Everything had fallen apart.
Before her eyes, Canterlot was falling to ruin. This was the city in which she had been born and raised in. This was the city that had seen her rise as a great musician, and witnessed her finding her destiny in the gentle notes of her cello. Perhaps it was an odd thought, but Octavia had always believed that this city would also be the one to see her fall… And yet, as she stands here, she knew she was witnessing its.
Shock had locked her legs in place, but with the heavy landing of a hissing and black changeling before her, fear bid them to move once more. Fleeing blindly, feeling nothing, as shock faded away all thought beyond escape. The perfectly crafted concrete and marble streets she knew so well, were now cracked and marred under the force of the swarm. The pure white was now thrown into sharp relief of inky shadows, black carapace and the dark cracks that seemed to spider-web across the city like a twisted borderline.
Shock slowed the mind to not so much of conscious thought but brilliant reliefs of images and word-less orders that moved one endlessly on until peace could be found again. Octavia no longer even recognized where she was at this point, she had long gone past her own “borders” and was now in unfamiliar territory. An old tower, untouched by the chaos, was the first thing her mind’s eye reacted to. She knew this, only as a shadow in the distance in an old memory, but she would take it as her sanctuary.
Ancient oak doors were thrown open and barred behind her. Silver walls colored by age surrounded her, glittering dust motes floating in the few bars of golden sunlight that peeked through the wooden planks that covered the windows. The only thing that stood in the silence of the tower aside from her was a dusty stairway that ascended up and out of view. The ground came up in twisting clouds and puffs beneath her hooves as she quickly climbed the steps. After all, there was nothing left to do, other than to go up and up their winding path.
Scratched windows twirled around her, as she ascended, giving her fleeting glimpses down upon the chaos in what was left of her city. Up and up, even further, and the world below her seemed to fall away, leaving everything, good and bad, behind her. Her breath was catching in her throat, her lungs aching in silent protest, but Octavia dared not stop, lest her fear catch up with her.
Finally, her exhaustion caught her, and just as she reached the fifth landing, her hooves seemed to catch, and with a staggering step and a spectacular stumble, she collapsed onto the dusty stone below. Forced to stop and catch her breath, Octavia no longer had any way to escape, and her until-then evaded emotions were quick to choke her. Tears traced a dark line down each of her cheeks, and blurred her vision to non-existence.
Then, a quiet voice cut through her fears and sorrow, while holding out nothing but an open hoof, and a silent offer.
“Hey.”
Vinyl Scratch wasn’t exactly sure what else to say. The mare before her was having what could no doubt be called a breakdown, (a perfectly justifiable one at that) and Vinyl had no idea what one was supposed to say in a situation like this. Then again, words had never really been her strong point.
Giving a loud sniffle before hastily wiping tears away, the mare- No, Octavia, she recognized her now- shakily returned her tentative smile.
“H-hey.”
Vinyl held out her hoof a little further, and after a second’s hesitation, Octavia accepted it and pulled herself to her hooves. The two’s eyes met for a second, before they both looked uncomfortably away. Their last meeting had been less than optimal, as neither of them had been sober at the time, and regrettable things had been said on both sides.
Silence hung in the air, only undermined by the distant sounds of the havoc outside. A far-off building collapsed with a rumble that shook the floor beneath them, causing both mares to wince. Vinyl forced herself to breathe again, before allowing herself to relax with the simple knowledge that everything was completely out of their hooves, and there was nothing that they could do that would do any good.
With that in mind, though…Vinyl took in the mare in front of her. This wasn’t the snooty Canterlot musician that looked down her nose on DJ’s like her. This was a mare her age that was scared, lonely, and lost… Vinyl suddenly made up her mind, and with a quick jerk of her head, and bright grin at Octavia, started making her way up the stairs.
“C’mon, I got something I want to show you.”
Octavia looked after the quickly disappearing DJ for a long second with more than a little bemusement. Then, every reason for “why not” was thrown away, and she followed after her without a hint of hesitation more.
If this was the end, as everything told them both it was, then why not make a clean breast of it all now? What meaning did those words really have, when spoken with blind hatred from nowhere? When you really thought about it, really looked for the answer to that- There’s really no meaning to them. No reason to hold them in mind at all. Whether it’s a noblemare gnashing teeth while smiling shy in a perfect act, or a simple DJ smiling with eyes shut behind vibrant glasses so everything’s black- In a way, they were a lot alike. And here, at the end, why bore yourself with all that nonsense?
Octavia found Vinyl waiting for her at the very top of the tower. This however, was the only thing that matched her expectations. The tower had been turned into what could only be called an altar to music itself. An amazing dance floor had been made in the middle of the room, and any square foot outside of it was filled with speakers, players, DJ tables and stray instruments. The glass that surrounded them had been tinted a cascade of colors, sheets of music etched into the glass itself, with every note lit up with a brilliant sunbeam. It was a beautiful and serene place, far out of place in the world around them.
Without even needing to be asked, Vinyl gently kicked one of the devices, filling the room with music unfamiliar to Octavia’s ears. As it gained in volume, it buried the shrill calls and screaming voices of everyone below and within. The two mares’ eyes met, and a wicked smile crossed the unicorn’s face as she held out a hoof.
“Shall we dance?”
Hop ‘n’ Step ‘n’-
May I have this dance?
This is the world's end, shall we do the "one, two"?
Drink in all of this apocalyptism.
How about a little taste of daze and
Tick and Tock, the moment's moving on.
Shoot now, "say cheese!", our time is running out.
Round and round and going round and round.
Intoxicate, the world is getting-
Allowing the music to wipe everything away, leaving everything behind and just letting go. Did one need a reason to dance? And if one did, was there one? The sudden decision of it not mattering- That there didn’t need to be a meaning at all. Repeating foolish moves in laughter as the music grooved, letting the moment go with a grin. Going round and round till so dizzy that the sense drowned and span like the night of a hungover party, and loving every second.
Time running out, and neither one caring. Just dancing away all sorrow and fear, laughing away every tear. Perhaps it wasn’t what they needed, but in what was a final moment, it was what they wanted. Ego and pride fall away unheeded. The song ends and a new one begins and neither even notices. Laughter comes out breathlessly as the proud musicians try to sing along together to a song they’re only hearing now- Making fools of themselves, stumbling in their dance, and going on regardless. Fate wouldn’t be believed in today.
Far away in a city called Canterlot, two lovers found a way to defy all odds. As their horns met, the sky became lit with magic beyond anypony’s wildest dreams, and cast out the chaos that had torn apart their city.
Shining Armour and Princess Cadence now dance under the stars of their wedding night, family and friends coming together to celebrate the newlywed couple, who also happen to be the heroes of the day. Food is being had, and gifts are being passed around with plenty of smiles, ribbing and teasing jokes. A DJ happily racks up the tunes, and friends and family come together to dance in joyous celebration.
As the best mare steps forward to sing the bride and groom’s song, all eyes turn toward the happy couple. All eyes, but a pair of bright purple ones which meet the DJ’s. And without anyone noticing, a gray hoof is stretched out with a simple question.
“May I have this song?”
Pop'n sense'n may I have this song?
Before the world's end, shall we sing the un deux?
My heart, it's yours. Can you hear the beat?
No, no. Not yet. I won't forget how.
Oh my, look and see, what a lovely view~
Eternally unforgettable to two mares was the silent moment when the speakers finally fizzled out and died, the tower creaking under the force of angry changelings… And then the sky lighting up in brilliant pink and gold, a shining white light enveloping everything in renewed hope and love… And they having the best view of all.
