Big Macintosh sat across from Scratch as they conversed about the past years in the park. Scratch watched Big Mac with softer eyes as he spoke in his slow drawl. Scratch had long ago eaten her apples from Sweet Apple Acers. The red pony before her kept smiling and shuffling slightly as he sat. Scratch sighed faintly, ignoring the world around her.
“What ‘bout you Scratch?” Macintosh looked at her.
“Well, ponies hire me for parties but that’s about it. I love parties but sometimes it is just nice to relax. Though I’ll admit, sometimes I wish there was more to my life than just that. My life is the same thing over and over again. Nothing has switched up in a long time. Frankly, it’s really dull, lifeless even.” Scratch hung her head in defeat. She had long ago given up trying to find something else. She hadn’t even thought about how true that was. She did the same thing day in and day out, no second thought. She lived a life of pure parties and few friends. Scratch moved closer to Big Mac trying to feel the comfort of another pony’s presence.
“Scratch, Scratch, Scratch!” Squealed a fast moving blur. Pinkie Pie stopped before the two ponies with wide eyes. “There is a new pony in town! I need you to DJ, please, please please?”
“Yeah, sure Pinkie Pie. When do you need me there?” Scratch got up, Big Macintosh doing the same.
“It’s a surprise party, so, now! The Library is where we are meeting, see ya later.” Pinkie Pie dashed away as fast as she had appeared.
“Well, I guess I should get back to Applejack.” Big Macintosh began moving away when Scratch reached out desperately.
“Um, C-can you please help me move my stuff? It’s at my house and I’ve got to get there pronto!” Scratch felt panic move up into her throat bathing her in sharp needle like shocks.
“Eeyup.” Big Macintosh turned around and began following Scratch down the long green road.
Scratch felt a tingle within her chest that ran down her legs and remained in her hooves. She tossed her mane and looked at Big Macintosh. “Want to race?” He looked at her with a mixture of confusion and longing. “Ready, steady, GO!”
Scratch began running down the stretch of road the tingling within her becoming more intense. Big Macintosh’s thundering gallop followed her and grew louder as he approached. She ran faster trying to outrun the large earth pony. The red legs of Big Mac came into her peripheral vision. Scratch ran faster and ignored the burning that was beginning to seep through her. Scratch gasped for air and continued striding out; her eyes wide as she watched the ground move away like a blur. Big Macintosh’s hot labored breath reached her ears and she tried harder knowing he was but moments away. Before Scratch realized it they were out of the forest and were dashing through town, narrowly avoiding crashing into other ponies.
Scratch slowed to a stop and gasped frantically for breath, her shades askew. Big Macintosh stopped beside her panting and gasping heavily. She looked over wearily to the large red pony. He wheezed and panted, sides heaving, much like hers. Scratch stumbled clumsily over to Big Macintosh and hoof-bumped his shoulder, almost falling over in the process.
“Nice job!” She gasped frantically, feeling light headed. “You keep up well Mac.”
“E-” Macintosh stopped and shook his head taking a step forward. “-yup.”
Scratch grinned slightly and weaved her way through the main street of Ponyville. Eventually their labored breaths ceased and were replaced by relaxed and natural breathing patterns. Big Macintosh kept up well and waited for Scratch to revile her home. The pair stopped by a mid-sized cottage that looked like the others on the block. Scratch trotted up to the door and opened it, happily trotting inside. She motioned for him to follow her into the vibrant home.
Scratch watched Big Mac look around her home with wide eyes. He ducked through the doorway slowly, his eyes swiveling every which way trying to take in all the details and fragments of colors. Scratch smiled lightly and led him deeper into her home to where she kept all of her equipment. The large pony took the bulk of the cords and her turn tables. Scratch gathered some more things and made her way back to Big Macintosh. She noticed Macintosh stopping in her hallway, looking at a photo. Scratch made her way around him and looked at the picture.
“I didn’t know you still had this.” Macintosh moved his head to revile their first year of school together. Scratch instantly felt herself slip away and into their first day.
“But Mommy!” Scratch protested, tears in her eyes as her mother began walking away.
“Be good Scratch, I’ll see you in a few hours.” Her mother’s sweet voice wrapped around her, consoling her for a moment longer before the reminder that she was leaving. Scratch whimpered and began trying to follow before her teacher took over, moving her towards the other young ponies.
The other ponies watched each other with wide eyes. A red colt, taller than all the others, moved over towards her. His golden mane and tail contradicted his red coat. Scratch looked up at him with wide eyes.
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Macintosh looked at the small white unicorn with a blue mane and tail. Her eyes widened as he stared at her. He felt his heart race as his fear for the first day of school began thickening. He sat beside the white unicorn trying to make himself smaller.
“Wh-Who are you?” trembled the white unicorn. Her mane was much like all the other mares he had seen that day.
“Big Macintosh.” He became quiet once more as he watched the unicorn.
“Vinyl!” The young unicorn jumped into an alert posture. Her blue mane seemed to poof up a bit. “I’m not scared of any pony. Let’s play Big Macintosh!”
Big Macintosh looked over to where Granny Smith stood. She nodded encouragingly and looked at the unicorn as well. “O-Okay I guess.” Macintosh stood up and backed up a few steps as the unicorn reared up and began bouncing around. He looked at Granny doubtfully and she nodded again giving him a warm smile.
“Watch out!” Big Macintosh chased after the white unicorn feeling a spark of happiness ignite within him. Vinyl squealed in surprise and dashed faster dodging behind a flower pot. The two laughed and circled each other around the pot staying just out of the other’s reach. Vinyl jumped from the pot and began racing back towards the other foals. Big Macintosh laughed happily and tore after her making it a point to catch up with her.
“Come on kids, let’s go, time for pictures!” The teacher moved the two into the lines. Big Macintosh grinned wide and sat still while Vinyl sat beside him happily and leaned into his shoulder and made a face at the camera.
Big Macintosh looked at the picture with warm eyes remembering the day that sparked their friendship. He looked back at his friend now. Not too much had changed about her through the years. She was still outgoing, laughing at danger, and playing by herself. She was the wild one while he was reserved and quiet.
He sighed inwardly wishing he could see her eyes again. Ever since she got her cutie mark her red eyes were hidden behind her shades. He missed seeing her, but the work on the farm needed done. He decided he would help her then get out of there as soon as possible. They looked at each other for a few moments before Scratch grinned.
“Come on, let’s get going.” Scratch lead the way through the door. “So, tomorrow is the Summer Sun Celebration! Are you going to stay up tonight?”
“Eeyup.” Macintosh followed her, wondering why she was asking. “Every pony does.”
“Then come to the party! We’ll have a lot of fun.” Scratch tossed her mane the shades of blue shimmering.
“I suppose,” Big Macintosh sighed, “I can go.”
Later that evening Scratch watched the door from her turn tables in the pure darkness. The door opened and then shut quickly. Scratch felt her blood begin rushing through her veins. The lights flicked on to revile a baby dragon and a purple pony with streaks of pink on her mane and tail.
“Surprise!” They yelled happily.
Scratch began playing her music happily her head instantly nodding to the beat, her heart becoming alive with the music. Scratch listened to the music and looked around slowly. Most everyone in Ponyville was there. As her eyes landed on Big Macintosh a winged gray pegasus flew into view landing uneasily. Scratch looked at the other’s eyes. Instantly she knew the gray pegasus pony was Derpy Hooves. Though her real name was Ditzy Doo everypony called her Derpy.
Scratch walked away from her turn tables, the music still pouring from the speakers. “Hey Ditzy!”
The pegasus turned her head and smiled waving a hoof. She didn’t talk much but when she did, she spoke only a few words here and there. She made her way over to Scratch a bit clumsily but quickly regaining a normal stride.
“How are you?” Scratch tried making conversation. She knew that not everypony liked to talk to Derpy. Derpy smiled more and Scratch smiled back. Suddenly something green came from the shelves of books within the library, landing on Derpy. She gasped in horror and fear and began unfurling her wings. The creature moved up and began gnawing on her ear. She looked up at the creature seeing it fully.
Scratch began laughing as the green pet came to view. Gummy blinked almost mindlessly as he kept gumming Derpy’s ear. Pinkie Pie was nowhere to be seen to collect her restless pet. Scratch looked at the pet and trotted over allowing him the option to stand on her. Pinkie Pie had been having a party for Gummy every month since she got him. She had been playing for Gummy’s parties and had finally pieced together what he wanted. Gummy had something to say when he began gnawing (or gumming) somepony’s ear. Gummy dropped down and his mouth wrapped around her ear. His soft and salivating mouth made her shiver as she made her way towards the door.
Scratch trotted outside, Gummy still on her ear. “What’s up buddy?”
Gummy dropped from her ear and looked up at her. Scratch’s horn glowed faintly as the spell made its way to Gummy. “Finally! Tomorrow is the Summer Sun Celebration and I want to go.”
Scratch looked at him skeptically. “I don’t know Gummy… if Pinkie Pie finds out she won’t be very happy that I’ve been endangering you with the outside world and so many hooves to tread on you.”
“But Scratch, please. I really want to go this year!” Gummy blinked his large purple eyes.
Scratch looked at the pet and thought about her options. She watched him a moment longer then sighed. “Fine Gummy, you can tag along this year. But we’re leaving early so we can get you back safe and sound without having Pinkie Pie freak out.”
The pet grinned toothlessly and followed Scratch inside. He hid himself away from sight to be collected later. Scratch rolled her eyes a bit but smiled. She enjoyed Gummy’s company and thought of him as a friend. The creature had given her company and made her laugh when ever she needed to DJ for Pinkie’s parties.
“Hey Macintosh, want to go to the Summer Sun Celebration with me?” Scratch mumbled before the mirror quietly. She moved away and repeated it time and time again trying to convince herself she wasn’t asking him on a date. She took a few breathers before saying it louder this time smiling to herself.
“What was that?” asked the deep voice of her friend.
Shivers went up and down Scratch’s spine as she turned around to see the large red pony. “Oh, uh, hey Macintosh! Um, I was just talking to myself. Like always, heh!” Scratch grinned uneasily. “So, uh, do you want to go to the Summer Sun Cele-”
“Eeyup.” Big Macintosh smiled. “I was just ‘bout to ask you the same thing.”
Scratch grinned happily and jumped up and down slightly. She watched the large red pony as he sat down beside her. Scratch continued playing her music dancing around a bit with joy. She felt something within her chest that she hadn’t felt before.
Scratch stood beside Big Macintosh as ponies filed into the surrounding area trying to be close to where the princess would be to raise the sun. Gummy rested upon Scratch’s head, using her horn to help him sit up. The birds began singing a beautiful melody as they waited with anxious eyes for the princess to appear. The purple curtains opened with a quick motion to revile an empty balcony. They gasped in collective horror as Princess Celestia was missing. Scratch’s breath caught in her throat with panic as it raged through her body.
The cruel maniacal laughter echoed through the air as the dark pony appeared. Big Macintosh snorted in anger stomping his hoof on the ground. Scratch trembled with a mixture of fear and anger. Gummy gurgled continuously. As the shadowy pony looked around Scratch caught her eyes and felt her heart chill. She whimpered a bit and listened to the dark pony laugh again before turning into shimmering smoke and vanishing into the night sky. Big Macintosh rushed outside and looked around hurriedly. Scratch gasped and followed trying to stay close to her one source of comfort. She glanced around as shadowy figures vanished into the bushes by surrounding homes.
“Scratch, that nasty mare could have taken the princess, we have to get her back!” Big Macintosh snorted and puffed.
“No… but something tells me something else might have a clue.” Scratch reared up, her fear expelled being replaced by raw anger. “Come on Big Macintosh, we’re going to find out what’s going on!” Scratch leapt forward anger pumping through her veins. “We’re going to save Equestria!”