No Day but today

A young woman was standing outside of a nightclub in lower Canterlot smoking a joint as she waited for her turn on the stage, She was an exceptionally beautiful girl with shoulder length two tone blue hair that was unkempt and unwashed, her eyes were a shining ruby color, and skin that looked as if it was made of cream; her name was Vinyl Scratch and for now she was just another one of the many out of luck people in lower Canterlot who were selling their bodies to get by and support their habit.

Meanwhile in a totally different city another young lady was getting ready for bed and like our last subject she was heartbreakingly beautiful. However unlike Vinyl this girl’s ash grey hair was kept immaculately clean, her eyes a soft violet, and her skin was pale with only a light touch of sun; this girl’s name was Octavia and for now she was living her life in the way she had been taught to; with grace, class, and civility despite having had a past of fighting against her parent’s beliefs.

So now you may ask where this story may be going with two women who don’t know each other, live in different cities,and have different ways of life. Little do these two know that their lives are on a collision course. One that will save Vinyl’s life and force Octavia to face her past and come to grips with her demons again, but as we all know there’s no day but today.

No day but today

Chapter 1

“Lower Canterlot, I’ve lived here my whole life, will I ever get out of this hell hole?” Thought Vinyl as she drew her drug of choice into the syringe, and placed the needle flat to her skin,sighing as it slowly pierced through to her vein and she injected the heroin into her bloodstream, she then untied the band around her arm and laid back against the wall of the alleyway she was staying in.

“Fuck I love this stuff!” Cried Vinyl as the heroin high began to take her mind away from her problems, but as any person who has used before knows, it’s only temporary and that the problems of this world don’t go away as easy as that.

“And what stuff would that happen to be young lady?” Asked one of the Canterlot guards who unfortunately had heard her outburst and had come to investigate.

“What’s it to you, pig-boy?” Asked Vinyl as she tried to kick the discarded syringe away.

“Well you little bitch it just happens to me that you’re doing drugs, Illegal ones at that, and so I’m taking you in, for that and you’re smart ass mouth.” Spat the guard pointing at the discarded syringe. Pulling out his handcuffs, he started to head down the alleyway towards Vinyl. “This ought to be amusing, judging by your appearance you’re just another stupid tramp, so are you going to run, or put up a fight.” Laughed the guard as he continued forwards until he was about three feet away from Vinyl.

little did he know that Vinyl was still lucid enough to act and she waited until he was right on top of her to aim a kick,clocking him in the face and knocking him to the ground.

“As if some punk guards going to lock me up, see ya later loser.” Hissed Vinyl then spitting in the guard’s face and trying to take off. However the guard caught her by the ankle causing Vinyl to trip and fall face first into one of the dumpsters. Dazed and bleeding from the impact, Vinyl tried to get up but the guard was faster as he walked over to where Vinyl was spread-eagled on the ground and stomped on her arm breaking it.

“Have fun with all of that once the high wears off.” Laughed the guard as he put the handcuffs on her.

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“You’re in big trouble young lady.” Said Shining Armor as the young captain of the guard led the shackled Vinyl to the Princess’s courtroom for her trial. “Whatever your reasons, attacking one of my guards is still a serious crime. However it’s not up to me, it’s up to my sister since Princess Celestia’s left her head of the courts.” Shining said as he opened a door emblazoned with a pair of lavender Alicorn’s wings and the symbol of the element of magic. “My sister will be with you shortly, good luck.” Said Shining as he closed the door and left Vinyl to her own devices.

The courtroom was a simple room with four judge’s booths in the center, each emblazoned with the symbol of its Princess. The sun for Celestia, the moon for Luna, a heart and crystal for Cadence, and the element of magic and Alicorn’s wings for Twilight. High rise windows of stained glass depicted each of the four Princesses and the symbol of Equestria.

“If I wasn’t about to be raked over the fucking coals I’d actually think this was pretty awesome.” Said Vinyl to herself, not knowing that Twilight had come in and was already sitting at her booth and waiting for her to notice.

“You’ve got quite a bit of gall using that kind of language here in the castle, especially in light of what you’re here for.” Said Twilight Icily “Now then, shall we get started Miss Scratch?”

Vinyl swallowed slightly as she looked up at Twilight in her true form with her wings and horn showing.

“Sure.” She replied as she began to shake slightly. With that Twilight levitated a stack of papers towards her and read off of them.

“Vinyl Scratch, homeless resident of Canterlot city-lower district, age 16, you are hereby charged with possession of an illegal substance, use of an illegal substance, and assault on a royal guard of the monarchy. How do you plead?” Stated Twilight as she snapped her fingers to summon the guards back to the courtroom.

I’m screwed she’s already made up her mind. Thought Vinyl as she cleared her throat to speak. “Guilty your highness, but” Began Vinyl before Twilight held up her hand to make Vinyl stop talking.

“I don’t want to hear your excuses, do you understand me. Now then I know how hard it is out there at the moment. The Princesses and I are doing everything we can to try and improve things for everyone in Equestria, but things are still hard for so many, and in light of your situation and this being your first drug charge I’m willing to be lenient.

Vinyl Scratch as Princess of magic I hereby sentence you to rehab courses to be paid for by the treasury since you’re unable to pay for it yourself, you may leave.

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“Fuck Rehab courses, this is going to suck, but at least the Princess didn’t decide to send me up the river.” Complained Vinyl to her friend who had come to pick her up from the hospital. Her high having worn off before she had even gone before Twilight. The princess had her taken there after the trial for the wounds and her arm:

“Yeah, rehab isn’t so bad, you just sit in some room with other junkies and talk about your problem. A little boring but hey it helped me get clean and a lot of people used to say that I’d never break my cycle, that I’d always just be “Ice Queen Dash” but I wanted to be more than just some meth head and so I used that drive and my dream of being a Wonderbolt to break the cycle.

Now I have my friends, my love in Fluttershy and the honor of being The Element of Loyalty.” Said Rainbow Dash, looking at the ruby lighting bolt crest on her hand that marked her as an Element of Harmony. She then wrapped her arms around Vinyl and hugged her. “If I could break meth’s hold on me, then you can break away from heroin, You just gotta believe Scratch!” She said with a smile.

Rainbow Dash was Vinyl’s one and only friend that she trusted because she knew that no matter what, Dash would be loyal to her and tell her what she needed to hear even if it wasn’t what Vinyl wanted to hear. A tall slim beauty with chest length rainbow colored hair, magenta eyes, and tan skin, however the damage that her teenage mistakes had done to her body were still noticeable; her skin was slightly sunk in, and there were still scars from where she used to pick at herself.

“Thanks, I guess I’ll just have to try my best and see how it pans out.” Sighed Vinyl as the two of them got into Dash’s car.

“So the offer still stands ya know, me and Fluttershy would be happy to let you stay with us, you don’t have to do this yourself Vinyl, Any of us girls here in Canterlot would be willing to give you a roof over your head and three meals in your gut, why do you stay in that alleyway, it just seems to be causing trouble if you ask me.” Said Dash as she started the car and took off towards her and Fluttershy’s house.

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“Vinyl, what in Celestia’s name happened to you?” Asked Fluttershy as Vinyl and Dash entered the two bedroom place that the two of them stayed in, It wasn’t much, but it was all they could afford with Dash’s history and Fluttershy not having many patients to take care of since many people didn’t own pets in Canterlot.

“Got into it with some pig who caught me shooting up.” Answered Vinyl as Fluttershy fussed over the wound which had gotten Vinyl ten stitches, and the arm which was now in a cast. This answer received an icy stare from Fluttershy as she checked over the work done.

“I though me and Dashie told you to give that fucking stuff up, So now what, you’ve got a record like Dashie now?” Screamed Fluttershy; there wasn’t many things that got Fluttershy upset, however having seen what Dash had gone through and seeing so many people die from their addiction to drugs was one of them.

Vinyl Shook her head. “Nah Fluttershy, I just got rehab. Twilight must of been in a pretty good mood because even for a first offence for heroin possession that’s a slap on the wrist.” Vinyl Sighed as she sat down on the couch and let Fluttershy continue her verbal barrage.

“Yes well at least you see how lucky you were, it’s a sign to get clean because you might not get so lucky next time, and you better damn well believe me and Dashie are making sure you’re going to your rehab sessions, got it.” Snapped Fluttershy before taking a couple of breaths to compose herself. “I’m sorry Vinyl it’s just, It’s just, I don’t want to lose any friends again.”

“Fluttershy.” Whispered Vinyl as she hugged the now sobbing woman. “Don’t worry I’ll beat this, You’ve got my word, okay, now come on enough crying I know you don’t like having to get angry or screaming.” She sighed as she continued to rub Fluttershy’s back.

“So you say you’re going to get clean, What’s the first step then?” Asked Dash sitting next to Vinyl, turning the girl to face her and look her in the eyes.

“The first step is admitting to the fact that I have an addiction and that I need to stop using heroin.” Replied Vinyl sighing.

“Good, now then, do you know what leads you to doing the drugs, what is your X factor?” Asked Dash as she lead Vinyl through the same steps she herself had to learn when she was breaking her addiction to meth, the same steps that the rehab course would put her through, and what would eventually break Vinyl’s dependence on Heroin

“Well just that basically my whole fucking life has sucked ever since my dad died, My mom kicked me out, no one else in my family wanted anything to do with me, and the streets are hard enough for an adult, let alone a thirteen year old girl, so I guess I started using drugs to escape the fact that unless I got really lucky I wasn’t ever going to reach sixteen.” Said Vinyl as she started to tear up from having to remember losing her father and finding herself suddenly alone in the world.

“Ok good, now what’s the reason you do the drugs now You see, the reasons you gave me are not the reasons you do the heroin now, they're the reasons you started; take me for example. The reasons I started meth was because I wanted to be popular and I wanted people to think I was hard core, but by the time I was finally tired of it controlling my life and being in and out of juvie for most of my teenage years, it was the fear of the withdrawals I knew I’d go through.”

“ So is that what you’re afraid of Scratch? Because there’s nothing to be ashamed of if you are, they don’t tell horror stories about withdrawal for nothing. It’s hell and you know you can believe me when I say that, but once it’s done you’ll feel a hell of alot better, just trust me on that.” Said Dash as she held a now shaking Vinyl.

“I, I’m scared Dash, and I don’t know what to do about it!” Sobbed Vinyl as she held onto Rainbow Dash tightly.

“Well first you need to trust me okay Vinyl, I’m not going to let you fall, I’ll be there I promise. We’ll do this together, Me, You, Fluttershy, and anyone else you want to have help you. Hell I imagine if it doesn’t get in the way of her duties and stuff even Twilight would be willing to help you beat this, you may not have any blood family left Scratch, but if it’s anything this world’s taught me is that you may not be able to pick your blood family, but you sure as hell can pick those that you treat like family,and to me hun you’re family.

Never forget you’ve got people to turn to when it feels too hard and you want to turn back to the needle.” Explained Dash as she let the teen sob into her jacket, as Fluttershy came over to try and comfort Vinyl as well.

“You know, I know someone else who might be able to help you as well.She’s been in this type of place as well, and if anyone besides Dash could understand what it’s like to battle through drug addiction it’s her. More than likely she’s over at Rarity’s,so do you want me to take you over there and see if she is?” Asked Fluttershy

“Sure, I guess.” Sighed Vinyl as she wiped her face off and went to get cleaned up.

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“That’s where we’re going?” Asked Vinyl as she pointed to a large building that was in the shape of a carousel and covered in many different accents and colors to make it stand out among the other buildings of Canterlot’s business district.

“Yes, that’s the new carousel boutique; ever since Twilight became a princess and had to come to stay here in Canterlot, we all decided to move here as well, working hard to try and keep our friendship alive, Except for AppleJack, who was heading Sweet Apple Acres and really couldn’t move from Ponyville just to keep close.

And part of doing that was seeing if we all couldn’t try and carve out a living here in Canterlot, It’s not been easy but with Dashie’s help, her and I have managed, and I hear that Pinkie’s been doing really well since she got Mr. and Mrs. Cake’s permission to open a Sugarcube corner here, and then of course I obviously don’t have to point out that with Rarity’s talent’s she’s had no shortage of orders for clothing since the move as well.”

Fluttershy pulled into the parking lot of carousel boutique and the two of them got out of the car, one of them happy to have a reason to come and see an old friend, the other apprehensive of what was going to happen with someone who was such a big name in Canterlot’s fashion circles, and what of this friend of Rarity’s and Fluttershy’s, what was she like?

I just hope neither of them are stuck up bitches like ninety percent of these high class woman. Thought Vinyl as she followed Fluttershy into the building.

“One second Darling, I’m with another customer, I’ll be right out.” Said a voice that was posh and elegant but also kind and warm, as it it’s owner could never feel like they were better than anyone else no matter how successful they became.

A few minutes later, the curtain at the back of the store swept aside, revealing a refined woman with shoulder length violet hair that matched perfectly with her shining violet eyes,enhanced by what appeared to be elegantly red framed glasses, and when she viewed Fluttershy and Vinyl she froze in place.

“Fluttershy, who is this young lady?” Asked Rarity as she was looking over Vinyl’s figure and shaking her head. “Also why haven’t I seen you in so long, I mean I know we all have our own lives, but I really miss our old trips to the spa, and I could only imagine the one’s here in Canterlot are so much better when you have a friend to join you.” She continued as she came out from behind the counter with a tape measure and a needle pad floating alongside her in her violet aura.

“I’m sorry Rarity, it’s just that with me always trying to find ways to attract more business to my place, and Dash trying to find a job, it’s really hard to find the time to come and visit you gals, I mean, I didn’t want to hurt your feelings Rarity.” Said Fluttershy “Oh! And this Is Vinyl Scratch, she’s a good friend of Rainbow Dash, and she was wondering if...” Began Fluttershy before a posh voice with a slight undertone of a British accent sounded from behind the curtain.

“Miss Rarity, are you going to finish my outfit? I do have to be going soon, and I don’t mean to sound rude but you do have other things to do then socialize.” The posh voice insisted.

“Oh I’m sorry dear, but I need to go back and take care of Octavia’s new tuxedo for her performance tonight, but it was wonderful to talk to you again, and It was a pleasure to meet you Miss Scratch. We will have to get to know each other better sometime. Maybe you could come in and I could get you something more fitting for a beautiful young lady such as yourself.” Blabbed Rarity, trying to give an acceptable farewell as fast as she could, and then booked it back to the fitting room with the pad and the tape measure flying after her in her aura.

“Why don’t we just wait here, she won’t be long.” Said Fluttershy while grabbing Vinyl’s hand and leading her to the waiting room.

“She seems a little high strung, but nice, really nice.” Shrugged Vinyl as she poured herself a cup of coffee from the carafe that Rarity kept in the main room for customers awaiting their turn for fittings and tailoring.

“Yeah, she tends to bite off more than she can chew sometimes. Thank Celestia for Applejack when she can get up here from Sweet Apple Acres. I really think that if Rarity and her had not fallen for each other she would have gone crazy. I mean there was a time where she agreed to make each of us a dress for the Grand Gala at the castle and because it was only about a month away, and we kinda went a little overboard with what we wanted them to be that she ended up snapping a little bit and making some of the worst dresses ever designed. It almost ended her career, but we managed to talk Hoity Toity into giving her another chance.” Explained Fluttershy, while standing and getting herself some of the jasmine tea that was also available.

“There was a short time ago I thought that maybe Rarity and I might give it a go, but then when Dashie kissed me at the royal wedding I realized that I loved her.” Reminisced Fluttershy.

Completely lost in the memory, and forgetting about the cup being filled. Fluttershy accidentally poured some of the hot water onto her hand, causing her to flinch and spill the drink to the floor.

“Are you okay?” Asked Vinyl as she got some of the napkins to clean up the spilt tea, while Fluttershy ran her hand under some cold water from a nearby fountain.

“Yes I’m okay, don’t worry hun I do it all the time at home” Said Fluttershy as she turned toward the door and noticed that a girl a few years younger than Vinyl was standing there with a puzzled expression.

The young girl had silky pink and purple hair reaching to about her shoulders, moderately thin, and with a soft face. She appeared to be a younger, less serious version of Rarity

“Umm, hi I was just wondering if you knew whether or not my older sister was home?” Asked the girl as she bounced up and down on her heels.

“Yes, she’s right in the back, umm may I ask who you are though, that is if you don’t mind?” Replied Fluttershy, a bit put off by the girl’s obvious hyperness.

“Oh, I’m Sweetie Belle, Rarity’s little sister; I live in Manehatten so I don’t come over very often and I never really get to meet any of sis’s clients, so what do you think of my sister? She’s really nice isn’t she?” Asked Sweetie Belle as she walked into the room and sat down on one of the couches.

“Your sister is one of my best friends” Fluttershy said as she sat down next to Sweetie Belle as Vinyl walked over towards them. “I could never imagine my life without your sister now. “

I”ve only just met your sister hun, but she seems like a classy lady.” Added Vinyl as she messed up Sweetie Belle’s two tone hair.

A few minutes passed between the three girls chatting and exchanging stories, Fluttershy and Vinyl getting closer to Sweetie Belle and the young girl to them when Rarity came to check and see if Fluttershy and Vinyl had waited for her or had gone about with other business followed by Octavia who was now dressed in a grey silk suit with pink accents. whose eyes locked on Vinyl as soon as she seen her.

She looks like her... but the hair is different and, NO, get ahold of yourself she’s gone and there’s nothing you can do to change what happened just push her out of your mind.

Tears threatened to escape from Octavia’s eyes before she regained her composure as Rarity greeted Sweetie Belle and continued her previous conversation with Fluttershy and Vinyl.

“Oh so you were looking to introduce Miss Scratch to Octavia well that’s easily arranged. Excuse me Octavia, these two ladies would like a word with you.” Rarity said as she turned to Octavia and noticed the tears falling down the young cellist’s face. “Octavia are you alright, is it Lyra?”

“I’m fine don’t worry about me, so you wished to talk with me Fluttershy, and Miss....”

“Scratch,Vinyl Scratch yeah. Fluttershy said that you’d be able to help me with a problem of mine?” Asked Vinyl shaking the hand Octavia offered to her.

“That would depend on what kind of problem it is.” Replied Octavia as she looked over Vinyl taking in all the scars and marks over the girl’s arm. She’s even a junkie like Lyra was; is this some kind of sign, a sick joke from above punishing me for not being able to stop Lyra’s suicide, oh Celestia help me.

“I need your help to break my addiction, Fluttershy said you could help me.” Sighed Vinyl turning her head away in shame as Octavia grabbed onto her arm and stared deeply into Vinyl’s eyes, it looked as if a fire had been lit inside of them.

“I once had the same problem, this isn’t going to be easy, I need your word of honour that you won’t quit halfway, I won’t lie the withdrawal will be hell and you’ll want to shoot up so bad that it feels like you will die if you don’t; I’m a busy woman Miss Scratch but if you are willing to give it your all into giving up the drugs, then I’m willing to spend the time to help.” Said Octavia holding out her hand to Vinyl again except this time in a handshake between two woman of honour entering into an agreement.

“ I need to stop the hold this shit has on be before it destroys any chance I have of making my dreams come true; I promise you Octavia, I won’t quit on you.” Vowed Vinyl taking Octavia’s hand and shaking it again.

“Let us go somewhere a little more private.” Suggested Octavia turning to Rarity “Do you have a place that we could discuss Vinyl’s future in private Miss Rarity?”

“I do have an office/sitting room that I keep set aside for meetings with my clients who have a taste in more risque clothing; I suppose I could set you up in there if that would suit you Octavia?” Replied Rarity lifting up one of the curtains in the room which led down a corridor painted a deep red color and set with dimly lit lights. “It’s the first door down the hallway to the right just do be careful some of the things in their might... offend.” She finished as she let the curtain fall behind the two woman and returned to the sitting room to attend to Fluttershy and her Sister

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“It’s a nice room... cozy” Said Scratch as they entered the room and she sat down at the adjoining couches.

“I guess if you’re of the mind to like this sort of lifestyle.” Replied Octavia shifting the racks of clothing behind one of the screens that Rarity kept in the room for clients who wished to try the clothing on. “But I digress we’re not here to discuss clothing or more for lack of a better term loose lifestyles; we’re here to discuss how we’re going to help keep you away from heroin. Now if I’m going to help you, I need to know what made you turn to the drugs in the first place, if we can find a way for you to come to terms with what made you start in the first place then it may be easier for you to quit.”

“Excuse me, I’ve known you all of maybe ten minutes and you want to know about my past, I don’t even share that with my friends!” Snapped Vinyl standing up “I mean how the hell am I supposed to trust that you won’t just go and tell every stuck-up rich prick you know and ruin any chance that I could ever have of getting out of this place!” She continued as she paced around the room trying to vent her anger at being asked to reveal her past to an absolute stranger.

“ Miss Scratch, I understand that you don’t know me and that I don’t know you and therefore your mistrust in me is understandable but I give you my word as a lady; nothing you say will leave this room, if I had wanted to have this be between anyone but us I would not of had Rarity set us up somewhere private between the two of us.” Explained Octavia

“Your word, yeah like that’s worth anything; nowadays everyone lies to get what they want outta people. Now get this just because I’m a kid, doesn’t mean I’m stupid, so how about this I tell you want you want to know and then you tell me something about you that way we’re on even ground, we’re both getting to know each other and we both have dirt on the other to make sure the other doesn’t talk.” Replied Scratch continuing to pace the length of the room in front of the couch.

“This isn’t about me Vinyl Scratch, it’s about you, you are the one who still has the problems with the drugs,you are the one who asked me for help, and it’s you who still obviously has not come to grips with whatever life has done to you, now I understand that your living on the streets has taught you not to trust anyone; however that needs to change if you want to give up the stuff for good, you cannot do it alone Scratch.” Rebuked Octavia keeping her spot on the couch waiting for Vinyl to calm down and sit back down.

“I know I can’t do it alone, if I could I would have never ever asked for help in the first place, but helping me break my addiction and prying into my life are two different things Octavia.” Vinyl snapped as she punched one of the mannequins knocking it over at this point Octavia stood up and headed towards the door opening it.

“No Scratch they’re one in the same but as you seem to have no intentions of admitting it then I’m afraid I cannot help you, if you want me to help you then seek me out when you’re not so much of a child that you’re afraid to tell people what happened to you so they can help.” Sighed Octavia as she walked out of the room and shut the door behind Vinyl.

“Octavia, Wait!” Shouted Vinyl running out the door to catch up with the cellist. “Okay, I’ll tell you.” Sighed Vinyl as the two of them walked back into the room and Octavia shut the door behind them.

“I’m listening.” Said Octavia as Scratch stared out the window looking towards the sky.

TBC