After being transported to Ponyville somehow, Levi meets a very strange musical pony.
Levi is a normal guy who gets transported to Ponyville unexpectedly while watching MLP. Sounds strange? It gets stranger. There he is found disoriented and confused by Vinyl Scratch. Levi moves in with Vinyl so he can get his bearings. Are they really just friends?
My couch has never felt less comfortable. And of course the sun is shining right in my eye. I sit up with a sigh and rub my eyes for a moment. I glance at my TV and find out I was watching the Home Shopping Network. I look down at my coffee table and see my credit card and about nine beer bottles.
"Dammit..." I say aloud. "Heavy drinking and the Home Shopping Network don't mix." My head pounds as if it's going to explode. "Ugh..." I say as I retch into my wastebasket. "This needs to stop." I tell myself.
Then again, I told myself that every morning I woke up hungover. I stand up to go to the kitchen. I find the ceramic sculpture my mom made for me for my eighth birthday. It was a sculpture of me and my mom holding hands. On the base it read, 'Levi, I love you. Happy birthday to my special boy'. I lean against my counter and recall the events of the last month. At the beginning of May, I found out my girlfriend of a year had been cheating on me for six months. On the 15th of May, my mom finally died of cancer after having it since I was 12. And on top of that, my dad finally decided to come back into my life after 20 years. I was 23 and my life was headed nowhere fast, and I couldn't seem to do anything about it.
I finally decided to do something semi-productive and go for a walk. My neighborhood wasn't necessarily nice, but it wasn't ghetto either. I walked out and greeted all the same neighbors I greeted everyday. I walked for about an hour until I got tired of my surroundings. That seemed to be how it went every time I walked around. My routine was simple: get up, shake hangover, go for a walk, get bored, come back, check phone, and pick up a beer from the fridge. I was severely unhappy in this stage of my life. I got back and my father had called. Or I just call him John because I'm not very familiar with him.
"Hey kiddo! How are ya? You holding up just fine...?" he paused." Look Levi, I get that I just came back and it's hard to forgiv-" was all I wanted to hear.
"Deleted..." I uttered coldly under my breath. "Who the hell does he think he is? Just showing up out of nowhere after 20 fucking years." I laughed condescendingly, "God..." I scoffed, "God? Where's my 'God' when I need him? If there was a so-called God wouldn't he help out?" I wanted to give up so badly. I walked to the fridge and grabbed a Pabst.
Today was nice. It was warm and sunny. I told myself, "You know what? I'm not drinking today. At least not as much as normal..."
I decided to go to the park. I brought my laptop because I wanted to watch some My Little Pony episodes I had downloaded. The show gave me some much needed joy. I headed out and got there in about an hour. I'd been up for two and a half hours and it was 4:12 in the afternoon. That says something about how my life was. I got to my little private place behind the park. It was a small bridge over a very deep and fast river. The water flowing relaxed me. After sitting for a few minutes, I opened my laptop and began watching. It went the same as always: my heart exploded every time Fluttershy spoke, I fist pumped at every awesome thing Dashie did, and I laughed at everything Pinkie said. This show was my means of escape from how I was living. When I watched, my mother was still alive, my girlfriend still loved me, and my father had always been there to begin with.
But eventually it all had to end at some point. I looked over the rail of the bridge and watched the water flow. I was always mesmerized by the tranquility that could still exist while my life continued to be a living hell. I stood up on the wide rail of the bridge and stared down at the water. I wasn't worried, I did this all the time. But it had rained the night before, and I slipped. All I remember from then on is falling and hitting the sharp icy water.
I woke up after what had seemed like years. But I wasn't where I was before. I was in a vast, dark forest. It reminded me of something, but I couldn't remember what at the moment. I got up and found that my head ached worse than any hangover I'd ever experienced.
"Hello?" I called out. "Anyone out there??"
I finally decided to try and find somewhere I could get out of here from. I stumbled through the brush, tearing at the vegetation. I finally stumbled upon a dirt path. I decided to take the road that lead to the lighter end. I heard a small growl behind me, and I started walking faster. It got louder and closer, so I began to run. I looked back every few seconds expecting some horrible beast to be right on me, but it was just a noise. I still ran, not taking any risks. I looked back once more and body slammed something really hard. I sat up, and there I was staring down a blue-haired... Pony.
"Jeez dude, you alright?" the blue-haired pony asked me.
Until she saw what I was.
"AHH!" she yelped and jumped back.
"Holy... Hell! You're Vinyl Scratch! You - Where am I?" I asked, feeling a million different emotions at once.
"You're in the Everfree Forest, whatever the hell you are! And how do you know who I am?!" she yelled, acting like I was about to rip her to pieces.
"Seriously, what the hell are you?" she asked, cautiously moving closer. Being 6' 2" I was much taller than her, seeing as she was about 5' 2" on her hind legs.
I stood up and told her simply, "I'm a human." I said, confused. "Where did you come from?" she asked, still moving closer, albeit very slowly.
"Earth. Specifically from Oregon." I explained.
"What's an Oregon? Is it like one of those huge pianos they have in churches?" she asked, intrigued.
"No," I laughed. "It's a state. Don't you have states here?" I asked.
"I don't know, maybe. I was never big on geography as a filly." she joked.
Every time I spoke she seemed to cringe.
"Why are you out here?" she asked.
"I don't know, I fell into a river back home and I woke up here." I said.
"How don't you know how something like you ends up in Equestria?" she asked.
"Um... I blacked out?"
"We need to figure out how to get you back, cause you're scaring the shit outta me." she said, no longer moving closer.
"You'd do that for me?" I asked, taken aback.
"Yeah! I don't know whether I should trust you yet, so I think I'm gonna get you to Twilight so you can get the hell out of here..." she said, still frightened.
"Vinyl, I'm not gonna hurt you, I promise." I said.
"Stop calling me that, it still freaks me out that you know my name..." she explained.
"Viny- fuck... I'm not gonna hurt anyone here, I give you my word. A man's word is the thing he's bound by. I mean no harm." I explained, desperately.
She sighed, "You swear?"
"Yes."
"Pinkie Pie swear?"
"Yes." I tried holding back a smile. "Pinkie Pie swear." I said, almost beaming.
"Ugh... Fine." she moaned.
"I have to grab some things from Zecora and then we can head to town." she explained begrudgingly.
Dammit... I feel like nobody, or nopony for that matter, is gonna believe or like me... Just like home... Awesome.
I had to wait outside Zecora's hut while Vinyl got what she needed.
"What'd ya get?" I asked once she left.
"Oh, just some stuff." she said, distracted.
"Don't worry about it." she snapped.
"Um... Ok then." I figured it was private, so I wouldn't delve too deep into the matter. We finally got to her house after venturing through town. I got some very weird looks from some of the ponies.
"Well, that was awkward..." I said once we got inside.
"How so?" she asked, jokingly. She must have realized she was showing her actual emotions to a person she didn't trust, so she countered that with a glare. As I laughed, I realized I was genuinely happy for the first time in a long time, even though I had a nagging thought in the back of my mind that nopony would ever accept me if I was actually going to stay.
"So... I should probably take you to Twilight. We need to figure out a way to get you home..." she said, pausing for a name.
"Levi. My name's Levi." I explained.
"That's a weird name. You don't have another or anything?" she asked.
"I do. My last name's Borne." I told her.
She seemed confused. "That name doesn't tell anything about you. What do you do?" she asked.
"Well, I play guitar sometimes and I can kinda make dubstep." I explained, hoping to impress her and find some common ground.
"Dude, sweet! Me too!" she said, showing her actual emotions again. She coughed and put on a straight face again.
"But I'm getting off track. We need to get you to Twilight." She started opening the door when I called after her.
"No! I don't want to go back." She looked completely sideswiped.
"Why not?" she asked, slightly worried.
"I don't have anyone that'll miss me there. My life sucks there. From the whole hour I've been here, I've been happier than I have in a very, very long time. Even though I can kinda tell you hate me." I explained. She sat me down on her couch.
"I don't hate you. I just don't quite trust you is all." she explained, heartfelt.
"Well, whatever emotion you feel toward me, I'd rather be untrustworthy here than back home." I explained, getting depressed again.
"Why? Don't you like your home?" she asked. I then proceeded to explain to her the long chain of sadness, let downs, heartbreak, and all-around shitstorm that had been the past month of my life.
"Well there it is. All out there on the table. That's me." I said, exhausted from telling my story.
"Wow. I never knew those things could happen... I mean, I know all about heartbreak and stuff, but your dad not being there through your whole childhood? That kind of stuff doesn't happen here... I'm so sorry." she said with a tear in her eye.
"Vinyl Scratch are you empathizing with me?" I joked halfheartedly.
"No. I just uh... I just got something in my eye is all." she said, not wanting to show her emotions to me.
"Yeah, sure." I joked.
I think she sees who I am now. At least I hope so. I thought to myself.
"Well, that's enough sad crap to last me a week. Let's get you to Twilight's." she explained.
"Weren't you listening to anything I just said? I don't wanna go back, I won't! I gave up on my world the second I met... The second I landed here. I'll never want anything more than to stay here..." I pleaded.
"Oh, I know. I just thought she could use a spell to turn you into one of us. So you'll blend in, ya know?" she smirked.
"Oh god..." I laughed. "You scared me! Jesus!" I laughed harder.
I looked up at her and felt this weird tingling in my stomach.
Wait... Am I falling in love with... A pony? I asked myself. It's okay, even if I am, I might get turned into one of them so it won't be weird.
"Ugh, Levi! You're the biggest dick I've ever met!" Vinyl joked.
I had pushed her jokingly into the road and made her fall.
"You know you kinda like me now." I smirked at her.
"Oh don't push your luck, kid." she said. "Gah, I hate living on the other damn side of Ponyville from Twi." she said.
"Well, we're here now at least." I smiled.
"Finally!" she said with relief. We walked in and the library looked exactly like it had in the show. Piles of books, vast bookcases, and Spike on the floor on a pile of books.
"Aww." I laughed. "He's so peaceful like that."
"Twi!" Vinyl yelled.
"AGH! Ok, I'm awake, jeez..." Spike said, annoyed. Then he looked up at me.
"Uh... I don't... What... Who..." Spike rambled.
"Spike, calm down. This is my friend, Levi." Vinyl explained. Friend? I asked myself. Yes!
"Where's Twilight?" Vinyl asked.
"She's at Sugarcube Corner, picking up some apple tarts for some picnic she's having." Spike explained.
"Picnic? Well, whatever. Thanks, Spike. See ya!" she called.
"Catch ya later, Vinyl!" Spike called back.
"More walking. UGH!" Vinyl complained.
"Jeez, crybaby." I joked. We arrived and were greeted with more less-than-savory looks from the ponies around.
"Where is she? I don't see her..." Vinyl said.
"Maybe try the Cake's shop?" I suggested.
"How do you know everyone's names?" she asked.
"Well, where I come from, your town is a TV show. A cartoon." I explained. She cocked her head in confusion.
"I'll explain it later." I sighed.
We got into the Cake's bakery, and immediately bumped into Twilight.
"Hey Vinyl!" she beamed. "And... Friend..." she said, in awe.
"My name's Levi." I said. "Well that's quite a strange name. And an even stranger specimen." she examined me very closely. It was extremely awkward considering we were in a public place.
"Well, Twi, he's why I came to find you. We need your help." Vinyl explained. "Of course, I'll do what I can. What do you need?" Twilight asked.
"Well... Can we talk to you about it back at your place?" Vinyl asked uncomfortably.
"Of course. Let's go." she said, confused.
"Wait, wait, wait. You want me to turn him into a stallion??" Twilight asked in shock.
"Erm... Yes?" Vinyl said.
"I'm terribly unsure if I can even do that." Twilight admitted. "Let me look, though." she continued.
She looked for a good hour until she found one that might work.
"Aha! Here's one! But before I do this, what's the deal with you?" she asked, putting her hoof on me.
"Well, I fell into a river back where I lived, and I just woke up in the middle of the Everfree Forest." I explained.
"Why can't I just send you back? I have a good spell for that." she asked skeptically.
"It's a long story." I muttered. She looked to Vinyl for confirmation and she nodded.
"He deserves to have a happy life." she said sadly. "And he can't have that where he's from. Please, Twi." Vinyl pleaded.
"Alright. Only because you're my friend, and not for him." she sighed.
The process was long and tedious. At times even painful, especially the final transformation. But I was a stallion now. An earth pony, nothing special. My colors reflecting those of my clothing previously. So basically, all black. I'm still taller than most of the ponies, but more normal height for them.
"I can't thank you enough for what you've done, Twilight." I said, ecstatic.
"Well, maybe swing by my picnic next week and we can talk about payment." she joked.
Her eyes seemed to bore right through the hollow of my chest. It was like she knew all I'd been through without me telling her.
It was late at night by the time we were finished. The shops were closed and everypony in bed.
"Well, Levi. I don't assume you have a place to stay." Vinyl said. "Oh, and we need to think of a pony name for you so you can fully blend in." she pondered.
"How about River Flow?" I asked.
"It's ok. It could use some work, but not right now." she said with a yawn.
"Well..." she looked me over for a minute and said, "Do you wanna stay with me? I could use a roommate and someone to teach music to." she joked.
"Yeah, that sounds great." I smiled at her. And she smiled back at me.
Awesome! I thought.
Her house was very dirty once I got to actually looking at it. I sat down on the couch. It wasn't much, but it was comfortable enough.
I heard Vinyl call from the kitchen. "You want some tea or something? I'm having some Sleepytime, I'm tired!"
"I'll have the same. I always liked Sleepytime." I replied.
"Alright. Give it a few minutes." she said.
She sat next to me and put her hind hooves over mine, like a hoof rest. She grabbed the remote and started flipping through channels.
"Boorring..." she sighed. "TV sucks now." she said.
"So you don't have cartoons here?" I asked.
"I don't know what that means." she admitted.
"It's animation. Like drawings?"
She nodded, understanding so far.
"Well on Earth, we put those into motion and name the characters and come up with plot lines." I explained.
"Okay... Go on." she said.
"Well where I'm from, your life, your town, and all that, is a cartoon. It's called My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic." I said.
"So we don't exist where you're from?" she sounded confused.
It made sense, though. This was all she knew.
"Yes. It's sad, but my world doesn't matter anymore." I smiled.
"That sounds like a show for little foals." she joked.
"So I've been told." I smiled.
skreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
"Oh, tea's ready." Vinyl said. She came back armed with two steaming cups of tea.
"Here ya go, it's really hot." she said.
I took a small sip and already felt it starting to work. Vinyl and I had both finished our cups within a few minutes. Vinyl yawned and her eyes went droopy. She put her forehoof around my waist and her head on my chest.
"Ya know, Levi,"
"River." I interrupted, jokingly.
"Ya know, River, I'm glad you bumped into me in the forest." and with that she fell asleep. The tingling in my stomach came around again.
I woke up the next morning on an air mattress on the floor. "What the...? How did I get down here?" I muttered, still sleepy.
"Vinyl?" I called.
"Hey, there he is!" I heard from the kitchen.
I walked in to find her opening a box of Pop-Tarts. "You guys have Pop-Tarts here?" I asked, astounded that a measly breakfast snack was dimensionally transcendent.
"Of course. They're a bit of a delicacy here." she explained.
Huh.
"Did you put me on that air mattress?" I asked.
"In a way." she said.
"I woke up at like three and went to go get an air mattress. I put it on the floor and left to go make some tea. When I came back you fell off the couch and onto the mattress." she explained.
"Well, sorry." I said, shrugging.
"Nah, it's cool." she said, smiling.
I grabbed a Pop-Tart out of the box and took a bite. "Ugh. They're stale." I groaned.
"Meh, whatever."
I ate the rest of the box.
"So what're the plans for today?" I asked.
"Oh, nothing really. I guess I should probably go pick up some more food before we starve." she said jokingly.
"Other than that, the day's ours." she said.
"Any ideas?" I asked.
"Uh... Maybe go to the park, call some friends for lunch, maybe make some songs." she said, now upside down on the couch, tossing a ball up in the air.
"Songs?" I asked. "Do you think I could help maybe?" I asked, hopeful.
"Maybe..." she said, jokingly looking me over.
"Oh!" she jumped up.
"What?" I asked.
"We could go to my treehouse." she said, childishly giddy.
"Holy crap, you have a treehouse??" I asked, excited.
"Why are you so freaked?" she asked.
"I never had one as a kid. I mean my friends had them, but I never had one to myself." I said, being slightly introspective.
"Well, now you will! We could, like, co-own it." she said, happily.
"You really started to like me quicker than I figured you would." I commented.
"Well, kid... I guess I saw some of me in you. And I'm pretty awesome." she said, jokingly smug.
"Such modesty, such grace!" I joked back, bowing my head. We laughed and started splashing each other with the sink water. After our little water battle, we sunk down on the floor next to each other, laughing. I looked over at her and she looked over at me. The tingling in my stomach started up again. Am I feeling a spark here? Oh please Celestia let there be a spark here. I thought to myself.
"Well, let's go to the treehouse." she said.
Buck.
"This. Is. Awesome!" I yelled.
"Calm down, dude." Vinyl said, laughing at how joyful I was. Joyful. I never thought I'd ever use that word to describe myself. And then I realized, if it was just a treehouse I'd still be happy. But Vinyl made it one of the happiest things of my life. Rule #32: Enjoy the little things. And I was.
"So you like it?" she asked.
"No, I hate it." I said sarcastically.
"Whatever." she joked.
I sat in a purple bean bag chair in the corner. "Ahhhhhh..." I exhaled.
"Comfy?" she asked.
"Yes. Yes I am." I replied.
"Not for long!" she exclaimed, jumping on top of me. We started to wrestle around for a little bit. I finally bested her and pinned her hooves to the floor, me being on top of her.
Celestia, please just let me have this one.
She started to laugh. So did I. She sighed. So did I. She stared into my eyes with her beautiful baby blues. Not red. I could feel it this time.
Do it. DO it. DO IT. Do it you pussy! I screamed at myself.
I couldn't. Even if I couldn't be with her, I couldn't live with us not being friends.
"This is getting a little awkward." she joked.
"Yeah, sorry." I said as I got off her. I laid on my back on the ground.
"Alright, let's get home, bud." she said, smiling at me.
"Yeah, right behind ya!" I called after she descended from the treehouse. I exhaled in defeat.
"You really screwed the pooch on that one, dude." I said to myself. "I love her, dammit." I told myself. "Ugh..." I put my forehoof over my eyes.
"You coming, gramps?" she joked.
"Oh! Uh, yeah." I followed her out of the treehouse.
I'd follow her anywhere.
We got back to the house and she pulled her computer out from her saddlebag resting on the coffee table. "Alright, let's get cooking!" she said, motivating herself.
I sat next to her to quietly observe her creative process. With her hair being so bodacious, I couldn't help but smell it. Dear Celestia it smelt good.
Levi, you're getting creepy. Stop it. I told myself.
She pulled up her software. I couldn't tell what it is, but I couldn't care less at this point.
"Hey, do you wanna try?" she asked.
"Uh, I'd hate to take your time away from making this." I said.
"Don't worry," she said, "I have another computer up in my room. Lemme go grab it." she said, standing up. Her graceful gait up the stairs and her effortless beauty made it impossible to look away from her.
I love you, Vinyl. I thought.
Those four simple words were the hardest bucking words to say. She came back with a laptop between her teeth. "Alright." she said as she set it down on my lap. "This is a backup I keep just in case this old thing breaks." she said, pointing to her computer.
"So this software's called..." was what she began to say before I got lost in her again. There must've been some part of me listening, because I remember every function of every filter, oscillator, and operator in that damn program. But I must've gone full retard those first few seconds, because I can't remember the freaking name of it.
After we collaborated on a little starter track we left each other to our works and got lost in the music for a few hours. Every now and then, I'd think about her and space out. She'd snap me back out of it and I'd go an hour without thinking about her. And it just repeated like that for about 7 and a half hours. The bass alone gave me a headache to best a god. After that, my brain couldn't work above simple motor functions. "Good night, Vinyl." I moaned heading to the air mattress on the floor.
"Night, Levi." she said as she snuck up and hugged me from the back. I looked back at her and she just smiled up at me.
"It's River, technically." I joked.
"Shut up." she joked back. She went up the stairs bouncing slightly. It reminded me of Pinkie Pie. I said those four words in my head over and over again that night. I love you, Vinyl. I love you Vinyl. I love you, Vinyl. I loved her. I was never more sure of anything in my entire existence.
A week had passed, and it was the day of Twilight's picnic. Vinyl had to perform at the picnic, which was held at the grand park in the middle of Ponyville.
"I gotta play at the picnic tonight, River. So you're gonna have to be sociable and try and meet new ponies." she said with a grin.
"Oh, darn. That was never my strong suit." I joked. But on the inside I kind of knew it to be somewhat true. I wasn't great at making friends.
"Unless you wanna hang out at my booth all night long." she said, jokingly daunting.
"No, I think I'll be fine." I laughed. I went and picked up a few groceries and such to try and last us a week. But, in my new body, I had a huge increase in appetite. I seemed to be eating more and more every week. Like a horse, as it were.
As I walked home from the store, my back sagging from all the food I'd bought, I saw the picnic being prepared. It was Twilight's picnic, but Pinkie Pie was the master of all things party in of Ponyville, if not in all of Equestria. She was bouncing from place to place at about Mach 5. All the colors were simply blinding. I heard her popping up suggestions over all the commotion.
"That set of balloons over there! We need more diverse colors! Omigosh this party's gonna be so much fun! No! You gotta put the bouncy houses with the bouncy houses. Over by the fountain! We should put some sugar drink mix in the fountain... *gasp* Yes! I'll be right back everyone, I gotta go get some drink mix!" as she bounced away, I realized she was heading towards me.
Oh, god. What do I do?
*gasp* "Hi! What's your name??" she asked, excited as all hell. Before I even had the chance to say my name she blurted out, "I'm Pinkie Pie!" she exclaimed at a higher pitch than I knew any kind of ear could process.
"I need need need to throw you a welcoming party! We could have it tonight! A party within a party! PARTYCEPTION!" she exclaimed at a thousand miles a minute.
"I'm River, by the way. River Flow." I said, kind of frightened. I knew Pinkie was hyper, but Jesus. When it's aimed directly at you it's almost scary. She paused for a second, thinking about ideas for my party. And when I say second, I mean second. She literally had 5 ideas in the span of a breath.
"Omigosh! I need to get drink mix for the fountain!" she exclaimed, worried. She hopped off at the speed of light. All I could think was What the buck just happened?
I got home to Vinyl mixing a drink. "Whatcha making there, Scratch?" I referred to her as Scratch mainly because it kind of annoyed her.
I found annoying her was quite fun. She gave me a scolding look and I just laughed.
"Scotch and soda." she said, actually quite eloquently.
"You guys have scotch here? I've never had it before." I told her, intrigued.
"Well, now's your chance. Try it." she said as she handed me the tumbler. I eased a sip down and it was like liquid lava.
"Ahh!" I exclaimed, scrunching my eyes and twisting my nose.
"I hate it. It literally tastes like fire." I said, still slightly in pain.
She laughed. She had the most amazing laugh. "It does taste like that the first few times you have it. Take a few more sips." she suggested. "Unless, of course, you're too chicken." she challenged.
Oh hell naw. "Alright." I said. I knocked back the rest of the tumbler.
I immediately regret this decision.
"Oh god!" I yelled, rolling on the floor as if I was on fire. It definitely felt like it. Vinyl was rolling on the floor, too. But it was for another reason. She was laughing her ass off.
"Oh, ha ha." I said, annoyed. She just laughed harder.
"Oh, shut up." I started to laugh a bit, too.
"I'm a dumbass." I scolded myself, laughing. We sat there and laughed for a good five minutes. She even snorted a couple times. That just made us laugh even harder.
She's so beautiful when she laughs. I thought to myself.
The picnic rolled around at six. We walked there together, carting her DJ booth and equipment with us. It may have been just a turntable and a desk but it was heavy. By the time we were there, the party was already booming. Pinkie was out handing sweets to the fillies and colts, the CMC were bouncing in one of the bouncy houses, and the fountain was indeed a sugary pink drink.
Pinkie, you've outdone yourself. I thought.
"Just drag the cart over there." Vinyl directed as she pointed to the already set up speaker system. I set the desk down and put the turntable on top of it. I started to maneuver the plugs into sockets when a light blue aura formed around them and they started plugging themselves in. Vinyl was freaking cool. I knew magic existed, but it was still badass to me. She placed her mixer and laptop on the desk wherever there was room. Plugs continued to fly into their sockets with that faint blue glow. In only a matter of minutes, she was set up.
Impressive. I thought to myself.
She plugged her headphones in and hit play and house music immediately came on over the speakers. Everypony cheered because they knew Vinyl was there.
"Let's get this party started!" she yelled into the microphone. Everypony began to dance and chat each other up. The party was really going now. The bass shook my skeleton and the leads pierced my eardrums.
"I'm gonna go find Twilight!" I yelled over the music.
"Okay! I'll find you if I need you!" she yelled back.
"There you are, Twilight!" I sighed in relief when I saw her.
"Oh, hey Levi!" she said.
"It's actually River now. I thought of a name to fit in better around here." I explained.
"That's good thinking." she said, smiling. "How's Ponyville treated you?" she asked.
"Oh, pretty well. I think I'm getting the feel for this place a bit better." I said, swaying to the beat.
"How's Vinyl?" she asked.
"Pretty good. She's doing well up there, I think." I said, watching her dance in her booth.
"Ahem. AHEM." Twilight had to coax me out of my gaze.
"Oh, sorry. I guess I'm getting lost in the music." I lied.
"Yeah, the music." she said skeptically. "I think I see what's going on here." she said slyly.
"What? Where? Going on where?" I asked, trying to skate around the subject I knew she was about to bring up.
"You like her, River." she accused, smiling.
I scoffed. "Ha! No, we're just roommates." I lied again. "There's nothing between us."
"Oh, come on! You think you can hide that sort of thing from me? I'm Princess Celestia's star pupil, don't try to fool me." she teased.
"Fine..." I sighed. "She's just been so nice to me since I've been here. It was a love at first sight thing for me. She just probably thinks we're just gonna stay friends. I don't have much of a problem with that, I just want to mean more to her than just 'buddy'." I explained sadly.
"Just ask her out! Nothing could go wrong." she said.
"Really? You'd be surprised." I said incredulously.
"Just say this, 'Hey, Vinyl. I wanna ask you something, but you have to promise that it won't hurt our friendship.' And then just ask her out for coffee or something." she explained.
Huh.
"You know, I might actually try that. Thanks, Twilight." I smiled.
"Go have fun, kid. Enjoy the party." she said, scooting me off.
"You were awesome, Vinyl!" I exclaimed, trotting through the door.
"Really? That was B-Tier at best." she joked.
"You're way too modest." I told her in confidence.
"I actually have something to tell you." I said, nervously trying to work my way up to telling her how I felt.
"Yeah, sure. What is-" she was interrupted by the phone ringing in the kitchen. "Lemme go get this real quick. Be right back!" she called, trotting for the kitchen.
I heard her talking on the phone from here. I took this as a chance to psych myself out of feeling nervous. I slumped down on the couch with a heaving sigh.
This is gonna be harder than I thought. I admitted to myself.
"Really?" I heard Vinyl say from the kitchen. "Yeah, of course! Anything for a friend." she almost seemed to choke out the word friend, like it was painful.
"Alright! See ya then, bye." she said.
"Who was that?" I asked, as calmly as possible.
"Oh, that was my friend Octavia." she said, choking on friend again. That got me really thinking.
"You seem to not like that word in her context. Friend." I wondered. She cringed at friend. What the hell?
"Uh, yeah... About that... I was a bit of a filly-fooler in my college days. She was my marefriend from freshman to senior year. When we parted ways, things got hard. We fought a lot, and eventually she ended it. We started talking again, and we're friends again." she explained sadly. "Well, the Canterlot orchestra went on hiatus and she's moving down here for the time being. To tell the truth, I'm still not really over her yet." she said broodingly.
BUCK.
"I'm sorry that happened." I empathized. "But it's good you two are still friends." I managed a weak smile. "God knows, I could never be friends with my ex." I joked.
She laughed weakly. "So, what is it you wanted to tell me?" she asked with new found vigor.
"I uh... Wanted to... You know what? Never mind, it's not that important anyways." I mustered.
I can't. Bucking. Believe this.
I said as I covered my eyes with my hooves in frustration.
What do I do about this?
We waited at the train station for an hour. My hooves ached from standing so much. "Is she gonna be here any time soon? Or ever?" I asked, frustrated.
"Have some patience, dude. She'll be here any minute." almost like she was The Great and Powerful Trixie and summoned the train, it came.
"Well, that had good timing." I said. The second I saw her, I knew who she was. I recognized her from the background of some of the episodes.
That's her name! I thought.
"Vinyl! My darling, how are you?" she exclaimed, giving her two pecks on the cheeks all fancy-like.
Ugh. Just how I thought she'd be...
"And might I know your name?" she asked, looking up at me.
"I'm uh... River. River Flow." I told her, somewhat distracted.
"Vinyl, be a dear and grab my suitcase?" she asked her. That reminded me of Atlas from Bioshock. 'Would you kindly?' Creepy.
As we were walking back to Vinyl's house, Octavia brought up a weird subject. "So, Vinyl. Are you seeing anyone?" she asked in that snooty way she speaks.
"Oh, no! Nope, I'm totally single. Single and out there." she said, almost nervously.
"Good, good." she muttered.
What the hell?
"What about you, River? Seeing anyone special?" she asked.
"No." I said sternly.
"Wouldn't you like to be?" she asked, slightly bobbing her head toward Vinyl.
"Oh, I guess. No hurry, though." I said, uncomfortable at Octavia's close proximity.
Then I took the offensive. "Are you seeing anyone, Octavia?" I asked.
"Oh, I had a few stallions in Canterlot wrapped around my hoof, but nothing major." she said with a laugh.
I despised the way she spoke. I couldn't quite figure why. It seemed kind of ominous and daunting. Very passive aggressive. My ears had fits every time she said something. To be honest, she scared the living shit out of me.
I woke up the next morning, and I was me again. I was human. My room was pitch black. I reached my hands out to find a light switch. I thought I found one. When I grabbed it to turn it on, it played a harsh note. It almost sounded like... A cello. Lights flared on above me and Octavia's head swirled around me, laughing. Then Vinyl's head started too. I was freaking out. A trap door in the floor opened below me and I fell into the black depth of my own mind.
"AHH!!" I screamed.
I shot up to a complete ninety degree angle in my bed. I was sweating profusely. My heart raced and my breath was shaky. I raised my arms in front of my eyes. Still hooves. I let out a sigh of relief. I slipped on my robe and went down the stairs. I came down to find Octavia sitting on the couch. Not watching TV, not drinking coffee or anything, just sitting. She tilted her head so she was looking straight at me. Her eyes seemed to bear deep into my inner. Not like Twilight's eyes, which were bright and innocent. Octavia's eyes held a certain dark air. They may have been a bright color, but they had dark intent.
"Hey, Octavia." I said, cautiously.
"Hello, River." she said, smirking.
"Whatcha smiling about?" I asked.
"You like Vinyl, don't you River?" she asked, accusingly.
I was surprised by the sudden change in conversation.
"Would you even say you - loved her?" she asked, creeping closer.
"Yeah. I guess you could say that." I said, growing more and more wary of what she was getting at.
"Well isn't that too bad?" she said, condescendingly sad. "You see, River, I know Vinyl better than anypony else. I can please her better than anypony else." she said, creeping closer to me with each word. I backed away, but she continued after me.
"There's no way you could ever mean more to her than I do. I am her everything, and I intend to keep it that way. So, in Layman's terms, back off of Vinyl, or we're going to have a very serious problem. Any questions?" she said.
"Yooouu... DENSE motherfucker." I said horrified that my suspicions were true. "You're regretting that you dumped her aren't you?" I accused. Before she had a chance to defend herself, I continued. "You're jealous that she's moved on." I lied, hoping she wouldn't see through it.
"Oh, please. I have Vinyl wrapped around my hoof. I basically own her." she said smugly.
"Vinyl is not your property, you bitch." I almost yelled softly. "If you ever do anything to hurt her, we're going to have a very serious problem. Are we clear? Do you have any questions? Good." I said, feeling powerful.
"Crystal clear, Mr. Flow. Crystal clear..." she almost sang to herself. Relatively beautiful on the outside, a fucking monster on the inside.
"Hey you two!" Vinyl greeted us in her sleep-weary state.
"Hey, Vinyl." I said, happy that a good soul was in the room.
"Hello, darling." Octavia said in her pseudo-British accent. I always wondered at that. If there was no England or Britain in Equestria, where did the accents come from? That wasn't exactly what was on my mind at the moment, however.
"Vinyl, would you make me a cup of tea please?" Octavia asked.
"Oh, come on. She just got up." this next part still pains me. "I'll make you some tea, Octavia."
I know it seems trivial, but I didn't want to service her in any way, shape, or form considering how she acted. But I did it for Vinyl. I like to take pride in my chivalrous moments. I did make her the tea but I put a small squirt of mustard in it for good measure. Little battles. I told myself. That's sort of my mantra. I figure if I win enough little battles, I'll eventually win the war.
"Here you go." I said snidely.
She didn't even thank me.
Octavia and I tried staying out of each other's ways that day. Octavia, however, sent me on a trip to the store to buy some "very special supplies" that she needed because she had a "delicate pallet of tastes". I figured 'why not go and mess with her stuff a little bit?' I did. I got brown eggs instead of white ones, beer instead of champagne, and a water gun. Yeah, you read that right. I just wanted a water gun, sue me.
I knew the little things would annoy the living hell out of her, and they were small enough that I could act like they were just small mistakes. I felt devious. I didn't get much of that here in Ponyville, so I took what I could get. When I left the store I kept singing the "Little Battles" song I'd wrote in my head when I was a kid. I trotted home, practically on air. I opened the door and no one was in the living room. I set the groceries down on the kitchen counter and headed toward the stairs. I heard some pretty loud trance music coming from Vinyl's room.
Must be working on something. I thought.
I'll just go see how she's doing. I said to myself.
And I wish I hadn't. I knocked on the door, it opened, and there on Vinyl's bed was her and Octavia sucking face with each other.
I trotted over to my room and slammed down on my bed. The music stopped once I got in my room. I heard Vinyl telling Octavia that she needed to see what was wrong with me, or something along those lines. I was blinded by heartbreak. I knew we weren't together, but seeing Vinyl with Octavia struck a chord in my heartstrings. I get really weird and metaphorical when I'm sad. I sat on my back and stared at the ceiling. All I could think of was Octavia's laugh from my nightmare.
She won. I told myself.
I had a battle with myself on that bed.
Octavia won dude. Give up.
"No, we need to keep fighting for her. Octavia's gonna be gone in a little while anyway. After that, she'll probably end it again."
It's no use. We saw them! They were making out like it was their last day to live!
"We can't give up that easily. We need to keep fighting for her."
You do whatever, she's knocking on the door.
"River? Can I come in?" Vinyl asked.
"Yeah, sure." I said, monotone.
She sat on my bed like a mom. "Listen, I know that was weird, what you just saw, but I promise we'll make sure to lock the door next time." she tried consoling me.
"It's not that. It's... It's complicated and I don't wanna bother you with it right now. Go back to your lover." I said lover very bitter and harsh, almost like a mocking child. I regret it now, she looked hurt. I could tell she wanted to try and console me more, but I guess she didn't have it in her. Or didn't have the heart to tell me she loved Octavia.
I sat downstairs and waited for them to finish whatever the buck they were doing in there. I tried not to think about it. Octavia was the first one down. Awesome.
"Hey, River." she said, condescendingly.
"I'm not in the mood, Octavia." I said, shooting her a glare.
"She was." she said as she winked at me.
I put my hooves over my eyes and tried to force her out of my head. She just kept showing up and I'd had it. It was like she had implanted a chip in my head and I couldn't get it out. It tormented me every day she was there.
"So when do you think you'll go back to Canterlot?" I asked her, hopefully.
"Oh, I don't know. I'm starting to consider staying here and doing my work from home." she looked at me.
Fuck.
"But doesn't the orchestra need you on their tours?" I asked, annoyed.
"Oh, no. Those are just normally for show. The real work we do is in the studio. There's really no problem if I don't show up for a show. I can just record here with Vinyl and send it to Canterlot. So I won't have to leave..." she said with bad intentions.
I grabbed her by her collar and pushed her against the wall. I really had no reason to, but it felt right. Octavia must've seen Vinyl before I did, because she started to fake cry and break away from my grasp.
"Why would you do that? I've done nothing to you..." she said between feigned sobs.
"River, what the hell were you doing with her?" Vinyl asked angrily. "I know you're uncomfortable with us being together, but there's no reason for violence!" she yelled.
I tried to find the right words to say, but nothing came out.
"I'm sorry, Vinyl..." I tried to apologize.
"Just leave, River..." she sighed.
"It'll never happen again, Vinyl, I swear! Just please give me another chance..." I tried reasoning with her, but care for Octavia clearly blinded her reason.
"You have some explaining to do, but I just don't wanna hear it." she sighed. She pointed her hoof to the door. "Have a nice life, River." I opened the door and trotted out. Trotted out on the one I love.
I was on the street. Worried, confused, and most of all alone. I had no idea where I'd go or what I'd do. Well, I had one, but it was a last resort type thing. I walked around for a while aimlessly. I helped Fluttershy chase down Angel, Carrot Top with her garden, and Ms. Cherilee with clapping erasers in her room. I felt slightly better, doing all these things for these ponies, but I was still depressed.
Buck it. I told myself. I deserve a little 'me' time. This was my last resort.
So with that, I headed to the Ponyville Pub. I trotted in, and it smelled like smoke, alcohol, and pretzels. It was quiet. There were only a few ponies in, and a couple were even passed out. I trotted up to the bar and pulled myself up on the stool.
"Hey, kid. What's ya poison?" the bartender asked me.
"Uh, beer please. Whatever's on tap." I muttered.
"You're in luck. Just got a new shipment of Diamond Dog Ale. It's this month's special. My personal favorite." he smiled at me.
"Thanks." I smiled back.
He poured me a glass and set it down on the bar in front of me. I took it in my hoof and took a few sips out of it. It was good. Slightly sweet, but still had a kick.
"What's got ya down?" he asked me sympathetically.
"Oh, I just got kicked out of the house by the pony I love." I explained dryly.
"Sorry, kid. Girlfriends, ya know?" he tried to joke.
"Oh, she's not my girlfriend. I just never had the guts to tell her I love her." I told him.
"Ah, I see. Happens to the best of us, eh?" he asked.
"Yeah, I guess so." I sighed.
He sighed as well and knocked his hoof on the bar a couple times. "Tell ya what." he said. "Since my boss ain't here, this one's on the house." he said, pointing to my glass. "Hell, I'll even pour myself some." he laughed.
It seemed unethical, but I could care less. I just wanted to get drunk.
We both poured and drank for the next few hours. We both told each other about ourselves. His name was Brawny Spirit. He grew up in Fillydelphia and wanted to be a chef for royalty. Turns out he has a real knack for cooking. He made all the food they served at the pub, which was delicious. He wanted to move to Canterlot and apply for a job as a sous chef. While in Canterlot training for the job, he met a young mare. Being only a couple years younger than him, she took an interest in him and he her. Her name was Lightning Chaser, a young pegasus pony. They dated for a while, and after being denied the position of sous chef, Brawny took Lightning and moved to Ponyville to get a house together. Eventually, he asked her to marry him. She said yes and they got married. A year later, they had a child. He was a pegasus and they named him Cloud Twister. He was raised in a good home with two loving parents. When Cloud Twister was 14, his mother got very sick. She fought hard for three years, but eventually lost the battle. After her death, Brawny and his son grew apart. They fought a lot, and one day, Cloud Twister ran away. He still doesn't know where he is to this day. So he came to work at the pub and has been there ever since. That's his story, you already know mine.
We drank and laughed deep into the night. I thought I was happy then, but when I look back, I was just drowning my sorrow in alcohol. He let me stay in his back room for the night. I woke up hungover. I hadn't been hungover in a while, so I wasn't as used to it as I previously was. Judging by how bad it was, we got DRUNK that night. I got out of the cot in the room and faced the sun. It burned, oh Celestia it burned. I cringed when my eyes were exposed to the brightness. I left the pub and walked down Main Street. The headache was already starting to dull. Twilight had gotten an early start that morning, because I bumped into her in the road.
"Mother of Celestia, River. You look awful." she gasped.
"Gee, thanks Twi." I said sarcastically.
"What's got you all riled up?" she asked.
"It's a long story." I told her. I tried to walk trot past her, but she blocked my way.
"Tell me, River." she glared. "You reek of alcohol by the way."
"Can we go to the library? I don't wanna talk about it here." I asked.
"Fine." she sighed.
She led me to the library angrily, like a disappointed mother. We got in and shut the door. "Spike could you go pick up some groceries from the market, please? Check the pantry and you'll see what we're missing." Twilight asked.
"Yeah, sure Twi. Be back soon!" he called back as he ran out the door.
"Alright, River. What happened?" she asked.
"Vinyl kicked me out." I sighed quietly.
"What?" she asked, unable to hear me.
"She kicked me out." I said louder.
"Why?" she asked.
"Octavia and I got in a little fight, Vinyl freaked out, and now I'm here." I explained.
"That's ridiculous!" she exclaimed. "She had no right! It's not like you actually did anything violent! Right...?" she asked.
I didn't say anything.
"Right, River?" she asked louder.
I continued my silence.
"River, what did you do?!" she yelled.
"I grabbed Octavia and shoved her up against a wall cause I was angry. I regret it, but she deserved it." I explained weakly.
Twilight hit me in the head. "Good Celestia, River! What is wrong with you?!" she interrogated me.
"She's a possessive sociopath and she treats Vinyl terribly! She's an evil and awful pony! She needs to leave!" I tried to defend my case.
"What does she do?" Twilight asked me, now intrigued.
"She always tells me how I'll never be with Vinyl because she knows she has her wrapped around her hoof. She makes Vinyl bend over backwards to do things for her because she knows Vinyl will do them. She takes advantage of her daily." I explained. "Oh, and she's also unbelievably creepy in general." I added. I had a feeling that that didn't help my case.
"Well, I guess we need to talk to Octavia and see what her problem is." she said.
"Twilight, no. I really don't think talking about it is gonna solve anything between me and Vinyl. I don't even think she'll even want to talk to me. Let's just wait this one out and hope it fixes itself." I tried to persuade her.
"River, please just let me take care of this. I can handle this." she said with confidence. I shot her a look of disbelief.
"What? I've read many a book about diffusing conflict between two ponies." she said, trying to make me feel better.
"Twilight, books won't help! This just needs to take its own course and just let whatever happens happen. That's worked for me in the past, and it's gonna work for me now." I said.
I realized I'd raised my voice at her because her eyes shimmered slightly in the glow of the library's dull lamps.
"Twi, I'm sorry to get so angry, I just... I just don't wanna mess anything up between me and Vinyl. Other than what's already messed up, I mean..." I said, pensively.
"I know, River..." she said, choking back sobs. "I've just never really been able to help anyone with my knowledge from books and scrolls and the like. And, it's what I love. I wish once, just once, what I put my heart into would help someone. But, I guess you're right." she said, tilting her head down at the floor.
My heart exploded.
Out of sheer pity and shame in myself and my actions, I said, "Let's go. I'm sure talking about it will diffuse any hard feelings faster than doing nothing anyways." I gave her a small smile.
She looked at me, disbelief clear in her expression. "You're just saying that to try and make me happy..." she said, doubtfully.
I knew, deep down, that I was. But I wasn't going to let her know that. But somewhere else deep down, I knew she was right as well. I'd avoided conflict and anything that could ever cause me pain as much as possible in my life. I decided I wouldn't do that any longer. I was a new soul now that I lived here with my new life and ideals. But I'd already made enemies. It was time to set things right.
"No, Twi. I'm not. You're right, and I don't know why I doubted you. I want to make things right with Vinyl, and this is the best thing I could possibly do." I said, honesty shining in my eyes.
She became visibly happier in a matter of moments.
"I am right aren't I?" she said. "Well, no better time than now, right?" she said, her eyes now shining.
"Right." I said.
We arrived at the small flat that Vinyl resided in. Twilight knocked on the door.
At the first knock, thoughts raced faster than Rainbow Dash through my brain. She knocked for a good three seconds, but my thinking made time seem to slow down to a creep. What do I say? How am I supposed to make her believe that I'm sorry? How do I make things right? Is this a mistake? Should I just give up? No, you have to fight for her, you love her remember?
A second knock.
This is ridiculous, just run. You can let Twi and Vinyl talk it out. It can be like elementary school. I can have Twilight represent me and not have to be here at all. No, you need to man up for the first time in your life, you pussy. Take what you want, beg on your knees if you have to. Grovel at her hooves. Make her believe you.
A third knock.
Shitshitshitshitshitshitshitshitshitshit.
The final knock.
"Who is it?" Vinyl called from inside.
"It's Twilight. May I come in?" Twilight replied.
"Oh, of course. One second, please." she replied, dryly.
That didn't sound like the normal Vinyl. Normal being a relative term, relative to eccentricity crossed with intellect, creativity, and fun. This was a dry, monotonous voice, belonging to a Vinyl who was broken, maybe lonely. Now I was intrigued. My thoughts immediately assumed she and Octavia broke up. That was he ideal outcome, to me at least. I felt like scum, but I hated Octavia.
She opened the door, and put her signature sunglasses on. For the brief moment that they were off, I thought I saw a tear.
"Hey, Twi. Hey..." she said as she stopped on me.
Her door slammed shut.
"Vinyl! Come out, we just wanna talk to you! River's very sorry about what happened and he wants to explain and make it up to you!" Twilight tried to persuade her.
"Well, if he's so sorry, why doesn't he apologize and not have somepony else try to do it for him?!" she said angrily.
Twi shot me a look and nudged her head toward the door.
I sighed and trotted slowly up to it.
"Vinyl, I'm really sorry about what happened between me and Octavia. There was no need to do what I did. It was rash, ridiculous, and stupid." I said.
Twi shot me a harsh look as I looked back at her, wanting to go home.
I sighed again. "But, I'm most sorry about how things ended between us. I can't sleep, I can't eat, I can't... I can't live without you. I know it's cliche, but it's true. I beat the hell out of myself everyday for how I hurt you. I'm not expecting you to forgive me, or return these feelings, but I just wanted to tell you how much I care about you and how much I wanna see you happy. I'm sorry for what I did to you and I guess that you just want me to leave you alone, so I will." I held back a tear. A thought came to me, and it was the only thing I could think to do.
"Goodbye, Vinyl. I'm gonna miss you." I sobbed a bit.
I took a deep breath in and started galloping back to the library without another word to or from Twilight or Vinyl. My tears blinded my vision, pure anguish and pain filled my body. I stormed inside the library and fell down on the ground. It was good that Spike was off at Canterlot for royal duties, because I cried. Like a little bitch, I cried. Long and hard, my eyes swelled with tears of a lost friend, a lost life, and a lost future.
Twilight finally got back after I finished crying. I sat in a corner on my haunches with my hooves over my eyes.
"River, what was that all about?" she asked, confused, but also trying to comfort me.
I mumbled my response at first, prompting a "What?" from Twilight.
Slightly louder, I said, "I wanna go home. Back to earth, back to my shitty other life. I just wanna leave."
"Why? You can still make things right with Vinyl, and everything'll be alright, ok?"
"She hates me, and I want to make her happy again, to forget about me. This is the only way I can think to do it, to get out of her life forever. And this is the only way how." I said rigidly.
"But, River... You love her right?" she asked. I nodded at her slightly. "Then, the only logical thing to do is fight for her, Right?" she looked at me. I didn't waver, quiver, or shake. My decision was final. "R-Right...?" she asked again, this time less confident.
"My mind's made up Twilight. I want to go home. Vinyl will be happier that way. And that's all I really want at this point. Besides, the police are probably looking for my body back home, and my family's probably worried sick about me." I said, a sad smile crossing my face.
"Please, River..." Twilight tried to plead. She obviously couldn't try and make me do what I knew deep down was right, but was too afraid to admit I was wrong.
"Listen, Twi. I thought Equestria would help me, change me to be something better than I was. But I was just fooling myself, really. I'm still the spineless, weak, shell of a man that I was when I got here. Fun time's over Twi. Now please just send me home..."
"Just take me home Twilight..." I said, my mind made up. She wouldn't move or do anything but give me a look of complete discontent.
"Please, River... We can work this out, and you can stay here and be happy... That's what you want, isn't it?" she asked, visibly tearing up.
"It's what I used to want. Now that the one I love can't even bear to face me or talk to me, I see no other point in staying here. You said when I got here that you had a spell to send me back. Do that for me, please..." I said.
She tried to speak up, but stopped herself. She'd given up on me. I knew that now. But, then again, I'd given up on this world too.
"I need some preparation, so wait here." she said, coldly.
I sat in the front room of the library, wishing that I didn't have to do this. And I didn't, but I'd deluded myself that I did. I knew I could work this out, but I was too scared and weak to do anything about it. I was reverting to my normal self anyway, and this world couldn't handle my kind of person. This wasn't meant to be. I wasn't meant to stay here, to be happy. My mindset can't let me, it seems.
My waiting continued for an hour, until she finally came back.
"What took you so long?" I asked.
"I just had to make a few phone calls." she said. "I wanted to do this out in the open if that's alright with you." she said to me, still as cold as ever.
"Sure. Not like it matters." I said glumly.
She walked me out the front of the library. We continued down Main Street until we got to the Cakes' shop.
"I need to get some things real quick. Come in with me?" she asked.
I obliged, seeing as I would be leaving soon. I figured "why not get one last taste of paradise?"
We walked in and I was overwhelmed. It seemed almost everypony in town was in the shop. There hung a large banner with the words "Please Stay River!" on it. Everypony that I'd helped, talked to, or even just passed by on the street was there.
I saw Brawny Spirit, Cheerilee, Carrot Top, even Pinkie Pie. It was a "party" of sorts, but no one was dancing or carousing around. It was a kind of somber occasion. I didn't know what my emotions were doing. I was mixed between happy and sad. Happy because people actually cared if I left, but sad because I knew Vinyl wasn't there. She was the only one I held paramount to the others, and she didn't show.
"River, you can't go. We love you and we want you to stay. Please don't leave." Twilight said to me, with a caring look in her eyes.
I looked around at all my friends. I had a town full of friends. I'd never had that many friends in my life. I realize I could be happy here. And I knew there was only one thing I could say.
No.
"Guys... I really appreciate all you've done to try and get me to stay. But, I think we all know I can't. I used to be human. Many of you here don't know what that means. It means I'm not one of you naturally. That being said, there's no way I could ever fit in right here." I said, solemnly. "I'm sorry, but it's the best thing to do."
"No. You fit in fine here. Everyone loves you. Hell, I love you. You leaving is making Ponyville lose a small part of itself. If you leave... I don't know what I'd do."
I heard a voice coming from behind the front desk. Everypony moved out of the way so I got a clear view of the counter. And sitting there was the reason I wanted to stay here, Vinyl Scratch herself.
My heart stopped. She really was here. Oh my God.
"V-Vin-Vinyl..." I couldn't help but stutter. "I thought... I don't... Don't you...?" I stumbled over my words.
I kept trying to form a coherent sentence. Thus far, to no avail. She hopped over the desk, not without a little outcry from Mrs. Cake about knocking over the tip jar, trotted over to me, and kissed me. Yeah, you read that right. It finally happened.
It was heartfelt. There was meaning behind that kiss, besides to shut me the hell up. I was frozen in confusion. Why would she do that? I thought she hated me. A million things were going through my head during that 3 second kiss.
After she finally pulled away, she said "Stay, River. For me? I knew you liked me the whole time we lived together. Don't deny it now." she said, while playing with my mane.
"Well, I won't deny that I liked you a lot. But I don't know if I can stay here..." I said, thinking. "Aw hell, who am I kidding?" I said. "I'll stay." I said with a smile. Vinyl kissed me again.
Epilogue type thing I guess
"See ya later guys!" called Vinyl, escorting the remaining guests out of the party. "Pinkie, that party was tops, girl!" Vinyl said as she knocked hoof with Pinkie.
"I always do my best to keep the parties pumpin'!" she said with her normal perpetual beaming smile. "Would you guys like some help with the cleaning?" she asked.
"Oh, no we'll be fine, Pinkie. Go on ahead." Vinyl said, looking back to wink at me.
It'd been six months since I decided to stay. Vinyl and I had been dating ever since, and I couldn't be happier. Octavia and she broke up the day that Twilight and I went to talk to Vinyl. Icing on the cake. I moved back in with her and I started getting her gigs. So I'm her agent, per se.
Pinkie walked out the door and Vinyl shut it behind her.
"Well that was a great show, and it was all thanks to you." she said as she tapped my nose.
"Well what's a show without the showman?" I asked jokingly.
"Show-woman. I'm not a man." she joked.
"Oh, whatever." I retorted.
Witty, I know.
"Well, Mr. Agent man, I have a present for you..." Vinyl said, walking out.
I followed, obviously.
We got back to the house. She walked upstairs seductively and came back down some minutes later with the light dimmer. She clicked it down a couple notches and it got way moody.
I think you can figure out where that went.
So, as I sit here, trying not to make any noise and wake Vinyl up, I'm contemplating my entire existence thus far. My life has basically been shit up until these last six months, and I'm grateful. Because if I never had the life I had, I wouldn't be here. And right here is where I wanna stay. I'm right where I wanna be, and for once, this story has a happy ending.
"Just take me home Twilight..." I said, my mind made up. She wouldn't move or do anything but give me a look of complete discontent.
"Please, River... We can work this out, and you can stay here and be happy... That's what you want, isn't it?" she asked, visibly tearing up.
"It's what I used to want. Now that the one I love can't even bear to face me or talk to me, I see no other point in staying here. You said when I got here that you had a spell to send me back. Do that for me, please..." I said.
She tried to speak up, but stopped herself. She'd given up on me. I knew that now. But, then again, I'd given up on this world too.
"I need some preparation, so wait here." she said, coldly.
I sat in the front room of the library, wishing that I didn't have to do this. And I didn't, but I'd deluded myself that I did. I knew I could work this out, but I was too scared and weak to do anything about it. I was reverting to my normal self anyway, and this world couldn't handle my kind of person. This wasn't meant to be. I wasn't meant to stay here, to be happy. My mindset can't let me, it seems.
My waiting continued for an hour, until she finally came back.
"What took you so long?" I asked.
"I just had to make a few phone calls." she said. "I wanted to do this out in the open if that's alright with you." she said to me, still as cold as ever.
"No, just do it here, please. I won't go outside." I protested.
"River, I can concentrate bet-"
"No. Just do it here. I don't care how long it takes. My mind's made up. Don't try and delay it." I said solemnly.
She hesitated. Her gaze lowered. "Fine..." she said as her horn began to glow. "This'll take a while, so get comfortable." she said, any kind of feeling of friendship she had toward me was dead now. I could tell she hated what I'd become.Or, reverted back to, as it were.
I sat down in an armchair near Twi's reading podium. Her magic began to envelop me. It wasn't warm, like when she changed me. This time it was cold, bitter magic. I shivered. I think her emotions effected the magic's properties.
After about 20 minutes of the cold, I began to elevate. It was happening. I was about to leave. Twilight was concentrating very hard. Tears began to flow from her eyes. I could tell she was in pain. In more ways than one.
The moment of truth was upon me. I could feel her magic beginning to get stronger. I felt immense pressure all around me. I almost couldn't bear it. When I heard a knock at the door. A pause. Then the door swung open. There was Vinyl, standing there, mouth agape.
I looked away from her. My hooves turning to hands and feet, she started to cry out to me.
"River, tell Twilight to stop! Come down! Please, STOP!" she cried, tears running down her face. Papers and books were being blown all around the room, like a tornado had touched down.
I began to ascend into the ethereal state. I began to glow, and then dissipate.
"River!" Vinyl cried again. "I lo-"
Wait. Wait. No. What have I done? I thought.
My vision was complete darkness. I couldn't see a damn thing. Did it work?
My eyes finally began to open. Everything was bright. My vision was blurred and I was freezing. I began to regain feeling in my extremities, then my limbs, then I was finally able to move. I turned over, my face having been in the dirt before. I looked up. It was cloudy, raining, and the sun was nowhere to be found. I sat up, took a deep breath in, and realized I was back on earth. The river I had fallen in flowing swiftly beside me, my hair, clothes, and shoes caked with mud and sopping wet. I stood quickly, realizing that before I was teleported, Vinyl had said she loved me.
No. No. No no no no. I began to shout those words. I ran around, fuming at myself. How could I have been so stupid? How could I have been so fucking blind?? I screamed in rage, tears flowing down my cheeks. I then got an idea. I ran to the bridge.
"This has to work. It worked before, right?" I said to no one in particular. I stood up on the railing and looked down at the river. I was praying at this point. I finally closed my eyes and jumped in.
The cold water bit at my body like needles. This wasn't the sensation I remembered. I decided to stay under to see if it would eventually work. I lost my breath I'd held. I grasped for any kind of hand hold. I couldn't get my head above water because the river was moving too fast. I was almost about to pass out when I finally grabbed a hold of a large rock about two hundred feet from the bridge. I pulled myself up on the shore, coughing. I lay out on my back, staring at the sky.
As the water vacated my lungs, I prayed for the chance to return. To return to Equestria, to return to the life I had been so foolish to abandon. I realized I'd never been as happy as I was when I was in Equestria, when I was with Vinyl. I'd given up. My life would never be as good as it had been then. I can't do this anymore.
As I trudged back to my apartment, I thought about Vinyl, Vinyl, and Vinyl. Although I'd left her, she'd never leave me. I couldn't live with the fact that I hurt her the way I did. I got to my apartment, went to the fridge, and grabbed a beer. I sat on my couch and watched TV.
I finished the beer a few minutes later. It's time. I thought to myself.
I exited the apartment, locked the door, and ascended up the stairs to the roof. My apartment building was a large one. I was very high off the ground, and that made getting the means easier. I stood at the ledge, thinking. As people started to gather, I realized although I'd left Ponyville, they'd never leave me. I had that realization before, but this was in a new light. I realized that the lessons Ponyville taught me would never leave me. I was taught how to be a true friend by Twilight, that helping people is a good thing to do by Carrot Top and Cherilee, how important family is by Brawny Spirit, and how to look at the bright side of life by Pinkie Pie.
And, of course, how to truly love someone by Vinyl.
I knew I couldn't do this. I stepped down from the ledge, and walked back down the stairs to my flat. I grabbed a water from the fridge, picked up the phone and dialed.
"Hello, Dad? Do you maybe wanna go get some lunch?"
Epilogue
My life, as I know now, is a great one. Even though I left Equestria, the memories will always be in my heart. And those are the best things I could wish for.
After my view of the city from my ledge six months ago, I realized I had the power to change my life for the better. I was the only one who could make it better. And so I did.
My father and I made amends and are now as close as a father and son could hope to be. I began surfing dating sites, and found the girl I think I'm going to marry someday. Her name's Michelle. She's beautiful, smart, funny, and faithful. I'm sociable now, too. I go to parties, concerts, dinners out, and even sometimes visit my dad. I got a job as a computer technician at a Microsoft branch office in my town.
I turned my life around, and it's all thanks to Ponyville.
So, as I sit here writing this, trying not to wake Michelle up, I go back over my life. Sure, it wasn't good up until now, but I'm a better person for it. All the pain I've experienced has made me enjoy all the good moments that much more.
I still watch MLP, and so does Michelle. What a catch, right? Whenever I see Vinyl in the background, I can't help but feel like she's watching me, hoping I'm out there somewhere watching her, too. And I am, and always will be.
Dear Princess Celestia,
Thank you. Thank you for making me a better person, and thank you for teaching me the lessons I need to live the life I've craved for so long. Because without you, Ponyville wouldn't have changed my life like it did. I'm now the man I've always wanted to be, and without you and your beautiful kingdom of Equestria, I'd still be the hollow shell of a man I was six months ago. So again, thank you.
