//------------------------------// // Chapter 5 - Freedom // Story: The Best Time of Our Lives // by ThisIsMyFateNow //------------------------------// With a sigh, Vinyl stands up from the seat she has just occupied at a cafeteria table she shares with Lyra as she she hears her name piped out over the school’s PA system. She was expecting this, at least she hopes it was the Royal Summons that was only two months late. Trotting up to the front of the school, lunch forgotten, she slips into the office and proceeds to the front desk. Hearing the door close, the secretary looks up and notices Vinyl making her way over. Wrapping the scroll in the silver aura of her magic, the secretary levitates it over to the white unicorn. “This was just delivered by a Royal Courier for you, Miss Scratch.” Grasping the scroll with her own magic, Vinyl breaks the seal and reads through the letter before turning it over to the secretary. “Show this to your instructors to help explain your absence tomorrow dear,” she says kindly before returning the scroll to Vinyl. Slipping the scroll into one of the saddle bags, she heads back to the cafeteria and sits back down at the table. Just in time for Octavia to come over and bump the table causing the cup of juice Vinyl was about to drink to instead, splash all over her white coat and drip down onto the floor. “What was that for?” Lyra asks, shocked. “I’m sorry,” Octavia’s says, voice oozing sarcasm, “I didn’t hear anypony over here. I didn’t think that anything would happen.” Laughing at the mess, she motions for her friends to follower her as she makes her way out of the lunch room. Another weary sigh escapes the now sticky unicorn as she grasps the tray with her ruined lunch in the pinkish aura as she carries it over to the trash, depositing it in the receptacle before setting the tray down. Levitating her saddlebags onto her back she heads off to her next class, trying to forget about Octavia. ~~~ As the train’s brakes engaged, the train’s automated voice announces “Next stop, Castle Courtyard.” Standing, the white unicorn checks her brushed mane, making sure it was still pulled into it’s neat bun with no stray hairs out of place. With a final jolt, the train comes to a stop and the doors open with a hiss of hydraulic pressure being relieved. Joining the crowd making their way out into the day, she starts the long process of gaining entrance into the castle for her appointed meeting. Approaching the intimidating gates, she fumbles with the Royal Summons before getting it smoothed out and presenting it to the very bored looking guard. “Why is it that the Guard all look the same?” she wonders before being waved through. Trotting through the gates, she looks around for the case worker she’s been assigned. Breathing a sigh of relief, she grins as Star Aegis trots over, her normally mussed mane neatly braided and pulled up to form a double loop. Delighted to see the tan earth pony, Vinyl pulls her into a hug. “I know it’s been a long road, but we’re nearly there,” Star says with a grin before releasing Vinyl from the embrace. “We need to head on in. Day Court will be starting soon and we’re up first since Princess Celestia doesn’t want you to miss any more school than necessary. Shoulder to shoulder, the mares walk through the open doors of the Canterlot Castle and follow the crowd to the Throne Room. Checking in with the Royal Clerk, the two make their way into the open and spacious room. Leaning in, they start discussing what is going to happen when a voice booms across the airy room “All rise for her Royal Highness, Princess Celestia.” A muted shuffling of hooves can’t overcome the ringing of metal on stone as the Princess enters and makes her way to the throne. “You may relax, my little ponies,” a voice like gold calmly calls out. Looking up, Vinyl feels her frayed nerves calm slightly at hearing Celestia’s voice sooth the gathered mass. Taking a deep breath, she awaits what will hopefully be a short hearing. “Poetic Rhyme, who is first on today’s agenda?” Celestia asks kindly to the Royal Clerk. Trotting up to the throne, he passes the scroll to a Royal Guard who in turn, passes it along to the Princesses. “Miss Vinyl Scratch please step forward,” Celestia’s Golden voice rang out across the hall. With trepidation in each step, Vinyl forces herself to place one hoof in front of the other as she advances towards the throne. Glancing to her right, she feels relief flood through her as she sees that Star is right next to her. Reaching the base of the throne, she bows low before the princess before straightening nervously. “This is a fairly unusual matter which has been brought before us,” that golden voice says quietly, “one that we have not seen for some time. It is not often that a filly petitions us for emancipation. Tell us young one, why would you seek this?” “Your Majesty,” Vinyl’s voice sang, the strength of it surprising even her, “my mother passed away nearly two years ago. She had been raising me by herself since my father abandoned us shortly after I was conceived. I have never met him nor would I want him in my life at this point. I have spent the past two years bouncing between foster homes before being allowed to get a place of my own. I have cared for myself and jumped through numerous legal hoops to seek employment as well as providing for my own education.” “All very valid points, young one. You do understand that while this will give you legal standing as an adult, you still will not be able to participate in certain things?” “Yes your Highness.” Engulfing a large quill in her magic’s golden aura, Princess Celestia signed the scroll offered to her by the Royal Clerk, thus granting Vinyl Scratch legal standing as an Emancipated Minor. Releasing a breath that she didn’t even realise that she was holding back, Vinyl allows herself a small smile. Two years worth of work and legal hoops and she was finally about to do what she wanted to. Bowing before the throne again, she says with warmth in her voice “Thank you so much your Highness.” Taking the proffered, signed scroll, she keeps it grasped in her magic as she trots out of the throne room and back into the brilliant day. Feeling her muzzle slip into a large grin she turns and hugs Star once again. “Thank you so much for believing in me. I couldn’t have done this without you.” “You’ve made it Vine. You’ve gone through so much, but I know it was worth it to get to here.” Releasing each other from the hug, Vinyl waves good bye as she trots back to the train station to catch the train with a pep in her step. On a day like to today, what could possibly go wrong? ~~~ Trotting into the lunch room, Vinyl couldn’t help but grin when she saw Lyra. Sliding into a seat across from her, she slides the signed paperwork over to Lyra to show her what’s been granted. “Oh my! Is this what you’ve been working towards?” Nodding, Vinyl continues to grin, oblivious of the approaching grey mare. That is until she snatches the paper from Lyra’s hooves. “What have we here?” she sneers at Vinyl. Reading the document, Octavia's eyes widen as she sees what the document grants. “Why would you need this? Unless…” she trails off before setting the paper back on the table and walking off. “Huh. I’ve never seen Octavia rendered speechless like that before.” Lyra muses. With a shrug, Vinyl takes the scroll and tucks it back into her saddlebag before standing to head off to class. ~~~ At the Melody House later that evening ~~~ Knocking on the dark wooden door, Octavia waits for her father’s response before entering. Upon hearing “Enter” barked out in a short, clipped tone, she pushes the door open, revealing a room lined with bookshelves filled with books. Seated behind an expansive desk, a regal looking stallion raises his head and smiled at his visitor. “What can I do for you sweetie?” he asks, warmth infusing his voice. “Father, did you know that someone who works at the nightclub might be working there illicitly?” she asked sweetly. With a furrowed brow, Mr. Melody looks to her “What do you mean? Fire Hooves is responsible for running the club. Why bring it to me and not him?” “I feel that Fire might not be impartial in this matter. I only want to bring this to your attention father to help protect the club from participating in anything illicit.” A slight frown appears on the stallion’s face as he ponders the matter. “What is the pony’s name?” “Vinyl Scratch, father.” “And why do you think she’s working at the club illicitly?” “It seems that she is underage and only today was granted Emancipation. Once I found out, I did some research. Apparently she’s an orphan who has been acting older than her actual age to gain employment.” The silence that followed was only broken by the sound of the ticking of the clock perched upon the mantel. Sighing after contemplating the news his daughter brought to him, he nods to her “I’ll take care of it. Thank you for letting me know about this, sweetie.” “Of course, father. I only want to make sure that the family is protected from unnecessary threats like this.” Turning, the grey mare leaves the study, closing the door behind her. ~~~ As the bass crashes over the dancing ponies, Vinyl grins wildly as she slips the next record on the the second turntable, listening closely to match the tempo. Waiting for the right moment, she slams the output volume down on the current track while sliding the volume of the new track up at the precise moment to give a seamless transition. With the bass thrown to the back to make way for the high pitch of the snare drum, she lets the song build, waiting for the break. Then the drop happens. Ponies go wild as the new beat takes hold, propelling them into a frenzied state fueled by adrenaline and a humming bass line. Looking out over the audience, she spotted a familiar looking mare, but… Celestia what is she wearing?!?! The mare in question had purple streaks running through her dark grey, almost black hair. Her usual bowtie had been replaced by a raver’s necklace complete with pacifier on the end. The choice in clothes was interesting, and wait… is she wearing socks?!?! Octavia certainly didn’t look anything like the prim and proper mare that she knew. Glancing at the clock above the booth, she sets up the final record before her scheduled end time for the night. Grinning slightly she grabs a slower song to help rein the crowd in and get them set up for Bass Note’s set. As the needle found the groove in the record, Vinyl pressed the headphones against an ear and brought the two albums in synch before working the volume controls to start sampling the slower song into the driving rhythm of the other. Masterfully, she brings the crowd down slowly as she lets her final track of the night take hold and play out. Stepping back, she stands on shaky legs, adrenaline still coursing through her system as she trots backstage. With a grin she hears the emcee announce that even though she wasn’t there, the party would still continue as Bass Note made his way into the booth. Pushing the door to the DJ’s room she trots over and envelops a bottle of water in her magic before downing the whole thing. Releasing a sigh of relief, she heads over to the couch and unceremoniously fwamps onto it, letting it conform to her tired, aching body. Muttering a silent prayer to Celestia, she prays that there are no last minute VIPs tonight. After two days of dealing with Octavia’s taunting over her newly revealed orphan status, she could use a break from dealing with ponies. Her reprieve was short lived as an excited knock echoes through the tiny room. Sighing, she calls out in her raspy voice “It’s open.” THUD With the door flying open, the last pony Vinyl wanted to see skips into the room, giggling with glee and excitement. Barely able to contain her groan, she lets her trademark smile slip into place as she swings herself off the couch and trots over to the normally composed mare. “Hey, I’m DJ-PON3,” she says extending a hoof. Squealing with glee, Octavia bumps it before trying to say everything at once. “I’mOctaviaandohmygoshI’myourbiggestfandandIcan’tbelievethatI’mfinallymettingyou..” Grinning at the change, Vinyl says “Slow down there filly. Let’s start with your name. I think it was somewhere in that smashed together sentence.” Taking a deep breath, Octavia struggles to calm herself for a moment before trying again. “I’m sorry about that,” she says sheepishly, “My name is Octavia.” “Octavia huh?” Vinyl says with a grin. “I think I’m going to call you Tavi.” Gasping in surprise, Octavia responds in a slight whisper “DJ-PON3 gave me a nickname??” As her eyes grow wider, Vinyl instinctively lays her ears flat against her head as Octavia lets out a cry of glee. “Easy there tiger. No need to make me deaf," she says with a grin. “I’ve been waiting so long” Octavia starts before she is interrupted by the door opening and Fire Hooves walking in, face contorted in a display of rage and sorrow. With a sinking feeling, Vinyl turns to the club’s manager “What’s up boss?” Glancing over to Octavia briefly, he turns back to Vinyl with a heavy sigh. “I’m afraid I’ve got some bad news V. It seems that the owner wants you gone.” Shock playing across her face, Vinyl barely manages to stammer out “Wha…” “I tried. I really did. But the owner says that you need to go. Apparently he’s concerned about legal aspects of you being underage.” “How in Tartarus did he find out? I thought I was covered until today?” she asks in utter confusion. Lifting her shades up, she reveals bloodshot magenta eyes as she brings a hoof to rub at the headache forming behind them. Letting go of the thin veil of magic, her cutie mark reappears. Both ponies are interrupted as Octavia gasps in recognition before blurting out “YOU’RE DJ PON-3?!?! AND YOU CAN TALK?!?!” Feeling the migraine growing stronger, Vinyl turns to Octavia “Yes. I, Vinyl Scratch, am DJ-PON3. Who is now unemployed. Buck.” Turning back to Fire Hooves, she says “I’ll grab my gear tomorrow,” before trotting out the door, tears, starting to stream down her face.