her hind legs grinning at Octavia ready to play. Octavia gulped then smiled at the crowd. "And on this side of the stage, a new resident to Ponyville, a pure cellist and violinist from Canterlot, give it up for Miss Octavia!" The crowd let out a cheer, stomping for her. Octavia could hear Vinyl screaming her heart out jumping up and down. Applejack let out a cheer herself. "Alright ladies be prepared. And don’t forget this is for fun so don’t kill each other up here." Applejack said winking at her cousin to see her wink back with a smirk. Octavia noticed this, “What are you lot planning?” She whispered to herself trying to figure out a secret she wasn’t told about. Applejack started off the stage, but motioned for another pony to come up. A young yellow mare with a red mane ran up with some kind of flute and sat down with the pianist waiting. Octavia noticed a small bow on her head. Apple Fritter grinned as the crowd start to calm down. She winked at Octavia then started playing slowly then she clears her throat. "Are you ready?" She screamed out causing Octavia to jump. The crowd answered back with cheers. "I can’t hear you!" The crowd cheered louder, causing the mare to smile. "That's what I was thinking." She stomped her hoof down twice then she starts playing a fast pace song. Octavia listened carefully getting the tempo. Suddenly an old memory resurfaced, she knew this piece! Octavia listened nodding with a growing smile. Vinyl gasped and grins. "Ha, she’s got this." She said grinning. "Well she should," Applejack said standing by them grinning. "Why you say that?" Lyra asked curiously. Applejack chuckles. "Apple Fritter is playing popular song that uses the fiddle. It's called Midsummer’s Night or something like that. Anyway, most fiddlers should know this song.” Vinyl grinned. "Wait so the band will play off of them because they know the song?" Vinyl asked smiling. "Eeyup. By the look on Octavia's face I say she knows this song, too." Octavia nodded a couple of times placing her chin on the violin and slowly started playing then she joined Apple Fritter into the song. The world flew away from Octavia, no worries, no satisfying people, just playing an old favorite from her childhood. She couldn’t stop the huge smile stretching her lips as she played. She even did the unthinkable, she started tapping her hoof on the stage as Apple Fritter was laughing. Octavia looked behind her to notice that the band had started playing with them. The relaxed tones of the song were refreshing for Octavia, who would never hear them in the Canterlot Orchestra. It was an interesting and refreshing change. Octavia looked down to realize ponies were dancing to the jig. She looked down to see Lyra and Bonbon dancing too, laughing with smiles on their faces. Suddenly without word from Apple Fritter with her eyes closed Octavia played a solo. Apple Fritter nodded watching her as the crowd cheered for her. Then Apple Fritter placed her fiddle back on her chin ready motioning the flute to play then she started playing a couple of notes letting Octavia take the spotlight. Many of the ponies started dancing again to the fast pace song and the flute player. Then she joined again, strongly taking the lead Octavia smiled seeing her wink and the two players played together as the crowd cheers again Apple Fritter let out a yell enjoying the sound they were making together. Octavia let out a whoop with her laughing. They played the same long loop three more times with the flute, accordion, mandolin, guitarist and drummer playing in harmony together until finally Apple Fritter mouthed "STOP!" And Octavia nodded and the two fiddlers stopped on one note ending the song for good getting cheers from the audience screaming for more. Apple Fritter and Octavia looked at one another smiling. The two mares hugged, getting more cheers. "You’re not bad for a Canterlot filly." Apple Fritter said out loud for ponies to hear. "You can sure play a mean fiddle." Octavia blushed laughing. "Well I sure do say, I haven’t played Midsummer’s Night since I was in grade school. I had to learn that piece so I could join the music club." Apple Fritter laughed with Octavia as Applejack trotted up the stairs. "Let’s give it up to Apple Fritter and Octavia!" Everypony cheered for more music making Applejack laugh. "Let's also give a round of applauds to my little sis on her first concert debut, Apple Bloom on the penny flute." Octavia turned to see the pony with the fife blush as she bowed to the crowd. "Well lookie there, looks like all of Ponyville wants to hear more. I sure do. But not right now folks. We have a special fun song to make you laugh till you cry. We’ll be taking a short break first so one last time. Give it up for Apple Fritter, Octavia, and the whole band here, y'all." Once the applauding seized Octavia sat down for a second to slow her beating heart. It was amazing playing like that again. She hadn't played like that with a violin since she started taking on roles for the cello and had to forget being 'fun and perky' as Vinyl called it. She might just have to play this violin, or no, the “fiddle” again soon. Vinyl ran over to give her a hug. "Not what I was expecting, but it awesome either way." Octavian nodded. "I thought so, too." "Actually," Vinyl and Octavia turned to see Apple Fritter again. "After Applejack said you were new here and probably not well known for our style of music she told me just to play slow and have fun. So yeah it really wasn't a battle but since we know you can play like us country folk perhaps next year if you want to join us we'll have that battle." Octavia grins standing up facing Apple Fritter. "I thank you for doing that for me. I would love to have a proper duel with you next year." Apple Fritter laughed. "Yep that would be a duel for the ages. But we are planning on playing this hilarious song and we would like you to join us. You see we need five mares with the five stallions in the song." "Why?" Vinyl asked in confusion. Apple Fritter winked at her. "It's a play that has to have people singing certain parts of the song." "What?" Octavia asked in shock. "I don’t think I can sing." "Oh it's fine, besides all us girls are going to be singing together with the boys anyway. Just listen to the song, you might know it." "If I don't?" "Don’t worry, I might be singing with you so no problem." "Singing what?" "It's a surprise silly. Don’t worry, you and I will be singing together ‘cause we're the fiddles." Apple Fritter gasped. "Oh, almost forgot, come with me and I'll introduce you to the band real fast." Octavia nodded and trotted over. Apple Fritter could see that everypony was getting the stage ready for the show. Apple Fritter started introducing Octavia to the players playing the instruments. Apple Fritter then spotted Applejack talking to a rainbow maned pegasus and a purple unicorn. "Applejack?" Applejack turned to Fritter with a grin. "What's up?" "Oh, I thought I'd take a gander at the song. Since I know the song by heart." "Me too!" The Rainbow pegasus called out laughing with glee. Applejack turned to her with a glare. "Of course you do." Applejack said sarcastically. "Hey!" "Girls!" The purple unicorn called out causing the two to go silent. She smiled turning back to Apple Fritter and Octavia. "That was great show you two did. Great job." Octavia blushed as Apple Fritter said thanks. "Yeah, you two were awesome!" The pegasus said grinning. "Well we learned from Applejack that you’re new in Ponyville. I'm Rainbow Dash. That's Twilight Sparkle." "Twilight Sparkle?" Octavia asked. "The Twilight Sparkle?" Twilight blushed. "Yes I am. I believe I know you, too. You're Octavia, I remembered hearing about your ensemble making a stop here, but I had to miss the show. But I heard of your music and what I saw tonight, nothing can change the fact that you are a good musician." Octavia smiled. "Thank you. I'm happy that you enjoyed the show." "So um," Apple Fritter interrupted looking at Applejack. "What are your friends doing here?" "I asked them if they know the song since Core and Jump are too shy to sing so they asked to have replacement while they play their instruments." "And you?" Fritter asked. "Oh I wanted to join for fun. Besides I love playing this song even if Buck is singing verse two." On cue the mares turned to see a dark brown stallion with a black mane. His cutie mark was a rodeo barrel. He turned and grinned winking at them. "Uh, coltfriend?" Vinyl asked suddenly making Octavia gasp jumping away. "Vinyl!" She scolded getting a look of shock from Vinyl. "What?" This was answered by laughs. Applejack stomped on the stage to get the mares attention. "Alright girls, get ready." Vinyl giggled and kissed Octavia on the cheek making her blush. "Good luck, Tavi." Vinyl said before running off the stage. Octavia sighed shaking her head. Apple Fritter reached for her fiddle and glanced at Octavia. "She’s cute." She was answered by Octavia's blush making her laugh. Applejack walked up with a microphone again with a large grin as another pony set up another microphone on one side of the stage where there were five stallions standing by grinning, fixing their clothes that look like costumes. A sixth stallion climbed up the stage and stood behind the five stallions. Octavia turned to see nothing on the mares besides a sweater or a scarf. Octavia gulps turning back to the table to see no Vinyl. Lyra and Bonbon were giggling and waving at Octavia. Octavia quirked her brow wondering where Vinyl was and hoping she was doing okay. Applejack cleared her throat. "Alright Fillies and Gentlecolts, time for one of our favorite times of the night. Tonight we sing a funny tune that will make you laugh till your sides break open from the laughs. So without further ado, Seven Drunken Nights." The crowd applauded. Apple Fritter winked at Octavia as she start playing a small set of notes on the fiddle with the drums beating. Then as suddenly as it began it ended. Octavia watched the show from behind everypony on stage were laughing at the oddball song. The six stallions sing about one of the days of the week and discovering a strange item in their house. And the song goes to a mare at the other microphone as they sing the chorus that their husband was drunk and didn’t see clearly that the object was from their mother not a second lover. Octavia couldn’t help but laugh with the audience at the hilarious stanzas the stallions sang and what the mares sing in return. First it was a strange cart outside, second was a new coat hanging on the door, third was a pipe on a chair, and the fourth were a pair of boots. The “wives” played by the mares would answer by saying that the cart was a cow with a yolk, the second was supposed to be a blanket with buttons, third was a tin whistle with tobacco in it, then the fourth was a pair of cooking pots. Then Octavia was told to step up with the last stallion in the cloak. Octavia noticed Fritter taking her place playing the fiddle. The sixth stallion started his part. Well as I came home on a Friday night As drunk as drunk could be Octavia couldn’t help but snicker away from the microphone hearing the stallion's cracking singing voice as he added a tongue roll to the “Friday” and “Drunk” then adding the comical swoon. I saw a head upon the bed Where my blue head should be. The stallion pulled off his hood to reveal himself with everypony howling with laughter pointing at him. But Octavia's mouth dropped open seeing that the stallion was Vinyl grinning at her, singing the song! Vinyl took the microphone with her magic walking to Octavia with fake scowl on her face, but it was too hard to see it as a scowl because Vinyl was giggling and smiling as she sang her next line. Well I called my wife and said to her "Would you kindly tell to me?" The stallions pointed at Octavia as they sang the next line. "Who owns that head upon the bed?" The stallions paused and let Vinyl pat her head emphasizing her point. "Where my blue head should be." Remembering the words to the chorus Octavia began to sing with the other singers. Ah, you're drunk your drunk you silly old fool. Still you cannot see! That’s a baby boy that my mother sent to me When it's many a day I travel a hundred miles or more A baby boy with his whiskers on, sure, I never saw before. Octavia and Vinyl sang the last line together. A baby boy with his whiskers on, sure, I never saw before. Everypony cheered as the song ended. Octavia looked at Vinyl and gave her a hug being Applejack took the microphone pointing at them. "Octavia Melody and Vinyl Scratch everypony!" Octavia and Vinyl laughed and hugged each other tightly as the crowd continued to cheer. * * * * * * Even after that performance, Octavia was called back up stage to play more with the band as Vinyl talked to Lyra and Bonbon even with other ponies who recognized her. They all swore, under the guidance of Pinkie Pie, to never tell anypony outside of Ponyville about Vinyl. Vinyl wasn’t sure but was comforted by Pinkie Pie, telling her that no pony could break a Pinkie Promise. It was getting late and it was only Octavia and Apple Fritter playing a duet of fiddles playing a Hearths Warming Eve carol as everypony sang or hummed along as they played softly. Vinyl turned in time to see Dinky being helped into her coat by a pegasus mare. Vinyl stood up and trotted after them out the door. Vinyl trotted after the three ponies. "Hey! Wait a second." The three paused turning around to see Vinyl running up panting. She looked at the pegasus and grinned. The pegasus looked at her for a long moment then her lazy eye started to roll up making Vinyl giggle behind her hoof. The elder unicorn was ready to confront Vinyl but the pegasus stopped her shaking her head. "But she-" "Sparkler, she's an old friend. You go on ahead and take Dinky home. I'll not take too long." The two unicorns nodded, trotting away to town. The pegasus sat down with a smile. "I thought I recognized you on stage, but I thought that it wasn't true." Vinyl blushed turning away. "I'm sorry... I didn't know-" She stopped feeling the pegasus embrace her in a hug. She smiled hugging her back. The pegasus sat back looking Vinyl over. "Where are your favorite shades? You never take them off." Vinyl blushed turning away. "They got broken a while back." She sighed. "Bad things were going on." The pegasus nodded. "I heard. I look through the mail you know. And I come across many magazines showing your picture and everything." Vinyl turned away. "You must think I'm different huh, Derpy?" Derpy or Ditzy Doo to most, just shrugged her shoulders. "You know me, Vinyl I never judge ponies. But it was a shock reading about you. Are they all true?" Vinyl shrugged. "I don't know anymore." Vinyl sighed looking at her with fresh tears. "I'm scared Ditzy. I'm very scared." She felt the pegasus wrap her arms around her again. "I'm scared too." Vinyl sniffed. "So you know what's going on?" "Yep." "What do you think?" Ditzy shrugged pulling away. "I don’t know, buddy. But all I can say is that something bad is going to happen and there's nothing we can do to stop it." Vinyl felt her ears droop on her head. "That's encouraging. You’re never wrong." She chuckled smiling. "Even when you said I'll go high you truly meant it. I did go higher than any pony could." She frowned kicking a clump of snow away from her hoof. "That all changed dramatically when things started to happen then..." She leaned over to whisper in Ditzy’s ear. When Vinyl pulled away, Ditzy was in shock staring at her. "A-are you okay?" She asked with concern. Vinyl shook her head wiping her nose on her sleeve. "No, I'm not. Octavia is going to court for this and I just know he's going to hurt her worse than hurting me" She laid down on the ground to cover her eyes with her hooves crying. "He still haunts me in my dreams and I can't stop Octavia from dying!" Ditzy laid down on the cold ground with her friend and held her close letting her cry on her shoulder. "I see her, Ditzy, just staring at me and the blood... so much blood!" Ditzy shushed her softly like she does with her daughters when they were crying. "Why do these things happen to me? Me!" Vinyl cried. "Things happen Vinyl, you know that as well as I do." Vinyl snorted shaking her head. "Not you... you have a great life. You have a family, a good paying job. I'm just a drunk DJ that waits for gigs and gets fucked by her own agent!" Ditzy hugged her friend tighter as Vinyl continued to cry. After a while both of the mares started to shake from the cold. By that time they both sat up. Vinyl sniffed wiping her eyes and nose with her sleeve. Ditzy gave her a kind smile. "Feeling better?" She asked hopeful. Vinyl sniffed. "No." She said bluntly then sighed. "Thank you." Ditzy smiled. "You did the same thing for me remember. When I first started doing this?" She said pointing her hoof to her lazy eye as her eye start to roll to a new position making Vinyl smile. She's the only pony in the world that laughed at that. Ditzy then made a funny face making Vinyl laugh harder with tears of mirth. Once she got control of herself, she sat up wiping her eyes again. "You’re right and since then you always made me smile and then you would tell me to follow my dreams. I just wish I could repay you for what you taught me all those years at school before I left." Ditzy shrugged. "Maybe someday. I better go back home with the girls." She said turning to flap her wigs. "Ditzy!" Vinyl called. Ditzy stopped and turned to see Vinyl grinning. "Us weirdoes have to stick together right?" Ditzy sticks out her tongue at her then laughed as Vinyl chuckled. "See you later Vinyl." She flapped her wings then off she went back to the town, leaving Vinyl sitting on the ground feeling better. It felt good to see an old childhood friend. Octavia walked out of the barn and gasped to find Vinyl looking up at the sky. She trotted over to Vinyl and sat down by her. "Everything alright? You left." Vinyl nodded with a sniff, wiping her eyes. Octavia noticed the tears and hugged her close. Enjoying her warmth, Vinyl snuggled next to her wrapping her arms tightly around Octavia. The couple sat there under the stars for a few minutes. "Hey," The two jumped and turned to see Lyra and Bonbon dressed up win their coats again. "We got your stuff." Lyra said floating the coats towards them. "Ready to go home?" Bonbon asked yawning. The yawn bug was passed to the other three mares causing them to giggle at what just happened. "Yeah, I'm tired." Vinyl said sleepily rubbing her eyes yawning again. Octavia covered her mouth to hide her second yawn then nodded taking her sweater and coat. "Let's go home."