The Lost Land of Dinotopia

The Lost Land of Dinotopia

Written by: TigerSwirl448

Edited by: Mint_Blossom

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic (c) by Lauren Faust & Hasbro.

Dinotopia (c) by James Gurney

Dinotopia Mega-Series (c) James Gurney & Hallmark Entertainment

Part 1: Beginning

Chapter 1: Changes

In downtown Manehattan, in the train station on a bench sat a white mare in a navy blue hoodie. The mare reached inside her hoodie pocket and pulled out her music player to see which song was on. She smirked, stuffing it back in her pocket and laid on her side with a sigh waiting for the train to arrive. The mare pulled off her purple tinted sunglasses; checking the lenses against the ceiling lights and made an, “Ick!” sound. She looked to her saddle bags on the ground and with the magic of her horn, levitated out a cleaning rag and started cleaning the lenses of her sunglasses.

Once finished, the unicorn smiled and set them back on her muzzle with a content sigh, she was able to see clearer now. She frowned, looking up at the giant clock to see the second hand move slowly, counting down the seconds until one o’clock.

“Gah, where the hell is she? If she missed her train I’ll get... ugh.” The unicorn mare sighed shaking her head.

This is the first time in five years since she had seen her half-sister. Recently the mare got a letter from her stepmother, a letter of invitation to come home for her spring break. She liked her stepmother. She was fun and the one that got her into the music scene. If it weren’t for her, she wouldn’t have thought of being a DJ, she would probably have been stuck in a music store for the rest of her life. She sighed with a small smile, relaxing again.

Suddenly, there was a whistle blown from the tunnels beyond toward the edge of the station. The unicorn smiled sitting up as the pink and yellow train slowed down toward the end of the platform. Steam hissed as the train slowed to a complete stop.

“Last stop, Manehattan!” The conductor pony called out as the doors popped open and slid to the side. Travelers walked out of the train, many dressed as tourists and others dressed as workers returning from business trips. The unicorn waited until she saw her sister. The gray earth pony mare leaped off the train, balancing her saddle bags on her back. The mare flicked back her black mane as wind blew in from the tunnel at the end of the platform.

“Octy!” The unicorn called out waving her hooves in the air. The mare jumped hearing the call then turned to see the unicorn waving. The mare groaned, but smiled all the same as she trotted over.

“Vinyl dear, so good to see you.” The mare said sitting down on the bench.

Vinyl just grinned, snickering. “Vinyl dear, so good to see you.” Vinyl mimicked, getting a glare from her sister. “Sheesh, when have you been so fancy?”

“Hmmph, like you would know anything.” The mare groaned. “And please don’t call me, Octy.”

“Huh?” Vinyl asked. She blinked with surprise at her sister’s tone.

“It is Octavia and only Octavia. And I will call you Vinyl.”

Vinyl blinked, pulling her shades down to the tip of her nose to stare at her sister. She leaned in with a quirked eyebrow. “Who are you and what did you do to Octy?”

Octavia pushed Vinyl’s face away from her. “Stop acting like a child. Now, don't we have another train to catch to head for the south?”

Vinyl blinked then snorted. “Yeah, come on. The train leaves in an hour.”

Octavia sniffed trotting after her.

*    *    *    *

“Train 346, Train 346 on its way to Ponyville, Bridledale, Stormstall, and the last stop Zebra Keys. All aboard!”

Vinyl used her magic to set her and Octavia’s saddle bags up on the rack above their seats. Octavia smiled at the unicorn then sat in her seat opening a book. Vinyl looked up to see Octavia already deeply engrossed in her book just seconds after opening it. Vinyl sighed, shaking her head and rolling her eyes. She reached into her hoodie to pull out her music player and started looking for a song to listen to. She smiled, finding a good deep beat song nodding her head lightly to the beat. She closed her eyes as thoughts came up about Octavia.

She still couldn't get her mind around her. Though it had only been five years, Octavia had really changed. She seemed so stuck up now; not even her old nickname would make her smile. Vinyl sighed, turning to the window and watching the platforms start to move away as the train started to move.

Octavia looked up, watching Vinyl lean against the window, watching the cityscape change to suburbs. Octavia sighed, shaking her head and returning to her book. Vinyl was such a jerk and a child. Even back before Octavia and Vinyl went their separate ways, Vinyl was still the immature failure. Not that she was a failure, she became a best-selling disk jockey. But Vinyl never really passed anything, not even in school. She was a drop out and somehow managed to become successful while Octavia busted her tail to get to where she was today.

Octavia sniffed disdainfully, returning to her novel as the train continued to chug through the south towards the Zebra Keys.

*    *    *    *

“Last stop, Zebra Keys! Last stop, everypony!”

Vinyl sat up during a break between songs, hearing the conductor cry out during his rounds. Vinyl looked around to see that the car she and Octavia were sitting in only had a unicorn couple left. They were waking up to grab their bags. Vinyl turned, hearing Octavia sneeze and wipe her nose with a tissue. Octavia blinked behind her handkerchief, looking at Vinyl.

“How long was I out?” Vinyl asked, pulling off her headphones yawning.

“Since Stormstall.”

“That’s like, when?”

Octavia sighed, rolling her eyes. “Three hours ago.”

“Oh.” Vinyl pulled off her shades to rub her tired eyes. She turned to see that it was indeed around the end of sunset. Luna was starting to bring up her moon from the east. Vinyl sighed, seeing the reflections from the ocean a mile away and the beaches, villas, and palm trees.

The train reached the small train station going into a slow screeching halt. “Last stop, Zebra Keys!” The conductor repeated, stepping off the train, ringing his bell and calling out for the next train stops. Vinyl helped bring down Octavia’s bags including hers. The sisters trotted out of the car past the unicorn couple and a small family of four Vinyl hadn't noticed. Vinyl took in a deep breath, smelling the salty sea air.

“Ahh . . . Isn’t it great to be here again? It’s home sweet home.”

Octavia made a small smile, looking around to see the tall palm trees planted by the long, red bricked sidewalks outside the station.

“Yes, it is nice to be back.”

“Nice?” Vinyl asked surprised, looking at Octavia and using her magic to lift up her shades to get a better look at her. “Nice? Octy, you love it here.”

Octavia gave her a warning look. “What did I say about calling me by that name?”

“Octy! Vinny!” The two mares jumped hearing a mare’s voice and turned to see an older pegasus mare dressed in an aged leather brown aviators jacket standing by one of the giant palms outside. She walked over, fluttering her old light gray wings. Vinyl gasped as Octavia frowned seeing the older pegasus mare trot over. Vinyl ran over to hug the mare.

“Hiya Mom, what’s up?” Vinyl asked, feeling the mare's embrace on her.

“Look at you,” the mare exclaimed laughing and stepping back, looking Vinyl over. “Have you been gaining weight? I thought I told you to hold off the marshmallows.”

Vinyl blushed, scratching the back of her head chuckling. “It’s not my fault that I’m so addicted to s'mores.” The mare laughed, ruffling Vinyl’s blue mane. Then she turned to Octavia. Octavia sat still with a narrowing look, but made a small smile.

“Mother.”

The older mare chuckled. “Well, well, I learned from my own protégée Spitfire that you have made it high in the world Octy, following you dreams eh?” Octavia blushed lightly, her ears flattened on her head as she smiled. She rubbed her leg, bowing her head.

“Well . . . I’m trying.” The elder mare chuckled, hugging Octavia, too.

“Hot damn, look at you two.” She whispered turning to Vinyl and wrapping her large wing around her, pulling her close. “You two have grown a lot and man do I miss hearing you two bicker at the villa.”

Vinyl was laughing while Octavia blushed with shame.

“Well, enough laughing, let’s get to the villa. Old Zhama has been cooking for your arrival. I kept telling the old bat that you two wouldn't be here until nightfall, but that zebra . . . Hehe, she’s cooked up your favorite dish.”

That made both Octavia and Vinyl turn to their mother with shock.

“Really?” They both asked.

The old pegasus gave them a wink and nodded. “Yep, let's get going before the food gets even colder.”

Vinyl and Octavia looked at one another with hunger in their eyes.

“Last one there cleans the dishes!” Vinyl screamed out, running forward toward the coastal town. Octavia grinned, ready to run, but stopped herself. She stood up straight, clearing her throat, then trotted forward with her nose in the air. The pegasus lowered her glasses to watch Octavia trot past her.

“Hmmph, they sure grew up.” She muttered to herself as she followed Octavia to the village.

The two mares caught up to Vinyl at the edge of town to see her signing autographs to some foals, zebra, and pony alike. Vinyl turned, seeing them.

“Dudes, what took ya? I’ve been waiting for like ever!”

Octavia sniffed. “A lady does not run, we trot.”

Vinyl blinked being, weirded out. She glared at her for a moment. “Oh yeah, what if you were attacked by a Manticore, would you trot away like a lady or run like a mad mare?”

Octavia opened her mouth to yell, but their mother came in smiling. “Things have changed since the trains started carrying ponies instead of supplies.” The pegasus said ruffling the manes of the foals she passed.

“Yeah,” Vinyl said waving them off. The foals all waved to the DJ, heading home with their parents. “This place sure seems to have grown. I don’t remember this place having a pizzeria.”

“Oh yeah, they built that three years ago.” Vinyl chuckled at that.

“Really? Wow, I should check it out while I’m here.”

“You should.” Her mother said smiling. “It’s good. But I like Zhama’s pizzas better.” Vinyl allowed her mother to pass and headed for a cart. “Hey!” She called. Two zebras and an earth pony mare looked up from unpacking carts.

One of the zebras, the eldest of the three workers smiled. “Oh hi, Miss Cloud Striker!” Cloud Striker smiled.

“Hey Mickey, care to carry three mares home?”

Vinyl gasped. “Mickey? What’s up bud?”

The zebra gasped recognizing Vinyl. “Vinny! Wow, I never thought you were Miss. Striker’s company. Octy, too!”

Octavia blushed seeing the zebra stallion again. “Oh uh, yes hello to you, too, Mickey. But please call me by my real name.”

The zebra blushed. “Oh uh right, sorry about that Octavia.”

“It’s alright. We all have to grow out of our names some time.”

“Yeah sure.” Vinyl muttered.

“Let my partner and I get hitched up, then we’ll take you to your villa.”

Vinyl smiled. “Thanks, buddy.” She leaped up into the old cart. Octavia climbed in after her. Cloud Striker sighed leaping in to sit by Octavia. Vinyl looked at the younger zebra then the mare. “So who’s the new face and who’s the girl?” Vinyl said adding emphasis to "girl", making kissing noises. Mickey swatted at her with his tail causing her to laugh.

“Just so you know, Lemon Berry is my mare friend and she is the kindest mare I have ever met. Unlike some mares I’ve met.” Vinyl laughed as Octavia cracked a smile at the joke. Mickey nodded to the younger zebra. “This is Dice. He came here from one of the south most Zebra Isles. Came for a new life you know. Also you remember Old Mare Liza?”

“Yeah?” Vinyl answered.

“Isn't she the librarian?” Octavia asked.

“Was.” Mickey corrected as he and the second zebra Dice started trotting down the brick road to the shore. “She passed on two years back. And Dice here came while she was feeling ill.”

“Oh,” the sisters said at once with sadness. Octavia leaned over to look at Dice.

“Uh, Mister Dice, I’m very sorry for your loss. Miss Liza was a great and kind mare.”

Dice turned to her and smiled. “She was. Great aunt and a wonderful mother to her children.”

Vinyl blushed. “Yeah, I guess it’s too late to beg for forgiveness for those times I broke her windows with a baseball.”

Octavia stiffened, glaring at her. “Vinyl!”

“What?” Vinyl asked innocently as the zebras laughed.

“That was rude! Apologize.”

“It was a joke, Octy.”

“What did I tell you about-”

Cloud Sticker sighed loudly getting looks from her daughters. “Here’s the arguing. I was wondering how long it would take for these two to bicker, again.” Again the laughing as the sisters blushed with shame.

As the mares rode in the cart, the sun continued to dip lower over the southern mountains and the moon began lighting up the streets in a ghostly white glow. Along the way, they saw unicorns and zebras on their rounds to light the old lanterns along the old asphalt roads to the villas. Some of the lamp lighters turned and waved as the cart rolled by. The sisters would wave back as they continued to ride.

As they reach the bend Vinyl and Octavia went still, listening to a deep beat in the distance.

“What’s that?” Octavia asked curiously.

“Yeah, what is that?” Vinyl asked a little stunned and worried.

Cloud Striker pointed in the distance. The two sisters looked up to see what looked to be an outdoor theater on the hill above them. They could hear bongo drums, bells from hooves, stomping, and cheers. Vinyl stood up to get a better look. She could see many zebras dressed in tribal wear; dancing and singing, beating drums and shaking bells in front of a medium sized audience of ponies watching with awed or spooked expressions.

Cloud Striker made a hard frown at seeing this. “Welcome to the future.”

Vinyl sat down with shock. “When was this . . .?”

“About three years after you two left for better schooling in the main land. Some nobles came and bought some of the land from the mayor of the town and well . . . you can see for yourself.”

They turned another bend to see a bunch of lights and tall buildings that resembled hotels; there were larger and newer villas past all the old ones that lay by the beach. Octavia was in shock.

“But . . . Wow.”

“Wow?” Vinyl asked with a glare. “That’s all you’re going to say is Wow? This is horrible! Our sacred home is becoming a tourist attraction! Nothing will be the same again!”

“Stop being so dramatic. I’m sure the village has been getting more in income by the change.” Octavia said smiling.

“Change?! This place doesn’t need change! This was a sacred and peaceful place with no pony around to stick their nose in your face and telling you that you are nothing but a peasant!”

“Why I outta-”

“Vinyl, Octavia that is enough!” Cloud Striker yelled, causing the two mares to glare at one another, then turn away in silence. Cloud Striker sighed, rubbing her face. “I understand this is a big change for you two. But Octavia does have a point, the village has been gaining more money and newer buildings that we never had before.”

“Ha!” Octavia said, with an unladylike grin at her victory.

“But it’s also sad that everything we grew up with here is now mostly gone or taken over by the nobles.”

“Double ha!” Vinyl spat, sticking out her tongue.

“Very mature, Vinyl.” Octavia said dryly.

“Don’t start.” Cloud Striker warned. She sighed as they reached the turn to a sandy gravel road. After a few minutes of silence the zebras stopped in front of a wooden gate.

“Here you are.” Mickey called out smiling. Vinyl leaped off over the side landing on the old gravel road. She smiled, turning to her family.

“Well, what are you all waiting for? Food!” Vinyl ran off down the dirt walkway leading to the villa.

“Vinyl!” Octavia called, leaping out. “You rude little- GRAH!” Octavia panted then turned to the zebras with a blush. “I apologize for Vinyl’s behavior. Thank you for taking us home.”

Mickey tipped his hat. “Anything for an old friend. It’s nice seeing you again Octy - I mean Octavia. Hope to talk you later.”

Octavia nodded with a light blush. “Maybe some time. Thank you. And good night.”

“Night, Oh and good night to you, too, Ma’am.”

Cloud Striker sighed, ruffling her wings and wrapping one around Octavia. “Night to you both. And thank you for the ride. “The two zebras said their farewells, then trotted back to town.

Striker sighed and started walking on the road. Octavia followed close to her, feeling the weight of the wing on her back. The two continued to walk down the dirt walkway until they could see the lights hanging from the balcony of the small two story villa. Striker smiled, chuckling, seeing into one of the windows in the kitchen. Vinyl was already saying hello to the family cook, hugging the elder zebra mare.

Striker entered the house sniffing the air. “Mm-hmm, that is sure good. Did you heat the food up, Zhama?” Striker called out, pulling off her jacket and hanging it on a hook. Octavia walked in, wiping off her hooves before entering the house. She smiled, feeling a sense of welcome entering the home. The lights were a warm welcoming color, the hardwood walls and floor were the same orangey-brown color from her youth. She slid off her saddle bags next to Vinyl’s by the stairs leading to the rooms.

She heard the voices from her family, smiling and sighed with contentment for the first time in years. She felt at ease and safe in this old place. She walked forward, fixing her mane before entering with perfect poise. She pushed open the white kitchen door. She could see Vinyl sitting at the table already eating the broccoli-mushroom-cheese casserole. Striker was dishing herself some, then grabbing an ice cold beer from the fridge. Octavia looked to her left out of habit and smiled, seeing the marking on the old cellar door frame. Pink for Octavia’s height and bright blue for Vinyl’s height. The old childish height chart. Octavia stroked the old door frame with her hoof.

“Octavia? Why look at you child!” Octavia turned, hearing the old Zebra Key accent, to see the closest thing to an aunt a mare can get. The elder zebra cook walked over and hugged Octavia. Octavia returned the hug. She could still smell the familiar scent of herbs from the herb garden on the older mare’s fur. The elder zebra laughed, looking her over. Octavia smiled seeing the old mare dressed in her forest-green woolen shawl and a dirty orange handkerchief wrapped over her head. Her eyes were a pretty ocean blue and her smile was as white as ever.

“Look at you. You look so beautiful. Striker dear, have you seen this mare I swear . . . Is she really the same little Octavia that would steal my cookies.” The zebra and pegasus laughed as Octavia blushed and smiled. The zebra reached over for a plate and handed it to her.

“Here, look at you, earth ponies need meat in their bones to be strong." The elder zebra poked her hoof into Octavia's stomach. "Ha, you call that meat? I call that air!”

Vinyl guffawed, covering her mouth laughing. Octavia blushed.

“Are you calling me fat?” Octavia asked, not sure to be insulted or not.

“Fat? Nothing of the sorts!” Zhama said loudly, shaking her head. “Oh no, Octavia, dear. Ponies need more muscle. Earth ponies are hearty ponies and need muscles.”

Vinyl snickered, taking a drink from her glass. “And as for you Vinyl,” Vinyl turned. “You are fat! Unicorns are skinny like Pegasi!”

“Hey!” Vinyl yelled out. Octavia chuckled, taking a seat across from Vinyl, her old sitting spot growing up. Vinyl was eating in the same place she had sat in for years as well. Octavia took a spoonful of her meal, immediately melted with delight and went on eating faster. Nothing could beat old Zhama’s cooking.

*    *    *    *

After dinner, Vinyl laid in her old bed in her old room. All around, she could see hanging on the walls the old instruments she collected from the old tribes, and the stores, even the old abandoned cabins in the rainforests behind the villas where the new buildings are now. She snorted, staring up at the old tribal masks, now sun-bleached from the sunlight streaming in through the windows; they now had paler colors instead of their bold reds, blues, and greens.

She turned to her door, then smiled.  “It’s good to be back home.” She whispered.

She reached for her bag and grabbed her music player. She looked through her playlists, most of them were hard rock, metal, dubstep, even her own music. But she had a secret playlist, and she only played this playlist before bed, this playlist was filled with tracks of calming music. Different genres, but all meant the same, calming. She pressed shuffle and closed her eyes, listening to the calming flute and whistle.

With her eyes closed, she went through her memories of the past. Past memories that were happy and great. Private and clear. Vinyl remembered the moment meeting Octavia for the first time in the orphanage.

The mare that had brought her in had said that Octavia was Vinyl's half-sister from her father. Vinyl remembered how badly beaten Octavia was and how shy she was. For the first week Octavia would hide under her bed, crying or begging for the adults not to hurt her. It took a lot for Vinyl to get Octavia to talk to her, or even get her out of their shared room. One day, Vinyl was being bullied by some older colts in the orphanage. They were calling her a freak, since her mother had kicked her out into the streets. Octavia came and beat the colts away, protecting her sister. Vinyl remembered looking up at her and seeing her anger.

“You won’t hurt her!” Octavia had yelled. The colts had ran away to tell the adults. Of course, Vinyl and Octavia were caught and sat in the basement during dinner as punishment.

“Why?” Vinyl asked. “Why did you help me?”

Octavia had blinked and turned to her, her youthful eyes had been filled with tears. “Isn’t that what sisters do?” She asked.

“I don’t know if we are sisters or not.” Vinyl said truthfully and confused.

Octavia nodded, wiping her eyes. “It’s true. I remember Mommy talk about him. She blamed him for me, and blamed me for ruining her life.” Vinyl stared at her for a long moment.

“You too?” Vinyl asked. Octavia looked at her for a moment. Vinyl sniffed. “I don’t remember my mommy much. She kicked me out of the house when I could walk and talk.” Vinyl had lain down on the cold floor, sniffling. Octavia had crawled forward and laid next to her.

“Do you know anything about . . . Daddy?” Octavia had whispered worriedly.

Vinyl sniffed. “I met him once . . . He came here and saw me. He left real quick. They said that Daddy can’t take me since he is having troubles and . . . thinks I have a better life here or with a new family.”

Octavia sniffed. “The nice guard that came and found me told me that I would be better off here since Mommy beat me and Daddy wasn’t there. The nice mare told me that you are my sister. Or uh a Half-sister. What’s a half-sister?” Octavia had asked, looking at Vinyl with her head tilting to the side.

Vinyl snorted and laughed seeing the look Octavia gave her. “Uh, let’s see . . . maybe that we came from different Mommies? But have the same Daddy?”

Octavia scratched her chin with her leg, nodding. “That’s sounds right. Oh, I never got your name.”

“Really? I thought I told you my name.”

Octavia blushed. “I was scared when you told me and . . . my head was hurting a lot.” Vinyl had smiled as Octavia rubbed her head where fresh bandages had been placed earlier that day.

“It’s Vinyl . . . Vinyl Scratch.” Octavia smiled.

“And well . . . Mommy called me Octavia.”

Vinyl had given her a look. “What kind of name is that? That’s so hard to say.”

“No, it isn’t!”

“Yes, it is!”

“No, it isn’t!”

“Yes-”

Suddenly there was pounding at the door. “Shut up down there, you’re in time out. No talking!” An older mare screamed from behind the basement door above them. The two fillies lowered to the ground then turned to each other giggling silently.

“Okay, it might be a little hard.” Octavia giggled.

“Can I call you something easier?”

“Like what?”

Vinyl had thought for a moment. “Well I can call you Tavi . . . or Octy?”

“Two names? Wow, uh what can I call you?” Octavia asked innocently.

“Well since I gave you two names from your name you can make up two names to mine. Vinyl Scratch. What comes to mind?”

Octavia had thought for a moment, rubbing her temples, thinking. “Uh Scratchy!”

“Scratchy?”

“Yes, like you called me Tavi. Then um . . . Vinny”

“Vinny? Really?” Vinyl had asked with a deadpanned look

“Why not?”

“That is the lamest nickname I have ever heard.”

“Well Octy is a weird name too.”

Soon the two became sisters and stayed close to each other. Until the day came when they were adopted, without their knowledge to a retired Wonderbolt. The two fillies had walked out of the orphanage to see the pegasus mare sitting at the bottom of the stairs smiling up at them fixing the goggles on her head.

“Hey, what’s up kiddos?” She had said, trotting up to meet them.

Vinyl had stood protectively in front of Octavia, glaring at the mare. “They said you adopted us? Why?”

Cloud Striker shrugged her shoulders. “Call it maternal instinct. I figured, why not enjoy my early retirement with some fillies eh?”

Vinyl and Octavia looked at one another then at Cloud Striker. Cloud Striker sighed.

“Look, I knew your old man and I owed him one after he helped me get into the Wonderbolts as a teenager. And when he told me he had to leave two fillies in the orphanage for his stupid mistakes-” She paused, looking at the fillies with regret for saying those words. But they were confused. “Anyway, I knew your dad. He was an old friend. Well come along then, we have a long way to get to your new home.”

When the fillies first met Clouds Striker, they could tell she didn’t want to take the job of a mother right after retiring from a bad wing injury from the Wonderbolts. When they reached the Zebra Keys and their new home, the fillies were first against the idea of a new home with an ex-Wonderbolt and zebra cook. But after a few months all four of them became a family. Zhama became the fillies’ aunt and taught them how to cook, and even told them spooky zebra legends. Cloud became a mother to the two and called them by their nicknames. Her favorites were: Vinny and Octy.

*    *    *    *

Octavia opened her eyes with a sigh, looking around her nice neat room. She groaned, tossing and turning in her bed, having trouble sleeping. She sniffed the flowery bed sheets to smell the laundry detergent she grew up with as a filly. She turned to see her clock, it was the middle of the night. She sighed, grabbing her pillow and pulling it over her head just to try and go to sleep. She pulled off her pillow with a groan, then turned to her nightstand to see three old pictures. One was of Vinyl and Octavia as young fillies in the water at the beach laughing. The second one was taken a few years later showing Octavia’s cutie mark and the glee on her face. Vinyl was jumping for joy. Then the last picture was a small family portrait showing Cloud Striker hugging Octavia and Vinyl when they were teenagers. She sighed, turning over, then finally passed out from exhaustion.