There's No Such Thing as Monsters

by BigMannOnCampus

Rating: teen
Tags: Slice of Life, DJ P0N-3, Lyra, Gore, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Romance, Original Character, Octavia, Comedy, Bon-Bon
Length: 3543

Octavia's strange tendencies after the Nightmare Night festival are beginning to concern Vinyl Scratch and all of her friends.

A few days following the grand festival of Nightmare Night, Octavia Melody and her best friend Vinyl Scratch have their lives flipped upside down once Octavia begins to act a lot stranger than usual, especially around her best friend. But once Vinyl discovers the secret that could have been too much to handle, their bond grows closer, and their home-life begins to warp into something entirely different due to Octavia's changes and unwanted visitors showing up at their door.

(This is a Vamppony pic, just informing you now :twilightsmile:)

Published 2015-05-21 22:50:02 UTC
Last updated 2015-05-23 00:41:05 UTC

Nightmare Night

"Cheers, Octy!" A slightly scratchy but a feminine voice said, the sound of two wine-glasses clanking together followed quickly. Octavia's lips twitched into a smile at her friend's out-going attitude. They were both at the grand Nightmare Night festival, where foals went around in costumes and collected candy from ponies who probably desperately wanted sleep. This wasn't the case for Vinyl Scratch or Octavia, they were attending a party that the young ponies dubbed The Grown-up Party, which was true. Both Vinyl and Octavia have drunken themselves into a light buzz and they have only been there for around thirty minutes.

"You know, Vinyl, it was a magnificent idea coming out to attend this party with you." She sipped her glass of wine, "Thank you for coaxing me into going."

"Don't worry about it, Octy." she grinned widely at her friend, Octavia sipped her drink once again. Vinyl Scratch was currently dressed up as a vamppony, and Octavia herself was dressed up as the reanimated corpse of Beethooven, a legendary classical music artist. Her costume was extremely well done, even if she wasn't one for dressing up, unless the time called for it. Which was mostly at formal occasions that she attended quite often due to her social status. Suddenly, a voice spoke up from in-between them at the table they were seated.

"Hey, Guys!" Yet another feminine voice spoke, sounding overly hyperactive. The mare had a magic mint coat and a colorful cyan tail and mane, which had a white streak passing through it smoothly. Her cutie-mark resembled a Lyre, an instrument not used by ponies very often now-a-days. Octavia and Vinyl knew this pony well, her name was Lyra Heartstrings. Her always happy-go-lucky attitude tended to make everyone around her enlightened, along with her fairly naive state at all times. Vinyl looked over, smiling faintly.

"Hey Lyra! How's it going between you and Bon-Bon?" Vinyl asked, sharing the same energy as Lyra. Octavia just smiled politely, being a quiet mare herself.

"Great! Except for the fact that-" Lyra was interrupted by a fairly deep mare's voice.

"Heeey.. Everypony." The table was slammed by a mare with a beige coat and a beautiful blue mane with a rose pink streak, her cerulean eyes slightly glazed over. Lyra and Vinyl giggled, but Octavia jolted at the sudden disturbance and stared wide-eyed at the pony named Bon-Bon. Slowly adverting her gaze.

"H-hey, Bon-Bon," Octavia replied, albeit shakily.

"Heeey! Octavia!" She slurred, "How was your morning?" then suddenly paused, taking a full moment to realize what she said. "Err.. night!" then chuckled sheepishly. Vinyl and Octavia smiled at the sight, Lyra had to stifle a laugh. Lyra scanned both of her friend's expressions. When suddenly Bon-Bon staggered away from the table for a moment, and got close to Octavia's ear, and whispered.

"You know, you look sexier than u-" Suddenly, a hoof wrapped around her neck and pulled her back, Lyra had Bon-Bon in her grasp, who seemed confused that she was magically moving away from Octavia.

"Heheheh. ." Lyra laughed, it sounded hollow. "You know, me and Bon-Bon should be getting back to our house now, it's kinda late.." She paused, then glared at a now frightened Bon-Bon "Right? Bon-Bon?"

"S-sure!" She stammered. Lyra then proceeded to quite literally drag a horrified Bon-Bon away, Octavia was still slightly shocked for what Bon-Bon had told her, even if she was in an intoxicated state. Her costume was a reanimated corpse! She felt ashamed that she actually attracted somepony to her with her costume, and mentally facehoofed. Vinyl watched both of them walk away before returning her attention to Octavia. Who just finished her drink, the Cellist took notice that Vinyl already finished three.

"So, whatcha wanna do now?" Vinyl inquired

"I don't know, maybe we should head home, i'm getting tired," Octavia replied, and it was true, it was around two o' clock in the morning. She usually went to bed at around ten PM.

"Okay! Sounds fine with me, gimme a second to say goodbye to Lyra and Bon-Bon, you can head home though."

"Alright." Octavia turned away and began to take the long trek back to her apartment building, the party was outside and at that time not as nearly as many ponies were still attending it as before, and the ones still there were most likely drunk out of their minds. As she walked down the isolate concrete road back to her house, she took notice how Ponyville's streets were at night. They were desolate and her hoofsteps echoed, she can only see because of the few lanterns that have been hung up for such an occasion. She felt relieved that they were only staying in Ponyville for a few more nights, as she walked. She saw a sign of life up ahead, a crimson red mare with a mahogany colored mane, she came around the corner up ahead and looked directly at Octavia, as if it expected her to be there, walking, all alone. Octavia froze at the sight, with a puzzled expression.

"Hello?" She called to the unknown figure, who responded nearly immediately, and Octavia's creeping fear suddenly faded.

"Hi! I didn't expect anypony to be up so late, were you at the party?" The mare chirped happily, she nearly galloped over, a spring in her every step. She looked at Octavia with a wide smile once in front of her. "Mind if I walk with you? These streets are scary at this hour."

"Uh.. S-sure?" Octavia was taken back by the mare's very kind nature. It was almost unnerving since it wasn't very common in her hometown, she wasn't so sure about here, either. People in Ponyville were very polite, Vinyl told me. she reminded herself. The mare bounced up and down

"Hurray!" She cheered, then calmed back down rather quickly and began to walk alongside Octavia. A faint smile still across her face, Octavia was finally able to see the Mare's eyes from that distance, they were a crimson red color. Which disturbed Octavia but was also mysteriously mesmerized by their beauty, she couldn't stop staring. The mare took notice of this and giggled,

"Like my eyes? They're really uncommon among most ponies!" She said with pride, then decided that was a good time to introduce herself. "My name is Moonlight Prophecy, what's yours?"

"Octavia," the cellist simply replied.

The rest of the walk was very uneventful, they both held an uncomfortable silence and Moonlight Prophecy kept staring at Octavia, but Octavia didn't know what she was examining on her, right below her chin, maybe something was there? Nearing the end of the walk, Moonlight was breathing very heavily and it was very audible in the silence.

"Moonlight, are you.. Alright?" Octavia asked with true concern for the mare, she shouldn't be out of breath.

"Yeah.. Just.. Just chill," she replied, her voice being fairly quieter than usual and less upbeat than when they first met. Octavia eyed Moonlight for a moment, then had an idea.

"I could carry you if your tired, i'm used to carrying a cello around all the time that weighs more than me," she suggested, Moonlight's eyes widened.

"No no no no. I decline."

"Nonsense!" Octavia exclaimed and with a swift move, sent Moonlight up into the air and onto her back, Octavia was very strong because she carries a boulder of an instrument nearly everywhere she goes to perform, and this other earth-pony weighed nearly nothing compared to her cello. She began to trot along back towards her establishment, but was quickly unnerved by Moonlight's lack of protest, just a steady rhythmic breathing into her ear. She began to pick up her pace so she can reach home and say goodbye to this mare, soon, she was running as fast as she could. But the breathing never ceased, the dark streets were slowly beginning to resonate a feeling of hate and emptiness that Octavia could not comprehend, she slowed down to a walk right outside of her apartment building. It was fairly in good condition. She smiled at the sight of her home, like a haven among all the other houses. Until she stopped abruptly in shock when she heard a familiar voice.

"Shhh, it'll all be over soon," it cooed.

Octavia suddenly felt the mare seemingly nuzzle into the back of her neck, she cringed up and stood completely still, unable to move or respond. She couldn't begin to understand what this pony was doing, suddenly, she heard a slight hissing noise and felt the entire right side of her neck going numb in seconds.

"Ahh.." Octavia let out slightly, taking a step to the side, was it just her or was it getting darker? She felt something slowly rushing down the side of her neck and dripping onto the ground, she looked down at it, her eyes widening at the steady pace of her blood dripping onto the sidewalk, beginning to feel weak, she slammed the mare on top of her into a nearby wall weakly. "Stop.." Octavia mumbled, trying to stay awake, she repeated, slamming this opposing force into the wall once again. But to no avail, she was simply too weak. She staggered out into the middle of the street and attempted to walk towards her house, but there seemed to be an invisible barrier of darkness blocking her, she struggled to break through it. She could feel the disturbing feeling of her body seemingly being drained of power, and began to slump down to the ground.

Succumbing to the darkness.

Author's Note

So, my first work of effort.

It's been awhile since I have done anything with this account, but why not now? I am an amateur writer, just to inform you once again, so this isn't a work of art or anything close to that. Whether I continue or not depends on the feedback, comments would be awesome as well.

Now all of you have a great day! :pinkiehappy:

Ignition

Right from the moment I woke up, I knew it wasn't going to be a fun day.

As I sat up from Vinyl's rundown couch, I swore that I heard my bones creaking with every movement, I let out a wince as I contorted my body into a stretch, which was tremendously painful. I scanned my surroundings, and almost immediately realized I was in Vinyl's room, the garbage poking out of every crevice told me so. I let out a sigh, ignoring the smell of rotting pizza and focusing more on the sound of soft snoring coming from behind me. I craned my neck to look directly at her bed, where a marshmellow-colored DJ lay there, curled up, I noted that her left hindleg was slightly twitching. A deeper part of my brain saw that as adorable, I didn't allow the thought to make it's presence known even more throughout my mind and quickly disposed of it, focusing on what happened last night. I only wake up on Vinyl's couch if I was severely drunk the night before, my brain then attempted to focus on last night. To no success, I remembered nothing. So I assumed that I was just very drunk, very unlike me, but probably true. Vinyl makes me do things I regret, but she's still an awesome friend.

I slowly climbed off of the couch, nearly tripping on an empty pizza box below me, stifling what would of been a very childish yelp. I began to approach the door to leave, intending not to wake her up. I wrapped my hoof around the handle and slowly opened the door, slipping through once it was open enough to squeeze my body through. I shut it behind me and found myself in the Kitchen, the Living Room connected by a doorway, the bathroom was on the opposite side. And if you wished to leave, right in the middle across from me was the door to the stairway for our apartment. I never actually understood why the entrance would be in the Kitchen, but why should I care?

Realizing that the curtains were closed, I instinctively walked over to them and flung them open.

Much to my regret.

I let out a hiss and staggered away from the golden, seemingly innocent rays of sunlight filtering in, the pain was agonizing when it touched my body. I stumbled like a drunken mare towards the bathroom, whimpering. I flung the door open and it made an audible bang, looking straight at the mirror that hung over the sink, it seemed like the only option to solve this immediate problem, which was so obvious that I didn't even need to think to go and check myself out in the mirror.

I saw myself, yes, but there was something horribly wrong with me, Octavia Melody. The first thing that I picked up was that I no longer wore my signature bow-tie and instead there was dried blood stained into my fur, it had trickled my side from two pinprick-like holes. My eyes began to widen as I examined the rest of my body, my mane was matted and unkempt, stained blood also sprinkled into it. Speaking of my eyes, they scared me the most. They were still their usual pale purple color, but the look I had in my eyes unnerved me greatly.

They were darker than usual, shaded even. They had a glint of desire directed at seemingly nothing, instead of their normal calm and warm embrace it now seemed cold and dark, much like the eyes of a killer. Maybe a wolf on the hunt?

I took a few steps back, Vinyl definitely would've brought me to the hospital if she saw me like this. How did I even get home? What even happened last night? My brain was beginning to overload, the weight of the questions growing substantially after this shocking discovery. I shut my mouth, which was gaping at my own sight, a morbid part of my mind wanted to laugh at such a thing.. Scared by your own appearance, silly Octy.

I needed to solve this dilemma, the two options I had were very bleak. If Vinyl saw me in my current state, she would probably be horrified and flee. If I hid this, Celestia knows what could happen to me. What if I have some sort of crippling disease? No.. That doesn't explain the weird look in my eyes. My brain was trying to solve the problem, but was beginning to fail, so, without much thought. I simply decided to wrap a shawl around my condition and hide it from Vinyl, but if she knew, it'd be a lot easier to explain.

I began by trotting into my room (Very clean when compared to Vinyl's) and desperately searching for my signature bow-tie, which I could not find. So I simply went into my wardrobe and grabbed a black one, not exactly pretty. But it'd have to do. I went back to the bathroom and put it on, it easily covered up my wound. I then reached into the lower cabinets below the sink and grabbed a small washcloth, wetting it with the water from the sink, I patted the blood staining my coat, and it came off easily much to my relief. I finished off by grabbing my brush and brushing my mane back to its normal, smooth state.

I felt refreshed after cleaning up my previously horrid state. Walking back into the kitchen, I decided that I'd make breakfast for me and Vinyl. But the light oozing in from the window after I pulled the curtains kept catching my eye, I cautiously approached the light, which seemed way too bright, and in a flash. I grabbed the curtains and yanked them shut, preventing anymore problems. I didn't bother contemplating why I was scorched when the light touched me, my brain was already heavily scatterbrained.

I decided that I would make pancakes for Vinyl and me, going through the usual routine of making breakfast for both of us. I felt mysteriously disgusted by the food i'm making. Maybe I wasn't hungry?

Suddenly, Vinyl burst out of her room, yawning. Before blinking and taking notice of me, I jolted slightly.

"Hey! Morning Octy! Come back from whatever you were doing last night?" She asked, albeit groggily.

"Uh.. Yes, of course," I weakly responded. She doesn't know, Octavia.. It's all good, play it cool.

Vinyl walked over and sat at the table in the middle of a Kitchen, a very odd set-up for an apartment, but I liked it. Sliding a plate of freshly-made pancakes towards her, it had chocolate chips sprinkled onto it. Her favorite.

"Thanks Octy!" Pause, "So, where did you go last night?" Then mumbled under her breath, "Probably to some snotty formal place to play your cello."

"Oh, uh, I went to attend another small gathering amongst the elites of the Canterlot society, I played the background music for them as they gossiped about the latest news along with my Colleagues." I was surprised about how solid my lie was, but also felt guilty for lying. The truth was that I had no idea what occurred last night, and I was also disturbed that I wasn't home when Vinyl got home, which was usually very late. Considering it is Vinyl Scratch.

"Called it!" She abrasively yelled, but then silenced herself and apologized. I didn't take much notice, walking over and sitting across from her with my plate, she began to devour her meal hungrily. Living with Vinyl Scratch was much like living with a Dragon that had no consideration for manners, tidiness, or punctuality. But had the power to make everypony in the room happy, along with herself, just by her mere presence. The thought made me smile slightly, but that didn't change the fact that I just meekly poked at my food, not bothering to even take a bite. Something was very wrong, I had no desire to eat, and felt sick just staring at Vinyl messily tear through her pancakes. But found myself staring at her, staring past her maybe? No.. I'm not even looking at her face.

I realized how.. Suggestive that sounded, and how I could have been looking other.. places. I felt a fairly unfamiliar tingle in my face, but I knew exactly what it meant. Vinyl stared at me when I meekly smiled and tried to look away, hiding my face with one hoof. Vinyl took it upon herself to tease me, she waggled her eyebrows. Her eyes taking on a more seductive look.

"Ooooh, Tavi, what's the matter~?" She said in a smoky voice. My reaction was to hide my face even more, I wanted to sink into the floor and disappear. Vinyl was trying not to laugh, but her efforts were in vain and she bursted out laughing. Making me even more flushed, I shrunk down.

"What's up with you suddenly putting on a show of colors with your face for no reason?" Vinyl asked in between laughter.

"N-none of your business," I desperately replied

"Thinking about this sexy flank here? Hmmm?"

"Ugh, Shutup Vinyl." I sat back up, my face still red.

"Was that a yes?"

I thought I heard a sliver of hope in her voice, but I didn't respond or make note of it, I changed the subject.

"Want my pancakes?"

"Sure do."

After the saddening (and possibly maddening) ordeal with Vinyl, she had to go off to some gig that she was doing and setup for it, which gave me a lot of spare time to just think.. Think about what happened earlier, both with Vinyl and the "Disease."

To my displeasure, I had no explanation for both of them. The "Disease" thing was very nerve-wracking, and I needed to investigate more. I decided to experiment with the light from outside, the lights inside of my house weren't different. But the sunlight quite literally burned me.

I slowly stuck my hoof out into the sunlight, and resisting to pull back, I let it bask in the light. I felt horrible pain, as if my hoof was on fire. But no, there wasn't any physical injuries visible. It just hurt to have my body exposed to the sunlight. Odd. What are these wounds on my neck even from? Why do have this look of a killer? So many questions..

I was right, the questions were beginning to pile up and become more and more unbearable, night slowly descended over Canterlot and I decided to throw in the towel for now and call it a night. Slowly walking towards my bed, thankful that it could provide comfort without words. I climbed in and slid under the covers, greedily wrapping the blanket around me.

And then, I fell into a dreamless sleep.

Author's Note

*Gasp*FIRST PERSON NOW? WOAAAHAOEHAEOWHAODAWHOWA *Mind Blown*

Yep, changed it to first person Octy, since it will express the character's feelings more (At least for Octavia) and I have already laid down the basic emotions for all the characters with third person. Now i'm going to focus on the most Dynamic character's feelings, which is OCTAVIA WHEWWWEEE! (Along with Vinyl, obviously.)