Dawn broke slowly on Manehattan. The city was already awoken and full of noise - of course, Manehattan was possibly the one area of Equestria that never slept - but now there was the distinct sounds of hustling and bustling; morning workers piling into offices and setting up for a day's work; market stalls being constructed and furnished, laden with goods of all kinds to sell in the squares; retailers turning over the "CLOSED" signs on their shop windows and opening the doors wide to custom. Ponies of all kinds were waking in a way that was clouded over with disappointment and dread; even the weather reflected the general mood as a low mist clung to the city, sticking to buildings and splattering pedestrians with a light, irritating rain. It was Monday morning, the morning nopony likes to see.
Nopony, that is, apart from a young stallion in a high-rise apartment towards the west of the city, going by the name of Marble Star. He was an earth pony; black and white pinto in colour and relatively thin, with a neatly layered mane falling just past his shoulders and a forelock which covered his eyes just a little. His cutie mark was a plain black star, but a large and clear symbol, indicating that he was somewhat involved with showbusiness. The stallion seemed undaunted by the day of the week, and hummed a tune contentedly as he made his way around the neatly furnished and decorated kitchen of the apartment, singing along to the radio that played in a far corner of the room. Marble Star was preparing food in an elegant and delicate manner, arranging and re-arranging the crockery and cutlery to a perfect fashion, as if it meant something important to somepony. The food itself was of the best kind one could find in the city; softly toasted wholemeal bread, freshly cut hay, juicy and ripe fruit, and a pot of coffee, strong and flavoursome. It was a meal for somepony very, very important, and that somepony was just awaking in the next room.
Sunlight poured into the bedroom and fell into the eyes of a unicorn mare, white in coat, who lay snuggled up in her covers on the large bed. She let out a groan, and turning over, her attempts to shut the day out were thwarted by the arrival of Marble Star with her breakfast - just like every morning. The mare in her bed was Vinyl Scratch, or DJ PON-3 as her stage name read - infamous club music producer and disc jockey, a platinum record selling artist who was admired and respected all over Equestria. You would be forgiven for thinking that Marble Star, breakfast tray in his hooves, was a relative or partner - he was merely her agent, manager, spokestallion, assistant, companion and faithful servant. In all truth, the pair merely passed as being "friends"; but they were like-minded in their line of work, and to Vinyl, that was pretty much all that mattered.
"Good morning to you, Scratch." Marble carefully set the breakfast tray down on the bed and gave the young DJ a warm smile. Vinyl heaved herself up and blinked, startling crimson eyes bleary, cobalt-blue mane tangled and tousled. She looked down at her breakfast then up at Marble with a grin, before wordlessly tucking in. It might have seemed rude to another pony for not having received a greeting of any kind, but Marble was used to it. He wouldn't expect a thanking, either, which was fortunate - as if he was, he would be disappointed heavily by Vinyl Scratch.
The stallion then trotted into another room momentarily, before returning with a folder marked "Marble's Organiser". It was large, packed to the brim full of paperwork, forms, invitations and fan letters, all stored by the efficient colt as a mild way of keeping Scratch's life in order where he felt she wouldn't be able to alone. Opening the first page onto a diary, he flicked to the day's date and looked over it before reading it aloud to the munching DJ.
"All right. So today, you're needed at the opening of that music centre for disabled foals in Fillydelphia--"
"No can do." The mare waved a hoof at Marble, dismissing the idea entirely.
"And why not?" said Marble, although he knew perfectly well what was coming. So well, in fact, that he could have probably mouthed along with Vinyl's next words as she said them.
"Look, Marbs, I'm a big-show star. I've told you before; I'm not doing any small-town events because they're just not worth it. I need better than that. I'm too good for Fillydelphia, we can both admit it."
"But they're counting on you out there! This is a big opportunity for those kids, can't you see that? Most of them will never be able to play music like you can."
"Then why should I care?"
It was a cold comment, and it sent a shiver down Marble's spine. He secretly couldn’t tolerate her callous, throw-away attitude in the slightest, but this was his job, so he did not object.
"Very well, Vinyl. I will contact them as soon as I can and tell them to find a replacement. Better?"
Vinyl took a sip of her coffee and nodded. "Much better. What else?"
The stallion peered back down at his organiser. "A photo shoot. For Manehattan Mares magazine, two-thirty this afternoon."
"Good... and?"
"And a DJ set at the after party of a premiere for the Bridleway adaptation of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', eight forty-five tonight. I know you don't... appreciate Flankspere all that much, but it will be a very high-profile event."
Vinyl sat back on her pillows for a moment of thought, brow furrowed in concentration, before concluding her opinion.
"Anything high-profile is good enough for me. We'll keep that."
Marble nodded, and with another bright smile, he shut his organiser and strolled out of the DJ's bedroom, leaving her to eat in peace.
Later that day, Marble accompanied Vinyl on a shopping trip on the higher end of the city's retail area. The two spent hours browsing over dresses and scarves and shoes and earrings, all intricately patterned and all with a hefty price tag; but money was no object for such a high-flying mare such as DJ PON-3. Admittedly, clothing wasn't exactly her thing, but she had mixed with the right ponies for long enough to obtain a good fashion sense and a pride for what she wore - not to mention the ability to strut along confidently in her high-heels on pretty much any terrain. At this point, Marble was merely a companion; not being at all fashion inclined, he was forced to sit on the sidelines and only give the most basic of advice to the DJ's choices. However, not unlike most stallions, he didn't mind this option at all. The most 'fashion' Marble Star found himself accustomed to was the colour and style of writing quills.
On arrival at the photo shoot at two-thirty, Marble was once again bereft of his client as she was whisked away by a group of ponies in rather bright outfits. From here, she was covered in make-up, dressed and re-dressed about fifty times, and had little choice in the matter before being flung out in front of a harsh spotlight and a camera. Despite this fast pace, her smile remained, and as she posed for the camera the claps and cheers from the designer ponies and make-up artists could be clearly heard. The photographer, going by the name of Focus Snap, turned to Marble during the interval and clapped him so hard on the back he almost spluttered out the tea in his mouth.
"This girl is a superstar! Are you her manager?"
"Uhm... yes. I am her manager, agent, spokestallion, companion and assistant, sir."
The photographer widened his eyes with a grin. "Well you do have your hooves full, don't you? You must be very pleased with her."
"Oh yes," Marble smiled as nicely as he could. "She's my very best client."
Vinyl Scratch was, in fact, Marble’s only client - but he was not about to let an important pony know that. As they had taught him in showbusiness school, “Never let the truth get in the way of a good story."
What followed the photo shoot was an interview with Inksplotch, a Manehattan Mares journalist with a reputation for getting the worst out of celebrities. Her questions proved to be... challenging.
"So, DJ PON-3! How's life?"
Vinyl smiled smugly. "Better than the best you can imagine. I think we can agree that I got it good. I'm living my dreams!"
"Fantastic! So ahead of your new album release, Party Ponies, what are you thinking? What are you expecting of your success on this one?"
"Well, that's obvious," beams Scratch. "The same I get from every album. Platinum."
"Oooh, aiming high, huh? Well, I wish you the best! So, may I ask, who are you celebrating your success with? Got somepony waiting back home?"
"Hmm? Nah, nopony. Apart from my manager Marble of course. He's great. He's like a husband, really, just without the mushy romantic ties."
Inksplotch raised her eyebrows, before calling Marble over. "Is that true? Are you like a married couple, Marble Star?"
Marble was aghast. When was he told he'd be brought into this? Besides... he was already married! To a mare who was good, kind, helpful, selfless... in a nutshell, nothing like DJ PON-3.
"W-well... I'm already m-married... uhm..."
"Well, would you wanna be with Scratch?" continues the bubbly journalist, ignoring the stallion's clear distress. "She's the mare every stallion wants to love, right? You get a very personal insight into her life."
"Uhm... o-oh dear. Uhm... I think..." Scratch's eyes burned into him from behind her glasses. Never let the truth get in the way of a good story. But... Marble was a good stallion, and he was not about to ruin his marriage over some celebrity.
"Even if I was not married, I think I would remain in a professional relationship with DJ PON-3. Nothing more."
"I cannot believe you."
Vinyl Scratch had not said another word to the interviewer, and once they were free, she had scolded poor Marble for all he was worth.
"You were supposed to say that you'd drop everything to be with me! You're supposed to have a huge crush on me, remember? Just like hundreds of other ponies!"
"I am not obliged to say or do anything of that sort, Vinyl. As much as you may wish it, I have no romantic feelings for you. I am happily married."
"Equestria didn't need to know that!"
Marble ran a hoof through his mane before it slipped back over one eye once more. "I'm not discussing this anymore, Vinyl. I do so much for you, and the thanks I get for it is humiliation."
The stallion walked ahead along the street, and Vinyl called to him.
"You get paid for the things you do for me! Isn't that enough?"
The afternoon was spent in a subdued mood. Marble never liked to hold a grudge against his client, but sometimes she tested his patience to the very limit. Getting ready for Vinyl's set at the premiere was an arduous task without communication between the two, but somehow they managed, and at eight forty-five, Vinyl Scratch stepped out onto Bridleway's red carpet, joined by her manager. The pair were greeted by actors and playwrights alike, and soon they made their way through the theatre and down a spiralling staircase that led to a high-profile nightclub. The nightclub was hazy with smoke, music and strobe lights - just the sort of environment Vinyl was used to - and she spent a few moments preparing backstage before trotting out in front of the crowds to play her set.
The night was just like any other night for DJ PON-3. Ponies of all kinds danced their hooves off on that floor, most of them heavily intoxicated and all of them enjoying the music to the most of their abilities. True, Manehattan was a classy city, but that did not mean the residents didn't let their manes down given the opportunity; and tonight, anything seemed to go out there as ponies hooked up, made out and danced off, all in sight of the young DJ who spun her records and worked her music like the professional she was. Marble was backstage, as always, discreetly hiding away from the mess and noise of the club. He wasn't particularly taken with the DJ's idea of a "good time", so, like every night, he modestly kept himself to himself backstage, talking to nopony except to call his wife and let her know that yes, he was still alive.
A few long hours later, and the party was finished. The club was slowly being vacated, and DJ PON-3 was slumped against her DJ deck, completely wasted. It would now be Marble's job to pick her up, drag her home and set her down in bed, with an aspirin and a glass of water on her bedside table ready for whatever ridiculous hour in the afternoon she decided to wake the next day. He did this with no complaint, plucking her off the stage and helping her to walk down the winding streets and avenues of the city before reaching the apartment block, and after holding her mane back for her while she unceremoniously expelled the contents of her stomach into a nearby bush, he dragged her up the staircase and to her home. After getting her in bed and tucking her blankets in over her, he sighed.
"This has gotta change, Scratch." he said to himself. "You can't go on like this."
The problem Marble Star had was that Vinyl had no reason to change. She was set in her ways, a mare of her own mind, and like she had said to press reporters and fans alike, she was completely unstoppable. She would have to undergo some sort of huge life-altering event to think twice about her flashy lifestyle, and that was quite unlikely. With another sigh, Marble Star picked up his organiser and left the apartment to go to his own home. He would likely not get much sleep tonight, but what was new about that?
On the other side of Equestria, a different Monday was beginning.
Octavia Rose Allegra was already up, washed and fed by the time the sun was rising slowly from the horizon. Today was a big day for the humble cellist; today, Mayor Mare would announce who would be running and organising the annual Ponyville Music Festival, and of course, Octavia was desperate to play a part.
Octavia was a prestigious musician; graduated from the Royal School of Music in Canterlot, and had won more classical music accolades than you could shake a stick at. In her hooves, the Music Festival would be a classy, elegant celebration that would attract custom from all over Equestria.
A gentle Mozart symphony played from Octavia's living-room radio as she tidied up her house. Tidiness was somewhat of a habit with the grey earth pony; everything always had to be neat and presentable, just like her immaculate coat and shining jet-black mane. It was a small secret of Octavia's that she wished she was a unicorn. Magic would not only make her appear more like the refined ponies in Canterlot, but would give her far more ability to play her cello - and tidy up her house.
Elsewhere in Ponyville, a very different musician was preparing for the same moment. Radio Melody, a red-coated unicorn with a bright blue and purple mane, was working in the Haven; Ponyville's most popular nightclub and the sort of place Octavia wouldn't be caught dead visiting.
Radio, or "Rad" as she preferred to be named, was an up-and-coming DJ, (her profession somewhat given away by the bass clef mark on her flanks), and although she longed for the sort of fame and publicity received by none other than DJ PON-3, she was popular in her hometown.
Humming a tune, the little mare checked her sound equipment was functioning, tapping a microphone gently to emit a loud booming sound from four huge speakers that lined the stage. She nodded to herself, before letting out a quiet squeal of excitement. To her, the Music Festival would mark the beginning of her career. She would make it vibrant, colourful, modern - and of course, it would attract musical ponies from everywhere. Somewhere in the crowd would stand a news reporter, or an agent, looking for some fresh talent to work with; and upon hearing Rad's musical concoctions, they would jump at the chance to make her a star. She sighed happily, switching off the electricals before trotting over to the bar and taking a seat.
A knock on the door interrupted the mare's thoughts, and after uttering a "come in", she was joined by a young colt with identical red fur and blue hair. She gave him a smile and beckoned him closer to her.
"Hey, little stallion. Come to wish me luck?"
The colt's name was Major Melody, Rad's younger brother. A tiny young unicorn, he was yet to earn his cutie mark, but carried with him an enthusiastic attitude and a never-fading smile. This he displayed widely to his sister as he trotted up to the bar, giggling as she picked him up in her hooves and placed him in her lap.
"You don't need luck, you're the best DJ in Equestria." he chirped, his little hooves resting atop the bar table. Rad grinned and nuzzled through his mane.
"Well... maybe. Second best, after DJ PON-3."
The colt thought for a moment before speaking again. "No, you're better than her."
A blush was merely visible on Rad's cheeks, but she felt her ears burn. She set the colt on the ground before getting up herself, smiling.
"I dunno about that. I try my best, I guess."
A moment of silence pulled itself between the siblings, before the colt clutched at his stomach with a forehoof.
"I'm hungry."
Rad heaved a sigh, running a hoof through her mane. Most everypony in Ponyville was hungry these days. The last harvest had been dreadful, dry and unproductive due to slip-ups in the weather, and it had caused a food and monetary shortage. The winter just passed had been one of the toughest in the town's history.
"I know."
The young DJ pulled her brother into a hug. "That's why I'm putting my all into this festival. So we can get some real money."
Another knock at the door of the club interrupted the pair, and in stepped two more ponies, grinning for all they were worth.
The first was a stallion by the name of Blueflash, a Pegasus with a cobalt coat and a cyan mane, tail and cutie mark of three lightning bolts. He was a rapper, and though his main job was in weather technology, his rhyming skills were impressive. He too had signed up for the festival organising committee, and had a similar vision of finding stardom to Rad.
The other was a earth pony mare named Sundial. She was sky blue in colour, her mane and tail a shining golden yellow, and adorning her flank was a bright yellow sun. She was the proprietor of the Ponyville Sunhouse, an inn at the north-end of the town which saw little custom in these harsher times. Originating from Appleoosa, her spare time was spent playing her beloved guitar and singing to entertain her guests. She had signed up to help with the festival as well, and hoped it would bring a little happiness back to Ponyville where it had recently been absent.
The ponies exchanged greetings before looking around the club together, tapping and scuffling their hooves along the ground awkwardly.
"Today's the day, I guess." said Blueflash, offering his friends a warm smile. It was likely that not all of them would get on the committee, meaning that one, two, or all three of them could be disappointed by the end of the day.
"All set?" asked Sundial, and Rad nodded.
"All set."
"Look, guys..." said the blue mare with a sympathetic look, "Does it matter all that much if not all of us get in? Ah mean, we're still gonna be besties, right?"
Blueflash chuckled. "Besties. I gotcha."
"Yeah. An' if one or two of us does get in, we can trust 'em to make the festival awesome!"
Rad smirked. "I'm not sure if I can trust you with that, Sundial..."
"Hay, watch it, smartie-flank."
"What, you're not the coolest pony in town..."
The ponies laughed and took one last look around the club, before taking their things and making their way out to the Town Hall.
The Town Hall was dressed for the occasion. Musically-themed banners rose up on the high walls, posters advertising the festival were stuck all over the room, and Mayor Mare had suitably decided to don a suit patterned with brightly coloured musical notes. The Major never liked to miss out on town celebrations, and this particular event would hopefully raise the spirits of the residents and help everypony to recover from the harvesting crisis.
Octavia was, as usual, one of the first residents to arrive to the meeting. Mayor Mare smiled at her approvingly.
"Octavia Allegra, if I recall?"
"That's right, Mayor." confirmed Octavia with a polite smile. "I am one of the candidates for the committee."
The Major gave a cheerful laugh. "And a very strong candidate you are, Miss Allegra! Your kind of musical talent is just what we're looking for on the team."
Octavia was flattered at the compliment, and her smile brightened before she took one of the front seats of the hall.
Soon enough, Ponyville's population began to arrive, filling up the seats and waiting patiently for the announcements to begin. Rad, Major, Blueflash and Sundial got seats in the middle of the hall, and Rad quickly sat her brother in her lap so he could see the front podium.
After about twenty minutes of idle chatter and ponies taking their seats, Mayor Mare stepped up to the podium and tapped the microphone as a way of asking for silence.
"Fillies and gentlecolts, mares and stallions. I would like to thank you all very much for coming along to this town meeting, concerning our annual Ponyville Music Festival."
Polite claps filtered in from the crowd, and Octavia turned her head to gaze over the rest of the audience. She had a lot of competition in there.
"As you know, the Music Festival is one of our oldest and most popular celebrations, and we strive to make it our very best each year."
Rad and Sundial, sitting next to one another, exchanged bored glances. Major Mare did this every year; a long speech on the importance of the Festival and how much it means to the town. The audience was usually half asleep by the time the actual announcements came around.
"The Festival continues to be a fun and exciting summer event, with guests and musicians arriving to join in with our musical performances from all over Equestria. It is a true show of the creativity and colour that resides here in Ponyville, and a chance for all of you to get involved with a spectacular weekend.
"However, this year we face a little more in the way of obstacles than we have previously. Due to the food shortages, we are all feeling a little under the weather, and it is only fair to say that preparing the Festival is to be a considerable struggle for those involved.
"But, if it is successful, it will give us our much-needed economic boost to get everypony back on their hooves. So, having read through all of your submissions, my advisors and I have come to a conclusion on who should be on the committee."
Mayor Mare turned over the piece of paper on her podium, and cleared her throat. At the front, Octavia's heart thumped in her chest. Towards the middle, Radio Melody's hooves shook as she held her brother close.
"At the head of the committee, leading the group is somepony capable of great musical collaborations and compositions. She will be responsible for organising the committee, making sure everypony does what they have been allocated to do, and watching the progress and development of the Festival as it happens. I'm pleased to announce that the role of head of the committee goes to Octavia Rose Allegra."
Octavia's heart leapt as she heard her name being called, and blushed faintly as the audience clapped for her. She had her wish - but who would she be working with?
"The next member of the team will be our Cloudsdale correspondent. This member has will be responsible for making sure the weather is good when the Festival happens, drumming up custom from the Pegasi, and providing as much musical talent from the flying ponies as he can. This title goes to a stallion by the name of Blueflash."
A stallion in the middle of the room suddenly stood up in typical confident Cloudsdale fashion, whooping when he heard his name. This was Blueflash, of course - and while some ponies found his gesture amusing, he earned himself a fair deal of strange looks. Sundial pulled him back down onto his chair, glaring at him with a hissed, "Shush!"
Octavia coughed a little in anxiousness, studying the bold Pegasus with a disapproving stare. Hopefully for her, the rest of the team wouldn't be as... loud.
"Our third committee member will be responsible for providing musical equipment and venues, finding and inviting musicians from across Equestria to take part, and allocating performance times for each of them. I award this position to Radio Melody."
Radio let out another quiet squeal, her heart lifting. Major giggled, and she pulled him close and clung to him tight. She had made it. This was her big break!
"And our final member of the Ponyville Music Festival Organising Committee will be somepony able to make our guests happy, comfortable and entertained. She will help provide catering, games and smaller events for foals, a helping hoof wherever needed and her ever so valuable kindness and bright spirits. This role goes to none other than Sundial."
Sundial gave a yelp and a squeal, before reaching over to Rad and hugging her tight. Blueflash rolled his eyes and muttered something about pots calling kettles black.
Octavia too rolled her eyes on hearing the second squeal from a pony on the committee that morning. She had the inclination that her new colleagues would be a lot of hard work, but she smiled through gritted teeth and clapped along with the rest of the audience.
Later that day, the team were led to a room around the back of the Town Hall, where Mayor Mare explained that this would be their "board room" for ideas and planning prior to the festival. They had three weeks to get everything done, which Mayor Mare explained was quite enough time. Octavia had to bite her tongue in order to stop herself from objecting.
The team had met briefly after the meeting, and Octavia couldn't help feeling a little like the odd one out. These ponies were all about "pop" music; electronically generated sounds and loud, harsh drum beats. Octavia was far more quaint; much preferring to spend her time practicing Bach cello pieces or listening to Vivaldi with a cup of green tea.
Soon, the team were left to themselves, and Octavia cleared her throat nervously, taking a seat at the table.
"Well," said the cellist, watching the other ponies intently as they joined her at the table, "We all heard what the Mayor said. We are going to have to put 110% of our efforts into this festival if we are to bring any kind of hope back to Ponyville."
"Agreed." said Sundial.
Blueflash placed his forehooves on the table and sunk his head into them with an audible sigh. "But how? How do we attract crowds from all over the kingdom? This is Ponyville. Not like anyone comes here or anything."
Rad nodded a little, before thinking. "If only we had the means to get somepony like DJ PON-3 on boa- wait. Who says we don't have the means to do that?"
A bright smile rippled throughout the group, but Octavia remained innocently solemn.
"DJ who?" she asked quietly, fiddling delicately with the bow tie around her neck.
The other ponies immediately gawped at her. "You don't know who DJ PON-3 is?" cried Blueflash, suddenly finding reason to lift his head and stare wide-eyed at the cellist.
"Listen, Bluebolt-"
"Blueflash."
"Blueflash. Listen. I am a classical musician, not some sort of pop pony."
Blueflash blinked, before shaking his head. "Dude, even my grandma knows who PON-3 is!"
"Was that some sort of insult?"
"Well ye-"
"Guys!"
It took a while for Octavia to realise she had begun to raise her voice. Hastily swiping a hoof through her mane, she coughed and tucked her chair further towards the table. Rad was the one to have interrupted them, firmly putting her hoof down on the table.
"We can't do this if we don't get along!" the red-coated mare explained. "Octavia, DJ PON-3 is a really famous musician. Like, really famous."
Sundial snorted indignantly. "Pfft, yeah, only the most famous musician in Equestria. A few years back, she took the music industry by storm. She is the music industry."
Octavia sighed. "Celestia help the music industry, in that case..." she muttered, before turning back to Rad. "Okay. This idea of yours."
"Like Sun said, DJ PON-3 is pretty much the most successful musician in Equestria. If we get her to come to the festival, she'll bring her fans - and she has a lot of fans. We'll make more money than you can imagine with her, and give everypony a blast."
Octavia thought for a moment. A long moment. It was a good plan - but she knew full well what these celebrities could have planned. Could they trust this DJ? Letting out a soft "hrm", she locked her eyes upon Rad's anticipating gaze.
"I think... In any other circumstances - and I mean any - I'd reject such an idea. I don't believe your kind of music will bring... erm... quite the desired "crowd" along with it. But considering we all seem to be sitting in the same slowly sinking boat... I'll see what I can do."
Rad whooped, punching the air with a hoof. "Can you try and contact her tomorrow?"
"I'll try my hardest. This festival means a lot to all of us."
"Way t'go, Octy!" exclaimed Sundial, before blinking. "Can we call you that?"
"In any other circumstances..." she began, before sighing. "You may. Call me Octy if you so wish."
