Anarchy in the Equestrian Nation

Author's Note: I decided to switch perspective from third person limited to first person, from Union Jack's POV, as well as employ a timeskip. Some chapters will be in the form of Union Jack's journal entries, some will be past-tense narratives. I promise all of you that some of the Mane Six (plus cameos from characters in my first story!) will appear in minor roles next chapter. Enjoy!

December 13

It's been a few months since I first scratched a song together with Turntable, and the last few weeks of it has been sad. A few days after I was dubbed DJ Firebomb (that is to say, when I completed my training with Vinyl and Turntable the week before last), Turntable moved to Manehattan with Vinyl. I've been filling the void with playing at various clubs across town, even at the final show of Radio Havok before Octavia, Vinyl's old (and admittedly bitchy) roommate, converted it into an orchestra practice hall. Dad bought me a portable turntable set for my birthday, and it's been serving me well. I got a lot of cool presents that birthday, most from the Outcasts, and one from Cheerilee. Still, nothing has been able to fix my generally bad mood. Even hanging out with the Outcasts hasn't helped. I guess that's because the Outcasts aren't the same anymore, not without Turntable. I found out he was the first Outcast, and while I knew he was the de facto leader, I never expected that. When he moved, he left a note that put a sinking feeling in my heart, mostly because of the finality it gave the whole thing.

Union Jack,

With me gone, the Outcasts need a leader. I trust you to take it up, given that you're the oldest (Vagabond's younger than you think.) You've proven to be a great friend, and I'll never forget you or the Outcasts, no matter where I go or what happens to me. I'll write to you guys as often as I can, but in Manehattan, that's not going to be often. Mom says best wishes to you and all the other Outcasts. We'll miss all of you.

Sincerely,

Turntable

P.S. I hope you like my birthday present for you. Get good use from them.

I had framed that note, and the two letters he'd sent since then, and hung them above my bed, below my replica katana set that Manga gave me. I've taken to wearing Turntable's headphones, his parting gift to me, in addition to my mask. The paint on the mask was beginning to flake now, but I don't care. I just need to get someone to repaint it. I don't live with Dad anymore, not since he was arrested for drug use a week ago (Who can blame him? His job was effing stressful!). A friend's dad adopted me, and that's where I've been living since. I live with Clockwork now. His dad and I get along well, and Clockwork's pretty cool. But that doesn't mean I don't miss Dad. Gearbox is a nice guy, caring and friendly, but he's just not the same. Clock and I don't hang out much, due to him working a lot. I mostly mope around town. There's not much to do here in Ponyville, not since the Outcasts all went on family vacations for winter break. Winter break started yesterday, and they already left. Two more weeks till they come back. Two more weeks of wandering town all on my lonesome. Misfortune is befalling me left and right recently. The only thing I can take solace in is the music I make. And even that's not much, mostly because I can't play when Gearbox is home. Which is nearly all the time.

I wish I had something to do.

Signed,

Union Jack