Musical Labyrinth

Whenever the Alicorns sees one of the security cameras, they couldn’t help that the evil they’re facing, might be threatening than what they witnessed. The defeated antagonist in the past, they were in Equestria. It’s a threat from Earth, a world they don’t know.

“Wes, how did you become a musician?” Octavia popped a question. It was out of curiosity, rather than striking up a conversation.

Wes, Octavia and Vinyl Scratch stopped. He sat down leaning against the wall. Octavia was on his right and Vinyl on his left. He was quick to answer. “It begin after we graduated high school. We were in desperate need of cash. After brainstorming, forming a band was the plausible option. We got a big break and it went downhill.”

“What happened?” Vinyl was the second one to ask.

Wes can feel the painful flashbacks in his head. His bandmates were feeling the same way, whether they were together or separate. He wanted to show the pain and misery he suffered. “During our gigs in public bars and shopping malls, a man named Michael was standing in the crowd.”

He tells them McCarthy was someone who can make them a big name rock band. This person claimed to work with other bands including The Hollies, ACDC, Eurythmics, Talking Heads and Small Faces. None of the band members especially Wes, didn’t believe the man. It was the names he worked with, rather than his first impression. Michael McCarthy became their manager.

“It was a big break for us. We recorded our first album, we didn’t know it would be a hit in the rock charts. Not much success in the mainstream.”

While they were working on a second album, McCarthy gave them big news. He thought this decision will change their lives. “I signed a contract with EMI. The executives loved your album.”

It was fast, their manager went behind their backs. It was their first sign of McCarthy’s self-absorbed mind. He couldn’t think about the band, he wanted fame, fortune, success, he’s completely over his head. They were clueless, they couldn’t read the guy’s mind. Their manager was about to send them into hard labour.

“We thought we hit it off, but we didn’t know what we’re heading for. We worked off blood, sweat and tears without little to no breaks. Not even sleep could regain the energy we lost. Some of us were hospitalized, aside from the typical injuries many rock stars suffer from. Not even the awards we received can help out self-esteem.”

Over the course of time, it went from bad to worse. During their concert tours, they’re exhausted, some were in need of medical attention. Even when they were recording a new album, McCarthy still wants them to show up at numerous events. Despite receiving accolades, the band was desperate to solve the conundrum.

Wes concluded his story, still remembering the experience. “He was a complete control freak.” That’s why we let him go. A new manager, was something we agreed. We learned not everybody in the music business treats you the way you wanted.”

Vinyl and Octavia felt bad for Wes. They know what it’s like being used for either personal gain. Same goes for those who only do it for cash.

“Any enemies of Equestria I should know?” he asked.

“There’s the not-so-great and not-so-powerful Trixie,” answered Vinyl. “She was a show off and told lies about she did this and that. She even put Twilight Sparkle and her friends in their place. She got her own back, when an Ursa Minor tore through Ponyville. Luckily Twilight soothed it to sleep. And Trixie ran away with her tail between her legs. Though she needs to work on her disappearing act.”

“She nothing compared to the Flim Flam brothers.” It was Octavia’s turn. “They try to put the Apple family out of business with unfair competition. They have The Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000 to apple cider the fast and better way possible. From what I’ve been told their scheme backfired. The machine make cider so awful, you can taste the seeds and cores. They rely on quantity than quality.”

Wes needed something to get off his chest. Something he should have asked at the beginning. “There’s something I want to know, do unicorns use magic?”

Vinyl lifted off her sunglasses, with magic from her horn. Her magenta eyes gazed at Wes and Octavia for the first time. She rarely showed her eyes in public. It’s more of a spectacle for Octavia. Vinyl was afraid to smile at first, Octavia and Wes showed confidence.

“You’re like a unicorn Roy Orbison,” smiled Wes. “Just like him, he wears sunglasses in public and on stage.”

“Vinyl, why do you hide your eyes?” Octavia was more curious.

“It’s a part of me. Along with my mane and cutie mark, I show every pony that I’m totally different,” Vinyl explained.

Wes can see there’s more than that. He can see inside her, what is troubling her mind. “That’s why you stuck to techno. To exclude from the crowd.”

“How did you know?” Vinyl became intrigued with Wes’ words.

“Many artists always take a chance on something that hasn’t been done a lot.”

“Is that the same with your bow tie?” Wes asked to Octavia.

“This was given to me by my grandmother. She was a professional musician. She passed it to me as a gift,” said Octavia.

Wes asked them how they met each other. Vinyl and Octavia didn’t know how to explain it. They looked at each other for a bit. They didn’t want to argue in front of Wes, when one disagrees with the other. They always get into arguments and on some occasions, lose track.

“It’s was a few years back,” began Octavia. “I was practising my cello around dusk. The time of day that’s most silent.”

She told Wes she practised until the night sky appeared. Just as she left, she bumped into Vinyl. Once they noticed their cutie marks, a bond created between them. They didn’t realize they’ll cross paths down the road.

“I was attending a gig,” stated Vinyl. “I was pushing my speakers, with a turntable placed on top. I had my hooves full.”

They told Wes they felt something inside of them. It will take a long time for a friendship to create. They didn’t meet eye to eye at first. One time they performed right near each other, both concerts became a mix of earaches.

“Each of you crank up the volume to drown out each other? Imagine the hysteria.” Wes found some humour in the story.
“It did go awry,” confirmed Vinyl.

“Both of us were almost…” Octavia couldn’t finish her sentence.

“And?” Wes asked.

Both Vinyl and Octavia wanted to explain what happened. What stopped them was an interruption.

“We gave them a chance to reconcile,” said a voice.

Vinyl and Octavia can see Celestia and Luna coming over. Wes can see the rulers of Equestria, finding a possible solution to a problem.

“We came to Ponyville after hearing the dispute. There were a lot of ponies arguing. Of course I managed to make them listen to us,” explained Luna.

“With that loud voice you used?” Wes took a lucky guess.

“Using my royal Canterlot voice, always make them stop, and turn to me or her.” Luna shifted her eyes to her sister. It was like they took turns in telling the story.

“We settled everything straight. They wanted to blame each other, including the musicians. I announced to settle this feud.”

“Both of you chose them to come to Canterlot and have two gatherings?” answered Wes.

“We chose Vinyl Scratch and Octavia Philharmonica, two specially gifted citizens of Equestria.”

Vinyl and Octavia felt proud, for being called specially gifted. Something besides music is what they have in common. Coming from the mouth of the royal sisters was more engaging.

“Celestia and I agreed that the both of you will get along,” Luna finished.

“And it worked,” agreed Wes.

Vinyl and Octavia agreed to that statement. They can never find anything wrong with the Alicorns’ commitments. Only rarely when some pony, unicorn or Pegasus objects to them. It proves that Equestria is no stranger to pessimism. Even when some pony is proven wrong, their minds are never changed.

Wes’ right foot lifted a brick from the ground. Octavia reached in the hole, pulling out a small box; encrusted with jewels and made of platinum. Instead of a key hole, there’s a slot.

“There’s no key,” said Vinyl.

“I think we’re supposed to find one,” said Octavia.

Wes searched through the pouch. He found a card with a black magnetic strip. “Found it!”

He slid the card in the hole, unlocking the box. Inside is a card scanner. He took a card from the pouch and placed it on the scanner. After the light scanned it, a map of the labyrinth appeared on-screen. He placed the rest of the cards on it; after it finished scanning, the scanner detached itself.

“We got a head start,” said Wes. “Now we know find the third task.”

Before taking a turn, a door in the ceiling opened. A turret popped down, aiming with a laser. Wes turned around and hit the wall. “Luna... Celestia... Problem.”

Luna and Celestia fired beams of magic, blasting the gun to pieces. Just as they press forward, a security camera behind them is still operating despite being nearly blown to bits.

In the security room, a hand pressed on the TV screen. The viewer has a different perspective in mind. The hand moved away to examine the other monitors.