Time Enough For Wubby CoffeeMinionChaptersTime...Is...Running......OutTime...Vinyl Scratch gazed up through the high windows of the cleared-out Manehattan warehouse, raising her glasses for a moment and soaking up the sight of the rising sun. She grinned, feeling the surge of adrenaline that dawn always brought her, which in this case was augmented by whatever had been circulating in the pungent haze the club goers had left behind. She turned to watch a few stragglers making their way toward the warehouse’s exit. Most seemed happy, or exhausted; but one stalked over and kicked at a discarded wine bottle on the floor before being nudged out by the bouncers. Vinyl frowned as she watched the bottle spin and tried not to think about another bottle waiting back in her apartment, and even less about the pony who had given it to her… She looked away and focused on her turntables and mixers, letting the sight of them anchor her back in the present. “Uh, hey, bro,” she called to a black-shirted earth pony dodging among the nearby cables and amplifiers. “Do you need me to clean up, or…?” He shrugged. “We’re closed ’til mid-week. I don’t think management cares if you just leave it.” “Sweet,” Vinyl said, giving him a toothy grin. She stepped off the platform and tailed the last few ravers at a distance, making extra sure to steer clear of the grumpy one. She tossed on her headphones, then flipped through her music player, choosing something with an airy, sweet, pulsing intro. The bass dropped right as she stepped through the door. Her head bobbed with it on instinct, and the corners of her mouth tightened into a half-smile. Light hit her coat, warming her from without, even as the sick beats of the music warmed her from within. “Dang, hungry,” she said to nopony. Vinyl turned down an alley that led back out to the main street. She could see hoof traffic and taxi-carts rolling by, even at such an early hour. But as she watched and let the music move her, she envisioned the tall buildings of the city rise and fall around her like thick waveforms, dwarfing her and leaving her to gaze in wonder. A muffled sound broke through her music. Vinyl paused, finding herself at the intersection of another alley. There, in the middle of the alley, lay a unicorn. Vinyl blinked, raised her glasses, and looked closer. By size and mouth-shape, she guessed it was a stallion. His singed and dirtied coat had probably once been light blue. His long mane and mass of facial hair were in even worse condition, likely having started as white, but now looking scorched, dingy, and bedraggled. After a moment of staring, she realized that his eyes were open and his mouth was moving. She fumbled as she took the headphones off. “—me, please,” he breathed. His voice was weak, but deep, and sounded heavy with age. Vinyl fidgeted. “Dude… are you alright?” He tried to raise himself on his forelegs, but they gave out, and his teeth clacked as his jaw hit the ground again. “Please… it's terribly important…” She looked toward the end of the alley. “Uh… do you want me to… hail you a cab or something?” “No!” He looked at her with intense blue eyes and a firm set to his jaw. Then he winced again and pressed a hoof to his head. “No, I need to find… someone…” Vinyl took a tentative step away from him. “Okay, well… good luck with that?” “Wait, please.” He struggled to his hooves, this time succeeding, and staggered toward her slowly. Vinyl drew back a few steps, but then paused as she noticed the scorch marks on the spot where he had lain. She looked from side to side in the alley, noticing how the trash cans, bits of rubble, and other junk, had all pushed away from the scorched spot. She pointed at some of the nearby stuff. “Were you… like, doing something in here?” The stallion slowed his advance and held a hoof to his temple. “I remember casting a spell.” He panted with exertion. “I’m sorry, that’s all I remember.” Vinyl tensed, but forced herself to laugh. “Bad trip, eh?” He closed his eyes and stiffened, faltering on one of his legs. “I need…” He gritted his teeth. “I need somewhere to rest, to think things through…” The music coming from her headphones changed. Even though they were just hanging around her neck, she could make out hints of a favorite song’s bass line. It thudded hard enough to make the coat on the back of her neck bristle with excitement. She smiled. “Hey, why not. The night’s been epic and my place ain’t far. I got couch space if you wanna crash!” Vinyl jolted awake to the sight of hot, burning sunlight trying to blast its way through her eyelids. She squinted her still-closed eyes and tried to bat it away, eventually stretching a hoof toward her nightstand for her glasses. They weren’t there. She muttered a curse and groped around the bed, growing more frustrated… before touching her head and realizing they were there. She cursed again as she lowered them into place, then sat up, blinking. Her tiny bedroom was disheveled chaos, just as she liked it; she noticed the clock and figured she was waking with sundown, also just as she liked it; but something was wrong. She couldn’t place the feeling, but down deep, she knew things weren’t as they should be. A scent wafted by, intense and savory. She sniffed. Her mouth watered, and she dimly recalled forgetting to grab something to eat after work the previous night— That was when she spotted the chair she'd propped-up underneath her doorknob, and the night’s details came back to her. Vinyl stepped down the short, bare hallway slowly, wincing at every strange clink and scrape she heard coming from the front room of her apartment. As she made her way past the bathroom, a sound of glass breaking in the kitchen made her jump. It was followed by a muffled curse, and then the faint sparkling sound of a unicorn’s horn coming alight. She rushed forward, drawn by panic about what he might have broken. She peeked around the corner to her tiny kitchen, and saw the stallion bent over and wiping at what looked like a shattered bowl of pancake mix on the red tiled floor. He looked different, though; Vinyl noticed he was free of dirt, his mane and tail were cut much shorter, and his facial hair had been groomed down into a trim goatee. She took a long breath, trying not to think of him as handsome, and trying instead to think of what she was going to do with the weird street pony whom she’d taken into her home. He looked up, spotted her, and smiled. The corners of his eyes crinkled a bit with age, but there was warmth in them. “And I thought I was tired,” he said, his deep voice carrying a hint of laughter. Vinyl blushed as she stepped out from around the corner. “Heh. Yeah, I work nights.” He nodded, then looked down at the mess at his hooves. “Well, for my sake, I’m glad you do, Miss—?” “Vinyl Scratch,” she said, striking a pose. “Also known as DJ-P0N3, also known as the sickest DJ ever to lay waste to a Manehattan dance floor!” “I see.” He started mopping things up again, working the towel back and forth in his magic. “And what exactly are you sick with, if you don’t mind my asking?” There was a pause. “No, sorry bro, it’s just a figure of speech.” She looked over at the small bar-top next to the kitchen, and her eyes settled on a plate of cooked haybacon sandwiches between two glasses of dark wine. Then she spotted the open bottle, and her pulse quickened as she stared at the simple lettering on its brown label. The stallion smiled again. “I thought that making you a meal was the least I could do, to thank you for helping me in when I was so… lost. And for the use of your grooming implements, as well as your quite remarkable in-home showering device…” “Dude,” she interrupted. “Why’d you open Octy’s bottle?!” He cocked his head, then looked over at the bar. “Oh, I’m sorry… I thought wine would be appropriate, considering?” Vinyl stomped toward him. “Well you thought wrong, dipstick! Octy’s bottle is…” She glanced at the bar and cringed. “...Was… important. Maybe the most important thing I have! ...Or, had.” He took a step back. “I’m sorry. I… don’t understand.” She hung her head for a moment, then took one of the glasses in her magic and drained it in a single gulp. A moment later, she stuck her tongue out, gagging. “Celestia’s beard, it’s just like her! Disgusting, awful… blech!” “This ‘Octy’ must be quite the interesting pony,” he said slowly. “What? No! I don’t mean that she’s disgusting, I just… have you tried this stuff?” His lips pursed into a smile. “I’ll confess to giving it a tiny sip. I thought it wasn’t bad.” Vinyl shook her head, then lit her horn, refilled her glass, and drained it again. The bitter taste made her shiver. “Ugh. Yeah, she gave it to me when… I moved here. Said that I should drink it if I ever… wanted to.” He furrowed his brow. “I suppose one does wish to have some wine from time to time…” She groaned and threw her head back. “Yeah, but that wasn’t what she meant! It never was the words she said; it was the way she said them.” Vinyl poured from the bottle again, this time only managing to get a half-glass out of it. She stared for a moment at the dark liquid, rendered darker by her violet sunglasses. “All right, well, now you know who I am, and you know what Octy’s bottle was; but I don’t know who you are. Who are you, bro?” The stallion’s smile turned sad, and he sighed. “I wish I could tell you.” “What, you on the lam or something?” “I… don’t remember who I am. In fact, I don’t remember much of anything from before you found me.” Vinyl clacked her teeth together, shrugged, and finished off her wine. He shook his head. “I’m sorry, but with all due respect, how can you just do that?” “How can I not?” She hung her head again. “It’s Octy’s bottle. Now it’s open, and I have to drink it, before it’s all just… gone.” “I’m sorry for your loss,” he said. His tone seemed genuine, even though the words themselves sounded dull and overplayed to her ears. “Mmm. Yeah.” She shook her head. “So what do you think you were on if you ended up in a burned-out alley and forgot your name? More than wine, if you ask me.” He chuckled. “I told you, I think it was a spell. I was looking for something. Something important.” “Must not be that important if you forgot about it.” “Yes, but forgetting who I am, on top of it?” He paused, then gestured toward his flank. “What do you make of this?” She looked, and blushed, and levitated her empty glass back over to the bar. “I’d give it a five, maybe a six, tops. I dunno. I could go seven, if it’s just that you look kinda old, but you’re not actually, like, super-old.” His jaw worked its way open. “...Excuse me? What do numbers have to do with anything?” Vinyl rolled her eyes. “Five, then—obviously way too old.” “I meant the cutie mark.” “Oh.” Her blush intensified, and her eyes refocused on the sinuous line of grey that spiraled over a field of twinkling lights. “Heh, kinda looks the way a song does on a visualizer. Like stars going nova while you ride out on the beat.” A look of concern touched his eyes. “The stars… going nova?” “Yeah.” She shrugged. “How ’bout we call you ‘Nova’ ’til you remember more?” He nodded. “Sure. Just… something that you said there…” She raised his glass in her magic. “Uh, you gonna finish this, bro?” He laughed. “I wouldn’t dream of it.” Is...It wasn’t long before Vinyl’s stomach asserted its need for food in no uncertain terms. The better part of an hour was lost to Nova fussing in the kitchen, either preparing food from Vinyl’s dubious reserves, or cleaning up after another of the succession of items she craved. For her part, when she wasn’t devouring his latest creation, she was sitting heavily upon the stool, sprawling her forelegs across the bar, and staring off into nothing. “I drank the bottle,” Vinyl said, dropping the statement like a beat into the silence. “I noticed,” Nova said, scrubbing at a plate in the sink. She raised her head and tried to fix her gaze on him. “You don’t get it. With the bottle gone, it’s over. Now I can’t go back. Not even if I wanted to.” She snorted. “Like I’d want to.” Nova looked at her. “You seem to say things like that quite a lot. If I didn’t know better, which I don’t, I’d say you were trying to convince yourself of it, more than me.” “Why should I go back? I’ve got… y’know, the job of my dreams, this sweet apartment…” A laugh broke out in her midsection, but it faltered, and she started coughing. “Random old dudes crashing in my pad...” “I know you keep saying that, but I’m not that old,” Nova said, first smiling, then frowning. “At least, I’m pretty sure I’m not.” “Hey, whatever, bro. You seem all right. Last dude I had over was the kind of jerk who wouldn’t even stay for breakfast.” Nova’s frown deepened. “I hope you're being careful with the company you keep. Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful for your hospitality; but rushing in carelessly can lead to regrets. Not everypony is who they seem to be.” “Pssh, now you even sound like Octy: boringness personified.” She waved a hoof at him. “Go on, tell me something interesting about yourself. Anything you can remember. Doesn’t matter what.” He set a plate down in the sink, then washed and dried his forehooves, visibly stalling for time. “I think I came here to look for somepony. I think… I’m mad at them. I mean, I don’t just feel mad sitting here, of course, but I think they did something worth being mad about.” Vinyl grinned. “So you’re some kinda private investigator, eh? Maybe you got too close to someone you were tailing, and they jumped you.” He shook his head. “That doesn’t sound right. Not that I can pick out the wrong bits, of course. Just… whoever it is, they’re powerful. Dangerous, even. And I have to stop them.” Silence fell upon the conversation. “I’m sorry,” he said, looking away from her. “Whatever I’m mixed up in, it doesn’t have to be your problem. I can just go.” “No way, bro. You opened the bottle. This is bigger than both of us now.” Nova chuckled. “You can be a bit impulsive, you know.” “I don’t see you complaining.” “I suppose not. No, I’m very, very lucky that you found me, and that you’ve taken me even a little bit seriously.” He gave her a warm smile. “And that you didn’t try to kill me when I opened your bottle.” “Octy’s bottle,” Vinyl said automatically. “Of course.” The wine wore off sometime in the early morning hours. Vinyl slumped even harder in her seat, cradling her head and groaning. “That can happen when you overdo it, you know,” Nova said. Vinyl gave him an obscene gesture with her forelegs. “Thanks for the advice, Dad.” She felt pressure on the sides of her head, then watched as Nova used his forehooves to bring her head up to his eye level. She studied his eyes and blushed a bit from the close distance. They were nice eyes, she decided; maybe she could go as high as a seven just for those. He tilted his head back and forth, seeming to examine her. “Now I don’t remember much, but I do think I was pretty good with magic, and I think I know something to help with this, if you trust me.” “Lay it on me,” she said, grinning. Nova rolled his eyes, but smiled. He lit his horn, but the glow soon became much brighter than she expected. Sparks of power surged and danced around it. Vinyl felt a pang of uncertainty. “Uh, bro… what are you—?” He leaned his head forward, and an arc of white light jumped between their horns. Vinyl jerked back, going rigid. A sensation like cold fire danced across her brain. She overbalanced on her seat, but Nova’s grip on her head kept her from falling. The feeling ended all at once, and she slumped forward again, panting. She looked up at him, prepared to tell him off, but paused as she realized how clear her head was again. Instead she smiled and cuffed him with a forehoof. “Dude, that was awesome! You gotta teach me how to do that!” Nova laughed and set his forehooves down. “Well, don’t get too impressed; I’m pretty sure the effects of that spell are temporary. The real cure for too much wine is a mix of getting some food—which you’ve done—and some water, followed by a lot of coffee. You don’t have any of that, do you? I couldn’t find any.” Vinyl stuck her tongue out. “I used to make it myself, but it never came out how I like it. I figure, why bother trying when I can just buy it at the place a few streets over, and they’re open all night anyway, and it always tastes good?” “It probably won’t make me sound less old if I guess it costs a lot more to go buy it each time than to make it yourself, will it?” “Not even a chance,” she said, laughing. They set out for the coffee shop amid the morning’s early street-lit hours. Vinyl led them on a well-known route, which let her focus on watching Nova’s reaction to the city around them. He stared upward with wide eyes and a muzzle that was scrunched tight. “First time in the city, pops?” He blinked, shaking his head. “I’ve seen cities before, but not such sprawling works of brick and glass. It feels almost… unnatural, compared to what I’ve known.“ She laughed. “Heh, some private investigator. You must be from some dinky little place like Ponyville.” Nova stopped. “What did you say?” Vinyl stopped as well, and turned to face him. “I said you must be from some nowhere town if you—” “No. No, the name you said.” She furrowed her brow. “What, do you mean Ponyville?” An unreadable look crossed his face. “That name sounds familiar.” “Well, yeah, how couldn’t it? Everything these last few years with Nightmare Moon, and Princess Twilight, and the Elements, and bugbears… I tell ya, Octy said that I was crazy to leave, but I think she’s the crazy one, staying.” Nova blinked. His breathing deepened. His stance widened, and he looked down at the ground, eventually holding a hoof up to his head. “What’d I say?” Vinyl asked. “It’s all right,” Nova said, wincing. “I just... “ He met Vinyl’s eyes, and his hard expression softened. “Don’t we still need to get you some coffee?” She pointed a hoof at him. “Don’t do that.” “What?” “That.” She frowned. “Not telling me. Just looking at me like I’m some doofus who can’t handle whatever it is. Because I can!” “I’m sorry.” He raised a hoof toward her shoulder, but stopped and set it back down. “There’s still so much I don’t remember, but I’m quite sure it’s a lead.” He frowned. “Please, let’s get some coffee. I need to clear my head.” “All right, if you say so. There it is.” A warm, thick scent of roasting coffee overtook them as they pushed through the heavy wood and glass door of the coffee shop. A dull mechanical roaring sound from the backroom accompanied it. Vinyl led Nova past rows of empty tables that shone in the electric light. They stopped at the checkout counter at the back of the shop, and then she lit her horn and pulled out her wallet. “Drinks are on me, bro. What’re you having?” He looked up at the chalkboard hanging above the counter. After a few moments of reading, he frowned. “What does any of this mean?” Vinyl rolled her eyes, then pantomimed with her forehooves. “Typical old guy. ‘Hurr, what are all these fancy frou-frou drinks? I just want to have my coffee!’” Nova chuckled at her. “Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m as adventurous as the next fellow. Possibly moreso. I’ve just never heard of a coffee shop serving ‘turtles,’ and what on earth is a ‘vanilla mocha?’” “Oh, that’s me!” a voice called from nearby. A door at the side of the room opened and a white unicorn mare with a brown mane and green eyes stepped out from the backroom. “Sorry I didn’t hear you come in; I have the roasters going.” “No worries,” Vinyl said. “Nilly, hook us up with your specialty.” A few minutes later, they each levitated their steaming cream-colored beverages to a nearby table and sat opposite each other. Nova leaned over and gave his a sniff. “So this is the vanilla one?” Vinyl grinned. “Go on, it isn’t gonna bite you.” He took an experimental sip, smacked his lips together twice, then smiled. “Well, I’ll be. That’s pretty good, for being mostly milk.” She shook her head. “You really aren’t from around here, are you?” “It seems not. As I think about it, I suspect I’m rather more inclined to travel than to stay in any one place for long.” “Well that’s cool, at least. Me and Octy never could see eye-to-eye on that. She has to tour with her orchestra sometimes, but she always hated doing it.” “Ah,” he said, smiling. “I take it you enjoy the road?” Vinyl took a quick pull from her mocha. “I’ve… never made it that far with my music. I dunno. Manehattan was a step, I guess, but I’m kinda still getting… ‘established.’” He reached a hoof toward hers, but then paused, and set it back down on the table. “It’s all right. Sometimes it takes time to reach our goals.” “Ugh, you sound so much like her.” Vinyl lit her horn, raised her headphones from her neck, and floated them over to him. “Here, put this on. I’ll play ya some of my stuff. Maybe we’ll see if you at least have better taste than she did.” Nova frowned as he studied the headphones. But a few moments later he lit his horn and put them on. “All right, what do I—” She flicked them on with her magic, and he startled. Vinyl grinned and bobbed her head instinctively, reliving in her mind the experience of listening to the track she’d put on for him. It started out with rapid-fire chugs on a guitar before a heavy, funky beat kicked in. Nova looked at her with furrowed brows. “Is it supposed to be this loud?” he shouted. Vinyl nodded. Nova started to bob his head a little. “This is interesting,” he said, looking into her eyes. “It’s so… chaotic. Powerful. Almost… destructive.” Vinyl laughed. “I like stuff that amplifies my feeling, even when I’m on the down and out. Just feel it to the full, you know?” Nova froze. He stared at seemingly nothing. He started sweating, and his nostrils flared. Vinyl felt a pang of disappointment as she watched his eyes grow harder. “So, uh… I guess it’s not your thing, huh?” Nova’s mouth worked without making a sound. He brought his gaze back toward her, but the look on his face wasn’t one of dissatisfaction. His mouth and eyes were wide, and his pupils had shrunk considerably. Vinyl lit her horn and turned the headphones off. He slowly raised a hoof, removed them, and gave them back to her. “I think… your music… helped me to remember something.” “Okay, cool…?” He shook his head. “I need to go.” Vinyl’s jaw fell. “Wait, you… what?” He looked away. “I saw… something unthinkable. The end of everything. And I need to go somewhere, and… I think it best if you don’t follow me.” “No.” She stamped a hoof and frowned at him. “No, no, you don’t just get to drop into my life, and open Octy’s bottle, and then run out, and leave me wondering what it was all about.” Nova pressed his eyes shut. “It’s not how you deserve to be repaid for your kindness. Especially if I've opened up old wounds.” He looked over at the window, and the lamplit streets beyond. “The life you have here is amazing, though. You don’t deserve to have that jeopardized.” “What in the actual buck are you talking about?!” “I need to get to Ponyville.” Vinyl blinked. “Why Ponyville?” “I wish I knew exactly. But just now, the piece I saw… I think the only way to stop what’s going to happen is if I get there.” “Okay, so when you get there, what are you going to do?” Nova’s shoulders sagged. “I don’t know.” Vinyl poked him with a hoof. “And how come you don’t think I’d want to go?” “I can’t know what I’m going to find there. And besides, from everything you’ve said about this ‘Octy,’ I assumed…” “You don’t know anything. The bottle’s gone now. It’s not gonna sit there staring at me when I get home too late, or if I forget to clean stuff up, or…” She waved her hoof, wracking her brain for another example. “I dunno. It’s really over now! Like, really for real.” Nova raised his hoof toward her again, but hesitated. “I’m so sorry…” She grimaced. “Would you just touch me if you’re going to?!” He drew back for a moment, but then composed himself and placed his hoof on hers. “All right, then, Vinyl. I’m sorry.” “Yeah, me too,” she said, savoring the warmth of his hoof for a moment before rising up and hugging him over the table. Running...They caught a cab that took them to the train station, where they bought tickets for the first train of the morning. They boarded it amid the first signs of grey dawn, and ended up sleeping in their seats through most of the day-long trip to Ponyville. Dusk was thick upon the town as the pair stepped off the train. Even so, and despite being on the opposite end of town, they could clearly see the Castle of Friendship sparkling in the fading light. Nova froze as he caught sight of it. “Vinyl… what is that?” She followed where he was pointing. “Oh yeah, that’s Twilight’s castle. ‘Sparkalon,’ or whatever. Thing grew right up out of the ground a year or so back.” He fixed her with a stare. “Can you get me inside?” “Maybe. Why?” He shook his head. “I don’t know exactly, but I’m telling you… I have the strongest feeling yet about that place.” Vinyl nodded. “Tell ya what, I’ve got an old friend who could probably hook us up. Used to call at odd hours and book gigs at the last minute. Paid in candy about half the time. I figure she owes me one.” “Thank you.” He paused. “I take it that isn’t… Octy?” “No,” Vinyl said quickly. “We’re taking this one pony’s damage at a time, and you're up first.” Vinyl knew a good inn with a second-floor overlook that gave a view of the Castle of Friendship, and she left Nova staring out at it as she made a brief trip over to Sugarcube Corner. It took some persuading to keep Pinkie Pie from throwing her a “welcome-back-a-versary” party on the spot, but Vinyl eventually got through to her. Nova was still there when she returned, just sitting on his haunches, staring over the inn’s wooden railing railing at the darkened yet somehow still shimmering castle. “Look how it twinkles in the starlight,” he said as she approached. “Uh… what now?” He kept his gaze fixed on the castle. “I don’t know why, but I’ve found myself quite taken by the way it…” He shook his head. “I’m sorry. It’s probably nothing. How did it go with your friend?” “It was good.” She sat down at his side and draped a hoof around him. “But don’t try to tell me it’s nothing. You had some memories come back.” “I did.” She followed his gaze out at the castle, unsure what he was really looking at. “So, does that mean you remember what you’re looking for?” “Not exactly.” She frowned. “Okay then… do you remember how you got here?” He took a deep breath. “I can make an educated guess.” Vinyl raised her other forehoof to his muzzle and turned him toward her gently. “No more twenty-questions, Nova. If it’s that big, why don’t—” “My name.” Vinyl’s heart thumped harder than a bass drop. She let go of his muzzle. “Yeah?” He shook his head. She huffed, then slugged him in the chest. “You jagweed! After all this, you just roll in and drop something like that, but you still won’t even level with me?” “It would change things,” he said, rubbing the spot where she hit him. She sighed, then groaned, and took her sunglasses off. “Look, ‘Nova,’ I don’t care. Whatever it is, whoever you really are… I already see somepony I like. You’re intense. Life doesn’t just happen to you; you go happen to it. And I dig that about you.” She touched a hoof to his goatee. He looked at her with a wan smile. “I would never want you to stop wearing the glasses entirely,” he said. “But you have lovely eyes. They’re warm, and clever, just like you. And they twinkle when you’re thinking about doing something mad.” He laughed. “Which does seem to be most of the time.” Heat rose in Vinyl’s cheeks. “Are they doing it now?” Nova smiled. Her eyes searched his. “Tell me your name,” she said, tightening her grip on his goatee. “Because I wanna do something right now, but I don’t wanna do it if you won’t even give me that. Know what I mean?” “It’s not that simple—” She pushed him away. “Yes it is! It means you’re either gonna make me ride this feeling that you’re giving me on faith—blind faith—or it means you’re gonna make me stop here, where I am. And I don’t like stopping!” “I’m not making you do anything,” he said quietly. “Not true. You’ve dangled this whole big, mysterious, sexy… thing all out in front of me, and now you’re asking whether I really want to know where it’s going? Pssh, like that’s some kind of choice.” His eyebrows climbed above a smile. “You think I’m sexy?” Vinyl pointed a hoof at him. “Don’t change the subject. You’re maybe a five out here in the lamplight. Or a four when you’re being a pain in the flank. Which is most of the time!” Nova’s features softened. “Vinyl, do you trust me?” She threw her forelegs out wide. “I came with you to Ponyville, didn’t I? I went and got you your stupid tour of Twiggy’s castle, right?” She shook her head. “And yeah, I didn’t kill you when you opened Octy’s bottle. I mean, that would’ve been the time to do it.” He placed his forehooves on her shoulders. “You’ve been far better to me than I deserve, for what I’ve offered in return. But even so, I’d ask you to believe me when I say—” Vinyl swatted his forehooves away and headed for the door. “Definitely a four,” she called back toward him. “Maybe even a two or a three!” “Vinyl, please—” She hesitated for a moment, but then continued stomping off. They met outside the inn early the next morning. A chill wind raised the hairs on the back of Vinyl’s neck as she waited for him. It was nearly as chilly as the look that she gave “Nova” as he approached. “Good morning,” he said. “Is it?” He looked at the ground. The expression on his face seemed uncertain—maybe a little bit sad. “Did you sleep well?” She fixed him with a glare. “If you think small talk’s gonna help make up for last night, maybe I should save us both time and just head for the train station now.” “Vinyl…” He hesitated before meeting her eyes. “I… took some time to think last night. About what you said when I mentioned… changing things.” Vinyl shook her head. “You missed your moment, dingus.” “I… I know. But Vinyl, when I journeyed here, the absolute last possibility on my mind was… finding someone I might… care about.” She rolled her eyes. “So is this all just gonna be about you?” “No. No, of course not.” He walked over to her and raised a forehoof to touch her shoulder, but she jerked away from him. He sighed again. “All right. For all the kindness that you’ve shown me, and… I just… I thought I could live with not telling you, but I can’t.” He swallowed. “Vinyl, my real name is Star Swirl the Bearded.” Vinyl blinked. Her jaw opened in silence. They stared into each other’s eyes for a long, tense moment. Vinyl was motionless, save for her continued blinking. Nova—Star Swirl—began to sweat. Finally, Vinyl cocked her head and took a long look at his flank. “Huh. A swirl of stars, and not a nova. Dang.” He furrowed his brow. “Well, yes… but I just said I am—” “The Bearded?” she said, studying his chin. “Is that, like, seriously part of your name?” Star Swirl hung his head. Eventually, with a quiet voice, he asked: “Have my deeds truly faded into history by your time?” She rolled her eyes. “Oh, history, of course; now I recognize you. There was a whole chapter on you in my history book when I was a filly. I used to read it every night, to help me fall asleep.” Star Swirl made a small choking sound, which Vinyl followed with a huge laugh. “Oh, dude, the look on your face…” He narrowed his eyes at her, but smiled. “Vinyl. Please. I’m… being truthful.” She let her smile fade. “I know.” He stared at her, dumbstruck. “But… how? I mean, the whole thing should be preposterous! One hardly expects a walking, talking historical figure to just… show up on one’s doorstep.” “I think you mean an alley,” Vinyl said, giving him a faint hint of a smile again. She shrugged. “I dunno, I guess… I figure you’ve been honest with me this whole time, with what you knew, and when you knew it. I mean…” She paused, looking away. “Usually there’s a moment, if somepony’s lying, where they… say things differently. Like… not at the big moment, where they want you to buy the big lie. But somewhere before then, with something smaller. Kind of like they’re working themselves up for the big lie. And you… you never had that moment with me.” She continued looking away. After a moment, Star Swirl reached out and touched her shoulder again. “Is that what Octy did to you?” Vinyl closed her eyes, and shook her head. “No, dude. It’s what I did to her.” He pulled her into a gentle hug, which she returned with much greater force. Eventually she pounded a forehoof on his back and spoke into his shoulder: “Why didn’t you just tell me last night?” Star Swirl tried to shrug. “Because it does change things. You know it does.” “Yeah.” She pulled out of the hug enough to look at him through tear-streaked eyes. “It means you came through in time to do something important. In Ponyville. Inside that stupid castle.” He nodded. “The more I think upon the fragments of my memory, the more I think that castle is at the epicenter of a great threat to reality. Something that endangers time itself, if left unchecked.” Vinyl set her jaw. “All right, then… we go in there, we find it, and we kick its butt. Right?” Star Swirl shook his head. “Once I’m in the castle, you should run. Run far, and fast… just get away from here. I’ll try to find it, take it by surprise, and stop whatever scheme it’s planning, but if I should fail…” “No way. If this thing’s half as bad as you say it is, you’re gonna need somepony watching your flank.” She cracked a smile that showed teeth. “And fortunately, I don’t mind keepin’ an eye on that tight lil’ seven you’re workin’ there.” “Wha… Vinyl, you are incorrigible! We’re talking about a life-and-death battle with a phenomenally destructive foe! Much as I find your assessment flattering, it’s essential that I know what magic arts you’ve been trained in if you’re to join me.” “Uh… y’know. Good stuff. Like… Trance, or maybe Darkwave? I’m also workin’ on a mix of Acid House and Trap that I call Acid Trap. That’s totally a thing!” Star Swirl narrowed his eyes. “What kind of trap was that again?” They found Pinkie waiting for them at the entrance to the Castle of Friendship. She turned a long, appraising glance at Star Swirl. “Oooooo! Hey there, Scratchie; who’s your friend?” Vinyl and Star Swirl exchanged glances. “Uh, nopony,” she said. “He’s just my, uh… travelling… friend. Who wanted to see the castle.” “Well hi there, ‘travelling friend who wanted to see the castle!’” She leaned in and gave Vinyl a cartoonish eyebrow-waggle. “So I guess you’re finally over things with you-know-who, eh?” Vinyl clenched her jaw. “Pinkie… if you tell her that I’m here, I swear I’m suddenly not gonna have an open spot on my gig schedule for the next year.” Pinkie gave her a narrow-eyed look, then raised a hoof to her eyes and pointed back at Vinyl. “Well played Scratchie. Well played.” A smile subsumed Pinkie’s face again. “Come on along then, totally-platonic friends!” Pinkie led them through the Castle of Friendship’s gates and down its great central corridor. Every surface glinted in the light of the still-rising sun. Vinyl kept her eyes fixed on Star Swirl, whose face bore a slack-jawed expression. “Pretty cool, eh?” Vinyl asked as they ascended a staircase. “I’ve never seen anything like this,” he said. “Outside of the Elements themselves, the amount of latent magical energy flowing through this place is unprecedented. I mean, this surface looks like crystal, but if you cast a spell to take a closer look at its refractive index…” She rolled her eyes. He quieted for a moment. “Vinyl, this place… it’s a magical amplifier of unspeakable proportions. I don’t know why I didn’t feel it until I got inside, but… forget what we talked about. The danger is even greater than I realized.” She stamped a hoof. “No! We agreed, we’re in this together.” “Yes, but if I can feel it, then whatever we’re looking for can, too. And could likely draw upon its power.” “Yeah, but you’re Star Swirl the Bearded. Can’t you use its power, too?” “Perhaps, given some time to study it…” They came out to another large corridor, then passed through a heavy door into a sprawling library. Long shelves stretched across the massive space, and stacks upon stacks of unshelved books littered the room, suggesting either disorganization or very heavy use. There was a rustling sound from behind a nearby stack. Pinkie hopped over it, shouting: “Boo! Hee hee, did I scare you?” “Not really,” a mare said in an annoyed tone. “Well hey, come out and say hi to some visitors! You remember Scratchie, don’tcha? And this is her definitely-totally-not-coltfriend who just wanted to come see the castle with her!” “Oh, of course I remember Vinyl.” The mare stepped out into sight, and Vinyl smiled as she laid eyes on an old acquaintance. “How have things been in Manehattan?” “Eh, not bad, Starlight.” Vinyl gave her a hoof bump, then turned and looked at Star Swirl. “Hey Nova, say hello to Starlight Glimmer.” Faint sparks danced upon Star Swirl’s horn as he locked eyes with Starlight. “You’re… Starlight Glimmer…” Starlight drew back a few steps, and looked at Pinkie and Vinyl in turn. “Um… yes, and you are…?” His horn-glow grew more intense, and he looked back at Vinyl with glowing eyes. “I know you won’t run, though you should. I will do everything I can to protect you.” Pinkie bit her lip. “Uh, Scratchie? I think your friend is freaking me and Starlight out a teensy little… huge bit…” A breeze stirred the room as he turned his focus on Starlight, declaring in magically-amplified tones: “Starlight Glimmer, through the powers of my time-scrying I have witnessed your attempt to destabilize all of space-time. Know that I will not allow this!” Starlight recoiled. “But wait, I… who are you?!” His horn surged with power, and the breeze rose suddenly to gale-force. “My name is Star Swirl the Bearded, and I have come to stop you!” A wall of force slammed into place around Vinyl. Though it was invisible, it hit her like a hammer, and it threw her from her hooves. She hit her head hard on the floor when she landed, leaving everything that happened afterward as mere impressions in her concussed mind. Massive bolts of power shot back and forth across the library. After a time, Princess Twilight descended on the fray, increasing the battle’s intensity manyfold. Ponies shouted so loudly that Vinyl felt unsure why she couldn’t make out their words. But then, after a while, Nova—Star Swirl—stopped firing, and started listening. Vinyl’s mind wandered as she lay there watching him talk with Princess Twilight, and she found herself trying to process everything that had happened over the previous few days. Taking Star Swirl the Bearded, an ancient wizard, into her apartment. Sharing a train car—and maybe a connection—with him. Helping him assault Starlight Glimmer. Not killing him after he opened Octy’s bottle. Now watching him surrender to the Princess and be arrested by muscular and angry-looking guards. She cracked a dull smile and considered that she’d been a little harsh. Old dude or not, he was more like an eight, really—or maybe even a nine. ...OutA week passed before Vinyl heard a knock on her apartment door. She looked up from her makeshift breakfast of chips and cheap beer, and glanced at the clock. It was late by any other pony’s standards, and almost time for her to get ready for her next gig. “Vinyl?” called a voice that made her stomach wobble. With a deep breath, she heaved herself up from the bar stool, walked to the door… and paused. Her heart, mind, and stomach warred against each other, like some kind of sick remix gone wrong. Long moments passed in silence. Then she squeezed her eyes shut, undid the chain, and opened the door. “Hello, Vinyl.” When she opened her eyes, the flowers were the first thing that she noticed. It was a nice bouquet: big enough, but not too big. It was full of variety, but still showcased a few well-placed red roses. Then she looked up at his face, studying the gentle smile on his muzzle, the faint lines at the corners of his eyes, and the way his goatee seemed a fair bit longer than she would expect for only a week of growth. He chuckled and raised a hoof to his jaw. “‘The Bearded,’ you know. Never have been able to get rid of it.” An awkward silence fell over them. The only sounds were of their breathing, and of the crinkling cellophane that the flowers were wrapped in. “Well… come on in,” Vinyl said at length. “You’re looking pretty good for a walking, talking historical figure who probably spent the last week getting worked over by the guards.” He smiled, and entered, setting the flowers down on the bar. “Actually, the worst part of it was this new Princess Twilight of yours. At first I thought she was just being thorough, and trying to understand potential impacts to the timeline. But she didn’t stop there! She kept me for days, and you would not believe the things she tried to ask about me!” “Heh. Guess she fangirls pretty hard for ya.” Vinyl shut the door and took a breath. “The guards went pretty easy on me, all things considered. Maybe they felt bad cuz I was laid up in the hospital for a couple days getting my head looked at.” Star Swirl touched a hoof to her shoulder. “I’m deeply sorry about… hurting you with my shield spell. I hope you know that didn’t go at all the way I’d planned.” “I figured. No harm no foul, right? Anyway, I just… told them everything. Didn’t see much point in holding back. So then they brought me back here after I got out, and had me show ‘em where I found you. Took a bunch of readings and stuff. Then they said I should keep quiet until I heard more.” He nodded. “Understandable. I’m sure this sort of thing doesn’t come up very often, and Celestia would want to keep it quiet when it does.” “I dunno, there was more than one reason why I left Ponyville.” She took another long, deep breath. “Which brings me to the other thing: Octy paid me a visit while I was in there.” “Oh.” Star Swirl’s smile stayed fixed, but his expression became heavy with unspoken questions. “Yeah, I told her I was taking up with homeless old dudes now. She said that my life choices were ‘disappointing, but not surprising.’” Star Swirl snorted, then broke out into a laugh. “Okay, you had me for a second there.” She grinned, but only for a moment. “I actually told her about the bottle. How I kept it, and I never, ever thought of opening it, until some doofus came and opened it for me. Octy seemed down with that. She’s… doing good. And for the record, she was glad to see me spending time with somepony ‘mature, albeit a bit murder-y.’” Vinyl paused. “She actually did say that one.” “I’m glad that you could talk with her again.” Vinyl shook her head. “I got to say some things I needed to. Like I told her she was right; I move way too fast when I move, and I don’t always think things through. And that I regretted letting that do what it did to us. Because I still wish that I hadn’t screwed things up with her.” She looked at the floor. “And you should know… even now, there’s still a part of me that wishes I could make things right with her again.” “I understand, and I appreciate your honesty. But whatever you may have done pales in comparison to my own rank irresponsibility. If I had taken adequate time to check my time-scrying, I might’ve realized it was showing me just one possible future that Starlight Glimmer’s actions could have created, and I might’ve gained a sense of just how hazardous and inexact it would be to try jumping into such a heavily disrupted probability space.” He sighed. “Imagine my embarrassment upon learning that your Princess Twilight had already dealt with the situation months ago.” “Heh. I guess going off half-cocked is kind of our thing,” Vinyl said. Their eyes met, and Star Swirl took a breath. “Vinyl, I can state unequivocally that I regret overshooting the time when I could have made a real difference with Starlight, as well as failing to anticipate that memory loss could be a side-effect of such an intense jump. I also regret trying to harm a pony who’s well on her way to becoming a positive influence in Equestria.” He shrugged. “But to be honest, I still don’t regret doing everything in my power to try to stop the end of the world. And I certainly don’t regret meeting you.” Vinyl paused and looked over at the flowers. “So… you mean it isn’t over?” “I’m sorry?” “I figured the only way I'd see you again is if you wanted to tie up loose ends. I mean, don’t get me wrong, those look tasty… but like you said, you don’t stay in any one place for long, right? You’ve gotta go and do your whole… legendary-historical-figure thing.” He gave her a deep smile. “Well, that’s the great thing about being a time-travelling legendary-historical-figure, isn’t it? I don’t have to go back today; I just have to go back eventually.” Vinyl’s pulse pounded. “You’re serious.” She felt a gentle touch on her chin, and looked up into his eyes. “I am. And I would like to give… whatever this is… a proper try, if you’d be willing. No more desperate rushing about. I know you dislike going slowly, but perhaps it would be nice to take our time for once?” Vinyl stole a glance at the clock, then groaned. “Ugh, your timing sucks… I’ve got a gig here in a little bit. I guess… like, we could do something tomorrow…?” Star Swirl shrugged. “I liked the music that you played for me. I might enjoy seeing how you… ‘lay waste to a dance floor,’ if you’d let me accompany you.” She smiled. “You sound like an idiot when you say that.” “Come on, go easy on me. None of this exists where I’m from.” “...I still think you’re kinda sexy,” she blurted. The two of them blushed, and Vinyl looked away. “I mean… I dunno…” “I feel the same,” he breathed. Then he moved his hoof over her lips and smiled. “Very well; if you’d prefer to spend some time before your show… perhaps get a bite to eat or something… I can assure you that time travel is relatively safe over short distances. Is there anything in particular that you would like to do?” A tingling sensation worked its way through Vinyl’s chest, and a huge grin plastered itself across her face. “Yeah, I can think of one thing that I’d like to do…” She leaned in close and raised her lips toward his, and time soon fell away as they became lost in a warm, insistent kiss, which both of them committed to with passion.
Time...Vinyl Scratch gazed up through the high windows of the cleared-out Manehattan warehouse, raising her glasses for a moment and soaking up the sight of the rising sun. She grinned, feeling the surge of adrenaline that dawn always brought her, which in this case was augmented by whatever had been circulating in the pungent haze the club goers had left behind. She turned to watch a few stragglers making their way toward the warehouse’s exit. Most seemed happy, or exhausted; but one stalked over and kicked at a discarded wine bottle on the floor before being nudged out by the bouncers. Vinyl frowned as she watched the bottle spin and tried not to think about another bottle waiting back in her apartment, and even less about the pony who had given it to her… She looked away and focused on her turntables and mixers, letting the sight of them anchor her back in the present. “Uh, hey, bro,” she called to a black-shirted earth pony dodging among the nearby cables and amplifiers. “Do you need me to clean up, or…?” He shrugged. “We’re closed ’til mid-week. I don’t think management cares if you just leave it.” “Sweet,” Vinyl said, giving him a toothy grin. She stepped off the platform and tailed the last few ravers at a distance, making extra sure to steer clear of the grumpy one. She tossed on her headphones, then flipped through her music player, choosing something with an airy, sweet, pulsing intro. The bass dropped right as she stepped through the door. Her head bobbed with it on instinct, and the corners of her mouth tightened into a half-smile. Light hit her coat, warming her from without, even as the sick beats of the music warmed her from within. “Dang, hungry,” she said to nopony. Vinyl turned down an alley that led back out to the main street. She could see hoof traffic and taxi-carts rolling by, even at such an early hour. But as she watched and let the music move her, she envisioned the tall buildings of the city rise and fall around her like thick waveforms, dwarfing her and leaving her to gaze in wonder. A muffled sound broke through her music. Vinyl paused, finding herself at the intersection of another alley. There, in the middle of the alley, lay a unicorn. Vinyl blinked, raised her glasses, and looked closer. By size and mouth-shape, she guessed it was a stallion. His singed and dirtied coat had probably once been light blue. His long mane and mass of facial hair were in even worse condition, likely having started as white, but now looking scorched, dingy, and bedraggled. After a moment of staring, she realized that his eyes were open and his mouth was moving. She fumbled as she took the headphones off. “—me, please,” he breathed. His voice was weak, but deep, and sounded heavy with age. Vinyl fidgeted. “Dude… are you alright?” He tried to raise himself on his forelegs, but they gave out, and his teeth clacked as his jaw hit the ground again. “Please… it's terribly important…” She looked toward the end of the alley. “Uh… do you want me to… hail you a cab or something?” “No!” He looked at her with intense blue eyes and a firm set to his jaw. Then he winced again and pressed a hoof to his head. “No, I need to find… someone…” Vinyl took a tentative step away from him. “Okay, well… good luck with that?” “Wait, please.” He struggled to his hooves, this time succeeding, and staggered toward her slowly. Vinyl drew back a few steps, but then paused as she noticed the scorch marks on the spot where he had lain. She looked from side to side in the alley, noticing how the trash cans, bits of rubble, and other junk, had all pushed away from the scorched spot. She pointed at some of the nearby stuff. “Were you… like, doing something in here?” The stallion slowed his advance and held a hoof to his temple. “I remember casting a spell.” He panted with exertion. “I’m sorry, that’s all I remember.” Vinyl tensed, but forced herself to laugh. “Bad trip, eh?” He closed his eyes and stiffened, faltering on one of his legs. “I need…” He gritted his teeth. “I need somewhere to rest, to think things through…” The music coming from her headphones changed. Even though they were just hanging around her neck, she could make out hints of a favorite song’s bass line. It thudded hard enough to make the coat on the back of her neck bristle with excitement. She smiled. “Hey, why not. The night’s been epic and my place ain’t far. I got couch space if you wanna crash!” Vinyl jolted awake to the sight of hot, burning sunlight trying to blast its way through her eyelids. She squinted her still-closed eyes and tried to bat it away, eventually stretching a hoof toward her nightstand for her glasses. They weren’t there. She muttered a curse and groped around the bed, growing more frustrated… before touching her head and realizing they were there. She cursed again as she lowered them into place, then sat up, blinking. Her tiny bedroom was disheveled chaos, just as she liked it; she noticed the clock and figured she was waking with sundown, also just as she liked it; but something was wrong. She couldn’t place the feeling, but down deep, she knew things weren’t as they should be. A scent wafted by, intense and savory. She sniffed. Her mouth watered, and she dimly recalled forgetting to grab something to eat after work the previous night— That was when she spotted the chair she'd propped-up underneath her doorknob, and the night’s details came back to her. Vinyl stepped down the short, bare hallway slowly, wincing at every strange clink and scrape she heard coming from the front room of her apartment. As she made her way past the bathroom, a sound of glass breaking in the kitchen made her jump. It was followed by a muffled curse, and then the faint sparkling sound of a unicorn’s horn coming alight. She rushed forward, drawn by panic about what he might have broken. She peeked around the corner to her tiny kitchen, and saw the stallion bent over and wiping at what looked like a shattered bowl of pancake mix on the red tiled floor. He looked different, though; Vinyl noticed he was free of dirt, his mane and tail were cut much shorter, and his facial hair had been groomed down into a trim goatee. She took a long breath, trying not to think of him as handsome, and trying instead to think of what she was going to do with the weird street pony whom she’d taken into her home. He looked up, spotted her, and smiled. The corners of his eyes crinkled a bit with age, but there was warmth in them. “And I thought I was tired,” he said, his deep voice carrying a hint of laughter. Vinyl blushed as she stepped out from around the corner. “Heh. Yeah, I work nights.” He nodded, then looked down at the mess at his hooves. “Well, for my sake, I’m glad you do, Miss—?” “Vinyl Scratch,” she said, striking a pose. “Also known as DJ-P0N3, also known as the sickest DJ ever to lay waste to a Manehattan dance floor!” “I see.” He started mopping things up again, working the towel back and forth in his magic. “And what exactly are you sick with, if you don’t mind my asking?” There was a pause. “No, sorry bro, it’s just a figure of speech.” She looked over at the small bar-top next to the kitchen, and her eyes settled on a plate of cooked haybacon sandwiches between two glasses of dark wine. Then she spotted the open bottle, and her pulse quickened as she stared at the simple lettering on its brown label. The stallion smiled again. “I thought that making you a meal was the least I could do, to thank you for helping me in when I was so… lost. And for the use of your grooming implements, as well as your quite remarkable in-home showering device…” “Dude,” she interrupted. “Why’d you open Octy’s bottle?!” He cocked his head, then looked over at the bar. “Oh, I’m sorry… I thought wine would be appropriate, considering?” Vinyl stomped toward him. “Well you thought wrong, dipstick! Octy’s bottle is…” She glanced at the bar and cringed. “...Was… important. Maybe the most important thing I have! ...Or, had.” He took a step back. “I’m sorry. I… don’t understand.” She hung her head for a moment, then took one of the glasses in her magic and drained it in a single gulp. A moment later, she stuck her tongue out, gagging. “Celestia’s beard, it’s just like her! Disgusting, awful… blech!” “This ‘Octy’ must be quite the interesting pony,” he said slowly. “What? No! I don’t mean that she’s disgusting, I just… have you tried this stuff?” His lips pursed into a smile. “I’ll confess to giving it a tiny sip. I thought it wasn’t bad.” Vinyl shook her head, then lit her horn, refilled her glass, and drained it again. The bitter taste made her shiver. “Ugh. Yeah, she gave it to me when… I moved here. Said that I should drink it if I ever… wanted to.” He furrowed his brow. “I suppose one does wish to have some wine from time to time…” She groaned and threw her head back. “Yeah, but that wasn’t what she meant! It never was the words she said; it was the way she said them.” Vinyl poured from the bottle again, this time only managing to get a half-glass out of it. She stared for a moment at the dark liquid, rendered darker by her violet sunglasses. “All right, well, now you know who I am, and you know what Octy’s bottle was; but I don’t know who you are. Who are you, bro?” The stallion’s smile turned sad, and he sighed. “I wish I could tell you.” “What, you on the lam or something?” “I… don’t remember who I am. In fact, I don’t remember much of anything from before you found me.” Vinyl clacked her teeth together, shrugged, and finished off her wine. He shook his head. “I’m sorry, but with all due respect, how can you just do that?” “How can I not?” She hung her head again. “It’s Octy’s bottle. Now it’s open, and I have to drink it, before it’s all just… gone.” “I’m sorry for your loss,” he said. His tone seemed genuine, even though the words themselves sounded dull and overplayed to her ears. “Mmm. Yeah.” She shook her head. “So what do you think you were on if you ended up in a burned-out alley and forgot your name? More than wine, if you ask me.” He chuckled. “I told you, I think it was a spell. I was looking for something. Something important.” “Must not be that important if you forgot about it.” “Yes, but forgetting who I am, on top of it?” He paused, then gestured toward his flank. “What do you make of this?” She looked, and blushed, and levitated her empty glass back over to the bar. “I’d give it a five, maybe a six, tops. I dunno. I could go seven, if it’s just that you look kinda old, but you’re not actually, like, super-old.” His jaw worked its way open. “...Excuse me? What do numbers have to do with anything?” Vinyl rolled her eyes. “Five, then—obviously way too old.” “I meant the cutie mark.” “Oh.” Her blush intensified, and her eyes refocused on the sinuous line of grey that spiraled over a field of twinkling lights. “Heh, kinda looks the way a song does on a visualizer. Like stars going nova while you ride out on the beat.” A look of concern touched his eyes. “The stars… going nova?” “Yeah.” She shrugged. “How ’bout we call you ‘Nova’ ’til you remember more?” He nodded. “Sure. Just… something that you said there…” She raised his glass in her magic. “Uh, you gonna finish this, bro?” He laughed. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
Is...It wasn’t long before Vinyl’s stomach asserted its need for food in no uncertain terms. The better part of an hour was lost to Nova fussing in the kitchen, either preparing food from Vinyl’s dubious reserves, or cleaning up after another of the succession of items she craved. For her part, when she wasn’t devouring his latest creation, she was sitting heavily upon the stool, sprawling her forelegs across the bar, and staring off into nothing. “I drank the bottle,” Vinyl said, dropping the statement like a beat into the silence. “I noticed,” Nova said, scrubbing at a plate in the sink. She raised her head and tried to fix her gaze on him. “You don’t get it. With the bottle gone, it’s over. Now I can’t go back. Not even if I wanted to.” She snorted. “Like I’d want to.” Nova looked at her. “You seem to say things like that quite a lot. If I didn’t know better, which I don’t, I’d say you were trying to convince yourself of it, more than me.” “Why should I go back? I’ve got… y’know, the job of my dreams, this sweet apartment…” A laugh broke out in her midsection, but it faltered, and she started coughing. “Random old dudes crashing in my pad...” “I know you keep saying that, but I’m not that old,” Nova said, first smiling, then frowning. “At least, I’m pretty sure I’m not.” “Hey, whatever, bro. You seem all right. Last dude I had over was the kind of jerk who wouldn’t even stay for breakfast.” Nova’s frown deepened. “I hope you're being careful with the company you keep. Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful for your hospitality; but rushing in carelessly can lead to regrets. Not everypony is who they seem to be.” “Pssh, now you even sound like Octy: boringness personified.” She waved a hoof at him. “Go on, tell me something interesting about yourself. Anything you can remember. Doesn’t matter what.” He set a plate down in the sink, then washed and dried his forehooves, visibly stalling for time. “I think I came here to look for somepony. I think… I’m mad at them. I mean, I don’t just feel mad sitting here, of course, but I think they did something worth being mad about.” Vinyl grinned. “So you’re some kinda private investigator, eh? Maybe you got too close to someone you were tailing, and they jumped you.” He shook his head. “That doesn’t sound right. Not that I can pick out the wrong bits, of course. Just… whoever it is, they’re powerful. Dangerous, even. And I have to stop them.” Silence fell upon the conversation. “I’m sorry,” he said, looking away from her. “Whatever I’m mixed up in, it doesn’t have to be your problem. I can just go.” “No way, bro. You opened the bottle. This is bigger than both of us now.” Nova chuckled. “You can be a bit impulsive, you know.” “I don’t see you complaining.” “I suppose not. No, I’m very, very lucky that you found me, and that you’ve taken me even a little bit seriously.” He gave her a warm smile. “And that you didn’t try to kill me when I opened your bottle.” “Octy’s bottle,” Vinyl said automatically. “Of course.” The wine wore off sometime in the early morning hours. Vinyl slumped even harder in her seat, cradling her head and groaning. “That can happen when you overdo it, you know,” Nova said. Vinyl gave him an obscene gesture with her forelegs. “Thanks for the advice, Dad.” She felt pressure on the sides of her head, then watched as Nova used his forehooves to bring her head up to his eye level. She studied his eyes and blushed a bit from the close distance. They were nice eyes, she decided; maybe she could go as high as a seven just for those. He tilted his head back and forth, seeming to examine her. “Now I don’t remember much, but I do think I was pretty good with magic, and I think I know something to help with this, if you trust me.” “Lay it on me,” she said, grinning. Nova rolled his eyes, but smiled. He lit his horn, but the glow soon became much brighter than she expected. Sparks of power surged and danced around it. Vinyl felt a pang of uncertainty. “Uh, bro… what are you—?” He leaned his head forward, and an arc of white light jumped between their horns. Vinyl jerked back, going rigid. A sensation like cold fire danced across her brain. She overbalanced on her seat, but Nova’s grip on her head kept her from falling. The feeling ended all at once, and she slumped forward again, panting. She looked up at him, prepared to tell him off, but paused as she realized how clear her head was again. Instead she smiled and cuffed him with a forehoof. “Dude, that was awesome! You gotta teach me how to do that!” Nova laughed and set his forehooves down. “Well, don’t get too impressed; I’m pretty sure the effects of that spell are temporary. The real cure for too much wine is a mix of getting some food—which you’ve done—and some water, followed by a lot of coffee. You don’t have any of that, do you? I couldn’t find any.” Vinyl stuck her tongue out. “I used to make it myself, but it never came out how I like it. I figure, why bother trying when I can just buy it at the place a few streets over, and they’re open all night anyway, and it always tastes good?” “It probably won’t make me sound less old if I guess it costs a lot more to go buy it each time than to make it yourself, will it?” “Not even a chance,” she said, laughing. They set out for the coffee shop amid the morning’s early street-lit hours. Vinyl led them on a well-known route, which let her focus on watching Nova’s reaction to the city around them. He stared upward with wide eyes and a muzzle that was scrunched tight. “First time in the city, pops?” He blinked, shaking his head. “I’ve seen cities before, but not such sprawling works of brick and glass. It feels almost… unnatural, compared to what I’ve known.“ She laughed. “Heh, some private investigator. You must be from some dinky little place like Ponyville.” Nova stopped. “What did you say?” Vinyl stopped as well, and turned to face him. “I said you must be from some nowhere town if you—” “No. No, the name you said.” She furrowed her brow. “What, do you mean Ponyville?” An unreadable look crossed his face. “That name sounds familiar.” “Well, yeah, how couldn’t it? Everything these last few years with Nightmare Moon, and Princess Twilight, and the Elements, and bugbears… I tell ya, Octy said that I was crazy to leave, but I think she’s the crazy one, staying.” Nova blinked. His breathing deepened. His stance widened, and he looked down at the ground, eventually holding a hoof up to his head. “What’d I say?” Vinyl asked. “It’s all right,” Nova said, wincing. “I just... “ He met Vinyl’s eyes, and his hard expression softened. “Don’t we still need to get you some coffee?” She pointed a hoof at him. “Don’t do that.” “What?” “That.” She frowned. “Not telling me. Just looking at me like I’m some doofus who can’t handle whatever it is. Because I can!” “I’m sorry.” He raised a hoof toward her shoulder, but stopped and set it back down. “There’s still so much I don’t remember, but I’m quite sure it’s a lead.” He frowned. “Please, let’s get some coffee. I need to clear my head.” “All right, if you say so. There it is.” A warm, thick scent of roasting coffee overtook them as they pushed through the heavy wood and glass door of the coffee shop. A dull mechanical roaring sound from the backroom accompanied it. Vinyl led Nova past rows of empty tables that shone in the electric light. They stopped at the checkout counter at the back of the shop, and then she lit her horn and pulled out her wallet. “Drinks are on me, bro. What’re you having?” He looked up at the chalkboard hanging above the counter. After a few moments of reading, he frowned. “What does any of this mean?” Vinyl rolled her eyes, then pantomimed with her forehooves. “Typical old guy. ‘Hurr, what are all these fancy frou-frou drinks? I just want to have my coffee!’” Nova chuckled at her. “Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m as adventurous as the next fellow. Possibly moreso. I’ve just never heard of a coffee shop serving ‘turtles,’ and what on earth is a ‘vanilla mocha?’” “Oh, that’s me!” a voice called from nearby. A door at the side of the room opened and a white unicorn mare with a brown mane and green eyes stepped out from the backroom. “Sorry I didn’t hear you come in; I have the roasters going.” “No worries,” Vinyl said. “Nilly, hook us up with your specialty.” A few minutes later, they each levitated their steaming cream-colored beverages to a nearby table and sat opposite each other. Nova leaned over and gave his a sniff. “So this is the vanilla one?” Vinyl grinned. “Go on, it isn’t gonna bite you.” He took an experimental sip, smacked his lips together twice, then smiled. “Well, I’ll be. That’s pretty good, for being mostly milk.” She shook her head. “You really aren’t from around here, are you?” “It seems not. As I think about it, I suspect I’m rather more inclined to travel than to stay in any one place for long.” “Well that’s cool, at least. Me and Octy never could see eye-to-eye on that. She has to tour with her orchestra sometimes, but she always hated doing it.” “Ah,” he said, smiling. “I take it you enjoy the road?” Vinyl took a quick pull from her mocha. “I’ve… never made it that far with my music. I dunno. Manehattan was a step, I guess, but I’m kinda still getting… ‘established.’” He reached a hoof toward hers, but then paused, and set it back down on the table. “It’s all right. Sometimes it takes time to reach our goals.” “Ugh, you sound so much like her.” Vinyl lit her horn, raised her headphones from her neck, and floated them over to him. “Here, put this on. I’ll play ya some of my stuff. Maybe we’ll see if you at least have better taste than she did.” Nova frowned as he studied the headphones. But a few moments later he lit his horn and put them on. “All right, what do I—” She flicked them on with her magic, and he startled. Vinyl grinned and bobbed her head instinctively, reliving in her mind the experience of listening to the track she’d put on for him. It started out with rapid-fire chugs on a guitar before a heavy, funky beat kicked in. Nova looked at her with furrowed brows. “Is it supposed to be this loud?” he shouted. Vinyl nodded. Nova started to bob his head a little. “This is interesting,” he said, looking into her eyes. “It’s so… chaotic. Powerful. Almost… destructive.” Vinyl laughed. “I like stuff that amplifies my feeling, even when I’m on the down and out. Just feel it to the full, you know?” Nova froze. He stared at seemingly nothing. He started sweating, and his nostrils flared. Vinyl felt a pang of disappointment as she watched his eyes grow harder. “So, uh… I guess it’s not your thing, huh?” Nova’s mouth worked without making a sound. He brought his gaze back toward her, but the look on his face wasn’t one of dissatisfaction. His mouth and eyes were wide, and his pupils had shrunk considerably. Vinyl lit her horn and turned the headphones off. He slowly raised a hoof, removed them, and gave them back to her. “I think… your music… helped me to remember something.” “Okay, cool…?” He shook his head. “I need to go.” Vinyl’s jaw fell. “Wait, you… what?” He looked away. “I saw… something unthinkable. The end of everything. And I need to go somewhere, and… I think it best if you don’t follow me.” “No.” She stamped a hoof and frowned at him. “No, no, you don’t just get to drop into my life, and open Octy’s bottle, and then run out, and leave me wondering what it was all about.” Nova pressed his eyes shut. “It’s not how you deserve to be repaid for your kindness. Especially if I've opened up old wounds.” He looked over at the window, and the lamplit streets beyond. “The life you have here is amazing, though. You don’t deserve to have that jeopardized.” “What in the actual buck are you talking about?!” “I need to get to Ponyville.” Vinyl blinked. “Why Ponyville?” “I wish I knew exactly. But just now, the piece I saw… I think the only way to stop what’s going to happen is if I get there.” “Okay, so when you get there, what are you going to do?” Nova’s shoulders sagged. “I don’t know.” Vinyl poked him with a hoof. “And how come you don’t think I’d want to go?” “I can’t know what I’m going to find there. And besides, from everything you’ve said about this ‘Octy,’ I assumed…” “You don’t know anything. The bottle’s gone now. It’s not gonna sit there staring at me when I get home too late, or if I forget to clean stuff up, or…” She waved her hoof, wracking her brain for another example. “I dunno. It’s really over now! Like, really for real.” Nova raised his hoof toward her again, but hesitated. “I’m so sorry…” She grimaced. “Would you just touch me if you’re going to?!” He drew back for a moment, but then composed himself and placed his hoof on hers. “All right, then, Vinyl. I’m sorry.” “Yeah, me too,” she said, savoring the warmth of his hoof for a moment before rising up and hugging him over the table.
Running...They caught a cab that took them to the train station, where they bought tickets for the first train of the morning. They boarded it amid the first signs of grey dawn, and ended up sleeping in their seats through most of the day-long trip to Ponyville. Dusk was thick upon the town as the pair stepped off the train. Even so, and despite being on the opposite end of town, they could clearly see the Castle of Friendship sparkling in the fading light. Nova froze as he caught sight of it. “Vinyl… what is that?” She followed where he was pointing. “Oh yeah, that’s Twilight’s castle. ‘Sparkalon,’ or whatever. Thing grew right up out of the ground a year or so back.” He fixed her with a stare. “Can you get me inside?” “Maybe. Why?” He shook his head. “I don’t know exactly, but I’m telling you… I have the strongest feeling yet about that place.” Vinyl nodded. “Tell ya what, I’ve got an old friend who could probably hook us up. Used to call at odd hours and book gigs at the last minute. Paid in candy about half the time. I figure she owes me one.” “Thank you.” He paused. “I take it that isn’t… Octy?” “No,” Vinyl said quickly. “We’re taking this one pony’s damage at a time, and you're up first.” Vinyl knew a good inn with a second-floor overlook that gave a view of the Castle of Friendship, and she left Nova staring out at it as she made a brief trip over to Sugarcube Corner. It took some persuading to keep Pinkie Pie from throwing her a “welcome-back-a-versary” party on the spot, but Vinyl eventually got through to her. Nova was still there when she returned, just sitting on his haunches, staring over the inn’s wooden railing railing at the darkened yet somehow still shimmering castle. “Look how it twinkles in the starlight,” he said as she approached. “Uh… what now?” He kept his gaze fixed on the castle. “I don’t know why, but I’ve found myself quite taken by the way it…” He shook his head. “I’m sorry. It’s probably nothing. How did it go with your friend?” “It was good.” She sat down at his side and draped a hoof around him. “But don’t try to tell me it’s nothing. You had some memories come back.” “I did.” She followed his gaze out at the castle, unsure what he was really looking at. “So, does that mean you remember what you’re looking for?” “Not exactly.” She frowned. “Okay then… do you remember how you got here?” He took a deep breath. “I can make an educated guess.” Vinyl raised her other forehoof to his muzzle and turned him toward her gently. “No more twenty-questions, Nova. If it’s that big, why don’t—” “My name.” Vinyl’s heart thumped harder than a bass drop. She let go of his muzzle. “Yeah?” He shook his head. She huffed, then slugged him in the chest. “You jagweed! After all this, you just roll in and drop something like that, but you still won’t even level with me?” “It would change things,” he said, rubbing the spot where she hit him. She sighed, then groaned, and took her sunglasses off. “Look, ‘Nova,’ I don’t care. Whatever it is, whoever you really are… I already see somepony I like. You’re intense. Life doesn’t just happen to you; you go happen to it. And I dig that about you.” She touched a hoof to his goatee. He looked at her with a wan smile. “I would never want you to stop wearing the glasses entirely,” he said. “But you have lovely eyes. They’re warm, and clever, just like you. And they twinkle when you’re thinking about doing something mad.” He laughed. “Which does seem to be most of the time.” Heat rose in Vinyl’s cheeks. “Are they doing it now?” Nova smiled. Her eyes searched his. “Tell me your name,” she said, tightening her grip on his goatee. “Because I wanna do something right now, but I don’t wanna do it if you won’t even give me that. Know what I mean?” “It’s not that simple—” She pushed him away. “Yes it is! It means you’re either gonna make me ride this feeling that you’re giving me on faith—blind faith—or it means you’re gonna make me stop here, where I am. And I don’t like stopping!” “I’m not making you do anything,” he said quietly. “Not true. You’ve dangled this whole big, mysterious, sexy… thing all out in front of me, and now you’re asking whether I really want to know where it’s going? Pssh, like that’s some kind of choice.” His eyebrows climbed above a smile. “You think I’m sexy?” Vinyl pointed a hoof at him. “Don’t change the subject. You’re maybe a five out here in the lamplight. Or a four when you’re being a pain in the flank. Which is most of the time!” Nova’s features softened. “Vinyl, do you trust me?” She threw her forelegs out wide. “I came with you to Ponyville, didn’t I? I went and got you your stupid tour of Twiggy’s castle, right?” She shook her head. “And yeah, I didn’t kill you when you opened Octy’s bottle. I mean, that would’ve been the time to do it.” He placed his forehooves on her shoulders. “You’ve been far better to me than I deserve, for what I’ve offered in return. But even so, I’d ask you to believe me when I say—” Vinyl swatted his forehooves away and headed for the door. “Definitely a four,” she called back toward him. “Maybe even a two or a three!” “Vinyl, please—” She hesitated for a moment, but then continued stomping off. They met outside the inn early the next morning. A chill wind raised the hairs on the back of Vinyl’s neck as she waited for him. It was nearly as chilly as the look that she gave “Nova” as he approached. “Good morning,” he said. “Is it?” He looked at the ground. The expression on his face seemed uncertain—maybe a little bit sad. “Did you sleep well?” She fixed him with a glare. “If you think small talk’s gonna help make up for last night, maybe I should save us both time and just head for the train station now.” “Vinyl…” He hesitated before meeting her eyes. “I… took some time to think last night. About what you said when I mentioned… changing things.” Vinyl shook her head. “You missed your moment, dingus.” “I… I know. But Vinyl, when I journeyed here, the absolute last possibility on my mind was… finding someone I might… care about.” She rolled her eyes. “So is this all just gonna be about you?” “No. No, of course not.” He walked over to her and raised a forehoof to touch her shoulder, but she jerked away from him. He sighed again. “All right. For all the kindness that you’ve shown me, and… I just… I thought I could live with not telling you, but I can’t.” He swallowed. “Vinyl, my real name is Star Swirl the Bearded.” Vinyl blinked. Her jaw opened in silence. They stared into each other’s eyes for a long, tense moment. Vinyl was motionless, save for her continued blinking. Nova—Star Swirl—began to sweat. Finally, Vinyl cocked her head and took a long look at his flank. “Huh. A swirl of stars, and not a nova. Dang.” He furrowed his brow. “Well, yes… but I just said I am—” “The Bearded?” she said, studying his chin. “Is that, like, seriously part of your name?” Star Swirl hung his head. Eventually, with a quiet voice, he asked: “Have my deeds truly faded into history by your time?” She rolled her eyes. “Oh, history, of course; now I recognize you. There was a whole chapter on you in my history book when I was a filly. I used to read it every night, to help me fall asleep.” Star Swirl made a small choking sound, which Vinyl followed with a huge laugh. “Oh, dude, the look on your face…” He narrowed his eyes at her, but smiled. “Vinyl. Please. I’m… being truthful.” She let her smile fade. “I know.” He stared at her, dumbstruck. “But… how? I mean, the whole thing should be preposterous! One hardly expects a walking, talking historical figure to just… show up on one’s doorstep.” “I think you mean an alley,” Vinyl said, giving him a faint hint of a smile again. She shrugged. “I dunno, I guess… I figure you’ve been honest with me this whole time, with what you knew, and when you knew it. I mean…” She paused, looking away. “Usually there’s a moment, if somepony’s lying, where they… say things differently. Like… not at the big moment, where they want you to buy the big lie. But somewhere before then, with something smaller. Kind of like they’re working themselves up for the big lie. And you… you never had that moment with me.” She continued looking away. After a moment, Star Swirl reached out and touched her shoulder again. “Is that what Octy did to you?” Vinyl closed her eyes, and shook her head. “No, dude. It’s what I did to her.” He pulled her into a gentle hug, which she returned with much greater force. Eventually she pounded a forehoof on his back and spoke into his shoulder: “Why didn’t you just tell me last night?” Star Swirl tried to shrug. “Because it does change things. You know it does.” “Yeah.” She pulled out of the hug enough to look at him through tear-streaked eyes. “It means you came through in time to do something important. In Ponyville. Inside that stupid castle.” He nodded. “The more I think upon the fragments of my memory, the more I think that castle is at the epicenter of a great threat to reality. Something that endangers time itself, if left unchecked.” Vinyl set her jaw. “All right, then… we go in there, we find it, and we kick its butt. Right?” Star Swirl shook his head. “Once I’m in the castle, you should run. Run far, and fast… just get away from here. I’ll try to find it, take it by surprise, and stop whatever scheme it’s planning, but if I should fail…” “No way. If this thing’s half as bad as you say it is, you’re gonna need somepony watching your flank.” She cracked a smile that showed teeth. “And fortunately, I don’t mind keepin’ an eye on that tight lil’ seven you’re workin’ there.” “Wha… Vinyl, you are incorrigible! We’re talking about a life-and-death battle with a phenomenally destructive foe! Much as I find your assessment flattering, it’s essential that I know what magic arts you’ve been trained in if you’re to join me.” “Uh… y’know. Good stuff. Like… Trance, or maybe Darkwave? I’m also workin’ on a mix of Acid House and Trap that I call Acid Trap. That’s totally a thing!” Star Swirl narrowed his eyes. “What kind of trap was that again?” They found Pinkie waiting for them at the entrance to the Castle of Friendship. She turned a long, appraising glance at Star Swirl. “Oooooo! Hey there, Scratchie; who’s your friend?” Vinyl and Star Swirl exchanged glances. “Uh, nopony,” she said. “He’s just my, uh… travelling… friend. Who wanted to see the castle.” “Well hi there, ‘travelling friend who wanted to see the castle!’” She leaned in and gave Vinyl a cartoonish eyebrow-waggle. “So I guess you’re finally over things with you-know-who, eh?” Vinyl clenched her jaw. “Pinkie… if you tell her that I’m here, I swear I’m suddenly not gonna have an open spot on my gig schedule for the next year.” Pinkie gave her a narrow-eyed look, then raised a hoof to her eyes and pointed back at Vinyl. “Well played Scratchie. Well played.” A smile subsumed Pinkie’s face again. “Come on along then, totally-platonic friends!” Pinkie led them through the Castle of Friendship’s gates and down its great central corridor. Every surface glinted in the light of the still-rising sun. Vinyl kept her eyes fixed on Star Swirl, whose face bore a slack-jawed expression. “Pretty cool, eh?” Vinyl asked as they ascended a staircase. “I’ve never seen anything like this,” he said. “Outside of the Elements themselves, the amount of latent magical energy flowing through this place is unprecedented. I mean, this surface looks like crystal, but if you cast a spell to take a closer look at its refractive index…” She rolled her eyes. He quieted for a moment. “Vinyl, this place… it’s a magical amplifier of unspeakable proportions. I don’t know why I didn’t feel it until I got inside, but… forget what we talked about. The danger is even greater than I realized.” She stamped a hoof. “No! We agreed, we’re in this together.” “Yes, but if I can feel it, then whatever we’re looking for can, too. And could likely draw upon its power.” “Yeah, but you’re Star Swirl the Bearded. Can’t you use its power, too?” “Perhaps, given some time to study it…” They came out to another large corridor, then passed through a heavy door into a sprawling library. Long shelves stretched across the massive space, and stacks upon stacks of unshelved books littered the room, suggesting either disorganization or very heavy use. There was a rustling sound from behind a nearby stack. Pinkie hopped over it, shouting: “Boo! Hee hee, did I scare you?” “Not really,” a mare said in an annoyed tone. “Well hey, come out and say hi to some visitors! You remember Scratchie, don’tcha? And this is her definitely-totally-not-coltfriend who just wanted to come see the castle with her!” “Oh, of course I remember Vinyl.” The mare stepped out into sight, and Vinyl smiled as she laid eyes on an old acquaintance. “How have things been in Manehattan?” “Eh, not bad, Starlight.” Vinyl gave her a hoof bump, then turned and looked at Star Swirl. “Hey Nova, say hello to Starlight Glimmer.” Faint sparks danced upon Star Swirl’s horn as he locked eyes with Starlight. “You’re… Starlight Glimmer…” Starlight drew back a few steps, and looked at Pinkie and Vinyl in turn. “Um… yes, and you are…?” His horn-glow grew more intense, and he looked back at Vinyl with glowing eyes. “I know you won’t run, though you should. I will do everything I can to protect you.” Pinkie bit her lip. “Uh, Scratchie? I think your friend is freaking me and Starlight out a teensy little… huge bit…” A breeze stirred the room as he turned his focus on Starlight, declaring in magically-amplified tones: “Starlight Glimmer, through the powers of my time-scrying I have witnessed your attempt to destabilize all of space-time. Know that I will not allow this!” Starlight recoiled. “But wait, I… who are you?!” His horn surged with power, and the breeze rose suddenly to gale-force. “My name is Star Swirl the Bearded, and I have come to stop you!” A wall of force slammed into place around Vinyl. Though it was invisible, it hit her like a hammer, and it threw her from her hooves. She hit her head hard on the floor when she landed, leaving everything that happened afterward as mere impressions in her concussed mind. Massive bolts of power shot back and forth across the library. After a time, Princess Twilight descended on the fray, increasing the battle’s intensity manyfold. Ponies shouted so loudly that Vinyl felt unsure why she couldn’t make out their words. But then, after a while, Nova—Star Swirl—stopped firing, and started listening. Vinyl’s mind wandered as she lay there watching him talk with Princess Twilight, and she found herself trying to process everything that had happened over the previous few days. Taking Star Swirl the Bearded, an ancient wizard, into her apartment. Sharing a train car—and maybe a connection—with him. Helping him assault Starlight Glimmer. Not killing him after he opened Octy’s bottle. Now watching him surrender to the Princess and be arrested by muscular and angry-looking guards. She cracked a dull smile and considered that she’d been a little harsh. Old dude or not, he was more like an eight, really—or maybe even a nine.
...OutA week passed before Vinyl heard a knock on her apartment door. She looked up from her makeshift breakfast of chips and cheap beer, and glanced at the clock. It was late by any other pony’s standards, and almost time for her to get ready for her next gig. “Vinyl?” called a voice that made her stomach wobble. With a deep breath, she heaved herself up from the bar stool, walked to the door… and paused. Her heart, mind, and stomach warred against each other, like some kind of sick remix gone wrong. Long moments passed in silence. Then she squeezed her eyes shut, undid the chain, and opened the door. “Hello, Vinyl.” When she opened her eyes, the flowers were the first thing that she noticed. It was a nice bouquet: big enough, but not too big. It was full of variety, but still showcased a few well-placed red roses. Then she looked up at his face, studying the gentle smile on his muzzle, the faint lines at the corners of his eyes, and the way his goatee seemed a fair bit longer than she would expect for only a week of growth. He chuckled and raised a hoof to his jaw. “‘The Bearded,’ you know. Never have been able to get rid of it.” An awkward silence fell over them. The only sounds were of their breathing, and of the crinkling cellophane that the flowers were wrapped in. “Well… come on in,” Vinyl said at length. “You’re looking pretty good for a walking, talking historical figure who probably spent the last week getting worked over by the guards.” He smiled, and entered, setting the flowers down on the bar. “Actually, the worst part of it was this new Princess Twilight of yours. At first I thought she was just being thorough, and trying to understand potential impacts to the timeline. But she didn’t stop there! She kept me for days, and you would not believe the things she tried to ask about me!” “Heh. Guess she fangirls pretty hard for ya.” Vinyl shut the door and took a breath. “The guards went pretty easy on me, all things considered. Maybe they felt bad cuz I was laid up in the hospital for a couple days getting my head looked at.” Star Swirl touched a hoof to her shoulder. “I’m deeply sorry about… hurting you with my shield spell. I hope you know that didn’t go at all the way I’d planned.” “I figured. No harm no foul, right? Anyway, I just… told them everything. Didn’t see much point in holding back. So then they brought me back here after I got out, and had me show ‘em where I found you. Took a bunch of readings and stuff. Then they said I should keep quiet until I heard more.” He nodded. “Understandable. I’m sure this sort of thing doesn’t come up very often, and Celestia would want to keep it quiet when it does.” “I dunno, there was more than one reason why I left Ponyville.” She took another long, deep breath. “Which brings me to the other thing: Octy paid me a visit while I was in there.” “Oh.” Star Swirl’s smile stayed fixed, but his expression became heavy with unspoken questions. “Yeah, I told her I was taking up with homeless old dudes now. She said that my life choices were ‘disappointing, but not surprising.’” Star Swirl snorted, then broke out into a laugh. “Okay, you had me for a second there.” She grinned, but only for a moment. “I actually told her about the bottle. How I kept it, and I never, ever thought of opening it, until some doofus came and opened it for me. Octy seemed down with that. She’s… doing good. And for the record, she was glad to see me spending time with somepony ‘mature, albeit a bit murder-y.’” Vinyl paused. “She actually did say that one.” “I’m glad that you could talk with her again.” Vinyl shook her head. “I got to say some things I needed to. Like I told her she was right; I move way too fast when I move, and I don’t always think things through. And that I regretted letting that do what it did to us. Because I still wish that I hadn’t screwed things up with her.” She looked at the floor. “And you should know… even now, there’s still a part of me that wishes I could make things right with her again.” “I understand, and I appreciate your honesty. But whatever you may have done pales in comparison to my own rank irresponsibility. If I had taken adequate time to check my time-scrying, I might’ve realized it was showing me just one possible future that Starlight Glimmer’s actions could have created, and I might’ve gained a sense of just how hazardous and inexact it would be to try jumping into such a heavily disrupted probability space.” He sighed. “Imagine my embarrassment upon learning that your Princess Twilight had already dealt with the situation months ago.” “Heh. I guess going off half-cocked is kind of our thing,” Vinyl said. Their eyes met, and Star Swirl took a breath. “Vinyl, I can state unequivocally that I regret overshooting the time when I could have made a real difference with Starlight, as well as failing to anticipate that memory loss could be a side-effect of such an intense jump. I also regret trying to harm a pony who’s well on her way to becoming a positive influence in Equestria.” He shrugged. “But to be honest, I still don’t regret doing everything in my power to try to stop the end of the world. And I certainly don’t regret meeting you.” Vinyl paused and looked over at the flowers. “So… you mean it isn’t over?” “I’m sorry?” “I figured the only way I'd see you again is if you wanted to tie up loose ends. I mean, don’t get me wrong, those look tasty… but like you said, you don’t stay in any one place for long, right? You’ve gotta go and do your whole… legendary-historical-figure thing.” He gave her a deep smile. “Well, that’s the great thing about being a time-travelling legendary-historical-figure, isn’t it? I don’t have to go back today; I just have to go back eventually.” Vinyl’s pulse pounded. “You’re serious.” She felt a gentle touch on her chin, and looked up into his eyes. “I am. And I would like to give… whatever this is… a proper try, if you’d be willing. No more desperate rushing about. I know you dislike going slowly, but perhaps it would be nice to take our time for once?” Vinyl stole a glance at the clock, then groaned. “Ugh, your timing sucks… I’ve got a gig here in a little bit. I guess… like, we could do something tomorrow…?” Star Swirl shrugged. “I liked the music that you played for me. I might enjoy seeing how you… ‘lay waste to a dance floor,’ if you’d let me accompany you.” She smiled. “You sound like an idiot when you say that.” “Come on, go easy on me. None of this exists where I’m from.” “...I still think you’re kinda sexy,” she blurted. The two of them blushed, and Vinyl looked away. “I mean… I dunno…” “I feel the same,” he breathed. Then he moved his hoof over her lips and smiled. “Very well; if you’d prefer to spend some time before your show… perhaps get a bite to eat or something… I can assure you that time travel is relatively safe over short distances. Is there anything in particular that you would like to do?” A tingling sensation worked its way through Vinyl’s chest, and a huge grin plastered itself across her face. “Yeah, I can think of one thing that I’d like to do…” She leaned in close and raised her lips toward his, and time soon fell away as they became lost in a warm, insistent kiss, which both of them committed to with passion.
