Strings

by Slingshot619

Rating: teen
Tags: Doctor Whooves, Lyra, Gore, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Romance, Octavia
Length: 4809

Octavia is tired of the fragile strings that occupy her cello, but a new solution rises.

All her life, Octavia had been a decent cellist, but her skills are hindered by the fragility of her strings, but a horrifying, unthinkable solution comes into play.

Published 2012-10-20 14:10:01 UTC
Last updated 2012-12-07 10:10:46 UTC

Chapter 1: Snap

Octavia was a good cellist. No, she was a great cellist. But she can only do so much, the fragility of her cello strings hinder her from achieving stardom. But one night, a terrifying idea changes all that.

It happened one starry night. It was one of the most important performances in Octavia's life. Far more important than the time she played at the Grand Galloping Gala. If Octavia managed to impress the judges she would make it to stardom. She waited backstage for her name to be called. She watched as ponies of all species went out to play. All of them, fueled by their passion for music.

Octavia had been invited when a scout found her and suggested her. She was playing a simple little ditty when the scout found her. She had been flawless during her time as a cellist which is why the scout got her invited.

The song she was about to play was intense, it was fast, under normal circumstances she would never play this kind of a song. But she needed something new and fresh to get her over. Octavia wasn't sure if the strings on her cello could withstand all that damage. She had played it during practice, but after playing Octavia would always have to replace the strings with new ones. She continued practicing while the other performers went on stage. One of which was Lyra Heartstrings. One of her close friends.

Octavia watched as Lyra went out with a golden harp. She heard Lyra play a little ditty they once used to play together. Lyra called it "Tugging At The Heartstrings". She could just play it herself, but it sounded much more better with a cello in the mix. Octavia and Lyra first played it at their school concert. And right after the performance, Octavia's career kicked off.

Octavia listened to the sad song, it was beautiful, memories of their childhood came back. How they first played it, it also marked the night the two musical mares branched off. Octavia would go for a grander stage, while Lyra would stay behind and continue being an everyday mare.

Today she was looking to change that. If the judges approved she could go on to play in a band like Octavia, or become the next musical icon, the possibilities were endless. Lyra did quite good. But only time will tell if she ever made it.

Octavia noticed the music had stopped. Octavia watched as Lyra walked back stage, tears streaming down her face as Bon-Bon comforted her. Octavia watched as Lyra left, depressed by her loss.

Come on Octavia, you can do this. Just focus.

Octavia glanced back at her cello. She needed to make them more resistant, doubling the amount of string would only make matters worse. Octavia continued practicing, unaware of the pony that was sneaking up behind her.

"YO 'TAVI!"

Octavia almost had a heart attack. She glanced back and saw Vinyl Scratch standing there. Her childhood friend Vinyl Scratch, better known as DJ-PON3, had the same passion for music as her. Vinyl Scratch played loud music, she would be found in the wildest of parties. Meanwhile on the other hand was Octavia, her style was more on the quiet and subtle type, she would usually play on formal gatherings. Though their styles are rather different, they were close friends.

"Darn Vinyl! Not now, don't you see i'm busy?"

Vinyl raised an eyebrow and stared at the nervous Octavia.

"Nervous much?"

Octavia ignored the white pony and continued practicing. She hadn't tried playing the song yet, she had to try and save it for the performance. Octavia replaced the worn out strings with brand new ones for maximum durability. She waited while Vinyl continued rambling on about her recent concerts and what not.

Octavia's name was finally called and she went on stage, she stared at the judges, Octavia prepared her cello and waited for the judges to give her the cue. When they did, Octavia played like she never played before. Not a single note was messed up, not a single beat out of place.

But it all came crashing down when one of Octavia's strings broke. She panicked but continued, the show must go on. She forged on and another string broke. She didn't stop, yet another string broke. By now it was pointless to keep playing, she stopped and the judges went on to do their job.

Octavia waited for the results. The first judge raised his sign revealing a tick. Great, now she needs just one more. The second judge raised her sign, showing a minus. The third judge really took his time, everyone waited for a full 3 minutes before he raised his sign, revealing a minus.

Octavia stared at the ground in depression. All that hard work was for nothing, all that hard work wasted. Just because her instrument couldn't take it. Octavia bowed and went backstage where an upbeat Vinyl Scratch was waiting.

"So 'Tavi, how'd it...... oh."

Vinyl Scratch realized the sadness in Octavia's eyes. She tried to comfort her, but there simply was no comforting. Octavia was crushed. Her dreams had once again slipped through her grasp.

She ignored Vinyl Scratch and trudged into the gardens. She watched all the birds, and little animals come out. They kept their distance though. Almost as if they sensed her depression.

Octavia stared into a pond and saw a sad mare looking back at her. All she needed was better strings for her cello and she could do it. Octavia looked around for something, anything to replace her cello strings. She stared back into the water and took note of her shiny long flowing mane. She stared at it and noticed that it looked kind of like cello strings.

Octavia started to put two and two together and a crazy idea popped into her mind.

Could it work? No, it's foolish to even think about it. you'd have to be crazy to try out such nonsense.

Octavia stared at her reflection for a while before she finally got up and headed back stage. Little did she know, that her little idea, would later become the secret of her success.

Chapter 2: Sacrifice

Octavia stared out the train window as it brought her back to Canterlot. Her tryout had gone horrible. She could've done it, but alas, her bold achievement was what caused her downfall. If only she had gone for something simple, something with less risk.

Octavia stared into the night sky as the train roared through the canyon. She continued scolding herself until she felt a hoof on her shoulder. She looked back and saw a worried looking Lyra staring back at her.

"Hey there."

Octavia ignored her and continued staring into the lifeless scenery outside the train. Lyra had cheered up quite quickly, much faster that Octavia expected.

"Don't be so hard on yourself. You win some you lose some, it's not your fault you couldn't get in."

Octavia ignored the aquamarine mare and continued being sad. She heard Lyra sigh and sit down on her seat. Octavia didn't mind. She still had plenty of room to sit on.

"Not cheering up huh? Will a hug change your mind?"

Octavia turned once more and saw Lyra with her arms held open, she waited for approximately 5 minutes while Octavia stared back at her, her face showing no signs of emotion.

"Don't leave me hanging."

Octavia finally embraced Lyra in a sisterly hug, she felt the tears come out and roll down Lyra's back as she thought about all she had to go through just to fail. Lyra held Octavia back at arm's length and stared at her reassuringly with her golden eyes.

"It's okay. Who needs them anyways."

Lyra went back to sitting in her weird human-like way again. Octavia watched her and raised an eyebrow.

"I honestly do not have a clue why anypony would want to sit like that."

Lyra looked back at her and raised her eyebrow.

"Why wouldn't they?"

Octavia let out a soft, cute giggle.

"Silly mare."

Octavia cheered up almost instantly. Octavia hopped off at Canterlot while Lyra and Bon-Bon would go back to Ponyville. Octavia trudged back to her home. It wasn't as fancy as Rainbow Dash's. Nor was it a run down apartment. It was average at best, Octavia entered the humble home and walked to her bedroom. She unbuttoned her collar and stared into the mirror. She kept glancing at her silky black mane.

Snap out of it! It's insanity and you know it.

Octavia kept staring. Then, she gave up. She brought her hoof to her mane, and pulled. She let out a small scream of pain, but she calmed down eventually. She strung her hair on the cello and proceeded to play.

Was it because of the anger she felt? Maybe she had finally snapped. But she had just strung her own hair on her cello. Octavia played and found out that her cello played even better than before, much smoother. But she tried to once again play the song that caused her downfall. And the results were identical.

Octavia wasn't dissapointed. In fact she was intrigued. if the hair played so well, could there somehow be any other substitute? Octavia pondered that thought for a awhile. She decided to go see her old friend Lyra back in Ponyville. Canterlot didn't have any clinics or hospitals, and Ponyville was the closest town. Maybe Lyra could help her.

The next morning, Octavia woke up. She got up and pushed open the curtains. The sunlight bathed her sleek gray body, she stretched and walked into the bathroom. She turned on the shower and a jet of warm water splashed against her. she put the soap on her hooves and ran them down her curvy, slim body.

Octavia finished her shower and put on her collar and bow. She got her cello case and headed for the train station. She caught the next train to Ponyville and waited for the train to arrive. It didn't take long, and soon she hopped off and went in search of her friend Lyra.

Octavia found her apartment and entered. She knocked on the door and Lyra answered. no surprise. Bon-Bon usually worked during this time. Lyra had a seductive kind of look on her face.

"So, back for more?" Lyra said waggling her eyebrows

"Lyra, you know i'm straight."

"Yea, I know."

Lyra invited her in and she hauled her massive instrument through the doorway. Octavia found a sofa and sat. Lyra leaped into a recliner and sat in that weird position again.

"So, why did you come?"

"I need help. I found out last night that our hair made good cello strings......"

Lyra raised an eyebrow

"Don't judge me. So, our hair made excellent cello strings. But I need something more durable, I was hoping you could show me some scientist or doctor who could help me."

Lyra got up, grabbed Octavia by the hoof and dragged her.

"Where are you taking me?"

"To the asylum. You've clearly snapped from all that pressure. Nobody's mad enough to use their own hair for an instrument."

Octavia snatched her hoof away from Lyra.

"I'm not insane. I was just wondering."

Lyra sighed and pointed at a brown stallion that was walking by.

"That is Doctor Hooves. He should be able to help you."

Octavia approached the stallion and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around.

"How may I help you?"

"Yes, I was wondering if there were any material that would make an excellent cello string."

Doctor Hooves stared at her and tilted his head sideways.

"I guess there is hair, it should work."

"I need something more durable."

Doctor Hooves puts his hooves on his chin and starts stroking.

"I have a suggestion. But you'd have to be frothing at the mouth crazy to try this."

Octavia stared back at him with determination in her eyes.

"So, you are crazy. I like that."

"Just cut to the chase."

"Pony guts."

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me. Tendons are suggested for maximum durability."

Octavia almost had a heart attack. She couldn't do it. She thanked Hooves and left. Before she could, she heard him call her name.

"Say, anytime you're free, i'd like to know you a bit better. You'll find me somewhere around here."

Doctor Hooves winked and ran off. Leaving Octavia standing there. She eventually found the feeling in her legs and walked away.

Octavia got a room in a small hotel and plopped her stuff down. She entered and almost immediately the front desk called her down.

"What is it?"

"A gentlecolt would like to see you."

Octavia grumbled and made her way down again. She reached the front desk and found a familiar face, he had white fur and a flowing purple mane. It was the first judge from the competition. He was the only one to vote for her. But what was he doing here?

"If i'm not mistaken, you must be Octavia."

"Exactly."

"I loved your performance, so I would like to invite back for a second chance."

Octavia couldn't believe her ears.

"Try not to break the strings this time will you?"

And with that he left. Leaving Octavia with a very, very, important decision.

To kill, or not to kill.

Chapter 3: Desperate

Yea kinda short compared to my other chapters. Sorry 'bout that.

Octavia trudged back to her hotel room and slammed the door. She didn't want to kill an innocent pony. But she needed to, her will to succeed was the most important thing for now. Octavia opened her cello case and took out the huge instrument. She laid it aside and lifted the red cushioning up to reveal an assortment of deadly toys.

Octavia picked the most discreet one there was. It looked like a bracelet, but with a single tap of the hoof, a blade would sprout out almost instantly. Octavia put on the deadly tool and headed out to the city. She needed someplace quiet, someplace that would offer some privacy.

And to do that, she would have to disobey everything she knew about class. She had put on some fishnet stockings along side the blade to give her a more, erm...... slutty look.

Octavia waited by a dark shady alley. It didn't take long for her to find customers. A white stallion with spiky blue hair. She felt like she have should know this pony.

"Hey there. *hic* how much?"

"50 bits should do."

The stallion handed him the 50 bits and led her to his home. He was staying in a hotel, much more classier than Octavia's. Octavia entered the home and made her way towards the bedroom. She waited behind the door and equipped her blade. She waited for her victim, as soon as he stepped in Octavia lunged forward and stabbed the blade in his throat, he bucked and stomped, trying to get Octavia off his back.

The blade was quite deep in his throat, Octavia pulled the blade out and began stabbing on other parts, he didn't seem to stop thrashing at all. Octavia noticed his wings, she pulled them open and began mutilating them with her knife, the colt seemed to slow down for a while but quickly regained speed.

Octavia found his chest and plunged the blade deep into his heart. He stopped and fell to the floor. His eyes in a state of shock, Octavia sheathed her blade and looked around. She saw a closet that was half open. She could see what looked like a uniform, but she didn't care.

Octavia unsheathed her blade once more and stabbed it into his chest, then she pulled downwards, causing his whole torso to be opened up. Octavia went to work and rummaged through the intestines. She cut out all the tendons there were to cut out. By the time she was done, she was covered in blood. She went in to the bathroom and showered.

She finished up and put the tendons and guts into a plastic bag she had brought along. She stuffed them in and leaped out the window, making a beeline for her own hotel. She opened the door and steeped in her luxurious room. the bag was plopped on the table as Octavia stared out the window and wondered what in the world had she done.

Octavia stared at the bag of intestines, there was enough to last her her whole career. But was it worth it? Her training had come in handy, she had nerves of steel so she didn't have to worry about guilt or any other emotion.

She had to go back for the try-outs next week. Plenty of time. She thought back to the dashing stallion she had met earlier that day. what was his name again? Doctor Hooves?

Octavia stared out into the night sky. She remembered the Doctor's words quite clearly. She felt something in her, a kind of emotion she had never felt before. She looked out the window and let out a small smile. She just might take up his offer.

Octavia. Best cello player in Equestria, ice cold killer, had a crush on the Doctor.

Chapter 4: Wasted

Lulz. Another short chapter. By the way, I'm going to need help from you guys. I am completely clueless right now as I have no ideas on chapter names. Suggestions are welcome. Just leave a suggestion in the comments below.

Octavia woke up the next morning and found a newspaper on her doorstep. She picked it up and read the headline.

Wonderbolts down a member

Last night, Wonderbolt member Soarin' was found mutilated and murdered in his hotel room, his tendons were removed and not a single one was left behind. Witnesses say they claimed to have seen a grey mare enter the room with him, but she was not seen exiting the room.

No wonder that colt looked so familiar. It was Soarin'. Octavia remembered him from the Gala. She tossed it aside and put on her collar. She decided to leave the cello behind today. She locked the door and went out to Lyra's.

Octavia walked the deserted streets. Nopony else was occupying the roads. Octavia knocked on Lyra's door. Octavia saw a flash of aquamarine and she was dragged inside by Lyra. She seemed pretty scared.

"What are you doing?!"

"Excuse me?"

"The killer might be out there!"

Octavia rolled her eyes. She looked around and found out that Lyra had put the whole place in lockdown mode. Octavia watched as the aquamarine unicorn paced around.

Lyra levitated a bat with her magic and cowered in a corner. Octavia went over and tried to comfort her. Alas, it was no use. Octavia said goodbye and went out to look for the Doctor.

Octavia walked the streets in search of the brown colt. She lingered around, she felt someone creeping up on her, she looked around and saw nopony. She felt like someone was watching her. Octavia was anxious, she felt the tension in the air. It was as if the whole world was holding their breath, waiting for something to pop out.

Octavia heard the familiar sound of hooves against stone. She looked around and found no one. Her breathing got heavy as she felt an entity approach her.

"Hello my dear."

She turned around to find the Doctor with his calm look as if sneaking up on mares was completely normal. Octavia kept her calm collected look, but inside she was breathing a huge sigh of relief.

"Would you like to join me for lunch?"

Octavia agreed and soon entered a quiet cafe.

"So, here is Octavia. Best cello player in Equestria. And also ice cold murderer."

Octavia stared at him with eyes wide with shock.

"How did you-?"

"I know everything."

"But how did you know?"

"My dear, emotions are always present regardless of how good you are. I sense the fear and guilt around you. You murdered Soarin' last night. And you even took my advice."

Octavia stared at him. He still had a calm reassuring smile on his face.

"I'm not going to stop you. But isn't murder a bit too high of a price just for fame and fortune?"

Octavia stared back at him. For the first time since Pinkie interrupted her, she was dumbfounded. They ate their lunch in silence and Octavia went back to her hotel room. She entered and found a letter on the table. She opened it and found this.

"Dear Octavia,

This is Bezier here, the judge from the competition. The competition has been cancelled due to reasons I think you know. I hope you're not upset. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Octavia stared at the letter for a while. All this trouble, just for nothing. Octavia put the letter back in the envelope and tossed it on the table. Octavia was determined to give those judges the best performance they ever saw.

Whether they wanted to, or not.

Chapter 5: Grand Finale

Bezier was unsure about the decision. The contest sponsors could've just postponed the contest, but calling it off? That was too much.

Bezier unlocked the door and walked into his mansion of a home. He flicked the switch but no source of light came on. He raised an eyebrow and tried again and again. Alas it was useless.

"Mustang! I'm afraid the powers out!"

Bezier waited but no response came. He sighed and trudged into the darkness, he went into the basement and tried to find the power box. He navigated through the maze of wires and cables. It was cold and dark. Bezier heard the sound of hooves on wood as he navigated his way through the basement.

He stepped into something wet. He looked down to find out that he had stepped into a puddle of dark red liquid. Upon closer inspection he found out it was blood. He followed the dark red liquid to it's owner, it went verticle up a wall. Bezier looked up and found his trusty servant Mustang, impaled to the wall, dead with a look of shock on his face.

Her stared in horror before feeling the impact of metal on his skull. The world seemed to spin around as he tried to gain his footing. He regained his bearings and stood firm. He opened a nearby trunk to reveal a broadsword.

Bezier looked around for his attacker, the bow of cello struck out, Bezier dodge in time, he watched as the bow missed his face by less than an inch. He swung his broadsword and watched as the shadow of a pony crept back into the darkness. Bezier waited for another sudden strike.

Bezier's ears twitched and he dropped to the floor as a flash of gray struck, Bezier arose again and engaged his attacker in combat, her blocked the punches, strikes, everything his attacker threw at him. He threw some decent offense himself. He blocked another round house kick and watched the mysterious mare creep back into the darkness.

He was anticipating another attack, he waited for what seemed like forever, and all of a sudden he felt a hoof connect with the back of his head. He watched as his vision turned into a shade of jet black.

Bezier woke up again, tied to a wooden chair, he looked around and realized that he was in the stadium, the place where the competition was supposed to be held. Alongside him was the two other judges, struggling to escape. Bezier however, stayed still and waited for what happened next.

Octavia appeared on stage. Her trusty cello along side her. She played the same little ditty that she played at her first attempt. It was beautiful, and luckily this time the strings, or more accurately, tendons didn't snap.

The beautiful sounds of her cello echoed throughout the almost empty arena. Bezier simply sat back, relaxed, and enjoyed the music (Like a sir) while the other two colts were trying to bite and break the ropes that held them ever so tightly.

Octavia finished the song and awaited the scores. The other two judges stopped struggling and stared at the by now, insane, Octavia. The first judge was the first to speak.

"LET ME OUT OF HERE YOU BLOODY MANIAC!"

Octavia stared at him with those almost emotionless eyes. She walked over, knife in hand.

"You haven't been a very good judge lately. I think for that, you need to be punished."

Octavia started by kicking him in the forehead, she kicked and kicked. The second judge looked on in horror while Bezier still sat there as if nothing was wrong.

Octavia finished her brutal onslaught of pain. She saw that his eyes were almost destroyed. His horn was dangling there, his head was covered with bruises and cuts.

Octavia held the small blade high and brought it down with unrelenting force. Blood splattered as the knife was stuck into the flesh of the colt. His eyes went wide as Octavia pried the knife out and stabbed again and again and again. Blood splashed all over Octavia's beautiful gray sleek body as she continued stabbing.

When Octavia was done, the colt was covered in holes from top to bottom with blood gushing out. Octavia took the blade and cut of the colt's snout, as a trophy.

Octavia turned her attention to judge no. 2. She raised the red blade and struck down again. This time striking at the neck. She pulled down and a loud and very audible *Riiiiiiiiippp!" was heard. Octavia stared at the opening, she plunged her hooves in and pulled the intestines out. She threw them over her shoulder like confetti as blood sprayed everywhere.

Octavia ripped the last of the intestines out and stared at the two lifeless shells. One was stabbed to death, the other had his intestines ripped out. Now all that was left was......

Octavia turned around and saw Bezier calm and collected. He looked at Octavia as if this was all normal.

"Well, hurry up. We don't have all day you know."

Octavia raised the blade high, and struck down. Bezier turned the chair at the last second, causing Octavia to cut his bonds free. Bezier got up and struck Octavia right in the eyes. He felt her eye splatter and burst like a water balloon. But he didn't have time to stop and check on her.

Bezier ran backstage in search of an exit. He found none. All of them had been bolted up by Octavia. Bezier looked for a way out. He looked for the keys to the locks, maybe she dropped them somewhere here.

Bezier knew he was running out of time, Octavia was wounded but it wouldn't keep her down for long. He heard the sound of hooves clopping on the cold stone floor. He turned to see Octavia slowly approach him. Where her left eye was supposed to be, was a hole that gushed out blood.

Bezier looked at his options. He was up against a psychotic mare who was armed with a knife. His options were quite limited. Octavia slowly made her way towards the colt. She took him down and ripped out his hair. Bezier struggled to hold in the screams that filled his lungs.

Octavia strung the newly acquired strings and played one last song for her victim. The tone was peaceful and quiet. Octavia finished up and stared at Bezier once more. Her left eye socket still had nerves dangling out of it and blood still poured out. She was almost completely red by now.

Bezier watched as Octavia lifted the knife and down it came. It struck him in the chest. Octavia pulled the gash open and placed her hoof on his heart. She let out an evil grin and enclosed her hoof around it. She pulled and sent the heart flying off somewhere in the backstage area.

Octavia stood up and wiped the blood off her face. She stared at the dead body of Bezier. His face was emotionless. Octavia stared at the other two dead judges. She dropped onto her knees and let out an insane laugh. Knowing that she was trapped here to slowly rot to death.

If you guys want to write the sequel, make some fan art, (even if it is kinda pathetic compared to other stories) go ahead. I'm not stopping you. Just make sure to give me a link when you're done.

Sequel

Alright! Long time so see. So as the title suggest, I am releasing a sequel. Not here, but on my new account. Should be out by tomorrow.

My new account is here: RainbowWolf