The Music of Harmony

Meanwhile, in the town of Ponyville, a light-grey earth pony had just woken up. She yawned and walked down the stairs to the kitchen. Standing at the stove cooking was her roommate and best friend, Vinyl Scratch. She was a white unicorn with a short blue mane. She was wearing her large purple-tinted sunglasses, which she almost never took off. Vinyl looked up from the stove to see her standing there.

"Jeez, Octavia," she said. "I thought you were never going to wake up. It's already eleven o'clock."

"Hey, I had a big concert with the orchestra last night. You would be tired too," said Octavia defensively.

"True. Concerts do take a lot out of you," she admitted.

"What are you cooking, Vinyl?" asked Octavia.

"Pancakes. I hope you like them, 'cause I made a lot."

Octavia looked around the kitchen. It was a total mess.

"I can see that," she said.

Octavia went to the table and sat down. She was a little upset about the kitchen, but Vinyl was a good cook and would help her clean up with her unicorn magic. Shortly after, Vinyl came to the table carrying a large stack of pancakes. She set it down, careful not to make it all tip over.

"So get this," Vinyl said as she was pouring syrup on a pancake. "I was talking to my friend Neon Lights the other day, and guess what? He got me a job performing at the Grand Galloping Gala! Isn't that awesome? I know your fancy orchestra's going to be there too, so we can all hang out and everything."

"That's great, Vinyl!" Octavia said. "I'm really looking forward to it. I don't think the Gala has ever used a DJ before."

"Totally. I always felt like the Gala could use some of my dubstep experience."

Vinyl grabbed a few more pancakes off the top of the stack.

"So how was your concert? I heard you guys killed it."

"Oh, it was just wonderful! We're really gaining a reputation. I wish you could have been there."

Vinyl Scratch sighed. "I'm sorry Octavia. I really tried to be there, but you know how my job can get. Things are always popping up at the last minute. I'll make the next one okay? I promise."

"It... It's fine. Don't worry about it," Octavia said. Even though it wasn't fine. She was really upset that Vinyl was never there to support her, and this was the exact same thing she had said after the last concert Octavia was in.

"So, what do you want to do today?" Vinyl asked.

"I really don't know. I've got a lot of practicing to do."

She rolled her eyes. "C'mon Octavia, all you ever do is practice, practice, practice. You should go out and have fun for a change."

"Well, like it or not, the Grand Galloping Gala is in seven days. The piece we're playing is extremely difficult, especially the cello part. I need to make sure it's perfect."

Vinyl got up and grabbed her saddle bag.

"Fine, you can stay here and play your cello. I'm going out shopping."

"Try not to spend all my money this time."

"Oh, I'll pay you back."

With the sound of the door shutting, she was gone. Octavia sighed and got up. She started cleaning the kitchen, something that Vinyl neglected to do.

Sometimes I wonder how I can live with that pony, she thought.

Octavia was never bitter about sharing a house with Vinyl Scratch. After all, they had been best friends since as long as she could remember. No matter how insensitive she could be, she always meant well. They both had a passion for music, and although they were into different styles, it was something they loved to talk about. Octavia knew that they were and always would be best friends no matter what.

Octavia stepped back and looked at her cleaning. There was not a spot to be seen across the whole kitchen. She took a short look around to admire it, and went to the living room for her cello. She grabbed her music and bow and sat down to play.

Octavia took a deep breath and concentrated. This was not an easy song by any means. She could not afford to be distracted by anything if she wanted it to sound good.

She held her bow and began to move it across the strings. It began with the first note, then the first measure. She felt herself slipping into the deep zone that she felt during every song she played. The bow moved faster and faster, dancing across each string. Each note was perfectly crafted and rang with a creativity that only Octavia could perform. She did not stop there. Eighth note. Quarter note. Half note. Chord. Sharp. Flat. She breezed effortlessly through the articulations and tones of each one. A little of her emotions came through in every note she played, combining together until the music represented her very soul. Octavia never felt more calm or at peace as she did in these moments.

Then, almost immediately, it stopped.

The song was over.

She set down her bow and smiled. For the first time in a while, she allowed herself to relax.

Luna took off that very night. She couldn't afford to waste any more time. Her head was a mess. Her own sister, who was always so patient and caring, turned on her and wanted her dead. It made no sense. The only way that Luna could get out of this was to play along with Celestia's game. She had one week to make a plan before Celestia would come and kill her. It was so horrible and unbelievable that all she wanted to do was cry. And she did. A lot. She cried until she couldn't cry anymore. But now it was time to get far away from there, and worry about surviving.

She spread her wings and flew off into the dark night. She flew past Canterlot and Ponyville until she came to the Everfree Forest, a place that no normal pony would ever want to go. This was all fine for Luna, she had to stay hidden. She walked through the forest, looking for a place that was even remotely habitable. Eventually, she came upon a deserted cave. She looked around and went inside. This was her new home.

One of the major benefits of being the Princess of the Night was her ability to appear in the dreams of ponies whenever she wanted. Since she couldn't meet anypony face to face, she would have to use this skill often. Luna knew there was no way she could win alone. She would need allies, and she would pick and choose only the very best. Luna would fight, and she would win. She would fix her sister, find out whatever corrupted her, and destroy it. Of this, Luna was quite sure. But the fight would start here, this first night, with a dream.

Octavia's day went by like a blur. She played through her songs, yelled at Vinyl Scratch for spending all her money on hair gel, and knocked out most of her to-do list. Understandably, she was exhausted. She walked slowly up to her room, and collapsed onto her bed. She fell asleep almost instantly. She started dreaming, but this was no ordinary dream.

In it, she was standing in a cave. Directly in front of her was none other than Princess Luna. She looked beaten down and tired. Seeing Octavia now in the cave, she began to speak.

"Hello, Octavia Melody. There is much that we must discuss."

Octavia was surprised, even if it was just a dream.

Luna continued. "You are very important to what I need done. I know you are attentive and patient, and I will need you to listen carefully."

"I'm important? What could I possibly do? I mean, it's not like I'm a princess or anything," she said.

"Don't discount yourself, Octavia," said Luna. "You are much more powerful than you know. Now, as I said, I will need you to listen."

Luna told her the entire story, from the beginning.

"That's unbelieveable. How could Celestia do something like that?"

Luna shook her head. "I don't know. But I do know that something made her do it. I need to save her, and I can't do it alone. That's where you come in."

"Just me? I don't think one average pony will make a difference in this."

"You won't be alone. I need you and several others, including your friend. Vinyl Scratch was her name, I believe. You're all very important. I just need you to promise me that you will be loyal and persevere, because it won't be easy. There will be times when you will want to give up, but you must not."

Luna suddenly looked very young and scared.

"Please. I know my sister is still in there somewhere. I need your help."

"Yes, I will help you. You have my word," said Octavia. "But how will I know when to begin?"

"When I am ready, I will find you," said Luna. "Thank you so very much. I will leave now. It's almost time to wake up."

She stomped her hoof on the ground, and the dream started to fade.

"Goodbye, Octavia Melody. We will meet again soon."

The dream went black, and Octavia woke with a start.