Ruby Eyes and Echoes

Chapters

Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Epilogue
Chapter 5

Prologue

It was a lovely winter morning and Chaser, the police stallion, whistled a pleasant tune as he trotted down the country road towing a small cart behind him. In the cart sat a small bundle of blankets that occasionally squirmed when the wagon hit a bump. He soon arrived at a high stone wall with an intimidating wrought iron gate. Through the gate he could make out a gloomy two story building that once was a school. To the right of the gate attached to the wall sat a bronze plaque that had turned green with age. On it said the words, 'Madam Puffeltop's Orphanage, for all abandoned and unwanted colts and fillies'. Above the sign was a faded red doorbell and Chaser pressed it with his hoof. A hidden stereo crackled to life and a loud female voice shrieked.

“Yes, who is it? What do you want?”

Chaser cleared his throat.

“It is Officer Chaser with another unfortunate for your fine orphanage.”

The female voice changed to a more pleasant tone.

“Oh, Mr. Chaser! How nice of you to drop by. Did you say you have a new one?”

“Yes ma'am.”

“I will be out to open the gate in just a moment.”

The stereo clicked off loudly and moments later he could see the front doors of the orphanage groan open and a pink unicorn with an orange mane exited the building. She rushed to the police pony patiently waiting and opened the gate.

“Come on in and have yourself a cup of tea,” she flirted.

“Oh, I would love to but I am due back at Manehattan to help clean up the fire. Maybe some other day Madam Puffeltop.”

Madam Puffeltop's heart sank when he rejected her proposition. They headed toward the orphanage and she decided to change the subject.

“Oh my, there was a fire downtown? Is everyone alright?”

“No, three ponies died,” he said sadly, “two of which were this little-one's parents.”

“Oh dear, how terrible.”

They arrived at the front door and they stopped.

“I will now give you custody of this foal and turn her over to you.”

He unhitched the cart, lifted the bundle with his front hooves and handed it to the mare. She looked at the filly, a little white unicorn with a blue mane stared blankly back at Maddam Puffeltop. The orphanage patroness squeaked in shock.

“What is wrong?” asked Chaser.

“Her-her eyes,” Puffeltop stuttered in horror “they are blood red!”

“I think they are more of a ruby red,” Chaser laughed “the poor thing is blind. We don't know if she was born like that or what happened. Me and my fellow police officers called her Scratch because it seemed to fit, we don't know her true name.”

Chaser re-hitched the cart onto his back and turned to leave.

“Good day to you Madam Puffeltop, and I will see you later.” He closed the gate behind him and disappeared behind the wall, whistling the same tune as he went. When the whistling had quieted away Puffeltop looked back down at the silent foal and frowned.

“Another pitiful form of life,” she lifted the filly magically and proceeded into the orphanage “I don't understand why they didn’t drop you into a creek and end your sad life. It would have been much more humane instead of saving you and having you live the rest of your life blind and without parents. Oh well, I guess I am stuck with you until somepony adopts you,” she laughed “but I doubt that will ever happen.”

She trotted up the stairs and into a long room filled with twenty empty cribs. She set the filly into one of them and looked distastefully at her for several seconds. Puffeltop sighed heavily and trotted out of the room leaving the foal alone in the darkness and silence. Only then did the filly quietly start to cry.

____________________________________________________________________________________________
I do not own MLP:FiM.
Comment and be like a Roman, give me your thumbs.

Chapter 1

The winter rain fell gently against the large window as Scratch laid on her bed listening to the soft patter of each drop hitting the glass. It had been exactly six years after her arrival at the orphanage and was, in essence, her birthday. She longed to be out in the morning downpour, to feel the rain on her face. But she was cooped up in the filly sleeping quarters with no escape until Miss. Butterheart came and gathered them up for breakfast. A quiet whimper from the bed next to hers snapped Scratch out of her thoughts.

“What is wrong Ditzy?” She quietly asked.

“I-Is this a thunderstorm?” A gray pegasus filly with a yellow mane and eyes poked her head out from under her blankets “I don't like thunders.”

“I know,” Scratch reassured the younger pony, “it isn't a thunderstorm so you don’t need to be afraid.”

“Can, can I come over and sleep in your bed?” Ditzy whimpered, “I still afraid.”

Scratch sighed heavily.

“Sure,” she replied after little thought “but don't kick me in the ribs again or I will...”

Before the unicorn could finish the pegasus leaped out of her cot and into Scratch's. She landed heavily, bouncing the unicorn a foot into the air. Ditzy snuggled up against Scratch's side and quickly fell asleep. The gentle rising and falling of the fillies breathing and the warmth of her tiny body started lulling Scratch into sleep. But before her world became that of darkness and dreams a loud voice bellowed from the room entrance and tore her out of the sleepiness.

“Girls!” Cried Miss Butterheart, “wake up and make your way to the cafeteria for breakfast! I let you sleep in so you only have five minutes to get down there!”

Scratch heard the door close and her fellow orphans begrudgingly slide out of their beds and toward the door. Ditzy was still asleep so Scratch nudged the snoring pegasus with the tip of her nose.

“Hey, swirly eyes,” Scratch hissed, “breakfast time and you need to wake up. You are lying on my leg and it is starting to fall asleep.”

There was no answer. The unicorn listened closely to make sure there was nopony else in the room. Satisfied that they were alone she took in a deep breath.

“Wake up swirly whirly derpity derp derp!”

Ditzy shot up and looked angrily at her friend. One eye facing Scratch the other at the ceiling.

“I don't like it when people call me Derpy, or Swirly.”

“I did it to wake you up,” Scratch said apolitically, “if it makes you feel better I will give you my muffin.”

The pegasus instantly became a ball of excitement and leaped out of the bed and landed face first on the floor. She jumped back onto her hooves and looked up expectantly at Scratch.

“There not any stuff on the floor that you can trip on,” she warned Scratch.

“Thanks.” The unicorn slid off her bed and landed squarely onto her hooves.

By sheer memory she made her way out of the room and into the hall with Ditzy following close behind.

“What do you think is for breakfast?” Ditzy bounced down the stairs. Pausing on the landing to wait for her friend to catch up and answer her question.

“Duno.” Scratch walked past Ditzy and continued down the next flight of stairs. “Probably oats as usual.”

“Ooh, will there be a cake for your birthday?”

“There might be.” But Scratch doubted the chances of anyone remembering her birthday. They rarely did.

“Oh, I have an idea!” Squealed Ditzy and she bounded next to the unicorn “what if you had a muffin cover it with icing and then that could be your cake! I just invented something! An icing-muffin!”

“Also known as a cupcake,” Scratch stated blandly.

“Oh yeah,” the pegasus giggled.

The both of them walked into the cafeteria, a large white walled room filled with foals of different ages. As they entered Scratch closed her eyes to keep them hidden from the other foals though her long mane practically did it for her. Only a few turned to watch them enter, the rest continued eating. They retrieved there food after a short wait in line and sat down at an empty table.

“Big surprise,” Scratch said when they took there seats. “No cake.”

“Want me to go and ask them for some icing?” Ditzy said hopefully.

“Why?”

“So I can make you a cupcake out of my blueberry muffin!” Ditzy clapped her hooves together in hopefull excitement.

“Sure.” Scratch took a bite out of a cucumber sandwich and continued talking with a full mouth “just don't tell them it's for me.”

“Why not?”

“Because they are probably still mad from the time when I put baking soda and vinegar in one of the cook's pots as a prank two weeks ago. Not to mention, but every prank that happens here is instantly blamed on me.”

“Why don't you stop doing pranks then?”

Scratch opened her eyes and stared at the pegasus. Ditzy squirmed under the blind, blood red glare of her friend and turned away.

“Stop doing pranks? Stop doing the one thing that allows me revenge for the way they treat me here?” She shook her head and closed her eyes “I don't think so. Plus, it's fun.”

“But when you get in trouble...” Ditzy trailed off.

“True, Madam Puffeltop throws me into the basement without food or water for two days and then makes me do everyone’s chores for another three days. But it just makes me want to do another prank even more. Speaking of which, do you have any ideas for a prank and who should I do it to?”

Before Ditzy could answer, a sarcastic and arrogant sounding voice cut in from behind Scratch. The unicorn had heard her approaching but neglected to acknowledge her arrival.

“Hello Blood Eyes,” hissed a pink unicorn with a green mane who looked very much like her mother, Madam Puffeltop. “What are you and derpy face talking about all by yourselves without any other friends? What, are your friends to busy?” she laughed. “Oh, that is right, you don't have any friends.”

“Don't call me Derpy!” Growled Ditzy, her eyes crossed in anger.

“What do you want Puff Tart?” sighed Scratch.

“Nothing really,” she giggled. “Just seeing how you parentless freaks are doing. Oh and my mamma says that if you do another prank anytime soon she will lock you in the basement for an extra two days. So Derpy, still hoping that your family will come back for you and take you home? How about you Blood Eyes, have you fallen down any stairs lately?”

When the orphans didn’t answer she laughed and trotted away. Scratch sat fuming and brooding over everything Puff Tart had just said. Ditzy sat silently crying.

“Oh Ditzy,” Scratch said after a few moments of listening to Ditzy's tears hitting the table, “you can't let people calling you Derpy bother you so much. Heck Ditzy isn't even your real name either. When somepony calls you Ditzy, Derpy or Swirly Eyes ignore them.”

“But why does she have to bring up my parents leaving me!”

“Because she is a pampered snob who only cares about herself and her mother is a pile of dragon shit.”

Ditsy gasped in shock and whispered, “you said shit.”

“Yeah, I know,” Scratch smiled.

“But, isn't that a bad word?”

“So what if it is,” she laughed “nopony can stop me from saying it.”

“I don't like bad words,” Ditzy said quietly. “Bad ponies say them.”

“Ditzy, you are so silly. Okay, I won't say any bad words. Around you at least.”

“Good.” Ditzy left her seat, “I am going to get that icing now.”

A minute later the gray pegasus returned with a spoonful of vanilla icing in her mouth, an expression of pure joy spread across her face.

“Wook wat wy wav” she muttered happily through the spoon “wy wav wicing!”

As Ditzy promptly covered the top of a blueberry muffin Scratch pondered ways to get back at Puff Tart. Ditzy finished and looked up at her friend.

“Here you go,” she squeaked happily, “happy birthday!”

“Thank you,” the unicorn said as she magically took the muffin-cupcake. She took a bite and returned to her thoughts.

“What you thinking about?” inquired the pegasus.

Scratch smiled slyly, her eyes open once again.

“What,” Ditzy asked with a tinge of fear.

Scratch ate the rest of her birthday gift and answered.

“So, Ditzy, you want to pay Puff Tart back for her insults?”

“A little,” both of Ditzy's yellow eyes stared straight at her friend in nervous anticipation.

“Then how would you like to help me in one of my pranks?”

____________________________________________________________________________________________
I do not own MLP:FIM. If I did, well, I would use my money to buy you all muffins. Hasbro and people with more life skills own it.
Feel free to comment and give thumbs. (I need thumbs, I lost mine)
Next chapter will be longer.

Chapter 2

Puff Tart trotted through the orphanage playground the curls in her hair bouncing with every step. She was in an exceptionally good mood. Her mother had given her permission to roam the orphanage and keep an eye on what was going on while she was downtown visiting her boyfriend, Officer Chaser. Basically she had a free ticket to abuse the inmates of the lovely institution. She didn't believe her mood could increase beyond the point where it was now, her hair was all prissy and clean, her eyelashes straight and long and a playground full of parentless foals just waiting to be insulted. It was a glorious day. That was until she noticed that strange, blue haired unicorn standing in the middle of the grounds with a crooked smile on her face. Puff Tart's mood skyrocketed.

“Hello Blood Eyes,” Puff Tart taunted as she trotted up to Scratch, stopping directly in front of the white unicorn. “Didn't expect you to be outside. Why don't you go play with the others? Wait never mind, that is a bad idea. You will just get in the way. You really are useless.”

Scratch continued to smile and Tart's good mood lessened.

“Why are you smiling? Are you deaf too? Hello?”

Scratches eyes suddenly opened, revealing her ruby eyes to the startled Puff Tart.

“Boo,” Scratch growled.

Ditzy fidgeted with the can of bright red paint as she sat quietly on the small cloud hovering over the orphanage grounds. Scratch had smuggled the paint out of the janitors closet shortly after breakfast. Her friend stood motionless below her as the other foals silently moved past, giving the unicorn a wide berth. Several of the foals stared curiously at Scratch, she rarely came outside during playtime, and they wondered what she would do. Interest in the unmoving unicorn soon dissipated and they left her to play games elsewhere. The chilly winter wind tugged at her unkempt mane and she shivered. She had learned how to fly only weeks ago and her journey up to the cloud in the wind, while carrying a can of paint, had pushed the gray pegasus to her limits.

“This is a bad idea,” Ditzy whispered to herself.

But it was to late to go back on the plans now because just then Puff Tart exited the building and made a beeline strait toward scratch. Ditzy crouched down deeper into the cloud and readied the paint. She couldn't hear the words exchanged but she knew the sign that Scratch would give. She didn't have to wait long. Scratch's eyes opened and Ditzy tipped the paint over.

It sounded beautiful! Scratch listened to the sound of the paint falling through the air, the sound of it splattering on the ground and all over Puff Tart. The paint landed on her too of course, the unpleasantly cold liquid dripped down Scratch's skin chilling her to the bone, but that was a small price to pay in order to hear the horrified screams of the snobbish unicorn in front of her.

“My mane,” Puff Tart screeched, “my beautiful mane! What have you done! You stupid orphan! How could you do this to me?”

Scratch just stood there smiling, red eyes glaring at her screaming victim. Puff Tart rushed off, leaving a trail of paint behind her. Ditsy flew down from the cloud and landed next to her friend, the paint can hanging from her mouth.

“That was funny,” the pegasus said as she dropped the can. She noticed the paint spattered across Scratch's body. “Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to get any on you.”

Scratch had her eyes closed once again and smiled.

“It's okay,” she ruffled the Ditzy's mane. “I sort of expected it.”

“Scratch!”

'Fun is over,' thought Scratch.

Madam Puffeltop glared at the white unicorn from the orphanage entrance. A look of pure rage and hate emanated from her eyes. Ditzy squeaked in fear. The orphanage matron stormed toward them.

“Back so soon ma'am?” Scratch sneered.

“How dare you dump paint on my daughter!” Madam Puffeltop slapped her right hoof across Scratch's face, knocking the white filly onto her side.

Scratch was in shock, her face throbbing. She could feel tears welling up but she refused to let them show. Never had Madam Puffeltop hit an orphan, not even Scratch. She felt herself be magically lifted off of the ground and carried into the orphanage. Ditzy watched as they disappeared into the building, shaking in fear and expecting Madam Puffeltop to return and enact the same punishment on her. But after several minutes it became evident that she would not be receiving any repercussions for her involvement in the prank.

Scratch was harshly tossed into the orphanage basement. A cold damp room that smelled of mold and rats. The large steel door slammed shut and locked behind her. Scratch stood and hobbled over to the far corner, her spot, and slumped heavily to the ground. The wall that her corner was the warmest place in the whole room. The wall was adjacent to the boilers and what little heat made it through was a welcomed relief from the chill of the basement. Scratch sighed heavily and rubbed her cheek with her hoof.

“Here I am again.” She scrunched closer to the wall, soaking up the heat as best she could, “back in this dungeon.”

She laid down on her back and stared blindly at the ceiling and listened to the faint hisses and thumping’s of the boiler next door. The paint was starting to dry and made Scratch itch but she tried her best to ignore it.

“At least it was worth it,” she laughed.

Her mind wandered to Ditzy, alone once again, without Scratch there to be a big sister to her. There was supposed to be a thunderstorm tonight and Scratch bit her lip in worry.

'Was it really worth it?'

She decided to apologize to Ditzy when she got out of her prison. Whenever that was going to be.

Scratch listed to the rhythmic thumping of the boiler and decided to make up a song. She had been in there for two days and she needed something to distract her from the growing pain in her stomach.

“There once was a mean mare

who had ugly orange hair

she locked foals in boxes...”

She struggled to find an appropriate word that rhymed with boxes.

“And she fed them to foxes? Sure,” Scratch continued with the song.

“And she fed them to foxes

One day she will die

they will bake her in a pie? Whatever. I give up. Time for a new song!”

“Good morning Scratch,” Madam Puffeltop said pleasantly.

Scratch awoke and turned her head toward the mare standing in the doorway. Her ears twitched nervously from side to side as if they were searching for a faint sound.

“I think after five days of being down here you have learned your lesson, so I am letting you out without making you do chores.” Puffeltop continued, “go to the cafeteria and get yourself something to eat. There should be plenty of leftovers from today’s breakfast.”

“Okay,” Scratch moaned weakly.

“What?”

“I mean, yes Madam Puffeltop,” Scratch replied in a stronger tone.

“Good. Oh, and get yourself cleaned up. That paint makes it look like you have blood on you. Though, it does match your eyes.”

Scratch headed to the cafeteria first. Her rumbling stomach and dry mouth begging her to move faster, but she was to weak to move in any hurry. She stumbled through the halls and even tripped down a flight of stairs but she kept going at the same tenacious pace. She finally arrived at the cafeteria where Miss Butterheart was busy cleaning the counter top. The smell of food nearly made Scratch crazy as she made her way up to the mare.

“Well hello Scratch,” Butterheart said pleasantly “I see that Madam Puffeltop let you out finally. Take a seat at a table, little one, and I will get you something to eat.”

Scratch complied and sat at the nearest table which was still covered with the remnants of the messes from breakfast. She sat impatiently and listened to the faint sounds of orphans playing in other parts of the building.

“Here you go deary,” Butterheart placed a large assortment of food in front of Scratch who promptly started gorging herself, “slow down dear, you don't want to choke. I will go get you some water.”

Scratch continued eating at the same pace. Butterheart returned with a pitcher of water and set it down in front of her along with a glass. The starving unicorn ignored the glass and went strait for the pitcher, brought it clumsily up to her mouth and took large gulps, spilling water all over. Butterheart shook her head, left the filly and continued cleaning. Scratch quickly cleared her plate, thanked Miss Butterheart and left the cafeteria, she was feeling more energized but was still weak.

After taking a quick shower in the wash room she made her way up to the sleeping quarters where she expected to find Ditzy and maybe get some real sleep.

“Ditzy?” she called out as she entered the room.

No answer. Scratch shrugged.

'Maybe she is out playing,' she thought.

Scratch decided that it wasn't something to worry about, She slid into her bed and quickly fell asleep.

Scratch woke several hours later for lunch. She entered the cafeteria expecting Ditzy to come trotting up to her or hear some form of greetings from her friend but there was no sign of the pegasus. She sat down at the empty table, confusion and anxiety growing in her mind. She decided to ask somepony where Ditzy was. A foal trotted past her.

“Have you seen Ditzy?” she asked.

She heard the unknown foal pause, then continue walking.

'What did I expect.'

There was only one pony she trusted to give her an answer and surprisingly it was Madam Puffeltop.

“Hello Scratch,” Puffeltop said callously as Scratch entered her office an hour later “what brings you here?”

“Uh,” Scratch stuttered, “I was wondering if you could, um, tell me where Ditzy is? I can't find her anywhere.”

“Oh,” the matron said, faking surprise, “didn't you hear? Ditzy was adopted two days ago. A family from Ponyville stopped by and they instantly fell in love with the little cross eyed, clumsy filly.”

Scratch was in shock.

“She, she is gone?”

“Yes,” she smiled cruelly, Puffeltop knew how much the little pegasus meant to Scratch. “Why, are you not happy for her?”

“I-I am happy, I am,” Scratched croaked through rising tears. She turned and rushed out of the room.

Puffeltop sat back and chuckled softly.

It was raining again that night and Scratch sat on her bed listening to the drops hit her window. The melody of the water played a sad tune as tears streamed from the ruby eyes of the unicorn. She pressed her face against the window, feeling the cold, misty glass on her skin.

“Goodby Ditzy,” she whispered. “Goodby little sister.”

______________________________________________________________________________________________
I am sorry if I made you sad.
I do not own MLP:FIM so don't think that I do.
Please leave a comment.

Chapter 3

Madam Puffeltop glared at the adolescent unicorn who sat impassively in front of her desk. Scratch was hunched over, her face pointed down and long mane draped over her closed eyes like a blue curtain.

“I need to find a new way to punish you,” the matron said as she leaned forward and rubbed her forehead with the bottom of her hoof. “Locking you in the basement doesn't work, neither does making you do chores or anything I can legally do to you.”

Scratch remained unmoving but muttered from behind her mane, “then don't do anything. It will just be a waste of your time.”

“You set Mr. Pedagogue Wise's desk on fire!” Puffeltop exclaimed. She waved her hoof violently through the air, temptation to slap the orphan growing. She soon regained composure, slumped back into her seat and continued talking. “Now I will have to buy a new desk for the orphanage teacher's classroom. You need to be punished. If not to teach you a lesson, because we both know you will learn nothing from it, then to prevent the other foals from becoming dissidents like you.”

“Hmm,” was Scratch's reply.

Puffeltop ground her teeth and continued.

“Ever since that friend of yours was adopted five years ago your behavior has gone beyond simple pranks to outright vandalism and a disregard for other ponies. You are becoming nothing more than a criminal Miss. Scratch, a criminal. If it was up to me you would be sent to the Manhattan prison to be looked after by my husband. Locked up behind bars! But to my despair you are still to young for any form of adult punishments. Well, in four more years when you turn sixteen I will be kicking you out into the street. I wait longingly for that day.”

Madam Puffeltop paused and thought for a moment, the slight smile on her face betraying her hopeful prospects for the future. She abruptly returned her attention to the filly in front of her.

“So, what should I do with you, answer me that?”

“The usual couldn't hurt none,” Scratch lifted her head, eyes still closed and hidden behind her hair. A crooked smile spread across her mouth.

“Very well,” Puffeltop huffed. “Three days in the basement. At least it will be three days without you running around ruining anything.”

Scratch slid out of her seat and faced Puffeltop with an impatient look on her face.

“What are you waiting for? Are you going to take me down there?”

“Are you in that much of a hurry for your punishment? Then I best not keep you waiting. But let me say this, and I know I have said it many times before. Scratch, if you keep up this behavior you will never be adopted. Nopony wants a daughter that acts like you.”

“Nopony wants one that is blind either,” Scratch replied sharply, her tone harsher than she intended it to be.

Scratch's time in the basement was just like the hundred or more times she had been in there. She slept, made up songs and thought up new ways to get under Madam Puffeltop's skin. The three days flew by and Scratch was soon out and ready to start more trouble. She made her way up to the sleeping quarters after a replenishing meal when two adults aproached her followed by one of the orphans. She could tell who they were by the sound of their hoof steps. The orphan was a earth pony colt named Pitterpat, only five years old and overly curios about everything. Scratch would have liked the kid more if he didn't ask so many questions about her eyes. One of the adults was Miss Butterheart and the other an unknown mare.

“Thank you again for adopting,” Butterheart was saying as they walked past. “I am sure you will be an excellent mother to Pitterpat.”

“Oh I hope so,” the mare said happily. “I instantly fell in love with the little guy, he is just the most precious and perfect little thing.”

“Perfectionist,” Scratch hissed as the hoofsteps and voices faded away.

She stood in the hall silently fuming over what the mare had said. Every time somepony visited and adopted they were always looking for certain traits, a perfect example of a son or daughter. Scratch failed their tests every time. They never gave her a second glance.

Her anger abruptly dissipated and sadness took over. She rarely thought about it but Madam Puffeltop was right. Scratch would never be adopted.

'I am worthless,' she thought to herself.

She heard other orphans approaching around a corner and to prevent them from seeing her cry the filly slid into a nearby broom closet and closed the door. Scratch slumped to the floor and let her emotions pour out as silent tears.

Scratch smelled something that reminded her of spring flowers and freshly cut wood as she made her way to class one morning. A month had past since she cried in the closet and her mood had quickly returned to mischief making. Scratch was just about to enter Mr. Pedagogue Wise's room when the pleasant smell suddenly wafted around her. She quite liked it and the pony soon found herself following the scent, sniffing the air like a curios puppy. She quickly arrived at Madam Puffeltop's office. Scratch was about to turn and leave, thinking that the new smell was nothing more than Officer Chaser visiting, when the door swung open and the filly found herself under the surprised eyes of Madam Puffeltop and an unknown stallion.

“Oh,” Puffeltop said after a moment of awkward silence. “What are you doing outside my office?”

“Uh...” Scratch trailed off.

“Well hello there young lady,” exclaimed the stallion, his voice was strong and formal, but to Scratch's surprise, didn't sound snobbish. The stallion's cologne distracted her from the immediate situation. She found her mind wandering the pleasant smell and long forgotten memories of days when she played outside during the spring with Ditzy.

“Scratch, say hello back,” Puffeltop chided.

Scratch snapped abruptly back into real life.

“Uh, hi,” she squeaked.

“Run along dear and go to class,” Puffeltop said pleasantly but Scratch could hear a tinge of annoyance in her voice.

Scratch opened her mouth and prepared a stark reply but decided against it. For some reason she liked the unknown stallion and didn't want to give him any cause to dislike her.

“Yes Madam Puffeltop,” Scratch replied kindly. She cantered away from the two adults.

When the orphan had left the stallion turned toward the mare next to him.

“I thought you said there was no orphans above the age of eight? That all of the older ones had been adopted long ago?”

“Yes I did, all of the adoption worthy ones at least.”

“Adoption worthy?” the stallion tilted his head, puzzled.

“That was Scratch. She is twelve years old but is quite a rebel and a trouble maker. I doubt that you would want her.”

“She is twelve?” The stallion sounded ecstatic. “That is the same age as my daughter!”

“Don't tell me you are seriously thinking about adopting her.”

“I am serious. I have been searching everywhere for a sister or brother for my daughter. She lacks friends so I came up with the idea to adopt a foal to give her company.”

“But Scratch is, well... Scratch is different. She would not make a good daughter,” Puffeltop pleaded. “Why not chose a foal that is younger and more suitable for-”

The stallion cut her short, “Madam Puffeltop, I insist that Scratch come live with me. I think all she needs is a good home, and trust me, I have a good home.”

“But she is also blind sir,” Puffeltop reasoned with him.

“Why should that prevent her from being loved?”

“Plants require sunlight to grow,” Mr. Pedagogue Wise stood behind his makeshift desk and magically held up a picture of a leaf with yellow arrows representing sunlight pointing at it. “The process in which the leaf converts light, air and water into energy is called photosynthesis.”

He looked around the room. “Does everyone understand the lesson so far?”

There was only three foals in the room, all but one stared back at him with looks of interest on their faces. Scratch slept soundly with her head on the desk and a small steam of drool dribbling down the wooden surface. Mr. Wise didn't bother to wake the unicorn and continued with the lesson.

“The plant builds up energy and when we eat them the energy is-”

“Excuse me Mr. Wise,” Madam Puffeltop whispered from the doorway, cutting the lesson short. “Sorry for interrupting but I would like to see Scratch in my office. Could you send her up when you get the chance. Thank you.”

Puffeltop walked away and Mr. Wise stared thoughtfully at the snoring foal. A sly grin slid across his face and he quietly made his way to Scratch's desk. The other two ponies watched expectantly as he leaned forward until his face was inches away from her's.

“Wake up!” He screamed. “Madam Puffeltop wants to see you!”

Scratch's eyes exploded open. She flew backwards in her seat and landed with a loud thud on the floor. The unicorn lay bewildered and motionless for several seconds before rising to her hooves and muttering what sounded like, “buck you shit face”.

Before Mr. Wise could yell at her for making such a comment she trotted out of the door and down the hall.

'What did I do now?' She thought angrily 'I have been good lately.'

Scratch reached Puffeltop's office but before she entered she noticed the same pleasant smelling cologne wafting out from the cracks in the door and the filly suddenly became nervous for unknown reasons. Scratch hesitantly pushed open the door.

“Hello?” She said quietly.

“Hello Scratch,” said the stallion, his voice pleasant and warm. “I am Mr. Orchestratus Maxim. How would you like to be my daughter?”

_______________________________________________________________________________________
I hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you thought it was too short don't worry, the next one will be longer.
I do not own any part of MLP: FiM. Nothing, nothing at all.
Feel free to leave a comment and be like a Roman, give me your thumbs.

Chapter 4

Scratch didn’t know if she should squeal with joy, jump up and down or fall over laughing at the ridiculousness of Mr. Orchestratus Maxim's proposition. What she actually did was stand there with her mouth gaped open and looking rather silly. The room remained quiet for several seconds with Mr. Maxim smiling expectantly at the filly. Madam Puffeltop was the first one to break the silence.

“Are you going to say anything Scratch?”

“What?” She said slowly, each letter drawn out.

“Are you going to reply to Mr. Maxim?” An edge of irritation growing in the mare's voice.

“It's okay Madam Puffeltop,” Mr. Maxim said pleasantly. “Give her time to allow the news to sink in.”

“Are you se- serious?” Scratch's voice cracked. She could feel the excitement quickly building but repressed it until she knew that this wasn't a ruse.

“I am very serious.”

Scratch found no hint of falseness or sarcasm in his voice. She allowed the excitement to erupt out of her in a high pitched squeal of joy. Mr. Maxim turned to Madam Puffeltop, a look of 'I told you so' glinting in his eyes. Scratch was about to start jumping up and down when suddenly she got light headed and fainted. A slight smile still played across her face as the filly lay peacefully on the floor. Mr. Maxim jumped to his hooves and helped Scratch stand back up.

“I-I don't know what to say.” Scratch wrapped her hooves around his neck in a shaky embrace, emotions running wild and tears streaming down her face. She breathed in the sweet smell of his cologne and instantly felt more stable. “Thank you!”

The bag Scratch held in her mouth was filled with what little possessions she owned. A small hairbrush that she rarely used, toothbrush and the small green blanket that she was wrapped in on her arrival at the orphanage all those years ago. She trotted out of the orphanage entrance and toward a Trotillac carriage where Mr. Maxim was waiting patiently.

“You ready to go?” He asked as she placed the bag in the back seat.

“Been ready my whole life.”

Madam Puffeltop watched from the orphanage entrance as the carriage pulled away.

“Lucky brat, I bet she doesn't even know who that is,” she huffed with a smile before returning to her office.

As the entered the empty country street Scratch inhaled deeply, savoring the new smells the rushed up to meet her. Wildflowers, apple orchards, corn fields and of course her new favorite smell, new carriage smell. Mr. Maxim remained silent, watching the filly with a curios expression. Eager to start a verbal relationship and get to know her better, Maxim struck up a conversation.

“So...” At the sound of his voice Scratch turned her full attention to him. “What kind of music do you like?”

“Um,” she bit her lip in contemplation, her ears twitching “I don't know? I didn't get to listen to that much music in the orphanage. What kinds are there?”

“Well, there is rock, rap, jazz, classical, orchestral, country, I would be rambling off the different types of music for close to an hour. How about when we get to my house we listen to some music and you can decide what you like?”

“Sounds good!” She smelled something sweet but refused to let it distract her. “Where do you live?”

“In a nice house outside of Fillydelphia.” Scratch could tell he was being modest about something as he continued talking “plenty of land for you to roam and play. You will be sharing a room with my daughter until we can get a better sleeping location set up.”

“How big is your house and land?'

He remained quiet for a moment.

“Twenty acres.”

“Are you, like, a farmer or something? Is that why you have so much land?” Scratch exclaimed.

“No,” Maxim chuckled. “I am a musician.”

“Are you rich? How big is the house?”

“I am, as you say, rich.” He shook his head and his smile widened. “My house is three stories tall, has three bathrooms, five bedrooms, a dining room, kitchen, two sitting rooms, wine cellar and attic. Are you hungry?”

Scratch remained silent, disbelieving her luck. Her stomach rumbled, snapping her out of the trance.

“Yes, I am hungry.”

Maxim turned his attention to the two stallions pulling the carriage.

“Pull in to that pizza place, please.”

“Aye boss.” They diverged from the road and pulled up in front of a quaint pizzeria named The Alfalfa Slice.

They stopped and all four of them, including the carriage ponies, entered the building. Scratch's mouth started to water from the sudden onslaught of ambrosial smells.

“My name is Stringycheese and I will be your waitress today,” said a young, thin and pale earth pony as they walked in.

“I never had pizza before,” Scratch said to the waitress as they were led to their seats. The carriage ponies sat across the isle from Scratch and Mr. Maxim already deep in conversation about sports teams and derby races.

“Really,” the waitress replied. “How come?”

“They never served it at the orphanage.”

“That is so sad.” She perked up with an idea. “Today you can have a free pizza on the house!”

“Oh, that won't be necessary,” Maxim shook his head and smiled. “I wouldn't mind paying for it.”

“I insist!” The waitress beamed. “What would you like on your pizza?”

Scratch sat there thinking for a moment. “What can I put on it?”

“Just look through the menu silly, there is a list on page two.”

Scratch's mood suddenly darkened.

“I'm not hungry anymore,” she groaned.

Maxim and Stringycheese stared at the filly with confused looks on their faces.

“I am sorry about this,” Maxim said quietly to the waitress then turning to the two carriage ponies. “Do you two want to stay here and eat while we go for a walk? I will come back and pay for your meal.”

“Sure,” one of them replied.

“Was it something I said?” The waitress chewed her lip.

'Yes,' Scratch growled mentally.

“No, it's alright,”Maxim reassured the young mare. “She is just a little sensitive about her blindness.”

“Oh-oh my, oh my I am so sorry, I truly am.” Stringycheese scrambled for words. “I didn't know, oh my, is that why her eyes are closed, oh oh my. Please forgive me!”

“It's okay,” Scratch's mood cooled but she still didn't feel like eating.

“Is there any stores nearby where we can go and wait until these two are done eating?” Maxim stood along with Scratch.

“There's a uh... there is a Fashion and Accessories store just a block away.”

“Thank you.”

They left and walked down the street in silence. Scratch magically picked up a stick and used it to feel around her unknown surroundings.

“This is the first time I had to do this in years,” she said quietly.

“First time you had to do what?”

“Use a stick to feel where I am going” she waved the stick around to emphasize her point. “I had memorized every part of the orphanage so I didn't need to feel around anymore. It was almost like I could see.”

“Just think of it as a good sign,” Maxim said, optimism abundant. “Whenever you find yourself in a place where you need to use a stick, just think of it as an opportunity to learn more about the places you are visiting.”

“What is the use of visiting anywhere when you can't see any of it?”

Maxim smiled. “There is more to life than the things you can see.”

“Welcome to Fashion and Accessories,” said a well dressed mare behind the counter as they entered. Scratch thought her voice was to high pitched and irritating. “Holler if you need anything.”

“Would you like me to buy you something,” Maxim asked the filly sulking next to him. “I will buy you practically anything.”

Scratch couldn’t resist the opportunity to get whatever she wanted. All the years of receiving nothing the majority of her life would be partially made up for today. But when she opened her mouth to ask for something her mind remained blank.

“What do you think I should get?” She asked timidly.

He looked at Scratch for a second then reached out his hoof and lifted the long hair that covered her eyes which remained clamped shut.

“I know one thing that I am getting you, a hair cut,” he laughed, then in a sweeter tone. “May I see your eyes?”

She hesitated for several seconds before revealing them.

“I think they are beautiful,” he said softly. Scratch smiled, this was the first time anypony had complimented her eyes.

“Ooh,” she suddenly squealed “I know what I want!”

“What?”

“Sunglasses!”

“Very well,” he trotted up to the mare at the counter. “Do you have any designer glasses by the company Celestial Waves or by the designer Mirror Dent?”

“Sorry honey,” she said. “The only designer glasses I have are Crystal Lens.”

“Okay,” Maxim said as she pulled out a rack of ten different Crystal Lens glasses. “I think dark blue and red would look good on you.”

“I like purple,” Scratch said sliding up next to the stallion. “It was Ditzy's favorite color. The color of blueberries after they had been baked into a muffin.”

“They don't have purple,” he replied after a quick check.

“Oh,” Scratch was disappointed and she didn't refrain from showing it. “I guess blue works.”

He gave her the glasses with blue lenses which she promptly put on.

“How do I look?”

“You look lovely.”

“They are not very comfortable but I like them.” Scratch adjusted them on her nose.

“Yeah,” Maxim said as he gave the cashier the money. “That is the problem with Crystal Lens, they focus to much on the lenses and not on how they feel. That is why I like Celestial Waves and Mirror Dent's glasses better.”

“They are good enough for me!” Scratch smiled and hugged the stallion. “Thank you again for making this the best day of my life.”

Scratch was glad to be back on the road. The new sounds and smells that they past kept her mind active as they bumped down the empty street. The rocking of the carriage soon started to lull her to sleep and Mr. Maxim soon felt a pressure in his right side. He looked down and found the filly snuggled against him fast asleep, her glasses glinting in the sunlight. Realization popped into his mind and he started to worry how his daughter would react to the newest addition to the family.

___________________________________________________________________________________________
I do not own MLP:FiM so don't ask.
Feel free to leave a comment and your thumbs (unless you don't have any left)

Chapter 6

Mr. Bramblebrims trimmed the bushes around the house one summer morning. It was usualy the gardeners job but she was sick today from eating bad turnips. He listened contently to the birds chirping around him and it unexpectedly brought back the memories of when he lived in Ponyville. Walking the calm streets, daring his brother to enter the everfree forest, buying apple cider from the Apple family and eating baked goods at Sugar Cube Corner. Such sweet moments of days gone by. The birds stopped chirping and his memories were interrupted when Octavia suddenly screamed from the bench on the front porch.

“Scratch! If you poke me again I-you will regret it!”

Scratch faced her sister, a sly smile growing across her face. She outstretched her hoof again as Octavia glared at her.

“Don't,” the earth pony growled as it got nearer. “Stop. I said stop!”

The hoof inched closer.

“Ooooh noooo Tavi!” Scratch laughed. “You gonna get poked!”

“I want you to stop!”

“Poke,” Scratch said quietly as her hoof collided with Octavia's ribs.

“Why are you doing this to me?”

“Because I can!” Scratch drew her hoof back for another poke.

“Scratch,” Maxim called out from a window above the porch. “Please quit poking Octavia. Symphonia is trying to sleep and the angry screams might wake her up.”

“Okay!” Scratch called back as she poked her sister one last time.

Octavia moaned a quiet growl, left the porch and galloped into the yard. Scratch listened to the earth pony leave and shook her head in disappointment.

'She needs to lighten up,' Scratch thought to herself.

The sound of Mr. Bramblebrims trimming the bushes caught Scratch's attention and she wondered if it was a good idea to play a prank on the stallion. She had been living there for nearly two months and she knew very little about him. She decided to go easy on the butler.

“Hey dude!” She called out. “Mr. Bramblebrims!”

He looked up from a rose bush he was pruning.

“Yes miss?”

“Does you have a good sense of humor?”

Bramblebrims chuckled and continued gardening. “I like to think that I do. And it is do you, not does you, miss.” Bramblebrims corrected her grammar then continued. “I heard a joke recently down at the cider pub that I found most hilarious. It was about a stallion and his friend who sit at a bar and one of them asks 'are you sure this is a bar? It looks more like a beam!'”

The butler laughed. Scratch's ears twitched and her brow furrowed as she tried to understand the joke.

“I don't get it,” she said.

“It wasn't a food and drink bar, it was a real metal bar.” Bramblebrims was flustered that his joke had failed to cause the wanted reaction.

“Oh, I get it now!” Scratch forced a laugh.

The front door opened and Maxim and Symphonia emerged.

“Mr. Bramblebrims,” Maxim said. “We are heading out. Could you care for the fillies for us while we are gone?”

“Naturally sir,” the butler bowed his head politely. “When should I expect your return?”

“I don't know. But if I need you or the girls I will send the carriage back here to pick you up. We are heading to the hospital for another checkup.”

Maxim helped his wife into the carriage, she was pale and persistently coughed but her grace still prevailed. She gingerly sat down followed closely by her husband. The carriage lurched forward and they soon disappeared down the road, just as a yellow unicorn toting a large case on her back appeared around the bend.

“Ah, right on time,” Bramblebrims said. “It appears Mrs. Lithe Lute is hear.”

Scratch perked up at the name of their music tutor. Unlike Octavia, Vinyl looked forward to every session with her music teachers and Mrs. Lithe Lute was one of her favorites.

“Hello Vinyl,” Lithe Lute said cheerfully as she trotted up to the house. “Where is Octavia?”

“Dunno,” Scratch shrugged. “She is probably by the lake.”

“I will go retrieve her,” Bramblebrims said starting toward the shimmering body of water in the distance.

“Are you excited as usual Vinyl?” Lute asked the filly.

“Yep!” Scratch noticed the clunking of the suitcase. “Did you bring more music for us to learn?”

“Yes, sort of.” They entered the house and walked to the sitting room, which had become even more cluttered. “I know how much you love the newer forms of music, well this is the newest.”

Lute heaved the case onto the coffee table and popped it open.

“Take a feel,” Lute said with a smile.

Scratch concentrated and sent out a wave of magic to 'see' the thing that the tutor had brought. In her mind a hazy red image formed of a box shaped, metal contraption. It had what looked like two record players and a large assortment of dials, levers and knobs.

“What is it?” Scratch asked, fascination running wild.

“Its a turntable, mixer, thing. I don't know what it is called exactly. It's a favorite tool for Djs and many modern musicians. It uses a new form of magic called computation magic to create unnaturally ethereal sounding music. I don't know much about it. I personally find the sound it makes very distasteful but much of the younger generations loves it.”

“How do you use it?”

“I don't know,” Lute sighed. “This is my brother's. I could bring him along sometime so he can teach you how to use this contraption. I just wanted to show it to you and Octavia. Quite nifty isn't it?”

“Very,” Scratch wiggled the turntable. “Please bring your brother with you. This seems so cool!”

Octavia and Bramblebrims entered the room and the gray filly immediately took interest in the turntable. Albeit negative interest.

“Oh,” she groaned. “Mrs. Lute, will we be learning how to operate this... thing?”

“No,” Lute shook her head. “But Vinyl wants to.”

Scratch smiled at her sister.

“But it isn't music! It is noise!”

“You're noise!” Scratch taunted.

“What does that even mean? Wha- tha- that doesn’t make any sense!”

“You don't make any sense!”

“What?” Octavia screamed.

Scratch replied by making cockamamie faces at her sister. Eager to prevent the inevitable, pointless argument that was soon to happen, Octavia entered the house, retrieved her cello and prepared for the lesson. Scratch did likewise and picked up her specially designed violin.

“You're using the violin today and not the harp?” Lute asked.

“Yep.”

“Very well, we will start with Moseyheart's third symphony part one.”

Mr. Bramblebrims decided to finish gardening as the house was filled with music.

Octavia laid on a flat topped rock and stared out across the lake deep in thought. Below her, Scratch sat listening to the warm breeze ruffle the leaves and the occasional splash of a fish or frog. The sun was setting and the red glow bathed the surrounding countryside in scarlet hues.

“Is something bothering you?” Scratch asked as she twisted onto her back and faced the sky.

“They have been gone for a while now.” Octavia let out a heavy sigh.

“Your mom is probably okay. She hasn’t been coughing as much as usual,” Scratch replied with as much cheer as she could muster.

“Yes, you are probably right.” Octavia didn't sound convinced.

Scratch wanted to distract the other filly from her depressive thoughts but she didn't know the best way to approach the situation. But before she could say anything Octavia leaped off the rock and headed toward the house.

“Where are you going?” Scratch asked.

“Going to bed early.”

“But it's only a little past seven o’clock and we haven’t had dinner yet!”

Octavia didn't answer and kept walking. Scratch decided to look on the bright side.

“More food for me,” she said with a smile.

Internally the concern remained.

'I really hope Symphonia is okay.'

The next day Scratch sat out on the front porch waiting anxiously for Mrs. Lute to arrive. She was bringing her brother, a local music legend, Solar Sound. His real name was Tickle Beat and Scratch could see why he went by a different name. Her patience was soon rewarded by the sound of hooves and a cart approaching the house.

“Hello Scratch,” Lute said in her usual cheerful tone. “This is my brother.”

“What up girl,” Solar Sound said enthusiastically. Scratch instantly liked the stallion. “How ya do'n? Staying chill I hope?”

“I am very chill,” she replied with a laugh.

“I can tell that your cool already. Girl, you cool.” He ruffled her mane. “So ya wanna be a disk jockey, DJ, tech sound master, the queen of the wubs?”

“Yep!” She squealed with delight.

“Then what we wait'n for?”

“I will be out back in the garden practicing with Octavia,” Lute said. “Scratch, try not to get to annoyed with my brother's way of talking and his over the top actions. Oh, and don't offer him any food, he will eat it all.”

“Kay,” Scratch replied.

“Sister, I ain’t over the top, you under the bottom.”

Lute shook her head. “Whatever you say. See you in a little while Vinyl.”

She trotted around the house and made her way to the garden. Mr. Bramblebrims walked out of the house and Solar Sound took immediate interest in the butler.

“Cool, ya have a butler. Yo, butler dude! Ya mind helping a bro carry his equipment?”

“I do not mind,” Bramblebrims replied calmly.

After what felt like half hour to Scratch, the turn table, stereos and wires were all unpacked and set up in the sitting room. Scratch plopped down in the seat next to him.

“Ya ready for the show?”

She shook her head violently in agreement. He started the music and at first Scratch was a little disappointed. It sounded just like normal music, though a bit more ethereal and echoic. She liked it but it was sort of anti climatic. So much equipment to create something so simple that could be done with a normal band.

Then the bass dropped and her world was turned upside down. She felt the music, the pure unsullied sound reverberate through her body. Scratch became lost in a world of absolute rhythm and beats, her heart just another pulse in the song. She never wanted to leave. She didn't want it to end. For a few minutes everything in the world was music.

Octavia tried her best to concentrate on her lesson. But the heavy sound of the 'music' Solar Sound and Scratch were playing continued to distract her. For an hour the songs alternated between ones well formed that Octavia presumed were being played by Solar Sound and sloppy ones done by Scratch. But soon the differences in the music disappeared and Octavia could no longer tell who was doing the songs. Both of them sounded well formed and organized.

'Well formed and organized for a bunch of noise,' Octavia groaned mentally.

The music came to an abrupt stop and a scream of joy pierced the air.

“What was that about I wonder?” Pondered Lithe Lute.

Octavia shrugged. “Your guess is as good as mine.”

Moments later Scratch came charging out of the back door followed by Solar Sound. She was talking so fast that neither of the ponies knew what she was saying.

“Slow down please,” Octavia huffed.

Scratch took a deep breath and turned sideways, showing them her flank. Octavia's eyes bulged in horror. A backwards double quaver cutie mark shined in the sunlight.

“It's an eight note!” Squealed Scratch jumping up and down “Solar Sound saw it while I was doing the most recent song!”

“That is wonderful Scratch!” Lute congratulated.

“Wonderful indeed,” Octavia said dully.

“Oh, what is wrong Tavi?” Scratch noticed the acidic pitch of her sister and she decided to build off of it. She continued in a mocking tone. “Are you aw swad cuz ya don't have a cutie mark before me?”

Octavia glared murderously at the white unicorn. Scratch stared back, a trembling lower lip faking sadness.

“I despise you sometimes,” Octavia growled.

“I love you too sis.”

“Girls,” Bramblebrims called from the door. “Get ready to leave. Your father wants us too meet him at the hospital.”

All of the anger disappeared from Octavia's mind to be replaced by anxiety.

“What- what is happening,” she croaked through her fear.

“I do not know miss,” he replied. “But the carriage ponies said it was urgent.”

Octavia remained frozen and unmoving, her eyes searching the expressionless face of the butler for any answers. Scratch forced herself to remain optimistic but deep down inside she knew something bad had happened. Something that would tear apart this wonderful family that she had just become part of.

___________________________________________________________________________________
I do not own MLP:FiM.
I apologize before hand but the next chapter is going to be very sad.
Please leave a comment if you want to.

Chapter 7

The clean chemical smell of the hospital stung Scratch's nose as they entered Symphonia's room. Her hooves clattered loudly on the tile floor as she searched for any sound of either Maxim or Symphonia with her ears twitching back and forth nervously. Octavia hesitantly followed behind the unicorn with Mr. Bramblebrims at her side.

“Hello girls,” Maxim said without looking up from his sleeping wife. The stallion sat hunched over and unmoving, watching the labored breathing of the mare. “Symphonia, the girls are here.”

The mare's eyes cracked open and looked lovingly at the two fillies.

“Mother?” squeaked Octavia.

“Hello my dears,” she gasped painfully. “How was your day?”

Maxim stood and allowed the two fillies to walk up to her bedside, all the while adverting his eyes from the girls. Scratch was the first to reply.

“I-I got my cutie mark today,” she said forcing a smile.

“That's wonderful.” Symphonia weakly ruffled the unicorn's mane. “May I see it?”

Scratch turned sideways and the mare admired the mark approvingly with glassy, violet eyes.

“That is lovely.” She was thrown into a coughing fit that passed after a few seconds.

“Mother?” Octavia was shivering with fear. “Are you going to get better?”

“Don't worry about me my love,” she cooed. “I want to hear about your day and see you smile.”

“I learned a new song.” Octavia forced a slight smile that quickly dissipated when her mother started coughing again.

“You should play it for me sometime.” Symphonia closed her eyes and smiled as if she was listening to a sweet song.

“What is wrong mother? Why did the coughing get worse?”

Symphonia's eyes reopened. “Oh, there was this new medicine that we wanted to try and I guess it reacted badly in my body and is making me sicker. Don't worry my darling Octavia, I stopped taking it and I should start getting better soon.”

Neither Octavia or Scratch believed her but they forced themselves to hope that what she said was true. They remained at her side for the rest of the day and long into the night. Scratch fell asleep in a seat next to Maxim who had yet to say a word since they arrived. Scratch knew he felt guilty about something but could not bring herself to speak to the stallion. Mr. Bramblebrims remained standing at attention in the farthest corner, his face etched with sorrow. After sleeping for around an hour Scratch was woken by the fearful cries of Octavia who was still by her mother's side.

“Mother?” She touched Symphonia's shoulder. “Mother...mom! Mommy! Mommy please wake up!”

There was no reply from the mare who remained motionless on the bed, a peaceful smile set across her lips. Scratch felt like she was going to be sick as Octavia continued to scream. Maxim stood and tried to comfort the wailing filly who now had her face buried into the mane of her mother.

“Mommy,” Octavia cried like a young foal. “Mommy don't go. Don't go...don't go, don't go, don't go...”

Scratch wished deeply that she was deaf as well as blind.

Scratch had always loved the sweet smell of freshly dug dirt but as they set the coffin into the grave she hated the earthy smell with a passion. The birds chirped happily in the trees, the sound clashed with the quiet whimpering of Octavia next to her. Her sister had barely spoken since Symphonia had died three days ago. When she did talk it was usually just one word replies like yes, no or maybe. The heartless clunk of the casket hitting the bottom of the grave made Scratch unexpectedly angry. It wasn't fair, Scratch's life had been taking a turn for the better. She had a home, a family, and now a purpose in life. But now it all seemed to pale in comparison to the dark days she found herself in now.

Octavia blamed Maxim for the death of her mother. She refused to even talk to him or even look at him. Maxim's heart was broken, his usual playful and optimistic self shattered and replaced by a downtrodden and weary looking stallion. Every day leading up to the funeral all the music scratch heard him play was of sorrow and pain.

Scratch fiddled with the rose before throwing it into the grave, hesitating to try and find something suitable to say.

“Goodbye.” That was all that came to her mind.

Scratch waited to hear what Octavia would say as she tossed her rose into the pit, but the filly said nothing. After the congregation left, the four of them remained behind and stared thoughtfully at the tombstone.

“Symphonia Harmony,” Mr. Bramblebrims read the stone aloud. “A loving wife, caring mother and good friend. She had a voice that rivaled the songs of the phoenixes.”

Maxim placed his hoof on the granite top, whispered some indiscernible words then turned and left.

When they had returned home Octavia retrieved her cello and made a beeline to her favorite spot on the lake's edge. Scratch decided to stay with Maxim inside the house. The stallion sat at the kitchen table, his face in his hooves.

“She hates me,” he sighed. “I don't blame her. I hate myself too.”

“It isn't your fault,” Scratch tried to comfort him as Bramblebrims nodded in agreement.

“It is partially,” he replied. “It was my idea to give her the untested medicine.”

The unending sorrow of the stallion was contagious and Scratch found herself becoming even more depressed than she already was.

“Sir,” Bramblebrims cut in. “She agreed to it. Please stop blaming yourself.”

Maxim gave no reply. Scratch decided that any further attempts to cheer him up would prove fruitless. She left both of the stallions and sought out Octavia. Scratch followed the emotional sound of somepony playing a cello forcefully. Octavia made no sign that she noticed the unicorn’s approach. When she finished the song Scratch took it as an opportunity to talk to her sister.

“Hey sis, how are you feeling?”

Octavia immediately started another song without replying. Scratch wasn't going to give up. She was going to mend the family as best she could even if it meant dragging her sister out of her silence.

“C'mon sis, you can talk to me. You need to let your emotions out and I can listen.”

Octavia continued playing.

“Sis, you can't blame your father for what happened to our mom-” Scratch immediately wished she hadn't said anything.

“She isn't your mother and you are not my sister!” Octavia turned on the unicorn, her voice radiating hate. “You will never be my sister and your real mother is dead! Just like mine!”

She leaped off of the rock and made her way toward Scratch as the cello clattered into the water. The white filly backed up on shaky legs, painful emotions rapidly rising.

“You are nothing more than a guest to this family. A leech feeding off of my parent's good will!”

“You-you don't mean that!” Scratch struggled to prevent the tears that were spilling out from behind her glasses.

“Just go away!” Octavia was now in Scratch's face. “If you want to make everypony feel better then run away and never come back!”

“No, I-I- I just want-”

“Leave!” Octavia spun around and kicked Scratch hard in the face with her back, right hoof. Scratch felt her glasses shatter as she crumpled to the ground, tears and blood streaming down her cheek. Octavia turned and retrieved her cello from the lake, walked past the stunned Scratch and back toward the house.

Scratch rocked back and forth reflecting over everything Octavia had said. After a few minutes she stood and ran. She didn't stop running even when her legs burned, lungs ached and tears had dried up.

Octavia regretted everything she had said to Scratch. The earth pony sat in her room drying off her cello and wishing she could take it all back. She decided to apologize after the guilt became too much for her to bear. After searching around the house and yard for nearly half an hour and not finding any sign of the white unicorn Octavia's heart dropped and she decided to confront her father about what had happened. She found him in the front room writing a piece of music. Octavia silently walked up next to him.

“Father?”

Maxim jumped at the sound of her voice. Internally he was overjoyed that his daughter was talking to him but that joy quickly faded when he saw the look on her face. He opened his mouth to ask her what was wrong but the filly spoke first.

“I did something terrible,” she cried.

“What are you talking about?”

Octavia recounted everything she had said and done to Scratch as Maxim's face rapidly became that of fear and disappointment.

“I think she ran away.” Octavia was openly weeping now. “I am an idiot. A selfish idiot!”

“You are only a selfish idiot if you don't try to find her ask for forgiveness,” Maxim reassured his daughter, disappointment still strong in his voice. “Come, lets go find her.”

They retrieved Bramblebrims and set out in different directions. Bramblebrims searching the countryside and Maxim and Octavia making their way toward Fillydelphia. They searched the busy streets of the city asking anypony and everypony they met if they had seen Scratch but to no avail. The sun was quickly going down and hope quickly fading when they finally found her hiding in an alleyway crying uncontrollably.

“Scratch!” Maxim called as he galloped up to her side.

She turned her head toward the stallion, face dirty and mane littered with trash and leaves. Before she could say anything he scooped her up into a warm embrace and nuzzled her nose affectionately.

“I was afraid that I lost you too,” he sobbed.

“I'm sorry, I'm sorry!” She dug her face into his neck, smelling the pleasant cologne that he always wore. Joy and a sense of belonging suddenly returned. “I wanted to come home but I got lost and-and I was so afraid!”

“It’s alright now.” He looked her in the eyes. “No matter what, always remember that we love you. You are my daughter and part of this family, nothing will ever come between us.”

Octavia timidly made her way up to her family. Scratch heard her approaching and she looked sadly at her sister. The unicorn opened her mouth to speak but Octavia cut her off.

“I am so sorry sister, I didn't mean any of what I said.” Octavia wiped away her tears and stared down at the ground. “I am sorry. Please forgive me.”

Scratch reached out her hoof and pulled the other filly into the hug.

“I forgave you the moment you found me,” She whispered in Octavia's ear. “You called me your sister.”

“I know,” Octavia replied.

“This is the first time you have ever called me that.”

“I love you sister,” Octavia said back. “I love you.”

They remained in their hug for over a minute before Maxim spoke.

“Come,” he said softly. “Lets go home.”

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I do not own MLP:FiM.

Epilogue

Author's Note

I have decided to end this story to prevent myself from ruining it. It took me more than 7 chapters to build up the mood and I believe if I continue, the mood will come crashing down. This ending will hopefully tie loose ends and set me up if I ever want to write a sequel and said sequel just might ruin the mood but that is yet to be discovered. Thank you for your support and someday I will start Ruby Eyes and Echoes part 2 (but a different title). If you find anything amiss with this ending, if it is to short, grammar or anything, feel free to tell me and I will look into it.

Thank You- Altoid
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Epilogue

The sudden slowing of the train snapped Scratch out of her sleep. She stretched and listened to the conversation outside her room.

“We have arrived at Ponyville, Mr. Toity,” A mare's voice said pleasantly.

“Ah good, very good,” replied a stallion in a thick Canterlot accent that Scratch found very annoying.

“I do hope this designer lives up to what ponies say about her.”

There was a knock at Scratch's door and the same mare's voice called from the hall, “Miss DJ Pony, we have arrived.”

“I know,” the unicorn replied flatly. She disliked all Canterlot ponies, they were always so formal and snooty sounding.

'Well almost all of them' Scratch thought about her sister, a cellist in the royal band. She rarely saw her family anymore.

The last time she saw either Maxim or her Octavia was at Mr. Bramblebrims’ funeral seven months ago. As she stepped off the train she remembered what her father said after the service.

“Though both of you leave me and go to live your lives far away never forget that I am right here,” he pointed to his daughters' hearts. “If the world seems to big and the struggles to large that I am always with you.”

He said that whenever the two young mares left him but the emotion in his voice never subsided. They were the loves of his life, the inspiration to every one of his songs. Though he rarely wrote new ones any more. It had been five years since his wife had died and the hole that had formed in his heart never quite healed.

“Ah Vinyl Scratch dear, come walk with me,” Hoity Toity said snapping her out of the memories. Scratch could hear the flirtation in his voice “we don't want you to get lost.”

“I may be blind but I can see better than you,” Scratch trotted past him, nose upturned and tail swishing. Stallions continuously flirted with her and she turned them all down. A relationship just wasn’t her thing. Plus, almost all of them wanted to be with her because she was famous and good looking. In the end they got broken hearts and dreams of fame and fortune while she got a boost for her ever growing ego.

Scratch allowed her technicians to set up her equipment at the show's location while she went to the center of town to a place Bramblebrims often spoke about.

“Welcome to Sugarcube Corner,” beamed a mare “I am Mrs. Cake, how may I help you?”

“Give me a dozen of your best cupcakes,” Scratch said with a hungry smile, then quickly remembering her manners continued. “Please and thank you.”

Scratch only had to wait for a moment before the cupcakes were boxed and ready to go.

“That is some fast service,” she picked up the box, “so, how much for the cakes?”

“Oh my, I can't remember how much the baker's choice cupcakes cost,” the Mrs. Cake replied “What does it say on the box?”

Scratch hated these moments but she prevented the annoyance from showing.

“I’m blind but don't worry I'm not insulted,” Scratch smiled to help convince the mare that there were no hard feelings.

The room went unnaturally silent, Scratch couldn't even hear the mare's breathing.

“Yeah, um, so,” Scratch couldn’t stand the silence “how much for the cakes?”

The mare snapped out of her shock.

“Five bits,” she replied hesitantly.

Scratch could tell that she had dropped the price to atone for her comment.

“Here is ten bits,” Scratch tossed the money onto the counter and trotted away.

Scratch loved her job, playing music was her life but when a show went wrong, even if it wasn’t her fault, it made her angry. From the unhappy mumbles of the crowd Scratch could tell that the fashion show was a bust. She allowed the music to fade as the angry mumbles grew in loudness.

'I wish I could see this,' Scratch thought to herself.

The show quickly ended and Scratch headed to her hotel fuming over the waste of time Ponyville proved to be. She plopped onto her bed and started eating the cupcakes. The sugary flavor of the cakes helped convince her that it was no use in being angry over a failed show. She soon found herself humming songs as the sugar took hold. Scratch began singing the song that made her famous. Her own voice drifted pleasantly throughout the room making Scratch smile.

"Find me and hold me

come and take me away

together my love

into the blue sky

Take my heart with you

and look in my soul

fall for ruby eyes

and feel our echoes..."

Scratch slowly started to drift off to sleep when there was a knock on the door.

“Hello?” a bubbly voice called from the hall. “Is anypony home?”

“I am trying to sleep,” Scratch growled, the irritation of the day suddenly returning.

“Oh, sorry. I’ll stop bothering you,” Scratch listened to the hoofsteps leave. She sighed heavily and started to fall back asleep when suddenly she shot up out of the bed.

‘I know that voice.”

She leaped onto her hooves and rushed out into the hall.

“Ditzy!” she called out but the only answer she got was an angry mumble from a nearby room.

She made her way out of the hotel and into the cold night air. Amidst the sounds of nocturnal animals and rustling trees she could hear the faint hoofsteps of a pony walking away.

“Ditzy wait!”

The steps stopped.

“I still like muffins better,” the grey pegasus giggled as they sat outside a restaurant sharing the box of cupcakes.

“Of course you do,” Scratch laughed. She had missed Ditzy ever since that day at the orphanage. “So, who adopted you?”

“I wasn’t adopted,” Ditzy stated, confusion in her voice.

“Not adopted?” Scratch was shocked. “But Puffeltop said you were.”

“Nope,” Ditzy shook her head and started eating another cupcake, “I was sent to the small orphanage they had here. It was only me and two other foals but I still had fun!”

Scratch was horrified. Puffeltop lied and sent her only friend, her little sister, away just to get revenge for Scratch’s pranks. She could feel all the hate and anger that had faded since her painful years at the orphanage started to return in fiery waves.

“Please don’t be angry,” Ditzy pleaded “I have a daughter, so everything worked out in the end. Even if I didn’t have a family when I was little-”

“You did have a family!” Scratch slammed her hoof onto the table spilling the box of cupcakes onto the ground. “I was your family! You were my little sister and I loved you.”

Scratch could feel the the anger form into tears as Ditzy stared sadly at her friend, her usually crossed eyes focusing on the glistening tears. Scratch wiped her eyes, and smiled.

“So, you have a daughter?” She asked with a laugh, “What is her name?”

Ditzy seemed happy with the topic change.

“Yep,” the pegasus beamed, “I named her Dinky!”

Scratch shook her head and chuckled at the odd name that Ditzy had chosen for her daughter.

“Who adopted you?” Ditzy asked.

“A family of rich musicians,” Scratch laughed. “And now I am one.”

“Wow,” Ditzy’s eyes bulged. “I wish that happened to me. I’m just a mail mare.”

Scratch was afraid that she had made Ditzy feel insignificant compared to her success.

“You are happy with your life right?” Scratch asked slowly.

“I love my life!” the pegasus squealed. There was an odd tone int Ditzy's voice but Scratch didn't dwell on it, instead she felt relieved that Ditzy wasn't belittled by her statements.

“I just can't believe that after all of these years you are still that happy little pegasus that is afraid of lightning.”

“I’m not afraid of lightning,” Ditzy said smiling widely. “I love lightning now! But the weather ponies don’t let me help them.”

“Still clumsy and silly as ever? Well, I am glad that you are happy!”

No answer.

“What’s wrong?”

Still no answer.

“Are ponies still giving you a hard time?”

After a long pause Ditzy replied.

“I lied,” she said quietly.

“What do you mean you lied?”

“I am not happy,” Ditzy continued. “Every day I go around smiling, ignoring the stares and whispers. I am sad for Dinky, having to live with a clumsy, cross-eyed mother that nopony trusts with anything. She looks up to me, a pony that doesn’t deserve to be looked up to.”

Scratch listened to her friend, surprised over the unknown emotions that her pegasus friend had been hiding.

“If there is anything you need feel free to ask me,” Scratch placed her hoof on Ditzy’s shoulder.

“Thanks but you don’t have to do that,” Ditzy sniffed back her tears.

“Yes I do,” Scratch pressed.

“Why?”

“Because you are my little sister and I have been your family all along,” Scratch remembered what her father had said to her before they parted and she pointed to Ditzy’s heart, “I have always been with you little sis, right here.”

Ditzy stopped crying and smiled.

“You mean that?”

“I mean it.”

“Thank you big sister,” Ditzy jumped out of her seat and wrapped Scratch in a warm embrace.

Scratch hugged her back, tears welling up behind her glasses. It wasn’t fair that she had been lucky with how her life had turned out and Ditzy had been stepped over and mistreated even up to now. She was determined to change that.

“You will always be my little sister and I will always be there for you.”

Scratch felt the last hole in her heart heal as the tears started to well up again. She had more family than she had ever hoped for at the orphanage. Scratch was loved by so many ponies, more than the unicorn thought she deserved. Scratch decided on sharing it to others less fortunate and more deserving than herself, starting with Ditzy. She owed the world that much.

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Thank you for reading. Leave a comment. I am doing a sequel.
I do not own MLP:FiM but I wish I did.

Chapter 5

Octavia cycled through Neighoven's fourth symphony again as she walked home from music lessons towing her cello behind her. Her farther insisted that she learn her classical symphonies to remain ahead of her peers. She didn't complain but she still didn't find it fun.

'Full note, rest, half note-half note-quarter note-quarter note, half note-half note,quarter-half, full note...'

She stepped through the elaborate gates and down the drive toward her massive house.

'Rest, rest, rest, rest... full note, half note-quarter note. half then full...'

“Hello Octavia,” welcomed Bramblebrims, the family butler. “Back so soon? How was practice?”

“It went well, thank you. Is father home from his trip yet?”

'Half, quarter-quarter rest...' she continued in her mind.

“Yes but he and your mother went out for a walk. They will be back shortly.”

“Alright.” She started to walk away.

“Oh and if you want, head down to the main sitting room and say hello to your sister.”

'Half note, half note, full, full...what?'

“What?” She echoed the thought verbally.

“It is not my place to explain miss. You will have to wait until your father returns home.”

Octavia stood rooted to the spot with the look on her face screaming confusion. Mr. Bramblebrims walked away leaving the filly without any further explanation. She decided to find out for herself what was going on and who this new 'sister' was. Octavia silently made her way down the hall to the large oak doors that led into the large sitting room. She could hear her fathers old record of Elvis Parsley playing through the heavy door. The filly nudged it open and squeezed thorough.

At first she didn't see anypony in the cluttered room filled with musical instruments and a grand piano.

“Is anyone in here?” She called out over the music.

A young unicorn peeped over the back of the couch, blue designer glasses obscuring a good portion of her face.

“Who are you?” Octavia pressed.

“Who are you?” Scratch echoed back.

“I-I asked you first.” She immediately realized this was going to be a difficult conversation.

“I know,” Scratch replied with a crooked smile.

Octavia huffed loudly. “I am Octavia, I live here.”

“I'm Scratch, I live here,” Scratch clapped her hooves together.

“What?”

“Octavia is a long name. Ya don't mind if I call you Tavi from now on, do you?”

“What? Please don't call me that.” Octavia's temper was gradually rising.

“Too late Tavi!” Scratch's smile widened. “This is a nice house you have here. I don't know if you have been told yet but I am your new sister! The funny thing is that I am a month older than you too.”

“What?” Octavia's violet eyes bulged open.

“You say what a lot and you smell like flowers.” Scratch could hear the anger in the earth pony's voice and she wanted to see how long it took for it to spill over “I like you already! We are going to be good friends you and I.”

“This can't be true,” Octavia groaned.

“It's very true Tavi. We are sisters now! Yay!”

“Stop calling me Tavi.”

“Okay Tavi,” Scratch giggled. This was the most fun she was having all day.

“Ah, Octavia,” Mr. Maxim said as he trotted into the room followed by a deep green, weary mare who looked older than she really was. “I did not expect you to be home early. I see that you have met Scratch.”

Scratch smiled kindly at Octavia but deep down she was disappointed for not being able to enrage her new sister to the fullest.

“Is it true that she is now my sister?” Octavia looked pleadingly at her father which he mistook for excitement.

“Yes.”

Octavia replied by storming past her parents and out of the room.

“I will talk with her dear,” said the mare to Maxim.

“Very well Symphonia, I will stay down here with Scratch.”

The mare gracefully left the hall and Maxim sat down on the couch next to Scratch. He listened to the music with the filly in silence for several minutes before he spoke.

“Sorry about Octavia,” he said to her, barely audible over the music.

Scratch shrugged. “I am used to ponies not wanting me around.”

“We are going to change that,” Maxim smiled at the filly. “Oh, by the way, me and my wife have decided that Scratch is not a very appropriate name for a member of our family. How about we think of an addition to your name?”

“I like how records feel, and the crackle sound they make when you put them on the player,” Scratch said immediately. “How about Record Scratch?”

“I think Vinyl sounds better.”

“Vinyl Scratch,” she moved the words around her mouth as if tasting them. “I like it!”

The Elvis Parsley music ended.

“What shall we listen to next?” Maxim asked the filly as he rummaged through a nearby box of discs.

“All of them.”

Octavia plucked absentmindedly at the strings of her cello as the sound of another record being played wafted into her room. The door of her bedroom creaked open and her mother entered.

“I don't feel like talking mom.”

“But I can tell that you want to,” she said sweetly.

She stopped fiddling with the cello and looked at the mare.

“Why would dad adopt a new daughter? Does he want to replace me or something?” Octavia doubted that was true but it couldn’t hurt to ask.

“No, you could never be replaced in either of our hearts.”

“Then why did he?”

Symphonia sat on the bed next to her daughter.

“Octavia dear.” She stroked the filly's hair with her hoof. “How many friends do you have?”

Octavia thought for a moment. In reality she had no true friends. The closest thing to friends she had were ponies that talked to her every once in a while. It wasn't that they didn't like her, Octavia's parents were famous musicians and they loved her for it. Its just whenever they tried to talk to her she would try her hardest to stay away from them. Eventually most gave up. She had a hard time differentiating between ponies being nice because of her parents or if they were honestly trying to be friends.

“Three.” Three more than she really had.

“Why do I never see you play with these friends?”

The only response she got was a heavy sigh from her daughter.

“Your father is worried about you,” she said sweetly. “I am worried about you too. One of the reasons we adopted her is to be like a friend to you. The other reason is that we have such a large house with plenty of room we felt inclined to share it with somepony less fortunate.”

“But did he have to adopt a pony so different from me?”

“True, she is a little rough around the edges but if you gave her a chance you two just might become good friends. She sort of reminds me of your father when he was younger.”

Octavia remained quiet.

“Promise me you will give both Scratch and your father a chance.”

“I'll try,” Octavia replied.

The table was set with a large assortment of food which Octavia was in no mood to eat. Scratch happily munched on her dinner making loud crunching noises while she chewed. Octavia's violet eyes glared murderously at the unicorn filly. Symphonia suddenly went into a coughing fit and was promptly escorted out of the room by her husband. Octavia took this opportunity to chide Scratch for her eating habits.

“Could you try eating more quietly?” She growled.

“Sure,” Scratch replied with a smile and continued munching loudly.

“That isn't any quieter at all.”

“You asked me if I could eat quietly.” She smiled widely, reveling some of the chewed up food in her mouth “I can, I just don't want to.”

Octavia willed herself to stay calm.

“Are you ever going to take those sunglasses of?”

“No.” Scratch stopped chewing for a moment. “Well maybe when I sleep but other than that.”

Octavia's anger fizzled for a moment and was replaced by innocent curiosity.

“Uh...” Octavia started to say and Scratch guessed it was going to be something relating to her eyes. “What do your eyes look like?”

“They are red and they are round,” Scratch replied with a smile.

“Can I, um, can I see them?”

Scratch thought quietly for a few seconds before shrugging her shoulders and slipping of her glasses. Her eyelids remained closed.

“Get ready for your excitement of the day!” She announced.

Her eyelids snapped open and Octavia's mouth dropped in a mixed reaction of horror and wonder.

“What ya think?” Scratch winked at her.

“Wow,” Octavia replied dumbfounded.

Scratch slid the glasses back on and continued eating.

“Just don't ask to see my eyes ever again.”

"So, you are completely blind?" Octavia asked timidly.

"Yep," Scratch replied flatly.

The two adults returned before the conversation could get any more awkward and they sat back down at the table silently. Symphonia looked even more tired and ill.

“What was wrong,” Octavia asked them.

“It was nothing bad,” Symphonia replied reassuringly.

Octavia would have believed her if it wasn't for the look of pain and anxiety on her father's face.

“Until we get the other bedroom cleaned up you will be sleeping in here with Octavia,” Maxim said as he unfolded a small cot at the far end of Octavia's room. When he finished he proceeded to walk out of the room but before he left he paused at the doorway. “Goodnight girls, I love you both.”

He left them the darkness and silence. But it didn't remain so very long.

“Hey, Tavi!” Scratch hissed a whisper.

“What is it Vinyl?” Octavia moaned. She sat up and immediately wished she hadn’t. The faint, red glint of two eyes staring back at her made her squeak in surprise.

“What?” Scratch asked. She sat quietly for a moment, then asked in a tone laced with annoyance. “You can see my eyes, can't you?”

“Yes,” Octavia squeaked back. She was preparing herself for the nightmares that were bound to arise when she fell asleep.

Scratch's eyes disappeared into the darkness. Octavia waited for her to continue with whatever question she was going to ask earlier but the unicorn remained quiet.

“Were you going to ask me something?”

Scratch sighed. “Yep.”

Octavia waited again before realizing that she had somehow hurt Scratch's feelings.

“Sorry for being afraid of your eyes,” she said quietly. “Now what were you going to ask me?”

“Is your mom sick?” Scratch asked cautiously.

“I guess,” Octavia stared at the shadowy ceiling. “They never talk to me about it and they say she is fine. But her cough has been getting worse and worse. That is why she stopped being an opera singer.”

Scratch heard faint hoofsteps walk away from the bedroom door and she guessed the Mr. Maxim had been eavesdropping. The two fillies decided that it was time to go to sleep.

Orchestratus Maxim sat down next to his sleeping wife and watched her chest rise and fall rhythmically with her breathing. He ran his hoof through her mane for a few minutes before leaning over and kissing her on the cheek. He noticed a white handkerchief on the pillow. Maxim lifted it gingerly and stared sadly at the speckled blood stains from her coughs. He struggled to restrain the tears welling up in his eyes and eventually they broke through and down his face.

“Please don’t leave me,” he whispered. “Please don't leave us.”

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I do not own MLP:FIM.