//------------------------------// // Chapter 9: Let's Get It Started // Story: The Scratch Ends Here // by TigerSwirl448 //------------------------------// Chapter 9 Let's Get It Started After the party a snow storm hit Ponyville, causing Vinyl and Octavia to be stuck in the basement. The pegasi said that there was a problem at the weather factory that was causing the terrible weather. The best way to ward off the cold was to cuddle. Since Vinyl had gotten better she claimed to be like her old self. Octavia tried hard not to get baited into playing in bed with Vinyl, she didn't want the kids to catch them. Vinyl, acting just like her old self, just blew a raspberry and said that she could care less but being the responsible one Octavia said no. It didn't mean that at night they couldn't have a little tumble, tickle fight, or kissing, which there was plenty of throughout that cold week in the basement. Nothing could replace the loss of those ten years they had spent apart from each other. Vinyl tried her best, she even wore her new shades that Octavia had given her for the holidays every chance she could, but claimed that her old shades were customized for her snout and the new shades felt weird on her face. Octavia would only giggle and say that she looked better without those giant shades over her eyes. Vinyl agreed by giving her a kiss and then the two went head over hooves into the bed again. It felt like New Year’s came too quickly and Octavia and Vinyl both felt each other’s anxiety about the upcoming weeks. Vinyl tried to make Octavia forget about it by glomping her and kissing her. Octavia let her do it but knew for certain that once the snow was low enough and the train could travel, she would have to leave for Canterlot for this to work. When the time came Octavia took her cell phone and went upstairs leaving Vinyl to snore the morning away. Octavia waved a hello to everypony upstairs, pulling on her coat and scarf she went to sit outside of the porch watching the ponies working on clearing the roads for work and school with their large shovels. The pegasi above were busy flying in the air monitoring the weather closely since there was a possible third snow storm coming. Octavia pressed on Brass's speed dial number and waited as the phone rang on the other end. "Hello?" "Beauty Brass, it's me, Octavia." "Oh hello Octavia, how was your holiday?" Octavia smiled bundling into her coat. "It was wonderful and yours?" "It was nice and peaceful. Well as peaceful as can be." Octavia nodded and hummed as she turned watching some fillies having a snowball fight with the colts and so far the fillies were winning. "So where are you? Are you still in Canterlot?" Octavia grinned hearing her friend sigh. "Yes, I'm actually staying with my cousin until I can catch a train for San Franciscolt but so far no perfect available trains until most of the snow is cleared." Octavia hummed her agreement nodding as she turn away from the playing foals and watched as a familiar blue pegasus flew above dressed in a sweater leaving a rainbow streak that gave color to the gray boring clouds. "Octavia, are you still going to come here?" Octavia shrugged. "I'm not sure Brass. It seems the mess at the Factory is causing the pegasi to scatter more than usual here .There are also rumors of another snowstorm. I don’t know when I can get there. Right when I say 'I'm ready to go!', another snow storm blows in and buries everything in sight. So until I know for sure I don’t think I can get out of Ponyville until spring." Brass sighed on the other end. "I know what you mean darling. We just got everything back to normal here and we got the worst of the storms. So far the clouds are clearing but we're still not sure." Octavia sighed. "Well until later then, I'm getting cold." "Alright Octavia, go get warm and tell Vinyl the same would you?" Octavia chuckled. "I will, thank you, bye." She hung up her phone with a shiver. She trotted into the cottage pulling off her things seeing Vinyl came up earlier while she was on the phone sitting by the fireplace enjoying the feel of the heat on her tail. Vinyl blushed seeing Octavia looking at her with a raised brow. "What?" Vinyl asked. Octavia covered her mouth pointing her hoof at Vinyl. "Aunt Vinyl!" Rain screamed. "What?" Vinyl asked. "Your tail's on fire!" Everypony screamed. Vinyl immediately looked behind her and yelled out some very mature words as she got up and raced out the door to jump into a snow drift. Octavia and the kids went outside to look at the hole. "I'm okay!" Vinyl called out. Octavia looked up to find that the roof was covered with snow, she smirked at a funny joke then raised her back leg, aiming her back hoof at the post, Star, seeing what was going to happen, giggled and grabbed her siblings with her magic and swept them away just as Octavia kicked the post. The avalanche of snow crashed down in Vinyl’s hole. Vinyl poked her head out of the snow with a glare at Octavia who was giggling. "Oh yeah?" Vinyl said deathly silent. She popped out of the snow then with her magic she grabbed Octavia floating her in the air. “Vinyl put me down this instant!” Octavia screeched as she was floating higher over the snow. Vinyl winked. "Oh okay," Vinyl said canceled her magic leaving Octavia to float in midair for a second as she stared at the snow. She yelped as gravity took over and fell head first into the snow drift next to Vinyl who was now laughing. She laughed so hard until a snow ball smacked her in the face. Vinyl stopped laughing to see Octavia grinning. She blinked and made a gasp of shock. "Now who would have done that?" Octavia asked innocently, smiling. "Snow attack!" Vinyl screamed out leaping on top of Octavia as the two wrestled in the snow shoving snow into their faces and bodies giggling like school fillies. Lyra came out rubbing her eyes. She stopped in mid-yawn to see what was taking place in her front yard. "What's going on?" She asked with a don't-tell-me voice. Rain giggled pointing at the mares. "They are making love on the ice, Mom!" Lyra blushed brightly while Star just fell on her side laughing at the look on Lyra’s face. It took about a few minutes of wrestling and snow balls in the face for the two mares to start shivering. They ran into the house where hot chocolate was waiting for them. Calling a truce the couple drank back their hot cups which was resulted in both mares yelping at the heat of the drink. Lyra shook her head smiling as she took a small sip. Bonbon can only laugh. "More marshmallows?" Vinyl nodded taking a couple with her magic. Thanks to some help from Lyra, Vinyl is now regaining her magical abilities since her sickness. Now she can levitate more objects and write again. Bonbon turned to Octavia with a smile. "Octavia? You want another marshmallow?" Octavia thinks for a moment then gives Vinyl a sly, seducing look. "I already have my own marshmallow here with me, thank you." Bonbon chuckled as Vinyl blushed but smiled back at Octavia. "Eww! Not while we're in the room!" Racer complained sticking out his tongue. Getting a laugh from the adults. When the snow was low enough Doctor Hoofstein came over smiling, seeing Vinyl actually awake and lively. He gave her a quick checkup in the basement and asked for more blood samples and urine samples. Once he got the samples he needed, he left with a farewell. With a prescription of rest and exercise. After the doctor left, Sandals came over dressed in a heavy coat and scarf shivering. She grinned with happiness seeing her ward standing on her own and talking. Vinyl was excited to do a hoof detox. Since she was now awake and aware it was a little less worrisome as she stood in the hot water. Soon she paid attention to the machine just as Octavia used to. Star was in the bathroom just in case her magic was needed. Octavia was surprised an hour later seeing that the color of the water was different. It wasn't black or brown like the other times before. The water came out a reddish orange with some brown flakes at the bottom. Sandals said that her joints were being detoxified since she was moving around a lot. When that was finished Vinyl seemed like a different mare. Giggling and laughing and trotting around the room to exercise. It seemed everything was returning back to normal. Two weeks later, Octavia got news that the train tracks were finally cleared and the trains were moving around Equestria. Since there would be no more winter blizzards until next winter, Octavia started making plans. Vinyl kept pleading her not to go, but Octavia knew that she had to leave and get this fixed. After making plans with Beauty Brass and Lyra, Octavia started preparing herself for the trip to Canterlot the night before. Lyra was able to purchase tickets for Canterlot so they'll have a spot for the ride. Many ponies wanted to visit Canterlot to see loved ones or get info on trade or jobs. Vinyl had her chin on her crossed arms watching Octavia getting her scarf out for easy reach. She even had a notebook with a pencil. "Do you really have to go?" Vinyl asked for the umpteenth time that day. Octavia turned to see Vinyl with pleading eyes. "I have to, sweetie." She answered sitting before her stroking her mane. "This won’t go away." "I don’t care what he does. He won alright! I just... I'm incognito here." Octavia shook her head with burning determination in her eyes. "No Vinyl. We can’t let him win! He won’t win unless-" "He kills you? Then what?" Vinyl snapped with tears. "He will hurt you Octavia when he finds out. He'll use you to get to me! He's a ... Just let him win." Octavia blinked with shock. "That’s it? You're going to just lay here and let that monster ruin your reputation and life?" "He already did Octavia!" She cried turning away. "He took it all from me. My life, my spunk, freedom, bravery ... He would have taken you too if..." Octavia leapt up on the bed to hug her marefriend letting her cry into her chest. "He threatened to use his power to find you and destroy your life. I couldn't let that happen. Your have a life... I didn't once I signed that contract with him." Octavia felt tears of her own. She kissed her on her head hugging her. The two fell asleep in tight embraces, not wanting to let go of each other. When morning came, Octavia felt Lyra probe her on the back. Octavia opened her eyes and turned to see Lyra dressed in a sweater and scarf nodding her head to the stairs. Octavia nodded turning to see Vinyl sleeping silently. Octavia kissed Vinyl on her horn then slowly slipped out of bed and started getting ready in the bathroom as Lyra grabbed her things for Octavia's plan. Octavia came out of the quick shower seeing Vinyl still asleep. Octavia and Lyra quickly trotted up the stairs and left the cottage. Vinyl slowly opened her eyes hearing the door shut upstairs. She sniffed grabbing the pillow Octavia slept on and hugged it tight. Praying for Octavia to be safe. Octavia and Lyra ran to the train station just in time for the morning express to leave. They took their seats and sat together. Lyra staring at the wall in front of her in a stoic expression. Octavia reached into her saddle bags and pulled out the Equestria Daily Magazine she kept. Lyra snorted making her turn to her. "What?" "You still have that?" Lyra asked with a glare. "Well yes, I do." "Why?" Lyra asked confused. Octavia shrugged. Why did she keep this magazine? "Perhaps it might give me some clues to Vinyl's activities." Lyra blinked and turned away to look out the window. "I thought we already knew." "We do. There might be something we missed." Lyra snorted shaking her head. Octavia began reading through the magazine. "Arriving in Canterlot in ten minutes." The voice on the intercom spoke out interrupting Octavia's reading. She stuck the magazine in her bag. Lyra moved to the seat across from Octavia to get a look at her. "So, what's the plan?" She asked. Octavia sighed looking out the window as they approach the first of many mountain tunnels the train goes through. "Well, Beauty Brass will be waiting for us at the station." "Okay and then what?" Octavia grinned. "I made Vinyl write me a Will to give to my lawyer who's a good friend of mine. Then we'll have a chat with another old friend of mine." "That Gavel, guy?" "Yes, Gregory went to Law school while I was still in college. From what Brass told me, he's well known and has a large reputation. So he will be our lawyer." Lyra nodded. "Can we trust him?" "Of course!" Octavia yelped in shock. "He's like the brother I never had. And he's the closest to the case. " Lyra sat there confused. "And how did he get involved?" Octavia grin with a shrug. "I don’t know, Brass mentioned that he was there while Mr. Flank Shark wanted to send Vinyl's "Will" into order. Good thing too, or we would be in big trouble." The train slowed to a stop at the station. "Canterlot Station!" The conductor called out blowing a whistle. Beauty Brass sat on a bench nearby in a warm coat and scarf. She grinned seeing Octavia and Lyra trot out of the train. Brass stood up to greet the two ponies. "Octavia dear, welcome back." "I wish it was in better standings." Octavia joked hugging her old fired. "Oh Brass, this is my friend Lyra Heartstrings. Lyra, this is Beauty Brass. She played in my ensemble." Lyra and Brass shook hooves. "Nice too meet you, Miss Heartstrings." Lyra blushed. "Uh just Lyra, thanks. Nice too meet you too, Brass." Octavia let Brass lead them out of the train station to a small malt shop nearby to get hot chocolate. Once they were settled in a corner booth and given their drinks the three mares went ahead and start talking. "So Octavia, how is um... Vinyl?" Brass whispered. Octavia took a lady sip from her hot chocolate. "Well she's not very happy with me doing this. From what she told me, this stallion is dangerous." "How so?" Brass whispered turning to Lyra to see her grinding her teeth turning away to the window. "He threatened Vinyl that he would hurt me if she didn’t do what he asked of her. A number of times by the look of it." Brass paled and pushed her drink away. "That is serious." "Yeah, he should be taken to prison." Lyra mumbled glaring out the window. Octavia sighed patting her on the shoulder. "Don’t worry Lyra, we'll win this." "How?" Brass asked. "Shark has an attorney himself and so far Gregory called himself as a lawyer for Vinyl's family. But so far there was no response from them." Octavia groaned face hoofing. "Vinyl's parents could care less what she's doing." "Why you say that?" Lyra gave Brass a deadpan look. "They kicked her out when she was sixteen. Her parents are drunks and druggies. She had to live with me for a while until we went to college together. So if they learned about Vinyl’s Will in this thing, they’ll want the money sure but they will care less about their daughter." Brass gulped turning away. Octavia sighed rubbing her eyes. "Look, I'm glad Gregory pulled out that card to stop the proceeds. But Lyra is right I'm afraid. Vinyl's parents are brutes and never cared for their daughter since they started drugs and drinking. It wouldn't take long until Shark finds this out." "So what now?" Lyra asked. Octavia took another sip of her drink thinking. "Well we need to see Gregory and Blue Note." "Blue Note?" Brass asked. "You mean," "Yes him. He does owe me a favor. Since he works for bonds and Wills here in Canterlot, this will be quick." Lyra nodded. "So this Blue Note is that agent you talked about?" "The very same." Octavia looked at the clock on the wall and nodded. "Well we must get going. We want to finish everything before the evening express takes off at six." Lyra and Brass nodded taking last minute drinks before leaving the table to the streets. The three mares walked through the slush and ice of Canterlot to the business district where the buildings look more ornate and large. Brass led Octavia and Lyra into one building. Inside the building they stopped in a lobby of some sorts. Brass walked up to the receptionist talking to her as Lyra took a seat in one of the couches. Octavia stared at how Lyra sat in an uncomfortable way. She sat with her back against the cushions. Octavia was never really bothered with the way she sat, it was just her way of being comfortable. Brass returned with a smile. "So?" Lyra asked getting a perplexed look from the mare. "Brass," Octavia barked making Brass shake her head. "Oh uh, we're in luck. Blue Note is on break in his office." A door opened and a blue unicorn stallion walked through looking around. He was dressed in a nice shirt and a sweater vest. He grinned seeing the three mares and walks over. Octavia grinned back standing up to hug him. "Oh Octavia, look at you. Still beautiful as ever." Octavia blushed. "Blue Note, you rascal. It's so good to see you again." Blue Note turned to the other two mares and greeted them. "Nice to see you all. But it is a surprise to hear of you being here. Brass I knew but you... You shocked me really. You're not here for a Will already are you?" Octavia gave him a pained smile. "Well yes, I am here to customize a will but it's not for me. It's for a dear friend of mine who... Can we talk in private? In your office?" Blue Note jumped. "Oh of course, please follow me." The three mares followed the stallion through the back door to a hallway filled with closed doors. Octavia could hear the talking inside each room. Blue Note reached an opened door and pushed the door allowing the mares to enter first. He went in and closed the door behind him. He point his hoof at the chairs around a table. "Please, get comfortable." The three mares took their seats as Blue Note retrieved a paper and pen. "So," He started sitting down at a chair writing on the paper. "Who does this Will be written for?" He asked looking at Lyra first to see her shake her head. He blinked then turned to Brass to see her shake her head too. "Then if not three of you then for who?" He asked looking at Octavia. "Blue Note, I'm in a fix and I need your help for this to work." Blue Note set the pen down to listen. "Have you heard of the court case with DJ Pon-3's agent and a will she signed?" Blue Note nodded. "Well yes. We have records of that particularly strange will. Why?" Octavia quickly retold what had all happened with Vinyl and her agent. She even mentioned about the recently re-open court cases again him about the five clients that were killed mysteriously with the same type of wills. Blue Note looked pained and scared. "Oh my, that is a scary story Octavia. But...” He paused for a moment to think. He looked back at her. “So what can I do to help you?" Octavia reached in her saddlebags to produce her notebook and pulled out a folded note. She handed it to him. Blue Note levitated the note to read it. "This is?" "Vinyl's new and permanent will. May you use this and submit this as her will?" Blue Note thinks for a moment. "I don’t know Octavia. I mean I can get what you are going at. But if the news finds out, and believe me there are some strange ponies sticking their snouts into places they shouldn't, it's possible that Shark's lawyer will call this a forgery since she wasn't here with an appointment to do this. I can’t do this." Lyra growled and sat up. "Why the hell not?! This was written by Vinyl herself, I saw her do it!" Blue Note quickly held up his hooves. "Miss, believe me when I say this. It doesn’t matter that you were there watching her write this and sign it. There has to be somepony from this establishment there and signing this to prove it is legal. If I was there it would be accepted, but no pony will believe you were there. You see?" "But-!" "No, Lyra," Octavia barked causing everypony to stare at her in shock. Octavia sighed rubbing her face again. "He's right. I thought this would work. But it's our word against this company's. If we brought Vinyl here and did this it'll pass, but she didn't. How could I have been so naïve as to think we would stop this." Lyra growled and sat down on her chair with a glare at the tabletop. Brass patted Octavia on the back. "At least you tried." Blue Note said looking at Vinyl's new will again. "Can you try to bring her here?" Octavia shook her head. "No, weren’t you listening? She's in danger. If we brought her here Shark’s ponies will see her and try to get her back or kill her so then the will would pass and we will lose! We can't allow that. He won four times already!" Blue Note smirks. "Then why are you here, then?" "Huh?" Octavia asked looking up. "Excuse me?" "I'm not in charge of the court system, Octavia. Go to court for this. Vinyl's alive right?" "Well of course she is. Why?" "Bring her back in the open. At least with supportive backup. Say a lawyer and a court room and it's Vinyl's words against his right?" Octavia smiled. "I forgot! Yes you’re right." "See," Brass said grinning. "Just like I said before. Only the dead can tell the court if the will was a lie. But because Vinyl is alive, we have an advantage." Octavia grinned at her friend then back at Blue Note. "I better go and see Gregory. Perhaps we can put this stallion behind bars." Blue Note nodded. "Yes, put that murderer behind bars. I might not be a lawyer, but I know he would get jail time and possibly execution for murder. I wish you all good luck." He handed the will back to Octavia. Octavia took the paper and stuffed it in her pack, giving her friend another hug then lead the mares out the room. * * * * * * "Is Mr. Gavel expecting you?" The annoyingly voiced earth pony mare asked. Octavia groaned. "No, but I'm his old friend from College. Please, it's important that I have to see him." The mare sniffed. "I'm sorry miss, but Mr. Gavel is busy at the moment. Unless you have an appointment I can’t let you see him." Brass walked over to help Octavia. "Ma'am, please enlighten me, if we must get an appointment at the most crucial time, how long must we wait?" The mare raised an eyebrow as she searched her calendar humming. "Hmm, next month there is an opening." "NEXT MONTH!" Octavia and Lyra yelled out. "Look lady, we have no time to wait for a month!" Lyra growled. "Our friend is in trouble right now and she needs this lawyer! He knows this case better than anypony else and only he can help us!" "Listen miss, I'm running out of patience. I suggest you leave and come back next month." Lyra growled threateningly. "I'm gonna-" "No, Lyra let me handle this." Octavia said smoothly getting a startled glance from Lyra. "Uh Octy?" "Ahem, we have to act like ladies Lyra. Let a real Canterlot lady handle this." Octavia sets her hooves on the desk smiling at the receptionist. "Miss, would you be so kind as to let us see Mr. Gavel." "No, I already said no and when I say no, I mean no." Octavia nodded looking away. "Well then I guess I have one more thing to say." "Oh and what's that?" The receptionist asked with a raised brow. Octavia smiled sweetly reaching forward. "This." She grabbed the receptionist by the lapels of her suit shaking her hard. "My marefriend was almost murdered by her agent three months ago! I'm not going to walk away and have some snooty mare tell me that I can't see my dear friend, who is a lawyer, to help me stop a murderer from walking again!" "LET ME GO YOU CRAZY BITCH!" The receptionist screamed out stomping on a button on her desk calling for security. "Octavia! Let her go! It's not helping!" Brass screamed out wrapping her arms around Octavia trying to pull her away as Lyra cheered. "Yeah! You show her Octy! Show her how Ponyville ponies do it!" Three security stallions ran in to the lobby to see Octavia practically choking the receptionist, Brass was trying to pull Octavia away and Lyra was cheering and making punches in the air. The three stallions ran in. One grabbed Brass trying to pull her off of Octavia, Lyra intervened running over to tackle the other two guards. "What’s going on here?" A stallion’s voice called out. All seven ponies stopped from their fight to see a tall stallion standing at the doorway with a pegasus stallion. Both stallions were dressed in suits for court. Octavia gulped. "Gregory?" The brown stallion grinned. "Octavia! It's been ages." He said smiling. Until he noticed the scene again pointing a hoof at her. "Uh might I be so bold to ask, what are you doing to my receptionist?" "Mr. Gavel this crazy lady won't leave until she sees you! But I told her she has to wait until you're free next month!" "Let her in!" Gregory called out smiling. "What?!" Everypony yelled out in shock. Gregory shrugged. "Let her in. I haven’t seen my friend Octavia since our college reunion fourteen years ago." Octavia grinned, same old Greg. Gregory turned to Brass. "Ah and Beauty Brass, it's been longer. How are you?" Brass chuckled hesitantly lowering to the ground. Gregory turned to Lyra seeing her strangled with the security guard. "And you?" "Uh Lyra Heartstrings your honor. I'm with Octy, uh, I mean Octavia and Brass." "Ah well nice to meet you too, Miss Heartstrings." He jumped turning to the pegasus next to him. "Oh and it was a wonderful lunch Thunder. See you next Tuesday?" The pegasus nodded. "Yeah, well until we see each other again in the court room. Ladies," The pegasus bowed to the mares who stared back in stunned silence. He chuckled and left the lobby. Everypony started untangling themselves from the fight and dusting themselves off. "Please come with me." Gregory said grinning. "Oh and Miss Sharp?” "Yes sir?" The mare named Sharp said her face hot with a blush. "Please cancel my two appointments today. I have an old friend to talk to." "Yes, sir." "Good. Ladies, please come with me." The three mares trotted after Gregory. The receptionist started grumbling. She looked up in time to see Lyra sticking out her tongue at her with a smirk. The receptionist groaned. "Commoners." Gregory closed the door to his office behind him as the three mares got comfortable in the room. Gregory smiled as he sat in his chair behind his desk. "Octavia, Brass, and Miss Heartstrings," "Lyra, please." "Lyra... So from the looks on your faces this isn't a happy visit?" Octavia sighed and nodded as she walked over to his desk. "That you are correct my friend." Gregory's smile faded showing concern. "What’s wrong? Legal troubles? You know Octavia I gave you a promise that when I become an ace attorney, which I am now, I would help you any way I can. What’s the matter?" Octavia sighed rubbing her leg with her hoof. "It's about this recent case. With a Mr. Flank Shark?" Octavia noticed the coldness in his eyes as he turned away. "What about it?" "I have some evidence that will help you beat him." Octavia watched Gregory’s ears perk at that statement. "Come again?" He asked a little shocked. Brass stepped up. "Gregory darling, Vinyl Scratch, DJ Pon-3 is alive and well." Gregory grinned at this and started chuckling. "Wow, what do you know," His face turned serious as he stared at the three mares. "Explain this please." Octavia went ahead and retold the story again to her friend, this time adding every single detail she could about how Vinyl acted, the evidence in the apartment, the sickness, and then the story Vinyl told her. Lyra and Brass each looked pissed and surprised at the story. Gregory's face remained calm behind his hooves as he listened intently on Octavia's story. Once she was finished he sat back in his chair rubbing his chin with his hoof. "Hmm... wow. Where is she now if I might be so bold to ask?" Octavia opened her mouth when Lyra hissed and stuck her hoof into her mouth. Octavia gave her a glare when Lyra leaned in and whispered in her ear. Octavia looked around pushing Lyra's hoof away. "Gregory, have you ever thought that this room might be tapped?" Gregory blinked and looked around with a scrutinized eye. "Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't. Good idea not to say anything. Never mind don’t answer that question. I assume she is well and in hiding?" The three mares nodded. "Good thing too. I’ve been questioned by many ruffians working with that fellow Shark. They don’t bother me, I know the law and even though I'm not the element of honesty, I always uphold the truth in court. And loyalty to my friends. If Vinyl is a friend of yours then she's a friend of mine." Lyra grinned. "So about this case, how did you know about it?" Gregory chuckled. "Funny that. I was with a client who was suing a stallion for some property of his outside of the city. So while we were waiting for our turn at the podium so to speak, Shark came in before us and talked about the will written by Vinyl Scratch. Remembering my clients in another case I had years ago, I quickly called out in front of everypony, staff and clients about his history and the suspicion of his clients murders. “Luckily the judge I knew was an old teacher of mine. He went ahead and took my words to heart and called for proof of death certificate or a body. Since then Shark had called on a lawyer of his own and sent off his lackeys to search for her and so far, no sign of her." "Good," Octavia whispered. "But Gregory." She mentioned sitting up. "Vinyl made a new will to cancel the old one. But Blue Note, you remember him right, well he said that unless Vinyl was at the office signing it herself, it won't work. So Blue Note reminded me about you and possibly..." "Possibly what?" Gregory asked with concern. "I'm taking this to court. I need you to help us to fight this murderer. He tried to kill Vinyl, Gregory! Not only that but he raped her! He threatened to use force against me to get her to do what he wants. We have to put him in prison so he won't hurt anyone else!" Gregory nodded with a growing smile. "Oh yes, I will help you Octavia. I've been waiting for him to slip up and sure enough he never expected you to stop his plans. With the proof from Vinyl's own mouth and from your Doctor's sample tests and many of those that love her, I'm sure we'll win." Octavia grinned seeing her two friends smile back cheering silently. "But there is one other thing." "What?" Octavia asked frowning. "When are you planning of bringing Vinyl Scratch back from the dead?" Octavia sat down hard thinking. That was a good question, how can she and her friends reunite Vinyl with Equestria? She gasped with a thought. She turned and quickly dug into her bags then pulled out the Equestria Daily magazine. She smirked seeing her friends nodding along. "I think it's time to send a tip to Equestria Daily." * * * * * * Octavia woke up the next morning yawning. She groaned out rolling on her back feeling Vinyl next to her sleeping. After the rip to Canterlot, seeing old, and sending and anonymous tip to Equestria Daily, Lyra and Octavia returned to Ponyville. Octavia closed her eyes remembering walking through the door to see the three foals running to Lyra and asking for souvenirs as Lyra hugged them. Octavia gave them hugs then went downstairs to the basement. She reached the foot of the stairs and looked up seeing Vinyl looking at her from her position on the bed. Octavia was shocked to see her with tears. "Bless Celestia you're back!" Octavia was glomped by her marefriend feeling her arms around her crying. At first she didn’t know what to think or do. "Vinyl? Why are you-" "I thought,” Vinyl started shaking slightly. “When you didn’t get back when you said you would get back I was-" "Vinyl, the train had a problem before departure. It took two hours." Octavia said smiling hoping her reassuring voice calmed her down. It didn’t, this seemed to have freaked Vinyl more. "Two hours too long! What if he-" "Vinyl!" Octavia yelled out grabbing her by the shoulders giving her a shake. "I'm alright. Look at me. Am I hurt?" Vinyl sniffed wiping her nose with her arm. "No," "Do I look like I have bruises or scratches?" Vinyl bowed her head. "No," "Then I'm alright." Octavia whispered smiling at her lifting her chin so she can see her smile. "See." Vinyl smiled back and wiped her eyes. "Sorry, I was … Tavi, I was worried about you." Octavia smiled and hugged her smiling. She felt Vinyl’s arms around her resting her chin on Octavia's shoulder closing her eyes. "Kiss already!" The two mares jumped and looked up the stairs to see Racer grinning and Rain was giggling behind her hoof. "RACER!" The mares screamed out running up the stairs causing the two foals to run away laughing. During dinner, Octavia and Lyra retold their adventure to the family. Vinyl looked hopeless after hearing about her supposed will cannot be accepted. But hearing the news that Gregory Gavel will be her lawyer in the future lifted her spirits just a touch. Until she heard of the tip and immediately started shaking. "No! Why did you do that for?" She yelled out. "It's the only way Vinyl." Lyra said softly. "But he'll know!" "No, he won't Vinyl." Octavia said softly placing her hoof over Vinyl's hoof. "He won’t know you're here with us. All he'll know is that somepony told the press that Vinyl Scratch is alive and living with a friend. Healing from a failed attempt murder. Showing them the word murder will really start getting more information and soon your agent will have to start thinking fast. Cause I'm coming and I'll be raising Tartarus for what he did to you." Vinyl stayed quiet for the rest of dinner and asked to be excused early which surprised everypony in the room. Vinyl actually asked to be excused. Later Octavia found Vinyl in the bed under the blankets crying. Octavia patted her on the side where her head was. "Vinyl, I know it's too hard for you to do this but we have to. This won’t go away if we ignore it. You understand that right?" Octavia heard a sniff under the blankets. "No." Vinyl answered. "What do you not understand?" Octavia asked laying down watching the lump shudder. "He's too smart Tavi. He'll find a way. He always does!" "Well he has never met me." She paused then realized something important. She stroked Vinyl's body and sighed. "I will never ever let him hurt you again, Vinyl." "I could care less what he does to me." Vinyl shook to where the blanket was pulled away from her head. Vinyl looked up at Octavia with bloodshot eyes, sniffing. "I can't see you hurt Octavia. I can't bear it! I see you in my dreams. Nightmares. You’re dying in an alley somewhere in Manehattan or Canterlot bleeding, dying! And I couldn’t do anything to save you!" Octavia closed her eyes turning away. "Then the memories return of him threatening me. He took that picture you gave me before we separated. He took it and told me that he took it for punishment and saying you are a pretty mare and..." Vinyl crossed her arms over her eyes crying again. Octavia felt rage in her heart but she had to wait. Once the snow is gone and the press is all over the new story, she has to help Vinyl. She's too weak hearted and minded to be out now. Emotionally she can't handle what will come next. She needs her confidence back. Vinyl let out a moan interrupting Octavia's thoughts. She turn and wrapped her arms around her marefriend holding her close kissing her on the cheek shushing her. Vinyl stopped moaning and twitching and returned to a restful position. She opened her eyes. "Tavi?" Vinyl turned seeing Octavia’s face close to hers. Octavia smiled gently at her stroking the strands of blue hair away from her face. "I'm here." Vinyl blinked then reached forwards and kissed her on the lips. Long and lustful the two kissed and held each other never wanting to let go. Octavia felt Vinyl push her to her back and went on top of her kissing. They parted breathing hard. Vinyl had glassy eyes her chin quivering. "Promise never to leave me again." "How so?" Octavia whispered. "Never, ever, leave me alone. I can’t bear it another minute. It was hard Octavia, very hard." Octavia smiled gently stroking Vinyl's face. Vinyl leaned into her hoof enjoying the touch. Octavia grinned and sighed. "I don’t think I can bear being left alone either. I guess I never thought of myself being alone for ten years. I had Brass and Fredric and Harpo." She chuckled. "I forgot how lonely you live Vinyl." "He made me stop." "Hmm?" Octavia asked blinking her eyes opens seeing Vinyl's blush. "That last time I called you that was when he threated to hurt you. The first time he did..." She paused closing her eyes moving away from her. Octavia sat up watching Vinyl sitting down with her back to Octavia. "He said that if I didn’t do what he wants he would call every agency to find you and have your reputation ruined and it would be my fault for not doing what he asked. I couldn't bear to see you getting hurt over something I failed to do. You’re perfect Octavia. Prefect life, career, music." She made a sound that sounded like a mixture between a laugh and a sob. "I would buy these musical records and when I hear a cello I try to imagine you playing in that part or solo. And the crowd would cheer and I would be sitting in that audience watching you." Octavia sat next to her with her arm around her holding her. "I wanted to see your concerts too." Octavia opened her eyes and turned to her to see Vinyl smiling. "There were many occasions that you were there when I was. But Shark made sure I was busy on the nights you preformed or he would lock me in my room to keep me from running off to see you. He placed a chip in my phone to keep tabs on my caller IDs. Once I texted you, this was about the last time we talked and..." Vinyl flinched pulling away from Octavia's embrace. "He slapped me. Slapped me hard enough to where when I hit the table I had to be hospitalized." Octavia gulped reaching with her hoof over her mane and sure enough she could feel an indention close to her temple. "Vinyl... Listen to me very carefully, darling." Vinyl turned sniffing. "I will make sure that he will pay for the pain and suffering he put you through. That I promise you. Once I put him away, you and I will live together here in Ponyville and retire like queens." Vinyl blinked at her in shock. "You want to retire? Why?" Octavia chuckled. "Vinyl, I'm tired. Not of music but playing for ponies and traveling everywhere. I just want to rest and play on my own time. And I want to be with you." Octavia looked up at the ceiling with smile. "Maybe adopt a filly or colt or two?" Vinyl blinked at the thought and chuckled. "Wow, never thought of having foals. Aren't we a little old for this?" Her sadness forgotten she laid down on the bed again rubbing her eyes. Octavia smiled and laid down beside her with her head against her chest hearing Vinyl’s breathing and her heartbeat. She figured it was time to change the subject. "To tell you the truth Vinyl, when I was a filly, before I knew I would be with you, I've always dreamed of marrying a nice stallion who loves music as much as I do and have a filly or a colt and live together making music and teaching our children music." Octavia sighed closing her eyes. "Of course it's every mare's dream raising a child weather it be from their own body or adopted." Vinyl stroked her mane nodding. "Yeah... I guess. Unlike you, you had parents that cared for you well until they learned you were into mares. I guess you would want to have a kid of your own." Octavia sat up looking at Vinyl to see her going gloomy again. "Oh right..." "Yeah and so far I see myself as a horrible mom. I mean you... Heck you would be the coolest mom in the world!" "Oh shut up you. You would be a great mother." Vinyl started chuckling. "Wow, we're talking about having kids, that's interesting. Can we talk about something else that's less uh... gloomy or strange?" "What’s so strange about children?" "It's just weird." Vinyl chuckled with a smirk. "Oh wait, I know what to talk about." "Hmm? What?" "This," Vinyl leapt on top of Octavia biting her ear. Then with her hoof she started tickling Octavia causing her to laugh. "No-no Vinyl please! AH! Stop it!" She let out a laugh trying to fight back. The two continue to tickle then later Octavia was on top pinning Vinyl's hoof on the bed, they’re foreheads pressed together panting. "I love you." Vinyl whispered with half lidded eyes. Octavia sighed straddling Vinyl. "I love you too." Vinyl looked around listening to anything upstairs. "What time is it?" Octavia turned walking away from Vinyl hearing her make a pouty moan. Octavia gave her a smirk as she reached for her cell phone. "Hmm, it's midnight. Lyra and Bonbon are probably asleep." "When do the kids wake up?" "At seven, why?" Octavia felt something wet on the back of her neck causing her to shiver. She turned with wide eyes at Vinyl seeing her stick her tongue out at her. "I think we have some time to... Oh I don’t know," "No, I told you we can't- Mmmph!" Vinyl pulled Octavia into a passionate kiss. Octavia tried to fight back but she lost severely as Vinyl pushed her on the bed and started to kiss her with her hoof reaching for a precious place, Octavia gasped into the kiss and soon everything exploded and everything was soon forgotten.