“You sure she’s alright?”

“I’m sure she’s alright.”

“...”

“She didn’t come to school yesterday.”

“Vinyl said she was feeling sick!”

“Sick because of the food or because you proceeded to thoroughly explaining to her what a bukkake is?”

“Hey, it’s not my fault! Vinyl, help me out on this one!”

The DJ took her headphones off, placing them on her knees. The three girls were sitting on the white stone steps of the school’s main gate, waiting for both their friend and the beginning of Wednesday’s music class. She moved her hands in the air, answering her friend’s question:

Nah, it’s totally your fault.

“You bitch!”

“Anyway, Vinyl.” Bon-Bon continued, “She did tell you she was coming to school today, didn’t she?”

Vinyl nodded, chin in her hands, elbows on the black backpack containing her turntables. After Monday’s lunch break, Octavia had suddenly been feeling sick, and had gone back to the manor immediately. Now it was Wednesday, the big day. Where everything could go sideways for them. Deep inside, Vinyl knew Octavia both needed to be here, and really shouldn’t be here.

“Soooo… When are you three meeting with your physics teacher?”

“During lunch break, in one of the labs apparently.”

“I still don’t understand why he’s helping you…”

“You tell me! And what the fuck is he planning to do?! Like, he might want to trick us or something! Shiiiiit… You sure you want to do this Vinyl?”

Vinyl confirmed. Yes, she was sure. Even though Discord obviously had his own motives, it was a good occasion to stop Sombra from harassing the students. And since the principals weren’t taking any measures, their teacher’s plan was all they had. Whatever that plan might be…

“So he still hasn’t told you anything?”

“No! And it pisses me off! We never should’ve trusted a guy that looks like this!”

“Calm down Lyra, someone is going to hear you…”

“And you know what? I stubbed my toe this morning and it hurts like hell! Plus, I…”

As Lyra continued ranting about everything she could get her mind on, Vinyl noticed the bus stopping on the other side of the street. As she watched the passengers get out, she finally saw a girl wearing a grey pleated skirt, a white shirt with a purple bowtie and a thick winter coat, carrying a cello case which probably weighed twice as much as her. Vinyl immediately stood up, leaving her bags and friends behind, and ran towards the cellist, waving her hands in her direction.

“Come oooon, why is it so fucking hard to get people’s attention when you can’t talk?!”

When Octavia finally noticed the DJ, she waved blissfully at her, keeping her chin in the warmth of her coat and holding her cello tight. She was certainly not reassured about the day ahead. When Vinyl came to face her, opening her arms wide to propose a hug, Octavia blushed and nodded, now used to her friend’s unusual way of greeting her.

“Vinyl! How are you?!”

The blue-haired girl started taking out her notepad, before realizing the progresses her friend had made in sign language, probably even further than she thought after this day off.
She therefore started making signs slowly, so that Octavia could understand most of what was in front of her. When she saw the expression of joy on the cellist’s face, she knew she had understood everything, and was proud of it.

“That’s good to hear. Yes, I am feeling better. Dana gave me some hot soup and a few tablets to get me back on my feet. I’m quite honestly still not sure if my condition was due to the weather, the food, or maybe… Lyra was joking, right? About what she said on Monday?”

Vinyl smiled awkwardly, remembering the sheer horror in Octavia’s eyes during their last lunch together.

Yeah, she was joking, of course girl.

“So… What’s a bukkake?”

“Oh boy.”

I’ll tell you later. Come, it’s music time.

“Alright everyone, I see some of you brought the instruments they forgot on the first day… I hope we’ll get to hear some good music today! Ms. Lulamoon, I recall you needed to change your A string. Ms. Finish, Stop taking pictures of these drums, and play them for a change.”

Mr Nandernane was walking between the students, watching and dispensing advices as everyone was preparing and tuning their respective instruments. Lyra was playing a few chords on her golden lyre with Bon-Bon watching her and going through a few pages of solfege, and Vinyl was alternatively plugging and unplugging cables to try and find out why the yellow-light-that-isn’t-supposed-to-flicker was flickering. Octavia was sitting on one of the large speakers, cleaning her cello strings with a small napkin, when Lyra appeared behind her back, without a warning.

“Hey Octavia! You know, we haven’t had the opportunity to listen to you play, Vinyl, Bon-Bon and I!”

“Oh, you… you haven’t?” The cellist blushed, scared of the request she saw coming a mile away.

“I know, crazy right?! Last time, you both listened to me play -probably the best choice by the way- and then Vinyl shattered all of our eardrums with her stuff!”

“Oh yes.” Octavia chuckled, looking at Vinyl’s angry face, “I remember now.”

“So, today’s special, you know! We should totally celebrate! And what better way than you playing your big ol’ cello?!”

“Oh, I can think of plenty of-”

“Nothing! That’s what I’m saying! C’mon Octavia, with all your training, you must be a total beast!”

“Uhm, I…”

“It’s a compliment.” Bon-Bon reassured her.

“Oh. I mean, sure, I can try…”

“Yes!” Lyra exclaimed, as Vinyl was extricating herself from the sea of plugs and cables she had been swimming in for the past ten minutes. She sat next to her two friends, a large smile on her face, taking of her headphones and throwing them in her backpack, letting her messy blue hair flow on her ears.

“Oh, uhm… Right now?”

The three nodded with spirit. Octavia then picked up her bow, made a jew adjustments and trying a few notes.

“Yes! C’mon!” Lyra encouraged.

Do it Tavi!

“Come one Octavia, it’ll be beautiful!”

As Octavia looked at her friends facing her, she realized something.

She had never had an audience. With the exception of Dana, it was the first time people were listening to her music just for the sake of listening. It felt… weird. Weird, but comforting. Once again, she felt special.

She let the small vibrations of the strings spread through her fingers up to her elbow, enjoying the smell of the wood and its contact with her skin.

And closed her eyes.

“That was amazing!”

“Bravo!”

“Holy shit!”

“Hey! No swearing in my class!”

“Great job Octavia!”

“Wow, this was so cool…”

The cellist opened her eyes. All the students previously minding their own business with their instruments were now, alongside Vinyl, Lyra, Bon-Bon and their teacher, circled around her, clapping and cheering after listening to the girl’s music.The room was filled with glee and the notes were still resonating between the walls.

“Dude! That was sick!” Lyra yelled, standing up and fist-bumping Octavia’s shoulder.

“Indeed!” The pianist added.

That was smooth as fuck. Vinyl signed, grinning and picking up Octavia’s cello to place ot against a wall.

“Thank you, all of you.” Octavia timidly said, holding her elbows and blushing at the small crowd gathered around her. “You… didn’t tell me the whole class was listening.”

“Yeah, we didn’t know, they just started grouping up! Can’t blame them, you were amazing!”

“Haha, well… Thank you. I’m happy everyone did apparently enjoy, I… I’ve never had an audience before… It feels like a big leap to go from training alone to this.”

Vinyl grabbed her notepad, writing a few words with a smile on her face. She gave the paper to Octavia alongside a gentle pat on the arm, as if she was trying to comfort her.

Hey, with your skills, you’ll get in the conservatory in no time, so get used to it Tavi!

“Oh, I’m… I’m sure I’m still in need of much training before even hoping to reach such heights. But… But thank you Vinyl.”

The DJ started writing again, while the rest of the class got back to its duties, with Nandermane congratulating the cellist one last time before helping Bon-Bon with the piano.

Say, don’t you think a remix of your music would be sick?

“A… remix?”

Yeah, like, I record your music, and then I arrange it with my own stuff! I’m more than just a DJ you know!

“I… don’t really quite picture what you are planning on doing, but I’d love to play again if you want me to!”

When Octavia saw the excitement in Vinyl’s eyes, she knew that was indeed what she wanted. She stood up to pick her cello, sat back on the stool, as Vinyl rummaged through her back to get a small black recording device, such as the ones Octavia had seen Dana use when she was playing for her.

“Alright… Here we go...”

“What? You let her tape your music?”

“Of course! Why?”

“You know Vinyl, she’ll turn it into her monstrous dubstep! And before you hit me Vinyl, just know I agreed to carry your turntables for the precise purpose of dropping them in case of violence.”

Vinyl ignored her friend’s comments, kicking her in the knees as Bon-Bon tried to stop her. After the music class, they had ran to the science lab to attend their first practical biology class. Octavia had been scared all morning at the idea of having to dissect a frog or any other animal, but was reassured when realizing the year’s first chapter was focused on geology. The two hours flew by quickly, as Ms. Zecora gave them advices and informations about the upcoming year, with the help of her fellow scientist and Bon-Bon’s biology teacher, Mr. Neigh, obviously as passionate about teaching as Zecora was about rhyming.

“Oh Lyra, Vinyl does whatever she wants with it! But I’m certain it will sound delightful!”

“You’re not seriously thinking that.”

“Uhm… Bon-Bon, do you know what the menu is today?”

When the bell rang, Octavia woke Vinyl up from the deep slumber she had fallen in, helping her remove the shards of rocks they were supposed to study from her hair. Once out of the lab, they were immediately joined by Bon-Bon, and started heading towards the chemistry lab a few doors away, where Discord was supposed to meet them.

I’m not sure we’ll get time to eat, Tavi.

“You’re right.” Octavia answered, putting her phone down. “Although I am certainly hoping we will. I wouldn’t want to attend P.E class with an empty stomach.”

“You know there proooobably won’t be any P.E class to attend, right? Whatever our dear physics professor has planned, it might provoke a few changes in our schedule.”

“Oh, you’re right Lyra… I hope we are not going to get Mr. Sombra in too much trouble.”

“Here, you see that thought? Put it in a box, a tiny cute box with silk interior and a few ribbons, then burn it, cast the ashes in concrete and throw everything in the river.”

“Lyra, don’t you think you’re a bit harsh on-”

“No Bon-Bon, I’m not! Screw this guy! He’s a terrible person, and according to Discord, it might be even worse than we think! So I don’t know what the other guy has in store, but if it gets us rid of Sombra for good, the I’m in!”

Vinyl nodded in agreement. This whole thing might be risky, it might be extreme, but if it was what it took to feel safe in their fucking high school, so be it.

“He’s not… He’s not going to make Octavia cry ever again.”

They finally arrived in front of the door labelled “LAB 25”, where they usually attended Discord’s class. Strangely enough, the door was locked, and the interior curtain was pulled, obstructing any attempt to see what was going on inside.

“Well, that’s ominous.” Lyra stated.

“Can we go back?” Octavia asked, shivering.

For the record, you know Discord doesn’t know Bon-Bon, right? Vinyl wrote.

“Ah fu-”

The door suddenly opened, revealing the tall stature of the teacher, bearing a wide smile on his face, his yellow eyes shining in the dark of the room.

“There you are you three! You are three minutes late! Or is it early? Time flies when you’re in prison. Or high school. What’s the difference, really?”

His red pupils scrutinized each of the four girls, before stopping on Bon-Bon.

“And who are you, if I may ask? Did you get lost? I can call your parents, or the department of noisy kids?”

“Hey, she’s with us!” Lyra responded, cheeks slightly red with anger. “Watch what you say!”

“Now you watch what you say Lyra, I’m still one of your teachers.” He said with a mocking smirk.

“Oh yeah, I’m sure this is a totally regular situation in which teachers are authorized to participate.”

“Any wayyyy…” The man added with an obviously annoyed look, inviting Vinyl, Octavia and Lyra to pass the door, “I’m going to have to borrow them for a tiny little while, miss…?”

“Bon-Bon. Just Bon-Bon.”

“Ugh. Why do half the people here not have family names?”

“Why don’t you?”

“That’s not the point. Here, take this. You can wait here.”

“Is that… a lollipop?”

“Eggplant-flavored.”

Before the pianist could say anything, the door slammed in front of her, sending her hair flying everywhere across her face.

“Alright! Discord exclaimed, turning around to face the three girls now standing in the dark of the lab, “First and foremost, how was the music class?!”

“Don’t act like you care.” Lyra abruptly answered, obviously still angry at her teacher for leaving Bon-Bon in the hallway.

“I do care!” Discord said, placing his hand on his chest in a falsely offended expression. “I actually do not care. It was a lie. Now! I’m sure you have tons of questions!”

“Why did you leave her outside?” Lyra asked.

What’s next for us? Vinyl continued, moving her hands in the air. Thank god Discord knew sign language.

“Uhm… Can we turn on the light?” Octavia whispered.

“Yes, yes, and yes.”

“What?”

“So!” Discord added, switching on the neon lights, revealing the empty lab tables as well as his large satchel on the front desk, “I’m surprised you didn’t ask me what was next! I’m going to explain everything! Come here, there are cups of water. I wanted to make coffee, but I hate coffee, so I don’t know why I said I wanted to make coffee. Anyway, sit here, will you?”

Lyra reluctantly sat on one of the stools, as a shivering Octavia placed her cello case on a nearby table with the help of Vinyl, before sitting on the other side of the desk.

“As you all know, the four of us recently discovered a mutual interest in stopping the misbehavior of a certain P.E teacher towards his students. You don’t appreciate his actions, and I don’t appreciate the consequences the said actions have on my students. That is why I’ve came up with a plan to… take him down.”

You planning to kill him and throw his body in the nearest dumpster? Vinyl jokingly signed.

“As fun as this sounds, I have to admit the illegal part of this strategy makes the whole idea slightly less tempting. No, I wouldn’t want either you three or me getting in any… complicated situation. That is why I’ve opted for a more subtle approach.”

As the teacher pronounced those words, he took out of his brown satchel an electric blue plastic pouch, covered with large grey duct tape. He handed the thing to Vinyl, who weighed it using her right hand, before passing it over to Lyra and Octavia, both gazing at the object with curious eyes.

“Uhm… What is this?” Octavia timidly asked, much to the surprise of her friends.

“Well I’m glad you asked, because I really wanted to say that I can’t answer this question! All you need to know is that this is a good enough reason for Mr. Sombra to get expelled of Canterlot High.”

“What’s the connection between Sombra and this?” Lyra asked, analyzing every square inch of the item.

“That’s where you three come in: I need you to place this among your P.E teacher’s belongings.”

“What?!”

“I’m sorry sir?!”

What in the what?!

“Yes. You have P.E class this afternoon, right? This will be the perfect opportunity to plant this in his bag. Of course, you’ll need to hide it so that he doesn’t find out immediately.”

“Wait wait wait… What the fuck is in that bag?! How did you get it? And why would we want to put it in Sombra’s stuff?”

“Lyra…” Discord continued with a slightly more serious tone, “I’d really appreciate if you didn’t ask that many questions about this. Just know that it contains something incriminating enough to see Mr. Sombra expelled from this school rather quickly. Concerning its origin, let’s just say I still have friends in spite of what you could think.”

“Jesus fucki-”

“Now now, calm down. It should be easy enough. The P.E teacher is supposed to keep his belongings in a small closet right next to the entrance of the gymnasium. If my memory is correct, this closet also contains the fire extinguisher, so it should be unlocked at all times. The operation should be a piece of cake!”

And how are we supposed to perform that magic trick?

“In all honesty, I don’t want to know. Don’t ask questions about this package, I won’t ask questions on how you place it in the bag. You three are smart girls, I’m sure you will find a way.”

Much to everyone’s surprise, Octavia was the first person around the desk to speak:

“Sir, this seems highly irregular… You are asking students to frame a teacher for the possession of an unknown object that may compromise his career?”

“Well, it does sound bad when you put it like that.”

“That’s because it is!” Octavia responded, “...I’m sorry, Vinyl, Lyra, I don’t think I can do it…”

As the two other girls pat their friend on the back to try and comfort her, Discord’s eyes shined with a yellow taint, an evil grin appearing on his face.

“I see… Fair enough, Ms. Melody, fair enough. Then I suppose there will be no resolution to that problem of yours…”

“I’m… I’m sure we could find a better, more appropriate way…”

“Oh yes? The principals won’t do anything, neither will the other students. The teachers aren’t even aware of the situation, so it’s your word against his in the end. Tell me, what do you think will happen? Oh, maybe he will get suspended for a week, maybe two… But when he comes back… I sure won’t be the one he’ll be angry at.”

He took a break, watching the terrified look on the cellist's face, as tears started to form at the corner of her eyes.

“Or maybe option two, do nothing, and be stuck with this man for at least a year. I mean, at least he will not be angry directly at you. Although after what happened last week, I do have my doubts.”

“So what?” Lyra asked, “You’re blackmailing us now? I thought you were on our side.”

“Oh but I am on your side! And I am merely exposing the situation to you girls, based on what I know about this man. I am not forcing you to do anything. Why would I? I told you, I’m doing this for my students.”

“I don’t believe that.” Lyra curtly answered.

“You believe whatever you want, if you want to believe that aliens exists, or that we are actually all the instruments of a superior being writing our destinies, please do. I’m your teacher, and my role is to guide and advise you. This is my advice.”

Vinyl had stayed motionless for the past minutes, holding Octavia’s hand in her own and looking at their teacher. There was something going on. She just couldn’t put her finger on it. But they had to do what was best for themselves and for the other students.

“Especially Octavia…”

She let go of her friend’s hand, getting Discord’s attention with her elbow, and started to move her hands before their eyes:

We just put this thing in his bag?

“Yes.”

That’s it?

“Absolutely.”

“...”

“...”

Alright.

“Vinyl!”

As soon as the DJ heard Lyra’s complain, she turned towards her, grabbed her pen and wrote a few words only for the lyrist to see:

Just trust me on this one. We have to do this.

Lyra looked intensely into her partner’s eyes. She was looking for uncertainty or doubt, but she only found determination. And hunger. It was 1pm.

“...Alright, fine. I’m in. You, come here.”

“Me?” Discord answered, surprised by that change of tone.

“Yes. We need to let these two talk. You don’t exactly have the tact necessary with Octavia.”

“...I guess that’s fair. Come, we’ll talk about that exercise sheet you had to finish for yesterday.”

“Aw shit.”

As Lyra and their teacher got in a corner on the opposite side of the room, Vinyl turned to Octavia, still silent and looking at the desk, contemplating the situation she had gotten herself into. Suddenly, she found a small piece of paper between her arms. She looked at Vinyl, and met her bright magenta eyes, and finally read the few words:

Tavi,
I know this isn’t easy. I know Discord looks like he’s up to no good. But sometimes you gotta dare the devil. We basically have to choose between plague and cholera right now, so let’s settle for the best option. And yes, I know our “best option” isn’t that great.
But you’ve seen that before: you disobeyed your parents, gone out during the night, climbed the fucking fence to hang out with us. You have it in you girl. You can do this.
Plus, Lyra and I will try and do everything, so don’t worry, we got this.

As she was going through Vinyl’s words, Octavia started to smile, before finally finishing, and looking at her friend with eyes full of hope and thanks.

Bon-Bon jumped when she heard the door unlocking, and smiled at her three friends coming out of the room. They all looked fine, maybe a bit shook up, but nothing serious. She smiled at Lyra. Lyra smiled back. Good start.

“So! What happened?”

“Oh you know…” Lyra answered.

“Mmh?”

“We’re in deep shit.”

Author's Notes:

Hey boiz!

Look at that, Sagami is actually on time, for once!
This chapter was originally supposed to be much much longer, but I've decided to cut it in two to keep a reasonable word count (compared to the other chapters I mean).

One important thing:
Some of you may wonder why I cut the passages where Octavia plays the cello. It might look like writing laziness, but I can assure you there's a reason: when Vinyl plays, she takes the opportunity to think about everything that happened to her, because she usually lives day-to-day so much. Well, when Octavia plays, she instead empties her head to forget about the rest of her life, full of things she'd rather forgot. I do think I found a pretty good way to illustrate that, tell me what you think.
There you go!

I hope you enjoyed the return of Discord, and the chapter overall!
Love you,

Bisous,

Saga.