> Hooves And Dials
>  by That Awesome Brony Guy
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Checking My Levels
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Checking My Levels


As I watched the clock in the studio run up to the top of the hour and heard the news kick in, I looked out of the studio window, and saw the ponies in the market packing up for the day. Grumbling at the thought of social interaction, I packed up my CDs from the day’s show and put a stack of them into my mouth. The lights kicked in as I walked out of the on-air booth and into the hallway to find the next DJ sitting in the waiting area. I glanced at her for the barest moment as I headed to the library door, unwillingly bringing forth memories of all the concerts we had attended together and all of the on-air giggling we used to share with each other...

“Hi Vinyl!” said a familiar voice next to me.

Well someone knows how to interrupt a good thought...

“Hi Skippy,” I grunted. 

Skippy was a rather odd pegasus, with his fresh face and adolescent body, Skippy looked as though he was caught between being a child and joining adulthood. I enjoyed his company but his overly positive attitude got to me from time to time. I had nicknamed him Skippy when he was first hired and it has stuck to him ever since. 

“Here, I’ll take that for you!” 

Skippy grabbed the stack of CDs from me and began to sort them into their proper places. I was curious as to why, in the name of Celestia, Skippy always sorted CDs for me? I knew that he didn’t really like sorting, but why did he always sort CDs just for me?

I didn’t think about it too much because everything in my brain suddenly dissolved away the instant I looked through the access window between the library and the on-air booth, seeing her put down stacks of CDs onto the table. All of those great memories started coming back… I remembered how many times we had walked around my farm, how many times I had rested my head on hers and played with her mane… Oh Octavia, what did I do to deserve this? She broke my heart but I still longed for her. I was always there to help her and she kicked me to the curb after such a great life together. 

We only lasted nine months, but still…

I left Skippy to his work and trotted up the stairs to my office in order to grab my goggles and bag. I was yearning to get over to the tavern to drink the day away with some lovely cider. I had been going to that tavern every day since cider season opened up for the year. Although I might have sounded a bit hung over when I’m on-air I tended to be able to hide it… at least I thought I did. My excitement quickly dimmed due to a sudden recollection that I had a party to run music for tonight… No cider for me.

I trotted back down stairs with my things in tow and my office locked up for the day. My hooves made loud clanging noises as they struck the metal stairs. “Not the best stairs to have right next to the on-air booth,” I said to myself as I brushed my electric blue mane aside. It always fell over my eyes after all the bouncing necessary to maneuver myself down this metal death trap. I said my usual goodbye to Skippy as he asked what Berry Garcia I had played for the day... to which I had no reply. 

I was about to leave the studios when I caught a final glimpse of Octavia brushing her mane away from her ears so she could put her headphones on, raise the volume of her microphone and hit the airwaves for her shift. More memories were creeping in and I shook them out of my head before putting my goggles on and going on my way for the night.

--------------------------------------------------Later---------------------------------------------------

Right then, the gear was packed and I was actually looking somewhat decent. It was time to head off to one of Pinkie’s spontaneous parties. I packed six crates of the most up-beat music I owned and left all the Radiohoof and Death Colt for Carrot records at home. I hooked up my cart and scraped my hooves against the ground to gain momentum. It had been so long since my last gig that I forgot how unbelievably heavy all of my equipment was. Where was that dang Skippy when I needed him? 

I went out onto the road and began to head off. It wasn’t long though until I heard a certain pink pony bouncing around handing out last-minute invitations right next to the stage in the park.

I saw a rather dashing lavender mare rush up next to me, “Vinyl Scratch, how have you been?”

I turned around to greet her face to face. “Hey Twilight! Wow, last time I saw you was when your friends tore up the Royal Palace!” 

Twilight blushed. “Yeah… I’d rather not talk about that. Just wanted to see how you’re doing. What brings you here?”

I looked back at my massive cart and back at her as if it was obvious. “Oh, just spinning some tunes for Pinkie’s party tonight.” 

I was wondering if this would be a good opportunity to let the awkward silence carry on for a few seconds and then excuse myself. I’ll let her think for a couple seconds just to let the time pass. One… two… three-

“Did you know that Octavia is going to be here later tonight?”

Well so much for that idea- wait WHAT? I felt a wave of panic wash over me. “Oh uh, really? That’s cool I guess. I-uh, hope she has fun.” 

I really wanted to turn tail and trot away out of nervousness, but I Pinkie promised that I’d do this show. I wasn’t very keen on seeing a betrayed Pinkie Pie; I’ve seen how violent she gets when she tries to shove a cupcake into somepony’s eye. I decided to swallow every single emotion I was feeling right then, slap a smile on and go set up. 

It wasn’t long until I had all of my equipment set up and was halfway done with unloading my crates of music. I had hoped to be ready by now but I was drained of energy and just wanted to get this done. 

I loaded my first track up and put the needle down onto the record. Right when the music started I saw a line of dust coming up from a blur running towards the dance floor. As the dust settled I noticed Pinkie Pie had dragged a rather perturbed Rarity over for a dance. She spun the helpless, dusty mare up into the air and swung her around merrily until I heard a great crash followed by a loud buzzing noise. Rarity looked bewildered as she popped her head out of my smoking and fizzing speaker. 

I was about to yell at her until I saw Twilight and Pinkie trot up and help Rarity out. I would’ve let them all have it but as I looked upon Twilight’s apologetic gaze, all my thoughts of anger and stress simply vanished. For some reason I could never raise my voice to her.

As I was pulling some spare parts out of my cart I started mumbling to myself about Skippy again. 

I wondered what that boy was up to…

-----------------------------------------------Skippy-----------------------------------------------

Octavia yelled from the other studio, "Skippy, I could use some help explaining what’s going on with the Gala this year if you wouldn’t mind coming come on air with me." 

I dropped what I was doing and happily trotted in as she put her headphones on and signaled me over to the microphone. I fell silent as the on-air light came on and she potted up the mics.

"You are listening to one oh five point three The Horn right here in the small town of Ponyville. You just heard a live session from The Indigo Fillies recorded by our very own Skippy!" 

I blushed and snickered as I pulled the microphone away. I didn't make a habit of showing off my recordings, but Octavia sure did love the sound of what I recorded. It was all about the manual EQ- 

"So Skippy tell us, what's planned for the Grand Galloping Gala this year?" 

I immediately yanked the microphone over and did my usual on-air hello to Octavia and made her laugh a couple times before I got on subject. 

"Well ever since the... ground shaking... success last year, a friend of mine called Pinkie Pie is now head of preparations. We'll be seeing a much livelier crowd!"

I paused for a moment as I saw Octavia holding a hoof to her mouth in an attempt to hide her snickering. She had played as part of the quartet at last year’s event and had first hand knowledge of how horrible things turned out that night.

"Well let's get back to the music here with a new song by The Hoof And The Heart!" said Octavia as she lowered the microphone levels back down and took her headphones off.

I moved the microphone away as Octavia and I started to lose ourselves in laughter "Pinkie Pie?! Really?" she said as she clutched her sides.

I tried to keep from laughing for a few seconds as well so I could reply. "Yep, really! Pinkie Pie has been planning this ever since the princess herself sent her a letter the day after last year's Gala." 

Octavia snorted a bit more until she recomposed herself enough to get back to business. 

"Hey could you grab something from the Jazz section for me?" 

I perked up my ears and smiled. "Sure!" I trotted off to the library and started skimming the shelves. I enjoyed the artists that Octavia chose; she always had a good ear for the right music. I grabbed an album and chuckled at the album art where nothing but an owl looked back at you. "Look! Owloysius!" I said to myself. Continuing to chuckle, I opened the door to the on-air booth and placed the CD on top of one of Octavia's stacks. After she thanked me, I decided to do some commercial editing in one of the production rooms. 

This has always been one of my favorite rooms; I can grab a cup of hot chocolate and a pile of commercial scripts, listen to some instrumental music, and let the hours fly by while I mix all of the new spots. It wasn't a glamorous job but it certainly was fun to have my voice on the air, even if it was on some silly commercials about a new type of cider from Sweet Apple Acres or some new fashion line from Rarity’s boutique. 

I was interrupted when the studio line rang with Vinyl's number on it. I ran over to the on-air booth and opened the door.  "Vinyl Scratch on line two!" I hollered to Octavia as professionally as possible just as she was taking her headphones off. 

"Can you answer that? I can't answer the phone right now," she said as she quietly turned away and put her ears back. 

I was confused, but compliant. I ran over to my editing studio again and answered the phone. 

"Skippy! I need you at the park with a new bass driver and some duct tape NOW!" 

I heard a lot of worry in her voice, along with a lot of angry ponies in the background. I immediately figured that somepony had broken a speaker that Vinyl forgot to bring a proper spare for. 

I hung up the phone and went up the stairs to my office. As I was trying not to kill myself walking up the stairs, I thought to myself how odd it was that I was only a stallion of sixteen years and yet I already had my own office. I let that thought go as I entered my office, grabbed what I needed and set off for the park. Being a pegasus didn't hurt with this sort of job, since I just walked out the door, flew off and in seconds I was preparing to land right next to the smoking wreckage of Vinyl's equipment. 

I cringed, thinking about how distressed she would be, hoping to myself that I could repair the damage and get out of here.

"Are you doing okay Vinyl?" asking meekly as I began to pull the broken pieces out. 

"Oh I'm fine. I'm just fine..." I looked at her, confused. She seemed preoccupied so I waved a hoof in front of her in an attempt to get her attention..

"Oh hi! Sorry I missed that, what?" 

I snorted and looked at her. "I was asking if you were okay." I said while I kept poking around in the speaker case.

"Oh, right. I had someone throw a unicorn into one of my speakers." 

I snorted and replied, "Yes I noticed..." I said while I was staring through a hole in the back of the speaker case that was alarmingly similar to the thickness of a unicorn horn. "So what's the occasion? Just another random Pinkie Pie party?" 

Vinyl snorted, "Just another random party, but I have a feeling about this one. It's going to be a great night." 

I kept chuckling to myself while she was talking, until I replied, "Well you've certainly gotten off to a great start!" 

Vinyl and I chuckled together but we stopped as I fell silent from fright. A beautiful ice blue eye was suddenly looking back at mine through the hole in the back of the speaker. I gasped in shock and then realized who it was and quickly removed myself from the speaker to greet the mare. 

"Hey! Long time no see." I held my hoof out to shake hooves, but she moved past my hoof and embraced me with tears streaming down her face. 

"Oh it's so good to see you, I've missed you so much!" I felt her hold me tighter as I tried to pull away.

Vinyl laughed as I continued to futilely try and squirm away.

Right, didn't expect this...

I finally managed to get away from her reach by extending my wings out, causing her hooves to lose their grip. She looked at me as if I had just punched her in the face, so I tried to defuse the situation and not make a scene. "Look, you're still a friend of mine but I can't do this. Not now."

I grabbed the spare speaker piece that I had brought with me and plugged it in as she quietly sobbed next to me. I tried to divert my eyes as best as I could while finishing the repair. Finally finished, I glanced at Vinyl once more before shooting off into the clouds.

And that is why I hate parties...

-End of chapter one.

Author’s note-
Hope everypony enjoyed the first chapter! First time writing an MLP fic so…hope it was good!
What happened between Octavia and Vinyl Scratch? Who is the pony that found Skippy at the party? What is Skippy's real name? All this and more in the next few chapters!

I’d like to thank my new editors and pre-readers for assisting me in improving this story and bringing it to it’s maximum potential. Thank you FrozenPyro and Dawn Fade! You have helped me iron out all of my derps and D’oh moments and allowed for this story to become really nicely pulled together.
> The Skipping CD
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


The Skipping CD


“Vinyl! We need more of your awesome music!” a cheerful voice said right next to me. 

Pinkie Pie had hopped up into the booth and was staring at me with puppy eyes in a vain attempt to make the music resume more quickly.

I quietly grumbled and got settled at my consoles, having just resolved the mishap with Pinkie hurling somepony into my valuable equipment. 

I was trying to get the dance floor going again now that my speaker was repaired, but it was made quite difficult by the poor mare still sobbing nearby. I decided to hold off on the music for a few minutes and tend to the poor pony.

“Hey Vinyl,” she said in a shaky voice.

“Hey Scootaloo.” I sat down next to the distressed pegasus and slid my hoof around her neck in a comforting manner.

“Why didn’t you fly after him? You have wings…” 

I bit my lip after realizing what I had just said. Scootaloo hadn’t exactly been one for flying…

Even though Scootaloo was quite a bit older than she looked, she was still a little scared of flying, favouring her scooter to get her from place to place. Come to think of it, she and Skippy would be about the same age. The embarrassment of still being ‘small’ and ‘cute’ didn’t help her self-confidence.

The thought was bucked out of my head as the air was filled with a sorrowful cry. Great, Scootaloo was going back into dramatic mode.

I really shouldn’t have said that…

She continued sobbing on the ground as I went back to my booth. I figured there was nothing I could do to console the crying filly so I decided to just head back to work. I fired up my consoles again and looked for another record to spin.

Still looking…

“Ah!” I found my old dance mix that I had lent out to Twilight a couple months ago. I figured that if it made Twilight smile when she was down on her luck, it would definitely make Scootaloo smile.

I loaded it onto the turntable and moved the needle to track two. The memories of it came flooding back…Pinkie’s jam song. It would make Nightmare Moon herself crack a smile.

I flicked a switch on my amplifier to bring the power back on for the speaker system. It didn’t blow up, so Skippy must have done a pretty good job on the repairs.

I lowered the needle and the speakers crackled to life with music. Everyone rushed to the dance floor immediately, except for Scootaloo. Her frown was slowly lifting as she began to get up and slowly walk to the dance floor. By the time she reached the crowd her smile was in full swing and she flapped her wings happily, dancing away.

“How in Equestria does Pinkie Pie pick such good music?” I said to myself, scrambling to find the next record to play. I had been so busy watching Scootaloo magically go from depression to all smiles that I forgot to find the next song.

Luckily, I found some Rainbow Spektrum before the song ran its course. I dusted it off, loaded it onto the second turntable and let it roll.

I managed to play nothing but upbeat music for several hours. All the ponies were happy, the party was moving, and I hadn’t seen Octavia yet! Maybe I would be able to have an easy night after all…

After loading the next track and lowering the needle, I heard a soft voice from behind me.

“I need an XLR cable if you have one.”

I whipped around in shock, forgetting that I was still in the process of lowering the needle onto the next record. A deafening screeching was heard across the entire park as I tried to lift the needle back up. But with my hooves shaking I just caused more scratching noises and induced angry yells from the ponies in the crowd. I finally kicked the power switch on the amplifier to shut off the speakers. With my ears no longer under attack, I whipped back around to say hello.

“Hi Octavia!” I said, my voice louder and more unnerved than intended. I was staring right into the face of the mare I once loved and she was acting as if it was nothing.

“Yes, hello,” she said.

I looked at her awkwardly for a moment as I tried to gather my thoughts. The slate grey pony broke the silence first.

“Uh, so about that XLR cable? I am supposed to perform tonight and I need to plug my Cello into your speakers,” she remarked in an almost bored tone, looking around as if to clearly exhibit her disinterest in our conversation.

I looked at her for a second in shock. She really pushed that ‘nothing ever happened’ get-up... so why did I keep treating her so nicely when she remained as emotionless as the floor I stood on? I racked my brain to find an answer but came up with nothing.

Right, decision time.

I leaned in close to her, being careful not to make a scene.

“No.” My voice was in a low, commanding tone. The shock and confusion on her face was palpable, so I decided to elaborate. 

“I would never… ever have my speakers used in any way by you. Enjoy trying to play tonight.” 

I snorted hot air and whipped back around, lashing my tail into her face in the process. I had dealt with her long enough and was sick of the attitude. I can handle the idea of working together but what I can’t handle is the idea of her constantly pretending that nothing ever happened between us. Yes I did still like her, maybe more than I would care to admit... but really, this has gone far enough. I was done being played with.

I fired up my amplifier again and started the song I had attempted to load earlier. The needle was down and music was playing once again. I decided now would be a good time to run to one of the booths and grab a drink.

I walked past Octavia as she sat in the grass behind my equipment. Ignoring her burning eyes, I walked away, my blood still boiling with anger.

I was just about to reach the booth and order a nice big glass of cider when I heard my record stop. I galloped back to the stage and realized that Octavia had taken the opportunity to plug her Cello into my board and was beginning to play. By the time I got back she was already well into her song. She was in front of the speakers playing for all the ponies that were slowly dispersing from the dance floor. She was ruining the night of up-beat music with her slow, dreadful music…

My mind raced as I tried to think of the quickest way to deal with her; I was already at my wits end and wanted her gone. Perhaps I could raise the volume on my speakers and cause a feedback loop? That won’t do it… maybe just lower the volume until she’s muted? But then she’ll just come back up here and raise it up again…
Aha! Phantom Power! My XLR overloading friend of mine. It would cause some serious damage to her cello and she wouldn’t be able to play for the night…

I flicked the switch to bring the Phantom Power online. I had customized it so I was able choose how much power I could send through it, which in this case was the maximum amount. A small high-pitched noise began to build up in the speakers as I saw her entire Cello begin to warp.

She was screaming and trying to unplug her Cello, but it was too late. I had overloaded her transmitter and caused a fire to break out inside the instrument. She continued to wail as she sat next to the writhing piece of wood and metal, watching the strings break one by one.

Okay, so I felt a little bad… she deserved it though. I turned down the power so I wouldn’t blow out my board while the transmitter inside the cello turned into electrical mush.

I heard her sobbing stop and a pair of eyes started burning holes into my head. I was trying to focus on what to play next instead of ac a fire mare and putting her Cello out of its misery. I didn’t want to have any contact with Octavia after what she just did. How in Equestria could she EVER bring herself to touch somepony’s personal sound board? That was my stuff! I continued to have hatred boil inside of me until I heard a quiet shaky voice for the second time that night.

“I was playing our song…” she said.

I lifted up my goggles and looked at her. “W…What?” My mind began to race as I wondered what she was talking about.

“That was the first song I ever played in front of you. We were together out in a field on our first date. I… I wanted to remind you that I haven’t forgotten about you…”

She broke into tears again as I got out of my booth and walked over to her. I sat next to her and cried with her after realizing what I had done. I loved her, I still did, but I had just destroyed something she holds dear more than anything...

“We can fix this!” I said, looking at the charred pile of wood and then back at her.

“You think this is a joke? It’s gone! You can’t fix this!” she began to hold her bow as if she was going to whack me with it. I backed off and gave her space. “Look, you have music to run. Just go,” she said, her voice shaking.

“But I…”

“GO!”

“I’m sorry Octavia... really I am,” I whispered, trying to hold my tears back.

“You will never be able to fix what you have done... now leave before I do something I will regret.”

I broke into tears, galloping back home leaving my equipment behind.

I was just about to make it out of the park when a pink blur suddenly stopped in my path. I skidded to a stop mere inches from her face.

“What’s wrong Vinyl? It’s a party! Be happy!”

“Look, I did something stupid and I have to go. I’ll pick up my equipment tomorrow.”

Pinkie looked at me confused, but then smiled. “Hang on, I’ll be right back!”

She became a blur once more, and a few short seconds later she appeared next to me again.

“Here! All packed!” She had somehow managed to pack up all of my gear in the blink of an eye.

Every ounce of distress and sorrow was knocked out of me as I looked at her with an extremely puzzled expression.

“How did you… what?!” I continued to look at her as my jaw dropped.

“Hee hee! It’s a secret, silly filly!”

She left me with the trailer and slowly trotted off.

My brain hurt after that. I looked at the trailer and everything was as it should be, but how the hay did she manage to pull that off?

“Hey! Pinkie!” I didn’t know why I was going to do what I was about to do, but I was doing it anyway.

She turned back to me with a big knowing smile. She zipped back over until she was right in front of me again.

“Uh, Want to go for a couple ciders? My treat.”

Her constant grin broadened as she fluttered her eyes at me. 

“Okey dokey!” She moved over next to me as we began to walk off.

“Oh wait, my trailer!” Before I could turn around, Pinkie Pie had pulled the trailer up next to me with the bridle in her mouth.

“How do you keep doing that?” I smiled as I put the bridle on and walked next to her.

“Oh, I might tell you later if you’re good,” the pink pony giggled.

I have no idea what that means… but it sounds painful.

I nervously chuckled and kept walking along with her until we both stopped. Our ears perked forward as we heard a rather familiar sound.

“Scootaloo?” I said in a worried voice.

“Y-yes?” I could tell from how hoarse her voice was that she had been crying for a while. She only stopped when Pinkie and I discovered her hiding in the bushes.

“Come on, let’s go for a walk.”

The pegasus came out of the bushes her fur wet with tears. I lifted a hoof to her face and tried to help dry the tears away. She put on a weak smile while we walked to my house. I wanted to drop off my trailer before I went out to the tavern, and my house was on the way anyway, so why not?

“So Scootaloo, when did you dye your fur?” I had many memories of the orange filly buzzing about on her scooter, but I hadn’t noticed her new look. Now she had a powder blue mane with a silver-gray coat and contacts that changed her eyes to a pretty ice blue color.

“I’ve looked like this for at least six months Vinyl…” she said with an aggravated tone.

“Ah, well… silly me.” I blushed, realizing that I must sound pretty stupid right now. Scootaloo had been going to a lot of parties to dance and run around, but I hadn’t registered her change in style before now.

“So where are you and Pinkie going?” I looked at the bouncing pink pony for an answer, but she was just trotting alongside me with no comment to make. So I decided to answer, “we’re going out… somewhere”. I realized that I was making it sound suspicious. I knew we were going to the tavern down the street from Sugarcube Corner but I was hoping Pinkie would have a more positive way of saying it.

“Oh really?” Scootaloo smirked and gave a quizzical look. “Where is this ‘somewhere’ of which you speak?” she said in the geekiest voice she could muster.

I swallowed hard after hearing that question. Does Pinkie Pie have more plans for me than I thought? Were we going to go over to the tavern or does she have other ideas?

I began to think about all of the possibilities, some of which ended up sounding pretty good in my mind. Then I heard a voice speak up that dispelled my reverie.

“I have no idea Scootaloo! You can come with us though!” said Pinkie Pie. Before I could say otherwise I heard her bounce in front of me. “Ooh! There’s your house! Come on let’s go let’s go let’s go!”

Well. Someone was impatient.

I rushed ahead, pulled my door open, stuffed my trailer in, turned around and rejoined the two ponies that were now looking at me in curiosity.

Pinkie, of course, was the first to speak up. 

“Why aren’t you using your magic? You are a unicorn after all…”

I could explain that in two ways… both of which would alienate them and make them never talk to me again… Plan C!

“Oh, I just like to keep my hooves active. Keeps me in shape.” They both kept a puzzled look on their face, but I quickly broke the ice. “Come on! The cider won’t stay cold forever!” I cantered off in front of them as they tried to keep up. Strangely, Pinkie wasn’t bouncing or hopping in her usual manner; instead she was just walking next to Scootaloo a few paces behind me.

After a couple minutes I slowed down and trotted alongside them again.

“So Vinyl, what do you wanna do after grabbing some ciders?” Pinkie said as she leaned next to me and wrapped her neck around mine. She was calmly fluttering her eyes and giving me a cute smile that I hadn’t seen on her before.

“Uh, let’s just grab some ciders and hang out,” I said nervously. I didn’t really like the idea of getting too comfy with Pinkie Pie, plus Scootaloo was with us and I couldn’t leave her. There was no way that I’d ever include Scootaloo in any of “Pinkie’s mischief.”

Hmm… Pinkie’s mischief… good name.

I walked into the tavern with Pinkie Pie and Scootaloo right behind me. I gestured to a waiter who was standing next to the door.

“Hi! Two ciders and a juice box please!” Pinkie said as she bounced in front of the waiter who looked worried with the bouncing pony in front of him, but he soon put on a smile and gestured to an empty table.

“Come on!” said the pink pony as she trotted over to the table and sat down.

I flashed a worried glance at Scootaloo, to which she had a similar reply. I decided that there wasn’t much that could still go wrong after the night I had, so I trotted over and grabbed a seat.

We got to our table and soon had two fizzing drinks in front of us and one apple juice for Scootaloo. She was annoyed about not getting to have any cider but I felt that nopony should let a young filly drink something so powerful.

I had only taken a few sips from my drink when Pinkie Pie looked into my eyes, “Let’s dance!” she said as she grabbed my hoof and dragged me over to the dance floor.

A calm song was playing so luckily, I wasn’t flung across the room from her reckless dancing. Instead she held me close as we slowly danced and twirled around the dance floor.

The nice slow song slowly faded away as a much faster beat kicked in. Pinkie Pie’s eyes widened as she quickly sped up our dance and twirled me around.

Then everything went… fuzzy…


“Hrrrmmm...” Was the next thing that I managed to iterate from my mouth. Dawn had broken and my head felt like Rainbow Dash had just made a rainboom right next to me. I put my hooves over my eyes to try to stop the searing pain of the sun’s rays coming through my eyelids.

At least I had a soft bed to bury my face in.

Wait... what the hay happened last night? I don’t remember ever seeing this ceiling... where am I?

A familiar voice spoke next to my ear. I turned my head in surprise to see Pinkie Pie lying next to me... in the same bed.

“Hey there, cutie face!” she said brightly.

What in the name of Celestia happened?

Author’s note-
Chapter two came out quick, I know!!
What is the real reason for Vinyl not using magic? What is Skippy’s real name? What happened last night? All this and more coming soon!

I’d like to thank my pre-readers and editors Dawn Fade and Frozenpyro for making sure that this chapter wasn’t one big Derp’D mess!

> Dead Air
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Dead Air


“What’s with the face Vinyl?” said Pinkie. I was unable to reply to her for a moment due to my pulse still hammering from the shock of waking right next to her.

“Uh… what happened?” I asked meekly. I had no idea what I did or if I would regret it or not.

“Oh! Right! This is awkward isn’t it?” said Pinkie Pie with a sheepish grin as she bit her lower lip and… did she just ‘squee’?

“Well… we had our first round of drinks and I guess I got just a little bit tipsy,” she said as her cheeks became increasingly flushed.

“And?” I prompted, trying to fix my mane.

“And uh… I tried that dance move I tried with Rarity.” 

I facehoofed. “AND?” I was getting frustrated with her lack of answers.

“Aaaand it turned out the same as last time except when you hit the speaker, the speaker won.” The pink pony gave a nervous laugh.

I didn’t really think that it was possible for her to ‘accidentally’ fling two ponies into two completely different speaker systems in one night. However I did have a lump behind my left ear and a particularly bad headache that seemed to support her claim.

That thought was interrupted as something dawned on me. What if she did something to me while I was sleeping? I didn’t wait very long before attempting to pry an answer from her. “So what happened then?” I asked shakily.

“I wanted a slumber party! So I dragged you back home.”

“Dragged?” I exclaimed, holding my head in my hooves.

“Well of course I didn’t drag you silly. Scootaloo and I carried you!”

Oh Celestia… Scootaloo!

“Where’s Scootaloo?! I need to find her!”

Pinkie Pie flashed a nervous look, and then clapped her hooves together as she remembered something. “Follow me!” she said with her usual peppy voice as she hopped off the bed and darted out the room.

I quickly followed behind her but continued to look around worriedly. I was quickly relieved as we walked downstairs into the shop.

Oh yeah… That’s where I am.

I smiled as I tapped on the glass of the display cabinet where a certain pegasus was passed out after eating through half a cake.

“Hrmm” I heard through the glass. I giggled as Scootaloo slowly freed her face from the remains of a ravaged cake. Her head shot up in surprise as her eyes regained focus, followed by a loud crack as it hit the worktop above. The gray filly slumped back onto the shelf of treats holding her head in her hooves.

She slowly pulled her head out of the case, brushing the icing from her muzzle in an attempt to compose herself... her frosting covered limbs afforded little purchase on the floor, sending her crashing to the ground in a tangle of hooves.

Pinkie Pie and I were laughing our flanks off as Scootaloo kept trying and failing to get herself back upright. Eventually she managed to correct herself, stomping a hoof down next to my head as Pinkie and I were rolling around on the floor.

“You think that’s funny, huh?” Scootaloo said irritably.

The two of us continued to laugh until we saw the filly spread her wings and shake the icing and crumbs off her, which covered Pinkie Pie and I from mane to hoof with the remains of what Scootaloo had decided to devour last night. “That’s what you get!” the pegasus yelled triumphantly as she started laughing.

Her laughing was quickly interrupted by Pinkie Pie sticking her tongue out and spinning around in a blur. Scootaloo and I exchanged glances as the pink pony came to a stop clean as a whistle with a mouth full of icing.

“I thought only Spike could do that?” Scootaloo said curiously as she wiped some splattered icing from her eyes.

“I was the one who taught him, silly filly!” Pinkie said as she patted Scootaloo on the head.

I saw Scootaloo begin to boil with rage “What did you just call me?”

Pinkie didn’t seem to notice the building rage in the small pony, so she continued her bubbly conversation, “Oh but you’re so cute! Of course you’re a cute little filly willy woo!”

I knew what was coming so I flattened my ears and backed away slowly as I heard Scootaloo begin to scrape her hooves against the floor. Followed by a thump as she pounced onto Pinkie’s head.

“Hey! Wait- Ow! Stop that! That’s my ear!” exclaimed Pinkie Pie as she was tackled to the floor and pummeled by the little pegasus. I tried to conceal my laughter but it was simply too much. I fell to the floor and let loose.

Scootaloo, however, would have none of this. “What do you think is so funny, huh?!” she yelled as I tried to hide my laughter once more.

“It’s just so... cute!-” I gasped as I said that last word knowing deep down that I would regret it.

Scootaloo leapt up into the air and I braced myself, expecting a face full of hoof.

Still waiting...

I opened my eyes wondering where Scootaloo went, only to find her flapping her wings in my face.

“Look! I might still be small but I’ll be growing soon! And when I do-”

“But Scootaloo! You’re-” I was abruptly interrupted by her tirade.

“I’m talking to you! Listen! I have had it with you full grown ponies messing with me just because I’m small! I... I...” She finally realized that she was floating a short distance above me with an odd sensation coursing through her wings.

“I’m... flying? Hey, I’m flying!” she hollered as she beamed at Pinkie and I. 

Pinkie was still rubbing her head from being tackled to the floor but still seemed to be happy for her. “Wow! Way to go Scootaloo!” she said while beaming at the flying pegasus. After gazing at her for a moment she gasped as an idea struck her. “Hey! This calls for a party!” 

“Not now Pinkie! I want to test these bad boys out! See you guys later!” Scootaloo said as she took off through the window and into the new morning sun.

“Aww, but I haven’t had a party in a days!” Pinkie said as she sat on her flank and pouted.

Apparently she had completely forgotten about the massive party that she had thrown last night.

I looked at her for a moment until an idea popped into my head, “Hey! I know what will cheer you up! How’d you like to come with me to work and watch my show?” I said as I was trying to straighten my hair with my hooves.

Pinkie gasped, “Really?! That would be so super duper awesomely fun! Let’s go!”

She began to drag me out of the door until I realized something. “But Pinkie, my show isn’t for another three hours! How about a little bit of breakfast?” I suggested hopefully. Considering I hadn’t managed to find time to eat since yesterday, I was doing pretty well. Usually at this point I’m ready to eat my own mane but for some reason I didn’t feel famished. Did I do some late night snacking with Scootaloo?

“Sure! Let’s go to The Hay Bale!” she said as I shook the thought from my head. She grabbed her saddlebags from the hook by the door and we went out into the world for the day.

Ah, right. That lovely cider was now not so lovely... I tapped the side of my goggles with my hoof in gratitude for having something to shield my sore eyes from the sun. 

Since I was feeling in high spirits that morning, I decided to start up a conversation. “So did you have fun last night?”

She flashed a rather seductive gaze at me and replied, “Oh yes. It was very fun. It’s a shame you don’t remember any of it...” She moved closer to me as she finished her sentence. I promptly gulped as more thoughts raced through my head as to what happened last night.

“You wanna know what happened? It was soooo fun!” she said as she turned us into an alleyway. 

“Uhh... okay?” I said. She had made me nervous enough this morning and I wasn’t sure if I could take any more of it. Before I knew it I was up against a wall while she stood in front of me with a romantic, loving look on her face. 

“Well, we got back to my house and lay by the fire for awhile until you woke up. Then we just talked about things, then Scootaloo looked hungry so I let her have some sweets from behind the counter, and after a few minutes she was fast asleep!” She said as I continued to look at her nervously, my mane grew damp as the beads of sweat slipped down onto my face. “So then, I asked if we could go to the kitchen to do something. So we got up and went into the kitchen and I pulled some things out of the cupboard.”

She continued to taunt me with her long pauses. So I decided to interject in a blunt manner. “And?” I exclaimed.

“I pulled out some pan grease, some whipped cream, and some strawberries! And you wanna know what we did next?...” she whispered as she leaned in close to me.

Oh Celestia, here it  comes...

“We made extra delicious cupcakes! They were soooo good!”

Oh why me... why can’t I just hold my cider like every-... wait, what? Cupcakes?

“Uhh, what?” I said, my worry easing slightly.

“Oh it was so amazing! We added strawberries, blueberries, and lots of cinnamon sugar! And you helped make them the best cupcakes I have ever had!” she said with a rough, breathy tone in her voice.

“Well I’ve never tried my hoof at cooking before but I’m glad that-” I stopped mid-sentence due to the sudden proximity of Pinkie’s muzzle to mine. Before she managed to get close enough to do anything, I slipped away from between her hooves.

“Oh well will you look at the time! I should probably be helping CDs sort some Skippy- err, uh. Yeah. I’ll see you around!” she was getting to the point of creepy with her obsession with sweet treats and I knew that if I stuck around then my worries would become a reality. I decided to get to work early after all so I could do some mindless office work.

I was dragging my hooves as I walked through town towards the radio station. I hadn’t gotten much sleep and this hangover wasn’t helping at all. I was considering calling in sick for the day until I remembered something, “Oh! Right! Dash 182!” I cantered towards the station so I could check and make sure that I was right. I was almost certain that I was supposed to have Dash 182 on the air with me today for an interview and live performance! I had loved their work for several years and everypony who is anypony has been to at least one of their concerts.

I rushed up the staircase to my office and fished around for my key.

“Oh horse apples...” I had left my key at home when I dropped off my trailer last night.

I thought for a moment about running back to my house, but I was too impatient for that. If I did have them coming into the studio today I had a lot of preparation to do.

“Ah!” Remembering a spell that Twilight taught me a few months ago that might help me with this. I put my horn next to the door handle and concentrated on the tiny parts that were in the lock, I was hoping that I would be able to pick it. To my surprise, however, I ended up causing the whole mechanism to burst into pieces, sending the door knob flying.

“Well... that works,” I said, deciding to remain positive as I entered my office. The lights flickered to life as I sat down at my desk. “Now where is that darn calendar!” I muttered while shuffling through the piles of CDs, one sheets, and miscellaneous papers that were strewn across my desk.

I was about to give up my search until I noticed the blinking light on my office phone. “Ah! Their manager!”

I set my horn aglow and concentrated on the miscellaneous buttons that sat in front of me.

*Welcome, Vinyl Scratch! Please enter yo-* I quickly entered my password to end the nasally voice that was coming through the speaker.

*You have one new voice message!*

“Hello Vinyl Scratch! Just making sure that we are still confirmed for today’s interview. I’d prefer not flying the boys in only to have them turned away... I’ll see you soon.”

*End of new messages*

Right. Time to make a few calls...

First I needed to call the manager back to let him know that I hadn’t forgot about him. Then I needed to call Trixie Records about that new album from Fleet Dragons. Then... I should probably call Pinkie Pie to apologize about earlier.

Right then. Dash 182’s Manager!

I began to dial his number but was interrupted as I was deafened by a horrid screech from my window.

“YOU PINKIE PROMISED!” screamed the enraged pink figure that was floating outside. She appeared to have tied some balloons around her waist to float up to my window.

How did she know where the station was? How did she know which office I was in? Did I really Pinkie Promise something?

I opened the window without thinking about how much of a horrible mistake it was. She calmly floated in and yanked all of the strings from her waist, her coat appearing a darker shade of pink than usual along with her hair being oddly straight instead of its usual craziness.

“You Pinkie Promised to me that you would bake with me forever!” she said as her eyes twitched and her ears flopped. “Come on lover boy, let’s go bake a big warm cake!”

I decided that now would be a good time to freak out. “Okay first off I’m a mare, and secondly-”

“Don’t you interrupt me! You said you lov-” she tried to say before I abruptly interrupted her. In a brief moment of clarity, it became apparent that I needed to fight fire with fire. I pressed my muzzle against hers and she flailed her arms in the air for a moment before giving in.

Wow. For a somewhat crazy mare, Pinkie certainly was a passionate one. I was just about to release her from my embrace when the door behind us flung open.

“Vinyl! What in the hay is-” Octavia had stormed in with Skippy close behind, only to see the horror that was me being with another mare.

“Vinyl! In your office?” exclaimed the perturbed mare that stood before us.

I separated myself from Pinkie Pie who appeared to be caught in a state of euphoria. Her mane was poofing out as it should, and the color was coming back to her coat.

“Woah...” was the last thing I heard as the bliss struck mare floated back out of the window.

Right then, I’m going to completely ignore her defiance of physics once again and face the vultures.

“How could you act like that with one of my best friends Vinyl? What the hay?” Skippy said as he whipped around and walked out with a huff.

Octavia had nothing to say, instead she just sat there with looks of hate and sorrow on her face.

Hmmm... words. Yes I think I should use words now. Words are good.

“Octavia... I was just about to call Da-”

“Save it!” she exclaimed, a tear glistening from her cheek as she yelled.

Okay, words are bad. Words are very bad.

It seemed as if an eternity had gone by before Octavia finally got back up and turned away, pausing for a moment to wipe the tears from her muzzle before walking out.

I had so many things that I wanted to say to her, so many apologies left unsaid, so many things that I wanted to take back. I kept thinking about everything I could have said to her in an attempt to make everything better again... everything I didn’t do. I broke into tears as the echo of Octavia’s office door slamming reached my ears.

Resting my head on my desk, I let my sorrow drip onto the papers that lay in front of me. The memories crept back to the forefront of my mind as my eyelids grew heavy.

I didn’t want to fight any more, so I let my eyes close and went to sleep as the warm sensation of tears running down my muzzle faded away.



-End of chapter 3

Author’s notes-
How sad! Poor Vinyl...

Sorry for the long wait everypony! My editors and I have been going through the past two chapters with a fine tooth comb to bring them to their maximum potential! And wouldn’t you know it, all that work paid off! This story is now happily featured on Equestria Daily!

Now that i've finished all of the editing of the previous chapters, I hope to be posting one chapter each week, most likely on Monday nights.

I’d like to thank my pre-readers and editors Dawn Fade and Frozenpyro for making sure that this chapter wasn’t one big Derp’D mess!
> REALLY Dead Air (april fools)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


What COULD Have Been Chapter 4


"Vinyl!'

I woke up to the sound of a very angry pony yelling at me. Not exactly the best way to wake up...

"You have slacked off for the last time! There has been dead air for the past two hours and a infuriated band manager in the waiting room!"

Octavia moved closer to me, so I pushed myself back into my chair as it rolled to the back of the room.

"What do you have to say for yourself! You go have fun with Pinkie in your office and then you fall asleep right before your on-air shift?"

I kept on pushing myself back further, trying to get away from her and rid myself of the burden of needing to sit through this.

"How do you even have the nerve to stay here? You've hurt absolutely everyone's feelings and yet you still sit there like nothing happened. Leave! Now!

Just as she said that, I felt the back of my chair give way as I fell back through the window that Pinkie Pie had gone through.

I hope this is the friendly type of ground... hello ground!

A sharp pain coursed through my body for a split second, and then... Darkness.

Everything was a dull bliss from that point, I don't really know what happened... or why... but I felt at peace now in my dark, simple world.

This is where I shall stay. This is how I have been and always will be spending the rest of my days. Just ambling through the dark...

The End


Author's note-
April fools! U MAD?
This was an idea that I tossed around for a few seconds in my brain and quickly threw it away. But now with April fools... I had to.
The REAL chapter 4 is coming out in less than 24 hours! Stay tuned!

-can't thank my pre-readers on this one... whipped it up and let it fly. Excuse all of the derps and mess-ups... let this be an example of where I'd be without my lovely editors and pre-readers Dawn Fade and Frozenpyro!
> Loose Knobs
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Loose Knobs


“Vinyl... Hey! Vinyl!” a faint voice said.

My senses felt very strange, almost as if they were dulled. I was unable to move and I couldn’t see anything. 

My rising panic subsided as I saw everything begin to melt into shape before me. There in front of me sat a much younger Octavia, no more than ten years of age.

Right, well this is a very odd dream... quite a lucid one at that. But where is this? What happens here?

“Come on! I need you to put this CD up here!" the young filly said. I didn’t move until everything had come into view, as my surroundings became clear to me I realized that I was in the CD library back when it was much different.

I was sitting by the window with Octavia waiting for me by one of the CD shelves. I had been looking out at all of the ponies trotting around in the market as they opened up for business for the morning.

“Equesfia to Viwil? Hewwo sweepy heaf!” Octavia said as she bounced around next to me with a CD in her mouth, muffling her words.

I tried to move but I had no control, I hated these sort of dreams... completely acknowledging what was going on around me but unable to move a hoof. I finally began to move, but not by my own will.

A sudden, horrible thought dawned on me, I knew that I had this dream before, but why? What happens here that is so important? I know that this is something from my past but...

...Oh no...

“Come on! I need your help!” I was moving, but at an agonisingly slow pace, as if wading in a thick patch of mud.

With my body frozen on the spot and my senses dulled, I could only watch as history repeated itself before my eyes.

“Here! Right... woah!” Octavia was trying to point to where she needed me to put the CD, but in the process she leaned against the massive shelf and it began to topple over.

“Vinyl! Help me!” I stood there immobile as Octavia looked up helplessly at the shelf that was soon to topple on top of her.

The shelf fell over at a painstakingly slow pace. I felt weightlessness ensue around me as I floated around it, watching the CDs fall to the floor as if in slow motion, and Octavia shaking in fear.

My horn came to life with a power I could not sense, I could only see the sparks flaring from my forehead from the magic that was fueled by my fear.

I flung Octavia out of the way just in time as I watched the heavy shelf topple over at a faster rate, hitting its neighbor with a thunder that shook the whole room, falling ponderously at first but slamming into the next shelf, and then the next, causing a domino effect.

I fell to the ground, suddenly having the dream’s effect of weightlessness ripped away from me, causing me to crash against the window where one of Octavia’s dolls sat.

The sense of falling to the ground suddenly took over, I was sitting in the sill, not moving. But I had forgotten about the doll...

“Where is Ms.Smartypants! Vinyl!” the young Octavia shrieked at me as the world slowly began to melt away from sight.

“Vinyl! Octavia! What in Equestria... What did you do?!" A chill fell over me as I looked towards the library door where Octavia’s mother stood with my mother close behind.

“Octavia! What did you do?!” my mother shouted. 

“No! My precious little girl would never do anything like this! Vinyl must’ve done it!” replied Octavia’s mother.

Octavia and I shrunk away from our feuding parents, tucking our hooves in and hiding our faces in our tails.

“Come on! We’re going home!” Octavia’s mother said.

“No! Wait! Ms.Smartypants!” exclaimed Octavia. Her mother paid no attention to her yelling and dragged her away as Octavia began to cry.

My vision blurred and the sounds of her yells began to echo even more. I was suddenly looking through the eyes of the doll as it slowly fell towards the ground. Time slowed down even more as I heard Octavia’s cries once more “Vinyl! Vinyl help me! Vinyl!"

“Vinyl!” I was suddenly thrown back into my own body. Darkness and stiffness ensued as I felt a hoof shaking my head.

“Vinyl! Come on! Your show started half an hour ago!”

I rubbed my eyes with my hooves, trying to focus them onto the hopping pegasus in front of me.

“W... what?” I said, shaking my head in an attempt to refocus.

“Come on! Octavia left you to sleep and she took over your show! Dash 182 is performing in the studio in less than a minute! Get your flank down there!” Skippy prompted urgently.

I felt blood rush to my cheeks as anger coursed through my veins, I dragged my head off of the table and stomped my hooves onto the ground.

 I began to sprint as soon as I got up, my hooves slipped on the tile floor as I tried to gain momentum. I ran through the hall and down the staircase. I flung the first floor door open only to see Octavia whooping it up with Dash 182 as they were talking on-air.

I paused for a moment, wondering if I should do this or not. The on-air light was shining brightly above the door and it was my time to be on, so why should I hesitate? 

A thought called out in my head “You shouldn’t! Now get in there!”.

As I shoved through the on-air studio door, the entire band turned and looked at me with confused looks on their faces but Octavia remained composed.

“So tell me, when’s your next tour?” she said as she attempted to regain the attention of the band.

“Well uh... we’re going to Manehattan in two weeks to start off our tour, and then we’re off to Canterlot to perform for the princess herself!”

My blood boiled as I thought about all of the work I had put into this. I had spent months trying to schedule this band and now she’s taken them right out of my hooves.

“Wow! That should be quite an interesting show. Now, you came out with a new album recently so how about we play something from that?” she said as she smirked at me. She knew what she was doing to me, to my career, and she was having quite a good time destroying it.

“How about track three?” said the bassist from the corner. 

I had been listening to their entire album for the past two weeks just so I could have some commentary before and after the song, but Octavia completely butchered what I had hoped to do with a very simple pre-sell. “Sounds good! Here’s Dash 182 right here on one oh five point three, The Horn.” I grit my teeth as I stomped over to the soundboard where she was sitting. “Yes Vinyl?” she said, completely ignoring the rage that was about to be released upon her.

“Out of my chair. Now.” I said in a very firm tone. I was expecting her to move immediately but instead she just looked at her notecards for a minute so she would be ready for the next segment of the interview... 

Hey wait... those are my note cards! Did she really swipe those from my desk?

“Octavia. Move. Now.” I didn’t like the idea of what I was about to do but I knew that it had to be done.

She looked at me for a moment and then back at my cards.

Well... she had it coming! I set my horn aglow and a light blue field began to form around her. She looked at me confused for a moment until she realized what I was about to do. “Vinyl don’t you-” She stopped mid-sentence as she waved her hooves in the air, trying to find a place to grip. I had picked her up and floated her over to the sill of a nearby window. In my fit of rage I would have happily pushed the window open and let her plummet into an unlucky demise of fruit and angry market stall owners. However I did have guests in the studio, so I lifted Octavia up to the ceiling and then let her drop on her flank a few short feet behind me.

The band was somewhat appalled at my actions but didn’t seem to be too worried. After realizing that I only dropped her on the floor and that she was okay, they nervously sat back down and waited for their cue.

“Sorry about that guys... on in thirty!”

They nodded in agreement and moved themselves closer to the microphones while fixing their posture. I nodded back at them as I saw the track that was playing slowly reaching zero.

“And that was the new single from Dash 182! This is Vinyl filling the air once again. The traffic in the markets this morning certainly was rough but I made sure to get here as quickly as I could!”

The drummer snickered in the corner, quickly stopping himself as I glanced a death stare right into his eyes.

“So tell me guys, what is this song about? What inspired you to make this?”

“Well really we just wanted to rock out, that’s about it!”

I always thought of this band as a deep thinking group... it sorrowed me to hear such a simple reply.

I began to form words for a quick reply until the guitarist snorted and burst into laughter.

“You actually think we’d act like that? No no no. That song is all about a beautiful mare that is soon to be my wife. And I know she’s listening in over in Manehattan! Hi darlin’!”

“Well that’s a relief!” I said, my hooves still shaking from the thought of one of my favourite artists being a simple rock band.

“So, we’ve heard it on CD, but how about a live rendition for all of our listeners?”

Without even thinking twice, the band hopped off of their stools and got into position. I only had enough time to say a few short words before my dream of a personal concert was about to come true.

“Well it seems like these guys don’t skip a beat! Here’s Dash 182 live in the studios of one oh five point three, The Horn!”

I sat back in my chair and waited as they checked their instruments in the last few seconds of silence. I pulled my goggles off and beamed as they began their tune.

Sadly, it ended as quickly as it began.
 
The lights flickered above me and the computer consoles shut down. Just as I hopped up in surprise, I saw smoke billowing out of the tech room door from across the hall.
 
I glanced behind me to find that Octavia was no longer behind me, and that the studio door was ajar.
 
The band stopped and stared at me as I watched the power levels on the transmitter viewer drop to zero.
 
"What the... Octavia! What have you done!" I exclaimed as I leapt from my seat and ran down the hall.
 
I covered my mouth in a useless attempt to keep the smoke from choking me as I went to see what Octavia had done.
 
I was ready to buck Octavia right to the moon, I wanted to make sure that I never saw her again.

Oh God Octavia!
 
Her body lay still on the floor, her mane frizzed and her hooves twitching.
 
I looked back up to see what she had done, only to find that she bucked the transmitter console and pierced through the housing straight to the power conduits.
 
I held her in my hooves as she lazily opened her eyes to look at me.
 
"Vinyl... Vinyl I am so sorry... I... I should have never treated you like this..."
 
Every word that she said made my heart melt, I felt so much sadness and sorrow well up inside of me but I forced myself not to show it.
 
"I just want you to know... I didn't leave you. Not on purpose..."
 
She looked at me like she did back when we still loved eachother... I never expected her to say anything like this... at least not under these circumstances.
 
"Octavia... stop saying such silly things. Now you aren't going to die, you only got zapped... but I need you to relax, okay?"
 
She nodded in reply before closing her eyes. I looked at her once more as a tear grew from the corner of my eye. I gently laid her head down and wondered what to do next.
 
"Skippy! I need you in here right now!"
 
I heard his familiar hoof steps coming down the hallway, I looked at him in astonishment when he walked in, wondering how he didn't smell the smoke or hear any of our conversation.
 
"Uh, is she okay?" he said, his eyes darting from Octavia to the transmitter and back to her.
 
"She's okay, but we need to get back on the air now. Can you fix it?" I said as I attempted to make the most desperate expression as I could. My emotions were officially shot at that point so it was all fake emotions from hereon out...

“Yes, but I’m going to need a couple hours.”

“A couple hours? We need to be back up and running now!” I shouted. This was just as much my radio station as it was Octavia’s. I hated the idea of unscheduled off-air time, especially with guests waiting in the other room.

“Look, Octavia did a lot of damage to herself and the equipment. You need to get her to a hospital and I need to get all of this back up and running. Now do what you need to do and I’ll do the same!”

Wow Skippy, didn’t know you had it in you to boss me around...

I picked up octavia and slung her over my back. Skippy looked at me oddly but what else could I do?

I galloped down the hall and out of the studio doors, the sun glared into my eyes and my hooves sounded like bombshells as they hit the cobblestone and dirt road. The hospital was several miles away but I needed to keep on going no matter what happened. I needed to know what Octavia was going to say to me.

“Vinyl! What happened!” said a surprised lavender pony as she caught up to me.

“Twilight! Oh thank Celestia. I need your help!” I skidded to a stop and gently put Octavia down onto the ground.

“I need you to teleport us to the hospital! Octavia was zapped by the transmitter and needs help! Please!” I begged as Twilight looked at me with a stunned expression. I didn’t realize that my emotions had been bottling up so much. My emotions broke like a dam as soon as I tried to talk, sending waves of tears rolling down my face onto the dry dusty path.

“The hospital? I don’t know how to get there! I’ve only been there once!” Twilight said as she looked at me, desperately wanting to help.

“I... I don’t know what to do, Twi...” I wiped a tear from my cheek.

She looked at me and smiled. “Vinyl... I know what we need to do. Come on,” she picked Octavia up and carried her on her back. “Let’s get her the help that she needs, and then go get a nice warm cup of coffee.”

“I... uh...” how in Equestria did she calm my nerves so easily? She’s so collected, so kind...

“What the hay, why not.” I said as I trotted alongside her. She gave me a smile every time I glanced at her.

Why was I doing this? What compelled me to be lulled into her sweetness and just merrily trot along like nothing happened today?

I glanced at Octavia’s unconscious body lightly bouncing on Twilight’s back. I only hoped that she would be okay and that all of this would be over and done... she might keep on yelling at me and hating me, but I still couldn’t shake my feelings for her.

A good portion of the journey was... quiet. I never thought about how even with her cheerful disposition, Twilight could still be very, very mature when needed. Her stance was strong and her mind was focused while we walked along the winding path that led to the hospital.

As we walked out of town, I looked up at the trees and the birds. I had mostly kept inside during the day and such beauty was never visible at night. The way the outskirts of Ponyville looked in the daylight was simply amazing. The birds chirped as little fillies played in the tall grass and the farmers plowed their fields.

“Wow, it’s really just over here?” Twilight said.

I lost my focus on the natural beauty around me as, to my surprise, we walked up to the hospital.

We rushed up to the emergency room door where two stallions were waiting to help anyone in need. They gently placed her into a sling and rolled her away.

It felt like an eternity before a doctor came out with a clipboard in his hoof. “Hello! I am doctor Redlife and I will be treating your friend... what is her name?”

“Her name is Octavia... can I stay with her please? I want to be there for her when she wakes up.”

“I’m sorry ma’am but you have to wait while we get her comfortable. You can wait in here while you sign the paperwork,” he said with a very stern voice, his words not helping the tears that were reforming.

Twilight nodded to the doctor and dragged me inside. I took a seat and began to write everything.

I was hoping for peace so that I could collect my thoughts, but Twilight would have none of it.

“So... what happened?” she said.

“She took over a show that I’ve been working for two months to prepare for...” I felt my emotions begin to well up again.

“So you electrocuted her?”

“No, no no. She was angry when I dropped her on her flank. So she snuck off to the transmitter room and took the station off the air... taking herself out in the process.” I lost myself in quiet sobbing until Twilight put a hoof on my shoulder... strangely bringing a sense of comfort I haven’t felt before.

“I doubt that you two have always been like this,” she said as I attempted to recollect myself.

“No... she and I were brilliant together. But then, after the best nine months I’ve ever had... she just... walked away.”

“What ever happened between you and Octavia?” she said as a more serious look came across her face.

I would have loved nothing more than to trot away, but instead I felt compelled to reflect on my buried memories.

“We... we grew up. I wanted to keep on partying but Octavia took the route of classical music. I loved her cello music but I didn’t think she’d take it so far! I started mixing dubtrot and... that was the end of it. After all of our emotional hurdles and rough patches, it was the music that finally ended us.”

My train of thought crashed into a wall when Twilight quickly slouched in her chair with one hoof over her mouth and another holding her sides.

“You think that my emotional scarring... is funny...” I felt every ounce of respect I had for Twilight begin to melt away. I had poured my heart out... okay, so I summarized but still... she should’ve been a little more supportive.

“Oh no no! I feel horrible for you, really I do... but I have never heard of a couple breaking up because of dubtrot! It really is one of the silliest things I have ever heard... I’m sorry Vinyl, really I am. I should’ve been a little more subtle instead of breaking into laughter like that.”

She can read minds too?

I blinked at her, wondering what to say next. I had been so focused in my music and in my party life that I have never really thought about the big picture... She left me because of dubtrot?

Before I could reply to Twilight’s comments, she hopped up and pulled me by my hoof.

“Come on! Let me buy some coffee for you to make up for laughing like that... ohh! I know! Let’s go to Fluttershy’s shop! She has a sale today on my favorite herbal blend!”

Well, that works...

She grabbed the clipboard from next to me and put it on the nurses desk. Then, while exchanging oddly devilish grins, we set back off for Ponyville.

I wonder what Fluttershy’s shop is like...



-End of chapter 4

-Author’s note

Well... that just happened.
Vitwi? Twiscratch? Something...

Fast paced chapter for fast paced Vinyl. Poor mare... helping the one who hates her after getting zapp’D. Conflict of interests...

-I’d like to thank my pre-readers and editors Dawn Fade and frozenpyro for helping me with all of my derps and mess-ups! Thanks guys.

-Chapter 5 next Monday!
> Dusty Records
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Dusty Records


“So Vinyl,” Twilight began as she took another sip from her coffee, “what have you been up to lately?”

“Oh, just the usual: messing with Skippy, researching some of the old classical pieces I found in the radio station’s cellar, mixing down some new dubtrot, doing paperwork, running parties, doing my show... nothing out of the ordinary.”

A stern look formed across Twilight’s face. “So igniting Octavia’s cello in the middle of a rendition of Sarabande isn’t out of the ordinary to you?”

“Hehe... yeah... I’d rather not talk about that. But hey what about you? What spel-”

“Oh no no no, you don’t get to shrug that off. What made you do that to the poor mare?” she asked crossly. I realized that she wouldn’t let me wiggle out of this one.

“I... I was confused. I was mad at her and just wanted her out of the way.”

“Why were you mad at her?”

Finally, a chance for me to stand my ground. “She touched my soundboard without permission! I had every right to-”

“No no, why were you mad at her? You were mad at her before she messed with your equipment... why?”

I stared at the bottom of my empty mug for a few moments as Twilight kept watching me intently. Out of the corner of my eye I could see her patiently waiting for a reply, but I didn’t really know what to say.

“I... I don’t know. This is all just so... not me...”

Twilight must have realized that she had backed me into a corner. I felt her hoof softly rest on my shoulder as the tears began to stream down my muzzle again.

“Hey... you’re okay. I’m sorry for pushing you like this...”

I only just finished bawling my eyes out about Octavia, and now Twilight was prying into my personal life more than I was comfortable with... could this day get any worse?

“Listen, can we go somewhere? I think a walk through the park could help you cool off and clear your head,” she said as she tilted her head towards the town square. The soothing flow of sympathy coming from her was helping, but I was still dreading the conversation that I knew was coming.

Even through my roiling emotions, it would be nice to feel the wind rustle through my mane as I shared my thoughts with someone caring.

“Come on! I know just the place to go.”

Twilight started running full steam towards the forest while I was still getting off of my stool, I had to move quickly in order to keep up.

“So Twilight,” I puffed, “where exactly are we going?”

“Oh, nowhere you would know.”

Puzzled, I followed her as we trotted out of town and into a wooded area.

We continued to walk for quite some time as Twilight left me to my thoughts. The silence between us was a little disconcerting.

I wonder why she’s taking me somewhere far away... oh horseapples... is she going to try to end me? I know that she took Octavia’s side but would she ever be that extreme?

“Hey, you seem quiet... are you alright?” Her sudden conversation starter made me jump, but I answered nonetheless.

“Oh, just wondering how Octavia is doing...”

“Vinyl, it’s only been less than an hour! I thought you didn’t want to be around her.”

“I do! Well, I don’t... I don’t know! This is all just so...”

“Frustrating?” Twilight interjected.

“I was going to say painful... I can’t stand being around her because we’re always tugging at each other’s manes and kicking at each other’s hooves. I still have so many mixed feelings for her, and if she could find it in her to actually forgive me for what I’ve done... then I would forgive her.”

“Why don’t you tell her that? It seems like your regret is sincere... I think she’d forgive you if you told her what you have just told me.”

She promptly looked into my eyes and put on the cutest smile I had ever seen...

It helped, but I still felt wary.

“I don’t think now is a good time. She’s just in the hospital a-”

“There is never a good time, believe me. You need to do it and you need to do it now before you lose your confidence.”

I have confidence right now?

“Maybe... I’ll think about it.”

She looked into my eyes again. “You need to do this, please, for both your sakes.”

Well... she’s pushing a thorn in my side.

“Fine... but I’ll need someone to help me when I’m kicked down.”

The thought of one of Octavia’s first lashouts floated to the forefront of my mind, causing my exhausted tear ducts to begin filling my eyes up once again.

Twilight slowed down and nuzzled against me. I couldn’t tell if she was trying to be nurturing or... flirtatious?

“Hey look! We’re here!”

I looked up as my jaw promptly dropped as I gazed upon the unparalleled beauty that lay before me.

Everything there was full of life, not a single rock out of place. The light lazily flickered through the leaves as I finished making my way through the thick forest.

This was... new to say the least. In all of my years I have never seen such a calm, still place. I felt like I could lie down on a thick patch of moss and let my mind rest for hours.

“Twilight... what...” I tried to form words, but the sheer peace and tranquility had me stammering. I hadn’t seen such a peaceful and beautiful place before...

“Welcome to my haven!” she said ecstatically. “This is where I come to think and read. Fluttershy showed me this place awhile back and ever since then I have always come here in my spare time.”

“Why did you bring me here? I mean this is amazing, don’t get me wrong... but why?”

“Well, I wanted you to be able to have a quiet place to think about everything that is going on in your life. This is your chance to breathe in the air and soothe your frayed nerves.”

“Breathe in the air... Breathe In The Air... oh Celestia, the radio station!”

I don’t know why Twilight’s words immediately made me think of Pinkie Floyd, but Skippy had probably finished fixing the transmitter and there wasn’t any other DJ’s scheduled to be in today.

I turned tail and began to canter away, “Look I have to go, but I’ll be ba- OW!”

A field of purple light formed around my tail, bringing me to a quick and painful stop.

“Oh no no no. From what I’ve heard you’ve been going through hell for the past couple days. You need this time to yourself. Now sit down and relax.”

Well then... how nurturing of her.

Her motherly nature was... unnerving, but I still enjoyed her company. At least she wasn’t as bad as Pinkie Pie...

She was right though, I had been driving myself crazy over the past couple days.

“Here, have a seat!” she said as her horn pulled me over to a nearby rock.

“Uh.... thanks?” Even though she was helping me relax, I was not amused at being hoisted by my tail.

I got comfortable on the ground, tucking my hooves beneath me and letting my body have some much needed relaxation time.

I didn’t expect this peace to last long though. I knew that Twilight was about to launch back into her conversation and pick at my brain like a bird rooting around looking for that one extra juicy worm. Instead, however, she lay down next to me and nuzzled against my neck.

“You know... for such an outgoing mare, I’ve always felt something... special... towards you,” she said in a quiet, sweet voice.

“You do remember the reason why you brought me out to relax... right?” I said, hoping that I wasn’t about to have another mare-related incident. Sadly my hopes were dashed.

“Of course I do! You wanted to get away from Octavia... and what better way to do that than to lose yourself with another mare?

Right... what to do... what t-mmph!

I widened my eyes, only to see that Twilight had arched her neck around and locked muzzles with me.

My mind was filling to the brim with things I could do to get out of this... but then one thought drifted to the forefront of my mind; why would I want to get out of this?

I hesitated as the thought of Octavia filled me with a longing, sorrowful sensation. The sensation of having this sweet, beautiful mare in my grasp caused these thoughts to dissipate rather quickly.

Just as I had accepted the idea and was beginning to push into the kiss, she pulled away.

“I... I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that... it’s just I’ve never met someone with such a love for history, and even though you like music history and I like... everything else history... I still feel like the same passion is there. That, plus with Spike around I just haven’t been able to find anypony that’s been willing to put up with me and-”

I realized that she was just desperate for somepony to hold her and love her, and although I didn’t feel any love towards her on a romantic level... I still wanted to help her.

So here I am turning the tables, as I lock my lips with Twilight’s... interesting.

No regrets went through my mind as the minutes turned into hours while she and I held each other close, happily snuggling and basking in the sun together; completely at peace, without a care in the world.

The light began to fade as the sun hid behind the trees in the valleys that lay afar, Twilight took notice to this.

“Hey... Spike is spending the night at Rarity’s. Want to come back to the library for some tea?”

My coat wasn’t doing much to keep the cold at bay, and my stomach was officially running on empty, so my usual ‘what could possibly go wrong’ attitude took over.

“You know, a cup of tea sounds great!”

I hopped up and extended a hoof towards Twilight to help her up. She blushed at the premise and accepted my help gladly.

As we began to stumble our way through the dark, I felt Twilight lean against me. I looked at her and noticed a rather cheeky expression on her face.

“You know... we don’t have to walk back home. I have something better in mind.”

She flashed a seductive glance as she set her horn aglow. I expected some odd alternative form of transportation to occur; wings, levitation boots, helium balloon...

...Jet pack?

A blinding light encompassed our bodies, causing me to shield my eyes. The light, however, left as quickly as it arrived. It took a moment for my eyes to adjust, and when I could finally see again the environment around me was completely different.

Less trees and more... books?

“Welcome to my library!” Twilight said with a sheepish smile.

“How... how did you just do that?” I stammered. I was surprised that I could come up with any words at all after such an odd experience.

“There are a lot of benefits that come with being a student of Celestia. Having access to the Canterlot Archives is just one of the perks. You just experienced my very own teleportation spell, made through a combination of Starswirl’s spell and a little bit of my own ingenuity,” she replied proudly.

“Well... I could go for some tea after that. Any chance of a nice sit down?”

I was still tingling after such an odd experience, but I decided to play it off.

Twilight gestured towards a nearby chair and floated a cup of tea onto the table in front of me.

We seemed to sit there for eternity, I continued to sit there sipping tea quietly as Twilight sat by the fire reading her books. I would think that she would be more talkative, but she must’ve noticed that I had quite a day, so she was giving me space to breathe.

For once, I decided to fill the quiet air with my voice, instead of my music.

“I caused it.” Twilight’s head whipped around in puzzlement, so I continued. "After that we grew distant, what with Octi delving into classical music while I fell hard into the club scene... it just seemed convenient to blame the breakup on musical differences, but, the more I think about it... the more I think that I am completely, utterly wrong.” Twilight’s look of curiosity was quickly replaced by concern and worry. She seemed as if she was more worried by me than what I was saying. “You see, a couple of years ago back in college, we were frolicking through a field by Fluttershy’s house. We were just goofing off when we should..... we sho.... we-”

The thoughts of days gone by had officially fried my emotions for the day, which probably isn’t the best thing to do several days in a row... I started to feel a dull nausea build in the pit of my stomach until Twilight snuggled close to me and put a hoof around me. The hug was nice in a strange kind of way. With her continuing to comfort me, I carried on.

“We should’ve been studying for our finals, but I had parties coming up and she had concerts to perform at, so we wanted to have one last night together before things became hectic for a couple months. We went out for breakfast, went shopping, went dancing... I’m not really the dancing sort, but for her, I at least tried.”

Twilight snickered at the thought, and promptly nudged me to continue.

“It was a great day. Not a single thing went wrong until we went to the meadow... I lay down in the grass as she pulled her cello from the case that she had been lugging around all day... I could never figure out why she would carry it around wherever she went or what it meant to her.”

Twilight interjected, “Did you ever find out why?”

“Now that is another story entirely. She didn’t grow up in one of the best parts of town. Her parents bucked her out when she was barely through foalhood... all because they wanted to see her fail as she had her first taste of the real world... but she was determined to make a name for herself. She had been able to play her mother’s cello from time to time and had gotten really good at it, but she would always want play and make use of her obvious, raw talent. After years of doing work at shops around town, the old rock farm, even sweeping the streets of Canterlot... she had managed to make a life for herself by moving off of her friends couch and into her own tiny apartment and finally managed to get a cello that she could call her own. That cello, that was bought from the result of all her strenuous work... it was the very cello that she brought to the meadow that night .”

I took a deep breath to calm my nerves and to gather my thoughts. I continued as I noticed Twilight raising an eyebrow, curious as to why I had stopped talking.

“When she started to play... it was like nothing I’ve ever experienced before...her music was soft, slow and filled with obvious passion and emotion. She played song after beautiful song as the stars moved across the sky until the trees prepared themselves for the light of a new day. But she was so persistent... she never wanted to stop playing. She just kept on seducing me with her songs of beauty and passion, but after several hours she finally became so tired from playing that she put her cello down and collapsed in a heap next to me. I was about to join her in a lovely slumber until a thought dawned on me.... ‘maybe I can play this thing too! That’ll impress Octavia for sure.’ This however was not the best of ideas...”

The purple mare became much more alert and worried as I continued to tell the story.

“I set my horn aglow to pick up the bow to fumble with it in an attempt to tighten it, only to give up and try playing with the bow still loose. She seemed to take no notice though, so I continued as if I knew what I was doing. It was only when I placed the bow against the strings when Octavia cringed, but I continued to try mimicking what I had seen Octavia do earlier... I encompassed the cello’s neck with a spell in an attempt to properly press the necessary strings down. I kept on pressing more and more but not a single recognizable note would come through... So I tried pressing more and more and-”

“Vinyl, what happened?” Twilight interjected.

“The neck... it snapped clean in two. Just... right there in the field. The strings bent and loosened as the neck fell to the ground, leaving me holding the broken remains of her life’s work.”

“Doesn’t she know that accidents just happen sometimes?”

“Of course she doesn’t! Accidents just don’t happen in her strange made up world... I apologized to her profusely, but all she did was pack her things and run away from me crying... never making eye contact and never e... eve...”

What am I doing? I can’t just keep pouring my emotions onto this poor mare... buck up.

“She never even said goodbye... I didn’t see her for months after the fact, until she applied for a job at The Horn. And even when we began working together... we just never reconnected.”

Twilight had no words to say for a moment, it seemed like she had frozen in time after the shock of hearing my tale of woe.

“So let me get this straight... she left you because of a cello? That seems a little... harsh.”

“It wasn’t just the cello, it was the premise! I destroyed something that she had worked so hard to get, only to have me end its life before its time... I completely understand why she left me... I deserve no sympathy for what I caused.”

Twilight came closer and pecked me on the cheek, “Vinyl... she had no right to do that to you. From what I’ve heard, you treated her like Celestia herself, only to have her leave you after one mistake. If anything, she should be apologizing to you.”

From what she heard?

“What have you heard exactly? How do you know about all of this?”

The loud sigh that followed was not very promising.

“That story is for another day... I think it’s time that you go to bed.”

Well, she’d make a good mother one day, that’s for sure.

“All I want to do is know how you know all of this. Can’t you tell me?”

She glared at me for a moment, but replied to my question nonetheless.

“She... we went to highschool together.”

“That’s it? Why were you so hesitant to tell me, then?”

A more serious look fell across her face. “Because she lived with me while we were in high school... and things didn’t end well, okay?”

She... wha?!

“Octavia never told me that... Twi I’m sorry that she hurt you too but... how did she end up hurting you?”

“I... don’t think I’m ready to tell that story. Not yet.”

Feeling the seriousness and overall annoyance radiating from her, It seemed best to help her relax.

“Hey... c’mere.”

Twilight approached me as I leaned my neck out to meet her.

“You don’t have to worry about Octavia anymore, and neither do I.”

“Well actually we do because she’s kinda in the hospital and-”

A quick peck seemed to be enough to relax her racing mind, even though it seemed to be the equivalent of tape holding a dam...

“Oh Vinyl, I know that we’ve both gone through tough times... I’ll be able to tell you that story one day, and then I think you’ll understand.”

She kissed me again before turning away, only to leave my mind even more confused... but for once in a very long time. I felt a warm sensation welling up within me. I hadn’t intended to become close to such a pony, but it just felt so... right.

End Of Chapter 5

Author’s notes:
I got this chapter out FAST! I KNOW!
My apologies for the wait, I have been doing a lot of nerdy server work combined with radio work and... well finals aren’t important but there was that too.
Now summer has come, and with that more time to write! Chapter 6 should be here soon.

I’d like to thank my editors and pre-readers Dawn Fade, FrozenPyro, Istalir, KaraSkakalac, The Wiseless Stallion and SunsetSpecter (continuity checker).

More is on the way! Never fear!