OctaScratch-The Movie

Octavia Philharmonica sat and waited outside the office of one of the most powerful ponies in the world of music, Record Breaker. It was said that no pony in Equestria could aspire to be more then an unlicensed busker without his support.

Did I do or say anything wrong to be summoned here? It's not my fault that Pinkie Pie decided to run amuck onstage and sing the Pinkie Pokey Song at the Grand Galloping Gala. There were no security ponies handy because nopony expects any of those noble ponies who are normally invited to invade the stage. Maybe it's a good thing-he want's to congratulate me, or he has found some long forgotten symphony or piece of new classical music that he wants me to play in front of the great and the good. That must be it. I have nothing to worry about.

Her thoughts were interrupted when a uniformed flunkey summoned her into Record Breaker's office. Record Breaker wore several thick gold chains and his cutie mark was that of a record with a golden note on it, surrounded by gold bits. He grinned when he saw her. "Octavia Philharmonica, welcome. I want you to meet a pony that I think is one of your friends, Vinyl Scratch." The flunkey ushered in Vinyl Scratch, a pony with a note cutie mark, a shock of blue mane and a pair of dark glasses. Octavia knew her slightly; they had chatted a couple of times, but that was all. They had no reason to dislike each other, but they moved in totally different circles and different styles of music and had very little in common.

"Octavia, Vinyl, I've decided that you two are meant for each other. Just picture this, Octavia...you are at one of the clubs that Vinyl DJs at, and you fall in love with this gorgeous unicorn. Vinyl, you see this really pretty grey Earth pony and you too fall in love with her at first sight. What a wonderful celebrity couple you two will make. You'll go out on dates together at all the best places...take long romantic walks together...hoof on hoof...look lovingly into each other's eyes and kiss in front of the cameras. And you'll move in with each other too and sleep in the same bed together like lovers do. And the interviews that you will do...the interviews about how you two met and how much you love and cherish each other. And after two or three years together, when the relationship is solid...the wedding! It'll be the biggest one since the royal wedding of Captain Shining Armour and Princess Cadence-hopefully without being attacked by a changeling hive this time. And we'll make a movie about it-OctaScratch the Movie, and you two will live happily ever after together. All those bits that I can make out of your relationship-it'll make me into an even richer pony then I am already."

There was silence. Vinyl Scratch's mouth had dropped open in horror and Octavia's eyes were wide. Octavia was the first to speak. "I...I'm not homophobic, but I personally prefer stallions. And even if I was to fall in love with another mare...no offence meant to you, Vinyl, but....Vinyl Scratch is not my type. She and I have nothing in common apart from both being musical ponies. We can't become a couple."

Vinyl nodded and said "What makes you think that you can just...ship us together like this, as if you were some perverted fanfiction writer? I do like mares, but I'm certainly not willing to commit to any mare at the moment until I find my true love. I'm a rolling stone when it comes to romance, I'm a love them and leave them pony. You can't expect me to give that up and settle down with a pony that I barely know-and marry her and spend the rest of my life with her."

"Oh, but I can. Either you will co-operate or I'll take your Equestrian Musician Union cards away. Vinyl, no club will legally be able to hire you. With no more bits flowing in, how will you pay your mortgage or pay rent? You'll be out on the street, do you hear me? OUT ON THE STREET. You won't even be able to busk legally. You'll be surviving on grass and dreading the onset of winter when I'm through with you. Octavia, you're a bit richer then Vinyl, so you'll be able to live on your savings for much longer, but your concert days will be over, and I'll withdraw all your recorded music from sale. Your musical career will also be at an end. Either you two will be the lovers that I want you to be, or I will make sure that both of you never make any bits out of music again. Do you two understand?"

Octavia hung her head. "I understand." Vinyl nodded. "So do I."

"Now kiss. In front of me."

Vinyl and Octavia both blushed under their fur and Vinyl walked up and planted a quick kiss on Octavia's forehead. Record Breaker snorted and sat at his desk.

"I meant on the lips. With tongues. I want to see you two kissing like you really mean it."

Octavia's stomach churned but she did what she was told, kissing Vinyl on the lips and then opening her mouth slightly. She longed to wipe her mouth afterwards but she knew Record Breaker was watching, so she left the kiss on, not wanting to think about what Record Breaker might be doing to himself under the desk.

"Tonight Vinyl will be DJing at " Club Ponyfeathers." You, Octavia, will go there-I will have made sure in advance that the bouncers let you in-and your eyes will meet across a crowded dance floor. You will dance together and kiss and I will have arranged for a photo to be taken of you two kissing, that will soon be all over the music sections of the press. The start of your lifelong coupledom together. I will personally be watching you two-and things had better appear genuine, or else."

Octavia left the room with her stomach churning, feeling disgusted. How can he do this to me and Vinyl and get away with it? This is so wrong for both of us. Thoughts of having to hold Vinyl...kiss her...gaze into her eyes...and live with her, filled her head.