Musical Labyrinth

Octavia poured a cup of hot tea. She poured it in two cups: one for herself and the other for Wes. He can taste the flavour while letting the steam enter his nostrils.

Twilight suggested that Wes should spend time with the musically gifted unicorn and pony. This will give them a chance to combine their tastes in music to save the rulers of Equestria and the Crystal Empire.

“Do you think it will work?” Octavia asked.

“Me sitting down with you having a conversation? Don’t think so,” answered Wes.

This wasn’t the answer she was searching for. “I was talking about you, me and Vinyl working together.”

“We know about music then anybody in Equestria. You did say you and Vinyl know about the Musical Labyrinth since you were young.” Wes reminded her what they said.

She knew he was right. She sipped her tea thinking: Does his musical taste can work with mine? She knew nothing of the music where Wes is from. With Equestria at stake, she must try right now.

“What kind of music do you play?” Octavia wanted to know more of the genre.

“Rock.” Wes answered after sipping his tea.

“How long has rock music existed?”

“Since the ‘50s. There are different types, I could name them all but that will take forever.”

They went off with a good start. Octavia can see Wes more of an honest human. Rather than some freak who goes crazy with their music genre. His innocent facial expression shows it.

“Are you part of a group?” Octavia asked.

“Certainly, I’m a multi-instrumentalist. I’m there if any of the band mates want to use a different instrument,” said Wes.

“I only play the Cello. It’s my trademark instrument. I would never give it up for anything else.”

Wes starred at her Cutie Mark. It was a violet G-Clef. He can see it identifies every pony, unicorn and pegasus talent. He pointed to it wondering what it was. “Where did you get that?”

Octavia looked at it. She suddenly had memories of the day she received her Cutie Mark. “I got this at my first solo concert. I was a prodigy, came from a family of that do classical music. My parents were proud of my skills at an early age. The moment I picked up that cello, I found a reason for playing music. When I was chosen to perform, I was so nervous that I wanted to run way. Then I saw Princess Celestia in the audience with her sister Luna. I forgot that there’s an audience and just imagined that they’re the only ones there. After I finished playing, I was given a standing ovation, this never happened before. Just as I was about to leave the stage, I saw a Cutie Mark glow on my flank. I screamed in delight.”

No matter how many times she remembers it, it will still lift her spirits whenever Octavia’s feeling down. “My parents were proud of me. I became the mare that I am today.”

Wes enjoyed the conversation. He heard a knock on the door, Octavia answered it. There was a large parcel for Wes. There’s a letter attached: Wes, I managed to summon your electric guitar, I hope it’s the right one, Twilight Sparkle.

She brought it inside. “Wes, Twilight sent you your guitar.”

Wes ripped off the paper until he saw his Fender Jaguar. He was surprised to learn that a unicorn can summon both a living thing and an object to Equestria.

Octavia thought of a suggestion. “Do you know any song that combines Rock and Classical?”

Wes immediately thought of one. “Definitely.”

Octavia picked up her cello. Wes placed the strap around his shoulder and picked up his pick. They exchanged smiles as Wes strummed, they both played Bush’s “Glycerine”. Wes’ vocals and guitar combined with Octavia’s cello made a ballad that made them have a love for music.

Unknown to them Rarity and Fluttershy were watching from outside. They both agreed they are the right human and pony for the job.

“They make an excellent blend of two different genres,” Rarity said with amazement.

Fluttershy smiled, she was very optimistic. The animals who were with her enjoyed the musical number. Even Angel Bunny enjoyed it.

“I didn’t know Wes can sing,” said Fluttershy. “He must have a hidden talent.”

Later that day, Wes was in Vinyl Scratch’s house. They were drinking bottles of soda.

“How’s your time with Octavia?” Vinyl asked.

“Fantastic. We managed to combine rock with classical.”

Vinyl stared at Wes’ Fender Jaguar. She was going to ask about it, another thing came to her head. “So you like rock?”

“I can see you like techno and electronic music.” Wes can tell by the sunglasses and hair. “As for your question, yes I play and love rock music.”

Vinyl gulped down some of her soda. She immediately grew a fond for Wes. “What made you become a musician?”

“I come from a family of musicians. Each of them play more than one instrument.” He was proud of his family background. Many of his family members joined bands. Others went solo.

He spotted her Cutie Mark, it was a beamed note. “How long ago did you have that?”

Vinyl was confused at first, but she can see him pointing to her flank. “I had that when I was a filly.”

“Just like Octavia,” said Wes.

Vinyl told Wes told him how she got it. “I was hated in all of school because of my musical taste and attitude. No matter where I go every filly and colt wanted to torment me. I just come home and play loud music to drown the pain, it didn’t help. One day I was chosen to host one of my classmates’ birthday parties. I brought my equipment to her house. Her mother asked me to play softer music. Just as the party started, no pony was having a good time. The birthday filly asked me to lighten up the place. I cranked up the subwoofer and brought the house down. After it ended I saw a musical note on my flank. I was surprised that it was a Cutie Mark.”

Vinyl finished her bottle just as she finished her story. “No pony hated me after that. I got my confidence back and continued making techno beats to this day.”

Wes enjoyed her backstory. The soda in his mouth tickled his tongue. He rubbed the strings of his guitar. Vinyl thought they should practise before heading for the Musical Labyrinth. “Would it be cool if we combine rock and techno?”

“It has been done in my world,” said Wes.

Vinyl brought in her subwoofer, drum machine, keyboard and talk box. Wes was jaw-dropped of seeing a unicorn having numerous instruments.

“When you said you brought the house down, you weren’t joking.” Wes’ eyes widened in surprise. “Did you make all of this?”

“With my own two hooves,” she smiled.

They began playing Daft Punk’s “Robot Rock”. It was so loud that the house shook like there was an earthquake. Vinyl let Wes use the talk box so he can sing in it. They appeared to have a good time.

Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash were watching them from outside.

“They should host every party!” suggested Pinkie.

“We better head back to Twilight to see if there’s more about the Labyrinth,” said Rainbow Dash.

Twilight kept on searching through every book. Rarity just stood there not doing anything.

“You could at least help,” said Twilight.

“You already searched through every book. Why are searching through them again?” Rarity asked.

Octavia and Vinyl Scratch said there’s another way of getting to that labyrinth. So there must any strange recorded in here.”

“Did you try the archives?” Pinkie Pie entered the house with Rainbow Dash.

“You won’t find it there.” Octavia was standing behind her. Along with Vinyl and Wes.

Twilight stopped searching. She wanted to know, she’s more worried of Cadence and Shining Armour. Although she’s worried about Celestia and Luna as does every pony, her family is more important to her life.

“Where do we find it?” asked Rainbow Dash.

Octavia and Vinyl thought hard. They were fillies when they heard about the secret entrance.

“From what I can remember, there have been reports of ponies disappearing near that well in Ponyville,” informed Octavia.

“They didn’t disappear going near it, they disappeared after going in it,” continued Vinyl.

Twilight knew that’s where they should go. “Come on girls.”

They all gathered around the well. They brought supplies for a their mission. Fluttershy and Applejack caught up with them.

“Sorry we were late. Some pegasus spent half an hour saying goodbyes to her pets,” Applejack told them.

Fluttershy was nervous that she may never return. Her love for animals was strong. “I’m doing in case we may disappear and never be seen again. Who will take care of my animals?”

Rarity placed her foreleg over Fluttershy. “No need to worry. You’ll see them again.”

Twilight lifted Fluttershy’s head. She gave her a smile, she wanted her to feel optimistic and let any fear take over. “Rarity’s right. If we don’t find them, all of Equestria will be in ruins.”

Fluttershy felt better, she can’t deny her friends confidence. She understood that there’s an important matter to be at hand.
They looked down the well, it was pitch black. Rainbow Dash dropped a stone in it. It took five seconds for it to reach the bottom. There wasn’t a splash, it was completely dry. All they heard was the rock hitting what sounded like more rocks. It has been dry for a long time. Usuallywhen this happens, the ponies gather water from the river.

Applejack gave each of them rope attached to grappling hooks. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash didn’t receive one because they can just fly down the well. They slowly went down the deep abyss. The light disappeared once they touched the rocks.

Twilight lit up the area with her horn. There was no sign of water. Although the rocks were moist, it was from the rain. Equestria rarely had a drought, even if the weather’s controlled by the pegasi.

Pinkie Pie found a door, it was camouflaged, blending in with the bricks. “Who puts a door in a well?”

“Duh, the mastermind?” answered Rainbow Dash.

Wes opened the door quite easily. There was no lock or handle. “We can’t stand around asking. This should be the way in.”

Wes went in first. Octavia and Vinyl Scratch came in next. Twilight followed with Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash. Fluttershy, Rarity and Applejack gulped after breathing in. They looked at each other and entered the pitch black cave.

With Twilight showing light in the middle of the line, it was difficult for Wes, Vinyl and Octavia to find where they were going. It was the one time they didn’t look before they leap. It was only a minor concern. Wes had to rely on sound and touch to navigate.

They hit a dead end, they all crammed into Wes. They all squished into a line in the shape of a fat sausage.

“Oh no, a dead end!” Rarity panicked. “We’re going to die! I’ll never be a famous fashion model! Who will take over? Oh wait, Sweetie Belle! She’ll follow in my footsteps. But she doesn’t know how to make clothes! Who will teach her?!”

Applejack grabbed her and snapped her out of it. She grabbed her head and looked in the eyes. “Don’t lose your head. We’re still alive.”

“Take it easy Rarity,” said Twilight. “We can just go back and get more supplies.”

“I don’t think we should,” informed Octavia.

Vinyl knew she’s right. She showed them Wes peeking through the ceiling. “Wes found a trapdoor.”

Wes climbed up, finding himself outside the maze. He’s inside a surveillance room. He opened a nearby door, it lead to the labyrinth. He helped the ponies inside. None of them were familiar with it.

“Now we know that they’ve been watched,” confirmed Wes.

Wes slammed it from behind leading them into the labyrinth. A loud sound made them spin around to see what happened.