The Fight Balladsby screenaholicChaptersChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 4Chapter 5Chapter 1Vinyl Scratch trotted down the streets of downtown Manehatten, head bobbing to the beat thumping through her headphones. It was the the dead of the night, around 3:00 AM last time she checked, and there was barely anypony else walking around. The moonless night sky left the only illumination in the city to the streetlights, roughly a third of which were broken in this part of the city. Most ponies avoided this neighborhood, but it was the quickest route to Vinyl's apartment from the club district, so she found herself in it a good bit. Vinyl was nearly lost in the music blasting in her ears when she heard shouting coming from a dark alley she was passing. "Huh?" She said as she put her headphones around her neck and looked down into the alley. "Come on baby, why don't you give us a good look of that plot?" Vinyl saw four large stallions forming a ring around a mare with her back to the wall. "That is not going to happen, now if you stallions would kindly step aside I'll be on my way." The mare wore a pink bow tie, and had a gray coat with a long groomed dark gray mane and tail. Vinyl could barely make out her cutie mark in the darkness, but it appeared to be a purple treble cleft. "We'll gladly step aside, once you give us a little shake," said a blue stallion taking a step closer. "I have told you before, that will not happen. Now I suggest you don't come any closer." That filly's pretty brave, she doesn't look nervous at all. "Don't be that way sweet cheeks," a pink stallion said as he took another step forward, "all we want is to see that juicy flank." This has gone on long enough. "Hey, pretty in pink!" Vinyl shouted as she walked towards the group. "The lady said to beat it!" The pink stallion spun around to face Vinyl head on while the other three turned their head. "What did you call me?!" The rage in his face was clearly visible. "I called you pretty in pink. Whatchu' gonna' do about it?"" Vinyl said with a grin. Bring it on big boy. "You little-" Pink wasn't able to finish his insult. While Vinyl occupied him, Octavia had walked up behind him and grabbed his left hind hoof with her left fore hoof and brought it into the air. "Hey, what are yo-ARRRGGH!!!" The stallion screamed in pain as Octavia struck his elbow while firmly keeping his hoof in place. Vinyl could just make out the sound of breaking bones. "I told you to not get any closer," the mare said as she let the pink stallion fall to the ground. Holy buck, that filly's tougher than she looks. "You, you little bitch! Kick her flank boys!" Pink shouted as he clutched his broken leg in agony. Things are getting hairy, time to step in. "That's the last mistake you're going-" The large green stallion was cut off as Vinyl charged forward and drove a fore hoof into the back of his head full force, driving his face straight into the ground. "You colts really need to learn when to shut your-hey!" Vinyl was interrupted as the blue and yellow stallions grabbed her from either side. "You should have stayed out of-" The gray mare caught the yellow stallion with an uppercut, knocking him off of Vinyl's right side. She was standing on only her hindhooves, and stepped her left hind hoof in front of blue, twisting her body and slamming her left forehoof into his nose and knocking him back. She fights biped? Vinyl didn't have much time to contemplate the mare's peculiar fighting style as the three stallions were rising again to their hooves. "You boys want some more? Come get it." As they charged at the DJ she dropped onto her back in a spin, breaking into a windmill. As they got near her she caught each of them in the jaw with her spinning hind hooves. She then broke the spin and pounced onto blue, tackling him to the ground and pummeling his face with her forehooves. Meanwhile yellow and green attacked the other mare, but all of their attacks were either easily dodged or knocked aside by the mare's strong forehooves. As yellow threw a right punch at her, she grabbed it with her left forehhoof and stepped in close. On the step in she used her right to punch him in the gut, followed by an elbow to chest and back hoof to the face. As yellow staggered back she went to engage green. "A little help?!" Blue shouted as hey vainly attempted to protect his face from Vinyl's onslaught of punches. Yellow rushed to help his companion, turning and bucking Vinyl straight in the face. As his hindhooves made contact the DJ was thrown off of the blue stallion and into a nearby wall. Yellow walked towards Vinyl as she was trying to reorganize her thoughts. "That's it you little bitch. I'm gonna make sure you don't see the sunrise. The other mare's ears perked when she heard this, and she turned to see yellow walking towards the white mare slumped against a wall. She caught a punch from green in her hooves, and using her body as a fulcrum threw him over her shoulder and directly at yellow. The two stallions collided right as Vinyl got back on her hooves. "All of you give up this foolishness and leave. NOW," the gray mare said to the four stallions on the ground. "Or you can keep letting us kick your flank if you want," Vinyl said with a smirk. "Forget these bitches boys, let's get out of here," pink said as he managed to get back on his three good legs. The four stallions ran out of the alley as fast as they could. "That's right, keep running!" Vinyl shouted after them. "Let us see those flanks bounce!" She joked. "Ahem," the gray mare said to get Vinyl's attention. "Thank you for your assistance, as unnecessary as it was. Are you alright?" "Of course I am, why wouldn't I be?" Vinyl asked. After a moment she realized her nose was bleeding, and she wiped the blood away. "Oh you mean this? I'm fine, it takes a lot more than that to take me down." "Right, of course it does," the gray mare said with an unsure glance. "At any case, I must be on my way." With that the mare began to walk out of the alley. "Hold on a minute!" Vinyl shouted as she trotted after her. "Where'd you learn to fight like that? Not many ponies fight biped." "That's none of your business." "Can you at least tell me your name?" The mare stopped and sighed. "I suppose I owe you that much at least. My name is Octavia. Now if you'll excuse me, I really must be off." She said as she once again trotted off. "Octavia?" Vinyl said to herself as she stood in the alley. "Where do I know that name from?" Chapter 2Thunderous applause filled Octavia's ears as she took her final bow and the curtains closed. She lifted her cello carefully and carried it back to her dressing room. "I do not wish to be disturbed," she said to the security guard as she entered her room. Upon closing the door she carefully placed her cello back in it's case, and after loosening her bow she put it in the same case. She made her way to her dresser and picked up the bottle of whiskey atop it. It was a good bottle, classy, not that cheap swill most ponies drink. She unscrewed the top, and brought it to her nose, inhaling the aroma. She poured herself a glass and took a drink of it, savoring the taste. "So you like to party after a performance too huh?" Octavia spun around to see a white coated mare with electric blue hair standing in the doorway.. "Of course, I party all through out the performance too." She giggled and closed the door. "You? But, I...What are you doing in my dressing room?" Octavia couldn't believe what she was seeing. "I just wanted to congratulate you on a great performance. Not really my style, but still very good." She said as she walked towards Octavia. "What are you doing here at all?" Octavia could tell by just looking at her that the mare she wasn't a fan of classical music. "I knew your name sounded familiar, so after the fight in the alley I looked you up. When I saw you had a performance tonight I thought I'd come and see." "But wha-" "I figured it out too." The mare sat down on the couch and leaned back. "Figured what out?" Octavia set her glass down on the table in the center of the room and rubbed her temples. "Why you fight biped." She picked up the glass and drained it in a gulp. "Wow, good stuff. Anyway, you learned biped martial arts to give you better balance while you play. But I'm guessing you liked it so much you began studying it seriously. You don't get that good from balance exercises." "That is none of your business miss..." Octavia trailed off as she realized she didn't know the mare's name. "Vinyl Scratch, or DJ PON-3, whichever you prefer." "Miss Scratch," Octavia continued. "This is my private dressing room, so I would thank you if you left. I am still not sure how you got in at all." "Oh, that was easy," Vinyl said. "I just asked the guard real nicely...and when that didn't work I knocked him out." She gave a mischievous grin. "You what?!" Octavia shouted. "Do you mean to tell me that you stalked me to find my show, made assumptions about my life, drank my whiskey, and you assaulted my security guard?" "You forgot the part where I saved you flank last night, and gave you a complement, which you have yet to thank me for by the way." Vinyl said with a mocking smile. "I want you out of here now!" Octavia thrust a hoof at the door with a look of anger on her face. "Oh come on Tavi, don't be that way." "Leave!" Vinyl shot off of the couch and onto her hooves. "Not until you thank me for the compliment," she shouted in mock anger. "I will not thank you for anything now go!" Octavia shouted as she rose onto her hindhooves. Vinyl stared Octavia with a blank look on her face. After staring each other down for a good minute, Vinyl gave a cocky grin. "Make me." That pushed Octavia over the edge. She charged at Vinyl, running on two hooves, and cocked her right forehoof back for a punch. Vinyl smirked as Octavia ran at her, and she didn't attempt to dodge the punch. Instead, she took the punch dead in the face, but stood her ground firmly, not moving an inch. Vinyl took Octavia's momentary shock at the seemingly lack of success of her strike to kick her hindhooves off the ground and over her into a handstand. She pushed herself fully over, bringing her hindhoof down at Octavia in an axe kick. Octavia leapt back, dodging the kick by an inch as Vinyl landed on her back. Octavia jumped into the air, aiming to come down on top of Vinyl. However, Vinyl was to quick for her this time, and rolled out of the way. She pushed herself back onto her hooves as Octavia landed, her hoof striking down with a force where Vinyl's head laid moments ago. "That looked strong, if I didn't know better I'd say you're trying to hurt me," Vinyl teased. "Shut your snout!" Octavia shouted as ran towards Vinyl. As they met, they took turns throwing punches at each other. Most were either blocked or dodged, but Octavia was able to land a few on the DJ. "Come on Octy, that all you got?" Vinyl teased. "It's going to take more than that to get me out of here." Octavia jumped into a clockwise spin, catching her opponent in the head with her left hindhoof. The spinning kick knocked Vinyl to the ground. "That might do it," she said as she rubbed her head. Octavia slowly walked towards the fallen mare, but as she neared Vinyl shot back to her hooves, grabbed Octavia's head, and struck it full force with a headbutt. "Or it might not," she teased. Octavia fell back onto all four hooves and stumbled back from the force of the headbutt. She put a hoof on her head, trying to regain herself. "You little..." "That it Octy? One hit and your out?" Vinyl wiped the blood from her mouth. "Don't call me Octy!" Octavia shouted as she charged back towards Vinyl, this time on all fours. She threw a punch, but Vinyl caught it with both forehooves. She smiled, and spun around, yanking Octavia with her. As she let go, Octavia flew into the her cello case leaning against the wall. "Come on Octy, just thank me for the compliment and I'll-" Vinyl was cut off as the door to the cellist's dressing room burst open and three security guards burst in. "That's her, that's the bitch that knocked me out!" One shouted. "On second thought Octy, I think it's time for me to go." Vinyl made a break for the window. "Catch you later Octy!" She jumped out the window and ran off. "Are you alright Miss Octavia?" one of the guards asked, but she ignored them. She leaned her head against the wall for a moment, before a thought entered her head. "Oh no!" She turned to the cello case that she had been thrown into and opened it with haste. "No no no..." Octavia ran to the window and stuck her head out. "Get back here Scratch!" she shouted. She just caught a glimpse of a white hoof rounding a corner of the alley. "You broke my bow!" Chapter 3The music pulsed through the club. Through the dance floor, across the bar, and through everyponies ears. And all of it came from her. Every beat, every wub, every bass drop, all came from the tips of her hooves and magic tendrils. Every button and switch on her equipment was practically in constant motion, and Vinyl Scratch watched them all through her glasses. However, these weren't any ordinary glasses. They were a fine blend of magic and technology that gave her one more connection to her music. They displayed equalizers, tracks playing, audio waves, mix levels, and a plethora of other information from her music. DJ glasses weren't that uncommon in her industry, but hers one of a kind. They were more sensitive than most, giving her readings so fast few other ponies would be able to keep up with the flow of information. And on top of that, their distinctive style have become a symbol. More ponies knew DJ PON-3's glasses than her real name. "That's it everypony, I want to see those tails bounce!" Vinyl shouted into the microphone. "I'm gonna be here all-wow!" Vinyl felt a strong hoof grab her shoulder and spin her around. After completing the 180, she found herself face to face with a familiar gray cellist. "You are going to buy me a new bow, now!" Octavia shouted at the DJ. Oh this is great. Vinyl subtly slid a hoof across her equipment. "Octy! You came to see my performance, I'm so touched." "Oh please, I would never willingly listen to this modern day drivel. I'm only here because you broke my bow!" Octavia shouted. "Sorry to break it to you Octy, but I don't sell cello bows. Try a music store," Vinyl teased. "A music store?! The bow you broke was handcrafted from timber wolf wood! The hair was from Kurt Maresur, the late director of the Manehatten Phillharmonic! It was priceless, not something you can pick up at a common music store! And I told you not to call me Octy!" Vinyl could clearly see the anger in the cellist's face. "Well then Tavi, if the bow was so priceless, what do you want me to do about it?" Vinyl was trying to push her further and further to the edge. "You are going to buy me a new one. One of the highest quality I can find," Octavia shoved a hoof sharply into Vinyl's chest. "Oh am I now? As I recall, it was your fat flank that hit the case," Vinyl teased. "Why you-" "I don't think it's my responsibility if you knock over your own cello case." "You listen here you scoundrel, you threw me into my case. And furthermore...is my voice coming through those speakers?" "Took you long enough to notice Tavi." The DJ floated her microphone in between the two of them. "I turned down the music and turned up the mic as soon as you got here. My flanks been to the audience, but I'm willing to bet they've been watching us this whole time. Am I right?" "What?" Octavia looked around Vinyl to see that the entire club was indeed staring at them. "Why in Equestria would you do this? Are you just trying to embarrass me?" "Of course not Tavi. I'm an entertainer, I'm just trying to put on a good show for my ponies." She turned her head to the crowd. "Is it working?" She was met with uproarious applause and turned back to the cellist. "So, you want a new bow, and I want to put on a show, so how about a little competition?" "What are you talking about you crazy pony?" "Simple, we show off our talents for the crowd. If you win, I'll buy you a new bow, any one you want. But if I win, you have to stay and listen to my whole set, and I expect the same compliment I gave you after your performance." "Show our talents? Here? That's hardly fare! This crowd of degenerates will surely chose your chaotic so called 'music' over my art." "Music?" The DJ cocked her head questioningly. "Who said anything about music? You and I both know we share another talent. Why it's the very thing that brought us together." Octavia stared at the DJ for a moment in confusion. "You can't mean..." "So how 'bout it Tavi?" The DJ lowered her glasses and cocked an eyebrow. "You up for a little sparring match?" "You can't be serious." "Oh I am. Unless you're to chicken that is." "Oh please, you are so immature. Do you really expect that to work?" "What do you think folks?" Vinyl said as she turned towards the crowd. "It sounds like she's scared to me." The crowd shouted cheers at the DJ, a few even throwing a few jests at the cellist. "I guess these classical types don't care about entertaining the masses, but I suppose that's obvious with the boring music they play." The instant Vinyl felt the hoof on her shoulder again she knew that her taunts had worked. As the hoof spun Vinyl around the two once again found themselves face to face. One wore a satisfying glare of anger, the other an annoying smirk of victory. "You're on." "Perfect, then if you would please take your place on center stage, I'll be right down." "Fine." The cellist turned and walked out of the DJ's booth. "Alright everypony," Vinyl said as she turned back to her equipment, "I'm gonna need you to clear the dance floor." All the ponies complied and cleared off the dance floor as Octavia walked to the center. "Alright, this has to be good..." Vinyl mumbled to herself. She flipped through her records, looking for the perfect song. "No, no, no." She started searching the library of her computer. "Damn it, nothing...wait a minute." She opened up a separate folder and looked at the track inside. It was something she had been working on for a long time. Nopony but her had heard it before. She glanced at the cellist waiting for her and decided it was time to change that. With a stroke of her hoof, the track began playing. It started slow. Vinyl took off her glasses and set them on her console. She calmly walked out of her booth and onto the dance floor, standing across from Octavia. "You ready Tavi?" "Absolutely." The two stood, eyes locked on each other. The music was building, and Vinyl waited for what she knew was coming. She grinned when she heard the break. "Dr-dr-drdrdrdrdrdr-drop the bass!" They charged at each other, Vinyl on four legs and Octavia on two. As they neared, Vinyl put all of her weight into her left forehoof, and lifted the other three hooves off the ground. She used the planted hoof as a fulcrum, and spun her body counterclockwise, lowering herself and extending her right hind leg. Octavia leapt over the sweeping leg, and DJ proper. As she landed she spun around to see Vinyl use the momentum of the sweep to perform a short windmill before launching herself back onto her hooves. "Classic Tavi, always running. You never stand and face the attack." "Will you never shut your mouth?!" Octavia charged back at Vinyl, right forehoof cocked. She threw a cross, and Vinyl ducked her head to dodge it. Vinyl countered with a right uppercut, but Octavia leaned back and Vinyl hit nothing but air. Octavia acted quick, and wrapped both forehooves around the raised hoof. She twisted her body and yanked the captured appendage over her shoulder. Vinyl was lifted off of the ground, over the cellist, and slammed onto her back. Octavia kept hold with her left forehoof, and raised her right to strike the fallen DJ. Vinyl spun her body on the floor, and used her hindleg to swipe the cellist's hooves out from underneath her. Both of the mares scrambled back to their hooves as quick as they could. "This is great stuff Tavi, they're eating it up," Vinyl said as she looked around at the cheering audience. "Wonderful, I'm glad they're enjoying it," Octavia said sarcastically. "I bet, actually entertaining a crowd must be a new experience for you." "I will destroy you." "Come and try." The two met in a flurry of flying hooves. "Kick her flank PON-3!" Vinyl heard somepony in the crowd shout. The DJ turned towards the voice, "Don't worry, I-OOF!" Octavia took advantage of her opponent's distraction to land a powerful right hook. "So easily distracted." Octavia hit Vinyl with three rapid blows to the chest, knocking the wind out of her. The DJ stumbled back trying to catch her breath, but the cellist didn't give her the chance. The gray mare grabbed hold of the white with both hooves, and put all of her strength into a throw. Vinyl was rocketed through the air, and crashed against one of the twenty-five hooves columns supporting the lights. The poorly constructed column was already weakened from years of use, and the collision of the DJ sent it over the edge. Several warped supports snapped from the impact, causing the entire column to collapse. The two sides of the square light fixtures surrounding the dance floor that the column supported fell to the ground on one end each. Octavia walked slowly towards the center of the crash, ignoring the terrified crowd. "Now, are you going to buy me a new bow, or must I continue beating sense into you?" Vinyl sat slumped against the fallen wreckage, coughing slightly. "You kidding Tavi? I'm just getting started." "Give it up Scratch, even you have your limits." "You're right, I do." As Octavia finally reached the DJ she thought was defeated, Vinyl leaned back and shot a hindhoof straight up, catching Octavia in the chin. "But you haven't seen them yet." She jumped to her hooves and hit Octavia with a rapid one-two punch before turning and hitting her with a strong buck. The cellist was knocked a good twenty hooves across the dance floor. As the cellist laid on the floor, failing to regain her senses, Vinyl listened to the song reaching it's climax. She used one of the fallen supports as a ramp, running quickly up it. She got half way up at the break, and looked down at the prone mare. With a grin on her face, she leapt from the support and threw her body into a suicide. "Dr-dr-drdrdrdrdrdr-drop the bass!" Vinyl shouted the end along with the track, as her body fell in a "J" shape straight down towards Octavia. The shouting snapped Octavia back to her senses just in time, and rolled out of the way just before Vinyl landed on her shoulder blades. "AUGH!" Vinyl shouted in pain. "My shoulder!" "Serves you right," Octavia weakly said weakly, still on the ground near by. "Really Octavia, now? I think it may be broken." Octavia laid in thought for a moment, and began to feel guilty. "...I'm-" "SCRATCH!" Vinyl turned to see the club's owner standing in the door way of his office. Oh shit. "What the hell did you do to my club!?" Chapter 4"You're in big trouble Scratch, you're lucky if I ever let you play in my club again." The club's owner was a middle aged stallion with a rusty gray coat and a black mane. He sat at his desk across from Vinyl and Octavia. "Come on Beats, I was just doing my job." Vinyl sat clutching her shoulder. "Destroying my club is not your job!" "No, but entertaining ponies is, and that fight was damn entertaining." "That entertainment caused a fortune in damages!" Beats slammed a hoof on his desk. "Mr Beats, I would like to apologize for letting this scoundrel get the best of my temper. I assure you I will repay you for my share of the damages," Octavia said. She once again wore her usual air of grace and class. "You're damn right you are! And you are too Scratch!" "Yeah yeah," Vinyl slumped back in her chair. "Just give me a figure." "Well let's see." Beats grabbed a pen and started scribbling on a piece of paper. "The light supports, the lights themselves, the crashing damaged the dance floor so much they'll have to be replaced completely. Then there's the dozen ponies that threatened to sue for emotional distress, and over half had scratches to sue for injury. I'll have to hire a lawyer, and Celestia willing win the cases. My insurance rates are going to go up for sure. And finally half of the stock behind the bar went "missing" in all of the commotion. I think this is a fair estimate." He slid the paper across for the two mares to see. "Alright, let's see what the damage is." Vinyl picked up the paper and looked at the estimate. "WHAT!? Beats man, come on you can't be serious." "Oh I am Scratch." "Can't you cut me some slack? I broke my damn shoulder for Celestia's sake!" "Oh come now, it can't be that bad." Octavia grabbed the paper. "WHAT!? This is preposterous!" "Good lights are expensive ladies, and I want to get reinforced supports this time to prevent any future incidents." "You know I can't afford this Beats. You're the steadiest gig I got, you've seen my paychecks." "Which reminds me, I won't be paying you for tonight's show." "Mr Beats," Octavia set the paper back on the desk and tried to maintain her composure, "I am, regrettably, unable to pay such a hefty some. Surely there must be some other way to repay my debt." Beats sat back in his chair in thought as a grin slowly spread across his face. "As a matter of fact, there is." "Great!" Vinyl shot up in her chair. "I knew you'd come around for me Beats, whatchu' got for us?" "There's this...underground club I've been going to for a while now. The acts make some serious bits, and I've been wanting to get in some talent of my own." "That's perfect! I'll play a few sets and we'll call it even," Vinyl said, excited for the easy out. "I'm not certain that my music will go over very well at such a place, but if that's what it takes so be it," Octavia agreed. "It's not that kind of club ladies." "Huh?" Vinyl cocked her head. "What kind of club is it?" Octavia asked. "A fight club." "What?!" Octavia shouted. "Aw yeah! This is gonna be fun!" Vinyl punched the air in excitement. "Mr Beats, I'm a concert cellist. I'm well respected in among the elite of Manehatten. I've risked my reputation enough with this debacle, I can't risk it further by joining a fight club." "So wear a disguise, nopony has to know it's you," Beats suggested. "I don't think that-" "Or you can give me enough bits to cover the damages." Octavia's mouth froze. She wasn't sure how to respond. "Come on Tavi, it'll be fun. I can make you a perfect disguise, nopony will know," Vinyl said. "But, but..." Octavia struggled to find another way to repay her debt, but ultimately failed with a sigh. "Very well, if I must. However, Scratch must wear a disguise as well." "Why? I don't have a problem with people seeing me in a fight club." "Ponies already know that we have a...history Scratch. If you join a fight club with a partner, somepony would only have to put two and two together." "So it's decided, the two of you will become my disguised fighters until you repay your debts. And if you want to keep fighting after, then we can make some big bits together." "I would not count on it Mr Beats," Octavia said. "Your first fight will be in a week, meet me in the alley behind out back then." "A week? You forget something Beats?" Vinyl motioned her head to her hurt shoulder. Beats glanced at it, stood from his chair and walked around the desk. "Uh, Beats? What are yo-OWW!" Beats let go of the DJ's leg after shoving it back into it's socket. "It was only dislocated, you'll be fine. Now get out of my office." Without another word, the two mares rose from their chairs and exited the office. "So Tavi, if you want to come back to my place we can get you a disguise," Vinyl said as they were walking out of the club. "I think not. It's been a long night, I need to rest." Octavia grabbed a napkin and a pen off of the bar and jotted on it. "Here, this is my address. Come by tomorrow at noon." "Alright, I'll be there." "Good, then if you'll excuse me, I want to put as much distance between myself and this place as possible." Octavia pushed her way through the door, happy to put the mess behind her for the night. Knock knock knock. Octavia looked up from her book and turned towards the door. I suppose that would be Scratch. With a sigh, Octavia set the book on her coffee table and walked to the door. She placed a hoof on the knob, but took a deep breath to prepare herself before opening it. "You're late." "What? You said noon right?" Vinyl stood in the doorway with a duffel bag slung on her back. "I did, and it's twelve fifteen." The DJ shrugged. "Close enough." Octavia sighed again and shook her head. "Well, come in." She stepped aside and held out a hoof to indicate Vinyl should enter. Vinyl stepped in and looked around. "Nice place, little too prissy for my taste, but nice." Octavia lived on the eighth floor of an apartment building in midtown Manehatten. She always kept it clean and tidy, making sure everything was in it's proper place. "Thank you, I suppose. Can I get you something to drink?" Octavia didn't particularly want the visit to last longer than need be, but she wouldn't let that be an excuse for her to lose her manners. "Sure, got any Red Buck and vodka?" "Really now, Red Buck and vodka? It's not even twelve thirty." Why am I surprised, of course she drinks during the day. "You asked if I wanted a drink," Vinyl defended herself. "I was thinking more along the lines of tea, or juice." "Oh. No, I'm fine." Octavia rubbed a hoof against her temple. "Let's just get this over with." "Right, let's get to it." Vinyl set her bag down began to dig through it. "First we'll need to cover your face, this should do it." She brought out a mask and tossed it to Octavia. Octavia caught the mask and looked it over. It was a simple black ski mask, with a long hole cut out to see through. "This is it? You're 'perfect disguise'?" "Of course not, it's just the start." Octavia looked at the mask again. "Well, I suppose it will keep my face hidden, although I'm not sure all of my hair will fit in this." "Hmm," Vinyl thought. "Don't worry, I've got this." She stuck a hoof back in the bag, and tossed the cellist a hair tie. "Put your hair up." Without waiting for a response, Vinyl engulfed the mask in a blue aura and took it back. As Octavia put her mane into a ponytail, Vinyl took scissors out of her bag and cut a slit in the back of the mask. "You can pull it through here." She hoofed it back to Octavia. "Very well, let's try it shall we." Octavia slid the mask over her head, and pulled her ponytail through the slit. "Well, how does it look." "It's good, you're already starting to look like a different pony." Vinyl pulled another mask, identical to the first, out of her bag and crammed her head into it. "And how about me?" "You're giving both of us the same disguise?" "Always keep things simple, first rule to disguise and deception." Octavia was about to ask how she knew about such things, but the DJ continued before she could. "Next we need to change up our colors a bit." "Our colors? What do you mean?" Octavia grew nervous as she saw magic building up in Vinyl's horn. "Scratch? What are you doing?" Without answer, Vinyl shot a bolt of light at the cellist. Octavia yelped in surprise, but quickly realized the light was painless, little more than a tingling. "Umm, Scratch? What was that?" "It's a spell I learned to make sure I look good for shows. Usually I just use it to make sure my mane's shiny, but it's the same concept." "My mane?" Octavia grabbed her mane in her hoof and brought it into her view to find it was suddenly silver. "My mane! What did you do to my mane?!" "Relax, it's just an illusion. I can dispell it any time." Octavia looked at her mane again, and realized the silver strands were actually quite beautiful. "...Alright, I guess this is fine." "Good, because it worked on your tail too." Octavia turned her head to see that her tail had indeed turned silver as well. "And I suppose you'll be doing this to yourself as well?" "Yep." Vinyl's horn glowed again, this time surrounding her in light. When it faded, her tail had turned two shades of electric red. Octavia could see a few strands poking through the mask confirming that her mane was the same color. "Last up, we need to change our cutie marks." "What!? Scratch changing my mane is one thing, but my cutie mark?" "You're the one who wanted to be disguised Tavi, a cutie mark is a pretty obvious indicator." "Well..." Octavia looked at her cutie mark, a purple treble cleft. A pony's cutie mark was highly personal, it was a symbol of who they were. Changing it was a serious act. "...It's only temporary right?" "I promise I can return it, completely unchanged, whenever you want." "...Fine. Just don't make it anything...uncivilized." "Oh don't worry Tavi." Vinyl grinned as her horn again began to glow. "I've got just the thing." Octavia's stomach clenched as the light hit her, more from the anxiety than the spell itself. When it dissipated she turned to look at her newly adorned flank. "Oh you have got to be kidding me." Author's Note A chapter without a fight scene? Craziness! But yes, some chapters will be completely fightless. But fear not, the majority will have team OctaScratch kicking flank....Hmm, I suppose they can't use their real names in the fight club can they? Wonder what they'll go by... I also should tell you all that the next chapter may take a little longer. I recently got an idea for another story I want to try out, so I think I may start it before the next chapter of The Fight Ballads. Don't worry though, I'm not stopping this story, I very much am enjoying it and will see it through to the end. But keep an eye out for my new story, which will once again be starring everybody's favorite cellist and, to a lesser extent, DJ. Chapter 5"Remind me again why this is my cutie mark?" Octavia was following Beats through back alleys in a part of the city she never knew existed. "Because you wanted a disguise, so I gave you one," Vinyl said, walking by her side. Both wore their disguises "I know, but why a tenor clef? It's not exactly a far stretch from my treble clef." Octavia looked at the purple symbol adorning her flank, she mused for a moment that from the side it almost looked like two hooves. "I told you, keep it simple. Besides, I think it suites you better. Why does a cellist have a treble clef for a cutie mark anyway?" "None of your business," the cellist snapped. She was frustrated enough about having to change her treble clef, she wasn't going to let the source of her frustration question it. "I don't know what your problem is, I kind of like my new cutie mark." Vinyl glanced at the black bass clef on her. "Alright ladies, we're here." Beats stopped in front of an unmarked door in a dimly lit alley. He raised a hoof and knocked. "Just let me do the talking." An view slot slid open on the door, and the two mares could see two eyes through them. "Back for more Beats?" "Yep." The bouncer glanced at Octavia and Vinyl. "Who are they?" "New fighters, under my management." "These two? Fighters?" The bouncer chuckled. "Their funerals." The view slot slid closed, and a moment later the door opened to reveal a staircase going down, and a familiar blue stallion with multiple bandages on his face. Vinyl and Octavia were thankful that their masks hid their surprise, and they could barely hear a large crowd shouting from the bottom. "Come on in." Beats made his way through the doorway, followed by Vinyl and a reluctant Octavia. They followed the bouncer down the stairs to another doorway. As the bouncer opened the door, the sound of the crowd grew to an uproar. Octavia covered her ears in surprise for a moment, but Vinyl seemed unaffected by the noise. She thinks this is loud? Vinyl thought looking at the cellist. I listen to louder music in my sleep. Beats and the two mares walked through the door, which was then promptly shut by the bouncer. Vinyl and Octavia looked around at the club. In the center was a large cage, surrounded by nearly everypony in the club. It was easy to tell there was a fight going on, but the mares couldn't see it through the crowd of shouting ponies. There was a door on the wall to their left, a small counter that could be called a bar (for lack of a better term) manned by a green stallion, a yellow stallion taking bets from behind a folding table, and the rest of the place was bare. A grimy basement in the middle of what was probably the worst part of the city. Vinyl nudged Octavia with her elbow. "It's not just me right, this place is run by the stallions from the alley?" Octavia only nodded in response. Beats turned left, and headed for the door. Vinyl and Octavia followed, unsure of what else to do. When he got to the door he knocked, and another view slot opened up. "Whaddya want Beats?" Vinyl and Octavia could see a pair of pink eyes through the slot. "Got a couple of fighters here, need to talk to the Boss about getting them in the cage." The slot slid shut again. Vinyl and Octavia shared uncertain glances, and waited for something to happen. Just when it seemed like nothing was going to, the door was opened by a pink stallion with one leg in a cast. "Come on in," he said as he stepped aside, letting the trio through. They trotted into a small office. Behind a desk in the middle of the office sat a large white stallion with a long, straight, black mane and tail. "What's this about new fighters Beats?" The stallion didn't bother looking up from the desk, instead he stared at the piles of bits on his desk that he was carefully counting. "Got 'em right here Boss. They're good, guaranteed to bring in some bits." Boss looked up from the bits and examined the two mares. "These two?" "They're tougher than they look." Boss went back to counting the coins. "I don't want you crying to me if you're filly friends end up dead Beats." "I think you're underestimating them Boss." "And how much of their cut will you be getting?" "All of it, they owe me a debt." Boss chuckled, and stuffed the bits into a bag he placed in a desk drawer. "These two have names?" "I'm Bass," Vinyl said. Beats turned and gave her a glare, but she ignored it. She didn't like being so quite for so long. "This is Tenor." "Tenor and Bass huh? Alright, we have a free spot tonight. You two are welcome to it," Boss looked at Beats, "assuming we can agree to their rates." Beats turned to the mares. "You two can go enjoy yourselves for now, I'll find you when it's time for your fight." Octavia turned and started to the door, but was cut off by the pink stallion. "Maybe you'd like a little bit of company sweet cheeks?" "No thank you," Octavia replied, "now if you would please-" "Oh come on baby, I'll get you a drink on the house." "She said no Bubblegum," Vinyl said, walking up next to the cellist. "Now get out of the way." The stallion face turned to one of hatred. "What did you call me bitch?" "What, you dumb and deaf?" Vinyl took another step forward. "Watch your mouth or I'll-" "You'll what? Me and her are here to get in a cage with some of the toughest sons of bitches in this city, you really want to screw with us?" The stallion was about to open his mouth again, but was cut off by laughter coming from behind the desk. "Where'd you find these two Beats? I like them." "Give 'em time, you won't," Beats answered. "Get out of their way Pink. I don't want you bothering them, understood?" "But Boss-" "Are you questioning me Pink?" Pink froze for a moment, "No Boss, of course not." "Good, and tell the others they aren't to bother them either." Boss looked at the mares. "They are to be treated with respect as long as they are in my club." "Yes Boss." Pink stepped aside, and let the two mares through the door, Octavia first. "See you later Bubblegum," Vinyl said as she passed Pink, but the stallion grabbed her shoulder on her way. "You know, you seem familiar..." "I bet, you must get rejected a lot," Vinyl said before shrugging his hoof off of her, and exiting the office. She wore a smug grin underneath her mask, until she noticed Octavia standing a few hooves away with a hoof to her head. "Octa-...Tenor?" She trotted over to the cellist. "You alright?" "Yes, I'm fine. I just...I need some air." Octavia walked to the door leading out of the club and made her way briskly up the stairs and out of the door. She felt the cool night air against her face and inhaled deeply, enjoying the chill in her lungs. A few moments later she heard the door open behind her. "Tenor? You alright?" Vinyl walked next to Octavia and put a hoof on her shoulder. "What am I doing here? I'm a cellist for Celestia's sake, what am I doing about to step into a cage in some dreary underground fight club?" "You're repaying a debt." "Oh of course, my debt. My debt that acquired from getting into a brawl in some night club rave!" Octavia rubbed her temple with her hoof. "I should have just bought a new bow. It's not like you could have replaced my old one anyway." Vinyl took her hoof off of Octavia's shoulder and lowered her head. "I just realized I never apologized for that." "It doesn't matter, what's done is done." "Yes it does." Vinyl looked Octavia in the eyes. "I'm really sorry for breaking your bow, it was an accident." Octavia smiled underneath her mask. "Thank you." "It must have been really expensive too, I never heard of a bow made from Kurt Mareser's hair." The cellist blinked in surprise. "You actually know who he was?" "Of course. I keep track of everypony in the music industry, even outside my genre. They say Kurt Mareser was the greatest director in the philharmonic's history." "Yes, well it actually wasn't expensive at all. In fact it was a gift he gave me." "He gave it to you?" Vinyl cocked her head. "Did you play for him? You must have been the youngest pony in the philharmonic." "Actually," Octavia turned her head, "he was my grandfather." "Oh." Vinyl felt her guilt increase three fold. "He gave it to me for my first solo performance at the Western Manehatten Performance Theater, I was barely even in college..." "It...it must have been very precious to you..." "Yes." Octavia had her head lowered, remembering fond memories. "The only possession I prize more is my cello." "Don't tell me, it was made by Princess Celestia," Vinyl joked. "Domenicolt Manetagnana actually." Vinyl's eyes went wide with shock. "A Manetagnana? Those are worth millions." "The last offer I got for it was two and a half million bits actually. It's been in my family for nearly three hundred years, my ancestor bought it from Manetagnana himself." "Wow..." Vinyl could only marvel at the priceless equipment that Octavia played on. "I...I got most of my set up from a music store in midtown." Octavia chuckled at the DJ. "Well maybe one day some young filly will brag that they have the turn tables that were used by DJ PON-3." Vinyl laughed and was about to respond when the door to the club suddenly opened. "Your fights up," Bits said from the doorway. "You ladies ready?" Author's Note And now it's time for reader interaction! I'm going to need to have a number of ponies for ~~Vinyl and Octavia~~ Tenor and Bass to fight in the club. And, to be honest, I don't feel like designing them. So why don't you? Want your OC to make a cameo, or want to design a new one from Vinyl Scratch? As long as it isn't a ridiculous or unoriginal design (i.e. black and red alicorn,) I'll put it in as a pony for our favorite ~~musical~~ fighting pair to brawl. Just leave a picture or description in the comments below.
Chapter 1Vinyl Scratch trotted down the streets of downtown Manehatten, head bobbing to the beat thumping through her headphones. It was the the dead of the night, around 3:00 AM last time she checked, and there was barely anypony else walking around. The moonless night sky left the only illumination in the city to the streetlights, roughly a third of which were broken in this part of the city. Most ponies avoided this neighborhood, but it was the quickest route to Vinyl's apartment from the club district, so she found herself in it a good bit. Vinyl was nearly lost in the music blasting in her ears when she heard shouting coming from a dark alley she was passing. "Huh?" She said as she put her headphones around her neck and looked down into the alley. "Come on baby, why don't you give us a good look of that plot?" Vinyl saw four large stallions forming a ring around a mare with her back to the wall. "That is not going to happen, now if you stallions would kindly step aside I'll be on my way." The mare wore a pink bow tie, and had a gray coat with a long groomed dark gray mane and tail. Vinyl could barely make out her cutie mark in the darkness, but it appeared to be a purple treble cleft. "We'll gladly step aside, once you give us a little shake," said a blue stallion taking a step closer. "I have told you before, that will not happen. Now I suggest you don't come any closer." That filly's pretty brave, she doesn't look nervous at all. "Don't be that way sweet cheeks," a pink stallion said as he took another step forward, "all we want is to see that juicy flank." This has gone on long enough. "Hey, pretty in pink!" Vinyl shouted as she walked towards the group. "The lady said to beat it!" The pink stallion spun around to face Vinyl head on while the other three turned their head. "What did you call me?!" The rage in his face was clearly visible. "I called you pretty in pink. Whatchu' gonna' do about it?"" Vinyl said with a grin. Bring it on big boy. "You little-" Pink wasn't able to finish his insult. While Vinyl occupied him, Octavia had walked up behind him and grabbed his left hind hoof with her left fore hoof and brought it into the air. "Hey, what are yo-ARRRGGH!!!" The stallion screamed in pain as Octavia struck his elbow while firmly keeping his hoof in place. Vinyl could just make out the sound of breaking bones. "I told you to not get any closer," the mare said as she let the pink stallion fall to the ground. Holy buck, that filly's tougher than she looks. "You, you little bitch! Kick her flank boys!" Pink shouted as he clutched his broken leg in agony. Things are getting hairy, time to step in. "That's the last mistake you're going-" The large green stallion was cut off as Vinyl charged forward and drove a fore hoof into the back of his head full force, driving his face straight into the ground. "You colts really need to learn when to shut your-hey!" Vinyl was interrupted as the blue and yellow stallions grabbed her from either side. "You should have stayed out of-" The gray mare caught the yellow stallion with an uppercut, knocking him off of Vinyl's right side. She was standing on only her hindhooves, and stepped her left hind hoof in front of blue, twisting her body and slamming her left forehoof into his nose and knocking him back. She fights biped? Vinyl didn't have much time to contemplate the mare's peculiar fighting style as the three stallions were rising again to their hooves. "You boys want some more? Come get it." As they charged at the DJ she dropped onto her back in a spin, breaking into a windmill. As they got near her she caught each of them in the jaw with her spinning hind hooves. She then broke the spin and pounced onto blue, tackling him to the ground and pummeling his face with her forehooves. Meanwhile yellow and green attacked the other mare, but all of their attacks were either easily dodged or knocked aside by the mare's strong forehooves. As yellow threw a right punch at her, she grabbed it with her left forehhoof and stepped in close. On the step in she used her right to punch him in the gut, followed by an elbow to chest and back hoof to the face. As yellow staggered back she went to engage green. "A little help?!" Blue shouted as hey vainly attempted to protect his face from Vinyl's onslaught of punches. Yellow rushed to help his companion, turning and bucking Vinyl straight in the face. As his hindhooves made contact the DJ was thrown off of the blue stallion and into a nearby wall. Yellow walked towards Vinyl as she was trying to reorganize her thoughts. "That's it you little bitch. I'm gonna make sure you don't see the sunrise. The other mare's ears perked when she heard this, and she turned to see yellow walking towards the white mare slumped against a wall. She caught a punch from green in her hooves, and using her body as a fulcrum threw him over her shoulder and directly at yellow. The two stallions collided right as Vinyl got back on her hooves. "All of you give up this foolishness and leave. NOW," the gray mare said to the four stallions on the ground. "Or you can keep letting us kick your flank if you want," Vinyl said with a smirk. "Forget these bitches boys, let's get out of here," pink said as he managed to get back on his three good legs. The four stallions ran out of the alley as fast as they could. "That's right, keep running!" Vinyl shouted after them. "Let us see those flanks bounce!" She joked. "Ahem," the gray mare said to get Vinyl's attention. "Thank you for your assistance, as unnecessary as it was. Are you alright?" "Of course I am, why wouldn't I be?" Vinyl asked. After a moment she realized her nose was bleeding, and she wiped the blood away. "Oh you mean this? I'm fine, it takes a lot more than that to take me down." "Right, of course it does," the gray mare said with an unsure glance. "At any case, I must be on my way." With that the mare began to walk out of the alley. "Hold on a minute!" Vinyl shouted as she trotted after her. "Where'd you learn to fight like that? Not many ponies fight biped." "That's none of your business." "Can you at least tell me your name?" The mare stopped and sighed. "I suppose I owe you that much at least. My name is Octavia. Now if you'll excuse me, I really must be off." She said as she once again trotted off. "Octavia?" Vinyl said to herself as she stood in the alley. "Where do I know that name from?"
Chapter 2Thunderous applause filled Octavia's ears as she took her final bow and the curtains closed. She lifted her cello carefully and carried it back to her dressing room. "I do not wish to be disturbed," she said to the security guard as she entered her room. Upon closing the door she carefully placed her cello back in it's case, and after loosening her bow she put it in the same case. She made her way to her dresser and picked up the bottle of whiskey atop it. It was a good bottle, classy, not that cheap swill most ponies drink. She unscrewed the top, and brought it to her nose, inhaling the aroma. She poured herself a glass and took a drink of it, savoring the taste. "So you like to party after a performance too huh?" Octavia spun around to see a white coated mare with electric blue hair standing in the doorway.. "Of course, I party all through out the performance too." She giggled and closed the door. "You? But, I...What are you doing in my dressing room?" Octavia couldn't believe what she was seeing. "I just wanted to congratulate you on a great performance. Not really my style, but still very good." She said as she walked towards Octavia. "What are you doing here at all?" Octavia could tell by just looking at her that the mare she wasn't a fan of classical music. "I knew your name sounded familiar, so after the fight in the alley I looked you up. When I saw you had a performance tonight I thought I'd come and see." "But wha-" "I figured it out too." The mare sat down on the couch and leaned back. "Figured what out?" Octavia set her glass down on the table in the center of the room and rubbed her temples. "Why you fight biped." She picked up the glass and drained it in a gulp. "Wow, good stuff. Anyway, you learned biped martial arts to give you better balance while you play. But I'm guessing you liked it so much you began studying it seriously. You don't get that good from balance exercises." "That is none of your business miss..." Octavia trailed off as she realized she didn't know the mare's name. "Vinyl Scratch, or DJ PON-3, whichever you prefer." "Miss Scratch," Octavia continued. "This is my private dressing room, so I would thank you if you left. I am still not sure how you got in at all." "Oh, that was easy," Vinyl said. "I just asked the guard real nicely...and when that didn't work I knocked him out." She gave a mischievous grin. "You what?!" Octavia shouted. "Do you mean to tell me that you stalked me to find my show, made assumptions about my life, drank my whiskey, and you assaulted my security guard?" "You forgot the part where I saved you flank last night, and gave you a complement, which you have yet to thank me for by the way." Vinyl said with a mocking smile. "I want you out of here now!" Octavia thrust a hoof at the door with a look of anger on her face. "Oh come on Tavi, don't be that way." "Leave!" Vinyl shot off of the couch and onto her hooves. "Not until you thank me for the compliment," she shouted in mock anger. "I will not thank you for anything now go!" Octavia shouted as she rose onto her hindhooves. Vinyl stared Octavia with a blank look on her face. After staring each other down for a good minute, Vinyl gave a cocky grin. "Make me." That pushed Octavia over the edge. She charged at Vinyl, running on two hooves, and cocked her right forehoof back for a punch. Vinyl smirked as Octavia ran at her, and she didn't attempt to dodge the punch. Instead, she took the punch dead in the face, but stood her ground firmly, not moving an inch. Vinyl took Octavia's momentary shock at the seemingly lack of success of her strike to kick her hindhooves off the ground and over her into a handstand. She pushed herself fully over, bringing her hindhoof down at Octavia in an axe kick. Octavia leapt back, dodging the kick by an inch as Vinyl landed on her back. Octavia jumped into the air, aiming to come down on top of Vinyl. However, Vinyl was to quick for her this time, and rolled out of the way. She pushed herself back onto her hooves as Octavia landed, her hoof striking down with a force where Vinyl's head laid moments ago. "That looked strong, if I didn't know better I'd say you're trying to hurt me," Vinyl teased. "Shut your snout!" Octavia shouted as ran towards Vinyl. As they met, they took turns throwing punches at each other. Most were either blocked or dodged, but Octavia was able to land a few on the DJ. "Come on Octy, that all you got?" Vinyl teased. "It's going to take more than that to get me out of here." Octavia jumped into a clockwise spin, catching her opponent in the head with her left hindhoof. The spinning kick knocked Vinyl to the ground. "That might do it," she said as she rubbed her head. Octavia slowly walked towards the fallen mare, but as she neared Vinyl shot back to her hooves, grabbed Octavia's head, and struck it full force with a headbutt. "Or it might not," she teased. Octavia fell back onto all four hooves and stumbled back from the force of the headbutt. She put a hoof on her head, trying to regain herself. "You little..." "That it Octy? One hit and your out?" Vinyl wiped the blood from her mouth. "Don't call me Octy!" Octavia shouted as she charged back towards Vinyl, this time on all fours. She threw a punch, but Vinyl caught it with both forehooves. She smiled, and spun around, yanking Octavia with her. As she let go, Octavia flew into the her cello case leaning against the wall. "Come on Octy, just thank me for the compliment and I'll-" Vinyl was cut off as the door to the cellist's dressing room burst open and three security guards burst in. "That's her, that's the bitch that knocked me out!" One shouted. "On second thought Octy, I think it's time for me to go." Vinyl made a break for the window. "Catch you later Octy!" She jumped out the window and ran off. "Are you alright Miss Octavia?" one of the guards asked, but she ignored them. She leaned her head against the wall for a moment, before a thought entered her head. "Oh no!" She turned to the cello case that she had been thrown into and opened it with haste. "No no no..." Octavia ran to the window and stuck her head out. "Get back here Scratch!" she shouted. She just caught a glimpse of a white hoof rounding a corner of the alley. "You broke my bow!"
Chapter 3The music pulsed through the club. Through the dance floor, across the bar, and through everyponies ears. And all of it came from her. Every beat, every wub, every bass drop, all came from the tips of her hooves and magic tendrils. Every button and switch on her equipment was practically in constant motion, and Vinyl Scratch watched them all through her glasses. However, these weren't any ordinary glasses. They were a fine blend of magic and technology that gave her one more connection to her music. They displayed equalizers, tracks playing, audio waves, mix levels, and a plethora of other information from her music. DJ glasses weren't that uncommon in her industry, but hers one of a kind. They were more sensitive than most, giving her readings so fast few other ponies would be able to keep up with the flow of information. And on top of that, their distinctive style have become a symbol. More ponies knew DJ PON-3's glasses than her real name. "That's it everypony, I want to see those tails bounce!" Vinyl shouted into the microphone. "I'm gonna be here all-wow!" Vinyl felt a strong hoof grab her shoulder and spin her around. After completing the 180, she found herself face to face with a familiar gray cellist. "You are going to buy me a new bow, now!" Octavia shouted at the DJ. Oh this is great. Vinyl subtly slid a hoof across her equipment. "Octy! You came to see my performance, I'm so touched." "Oh please, I would never willingly listen to this modern day drivel. I'm only here because you broke my bow!" Octavia shouted. "Sorry to break it to you Octy, but I don't sell cello bows. Try a music store," Vinyl teased. "A music store?! The bow you broke was handcrafted from timber wolf wood! The hair was from Kurt Maresur, the late director of the Manehatten Phillharmonic! It was priceless, not something you can pick up at a common music store! And I told you not to call me Octy!" Vinyl could clearly see the anger in the cellist's face. "Well then Tavi, if the bow was so priceless, what do you want me to do about it?" Vinyl was trying to push her further and further to the edge. "You are going to buy me a new one. One of the highest quality I can find," Octavia shoved a hoof sharply into Vinyl's chest. "Oh am I now? As I recall, it was your fat flank that hit the case," Vinyl teased. "Why you-" "I don't think it's my responsibility if you knock over your own cello case." "You listen here you scoundrel, you threw me into my case. And furthermore...is my voice coming through those speakers?" "Took you long enough to notice Tavi." The DJ floated her microphone in between the two of them. "I turned down the music and turned up the mic as soon as you got here. My flanks been to the audience, but I'm willing to bet they've been watching us this whole time. Am I right?" "What?" Octavia looked around Vinyl to see that the entire club was indeed staring at them. "Why in Equestria would you do this? Are you just trying to embarrass me?" "Of course not Tavi. I'm an entertainer, I'm just trying to put on a good show for my ponies." She turned her head to the crowd. "Is it working?" She was met with uproarious applause and turned back to the cellist. "So, you want a new bow, and I want to put on a show, so how about a little competition?" "What are you talking about you crazy pony?" "Simple, we show off our talents for the crowd. If you win, I'll buy you a new bow, any one you want. But if I win, you have to stay and listen to my whole set, and I expect the same compliment I gave you after your performance." "Show our talents? Here? That's hardly fare! This crowd of degenerates will surely chose your chaotic so called 'music' over my art." "Music?" The DJ cocked her head questioningly. "Who said anything about music? You and I both know we share another talent. Why it's the very thing that brought us together." Octavia stared at the DJ for a moment in confusion. "You can't mean..." "So how 'bout it Tavi?" The DJ lowered her glasses and cocked an eyebrow. "You up for a little sparring match?" "You can't be serious." "Oh I am. Unless you're to chicken that is." "Oh please, you are so immature. Do you really expect that to work?" "What do you think folks?" Vinyl said as she turned towards the crowd. "It sounds like she's scared to me." The crowd shouted cheers at the DJ, a few even throwing a few jests at the cellist. "I guess these classical types don't care about entertaining the masses, but I suppose that's obvious with the boring music they play." The instant Vinyl felt the hoof on her shoulder again she knew that her taunts had worked. As the hoof spun Vinyl around the two once again found themselves face to face. One wore a satisfying glare of anger, the other an annoying smirk of victory. "You're on." "Perfect, then if you would please take your place on center stage, I'll be right down." "Fine." The cellist turned and walked out of the DJ's booth. "Alright everypony," Vinyl said as she turned back to her equipment, "I'm gonna need you to clear the dance floor." All the ponies complied and cleared off the dance floor as Octavia walked to the center. "Alright, this has to be good..." Vinyl mumbled to herself. She flipped through her records, looking for the perfect song. "No, no, no." She started searching the library of her computer. "Damn it, nothing...wait a minute." She opened up a separate folder and looked at the track inside. It was something she had been working on for a long time. Nopony but her had heard it before. She glanced at the cellist waiting for her and decided it was time to change that. With a stroke of her hoof, the track began playing. It started slow. Vinyl took off her glasses and set them on her console. She calmly walked out of her booth and onto the dance floor, standing across from Octavia. "You ready Tavi?" "Absolutely." The two stood, eyes locked on each other. The music was building, and Vinyl waited for what she knew was coming. She grinned when she heard the break. "Dr-dr-drdrdrdrdrdr-drop the bass!" They charged at each other, Vinyl on four legs and Octavia on two. As they neared, Vinyl put all of her weight into her left forehoof, and lifted the other three hooves off the ground. She used the planted hoof as a fulcrum, and spun her body counterclockwise, lowering herself and extending her right hind leg. Octavia leapt over the sweeping leg, and DJ proper. As she landed she spun around to see Vinyl use the momentum of the sweep to perform a short windmill before launching herself back onto her hooves. "Classic Tavi, always running. You never stand and face the attack." "Will you never shut your mouth?!" Octavia charged back at Vinyl, right forehoof cocked. She threw a cross, and Vinyl ducked her head to dodge it. Vinyl countered with a right uppercut, but Octavia leaned back and Vinyl hit nothing but air. Octavia acted quick, and wrapped both forehooves around the raised hoof. She twisted her body and yanked the captured appendage over her shoulder. Vinyl was lifted off of the ground, over the cellist, and slammed onto her back. Octavia kept hold with her left forehoof, and raised her right to strike the fallen DJ. Vinyl spun her body on the floor, and used her hindleg to swipe the cellist's hooves out from underneath her. Both of the mares scrambled back to their hooves as quick as they could. "This is great stuff Tavi, they're eating it up," Vinyl said as she looked around at the cheering audience. "Wonderful, I'm glad they're enjoying it," Octavia said sarcastically. "I bet, actually entertaining a crowd must be a new experience for you." "I will destroy you." "Come and try." The two met in a flurry of flying hooves. "Kick her flank PON-3!" Vinyl heard somepony in the crowd shout. The DJ turned towards the voice, "Don't worry, I-OOF!" Octavia took advantage of her opponent's distraction to land a powerful right hook. "So easily distracted." Octavia hit Vinyl with three rapid blows to the chest, knocking the wind out of her. The DJ stumbled back trying to catch her breath, but the cellist didn't give her the chance. The gray mare grabbed hold of the white with both hooves, and put all of her strength into a throw. Vinyl was rocketed through the air, and crashed against one of the twenty-five hooves columns supporting the lights. The poorly constructed column was already weakened from years of use, and the collision of the DJ sent it over the edge. Several warped supports snapped from the impact, causing the entire column to collapse. The two sides of the square light fixtures surrounding the dance floor that the column supported fell to the ground on one end each. Octavia walked slowly towards the center of the crash, ignoring the terrified crowd. "Now, are you going to buy me a new bow, or must I continue beating sense into you?" Vinyl sat slumped against the fallen wreckage, coughing slightly. "You kidding Tavi? I'm just getting started." "Give it up Scratch, even you have your limits." "You're right, I do." As Octavia finally reached the DJ she thought was defeated, Vinyl leaned back and shot a hindhoof straight up, catching Octavia in the chin. "But you haven't seen them yet." She jumped to her hooves and hit Octavia with a rapid one-two punch before turning and hitting her with a strong buck. The cellist was knocked a good twenty hooves across the dance floor. As the cellist laid on the floor, failing to regain her senses, Vinyl listened to the song reaching it's climax. She used one of the fallen supports as a ramp, running quickly up it. She got half way up at the break, and looked down at the prone mare. With a grin on her face, she leapt from the support and threw her body into a suicide. "Dr-dr-drdrdrdrdrdr-drop the bass!" Vinyl shouted the end along with the track, as her body fell in a "J" shape straight down towards Octavia. The shouting snapped Octavia back to her senses just in time, and rolled out of the way just before Vinyl landed on her shoulder blades. "AUGH!" Vinyl shouted in pain. "My shoulder!" "Serves you right," Octavia weakly said weakly, still on the ground near by. "Really Octavia, now? I think it may be broken." Octavia laid in thought for a moment, and began to feel guilty. "...I'm-" "SCRATCH!" Vinyl turned to see the club's owner standing in the door way of his office. Oh shit. "What the hell did you do to my club!?"
Chapter 4"You're in big trouble Scratch, you're lucky if I ever let you play in my club again." The club's owner was a middle aged stallion with a rusty gray coat and a black mane. He sat at his desk across from Vinyl and Octavia. "Come on Beats, I was just doing my job." Vinyl sat clutching her shoulder. "Destroying my club is not your job!" "No, but entertaining ponies is, and that fight was damn entertaining." "That entertainment caused a fortune in damages!" Beats slammed a hoof on his desk. "Mr Beats, I would like to apologize for letting this scoundrel get the best of my temper. I assure you I will repay you for my share of the damages," Octavia said. She once again wore her usual air of grace and class. "You're damn right you are! And you are too Scratch!" "Yeah yeah," Vinyl slumped back in her chair. "Just give me a figure." "Well let's see." Beats grabbed a pen and started scribbling on a piece of paper. "The light supports, the lights themselves, the crashing damaged the dance floor so much they'll have to be replaced completely. Then there's the dozen ponies that threatened to sue for emotional distress, and over half had scratches to sue for injury. I'll have to hire a lawyer, and Celestia willing win the cases. My insurance rates are going to go up for sure. And finally half of the stock behind the bar went "missing" in all of the commotion. I think this is a fair estimate." He slid the paper across for the two mares to see. "Alright, let's see what the damage is." Vinyl picked up the paper and looked at the estimate. "WHAT!? Beats man, come on you can't be serious." "Oh I am Scratch." "Can't you cut me some slack? I broke my damn shoulder for Celestia's sake!" "Oh come now, it can't be that bad." Octavia grabbed the paper. "WHAT!? This is preposterous!" "Good lights are expensive ladies, and I want to get reinforced supports this time to prevent any future incidents." "You know I can't afford this Beats. You're the steadiest gig I got, you've seen my paychecks." "Which reminds me, I won't be paying you for tonight's show." "Mr Beats," Octavia set the paper back on the desk and tried to maintain her composure, "I am, regrettably, unable to pay such a hefty some. Surely there must be some other way to repay my debt." Beats sat back in his chair in thought as a grin slowly spread across his face. "As a matter of fact, there is." "Great!" Vinyl shot up in her chair. "I knew you'd come around for me Beats, whatchu' got for us?" "There's this...underground club I've been going to for a while now. The acts make some serious bits, and I've been wanting to get in some talent of my own." "That's perfect! I'll play a few sets and we'll call it even," Vinyl said, excited for the easy out. "I'm not certain that my music will go over very well at such a place, but if that's what it takes so be it," Octavia agreed. "It's not that kind of club ladies." "Huh?" Vinyl cocked her head. "What kind of club is it?" Octavia asked. "A fight club." "What?!" Octavia shouted. "Aw yeah! This is gonna be fun!" Vinyl punched the air in excitement. "Mr Beats, I'm a concert cellist. I'm well respected in among the elite of Manehatten. I've risked my reputation enough with this debacle, I can't risk it further by joining a fight club." "So wear a disguise, nopony has to know it's you," Beats suggested. "I don't think that-" "Or you can give me enough bits to cover the damages." Octavia's mouth froze. She wasn't sure how to respond. "Come on Tavi, it'll be fun. I can make you a perfect disguise, nopony will know," Vinyl said. "But, but..." Octavia struggled to find another way to repay her debt, but ultimately failed with a sigh. "Very well, if I must. However, Scratch must wear a disguise as well." "Why? I don't have a problem with people seeing me in a fight club." "Ponies already know that we have a...history Scratch. If you join a fight club with a partner, somepony would only have to put two and two together." "So it's decided, the two of you will become my disguised fighters until you repay your debts. And if you want to keep fighting after, then we can make some big bits together." "I would not count on it Mr Beats," Octavia said. "Your first fight will be in a week, meet me in the alley behind out back then." "A week? You forget something Beats?" Vinyl motioned her head to her hurt shoulder. Beats glanced at it, stood from his chair and walked around the desk. "Uh, Beats? What are yo-OWW!" Beats let go of the DJ's leg after shoving it back into it's socket. "It was only dislocated, you'll be fine. Now get out of my office." Without another word, the two mares rose from their chairs and exited the office. "So Tavi, if you want to come back to my place we can get you a disguise," Vinyl said as they were walking out of the club. "I think not. It's been a long night, I need to rest." Octavia grabbed a napkin and a pen off of the bar and jotted on it. "Here, this is my address. Come by tomorrow at noon." "Alright, I'll be there." "Good, then if you'll excuse me, I want to put as much distance between myself and this place as possible." Octavia pushed her way through the door, happy to put the mess behind her for the night. Knock knock knock. Octavia looked up from her book and turned towards the door. I suppose that would be Scratch. With a sigh, Octavia set the book on her coffee table and walked to the door. She placed a hoof on the knob, but took a deep breath to prepare herself before opening it. "You're late." "What? You said noon right?" Vinyl stood in the doorway with a duffel bag slung on her back. "I did, and it's twelve fifteen." The DJ shrugged. "Close enough." Octavia sighed again and shook her head. "Well, come in." She stepped aside and held out a hoof to indicate Vinyl should enter. Vinyl stepped in and looked around. "Nice place, little too prissy for my taste, but nice." Octavia lived on the eighth floor of an apartment building in midtown Manehatten. She always kept it clean and tidy, making sure everything was in it's proper place. "Thank you, I suppose. Can I get you something to drink?" Octavia didn't particularly want the visit to last longer than need be, but she wouldn't let that be an excuse for her to lose her manners. "Sure, got any Red Buck and vodka?" "Really now, Red Buck and vodka? It's not even twelve thirty." Why am I surprised, of course she drinks during the day. "You asked if I wanted a drink," Vinyl defended herself. "I was thinking more along the lines of tea, or juice." "Oh. No, I'm fine." Octavia rubbed a hoof against her temple. "Let's just get this over with." "Right, let's get to it." Vinyl set her bag down began to dig through it. "First we'll need to cover your face, this should do it." She brought out a mask and tossed it to Octavia. Octavia caught the mask and looked it over. It was a simple black ski mask, with a long hole cut out to see through. "This is it? You're 'perfect disguise'?" "Of course not, it's just the start." Octavia looked at the mask again. "Well, I suppose it will keep my face hidden, although I'm not sure all of my hair will fit in this." "Hmm," Vinyl thought. "Don't worry, I've got this." She stuck a hoof back in the bag, and tossed the cellist a hair tie. "Put your hair up." Without waiting for a response, Vinyl engulfed the mask in a blue aura and took it back. As Octavia put her mane into a ponytail, Vinyl took scissors out of her bag and cut a slit in the back of the mask. "You can pull it through here." She hoofed it back to Octavia. "Very well, let's try it shall we." Octavia slid the mask over her head, and pulled her ponytail through the slit. "Well, how does it look." "It's good, you're already starting to look like a different pony." Vinyl pulled another mask, identical to the first, out of her bag and crammed her head into it. "And how about me?" "You're giving both of us the same disguise?" "Always keep things simple, first rule to disguise and deception." Octavia was about to ask how she knew about such things, but the DJ continued before she could. "Next we need to change up our colors a bit." "Our colors? What do you mean?" Octavia grew nervous as she saw magic building up in Vinyl's horn. "Scratch? What are you doing?" Without answer, Vinyl shot a bolt of light at the cellist. Octavia yelped in surprise, but quickly realized the light was painless, little more than a tingling. "Umm, Scratch? What was that?" "It's a spell I learned to make sure I look good for shows. Usually I just use it to make sure my mane's shiny, but it's the same concept." "My mane?" Octavia grabbed her mane in her hoof and brought it into her view to find it was suddenly silver. "My mane! What did you do to my mane?!" "Relax, it's just an illusion. I can dispell it any time." Octavia looked at her mane again, and realized the silver strands were actually quite beautiful. "...Alright, I guess this is fine." "Good, because it worked on your tail too." Octavia turned her head to see that her tail had indeed turned silver as well. "And I suppose you'll be doing this to yourself as well?" "Yep." Vinyl's horn glowed again, this time surrounding her in light. When it faded, her tail had turned two shades of electric red. Octavia could see a few strands poking through the mask confirming that her mane was the same color. "Last up, we need to change our cutie marks." "What!? Scratch changing my mane is one thing, but my cutie mark?" "You're the one who wanted to be disguised Tavi, a cutie mark is a pretty obvious indicator." "Well..." Octavia looked at her cutie mark, a purple treble cleft. A pony's cutie mark was highly personal, it was a symbol of who they were. Changing it was a serious act. "...It's only temporary right?" "I promise I can return it, completely unchanged, whenever you want." "...Fine. Just don't make it anything...uncivilized." "Oh don't worry Tavi." Vinyl grinned as her horn again began to glow. "I've got just the thing." Octavia's stomach clenched as the light hit her, more from the anxiety than the spell itself. When it dissipated she turned to look at her newly adorned flank. "Oh you have got to be kidding me." Author's Note A chapter without a fight scene? Craziness! But yes, some chapters will be completely fightless. But fear not, the majority will have team OctaScratch kicking flank....Hmm, I suppose they can't use their real names in the fight club can they? Wonder what they'll go by... I also should tell you all that the next chapter may take a little longer. I recently got an idea for another story I want to try out, so I think I may start it before the next chapter of The Fight Ballads. Don't worry though, I'm not stopping this story, I very much am enjoying it and will see it through to the end. But keep an eye out for my new story, which will once again be starring everybody's favorite cellist and, to a lesser extent, DJ.
Chapter 5"Remind me again why this is my cutie mark?" Octavia was following Beats through back alleys in a part of the city she never knew existed. "Because you wanted a disguise, so I gave you one," Vinyl said, walking by her side. Both wore their disguises "I know, but why a tenor clef? It's not exactly a far stretch from my treble clef." Octavia looked at the purple symbol adorning her flank, she mused for a moment that from the side it almost looked like two hooves. "I told you, keep it simple. Besides, I think it suites you better. Why does a cellist have a treble clef for a cutie mark anyway?" "None of your business," the cellist snapped. She was frustrated enough about having to change her treble clef, she wasn't going to let the source of her frustration question it. "I don't know what your problem is, I kind of like my new cutie mark." Vinyl glanced at the black bass clef on her. "Alright ladies, we're here." Beats stopped in front of an unmarked door in a dimly lit alley. He raised a hoof and knocked. "Just let me do the talking." An view slot slid open on the door, and the two mares could see two eyes through them. "Back for more Beats?" "Yep." The bouncer glanced at Octavia and Vinyl. "Who are they?" "New fighters, under my management." "These two? Fighters?" The bouncer chuckled. "Their funerals." The view slot slid closed, and a moment later the door opened to reveal a staircase going down, and a familiar blue stallion with multiple bandages on his face. Vinyl and Octavia were thankful that their masks hid their surprise, and they could barely hear a large crowd shouting from the bottom. "Come on in." Beats made his way through the doorway, followed by Vinyl and a reluctant Octavia. They followed the bouncer down the stairs to another doorway. As the bouncer opened the door, the sound of the crowd grew to an uproar. Octavia covered her ears in surprise for a moment, but Vinyl seemed unaffected by the noise. She thinks this is loud? Vinyl thought looking at the cellist. I listen to louder music in my sleep. Beats and the two mares walked through the door, which was then promptly shut by the bouncer. Vinyl and Octavia looked around at the club. In the center was a large cage, surrounded by nearly everypony in the club. It was easy to tell there was a fight going on, but the mares couldn't see it through the crowd of shouting ponies. There was a door on the wall to their left, a small counter that could be called a bar (for lack of a better term) manned by a green stallion, a yellow stallion taking bets from behind a folding table, and the rest of the place was bare. A grimy basement in the middle of what was probably the worst part of the city. Vinyl nudged Octavia with her elbow. "It's not just me right, this place is run by the stallions from the alley?" Octavia only nodded in response. Beats turned left, and headed for the door. Vinyl and Octavia followed, unsure of what else to do. When he got to the door he knocked, and another view slot opened up. "Whaddya want Beats?" Vinyl and Octavia could see a pair of pink eyes through the slot. "Got a couple of fighters here, need to talk to the Boss about getting them in the cage." The slot slid shut again. Vinyl and Octavia shared uncertain glances, and waited for something to happen. Just when it seemed like nothing was going to, the door was opened by a pink stallion with one leg in a cast. "Come on in," he said as he stepped aside, letting the trio through. They trotted into a small office. Behind a desk in the middle of the office sat a large white stallion with a long, straight, black mane and tail. "What's this about new fighters Beats?" The stallion didn't bother looking up from the desk, instead he stared at the piles of bits on his desk that he was carefully counting. "Got 'em right here Boss. They're good, guaranteed to bring in some bits." Boss looked up from the bits and examined the two mares. "These two?" "They're tougher than they look." Boss went back to counting the coins. "I don't want you crying to me if you're filly friends end up dead Beats." "I think you're underestimating them Boss." "And how much of their cut will you be getting?" "All of it, they owe me a debt." Boss chuckled, and stuffed the bits into a bag he placed in a desk drawer. "These two have names?" "I'm Bass," Vinyl said. Beats turned and gave her a glare, but she ignored it. She didn't like being so quite for so long. "This is Tenor." "Tenor and Bass huh? Alright, we have a free spot tonight. You two are welcome to it," Boss looked at Beats, "assuming we can agree to their rates." Beats turned to the mares. "You two can go enjoy yourselves for now, I'll find you when it's time for your fight." Octavia turned and started to the door, but was cut off by the pink stallion. "Maybe you'd like a little bit of company sweet cheeks?" "No thank you," Octavia replied, "now if you would please-" "Oh come on baby, I'll get you a drink on the house." "She said no Bubblegum," Vinyl said, walking up next to the cellist. "Now get out of the way." The stallion face turned to one of hatred. "What did you call me bitch?" "What, you dumb and deaf?" Vinyl took another step forward. "Watch your mouth or I'll-" "You'll what? Me and her are here to get in a cage with some of the toughest sons of bitches in this city, you really want to screw with us?" The stallion was about to open his mouth again, but was cut off by laughter coming from behind the desk. "Where'd you find these two Beats? I like them." "Give 'em time, you won't," Beats answered. "Get out of their way Pink. I don't want you bothering them, understood?" "But Boss-" "Are you questioning me Pink?" Pink froze for a moment, "No Boss, of course not." "Good, and tell the others they aren't to bother them either." Boss looked at the mares. "They are to be treated with respect as long as they are in my club." "Yes Boss." Pink stepped aside, and let the two mares through the door, Octavia first. "See you later Bubblegum," Vinyl said as she passed Pink, but the stallion grabbed her shoulder on her way. "You know, you seem familiar..." "I bet, you must get rejected a lot," Vinyl said before shrugging his hoof off of her, and exiting the office. She wore a smug grin underneath her mask, until she noticed Octavia standing a few hooves away with a hoof to her head. "Octa-...Tenor?" She trotted over to the cellist. "You alright?" "Yes, I'm fine. I just...I need some air." Octavia walked to the door leading out of the club and made her way briskly up the stairs and out of the door. She felt the cool night air against her face and inhaled deeply, enjoying the chill in her lungs. A few moments later she heard the door open behind her. "Tenor? You alright?" Vinyl walked next to Octavia and put a hoof on her shoulder. "What am I doing here? I'm a cellist for Celestia's sake, what am I doing about to step into a cage in some dreary underground fight club?" "You're repaying a debt." "Oh of course, my debt. My debt that acquired from getting into a brawl in some night club rave!" Octavia rubbed her temple with her hoof. "I should have just bought a new bow. It's not like you could have replaced my old one anyway." Vinyl took her hoof off of Octavia's shoulder and lowered her head. "I just realized I never apologized for that." "It doesn't matter, what's done is done." "Yes it does." Vinyl looked Octavia in the eyes. "I'm really sorry for breaking your bow, it was an accident." Octavia smiled underneath her mask. "Thank you." "It must have been really expensive too, I never heard of a bow made from Kurt Mareser's hair." The cellist blinked in surprise. "You actually know who he was?" "Of course. I keep track of everypony in the music industry, even outside my genre. They say Kurt Mareser was the greatest director in the philharmonic's history." "Yes, well it actually wasn't expensive at all. In fact it was a gift he gave me." "He gave it to you?" Vinyl cocked her head. "Did you play for him? You must have been the youngest pony in the philharmonic." "Actually," Octavia turned her head, "he was my grandfather." "Oh." Vinyl felt her guilt increase three fold. "He gave it to me for my first solo performance at the Western Manehatten Performance Theater, I was barely even in college..." "It...it must have been very precious to you..." "Yes." Octavia had her head lowered, remembering fond memories. "The only possession I prize more is my cello." "Don't tell me, it was made by Princess Celestia," Vinyl joked. "Domenicolt Manetagnana actually." Vinyl's eyes went wide with shock. "A Manetagnana? Those are worth millions." "The last offer I got for it was two and a half million bits actually. It's been in my family for nearly three hundred years, my ancestor bought it from Manetagnana himself." "Wow..." Vinyl could only marvel at the priceless equipment that Octavia played on. "I...I got most of my set up from a music store in midtown." Octavia chuckled at the DJ. "Well maybe one day some young filly will brag that they have the turn tables that were used by DJ PON-3." Vinyl laughed and was about to respond when the door to the club suddenly opened. "Your fights up," Bits said from the doorway. "You ladies ready?" Author's Note And now it's time for reader interaction! I'm going to need to have a number of ponies for ~~Vinyl and Octavia~~ Tenor and Bass to fight in the club. And, to be honest, I don't feel like designing them. So why don't you? Want your OC to make a cameo, or want to design a new one from Vinyl Scratch? As long as it isn't a ridiculous or unoriginal design (i.e. black and red alicorn,) I'll put it in as a pony for our favorite ~~musical~~ fighting pair to brawl. Just leave a picture or description in the comments below.
