//------------------------------// // This Can't Be The End // Story: Melody of a Changeling // by DJ_Scr4tch //------------------------------// Waking up the next day hidden in that cloud was hell. I barely slept and what little I did was a nightmare. Returning to Chrysalis and seeing her punish me. Returning to her would be like going to Shining. I’d be killed and used as an example, to the rest of the race, to never act this way. I’d be killed on the spot and without mercy. The nightmares only made me just want to sit in the cloud all day. But I knew I would have to start again. Make a new pony persona and live that life. So I decided to do it. Poking my head out of the cloud I saw the rest of the sky. It was black, a storm was coming. As angry as Vinyl was. I couldn’t stand to even be myself right now. I hurt her more than leaving Octavia in the alley. I wanted to run but I couldn’t. All I knew was music and attacking. I needed to return. Get the cello and start anew. Scanning the skies, I saw no openings. The clouds were thick and black. And all I could do was blame myself. I wanted to hit myself! I was so mad! Because I messed up I’m going to die. Alone, cold, and on an empty stomach most likely. No. I couldn’t. I owed it to Vinyl to make her happy and that’s what I’m going to do. WIth a nights rest and the belly full of food I should have enough power… My horn began to glow it’s green flame. Powering up as I focused. It was body or teleport so I had to get this correct. Being so far away I wouldn’t have any power to even move after. I’ll be a sitting duck again. My magic kept building sending a green light to every cloud around me. The thick dark clouds began to storm. The rain pelted everything hard. My head was being hit over and over by the annoying pellets. My eyes opened and the green flash dispersed. Next thing I knew it was over. There were no clouds. There was no rain. Only the soft comfortable couch… In apartment 3-G… I tried to move, but as my hooves made contact with the ground my body tensed up. The pain was unbelievable. All the pain Vinyl gave me was nothing compared to this. And this was nothing compared to hurting her. I had to make it right. My head laid against the ground and I settled down. I needed to rest. Hopefully no pony would rent it while I napped for a few hours. Spreading out on the carpeted floor my eyes shut and I passed out. When I awoke my stomach was growling. Standing up I felt fully rested. Checking every joint and movement I could do. Nothing was wrong. I recovered fine. Time to face her… With a quick change I became Octavia again and went to leave. Opening the door I was greeted by the landlord. Her face covered in a large frown. She. Was. Mad. Furious steam coming out of every opening in her face. “You! Why?!” “What did I do!?” Backing up quickly. Did Vinyl tell her!? “You made Vinyl leave! My highest paying resident left! Now I have to clean this mess up and rent it out! My party room is gone! Thanks you useless musician!” She walked in and began to clean mumbling. It would be best to leave her alone. Sliding out the door I walked to the room over. Unlocking it I walked in. Everything was still in place. Vinyl had her suitcase out. It was time for her to go to work. I’ll just… I’ll pack for her. She’ll be mad but I… I just need forgiveness. Filling the case with clothes, snacks, and other utensils, I zipped it tight and set it up by the door. Hours passed and she returned home. Immediately I greeted her. Ears down, bowing to her. “What are you doing here?” Her voice was serious. Her glasses were gone. She didn’t even have them on her horn. This wasn’t good. “I came to apologize.” “Apologize… Apologize!? You think you can walk in here with your army, shoot some lasers, kick some ponies, defeat Celestia, kill my marefriend and then take over her life and you think you can come back and apologize and everything will be alright!? Do you!?” “No… That’s why… I’m willing to turn myself in. If you wish me too. I will go find Shining. And tell him the story. You can even drag me across the world by my mane. I just want your forgiveness.” She stood there, thinking and answering her thoughts. She couldn’t decide what to do. But she liked my idea. She would love to me hung off the bridge. Or maybe my head fall in a basket from the headspony axe. Seconds felt like minutes. Minutes felt like hours. We stood staring at each other. I couldn’t stand it. So I had to make her trust me. I took the collar from the counter and put it back on. Tossing her the bracelet. With a quick glance she set it down where I got it. “Listen. I… I don’t know what to do. I’m so angry I can’t show it. I want to myself strangle you and leave you to the timberwolves. But there’s something… “What is it…?” “You didn’t do it on purpose. You tried to defend me. You tried to make it softer. You tried to make it never happen. And you did a great job. But why did you change your wings back?” “I had a craving for meat… All changelings do and the apartment next door was full of them. So I did some hunting. Stopped my craving. And because I haven’t been practicing changing, I guess I changed in my sleep.” “I see. Well here’s the deal. Me and Octavia were close to breaking up as it is.A few weeks before the wedding we had a big arguement. I ended up on the couch. Then she died. And I was lost. I came home and sat up every night waiting for her to return. But it didn’t happen. Then the wedding came.” “Yes. The first time we meet.” “And you gave me so much hope. You were back. Well, she was. I was so sorry I thought she ran away. And when you came back I was so happy. But the biggest thing, that is making me talk to you now. Is the fact that you rekindled my love for her. And now I realize it’s actually for you.” Did she just say she loved me? No way!? A week ago she wanted to kill me! “When you flew off I wanted to stop you. But by the time I decided to you were long gone. I wasn’t able to. So I took the advice my mother always told me.” “What was that?” She walked closer. Our muzzles inches away from each other. “If you love something. Set it free. If it comes back.” She magic pulled at the collar I put on as she dragged me to her. “It’s always yours.” She pulled me in. Our lips locked and she began to kiss me. Her tongue entered my mouth. I was in full shock as she did this. It felt wrong, but so right. I was so confused I pushed her back. “I… I took your marefriend’s life and you’re making out with me?!” “Yup. Like I said earlier. It was dying between us. But my first suspicion came when you braided your mane. Tavi never did anything fun and free like that.” “So… What are you going to do with me…?” “Oh… I don’t know…” Her voice was carefree and taunting at the same time. “Maybe… Give you to Shining. It’s what you want. I might just keep you as my Octavia sex pet. You obviously know how to do that.” I couldn’t help but blush to that comment. She really did like those nights… “Or, I might do this.” “Do what…?” She kneeled down. Her horn glowed and a small large black box floated from her saddlebag. It opened up and inside was a large gold band ring. On top was a large setting of diamonds and amethysts. They matched my cutie marks color perfectly. And that’s when the words came out. “Octavia Melody. Will you make me the happiest mare in Equestria and marry me?” I began to tear up. My goal has been accomplished. Become accepted for who I was. “Yes! Yes Vinyl Yes!” I blurted out. Ignoring all the pain she put me through I embraced her a big joyful teary hug. I couldn’t control myself. I loved her, and I always will. “I’m sorry I treated you how-” I cut her off by giving her the most passionate filled kiss of my live. Melting into her hooves as she held me close to her. After a few minutes we pulled apart blushing heavily. “Shush. It’s okay Vinyl. You’re forgiven.” She nodded and we continued the hug. It was set. We were to marry in the city hall.