Author notes 'n' stuff: Three song links in this chapter. Sorry in advance. Been working on No More Ponies a lot recently, if you want this rate higher on my priority list, go vote for it in my blog. I'm going to sing the 'I need a bucking pre reader' song with a bottle of Jimmy now. Peace and enjoy!
* * *
Your body is once again released from gravity's grasp as you float through a familiar warm void. This time however, there is color. A dull gray stretches out in every direction. You attempt to move your left hoof and you feel it lift into the air. You hold your hoof strait up for a few moments before letting it drop down. Your arm fell as expected however, your body came with it.
Your eyes shoot open as you are jolted awake by your body hitting the ground with a dull thud. You let out a surprised gasp and quickly survey your surroundings. Satin red room, hardwood floors, flipped over table, light blue sectional couch, and light blue recliner. Yep, you were home.
You then pick yourself back to an upright position and quickly check yourself over, making sure all limbs were still intact and fully functional. You move your head left and right then roll your head around. Neck, check. Next you trot in place. Forelegs and hind legs check. Lastly you look back at your tail and hold a lock of your mane away from your head to get a look at it. Still the same two toned orange, and not neon pink this time, check.
Your stomach groans, reminding you of breakfast. You let out a groan yourself and move to your kitchen. You glance at the oven clock, twelve thirty-three. Lunch then. You make another quick salad to satisfy your stomach. Lettuce, munch munch. Cheese, munch munch. Carrots, munch bucking munch. This is so boring. You then dive face first into the salad and devour it.
"I'm bored," you say aloud and as if on cue, you hear a knock on your door. The first thing that jumps to your mind is media. They're here, they found you. You begin to panic. Those stallions, it was their fault. You made the mistake of letting your real name drop and they sold you location for a few bits. You slowly tip toe to your door and hear another knock.
"N-no one is home at the moment, please leave a message after the beep. Beeeeeep!" you answer.
"Yeah. THAT makes sense," you hear a familiar and annoyed voice from outside. You slowly pry the door open and see a cyan blue mare with a rainbow mane.
"Oh, it's just the sexy bandit. That's a relief," you greet her and let out a held breath.
"Stop calling me that. The name's Rainbow Dash, pal. Say it with me Rain-bow Da-sh," she explains with a deadpanned expression. As long as she wasn't with the media, you really didn't care who she was.
"Ok, deal. So what can I help you with Rain-bow Da-sh," you mock with a playful smile.
"Look, there's a rave going down at The 047 tonight and Pinkie Pie decided to throw your 'Welcome to Ponyville' party there," Dash explains.
"Alrigh- wait. Pinkie who?" you ask. It's cool and all that somepony you didn't know decided to throw you a party and all... no wait. That was just strange.
"Pink mare with a pink mane. She throws a party for every new pony in Ponyville. It's strange that you haven't met her yet. Just show up at eight alright?" Dash says.
"Ok, I'll be there. And thanks," you reply. Dash nods her head and takes to the sky with a powerful thrust of her wings, leaving a faint rainbow trail in her wake. You let out a yawn and close your front door.
Instead of heading back to the living room, you trot to the second living room where your recording station was set up. This was now the recording room you decided. You sit down at the desk with all of your equipment and turn your laptop on. With a flick of your other hoof, the turntable and an MPC flickers to life as well.
You insert a [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dNXMwcTAas]sample into your laptop and a gentle guitar emits. You then turn your attension to the MPD and strike one of the pads with your hoof. A strong drum beats through your headphones. You lift your other hoof and strike the machine again and again, bringing a strong beat to give the guitar some company. Next you find yourself focusing on a USB piano, playing it over and over again until it sounds perfect.
* * *
You finally let your eyes drift to the clock on the wall and hang your head. You had just spent around six hours in one session. It's already seven in the afternoon. Your stomach decides to let out a loud groan, just to reassure you. It would take you at least fifteen minutes to get to the middle of town, not to mention you had no idea where the venue was. A quick shower would take ten minutes and then there was food.
You let out a sigh and gallop to the shower. You quickly turn the water on and yelp as the icy cold liquid hits your coat. You mentally push past the frosty water and quickly scrub yourself down. The water begins to warm up as you finish and you curse the water company.
After drying your freezing flank, you trot to the kitchen and pick three apples from your refrigerator and tuck one under each wing and destroy the third with your mouth, core and all. You then head to your closet and take out a jacket. The jacket is a deep canvas green and is covered with stitched on patches and buttons. You had purchased this jacket at the start of your career and it had been through some pretty crazy stunts and hijinks. You transfer the two apples into the jacket's pockets and grab an energy drink out of the refrigerator. You then give your house one last check before leaving into the night.
* * *
"So let me get this straight. I take a left at the library, a left at Sugar Cube Corner, then a left at the Carousel Boutique?" you reviewed. When you arrived in town, the first thing you did was catch the first pony you could find and ask for directions the Ponyville's venue. The first pony you found however was a gray pegasus with bright yellow eyes which tended to drift in opposite directions
.
"Ummm... Yup!" the cheery pegasus answered.
"... All right then, thank you for the help," you smiled and headed towards the library, hoping the mare was sending you in the correct direction. A few minutes later you reached the giant tree in the middle of the town and took a right, rather than three lefts.
After a few more minutes of trotting in what you thought was the right direction, you reached an old looking brick building. 'Venue 047' was illuminated in bright blue letters on the side of the building and you let out a breath of relief. You didn't see anypony waiting outside and you didn't have a watch on you, so you assumed that you were late. A single gray pony with a blue Mohawk was leaning up against the building and staring off into space with a bored look on his face. Yep, that was the bouncer alright.
"Yo, is this where a pony can party 'round here?" you ask as you approach the bouncer.
"Name?" he yawns back at you and pops his neck.
"Sam," you reply. The stallion quickly glances over a clipboard and looks back up at you.
"Welcome to Ponyville, Sam," the stallion greets you and admits you entrance to the club.
Inside, the venue is what you would expect. A strong beat fills the old and classy looking interior. The first thing past the entrance is a bar, a bar that you would defiantly be hitting later. Moving on there are several tables that you assumed were first come, first serve. A moderate sized dance floor is filled with ponies jumping and stomping hooves with the beat while neon lights are caught and reflected off the bouncing mass. Overhead you found a balcony with VIP seating and another bar.
"Scream for me Ponyville!" you heard a familiar voice over the microphone. You turned your attention to the stage and smiled. On the turn tables was the one and only DJ P0N3, aka Vinyl Scratch. Her white coat absorbs and reflects the stage lights as her two toned blue mane swings back and forth as she bobs her head up and down. Hiding her eyes is her trademark purple shades. You didn't recognize the song she just played, must be new work. Good to hear she's still got it.
"Oh hi! Are you Sam? You must be Sam, because I know everypony in Ponyville except for you and if I don't know you then you must be new in Ponyville! So welcome to Ponyville Sam! I threw this party just for you, ya know? I hope you like it because when I first saw you I thought to myself 'Wow Pinkie, that pony looks like he'd enjoy a sweet rave party'. So I noticed there was going to be a crazy party here already tonight so I asked if I could throw another party at the same time, like a double party! I thought it would be twice the fun! How about you? Do you like it? Huh? Huh? Huh?" a high pitch voice assaulted your ears over the thumping music. You turn your attention to the left and find the owner of the voice to be a bright pink pony with a darker pink mane. She had a goofy smile stretched across her face and you couldn't help but smile back.
"Yeah, it's really cool. Thanks... Pinkie was it?" you reply.
"Yup! I'm Pinkie Pie, Ponyville's very own party pony! Nopony throws a party like Pinkie Pie and-," she yapped until a cyan blue hoof was shoved into her maw.
"Ok, Pinkie. I think he gets it," Dash says and wipes the pink pony's saliva off her hoof. Pinkie just nods her head up and down and bounces back to the dance floor.
"Well, she's an energetic one. Thanks Dash," you say.
"Yeah, no problem. Before you ask, yes she's always like that and you'll get used to her eventually," Dash explains with a deadpanned expression. You can tell that this isn't the first time she's had to explain Pinkie's behavior.
"I see," you simply reply.
"Hey, you wanna join Spitfire, Soarin', and me? We got a table before they were all taken," Dash asks and motions towards a secluded table in the back of the club. Sure enough Spitfire and Soarin' are making idle chatter. Maybe Dash wasn't lying about dating the captain of the Wonderbolts.
"Sure."
The two of you then trot to the bar and pick up a round of drinks. As you follow Dash back to her table, the crowd suddenly erupts and shouts "Yes! Oh My Gwad!" before the loud thumping continues. You tilt your head and chuckle to yourself.
"No way! Is that you Amp?" Soarin' asks as Dash and you reach the table. Well there goes your cover. Should not have worn the jacket. Defiantly should not have worn the jacket.
"Soarin', I'm surprised you remember me," you answer and take a seat beside him as Dash scoots next to Spitfire and nuzzles into her neck.
"Amp? As in ‘the’ DJ Amp? I thought your name was Sam?" Dash asks with a confused look on her face.
"Whoops, blew it didn't I?" Soarin' whispers to you. You give him a deadpanned look in response.
"Yep, we met a few years back after one of my shows. I bummed his last cigarette in trade for dinner with my crew," you explain to the two mares across the table.
"You used to smoke? Soarin'!" Spitfire scolds.
"Payback," you whisper to Soarin'.
"Hey! I quit before I joined the Bolts. My only addiction now is sweet apple pie and there is no way I'm giving that up," Soarin' retorts causing the table to share a laugh. The atmosphere began to change as a slower and more soothing song starts to play and fill the building with gentle sounds.
"Oh! I love this one! Let's go dance," Dash lights up and practically drags Spitfire out to the dance floor, leaving you with Soarin' and a table full of alcohol.
"So how did you know it was me? The jacket?" you ask.
"Oh yeah. My name is Amp and growing out my mane is the secret to becoming a master of disguise," Soarin' mocks.
"Screw you," you laugh back.
"Nice cover story by the way, my old partner in crime," Soarin' scoffs and takes a drink.
"Yeah, like I was going to sell out my best bud. I'm assuming, well, hoping to Celestia you didn't tell your boss about the kind of trouble we used to get into," you laugh and lift a shot of whiskey to your lips.
"My lips have been sealed, so what are you doing in a small town like Ponyville?" he asks.
"I could ask you the same," you retort.
"Like I had a choice. I got drug here with Spitfire who got drug here by Rainbow Dash. Like some crazy domino effect," Soarin' explains.
"I see, my mother died and I inherited her house in Ponyville," you say and throw back another shot. Soarin' chokes on his drink, obviously not expecting your answer and scratches the back of his head.
"Damn. Uhh... Sorry, I didn't mean...," Soarin' fumbles over his words.
"No, no. You didn't know, it's alright. I've had two weeks to sulk about it, I just want to have a good time right now," you were quick to retort. You let your eyes wonder about dance floor where you spot Rainbow Dash and Spitfire. Dash is stomping her hooves, jumping up and down, shouting to the music, and losing herself in Vinyl's beat. Spitfire on the other hand looks like she's made of lead. Her body is clearly having trouble getting moving, her posture is slouched over, and she wears a fake looking smile whenever her eyes meet Dash's.
"So what's up with your boss?" you ask Soarin' as he sips on his drink.
"What do you mean brony?" he asks back.
"Well, either she sucks at dancing or something is up," you retort.
"She's just having an off day," Soarin' answers nervously and tries to focus his attention elsewhere.
"C'mon, I know you know more than you're telling me. Is it Dash?" you ask.
"What do you mean?" Soarin' answers your question with another question, again. Now he's asking for it.
"Dash nuzzled into her when we sat down, Spitfire didn't give even a hint of a response. Look at them dancing; Spitfire might as well be nailed to the floor. Look closely when the two meet eyes, she's forcing herself to smile," you explain. Your middle name isn't perception, but you were convinced that your parents made a mistake when naming you Amplitude Tiger Lily.
"I still don't see why you're not a detective or something," Soarin' laughs and finishes his first drink.
"She's been having doubts," Soarin' continues. "She's starting to think she rushed into another relationship after getting blown off by some stallion. I guess she thought she'd try mares after having sour luck with a few stallions. She's afraid her feelings for Dash are forced, but doesn't want to break Dash's heart with a break up. I'm her new ranting buddy if you couldn't tell, not that I mind. We all gotta have someone to rant to, ya know?"
"Yeah, that sounds like a tough situation to be in," you let out a deep breath and notice the music has stopped.
"That's in for me Ponyville, Goodnight!" Vinyl exclaims hops off stage. You see her bump hooves with the ponies in the crowd and make her way over to the bar.
"I'm gonna go say 'hi' to Vinyl," you tell Soarin' and leave the table as Rainbow Dash and Spitfire arrive back from the dance floor.
"Jimmy Buck strait for me and Jack on the rocks for the lady here," you tell the bar colt as you approach. Vinyl scoffs on the bar stool, but doesn't turn to face you.
"I'm perfectly capable of purchasing my own drinks, bub," Vinyl says and rests her head her hooves.
"Good, you can buy the next round Vee," you answer and take a seat next to her. Vinyl jolts up and she lifts her shades to get a better look at you. She turns to you with a wide smile on her muzzle and softly bumps you on the shoulder with her hoof.
"Amp? You let your mane grow out," Vinyl notices and laughs.
"Yup, I heard it was on the rage in Canterlot," you joke back.
"So how'd you like my show?" Vinyl asks proudly as the bar colt returns with your drinks.
"I remember an 'Amp' being between the 'Yes' and 'Oh my gwad'," you reply and cause Vinyl to snort as she attempts to take a drink. You laugh aloud at the sight and get punched in the shoulder.
"You still have one hell of a right hook I see," you comment before she hits you again. "So what brings you to Ponyville?"
"Came here to settle down. A request from my better half," she answers and lifts her drink. Vinyl has a coltfriend? Teasing sense activated.
"Vee has a cooooltfriend? OoooOOoooh~," you make sure to draw out long and loud. She turns her back to you and mumbles something inaudible, blushing under her white coat.
"What was that?" you scoff.
"...'s a mare...friend," she whispers. Teasing sense overload.
"You... What? With a m-mare?" you pretend to choke out and force a shocked look on your face.
"Y-yeah," she blushes. You lean back in your seat and run a hoof through your mane as you let out a loud sigh. You then lean in close to her and whisper in her ear.
"Is she... hot?" You ask. Smack! Right in the kisser.
"Screw you Amp! I can't believe I fell for that," she laughs in relief and lets out a deep breath while you die from lack of oxygen.
"Oh man. Sorry, sorry. I totally deserved that one," you manage to apologize between bounds of laughter.
"Yeah, ya did. Anyway, her name's Octavia. She's a cello player from Canterlot," Vinyl explained.
"Ahh, I've heard of her. Sampled her work before for my music. Gray coat, black mane?" you clarify.
"That's my mare. Your music is actually some of the little electronica I can get her to listen to. You, your dad, and Trot Yorke. I'm slowly corrupting her," Vinyl answers.
"Is that right? So when do I meet her?" you ask with a devious grin.
"Never. She's the jealous type, so if one of us were to slip up about our past together, we'll both be six feet under," she laughs and throws back the rest of her drink.
"Well, you know I love a good brush with death once and a while," you chuckle and down your scotch.
"Yeah, well, another time if you're good. So what brings you to Ponyville, huh?" she asks.
"Mother died, inherited her house," you try to answer nonchalantly. If Vinyl's coat wasn't already white, you would have sworn she just went pale.
"Ahhh, damn it. I'm sorry," she quickly apologizes and nervously latches onto your side, forcing you into a hug. You let out a deep sigh and wait patiently until she lets you go, fearing that if you were to return her embrace, you would break down in the middle of your welcoming party.
"It's alright, you didn't know," you say. Dropping the news of your mother's death to your two best friends so soon was not what you had planned, but you would not let yourself lie to them. The quicker they knew and moved on, the quicker you would too.
"I hate to leave now, but I've got to get back to Octavia. Can't leave a mare waiting y'know?" Vinyl says and hops off the barstool.
"I understand, good to see you again," you reply.
"We should get together sometime and catch up," Vinyl suggests and holds out a hoof to you.
"Sure. Bring your mare to my place and we can chill for an evening. First house past Sweet Apple Acres," you reply and bump hooves with Vinyl. She gives you one last smile and turns to leave the club. You return to your table where Rainbow Dash is face down on the table and Soarin' is laughing his flank off.
"What happened here?" you ask and take a seat next to Soarin'.
"Somepony can't handle a little alcohol," Soarin' mocks as Dash pulls herself up.
"'Ey, Ah can handle a... whole lot mo' foo," Dash replies and drops her head back onto the table.
"Imma gonna git her home 'n' stuff, don't stay out too late Soarin'," Spitfire hiccups and drapes an unconscious Rainbow Dash over her back. Soarin' and you watch as Spitfire stumbles towards the exit and a laugh escapes your lips.
"Ehh, it is getting late. We should catch up sometime though, what are you doing tomorrow?" Soarin' asks and gets up from the table.
"Nothing, feel free to swing by anytime. First house past Sweet Apple Acres," you reply knowing full well that Soarin' would know where Sweet Apple Acres was at the first day of arriving in town. You stand with him and walk outside into the brisk night air. With Vinyl and Soarin' leaving, you didn't feel the need to stick around.
"Sure, I'll be at Ponyville's Inn. Room 107," He states and stretches his wings. He then takes to the night sky and heads after the two drunken lovers. You let out a soft sigh and head towards home. Tomorrow is going to be an interesting day.