Tuned Too Low

Chapter 14:'Thank You and Goodnight!' The Finale

   Midday, Ponyville. 5:30, the sun slowly descending towards the west as stores were closing all around Ponyville, lights were going out and 'Open' signs were flipping to the 'Closed' side. The weather had changed from high temperature to slightly lower. The sky was a mixture of purple, violet and orange. Chatter could be heard all over as almost everpony walked towards the party. One pony, however, had no idea what was going on.

   "Pinkie?" Octavia said nervously. "Why is everpony heading for my house?"

   "Oh! Don't worry, Octy!" Pinkie said hopping beside her. She wore a grin to anypony who didn't know personally would have been scared of, but since Octavia did, she was out right terrified.

   Twilight laid a hoof on Octavia's shoulder. "I'm sure everything's fine, Octavia." Trixie nodded.

   "I don't know, Twilight." Octy shook her head. "What is this even for? Did Vinyl put you up to this?"

   "Um...it's a surprise." Fluttershy whispered.

   This did not calm the grey mare. Possible situations shot through her mind, each one of them involving her son and wife. 'What could they be up to?' She thought, sticking close to the group as they walked into the crowd of ponies.

                                                                               ~*~~*~~*~

  Outside the Scratch home. three members of Just a Scratch hung out and chatted with the CMC's. Spike and Scoots stayed quite through the majority of the conversation before Sky acted on it.

   "So, Spike. You haven't said anything for an hour." He grinned and turned to Scoot. "And neither have you, Scootaloo. Is there something going on?"

   Red looked at Sky and then at Spike. He noticed how the young dragon's muzzle was turning a light pink color. An evil smile formed on his face. "Yeah, Spike. IS there? Like something between you and Scoot?"

   "Nope." Spike answered quickly.

   "Oh come on! Your tails are wrapped together and you've been leaning on each other since you got here."

   Scootaloo looked down to hide her rosy muzzle. She looked back and saw her tail was wrapped around Spike's. She looked up at Red and Sky and sighed. "Alright, alright. You caught us." She leaned on Spike. "We're...kinda a thing now."

   Sky nodded. "It's about time, 'Spikey'." He said, using the nickname Rarity called him at one point.

   "After all this time of going on and on and on about..." Sweetie added.

   Spike wrapped an arm around Scootaloo. "Well, it happened. So let out all the 'I told you so's'." Scoot smiled.

   "Oh it's not us you should really worry about, Spike." Red added. "It's Cee. He was the one who pushed you every time you mentioned Scoot."

   Sky reminded him of a time. "'Why can't I just go ahead and ask her? It shouldn't be so hard!'"

   "'Then just do it! The one time I have to convince you to do something grown up, you should be ashamed!'" Red laughed. That one was more recent. "And now that you finally did it, he's probably gonna give you a medal for growing a pair."

   Spike stared at Red. "Red, you seem pretty cocky for showing up alone."

   A group 'Ohhhhh!' occurred. Red pointed his muzzle in the air. He then nudged Sky.

   "What?" Sky said.

   "Now we discuss your new mane." He said, still facing the sky.

   "What about it?"

   "It's red."

   "Maroon."

   "Maroon is a type of red. And it's a mohawk now."

   "Your point?"

   "You changed your mane. And I know it has something to do with me."

   Sky was about to deny, but caught a glance from Spike. He knew Spike knew why he did it, but wasn't going to spill it now. He crossed his hooves. "I have my reasons..."

   Red laid a hoof on Sky's shoulder and rocked him back and forth. "Oh don't worry about it! It looks better. Now you don't look like your mom did your mane for you!"

   "He's got a point, Sky."  Sweetie added, touching her hoof to it. "It's a pretty shade. Goes great with your fur color."

   Sky shuffled back a little in attempt to leave the conversation. "Whatever." He briefly looked around. "Speaking of stupid conversations..."

   Red looked around and knew what was up. "Yeah. Where's Cee?"

                                                                                    ~*~~*~~*~

   Meanwhile, inside the home, Vinyl checked everything to make sure the party was a go. The decorations covered the walls and hung from the ceiling. The band area took up most of the room, but with all the furniture moved to the backyard there was just enough room for ponies to groove to the music. But just in case there was an alternative. Vinyl walked to the back of the house, grinning wider with every hoof step as she followed the extension cord through the hall way. It lead through her and Octavia's bedroom and out through the sliding glass door there. She walked out onto the deck and gazed about the backyard.

   The backyard was covered with a makeshift dance floor. 'Pinkie out done herself.' Vinyl thought. She really did. Balloons were tied around the tall fences, the same fences that separated her backyard and her neighbor's. Big speakers surrounded the corners of the dance floor and were connected to the bands station in the living room and to a special spot in the back yard. A DJ station under a tall tree that grew close to the house, two seats, two sets of head phones, two wine glasses, one bottle of cider with a pink bow, and a small black box sat behind it. A huge banner stretched across the whole backyard, on it were three words written in grey and pink letters and numbers:

H4PPY B1RTHD4Y, OCT4V1A!!!

   She couldn't contain her excited laughs, she knew very well that she was going to make this a birthday Octy would never forget.

   She cantered around the dance floor, spinning and jumping to a beat in her head. Imagining the soon to be raging that will take place there. 'Octy's going to flip out when she see's this!' Vinyl fell to the ground with a soft thud and stared up at the sky. After a few minutes of silence, she heard noises, sounds of whispers and soft giggles. She poke her head up from the dance floor and looked around the yard. Nothing.

   "That was weird." Vinyl said aloud.

                                                                                    ~*~~*~~*~

   "Are you sure this is safe, Cee?" Coraline said holding onto him for dear life and shutting her eyes tight.

   "I'm positive! I've done this so many times before. Most of time with Red and Sky." Cee said getting comfortable. "And you get a great view."

   Coraline kept her eyes shut, but didn't let go of Cee. He sighed.

   "Cory. Do you trust me?" He asked in pleading voice.

  She leaned her head on him. "Y-yeah."

   "Then open your eyes. I won't let you fall. I've got you, see?" He held onto her. She felt his hooves around her waist and relaxed. Coraline slowly opened her eyes.

   As they opened, they grew wide with amazement. She never been on a roof before, and what she saw made it worth it. The sun was just going down and she had a perfect view of it's departure. She felt her eyes sting at the sight, but mostly from tears. Not bitter ones, but tears of joy. In just two days, she's gone from being pretty much a loner amongst the others, to meeting Cee, to meeting Red and Sky, to being dragged out of class, and now? Now she sat on a roof facing Celestia's sun as it goes down, taking the daylight with it.

   As it vanished from view, she felt something clench on her head. Like a fabric of some sorts. She looked and saw Cee, with out his beanie, and placing it on her.

   "Cee?" She said.

   "My mom got me this hat when I was a foal. Like, when I was two." He adjusted it so it fitted on Coraline's head. He smiled at the sight. "It's been kinda like part of who I am...I thought it would look cooler on you..."

   Coraline felt blood rush to her cheeks. She couldn't control the smile forming on her face, Cee couldn't either. She lunged over him in a big hug. Cee hesitated at first, but returned the gesture. For the first time, he felt...serious. Like this was something big. Coraline was cute, sure. She had a few issue's with loneliness, for good reason. But since earlier that day, as they walked to Cee's house, since the night before by the stream, he felt something with her. He assumed he wouldn't understand it at first and will later. Until then though, he doesn't care. As long as Coraline stays.

   He pulled away to look her in the eyes, those rhinestones, and was immediately surprise when she leaned forward. Planting a kiss on his nose. His mind went in a million directions. If he were Spike, steam would be flowing from his nostrils. The sunglasses he wore fogged up and Coraline disappeared behind them.

   "I'm guessing you like me." He said wiping the condensation off the leans. She didn't say anything. Nothing came to mind, and what was there to say, really? She leaned forward planting an actual kiss on Cee's lips. It was brief, but the effect lasted. Cory looked at him and giggled.

   "U-U-Uh, I-I-I..." Cee stuttered.

   *Whistle*

   They turned to see Vinyl, leaning on her elbow, watching the two in silence. A big grin on her face. Cee and Cory turned bright red and froze.

   "Don't mind me." She laughed. "But the party will be starting soon. So, when you're done playing 'house', come to the front yard." She climbed down from the tree and disappeared from their sight. Cee couldn't believe his mother just pretty much killed such a peaceful moment, but only for a few seconds. Then he remembered who she was. He turned back to Cory, she was looking out to front yard. Cee joined her.

   "So..uh, want to go hang out with them?" He said passively.

   "I don't know." She shrugged. "I kinda like it up here."

   Cee laughed. "And back when I was little I wanted a tree house, when I could've just sat up here."

   Cory joined in the laughter. They laid on their backs and stared up at the approaching night sky. Dimmed and cloudy, stars faded onto it's surface and the moon slid up from it's resting place. Clouds hovered in front of the moon and highlighted, making them look like ghosts. Cee pointed on out that looked like Pinkie Pie' mane.

   "Hey!"

   Cee poked his head up and leaned over the roof's edge. "What? I'm trying to having a moment here!" Cory tried to suppress a laugh.

   "Where have you-" Sweetie stopped for a second. "How did you get on your roof?"

   "It's my house. I think I would know how to get on my roof. Duh."

   Sweetie face hoofed. "Can we come up?"

   Cee was about to answer, but hesitated. He looked back at Cory, she smiled. "I'm still here, Cee."

   He looked back down at the group below. "Sure! Come around back."

                                                                                     ~*~~*~~*~

   "You know what, Cee?" Spike said, laying next to Scootaloo on the roof. Next to him were Sweetie and Applebloom. Sky next to Red and Red next to Cee, who laid next to Cory, of course.

   "What?" Cee said, not moving an inch.

   "Out of all the crap me, Red, and Sky have given you since you moved here two years ago, we're all glad you put up with it." He said sincerely. "I mean, look at all of us. A bunch of ponies and a dragon. Getting in trouble, detention, and getting grounded for silly kid stuff." He poked his head up. "And you did worst than that in the first two months.The gala incident, the time you lit Sugar Cube Corner on fire-"

   "Accidentally lit Sugar Cube Corner on fire." Cee added.

   "The point being, you don't think first. You just go along with it. I don't know what made you move, good or bad, but I can honestly say I'm kinda glad it happened."

   Cee laughed. "The reason I moved was because me and my moms' hated Hayword. I was bullied because of my parents being gay and me being magically born." He grew silent. "But...who cares? I never have to go back. And why would I have to? Everything I would really want, I'm surrounded by it. And on top of all that, today, I got me, Red, and Cory here a break from school fro the next few days." He nudged Cory. "So this roof just became my new home."

   They all D'awww'd, but stopped. Sky poked his head up. "Wait, how?"

   "I pretty much took her out of school, while skipping class. And to top it all off, Pinkie came in to get us for the party."

   Red laughed softly. "And pied the teacher."

   Everpony else lurched up, all expect for Cory, Cee, and Red. "She did what?!" They said in unison.

   Cory nodded. "Knocked her out, too. Pinkie will be lucky if she doesn't get arrested."

   "I'll be lucky if I don't get arrested." Cee added.

   Cory rolled over to face Cee and placed a hoof on his head. "And why would they do that?"

   "Do your parents know where you are?"

   Cory laughed. "They'll be out of town until Thursday."

   "What's today?"

   "Tuesday."

   "So I got you over a course of two days?"

   Cory lifted her hoof and dropped it softly on Cee's head. "One, I let you get me..."

   Spike scoffed. Scootaloo laughed.

   "...Two, plus the months you spent watching me."

   Cee blushed. "That was for a legitimate reason!"

   Cory looked him in the eye, her's turned into lie detectors. Cee was no match.

   "Okay, maybe not."

   "I'm glad to see you're not so down in the dumps anymore, 'Cory'." Scoots teased.

   "You know I don't want to get back on that again." Cory closed her eyes and enjoyed the silence. The feeling of Cee's hoof resting on her's. Everything was peaceful...

   "Hello?!"

   "Horseapples." She whispered. Cory recognized that voice it stung her ears. It haunted her dreams. It brought her back to that dreadful day. "If we don't move or make a sound, they won't know we're here."

   "Oh Hi! Are you some of Cee's friends?" Cory felt Cee cringe.

   "Oh Celestia. No, mom, no-" He said under her breath.

   "Cee!" Vinyl called. "He's on the roof with his other friends. Cee! You have more company!"

   Cee looked around at everypony, they all wore anguish on their faces. He made a desperate attempt at something. But it was risky and he had to be crafty...

   "Uh...Cee isn't here right now! He...uh, died." He called back. "So...please leave a message after the beep!...Beep."

   It may have been possible that Princess Celestia herself heard the sound of multiple face-hooves.

   "Oh, Cee! Get down here!" Vinyl laughed. With a group groan, everypony on the roof made their way to the front yard.

                                                                                    ~*~~*~~*~

   "I'll just leave you all alone." Vinyl said before trotting off into the house. Leaving the poor, poor group of ponies, and Spike, to the snobby two.

   "Well, well, well!" Diamond Tiara started. But Cee immediately lost his cool, taking his sunglasses off.

   "Oh, shut up with that! What do you want, Diamond?" He said, not in the mood for H.S. Diamond just scoffed.

   "What ever do you mean, Christoffer? I'm only here to wish Miss Philharmonica a Happy birthday. I'm sure she deserves one, especially knowing you're here and might muck it up."

   Cory took a surprising step forward. "Listen, snob queen. None of us have the patience to deal with you. Nopony does. Hay, nopony ever has!" She took another step forward.

   Silver Spoon took a step forward. "Come now, Cory. We're still frie-"

   "Don't call me 'Cory'. Ever. Don't you ever say that name to me again." She walked back and stood beside Cee. "So far, he's the only one who can get away with it."

   Diamond laughed. "Like, you're going out with Scratch? How pathetic! What next? This blank flank and the dragon-Eep!" She jumped back when Scootaloo made an attempt to leap at her. Lucky for Diamond, Spike caught her in mid air.

   "Let me go, Spike! Just one hit! Just one!" She struggled in his grasp. He whispered in her ear, saying things to calm her down. Eventually, she did. "Fine." She stopped struggling. But for her sake, and the fact that her fur was soft, Spike held on to her.

   "You should keep her on a leash." Silver said.

   "What are you even doing here?" Sky stepped forward. "As far as I know, you're only here to piss off Cee, Coraline, and Scoots. So, why stay?" He spat. "Do them a favor and buck off."

   Red stifled a laugh. Cee even had trouble keeping a straight face.

   "Tough talk from a colt-cuddler."

   Sky's eyes grew wide. Cee's jaw dropped, and Cory turned back to Sky. The only thing that went through his mind were the words, 'Hoof plus face equals satisfaction'. Before anypony could blink, Red grabbed Sky and pulled him back. Sky made no struggle against him.

   "Don't even go there, Diamond." Red said, holding Sky. His voice held no emotion. He looked down at Sky, his eyes were teary, but no tears fell. "Come on. Let's go." He said. Red grabbed Sky and walked back into the house.

   "That was pretty cute." Silver said sarcastically.

   "That's it!'' Cee snapped. "You have ten seconds to get off my property or...or..-"

   "Or what?" Diamond shot back. "Make fun us in front of all of Ponyville again?" She pouted her lip. "Are you all gonna run to your mommies? If you do which one-" And boom went the dynamite. With speeds that would make Rainbow Dash cringe, Cory stepped towards Diamond gave her one to the cheek. She fell to the grass and held her face in her hooves, Silver rushed to her side. All Spike, Cee, Applebloom, Sweetie and Scootaloo could do was watch. Because after all Diamond put her through, Cory needed that.

   "That was for Scootaloo, Sky, and Cee." Cory hissed. "Now get out of here before I leave more than a welt."

   With that, Sliver and Diamond got to their hooves and made off at break neck speed. Cee stood stunned by all of it.

   "T-That..." He stuttered. "W-was-"

   Cory cover his mouth with a hoof. "That was long over due. And you know it."

   "I'm not arguing." He said. "Not anymore." Cory wrapped her hooves around Cee for a hug and her returned the gesture.

   "This is all turning out quite nicely." Spike added.

                                                                                     ~*~~*~~*~

    Meanwhile, in Cee's bedroom...

   "You sure you're okay?"

   "I'm fine, Red."

   "Don't lie to me, Sky."

   "I said I'm okay!"

   Red sighed. He sat on the bed next to Sky, his head aimed at the floor. "Look...I know how that got to you-"

   "Oh, it didn't get to me at all! I wasn't the only one who wanted to hit her." Sky kept his attention on the wall in front of him while he talked to Red.

   "Are we going to have to do this again?" Red said standing up from the bed. Sky knew where this was going. He fell back on the bed and groaned.

   "What do you want from me?" Sky gave up.

   "I know what you said on the way here wasn't the only thing on your mind." Red explained. "Look, if you tell me, I'll listen. Just...fire away."

   Sky laid there in silence, not knowing what to think or do anymore. His mind and heart were screaming at him, with millions of voices following them. All screaming 'Just do it!' Can he? What's there to lose? Red. He sighed. If all goes down the drain, he couldn't face any of his friends again. He wouldn't leave his room left alone the library. He heart pounded, his head ached. Either the tension in the room was getting to him, or the cider from earlier was. He sat up and went face to face with Red.

   "You want to know? Fine. Yeah, I'm a colt-cuddler, but you already know that." He got up from the bed and walked over to a wall and put his against it. "Ever since we started talking again, something changed. I can't look at you the same way, I can't think of you the same way...if I even stop thinking about you to begin with!"

    Red took a step forward. "Sky?"

    "Let me finish!" Sky snapped. "You were my first friend, my best friend. Spike doesn't count because he's family. You. You are somepony else entirely." He turned to face Red, his muzzle was highlighted pink. "I...I like you, Red. Like, like you. I'm sorry." He slumped back against the wall and lowered his head. "Go ahead. Reject me. Yell at me for being dumb. It won't change how I feel." His voice held no emotion. It was hollow and defeated. Sky kept his attention to the floor in front of him, waiting to hear a response, he didn't care what it was. He just knew he had to get that off his chest before it left a permanent mark on his mind.

    Red stood there, his mind bouncing in every known direction in Equestria. Everything in the room began to blur together. The room itself tilted and spun around him, but the one thing that stayed the same was Sky. He stayed there. Red took one step forward, Sky cringed. He took another step forward, he saw him shake his head.

    "Sky?" Red whispered. Sky looked up. Before he knew it, Red had grabbed him and hugged him, his hooves wrapped around his back. Sky didn't move, he was confused. "Why didn't you say anything about it till now?"

    Sky felt Red hug grow tighter and wrapped his hooves around the red colt. "I was scared." He cried softly. "I didn't want to lose you."

    They fell to the floor in each other's hooves and leaned against the wall. It grew silent in the room, the only sounds were the ones of Red and Sky, sniffling. Red pulled back to look at Sky.

    "Try not to hide anything from me anymore, okay?"

    Sky only nodded and fell against him. This truly was a relief to him, to Red too. After all the fights, arguments, bitterness, and cover ups. They found each other when the smoke cleared. This was the day that both Red and Sky found out who they were. Nothing could change that, not some snobby filly, not Red's father, not anypony, because with out even knowing the meaning of it, Red and Sky may have found love. Turns out, it was not so far from home.

    After a few minutes, the two heard hoof steps at the door and it clicked. The door opened and a light blue and black mane crept through it, revealing C.D. He walked in and shut the door behind him. Nonchalantly, he sat beside his friends, grinning hugely.

    Red wanted to ask why he just barged in without knocking, but realized it was his room he was in. Sky spoke first, his head on Red's shoulder.

    "So..."

    "So?" Cee asked. "I just came up to hang out with my friends. Is that a problem?"

   Sky smiled. "Not really."

    "So, I guess the secrets out, huh Skylark?" Cee asked.

    "Yeah. And it turns out, you and Spike were right."

    Cee scoffed. "Oh Sparkles, I'm always right."

    Red ears perked. "Since when?"

    "Since just because." Cee leaned against the wall. "This party is going to be great. I'm already tired."

    "You've been with Coraline that long and she's already got you tired?" Sky asked.

    "Yeah, right! It's just those two really got me agitated...Oh! You guys missed it!"

    "What?" Red and Sky said in unison.

    "Cory slapped the hay out of Diamond Tiara!" Cee was so excited. "Oh, the sound! How she looked!" He swooned.

    "One, you're a dork." Red added. "Two, that's awesome!"

    Sky nodded. "Where is she?"

    Cee put on a sheepish grin. "She's...uh, getting ice for her hoof."

    Sky and Red were silent, but then busted out laughing. Cee joined them.

                                                                                    ~*~~*~~*~

    It was 7:00 and the road leading to Cee's house was crowded by ponies. A little while back, Octavia and the gang decide to take a small detour. They walked through a small clearing leading to a smaller road to the house. It was pretty dark, Fluttershy stuck close to Rarity.

   "Oh, try to relax, darling." She petted Fluttershy's mane. "The dark is nothing to be scared of."

   Twilight and Trixie looked at each other and nodded. Their horns began to glow and brighten the trail. They all walked for a few more moments before seeing the house in sight. Octavia broke out into the gallop.

   "Wait! Octavia!" Twilight called after her, but it was too late. She watched as Octy ran ahead. She looked around and realized something. "Hey wait. Where did Pinkie go?"

   Octy approached the already opened door, and reached the living room. Her eyes widened. Her furniture, gone. The room was filled with decorations, musical equipment, a-

   "A CANNON?!" Octavia screamed. Her scream echoed throughout the house, Cee and the kids up stairs heard it, Vinyl out in the backyard flinched an ducked.

   "Well, Octy's home!" She groaned, with a cheerful tone.

   Octavia ran through the house and saw Vinyl, her eyes full of both rage and confusion. Vinyl didn't catch on.

   "Octy!" She ran to her wife and wrapped her hooves around her. Octavia's anger simmered and she hugged back, sighing with relief. "I missed you so much! Today's been pretty much a mess, but look at all of this!" She waved a hoof around the backyard. "All of this! This for you, from your lovable me!"

   Octavia wore a confused expression. "A-All this was...was for...Oh, Vinyl!" She leaned into the DJ. "For my birthday?"

   Vinyl grinned. "Yup! And I head help." She looked towards the house, Cee and his friends waited in the doorway. "Those fillies and colts over there!"

   Octavia turned to the door. Her face changed into one of joy, she saw Cee smiling next to all of his friends. He walked over and hugged his mom. "Happy birthday, mum."

   Tears fell from Octavia's eyes, these were from happiness. She hugged him back. "Thank you so much, Christoffer. I love you."

   "Love you too, mum." Cee said in her embrace. He heard a small 'ahem' from behind him. Cee turned and saw Cory, a small coy look on her face. He pulled away from the hug and scratched the back of his head. "Oh! Right...Mum. This is, uh, Coraline."

   Octavia looked at his body movements and smiled warmly. She extended a hoof to the filly. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Coraline." Coraline shook her hoof.

   "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Miss Philharmonica." She smiled. Cee stood aside quietly. "Cee, are you okay?"

   Cee didn't say a word. Spike walked over. "He's just a little worried now that you and his mom now know each other. Oh, and by the way, they're going out." He laughed and patted Cee on the back. "Good luck!" He walked back to the door, leaving Cee with this new disaster.

   "Oh, really?" Octy smiled.

   Cory looked back at Spike with fury in her eyes. She looked back at Octavia. "Well...yes. Yes we are." She turned to Cee and nodded. And expression saying 'Say something! This is uncomfortable!'

   Cee gulped. Soon a loud bang was heard from the front door and the sound of feed back reached the backyard dance floor. He grinned. "Wow! The party's starting already? Time to go play...Something!" He leaned in and kissed his mom on the cheek. "Happy birthday." He moved to Cory and kissed her on the muzzle. "Good luck." And he turned and ran into the house. Octavia watched him leave. She looked down at Cory.

   "Such a nice colt, hmm?" She said, noticing Cory's blush. "He really seems to like you, seeing how you're wearing his hat."

   Cory patted the top of her head and smiled. "Yeah...he really does." She fell into a dreamy state.

                                                                                    ~*~~*~~*~

   Within ten minutes, everpony was gathered through out the house, some in the living room, some in the front yard, and the majority in the backyard, ready to do whatever moves to whatever is about to be played. The majority of the Mane six were out on the dance floor. In the living room, Cee, Sky, Red, and Spike had their instruments in hoof or claw. Cee tapped the mic with his hoof and cleared his throat. Someponies started cheering before anything was said.

    "Wassup, Ponyville!" Cee yelled into the mic. The house shook when everypony answered. "That's good! We are Just a Scratch, back by unpopular demand! We haven't play a show in about seven months or so, so we might be a little rusty! We have Skylark Sparkle on the bass!" The crowd cheered. "Red Bright on the d-d-d-d-drums!" The crowd roared. "For a supposed return, Spike Sparkle on the rhythm guitar!"

    Scootaloo was out on the dance floor with Applebloom, Sweetie and Cory, but Spike could still hear her cheer the loudest, leading the crowd in the chant, 'Spike! Spike! Spike! Spike!' He walked up to his mic and finished the introduction. "And opening for Just a Scratch, son of the infamous DJ-PON3, playing lead, the foul mouthed foal, C.D. Scratch!!"

    The crowd roared for Cee, his ego now going through the roof. Upon hearing his name, Cory screamed with them. Cee heard her and grinned.

    "Opening act, huh?! But you all knew us! This small gathering is for a very special mare!" Cee yelled into the mic. "She plays the cello, she's grey and wears and pink bow tie, upon seeing the party cannon she had a small heart attack, FLEUR DE LIS EAT YOUR HEAR OUT, OCTAVIA PHILHARMONICA!"

    The crowd of ponies throughout the home cheered and song the birthday song, Cee playing along with his guitar. Octy sunk in her seat at the DJ station next to Vinyl. Vinyl placed headphones on Octy's head and hit play. Classical music began to play a soft melody. It was to the harmony of the birthday song. Octavia looked up to her wife. "Oh, Vinyl-"

    The DJ shushed her and turned the volume up. She poured the cider into the glasses that were left on the station. She hoofed on to Octy. "Just sit back and enjoy."

    Octy squinted her eyes. "What?"

    "I said 'sit back and enjoy'."

    "I can't hear over the music! What?!"

    Vinyl sighed. She leaned over and kissed Octavia. 'Never mind.' She thought.

                                                                                       ~*~~*~~*~

    "Now that that's that!" Cee laughed, realizing he said that three times. "This one goes out to a special filly out there! For her, I will not tell you who she-" Sky walked up behind him and yelled into the mic.

    "Coraline!"

    Cee blushed as he heard the ponies around go 'Awww' and 'Ooooo'. "Very grown up, Ponyville. It goes a little something like this!"

    The song started with Spike playing guitar while Cee sung the intro.

Tell me what you thought about when you were gone and,

So alone,

The worst is over,

You can have the Best Of Me,

We got older,

But we're still young,

We'll never grow out this feeling that we won't give...up...

   Cee and Sky jumped in the air and played along with the song. Red and Spike followed them to the the first verse.

Here we lay again,

On two separate beds, riding phone lines,

To meet a familiar voice,

From pictures drawn from memory,

We reflect on miscommunications,

And misunderstandings,

And missing each other too,

Much to have have to let go...

We turn our music down!

And we whisper!

Say what you're thinking right now!

Everypony:

Tell me what you thought about when you were gone and so alone!

The worst is over!

You can have the best of me!

We got older, but we're still young!

We'll never grow out of this feeling that we won't give up!

    Everpony on the dance floor sung with Cee, the energy surged through the air. None of it reached the DJ panel, however, because Vinyl and Octy locked them selves in a tight embrace. Both wearing the headphones, them playing the soft sounds of the birthday symphony, stuck in one another's gaze.

Jumping to conclusions,

Made me fall away from you,

I'm so glad that the truth has brought back together me and you...

We're sitting on the ground!

And we whisper!

"Say what you're thinking out loud!"

Tell me what you thought about when you were gone!

And so alone!

The worst is over!

You can have the best of me!

We got older!

But we're still young!

We never grew out of this feeling that we wont give up!

   Cory danced with the CMC's in the backyard. They were surrounded by ponies jumping to the beat of the song, though she didn't notice them. She was lost in the lyrics Cee sung...

We Turn our music down,

And we whisper,

We're sitting on the ground,

And we whisper,

We turn our music down,

We're sitting on the ground,

The next time I'm in town,

We will kiss girl...

We will kiss girl!...

Tell me what you thought about when you were gone!

And so alone!

The worst is over!

can have the best of me!

We got older!

But we're still young!

We'll never grow out of this feeling that we won't-

Feeling that we can't-

We're not ready to give up!

We got older...

But we're still young...

We'll never grow out of the feeling that we won't give...up...

   The song ended, Just a Scratch were given a standing ovation from the crowd, mostly from a single filly.

   "Thank you! You're to kind!" Cee then whispered into the mic. "hi, coraline!"

   Spike put his guitar down then grabbed the mic. "So, this time we don't have a set list! At most!"

   Cee looked at the stack of papers he left by his guitar case. "Well...we could play another cover. But this time, you're singing first!"

   Spike laughed. "Why not?"

   "Alright! Cee shouted. This is an old one! It's called 'Pressure'!"

   The song started off with Cee strumming a chord twice, then scratching his hoof over the the strings. Making a sharp sound. Then Sky came in with the repeating bass line. Red played drums. Go Figure. Spike nodded his head to the beat, and then sung into the mic, with a weird accent.

Buzzing up with a musical attack,

Rip it up with a boom sound we no lack,

Got the rhythms, the dub plat killa tracks,

Annihilate and destroy them, we do that,

Letting them know that we come to rock and control again,

Ho, Ho, well!

Setting the pace in the place volume up driving them insane,

Oh that right!

Turn your system down...

(You know the weak can't take it!)

Burn it to the ground...

(Watch how we shatter and we break it!!)

Pressure!

Stress, It seems to drive them underground!

(Pressure!)

Can not take the music killa sound!

(Pressure!)

Yeah we turn up and never down....!

(Pressure!)

Stress, It seems to drive them underground!

(Pressure!)

Can not take the music killa sound!

(Pressure!)

Yeah we turn it up and never down...!

   The ponies in the party were losing their minds, and balance, in the song. There were mosh pits starting on the dance floor, not the best place for one in my opinion. Cory, Scoots, Sweetie, and Applebloom managed to make their way out of the mess before things got too hectic. They moved to the front room so they can watch the band in action.

Annoying neighbors are banging on your door,

Saying that they can take your noise no more,

Your bass is right in your face sounds murder raw,

But we ain't turning it off,

So call the law!

Let all them know that the rockers is hard and are here to stay,

Ho, ho, well!

Tell them to move from your step or back off and just go away!

Oh that's right!

Turn your system down...

(You know the weak can't take it!)

Burn it to the ground...

(Watch how we shatter and we break it!!)

Pressure!

Stress, It seems to drive them underground!

(Pressure!)

Can not take the music killa sound!

(Pressure!)

Yeah we turn up and never down....!

(Pressure!)

Stress, It seems to drive them underground!

(Pressure!)

Can not take the music killa sound!

(Pressure!)

Yeah we turn it up and never down...!

  Cory and the CMC's were nodding their heads to the song. She didn't understand a word he was saying, but Scootaloo liked the way Spike sung this one.

Pressure

Temperature rise turn it up the heat feel the pressure,

Hold uno head an feel the pain from the pressure,

Cannot take the noise coz ah we bring the pressure,

No bodder tell we turn the music down hold the pressure,

Uno got to got to got hold the pressure,

Uno got to got to got hold the pressure,

Uno got to got to got hold the pressure,

Uno got to got to got hold it,

Stress it just drive them underground,

Cannot take the music killa sound,

Yeah we will turn it up but never down,

Pressure!

Stress, It seems to drive them underground!

(Pressure!)

Can not take the music killa sound!

(Pressure!)

Yeah we turn up and never down....!

(Pressure!)

Stress, It seems to drive them underground!

(Pressure!)

Can not take the music killa sound!

(Pressure!)

Yeah we turn it up and never down...!

  The song ended when Cee tried to keep playing, but made it sound like his guitar was failing, hitting it with his hooves. He got up and laughed about. "Yeah! Give it up for Spikey!" The house roared. "This is MY last song!"

  Spike went wided eyed. "But we just started!"

  Cee looked over at him. "I said MY last song. You guys can keep playing, buuuuut..." He glanced over to Cory. "I'm suddenly too tired to."

  Spike caught on. "Alright, Pomeo."

  Cee grinned. "Alright, everypony! Listen up! Will everypony try to get my parents attention? Because if I know them like I do, Their probably too lost in each other to hear me!"

  Meanwhile at the DJ station, Vinyl held a sleeping Octavia to her chest, feeling her wife's warm breath on her fur sent chills up her spine. Suddenly, she saw the whole dance floor run towards the booth to get her attention, waking the sleeping mare.

  "Wha...where am I?" Octy said. Vinyl laughed and took off their head phones.

  "You're birthday." She turned to the crowd. "What? Can't you see we were having a moment here?"

  "Yo, mothers'!" Cee shouted over the speakers. "If you know the lyrics sing along, and good night everpony!"

___________________________________________

All across the sky,

I can see their reflections in your eyes,

If I'm asleep,

Don't wake me up...

Luna's moon is drawing near,

Used to bring light in this time of fear,

But I think that's all been taken care of...

No gas, no light, not damn thing makes you perfect so can somepony tell me why-

I feel my heart melt away,

Come back,

And fall into pieces,

I have this blush on my muzzle,

For all the wrong reasons,

I can't stop myself from shaking,

Is the whole world just breaking,

Or,

Is it just my world,

That is falling down on me?

You can go if you want to,

Did you think I was gonna stop you?

What's the point?

It's like trying to tie down a shooting star...

If you're leaving,

Can you do me one last favor?

Just leave my heart right by the door,

Or you can just toss it in the blender!

No gas!

No light!

Not damn makes you perfect,

But you brighten up my sky...

I can feel my heart melt away,

Come back,

And fall into pieces,

I have this blush on my muzzle,

For all the wrong reasons,

I can't see who is calling me,

Is my sky the only one falling,

Or when you shoved me out of your life,

Where we in floating in space?

(Instrumental)

My...Constellation...

My petty...Constellation...

My...Constellation...

My petty, petty, petty Constellation-*pause*

I feel my heart melt away,

Come back,

And fall into pieces,

I have this blush on my muzzle,

For all the wrong reasons,

I can't stop myself from shaking,

Is the whole world just breaking,

Or,

Is it just my world,

That is falling down on me?

I feel my heart melt away,           (My...Constellation...)

Come back,

And fall into pieces,

I have this blush on my muzzle,   (My...Constellation...)

For all the wrong reasons,

I can't stop myself from shaking,  (My...Constellation...)

Is the whole world just breaking,

Or,

Is it just my world,                        (My petty Constellation...)

That is falling down on me?

________________________________________________

Later that night...

  "That song was cool, Cee." Cory said, laying next to him on his roof. The party was still going. After Cee stopped playing, Just a Scratch kept performing for an hour longer then stopped ,too. As far as Cee and Cory knew, everypony was out on the dance floor in the backyard.

  Cee sighed. "I changed some of the lyrics half a month ago, but decided not to use them tonight." He turned to Cory. "Stars are apparently popular."

  Cory laughed. She scooted closer to Cee, putting her head next to his. "Thanks for 'inviting' me to the party." She giggled. "I had fun."

  "Me, too." Cee whispered. They both stared at the moon, it sat in the center of the sky right above them. It's white glow lighting up the roof. "You know, I could get use to this."

  "Oh?" Cory said.

  "Well, I mean you seem to like hanging out with me. And you're pretty cool..." He looked over and had a hoof over his mouth before he continued. Cory smiled.

  "Shhh..." She whispered. "You're ruining the moment." She leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. Cee smiled and held her close to him. For the rest of the night, the two of them stared up at the night sky, admiring Luna's efforts on such a beautiful night. Cee was glad to spend such a beautiful night, with such a beautiful filly...

  "Vinyl! Hehe, stop!" Octy squealed. Her and Vinyl retreated to their bedroom so they can actually hear themselves talk. Vinyl proceed to take advantage of the situation.

  "Hehe, stop squirming!" Vinyl said. She stopped tickling Octy and used her magic to bring the long before mentioned black box over to her wife.

  "What's this?" Octy asked taking the box.

  "This? This is your birthday present." Vinyl said. Octavia opened the small and place a hoof over her mouth. Her eyes widened and became teary. "You...you.."

  Vinyl took the small present in her magic's grasp and lifted over Octavia's head. It was a pearled necklace. A pink jewel hung from it, but appeared to have a red aura surrounding it. Octavia had tears roll down her cheeks when it was set down around her neck.

  "They call it a blood diamond. This was given to my mother by my father when I was eight." She said. "Before she died, my mom gave it to me. She said to make sure that I give it and only give it to the one I love." She smiled warmly. "And I want you to have it." She stopped to take her glasses off, revealing her ruby red eyes. "I know it's been difficult since C.D.'s been born, and hay, I haven't it much easier at times..." Vinyl eyes brimmed, but she choked down her emotions. "B-But I wanted to let you know...that me and Cee love you. So, so much. Happy Birthday, Octa-"

  Before she could finish, Octavia broke down. She lunged at Vinyl and pressed her lips against her's. After a few seconds she pulled away. "I love you too, Vinyl!" She sobbed. "There's not a thing that could change that. You and Cee are the only two things I care about. In all of Equestria. I love you." She leaned down and kissed Vinyl again, this time more passionate.

  Octy laid in Vinyl's embrace, paying no mind to the ponies in the back yard, or the two  on the roof. She only wanted to sit in this moment. This day was going down as one of the best day's in her life. Earlier today, she was freaking out about what the worst could happened, when it turned out that only good came out of it all. The party, Cee and Cory, the music, the spa. All of it made Octavia's birthday magical. She used to think what would happen if she never married Vinyl, if she never had Cee or moved to Ponyville and just stayed a traveling cellist. She would kick those thoughts right now.

  But, what if...

  "Vinyl?"

  "Yeah?"

  ".....what if we had another foal?"

  "..."

  "Vinyl? Oh!"

                                                                                      Hello.

                      I would like to take this opportunity to thank everypony who tracked or read this story...

with out you, I probably wouldn't have started this or continued Just a Scratch. Tuned Too Low has had a crazy ride and is on it's back resting, now. But don't fret, guys! This part of the story may be over...but we still have yet to see the more crazier times. The crazier tales and stoires of Cee and the gang. But all of that takes place....in Later Days.

                      A special thanks to Lithe Kamitatsy and his or her story "Two's Company, Three's A Crowd" for inspiring me.

                     A thanks to the ponies who tracked(oh boy):   AgentofDiscord

                                                                                        anhero

                                                                                        Ax869

                                                                                        Blueprince

                                                                                        Chill

                                                                                        CHR0M3K1NG

                                                                                        chrisbiby

                                                                                        Endertj

                                                                                        Gabriel LaVedier

                                                                                        Gimli McBrony

                                                                                        Griffin2x

                                                                                        hyourei

                                                                                        mccall12

                                                                                        Meta Knight

                                                                                        Morfonious

                                                                                        neighsmith

                                                                                        Nightcloak

                                                                                        notacamper

                                                                                        Phyysh

                                                                                        PinkaminaTheMad

                                                                                        pinkiepool

                                                                                        ponystorylyh

                                                                                        Roach of Wrath

                                                                                        Shikkhin

                                                                                        SilverSpoon <----(The good one)

                                                                                        SomethingForThePain

                                                                                        SoulBrony

                                                                                        Thebandbrony

                                                                                        ThePhantomWriter

                                                                                        tongen

                                                                                        Venatus

                             And to all of those who've put up with the random crap in the story. So, until next time....

Stay Tuned...

-TLC