A/N: Told you I'd update before the end of the week.
The floor beneath Twilight’s hooves pulsed unnaturally, as if it were alive. Her head pounded with a steady beat, her ears ringing with echoes of music. Beside her she - Trixie – could feel the pushing of Pip as he danced next to her. Twilight could here the muffled music through her cocoon in Trixie’s memory. She seemed as if she was sitting right inside Trixie’s eyes, seeing and hearing what Trixie saw and heard.
Outside her shell, the world pounded with adrenaline, heavy music filling the collected ponies’ heads with ecstasy. Trixie’s head bobbed and banged with the music, her horn glowing with a pulse that kept in time with the music. The song drowned down to a finish, and the crowd roared in response, a loud, booming voice coming over the speakers.
“And now, introducing one of the newest acts on the scene, DJ Pon-3!”
This sentence seemed to send the crowd into more of a frenzy, and Trixie and Pip roared along with them, the adrenaline pumping through their veins. A white pony with dark purple glasses stepped out from behind some red vinyl curtains, her horn glowing with a grey aura. She stood at the top of a podium, the rest of the stage lights dimming as she looked out upon the audience.
“Hello Ponyville! ~” Her glasses gleamed as smirked out at the frenzied audience, and she raised her hoof to the roof, somehow signalling a cue in the music. Something began to fade in from the silence, a soft synthesised bassline flowing lightly behind a much more erratic high synth.
Below, Trixie felt herself start to sway in time, and she stared up in wonder at the pony, who continued to smirk and grin, her horn glowing as it held a disc aloft. She lowered it onto the turntable, and a drum pattern faded in, it’s half time beat causing the entire club to sway at the same pace. At this sight the pony nodded in satisfaction, and lifted another needle with her horn.
All but the drumbeat started to fade, and the pony dropped the needle, sending the club into a spasm as loud bass poured forth from the speakers. Trixie herself began to bob and jump with the music, her head swaying viciously. And then, right before Twilight, the club froze. It was as if someone had pressed the pause button on a song, or she’d put down a really interesting story.
It had all stopped. Twilight peered around as she struggled to comprehend what was happening. Around her, the frozen ponies began to disappear, flashing out of place before vanishing in white. She blinked, not quite believing what was happening. And, in that small pause in her mind’s flow as she closed her eyes, the world around her changed.
She gasped as she opened them again, glancing around at where she now stood. It was a small, musty apartment. Pizza boxes towered towards the ceiling, creating walls of crusty cardboard and effectively cutting off half of the walkway. Twilight seemed to be in more control this time, as she could move and look around of her own freewill.
She didn’t seem to be trapped inside Trixie’s mind, as she had been in previous visions. As she walked down the hall, she could just make out the sounds of a scuffle coming from the next room. Muffled cries of surprise floated their way through the wall and into Twilight’s ears. She rushed forward and literally fell through the door into what she guessed was the living room. There, surrounded by mountains of pillows, was Vinyl and Trixie. Vinyl stood poised over Trixie, panting and grinning. Trixie was doing the same, but she was trapped beneath Vinyl’s hooves, her faced flushed.
Twilight’s eyes widened in surprise. She stepped back as realization hit her full in the face, and she stumbled backwards into a wall. In an instant, the entire room faded to nothing, and Twilight felt herself lose consciousness.
****
“… so who was that funky pony you were with?” Pinkie asked, streamers exploding from behind her as she attempted to stick them to the ceiling.
“Who, Trixie?” Vinyl asked, her head underneath her turntables. She grabbed a mouthful of cords as she pulled her head back up. “Oh, she’s the mare I work with, you know, we perform together.” She supplied, spitting out the cords onto the desk and grasping them individually with her magic.
“Only work…” Pinkie asked, slyly. Vinyl glanced up at the pink party pony, and she winked.
Vinyl shook her head. “Yeah, just work.”
“It’s just that, I remember how you and Twilight used to… well.” She paused, racking her brains for the right word. “Party together.”
Vinyl blushed in response, ducking her head to plug in the cables. “Well, it’s all work with Trixie and I.” She pulled her head back up and rested it on the table, looking up at Pinkie. “Sometimes I think she’s into me, and then…” Vinyl shook her head, returning to work. “I don’t know. I just don’t want to screw it up, you know?”
“Not really,” chirped Pinkie, sending more confetti flying as she bucked. “I don’t really get into the sort of stuff, I’m too busy working on my parties, or baking.” She smiled her biggest smile and turned towards the food table. “Oh, my, gosh!” she yelled, leaping towards the spread of confectionary. “Gummy worms!” She grabbed a hoof full and tossed them upwards, catching them in he mouth. “Theth are my fafouith,” she said, her mouth filled to the brim.
Vinyl shook her head, chuckling to herself. “Pinkie, you are a riot.”
****
Trixie’s eyes opened slowly as she woke, her vision filled with the lovely image of the library’s roof, which, coincidently, had not been cleaned. Beside her she felt something stir and, at a turn of her head, realised that Twilight had collapsed down next to her.
Trixie sat up, a hoof to her head, and gazed around. “What happened?”
Twilight pulled herself up to her haunches and turned to Trixie her eyes red and dilated. “I think we found the source of the problem.”
“Really? So what is it? What’s wrong with Trixie?” Trixie asked, locking eyes with Twilight.
“Isn’t it obvious?!” Twilight stood and helped Trixie to her hooves, still looking at Trixie.
“Not really.”
“It’s Vinyl!” Twilight said, almost jumping with the discovery, her horn glowing. The large book from before floated towards the pair before stopping in front of Twilight.
“Vinyl? What did Vinyl do?” Trixie looked down at the book and began to skim through the first part, her eyes darting across the words.
“Well, not Vinyl herself, but more how Vinyl interacts with you.” Twilight looked up from the book to stare at Trixie intently. “And… how you feel about her.”
Trixie blushed slightly, looking up to Twilight. “W-what to you mean?”
“Your feelings for her!” When Trixie looked abashed at this, Twilight pressed on. “Oh come on Trixie, it’s obvious! Why, even Spike, as emotionally detached as he is, could see it.”
“Trixie still doesn’t quite understand,” Trixie told her, fully understanding, just not wanting to let on to that fact. “Her… feelings?”
“Yes, Trixie.” Twilight sighed, shaking her head. “The things I do for friends.” She muttered. “Trixie, your love for her.”
“W-what?” Trixie took a step back, feigning hurt. She shook her head, looking back up to Twilight. “Well, even if that was the case, which it isn’t,” Twilight rolled her eyes. “How would Trixie go about fixing this, er, problem?”
Twilight brought the book forward so both ponies could read. “The cure is simple, all you need to do is admit the problem. You need to accept your feelings.”
“That’s it? Really?” Trixie read through the page again, before nodding her head. “So, all I need to do is admit it.”
“Easier said than done,” Twilight supplied, pulling the book away and resting it back on the table. “Now come on Trixie, just tell me how you feel about her. Not one word of this conversation will leave this word, I swear.”
“How can Trixie take your word for this? You hate Trixie!”
Twilight sighed again, lifting a hoof to her heart. “I Pinkie Pie swear. Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my- ow!” Twilight rubbed her eye gingerly, muttering something incoherent but definitely vulgar. “A Pinkie Pie promise can’t be broken, it’s forever.”
Somewhere in the background an ominous voice shouted “Forever!” sending chills up both ponies spines.
“What was-“ Trixie began, but was cut off by Twilight
“It’s best we don’t talk about it.” She said, stepping back and allowing Trixie some space. “Now, I want you to try and lift this book.” Twilight motioned to the book on the table. “A simple task.”
Trixie nodded in response, her horn glowing. She reached out with her magical grasp, something of a six sense to a unicorn, and attempted to grab the book. Her mind envisioned it, but her magic did not comply.
“Good, I can feel you trying. Now, tell me about Vinyl, why you like her, what’s good about her.” Twilight nodded as Trixie closed her eyes.
“She’s… well, she’s nice. A lot nicer then most of the other ponies Trixie has spoken to.” Trixie’s horn let out a small spark, and Twilight motioned for her to continue, not that Trixie could see her. “She seems to be able to handle Trixie’s odd brand of attitude, and understands about her problems.” Another spark, this one larger and more bright.
“Her music, and the way she enjoys it, reminds Trixie of her tricks and stage shows, and how much she enjoys them.” Trixie’s horn sparked and began to glow. “But most of all, it’s the way she treats Trixie, not as a business partner, but as a friend. She even gave Trixie a place to stay!” Trixie chuckled at that, and the book began to hover slightly above the table. “And her hair… her bright blue hair is like a vision of hope to Trixie, the way it sways when she dances to her music, it’s almost… mesmerizing.”
“Trixie thinks you’re right Twilight, she does- I do love Vinyl.” Trixie’s horn exploded with light and the book flew straight up, surrounded by Trixie’s magical aura once more. Trixie smiled widely as she opened her eyes, almost laughing at the sight of a floating book. Twilight smiled with her and the two began to laugh as the book fell to the ground.
Trixie hopped up from where she had sat and bounded over to Twilight, throwing the unsuspecting unicorn into a hug. “Oh thank you Twilight! Thank you thank you thank you!” Trixie shouted into the fur of the other unicorn.
“Er… that’s all right Trixie,” Twilight said, cautiously patting Trixie’s shoulder. After a few moments of silence, the two split apart, and Trixie apologize bashfully, her face flushed.
“Sorry about that… Trixie doesn’t know what came over her.” Trixie cleared her throat, looking down at her hooves. Twilight smiled nervously, before walking over to the door.
“Why don’t we go tell Vinyl about our discovery?” she asked, smiling.
Instantly, all of the colour drained from Trixie’s face, and she looked up at Twilight with fear in her eyes. “Twilight… What if Vinyl doesn’t feel the same about me?”
“What?” Twilight asked, turning back around to face Trixie. “Oh… I, er…”
“Trixie doesn’t think that you should tell Vinyl just yet. Let Trixie tell her when she is ready.” Trixie stood and walked over to the door. “Alright?”
Twilight sighed, looking down. “Alright.”
****
Vinyl stood behind her turntable, her glasses sitting on her head and a smear of dirt tracked across her cheek. “Done,” she sighed breathlessly, turning to face Pinkie.
“Ooooh~ really?!” Pinkie asked, jumping over to the controls. “Can we try it out, can we can we?” Pinkie’s eyes gleamed as she looked over the various knobs and buttons, a million different possibilities flying through her mind at rates that far surpassed the speed of light.
“Uh sure Pinkie, but not right now,” Vinyl said, turning towards the entrance, where a door had opened. “I gotta go speak to some friends.”
“Oh, that’s okay,” Pinkie said, waving a hoof at Vinyl dismissively. “I’ll look after your turntables.”
Trixie and Twilight walked in, laughing at something that they had been speaking about minutes before. At the sight of Vinyl, Trixie called out. “Hey Vinyl, Twilight and Trixie were just talking about you.”
“Oh?” Vinyl smiled. “Really?” She eyed Twilight cautiously.
“Yeah, about your school days. Trixie didn’t know you were so… adventurous.” Trixie said, stifling a giggle.
Vinyl blushed, smiling nervously. “Exactly… how much did she tell you?”
“Oh, just… everything.” Trixie smiled mischievously, her eyes slanting coyly. Vinyl blushed even more, looking down at her hooves. “Don’t worry,” Trixie said, walking passed her. “Your secrets are safe with Trixie.”
After a few moments, Vinyl looked up. “So, how’d it go? Did you fix your problem?”
“Oh yeah,” Trixie said, creating a small bubble of colour in front of her. “Twilight fixed it.”
“So, you up for a show then?” Vinyl asked, walking up to Trixie.
“Trixie gazed into Vinyl’s eyes. “Always.” She smiled, about to continue. A loud boom of sound burst from the speakers behind her, temporarily deafening her.
Vinyl looked up to her decks, were Pinkie stood, hooves pressed to the board and headphones clenched against her ears. “Oops,” she mouthed, taking off the headphones and stepping back from the decks.
“What in Equestria was that?” Trixie whirled, staring up at the speakers.
“Uh, an eleven kick I believe,” Vinyl supplied, walking up to her turntables. “Yep, an eleven, mixed with max reverb. Not a great thing to have burst into your ear, but definitely not the worst.”
Trixie rubbed her ears, cursing under her breath. She walked up to the podium and stood next to Vinyl, looking out over the empty hall. “Are you and Trixie performing tonight?”
Vinyl nodded in response, turning to face Trixie. “You ready for it?”
“Yeah,” Trixie said turning to face Vinyl. “If you still want Trixie to.”
“Of course.” Vinyl turned to her deck and smashed a button, sending out another blast of music. “Just don’t run off on me this time.”
Trixie giggled, and Vinyl giggled too. In front of them, Pinkie performed her own brand of magic, setting up the room for a party to end all parties. And, with Trixie and Vinyl there, it certainly was.
****
Lights flashed and music pounded, while the room jumped and bounced along for the ride. At first, Trixie and Vinyl had been the backing to a much-anticipated event, but now that it was over, it was their time to shine.
Vinyl looked over to Trixie, a smug grin filling her face. Trixie couldn’t help but return the smile, her horn sending out balls of light that flashed with the beat of the music. These balls of light were scattered around the room, as if they themselves were decorations. Lines of magical essence flittered above Vinyl and Trixie, their middles spiking upwards with each pulse of bass from the speakers.
The music cut out, and the room became dark, as if it were empty. The crowd dropped silent , and they gazed around in wonder as the walls themselves began to glow. Slowly, Vinyl let a small, yet noticeable rhythm forth from the speakers, it’s high pitch drowning out the heavy breathing of the collected ponies. Bass also sparked into life, it’s melody slightly more intricate and powerful, but also filled with low and simple notes to tie the song together.
A snare dropped in, giving the song more rhythm and something to dance to. Then, a low and steady kick began to pound on every first and third beat, filling the empty pulses in the music. Everything else faded out, leaving the kick alone as it pounded onwards. Then, even that faded out, and a low rush of air filled the room as it steadily built in both speed and sound. In the last instant, it cut out, and one word filled the room.
“Drop.”
And the room exploded, the kick and bass came back in, overpowered by a much louder dance synth that followed a low and hypnotic rhythm. Trixie’s orbs exploded, showering the audience with sparks of different shapes and colours. They all jumped and screamed for more, as if in a frenzy, and Trixie smiled, satisfied.
She looked in Vinyl’s direction, and saw the pony grinning as her head pounded with each beat, her horn still glowing as it controlled the various knobs and sliders that constantly moved beneath her grip. To her right, a keyboard’s keys pressed themselves down as if controlled by a ghost, obviously the main control for the melody and bass.
Trixie turned back out to the audience and sent out another wave of light that pulsed and spread across the room. The crowd leapt into the air, their hooves grazing the magic field. They screamed and jumped around in acceptance, and Trixie’s grin grew even wider.
The music pounded, and Trixie loved it.
****
As the party wound down and ponies began to leave, Twilight and her assortment of friends floated up to the podium where Trixie and Vinyl sat. Trixie stiffened as they approached, and Vinyl placed a hoof on her shoulder for support. The group stopped in front of the pair, with most of the eyes held within on Trixie.
“Er… hi,” she said, waving a hoof slightly. The small yellow one in the back squeaked and ducked behind a much more familiar white one.
She stepped forward, the yellow one still glued to her hind legs, and adjusted her purple mane. After a few moments of eyeing Trixie cautiously, she slowly lifted a hoof. “Hello, I am Rarity,” she began, her eyes still locked on Trixie’s. “You may well remember me.”
“Oh, ah yes… quite well,” Trixie stopped. “Not that that’s a bad thing, or-or a good thing, just that, uh… oh.” She stopped and looked down at the couch. “Sorry.”
The white unicorn took a step back. “Pardon?”
“Sorry… you know, about the whole mane thing, Trixie didn’t mean it.” Trixie still stared at the couch, as if it’s folds of fabric held something intricately interesting. “Well, she did at the time, but she regrets it now.”
The unicorn seemed quite taken aback, and she slowly nodded. “Th-that’s alright dear,” she started cautiously.
“Now ya got ta’ remember me,” said the orange one, walking forward with her hat tucked back on her ponytail. “Tha one y’all tied up.” She gave Trixie a cross stare, causing Trixie to sink back even more into the couch. After a few seconds of staring, the mare burst out into laughter, and Trixie looked up, a mixture of fear and curiosity on her face. “Oh you shoulda seen your face!” she managed to get out between fits of giggles.
After she had calmed down, the pony managed to explain her reasons. “I ain’t one to keep a grudge sugercube, so y’all are all right in ma books.” She smiled before turning to the pink pony from before. “Now Pinkie, where’s all the food at?”
“Right over here!” Pinkie sprang up and rocketed off towards the food tray, the orange mare close behind her.
Trixie leaned over to Twilight and whispered. “Does she always do that?”
“Yeah, pretty much,” nodded Twilight, looking over her group of friends. The rainbow pony nodded at Trixie, not smiling, but not exactly scowling either. The small dragon from before smiled at her, before turning to Rarity.
“May I have this dance madam?” he asked, his voice switching to a more posh accent.
Rarity feigned surprise. “Oh, but of course noble sir!” The pair giggled as they made their way out to the dancefloor.
Trixie leaned over to address Twilight again, but she was stopped by the purple mare herself. “Don’t bother asking, it would take all afternoon to explain.” Trixie nodded before turning to face the yellow pony from before, who now stood next to Twilight, quivering.
“Uh,” Trixie began. “Are you alright?”
The yellow pony squeaked before ducking behind Twilight, who rolled her eyes. “Fluttershy, get out from behind there and be nice to Trixie.”
After a few moments the pony creeped out and looked up at Trixie. She squeaked again and Trixie moved in closer. “Pardon?”
Another squeak.
“Didn’t quite catch that.”
“I said my name is Fluttershy,” the pony jumped backwards and stared down at the ground, her face flushed.
“Oh, hello Fluttershy, this is Trixie,” Trixie said, addressing herself.
“Who is?”
“Trixie is.”
“Yes, but who is Trixie?”
“Trixie.” Trixie gave her an odd look, before breaking out into a smile. She turned to Twilight and nodded.
Twilight turned and began to whisper things into Fluttershy’s ear. Fluttershy’s eyes widened, and she turned to look at Twilight. “Really?” she whispered back, rather audibly. Twilight nodded, and Fluttershy turned back to Trixie.
“Oh, well.” She giggled, before moving over to sit on the couch beside Trixie. “How are you Trixie?”
Trixie smiled. “Well…”
And the night continued on as the pair chatted away, as if they had known each other for years.
****
Manehatten wasn’t exactly the safest and most secure city in Equestria, but it felt like home to Trixie now. Vinyl had fallen asleep hours ago, and so Trixie had been left alone to ponder her thoughts, with only the occasional snore to fill the silence. But, they had arrived back at the apartment and, as Trixie carried Vinyl upstairs, she couldn’t help but feel safe.
She’d fixed up her past, now all she had to do was fix her future. And, looking at the sleeping Vinyl, she knew exactly how she’d do that.
****
A/N: And there we have it, chapter 5!
After a few gruelling hours of non-stop typing, I’ve managed to force this out. The next two chapters will be the finale to this story, which means that soon this story will be over.
I’ve decided to focus on this story primarily, and will have the entire thing finished within the next two weeks (hopefully), but don’t quote me on that. Anywho, it’s time for a break, so I’mma go eat some cake.
This update’s song list (Music I listened to during the creation) is:
- Chairs – Tristam
- Decisions – Borgore
- Headshot – Feed Me
- Episode 6 – The Going Quantum Podcast
- And a bunch of other awesome songs!
Also, if you have the time, why not go check out a song I made for my buddy Chris:
Taranasaurus.bandcamp.com
It’s called McDonald’s Man
Th-th-th-that’s all folks!
-Taranasaurus