Lesson 0: How To Grab Attention
Manehatten Sky High Club, one of the most upbeat party palaces that Equestria has to offer. The sound of intoxicated ponies dancing and cheering through the booming bass resonating into the air, the bass bumping so hard the ground shook from the inside out, almost knocking some passers by off their feet. The flashing multicolored lights streaking around the room would make a pony with unaccustomed eyes almost go into hysteria, the music so loud it had a force of a full on buck. Regardless of all that, ponies danced and raved to the beat with reckless abandon as their bodies swerved and swayed with an excited insanity to the rhythm. Upon the stage of the club stood a mare with a pearly white coat, her eyes covered by bluish-purple tinted shades, her mane a wild mix of cerulean, turquoise and cyan. She wore a necklace of glow sticks around her neck, a blue and white striped bikini top over her relatively sized chest, black booty shorts and a large grin on her face.
She worked her hands along the smooth plating of her disks as they scratched and whirred, slowing down and speeding up in just the right places. This expert mixer, this killer beat dropper was none other than the renowned musical sensation, DJ P0N-3. The sound of building tension in the air and ground alike grew louder and did so before it suddenly stopped, everyone in the room freezing as they glanced to the stage for their musical mistress to come back before she called out, "Let's drop this motherfucker!" At that moment, the music returned with a vengeance and burst from the speakers, almost blowing everyone in the room back as they cheered and began dancing even harder than before, making her laugh and dance with them.
From the bar however was her main and biggest fan, as well as her housemate, Octavia. She smiled and watched her dance, though she sometimes didn't enjoy this type of music she came to every one of Vinyl's shows without fail. She sat cross-legged in a pair of grey slacks and a purple vest with her signature pink bowtie around her neck, not wanting Vinyl to mistake her for one of the 'ruffians' as she put it. She reached over to her side and grasped a wine glass, taking a light sip as she sighed, thankful Vinyl was able to talk them into holding such a 'light drink'. She wasn't always happy with having such a destructively loud roommate, but it always had it's perks to be sure.
Octavia was soon pulled from her inner peace by someone sitting on the bar stool next to her, leaning over the counter with a sigh, "Oi, bah'tendah'! Gimme an Apple Cider o'er he'e, aye?" he said in a thick accent that Octavia was quite sure she'd never heard before, even with all the shows she'd come to. He turned around on the stool and leaned against the counter, "This DJ Pon-3 or whatevah'... She's a right joke, she is." He said with a light chuckle as his drink slid into his hand. Octavia grimaced at his words but ignored him nonetheless, choosing to be the bigger person. Even so, he continued, "Ah' mean, what's so great about'eh anyway? She's flashy and loud, yeah. But 's not like she's got the skill ta' really make it the way she 'as. She's jus'a flash in the pan..."
Within that instant, before even Octavia could realize it, she tossed her drink at his face, only for it to be held in place inches and burned away, a shocked, angered look on her face as she noticed the glowing coming from his hood. He turned his gaze to her showing the golden framed visor on his face, his grin showing a few false teeth of gold in the form of canines, a horn shining with magic akin to a flame, "Knew Ah'd get a response soonah' or latah'..." he said as his magic fizzled away.
"You've no right at'all to speak about Vinyl in such a way. She's a fantastic DJ and an amazing performer. So what exactly gives you the right to talk about her so awfully? What kind of authority on music would you happen to be?" she said angrily as the bartender seemed to be at a similar temper as her, though he didn't say it openly.
"Me? Oh, no one special... If ya' lookin' for a name... Innit' only fai' to give yours first?" he said as he took a sip of his drink.
Octavia growled a bit, "Octavia," she said with pride, "Octavia Melody. And yours, miscreant?"
"Well, tha's a mouth Ah'd have nevah' guessed ta' heah' from someone so... Uppity." He said with a chuckle as he stood up and unzipped his hoodie, "Now me... Ah'm," he wandered as he pulled the sleeveless hoodie away to show himself fully. He was an amber furred stallion with a mane like the rising sun. He had a mark on his shoulder of a blazing record, a crimson red, open vest on and a pair of spiked wristbands, black baggy jeans and gold boots. He did a pose with his arms crossed leaned to the side, "The best DJ Equestria's evah' seen: DJ Double A!" he said with great pride, his smile as bright as his fur.
With his announcement, the music stopped and the lights clicked on as almost everyone in the crowd, including Vinyl, stopped in their dancing. Octavia blinked and snickered a bit before laughing, holding her stomach as just about everyone in the venue joined in with her, making his grin shrink into a grimace as he looked around, "W-What's so funny?!" he shouted looking around at them in anger.
"You think you're as good as Pon-3? Yeah right!"
"You couldn't spin a disk if it was stuck to a turnstyle!"
"Pon-3's the best! No way!"
"Yo! That's enough!" Vinyl shouted, almost instantly shutting everyone up as she walked through the crowd and walked up to the guy, a solid head and a half taller than her. She looked up to him and sighed, giving a smile, "Hey, sorry about them. They're drunk and they're kinda stupid. But I'd be lying if I wasn't the same." She laughed turning around as her magic flared, "C'mon you crazy colts and fillies, this is still a party! And we ain't leaving till we're drunk out of our minds, get sick, and get kicked out!" She shouted as the crowd shouted back in affirmation as the lights went low again and the music kicked on once more, the colorful spotlights and lasers going off around them.
She gave a sigh of pride looking amongst her crowd and turned back to him, a hand placed on his shoulder, "C'mon, sit with us. Yo, Octy! Let's go to the VIP for a sec!" she called as Octavia looked over and gave a groan as she stood and walked towards the back room, Vinyl leading him along with her. Upon reaching backstage, he was met by a decked out room of snacks, drinks and a roundabout booth in the center, which Octavia dantily sat in before Vinyl leaped over the other side and laid her head in her lap with her arms behind her head.
"Vinyl, what do you--"
"So, my man! What's all this talk about being a better DJ then me?" She said as she crossed one leg over the other, making herself more than comfy in her new spot as the larger stallion stood a bit dumbfounded at the door before walking further in and shutting it.
"Ah'm one of, if not the best DJ this side of Equestria, an' ain't one pe'son evah' proved me wrong!" He claimed proudly before point at Vinyl who was eating an apple, "So, Ah' wanna challenge y'to a Mix-Off!" He proclaimed with a wide grin. He didn't get much of a response as Vinyl continued eating, "What's wrong, Pon-3? Y'sca'ed or somethi--"
"'Kay."
"... Hol'on, what?"
"I said 'kay'. As in, 'let's do it'." She said with a shrug as she tossed the apple up to which Octavia, without a moments hesitation, caught it for her within the confines of a paper towel, "What're the stakes, bro?" She asked with an intrigued look on her face.
Seemingly caught off-guard, he seemed to grow a tad bit nervous from her nonchalant acceptance, "If I win, I take ovah' the gigs he'e! Your people become mine!" He said with a self-assured smirk.
"Okie doke, and if I win..." She rubbed her chin and snapped her fingers, "You gotta pay my tab." She said pointing at him upside down from Octavia's lap as she peered up at her, "Sound about fair, Octy?" She said curiously. Though Octavia loathed the nickname, she'd given up on correcting her housemate long ago as she nodded with a determined smile, "Alright, bet. You still in, big guy?" She asked looking him in the eyes, her shades tilted to show her ruby red irises. Showing no fear or deflation, not even a sense of disturbance or faltering in her tone.
'I-Is she serious!? She could lose it all and she's cool as the Snowy North about it! Eithah' she just don't care'a smidge,' he thought before gritting his teeth in a heated grin, 'Or she's really that sure of 'aself. Either way, Ah'm gonna enjoy this!' he pointed back at her with conviction as he shouted, "A'right, let's do it!"
Seeing his excitement, Vinyl smiled and nodded, "Good shit, dude."
"So, when'a we doin' this?"
"Right now."
"A'righ-- Wait, what?" He said as his demeanor suddenly dropped.
Vinyl raised her hand and flexed it in a beckoning wag as Octavia reached to the side and handed her a small phone before Vinyl spoke, "Yo Blazes, set up the extra set. Big guy wants a Mix-Off." She said as she waited a second for confirmation before nodding, "My man, thanks!" She said before tossing it back up to Octavia who replaced it, "Sounds like it's your lucky day, dude. Burns was already setting you up, so you should be good." She said as she rose up and jumped onto the table, avoiding crushing or shoving anything off as she put her hands on her hips, "Let's have fun out there, yeah?" She said with a wide smile as she glanced down at the once boisterous and prideful unicorn stallion who held a confused and startled glance on his face. Only one sound escaped his nervous lips:
"... Huh?"
Without even noticing, seemingly having blanked completely upon having his challenge so casually accepted, Double A found himself on stage across from Vinyl, the two accompanied by two sets of turntables. He stared dumbfoundedly at the complex mixing machinery before him as he traced his ringed hand lver it in awe, 'Whoa... T-This' an amazing set...' he thought as he heard a whistle from across the stage, swiftly looking up to see Vinyl leaned back on her tables.
"Like 'em? That's my old setup from when I first got the gig here. No worries about different sound or anything, I keep my babies nice and tuned up for situations like this." She said nonchalantly as she tilted her glasses down and gave a wink as the bartender, Blue Blazes, came onto the stage, Vinyl quickly flipping backwards over the turntables and landed behind in a crouch, standing up with hDr arms crossed as he made his way to the center.
"Mares and stallions, we got ourselves a Mix-Off!" He shouted into the Mic as the crowd roared with excitement before the older stallion continued on, "On my right, we have the one and only, the Mixing Mistress of Manehatten, DJ Pon-3!" He called out as the crowd went rabid at her name, Vinyl bouncing and waving at them with her usual trademark grin, "And on my left, the stallion who ththinks he can take her on and get away with his pride in tact, DJ Double A!" He announced as the crowd broke out into boos and negativity. Double A winced a bit at this and Vinyl saw it, looking a bit more disheartened but pushing it aside for now as Blazes held up his hands, "Don't think I need to explain it for our veterans that have seen these before, but I'll make it quick! The rules are simple: The mixers in question must match one another's flow with something of their own. The rounds will get faster and tougher as they go. If one of them mess up or fumble, it's over! No second chances here! Are you all ready?" He inquired as they once again cried out in affirmation. He nodded and pointed to them both, "Now, as rules indicate, the challenger will go first and we go from there. You good with that, champ?" He asked looking to Vinyl who held a thumbs up to him, "Alrighty then! On my mark! Ready!" Vinyl put her hands behind her head with a calm expression.
"Set!" Double A placed his hands to his tables and gulped as he readied himself.
"Mark!" He shouted as the music started, a simple upbeat song as Double A bounced to the rythm for a moment before doing a simple scribble scratch quickly followed by a few baby scratches. Vinyl chuckled and copied it easily, following up with a drag scratch and letting the song suddenly slow before picking up again in a fury of wild scratches that made the audience cheer. She waved her hand as if to tell him 'your turn'. He stared in disbelief of what he saw for a moment before moving to respond only to suddenly go still, his once proud and strong demeanor seeming to disintegrate into nothing as the crowd booed and shouted obscenities at the stallion. At this, Vinyl quickly jumped her tables and snatched the mic off its stand as she called out, "Ayo! Quit that mess right now, dudes! Y'all are better than that and you know damn well we don't treat other ponies like that in this house!" She shouted in a more disciplinary tone as the partygoers stopped their shouting and started to seem more ashamed than anything.
"Now you guys and gals know I love you all like family, and we have an open arms policy here, feel me? He talked smack, but that doesnt mean you attack! He's already stopped, he dropped the ball and it's over, but we don't discourage and beat them down!" She said as she walked over to the stone still stallion and took his shoulder, "We dust 'em off," she said before brushing his shoulders and patting his back, "Tell them they tried and wish them luck. No hard feels, no hurt pride. Only thing here we down are drinks and I don't know about y'all, but I could use a stiff one! Now let's get back to the good vibes and break it down!" She shouted as the club cheered and the party began anew again.
As he was released, Double A made his way back to the bar and slumped next to Octavia who snickered a bit, "Now do you see why you're no match for Vinyl? Skill being one issue, sure. But more than anything, she knows how to control the crowd and demands their respect not even for herself, but for one another." She explained simply as she sipped a newly poured red wine.
Double A stared at Vinyl on stage as she laughed and partied with the crowd, "I see it... She doesn't make the show 'bout a'self or even the music... She makes it about the very hearts n' souls a' the crowd. Their love for the party... Amazing..." He said in awe as Octavia and Blazes looked at him and both smiled, seeing he'd understood.
At the end of the night, once the party finally died down and ponies were either drunkenly stumbling away or being taken home by someone of a more responsibly inclined party of some sort, Vinyl packed up her gear and began rolling it out the back of the club. Upon exiting, she ran into Octavia now adorned in her grey jacket and her purse at her hip, "Hey Octy! Hope you enjoyed the show and all! Didn't drink too much wine or anything, right?" She said with her own giggling slurred speech as Octavia rolled her eyes and linked her arm with Vinyl's.
"Of course not. Though obviously I can't be inclined to say the same for you. You're absolutely thrashed." She said as Vinyl cackled a bit and leaned on her, a light groan escaping her as she stood motionless for a moment, "Vinyl, I swear to Celestia if you throw up on me I'm going to--"
"Double A..." She said quieter as Octavia looked at her curiously, "Everyone was harshing so hard on him... Hope that dude's okay... I didn't see him after he got off stage." She admitted as she leaned up and looked at Octavia, "Do... You think he'll be okay?" she asked as Octavia stared down at her with a light smile. This was the Vinyl that she was used to seeing at home and after shows, a more gentle and kind soul with a care for the emotional and physical well-being of others before even her own.
"Funny that you should mention him, dear." She said as she looked ahead of them, Vinyl tilting her head confusedly before following her gaze to see the stallion in question standing at the end of the alleyway, "Because he's right there." She said as she walked Vinyl and her set towards the mouth of the alley and stopped in front of him, "Now then, I believe proper introductions are to be in order here, yes?" She said looking to Vinyl, "This is DJ Pon-3, or rather Vinyl Scratch. And you," She said looking to Double A, "Wouldn't you like to introduce yourself properly?" She asked curiously as the stallion looked down a bit, seeming almost ashamed, "Come on, we won't bite." She joked as Vinyl kept a confused look on her face.
He took a slow breath and looked at them with a more relaxed air as he nodded his head in a slight bow, "Uh... My name is Asteroid Ace. I..." He groaned as he seemed to suddenly glow and shrink down, appearing as a young colt as he scratched the back of his head, "I want to learn how to be a DJ, just like you." he said looking up at them with his hands pocketed, his clothes seeming to shrink with him as he looked no older than the kids at Miss Cheerlies schoolhouse. Seeing the little kid in front of them, all that Vinyl could utter, even in her drunken state was one confused sound:
"... Huh?"
Lesson 1: How To Stay Determined
Author's Note
Second chapter is up and I'm going to bed. Hope this clears up any confusion left from the first chapter. I seem to only try updating this story when I'm tired or late at night/early morning... Meh, whatever. Hope you enjoy!
Lesson 1: How To Stay Determined
"Okay kid," Vinyl began as she downed a glass of water sitting in a mostly empty diner with Octavia and a child who she once perceived to be a grown stallion, "Lemme run through this whole little scheme of yours real quick. You chose to swipe some enchanted item," she said holding up a silver ring, "That you said your older brother made as a project to turn in as some kinda extra credit to Twilight's magic classes back in ponyville. Am I right so far?" She inquired as the colt nodded, sipping a milkshake.
"Then you used said magical project to get here to possibly catch Vinyl's show that your family had previously forbade you from going to see and decided that the best way to get either of our attentions were to brag and pick a fight with Vinyl." Octavia continued curiously as he nodded again, a bit more ashamed than before as he continued drinking.
"And to top it off, you doubled down, got freaked when the crowd started getting rowdy and froze on stage?" She finalized as he gave the slightest whimper and nodded. Vinyl and Octavia stared at him with differing emotions as they then looked at each other and while Octavia seemed in deep thought and minor annoyance, Vinyl simply whistled in what could've been astonishment as she leaned back, "Damn, wish I'd thought'a that when I was little." She said with a chuckle before Octavia cleared her throat loudly.
"First off, Vinyl, you're an only child."
"Well, yeah! But still, would you have come up with an escape plan like that? That takes some commitment!" She said holding a fist out to him, "Props, little man!" She said as he gave her a fistbump before her hand was smacked by Octavia, making Vinyl wince a bit as she rubbed her hand.
"Secondly, though I understand being a devoted fan and I'm sure Vinyl appreciates it greatly, stealing and slinking away in the middle of the night against the will of your parents is absolutely abhorent behaviour and we will be talking to your parents about this." She said with a level-headed sharpness in her tone as he suddenly must've gasped while drinking as he began coughing, Vinyl quickly moving to pat his back.
"Whoa, easy kid! That thing ain't going anywhere." She said with a tinge of worry before looking to Octavia, "Yo, Tavi! I know what the kid did was kinda messed up, but do we gotta rat him out? His intentions were good, I think." She said before pausing and looking back at him, "What was the whole point'a this anyway? Did you for real steal and sneak just to catch my show?"
Ace blushed a bit and looked down as he nodded, "Y-Yeah, at first. But then when I got up on that stage and saw all those ponies... How angry an' chaotic they b'came just cause I challenged you... Made me realize a lotta things." He said as he leaned back up and looked up at Vinyl, "Y'not just an amazing DJ, your an amazin' pony all 'round. Y'know how to keep the crowd cool and know when enough's enough. Even with all'a mah' big talkin', y'showed me some mercy an' sent me along mah' way with a word of encouragement... I wanna be like that, ya' know? Learn how to be like you! Brave an' kind, and an amazin' performah' and be able to be treated and treat othah's with respect, y'know?" He said as he gushed with a hopeful look in his eyes as they gleamed staring up at Vinyl with admiration.
Vinyl stared at the colt through her shades as she seemed to go stock still for a moment, "Vinyl? Well, are you oka--" Octavia was cut off seeing Vinyl's lip quivering as a tear slowly rolled down her cheek, 'Oh no, he got her...' she thought in slight disappointment as she groaned and pinched the bridge of her nose.
Vinyl pushed her shades up, looking away from the both of them as she quickly wiped her eyes and whipped back to face them. "That's super cool of you to say, little man... I really appreciate that, for real... But aren't you a lil' young to try and start tryin' to walk in my shoes?" She said as she decided to take a seat at his side of the booth since she was there, "I mean, what I do takes a lot of practice and patience, not to mention tons of determination and effort. Aren't you still in, like, grade school?"
"Y-Yeah, well... I heard my middle brother listening to your music and I guess I got hooked. Anyway, the big question is... Will you teach me to be like you?" He asked with starry eyes as he turned to face her fully, his smile blinding.
"Hmm..." Vinyl hummed in thought as she crossed her arms and tilted her head to the table, seeming to think hard about it.
'Vinyl, please just think this through... I know you're a fool sometimes and you seem to be impressed with him, but he's just a colt. Just. Say--'
"No way." Vinyl said with a bright smile as both Ace and Octavia seemed to freeze in disbelief as Vinyl leaned over and put an arm around him, "No way I can teach you to be like me. But I can definitely teach you how to find the you you wanna be, y'feel me?" She said with a wink and a smile tilting down her shades. At that, Ace stared wide eyed for a moment before seeming to click the pieces of her statement together as he gasped and hugged her, making Vinyl chuckle and pet his head.
Octavia sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose once again before looking over at the two, Vinyl smiling at her as she held a thumbs up and mouthed 'no worries' before hugging Ace back. Though Octavia was sure that Vinyl meant for that to be endearing or somehow reassuring, all it seemed to do was bring Octavia further inner and slight traces of outward dread and concern.
Early the following morning, Vinyl and Octavia walked Ace to his home near the edge of the main square, Vinyl patting his back as the two walked up leaving Octavia with her wheeled setup. Knocking on the door, Ace's face only showed concern as he felt his heart in his throat with a growing anxiety to what awaited them when the door inevitably opened. Even so, he did feel a sort of comfort having Vinyl at his side as he took a deep breath and smiled up at her which she wholeheartedly returned before the sudden and swift clicking of the doorknob through their attention. Upon opening, they were met with a crimson unicorn mare with golden fading to silver mane and icy blue eyes wearing a white robe threw the door open and gasped at the sight before her.
"Ace! Honey, we've been worried sick! Where'd ya' go off to y'lil drongo!?" She said as she quickly knelt down and hugged him, seeming or concerned than angry as he hugged her back before looking up to Vinyl, drawing his mothers attention to her as well, "Well wouldja look he'e... DJ Pon-3 in the flesh." She said as she rose and looked down to him, "So then, y'went n' gone t' that show regrdless 'a what y'father said, eh?" She said as he looked ashamed before the two looked at each other and began laughing, his mother ruffling his hair, "That' m'boy! Just like ya' mum!" She said almost as if with a heavy sense of pride behind it as, once again, Vinyl and Octavia were caught off guard by this sudden turn of events.
"So... Lil' dude isn't in trouble?" Vinyl asked hopefully as Octavia seemed to also await the answer.
"With me? Nah, I was all for 'im goin' if 'is brother'd gone with him, but looks like he managed all by himself well enough given chaperoned 'im back!" She said as she held out a hand, "Summer Star, nice t'meetcha both." She said with a bright smile.
Vinyl took and shook her hand, "Nice to meet you too! Gotta say, you got a pretty smart kid on your hands. He had me fooled for a while there. Oh, and your other son might be missing this," she said placing the ring in her hand. Seeing it, she grew an understanding look, "Still don't totally get how it works, but y'know. Figured he may want it back."
"So that's how y'went... Smart." She said flicking it up and cathing it as she looked down to him, "I think y'owe these two an apology--"
"Nah, he already did. That's why, if you don't mind," Vinyl interrupted, "I'lll be giving him some lessons from now on in being a better him." She said proudly as Octavia placed her hand to her face and sighed, shaking her head in disbelief of what she was hearing.
Summer stared blankly at her and then looked down to Ace, "Bettah' version of y'self, eh?" She said as Ace nodded with a determined look on his face. She stared a while longer before smiling and petting his head, "Some assisted self reflection could do ya' good. I say why not."
She said as both Vinyl and Ace did a fist pump, "However," she said drawing their attention, "You'll still have to talk it over with the rest of the family. A concert's one thing, but something like this should be decide with the rest of them at least present, yeah?" She said as Vinyl shrugged and nodded in understanding, "Good, glad we agree. Now, you two must be right knackered. Why don't we all get some sleep and we can talk about it later, eh?" She said as she playfully shook Ace's should before he suddenly began to yawn and leaned on her as she picked him up, "There 'e goes." She chuckled patting his back as she looked at them, "Thanks again f'bringin' m'lil' fireball home. Personally, I'd love it if y'gave 'im a hand. Only so much a parent can do without stepping a boundary, right?" She said with a chuckle as she turned and walked back inside, the handle glowing as it softly shut the door behind her.
"... Well she seemed nice." Vinyl said as she turned to Octavia who stared at her in disbelief, "... You're mad, aren't you?"
"No, Vinyl. I'm not mad, or livid, or even mildly perturbed,"
"Good word."
"Thank you. No, I'm just... Confused. You're many things, Vinyl. A showstopper, party animal, musically talented and a damn good performer,"
"Either there's a 'but' coming or you're looking to lay me when we get home."
"But one thing I wouldn't necessarily call you is a role model.Especially not for a young colt. Or a young... Anybody." She admitted freely as Vinyl gasped.
"Ow, hurtful." Vinyl feigned in an exasperated tone before crossing her arms, "I can so be a role model! You just watch, I'll be the perfect role model and help that kid figure himself out. Just you wait and see!" She said as she began proudly rolling her turntables away as Octavia sighed and shook her head, following Vinyl away towards their home for a well deserved rest before their talk with Ace's family.
