//------------------------------// // Chapter Eleven // Story: A Turn of Events // by Shadow_Fire //------------------------------// Justin’s PoV Three hours later… Nick and I both ran as fast as humanly possible towards Fluttershy’s cottage. The better part of three hours had been spent avoiding Lyra and her plans to capture us for, in her words, ‘scientific research’. Although, she was thankfully easy to distract. If we held our hands up, she would stop whatever she was doing and just stare at them until we were out of sight. I also discovered that she had a weakness for smoothies. Something I exploited the last time we escaped her in the market. I had pointed out a sale at the smoothie stand, and we haven’t seen her since. Not that it stopped us from running to Fluttershy’s like the armies of Hell were at our heels. Nick knocked on her door while we both caught our breath. After a few seconds, Fluttershy opened it up before gasping at our ragged state. “Oh my goodness, what happened to you two?!” I continued gasping as I tried to spit out our answer. “Lyra… *GASP* nets…*GASP* dirt…*GASP* smoothies…” “Um… I’m not sure I really understand…” Breathing slower, I tried again. “Lyra… chased us through town… almost caught us in a series of nets… made us fall in the dirt on several occasions… and we finally distracted her with smoothies…” Fluttershy mouthed an ‘Oh…’ as she nodded her head. “Well, if you two are still up to it, could you come with me to Sugercube Corner? I need to pick up a few things.” Nick nodded his head. “Sure thing, Flutters. But if Lyra tries catching us again, we’re running.” Fluttershy nodded in understanding as we headed back into town. We were all silent, so I decided to liven things up a bit by singing one of the most known travelling songs of all time. I almost didn’t even notice the music to it start up before I started singing. “On the road again Just can't wait to get on the road again The life I love is making music with my friends And I can't wait to get on the road again” Smiling, Nick looked over at me and picked up with the second verse. “On the road again Goin' places that I've never been Seein' things that I may never see again And I can't wait to get on the road again” Fluttershy continued to watch in amusement as we both sang the rest of it together. “On the road again Like a band of gypsies we go down the highway We're the best of friends Insisting that the world keep turning our way and our way Is on the road again I just can't wait to get on the road again The life I love is making music with my friends And I can't wait to get on the road again On the road again Like a band of gypsies we go down the highway We're the best of friends Insisting that the world keep turning our way and our way Is on the road again Just can't wait to get on the road again The life I love is making music with my friends And I can't wait to get on the road again And I can't wait to get on the road again” Fluttershy grinned at us as the music died down. “Was that a song from your world?” I grinned back and nodded. “That was called ‘On the Road Again’ by a country artist known as Willie Nelson.” “Well that’s strange. We have an artist here named Willie Neighson.” “That IS strange…” As we continued towards Sugercube Corner, I saw Capitalist Steel sitting in an alley digging through a box. I called out his name, and he looked around a bit before spotting us. Smiling, he trotted over. “Hey Nick, Justin, how’s it going?” Nick smiled before responding. “Pretty good, Steel. You?” He shrugged. “I’m fine. So what are you guys doing?” “Headed for Sugercube Corner to pick up some stuff.” “Ah.” Fluttershy, who had looked incredibly confused up to this point, decided to speak up. “Um…do you know each other?” I looked over at her and responded “Yeah, we do. Capitalist here helped Nick and I out of one of Lyra’s nets.” “Oh! Well thank you, little colt. Would… would you like to come with us? As a way to pay you back for helping my friends?” He put a hoof to his chin in thought. “Yeah, I think I will. Thank you Miss…” “Fluttershy. Now come on you guys, we need to get there soon.” “Alright.” The rest of the trip was filled with small talk between me, Nick, and Capitalist. Eventually, we reached our destination. I thought I could hear voices inside as Fluttershy nudged us towards the door. Walking inside, we noticed that all the lights were off. Suddenly, they all turned on as Pinkie, Twilight, Applejack, and the other two Elements whose names we had yet to learn, plus several other ponies (not including Lyra) jumped out and yelled “SURPRISE!” After our heart attacks subsided, the party started. I have to hand it to Pinkie, when she throws a party, she throws a PARTY. She had even gotten this pretty sweet dj called DJ PON3, or something along those lines. After a few songs, she took a break. She came up to Nick and I at the buffet table (where we had spent most of our evening) and introduced herself. “Sup bros? Name’s Vinyl Scratch.” “I’m Nick, and this is Justin.” “So I’ve heard. Anyways, I came over to ask you guys a question.” Putting my drink down (I was surprised that they had alcohol), I looked back at her. “And that is?” “Why don’t you guys sing a song from your world? I could use it as inspiration for a new song or two. The first dj ever to use alien music in a song! That’d be epic.” After talking it over, we agreed. She led us up to the stage and started setting up equipment. About the time she was halfway through, I realized something. “Hey Vinyl?” “Yes?” “How are we supposed to sing without music?” I grew confused as she laughed. “Don’t worry about it, guys. See this?” She levitated over a pair of headphones and we nodded. She put them around my neck while she explained. “It’s something we created for karaoke at night clubs. You just put these on, think of the song you want, and the speakers start playing it.” A few minutes later, Vinyl finished setting us up and announced that we were going to sing a song from our world. After a few seconds of mental preparation, I thought of the song we had agreed on and was surprised, despite the warning, when the music started to play. “Her breath began to speak As she stood right in front of me The colour of her eyes Were the colour of insanity Crushed beneath her wave Like a ship, I could not reach her shore We're all just dancers on the Devil's Dance Floor Well swing a little more, little more o'er the merry-o Swing a little more, a little more next to me Swing a little more, little more o'er the merry-o Swing a little more, on the Devil's Dance Floor Pressed against her face I could feel her insecurity Her mother'd been a drunk And her father was obscurity But nothin' ever came From a life that was a simple one So pull yourself together girl And have a little fun Well she took me by the hand I could see she was a fiery one Her legs ran all the way Up to heaven and past Avalon Tell me somethin' girl, what it is you have in store She said come with me now On the Devil's Dance Floor Well swing a little more, little more o'er the merry-o Swing a little more, a little more next to me Swing a little more, little more o'er the merry-o Swing a little more, on the Devil's Dance Floor Swing a little more, on the Devil's Dance Floor Well swing a little more, little more o'er the merry-o Swing a little more, a little more next to me Swing a little more, little more o'er the merry-o Swing a little more, on the Devil's Dance Floor The apple now is sweet Oh much sweeter than it ought to be Another little bite I don't think there is much hope for me The sweat beneath her brow Travels all the way An' headin' south This bleedin' heart's cryin' Cause there's no way out Well swing a little more, little more o'er the merry-o Swing a little more, a little more next to me Swing a little more, little more o'er the merry-o Swing a little more, on the Devil's Dance Floor Well swing a little more, little more o'er the merry-o Swing a little more, a little more next to me Swing a little more, little more o'er the merry-o Swing a little more, on the Devil's Dance Floor Swing a little more, on the Devil's Dance Floor Swing a little more, on the Devil's Dance Floor” We stepped off the stage and walked over to Pinkie, who gave us a bone crushing hug while telling us how much she loved the song. As I went to get another drink, somebo-pony ran inside and said that a royal carriage had showed up. I sat there and smiled to myself. ‘I knew the night wasn’t over yet.’