The unicorn yawned loudly, getting up from her bed and hopping onto the floor. The swirly blue and red carpet stood out boldly against the white walls and purple musical notes. She turned and made her bed, splaying the psychedelic colored blanket back into place. She trotted to the bathroom and looked into the mirror eagerly beginning to comb her multi shaded mane into place. Her red eyes glowed with happiness as she lifted her purple shades up, slipping them onto her face. Instantly everything became darker and a party mood began running through her veins. Scratch let out a large grin and drank in her image a moment longer.
She trotted out to her kitchen and looked around her colored home. She let out a loud disgusted noise and rushed to her stereo turning it on immediately. The soft vibes began flowing from the speakers making Scratch wrinkle her nose a bit. Octavia had forgotten to collect her CD before she left the night before. She pushed the spin button and the next CD came on, her own mixes beginning to play. She dipped her head happily to the beat, beginning to slip into the music. Before she knew it her eggs were in the pan burning as she danced merrily to the beat. Scratch took in the burnt odor and nearly fell over gagging. She stopped and turned off the stove, shoving the pan off the hot burner. She raced over and opened a window trying to coax the smoke from her house.
The knock on the door was only faintly recognizable over the loud music. Scratch trotted to the door to open it, still moving to the beat of the music. Pinkie Pie grinned and bounced around. Scratch took in the pony’s image with a raised eyebrow. The pony leapt up and began dancing around. She wore a cake hat and confetti blasters. Scratch pretended to hear the words to the song as Pinkie Pie sang. Scratch looked around and spotted the controller. She picked it up, lowering her music’s volume just in time to hear the last line.
“-So let’s party till we drop!” Pinkie Pie’s confetti spewed out around her and fluttered into her house.
“Heh, sorry Pinkie. So we’ve got a party, right?” Scratch leaned against the door jamb crossing her legs.
“Yeah! Can you DJ, please, please, please, please?” Pinkie Pie bounced up and down. “Nopony can DJ better than you!”
“Well…” Scratch pretended to think while her heart expanded with pride. “I suppose so, when is the party anyways?”
“Tonight silly! Didn’t you listen to the song?” Pinkie Pie giggled. “It’s Gummy’s birthday party!”
“Alright Pinkie Pie, I’ll be there.” Scratch grinned and stood tall shaking hooves with the pink pony making her jiggle and loose balance.
“Yay, Gummy will be so happy you decided to DJ! He loves your music! Anyways, on to the next house!” Pinkie Pie began bouncing away to pester Scratch's neighbor.
Scratch shook her head laughing a bit as she closed the door, returning her music back to its original volume. She began gathering her things that she would need for the party, her turn tables being one of the main items. She felt her stomach rumble and she looked desperately over to her stove. Her eyes met the burnt eggs and she cringed. Scratch walked out the door, turning off her music, deciding she wasn’t that desperate yet.
Scratch moved out and into the morning air feeling the warm kiss of the sun greet her to the new day. She trotted easily along the side road and looked around longingly for somewhere to eat. Her stomach growled noisily, sending pangs through her body. “I know, sheesh, I’m working on it.”
“Get yer apples here!” Rang a feminine voice through the streets.
Scratch ran towards the voice and found the apple cart. Applejack and Big Macintosh stood beside it calling out for customers, trying to entice their appetites. Scratch grinned at Applejack giving her a few bits. “Two apples please, I’m famished!”
“Well sure Sugarcube!” Applejack smiled. Before anything more could be said Big Mac leaned down, placing a bag with two apples down next to her. The pony smiled kindly and stood up again, nice and tall.
“Good golly!” Cheered Scratch, “Macintosh, you’re huge! How have you been? I haven’t seen you in at least an entire season!”
“Eeyup. Been good, how ‘bout you?” The large red pony looked at his old classmate.
“I’ve been great! You daring me was the best thing you ever did for me Mac. Say, how about we chill downtown?” Scratch gazed at him remembering the day far in the past seasons ago.
The dark room shone dully with many decorations. The pelts of ponies stayed still as they clustered close to their friends. Scratch slowly walked in wearing a blue, slightly (yet fashionably) tattered dress. She had made sure the dress covered her bare flank when getting the dress. Scratch looked around for Octavia. The refined pony waved her over smiling kindly, her mane brushed out, dress pressed and pretty, her make-up done, leaving her looking like a flawless princess. Scratch considered making comment but didn’t know that Octavia would be busy telling the tale of how she earned her cutie mark to the other musical ponies.
Scratch glanced around noticing that everyone had received their cutie marks. This was their last time together as class mates. The next day they wouldn’t know each other as such, they would just see another adult pony on the streets. They were graduating and she was the only pony without a cutie mark. All the other ponies had gotten their cutie marks seasons ago; she was the only one without one. Octavia however, was supportive, and kept encouraging her friend to be herself and she would get her cutie mark when the time was right.
Scratch sighed a bit and looked around the room. Macintosh was surrounded by other ponies as they laughed and joked about life. Scratch watched the jock ponies play around a bit. She mustered up her courage and trotted over to Big Macintosh. “Heya Mac, what’s up?”
“Hey Vinyl.” Big Macintosh turned to look at her.
“Aw come on Mac, call me Scratch!” She smiled trying to ignore the pressure from the other ponies.
“Alright, Vinyl. I’ve been good, been workin’ on the farm. How ‘bout you?” Big Macintosh looked relaxed as he spoke.
“Heh, fine I guess. I think I should go, see you later guys.” Scratch rushed back over to Octavia, Bon Bon and Lyra. Big Macintosh gazed after her with a confused look on his face. She hung her head as she shied away from her oldest friend. They had been schooled together ever since the first day. As they grew older, they began splitting apart as they began finding out about who they were. They had always managed to talk but the pressure from the other colts was too much on her. Scratch listened wearily to the dull and lifeless music than sank like anvils in the still air. Nopony was dancing, a few would attempt to but quickly scuttle ashamedly back to their friends.
“This music sucks!” grumbled Scratch. “Somepony needs to get up there and fix it.”
“Maybe that somepony is you.” Big Macintosh’s voice trailed to her ears.
Scratch’s head shot up instantly and she looked up at the large red pony. “Hay no! I’m not going to go up there and make a fool of myself.” She began lowering her head again.
“I dare ya… Scratch,” The colt smiled in a supporting way, a dark glint in his eyes. “Or are ya a chicken?”
“I’m not a chicken!” Scratch puffed out her chest defiantly. “Nopony calls me a chicken.”
“Then prove it.” Macintosh nudged her.
“Fine, piece of cake.” Scratch began marching towards the stage. Heat began building in her cheeks and along her spine. She glanced back and noticed ponies turning their heads towards her. Their eyes seemed to sear holes into her. She knew she couldn’t back down or she would shame herself. She tossed her head and puffed out her chest marching up to the stage and the DJ station.
“Yo, pony, um, we don’t like the music. Mind if I give it a shot?” Scratch looked at the large brown colt.
“Pssh, like I care.” The colt stepped away from the turn tables.
Scratch took a deep breath, feeling everypony’s eyes on her. She snorted defiantly and looked at the glinting turn tables. She smiled to herself and her horn began to glow as she lifted the records out and put new ones it. They started playing and her head bobbed lightly as she listened to the beat. She grinned happily and began watching the records becoming transfixed with them. She reached out and stroked one of them; a loud scratching sound excreted the speakers. Her eyes widened as the ponies looked at her like she was a freak. Scratch thought quickly trying to figure out how she could pass that off as intentional. She began moving the record more slightly out of beat with the current music.
She felt a tingling on her flank. Scratch tossed her head more, becoming one with the music. She kept playing around beginning to find the perfect rhythm, her eyes never leaving the turn tables again. Scratch blinked as blue and white light burst around her. She winced at the strength of the light and tried to look around to see what it was. Her dress glowed and tried to tear away as the light penetrated it like it was nothing. As suddenly as the light appeared, it vanished. Scratch maneuvered and wriggled out of her dress gasping as her new cutie mark glowed faintly. Scratch grinned and jumped up and down cheering.
Before she knew it other ponies were cheering and egging her on. She jumped back behind the turn tables mixing and matching music, dancing as she did so. When she managed to look up, she noticed everypony was dancing, even Octavia. She whooped loudly and kept mixing music. She'd never felt so happy in her entire life, she never wanted the night to end.
“Well…” Big Macintosh thought, then glanced at his little sister. With a nod Applejack approved and he smiled. “Sure.”
“Great!” Scratch grabbed up her apples and trotted along beside her old friend.
Big Macintosh sat across from Scratch as they conversed about the past years in the park. Scratch watched Big Mac with softer eyes as he spoke in his slow drawl. Scratch had long ago eaten her apples from Sweet Apple Acers. The red pony before her kept smiling and shuffling slightly as he sat. Scratch sighed faintly, ignoring the world around her.
“What ‘bout you Scratch?” Macintosh looked at her.
“Well, ponies hire me for parties but that’s about it. I love parties but sometimes it is just nice to relax. Though I’ll admit, sometimes I wish there was more to my life than just that. My life is the same thing over and over again. Nothing has switched up in a long time. Frankly, it’s really dull, lifeless even.” Scratch hung her head in defeat. She had long ago given up trying to find something else. She hadn’t even thought about how true that was. She did the same thing day in and day out, no second thought. She lived a life of pure parties and few friends. Scratch moved closer to Big Mac trying to feel the comfort of another pony’s presence.
“Scratch, Scratch, Scratch!” Squealed a fast moving blur. Pinkie Pie stopped before the two ponies with wide eyes. “There is a new pony in town! I need you to DJ, please, please please?”
“Yeah, sure Pinkie Pie. When do you need me there?” Scratch got up, Big Macintosh doing the same.
“It’s a surprise party, so, now! The Library is where we are meeting, see ya later.” Pinkie Pie dashed away as fast as she had appeared.
“Well, I guess I should get back to Applejack.” Big Macintosh began moving away when Scratch reached out desperately.
“Um, C-can you please help me move my stuff? It’s at my house and I’ve got to get there pronto!” Scratch felt panic move up into her throat bathing her in sharp needle like shocks.
“Eeyup.” Big Macintosh turned around and began following Scratch down the long green road.
Scratch felt a tingle within her chest that ran down her legs and remained in her hooves. She tossed her mane and looked at Big Macintosh. “Want to race?” He looked at her with a mixture of confusion and longing. “Ready, steady, GO!”
Scratch began running down the stretch of road the tingling within her becoming more intense. Big Macintosh’s thundering gallop followed her and grew louder as he approached. She ran faster trying to outrun the large earth pony. The red legs of Big Mac came into her peripheral vision. Scratch ran faster and ignored the burning that was beginning to seep through her. Scratch gasped for air and continued striding out; her eyes wide as she watched the ground move away like a blur. Big Macintosh’s hot labored breath reached her ears and she tried harder knowing he was but moments away. Before Scratch realized it they were out of the forest and were dashing through town, narrowly avoiding crashing into other ponies.
Scratch slowed to a stop and gasped frantically for breath, her shades askew. Big Macintosh stopped beside her panting and gasping heavily. She looked over wearily to the large red pony. He wheezed and panted, sides heaving, much like hers. Scratch stumbled clumsily over to Big Macintosh and hoof-bumped his shoulder, almost falling over in the process.
“Nice job!” She gasped frantically, feeling light headed. “You keep up well Mac.”
“E-” Macintosh stopped and shook his head taking a step forward. “-yup.”
Scratch grinned slightly and weaved her way through the main street of Ponyville. Eventually their labored breaths ceased and were replaced by relaxed and natural breathing patterns. Big Macintosh kept up well and waited for Scratch to revile her home. The pair stopped by a mid-sized cottage that looked like the others on the block. Scratch trotted up to the door and opened it, happily trotting inside. She motioned for him to follow her into the vibrant home.
Scratch watched Big Mac look around her home with wide eyes. He ducked through the doorway slowly, his eyes swiveling every which way trying to take in all the details and fragments of colors. Scratch smiled lightly and led him deeper into her home to where she kept all of her equipment. The large pony took the bulk of the cords and her turn tables. Scratch gathered some more things and made her way back to Big Macintosh. She noticed Macintosh stopping in her hallway, looking at a photo. Scratch made her way around him and looked at the picture.
“I didn’t know you still had this.” Macintosh moved his head to revile their first year of school together. Scratch instantly felt herself slip away and into their first day.
“But Mommy!” Scratch protested, tears in her eyes as her mother began walking away.
“Be good Scratch, I’ll see you in a few hours.” Her mother’s sweet voice wrapped around her, consoling her for a moment longer before the reminder that she was leaving. Scratch whimpered and began trying to follow before her teacher took over, moving her towards the other young ponies.
The other ponies watched each other with wide eyes. A red colt, taller than all the others, moved over towards her. His golden mane and tail contradicted his red coat. Scratch looked up at him with wide eyes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Macintosh looked at the small white unicorn with a blue mane and tail. Her eyes widened as he stared at her. He felt his heart race as his fear for the first day of school began thickening. He sat beside the white unicorn trying to make himself smaller.
“Wh-Who are you?” trembled the white unicorn. Her mane was much like all the other mares he had seen that day.
“Big Macintosh.” He became quiet once more as he watched the unicorn.
“Vinyl!” The young unicorn jumped into an alert posture. Her blue mane seemed to poof up a bit. “I’m not scared of any pony. Let’s play Big Macintosh!”
Big Macintosh looked over to where Granny Smith stood. She nodded encouragingly and looked at the unicorn as well. “O-Okay I guess.” Macintosh stood up and backed up a few steps as the unicorn reared up and began bouncing around. He looked at Granny doubtfully and she nodded again giving him a warm smile.
“Watch out!” Big Macintosh chased after the white unicorn feeling a spark of happiness ignite within him. Vinyl squealed in surprise and dashed faster dodging behind a flower pot. The two laughed and circled each other around the pot staying just out of the other’s reach. Vinyl jumped from the pot and began racing back towards the other foals. Big Macintosh laughed happily and tore after her making it a point to catch up with her.
“Come on kids, let’s go, time for pictures!” The teacher moved the two into the lines. Big Macintosh grinned wide and sat still while Vinyl sat beside him happily and leaned into his shoulder and made a face at the camera.
Big Macintosh looked at the picture with warm eyes remembering the day that sparked their friendship. He looked back at his friend now. Not too much had changed about her through the years. She was still outgoing, laughing at danger, and playing by herself. She was the wild one while he was reserved and quiet.
He sighed inwardly wishing he could see her eyes again. Ever since she got her cutie mark her red eyes were hidden behind her shades. He missed seeing her, but the work on the farm needed done. He decided he would help her then get out of there as soon as possible. They looked at each other for a few moments before Scratch grinned.
“Come on, let’s get going.” Scratch lead the way through the door. “So, tomorrow is the Summer Sun Celebration! Are you going to stay up tonight?”
“Eeyup.” Macintosh followed her, wondering why she was asking. “Every pony does.”
“Then come to the party! We’ll have a lot of fun.” Scratch tossed her mane the shades of blue shimmering.
“I suppose,” Big Macintosh sighed, “I can go.”
Later that evening Scratch watched the door from her turn tables in the pure darkness. The door opened and then shut quickly. Scratch felt her blood begin rushing through her veins. The lights flicked on to revile a baby dragon and a purple pony with streaks of pink on her mane and tail.
“Surprise!” They yelled happily.
Scratch began playing her music happily her head instantly nodding to the beat, her heart becoming alive with the music. Scratch listened to the music and looked around slowly. Most everyone in Ponyville was there. As her eyes landed on Big Macintosh a winged gray pegasus flew into view landing uneasily. Scratch looked at the other’s eyes. Instantly she knew the gray pegasus pony was Derpy Hooves. Though her real name was Ditzy Doo everypony called her Derpy.
Scratch walked away from her turn tables, the music still pouring from the speakers. “Hey Ditzy!”
The pegasus turned her head and smiled waving a hoof. She didn’t talk much but when she did, she spoke only a few words here and there. She made her way over to Scratch a bit clumsily but quickly regaining a normal stride.
“How are you?” Scratch tried making conversation. She knew that not everypony liked to talk to Derpy. Derpy smiled more and Scratch smiled back. Suddenly something green came from the shelves of books within the library, landing on Derpy. She gasped in horror and fear and began unfurling her wings. The creature moved up and began gnawing on her ear. She looked up at the creature seeing it fully.
Scratch began laughing as the green pet came to view. Gummy blinked almost mindlessly as he kept gumming Derpy’s ear. Pinkie Pie was nowhere to be seen to collect her restless pet. Scratch looked at the pet and trotted over allowing him the option to stand on her. Pinkie Pie had been having a party for Gummy every month since she got him. She had been playing for Gummy’s parties and had finally pieced together what he wanted. Gummy had something to say when he began gnawing (or gumming) somepony’s ear. Gummy dropped down and his mouth wrapped around her ear. His soft and salivating mouth made her shiver as she made her way towards the door.
Scratch trotted outside, Gummy still on her ear. “What’s up buddy?”
Gummy dropped from her ear and looked up at her. Scratch’s horn glowed faintly as the spell made its way to Gummy. “Finally! Tomorrow is the Summer Sun Celebration and I want to go.”
Scratch looked at him skeptically. “I don’t know Gummy… if Pinkie Pie finds out she won’t be very happy that I’ve been endangering you with the outside world and so many hooves to tread on you.”
“But Scratch, please. I really want to go this year!” Gummy blinked his large purple eyes.
Scratch looked at the pet and thought about her options. She watched him a moment longer then sighed. “Fine Gummy, you can tag along this year. But we’re leaving early so we can get you back safe and sound without having Pinkie Pie freak out.”
The pet grinned toothlessly and followed Scratch inside. He hid himself away from sight to be collected later. Scratch rolled her eyes a bit but smiled. She enjoyed Gummy’s company and thought of him as a friend. The creature had given her company and made her laugh when ever she needed to DJ for Pinkie’s parties.
“Hey Macintosh, want to go to the Summer Sun Celebration with me?” Scratch mumbled before the mirror quietly. She moved away and repeated it time and time again trying to convince herself she wasn’t asking him on a date. She took a few breathers before saying it louder this time smiling to herself.
“What was that?” asked the deep voice of her friend.
Shivers went up and down Scratch’s spine as she turned around to see the large red pony. “Oh, uh, hey Macintosh! Um, I was just talking to myself. Like always, heh!” Scratch grinned uneasily. “So, uh, do you want to go to the Summer Sun Cele-”
“Eeyup.” Big Macintosh smiled. “I was just ‘bout to ask you the same thing.”
Scratch grinned happily and jumped up and down slightly. She watched the large red pony as he sat down beside her. Scratch continued playing her music dancing around a bit with joy. She felt something within her chest that she hadn’t felt before.
Scratch stood beside Big Macintosh as ponies filed into the surrounding area trying to be close to where the princess would be to raise the sun. Gummy rested upon Scratch’s head, using her horn to help him sit up. The birds began singing a beautiful melody as they waited with anxious eyes for the princess to appear. The purple curtains opened with a quick motion to revile an empty balcony. They gasped in collective horror as Princess Celestia was missing. Scratch’s breath caught in her throat with panic as it raged through her body.
The cruel maniacal laughter echoed through the air as the dark pony appeared. Big Macintosh snorted in anger stomping his hoof on the ground. Scratch trembled with a mixture of fear and anger. Gummy gurgled continuously. As the shadowy pony looked around Scratch caught her eyes and felt her heart chill. She whimpered a bit and listened to the dark pony laugh again before turning into shimmering smoke and vanishing into the night sky. Big Macintosh rushed outside and looked around hurriedly. Scratch gasped and followed trying to stay close to her one source of comfort. She glanced around as shadowy figures vanished into the bushes by surrounding homes.
“Scratch, that nasty mare could have taken the princess, we have to get her back!” Big Macintosh snorted and puffed.
“No… but something tells me something else might have a clue.” Scratch reared up, her fear expelled being replaced by raw anger. “Come on Big Macintosh, we’re going to find out what’s going on!” Scratch leapt forward anger pumping through her veins. “We’re going to save Equestria!”
