//------------------------------// // Rise or Die Trying // Story: Heart Invasion 101 // by FamousLastWords //------------------------------// A strong, musty scent filled Vinyl’s nose as she stepped into the home. Alcohol, sweat and other tinges of irresponsible living were quite prevalent in the air. “Sorry it’s so dirty in here,” Modem said, leading her into the living area. “You know how the boys are, though.” “Heh, yeah, I remember that pretty well,” Vinyl said. She looked around the room. A few stallions were passed out on the couch, bottles of alcohol on the floor. A mare was in between them, her fur matted from what was probably a crazy time. “Hey, guys! Wake up! We got a guest.” Modem kicked over the couch, sending its now awake contents onto the floor. “Yo, Modem, what the heck, man?” one of them said, rubbing his head. “Brah, that hurt.” “Take it to your own place, man. Vinyl and I have got some stuff to catch up on. Got it?” “Whatever man,” the stallion said. The other ponies got up and followed him out the door. “Sorry about that,” Modem said, looking over toward Vinyl. “Those guys can get pretty crazy sometimes.” “It’s fine,” Vinyl said. She looked from Modem’s seemingly friendly smile down to her hooves. She’d be lying if she said she didn’t feel a little uncomfortable, but the feeling would go away soon… hopefully. Modem picked the couch back up and motioned for Vinyl to sit down next to him. She cautiously played along and took a seat. “So, Vinyl, let’s talk. How has life been?” “Well…” ***** Spike dashed as fast as he could to the train station. If he could sweat through his scales, he’d be drenched. “Welcome to Maneshep Expressway, how can I he—” “I need the quickest trip to Manehattan you have!” Spike yelled at the clerk behind the ticket counter. “Um, yes, of course, sir! That’ll be the Manehattan Express. It leaves in ten minutes. Is that acceptable?” Spike threw his bits on the counter and dashed off. He had a train to catch. ***** “Wow, so he really pulled a fast one on you, huh?” Modem asked. “Some guys just don’t know when to grow up.” “Yeah, well, it would’ve been nice to at least here some kind of explanation about the situation. I mean, it’s not so much he had a fling in the past, but the fact he was just hiding it from me.” “Yeah, you don’t need that kind of drama in your life. Someone who’s going to lie and hurt you like that, totally not worth your time.” “Yeah, I guess. I just, I don’t know, I’m really just confused about all of this.” Vinyl slumped her head into her hooves. “I really thought, I don’t know, I thought he really liked me.” Modem looked over at Vinyl, his smile turning to a frown. “And I really liked him.” Vinyl could feel tears swimming at the bottom of her eyes. “Hey, it’s okay. Look, you don’t need someone like that around.” Modem gently reached out to wrap a hoof around Vinyl’s neck. “You need someone a bit more… mature.” Vinyl felt his hoof wrap around her and quickly jumped up. “Whoa, what was that?” “Huh? I was just trying hug you, calm down.” Modem said. “You looked pretty beat up, figured it might help.” “Oh, sorry,” Vinyl said. “I’m just a little stressed. But if it’s all the same, I’m not really in a touchy-feely kind of mood.” “It’s cool, it’s cool. I understand,” Modem said, getting up from the couch. “So, what say we blow the living room, and you let me show you my new guitar and distortion pedal setup? I think you’ll find it pretty interesting.” “New guitar, huh? Yeah, that sounds pretty cool. Where’s it at?” Vinyl asked. “Back in my room. C’mon, I’ll show you.” ***** Spike squirmed around in his seat, watching the scenery pass by, wishing for some way to make the train go faster. His thoughts were completely occupied with thoughts of Vinyl. The tears on her face. The way she just ran out the door. The image of her, by herself, without him… It was too much. “Hey, um, conductor,” Spike shouted up to the stallion in the front. “Any idea on when we’re gonna get there? I’m in a bit of a rush.” “We’re still another thirty minutes out. I’ve got this baby going as fast as she can.” That’s not good enough, I need to get there now! A lightbulb went off over Spike’s head. “Hey, so, I don’t suppose, I don’t know, this hefty bag of bits here could turn that spedometer up a few notches, could it?” Spike wiggled his eyebrows and received a coy smile in return. The conductor snatched the bits from his claws. “Alright, we’re exactly seven minutes out. Hold on, kid!” Spike quickly returned to his seat. “Alright, Vinyl, I’m coming.” ***** Vinyl listened intently to the chords being chugged on Modem’s guitar, a smile growing on her face. “Not bad, not bad. You gotta love that distortion,” Vinyl said with a chuckle. “Yeah, it’s a nine string model, but you really only need the first one to play most songs. Pretty cool.” Modem set the guitar down and sat down on the bed next to Vinyl. “So, it’s been awhile since we’ve ever gotten to hang out. We should do it more often.”  He slowly reached out his hoof to grab ahold of her. “Woah, hey, what are you doing? I thought we already talked about this.” “Hey, just relax. I’m just trying to help you relax.” Modem shrugged and smiled. “And it looks to me like you could use some relaxation right now.” “Well, yeah, but not in that way.” Vinyl shook her head. “Look, I’m not really interested in being in a relationship with you again.” “Hmm, didn’t think so.” Modem said. “That’s a real shame.” “Yeah,” Vinyl said, inching toward the door. “So, if you don’t mind, I’m just going to head out.” “Uh, nah, I don’t think you will.” ***** Spike ran through town as fast as his legs could carry him. If Octavia was correct, there was only one place he could think she would be. And that place served waffles twenty-four-seven. He burst through door and immediately leapt onto the nearest table. “Everybody, listen up! I’m looking for a white unicorn with a crazy, electric blue mane. Her name is Vinyl Scratch. Anyone seen her around here tonight?” He looked around and realized there were only two ponies in the restaurant, a couple of younger stallions, and he just happened to be standing in their food. “Yeah, thanks for ruining my waffles, man,” one of them said, tossing his fork away in disappointment. Spike blushed and hopped off the table. “Sorry, but it’s an emergency. I really need to find her. Can you help me?” The other pony spoke up. “Hmm, was she wearing sunglasses by any chance?” “Probably.” “Yeah, we saw her, bro. She left with some stallion about an hour or so ago. He had a black mane and dark purple fur, or something. She said his name was Modem or some such nonsense. I can’t remember. I’m way too high right now, to be honest.” Modem. Oh no… “Thanks, broski.” Spike threw a few bits on their table. “Buy yourself some more waffles.” And without a second thought, he was out the door. ***** “Modem, stop, I’m serious!” Vinyl tried to squirm out of his grasp as he gripped tighter onto her. “Let go of me, you creep!” “Hey, shut your mouth! You need to just relax a bit and let me show you a good time, alright? Then you can go.” Modem grabbed onto her tighter and began dragging her toward the bed. “No! Let. Me. Go! I'm being serious!” She twisted and turned, but to no avail. “I’m being serious, too. You never should have dumped me in the first place!” Vinyl swung her head around and bit hard into his shoulder. “Ahh!” He let go and grabbed his shoulder, giving Vinyl a brief moment of opportunity to escape. “Oh no you don’t!” he bellowed. Modem chased after her down the hall and quickly caught up to her in the living room. He lunged and grabbed her by the leg. In one swift motion he pulled her toward him and forced her to the ground. He pinned her down with a hoof. “Nopony fucks with Modem!” He moved his face closer to Vinyl, going straight for her lips. Instead of meeting her lips, a fist met his cheek, sending him flying onto the floor. Vinyl looked up, eyes wide in shock at her savior. “Spike?” The dragon nodded to her before walking right over to Modem. He picked him up and pulled his face within inches of his own. “Nopony fucks with my marefriend.” Spike tossed him to the ground and ran over to Vinyl. “Are you okay?” “Yeah, I’m fine.” She threw her hooves around him and hugged him tightly. “Spike, what are you doing here? How did you find me?” “We can talk later. But first, wait outside. I’ve got a ride back to Ponyville waiting for us, so I’ll meet you in a second.” “Wait, why can’t we leave now?” “Because...” Spike turned to face Modem, cracking his knuckles. “I’ve gotta teach Modem here a little lesson on what happens when you hurt someone like that. And he’s gonna learn the hard way.” “Thanks, Spike, but you should really—” “Go, Vinyl! Let me handle this! I’ll meet up with you later!” Spike turned his attention from Vinyl back to Modem, who was just now rising from the ground. “Alright, bro, let’s dance.”