//------------------------------// // Side Two // Story: Detour // by Jetset0099 //------------------------------// The clinking of change could be heard through the loudspeakers, signaling the start of Money. Then a funky bass line came in. The song was in seven eight, and a medium tempo. The crowd of ponies cheered at the sound of the beginning song, and some began to dance. Twilight couldn't help but move with the beat as well. Then the lead singer came in. Money! Get away Get a good job with more pay and your ooooookay! Money! It's a gas Grab that cash with both hands and maaaake a stack! New car caviar four star day dream thing I'll buy me a footbaaaaall team! The party goers were loving every second of the foreign music. Money! Get back I'm all right jack keep your hands off of myyyy stack! Money! It's a hit Don't give me none of that do goody-good buuuullshit! I'm in a high fidelity first class traveling set and I think I need a leeeeear jet! Woo! A ripping saxophone solo came in. Applejack was starting to get into the rhythm, while Pinkie was already out on the dance floor, doing whatever crazy dance she came up with next. For a second, Jake thought he saw the guard captain from earlier throwing back a drink with a couple other ponies at a table outside. He made his way through the crowd and down the ramp, only to be stopped by the DJ from Sugarcube Corner. She didn't look to happy. "So, you think you can just steal my thunder eh?! Take away my fans?! I'll show you a thing or two buddy!" She reared back, ready to strike. Jake shut his eyes, waiting for the inevitable. Then the mare broke out in a fit of laughter, leaving Jake startled and confused. "I'm just messin' with ya dude! You shoulda seen the look on your face! Anyways, this music is awesome. I gotta get me a copy of this stuff!" Jake laughed. "I'd be happy to burn you a copy if I can find a place to do it." At that time, the sax solo turned into a guitar solo as the song went into a fast paced four four time. "Sweet dude! Look me up when you figure it out." A group of seven ponies came up to them. It consisted of Lyra, Bon Bon, Noteworthy, Aloe, Lotus, Cheerlie, and Caramel. The musician of the group shook Jakes hoof. "Noteworthy is the name. You must be Jake?" Jake shook back. "That's me." The blue pony smiled. "Nice to meet you. This is some set up you got here. I've never heard this type of music before, it's amazing!" The others nodded in agreement. "Thanks! I was originally just showing it to Macintosh and a couple guards stationed here. I had no idea that everypony was going to come." Cheerlie spoke up. "We all heard that incredible voice from the last song throughout Ponyville. Then Pinkie Pie ran back into Sugarcube Corner and told us all that we needed to high tail it over to Jake's plane to have the party there. I guess it was worth it!" The solo ended and the lead singer came back in, reverting back to seven eight time. Money! It's a crime Share it fairly but don't take a slice of myyyy pie! Money! It's the root of all evil tooooday! But if ask for a rise it's no surprise that they're giving none away Away... Away... Away... Awayyyyy... The tempo slowed down and the sound faded into a single organ chord. Jake closed his eyes. "This one takes me back. It's called Us and Them. I remember first hearing it when I was sixteen in my jazz band class. We played a rendition of it, and I was hooked. That was about twenty five years after it first came out." A slow saxophone melody came in on to of the soft-playing band. Bon Bon spoke up. "Well, I'm thirsty, who wants to grab a drink." Jake held up a hoof. "Say no more." All of them except for Cheerlie, who stayed back to dance with Mac on the cargo ramp, went over to the drink table and served themselves. They went to a table and sat down to enjoy the music. The vocals came in. Slow and quiet. Us...........and them............ And after all, we're only ordinary men. Jake was singing along to the words. Me...........and you.............. God only knows, it's not what we would choose to do The music got louder as the chorus came in, backed by the four female voices. Forward he cried, from the rear As the front rank diiiiiiiieeeed! And the general sat and the lines on the map moved from siiiiiide to side! The song quieted back down and went into the second verse. Black...........and blue........... And who knows which is which, and who is who The party was going great as sounds of conversation, laughter, and music filled the evening air. Aloe turned to Jake, who was finishing off a glass of cider. "This song reminds me of the college prom. Remember that Lotus? The one you couldn't find a date for." She broke out into laughter, while a now grumpy Lotus rolled her eyes and sighed. Noteworthy couldn't help but laugh as well. Up..........and down........ But in the end, it's only round and round. Lotus turned to Aloe. "You know, I think I remember a certain somepony who tripped over her dress on the way to the dance floor and landed in a punch bowl. Am I not correct?" Aloe blushed and hid her face in her hooves, prompting more laughter from everyone else at the table. The chorus came back in. Haven't you heard, it's a battle of words The poster bearer cried Listen son, said the man with the gun There's room for you inside The music came back down and another slow sax solo started up again as Mac and Cheerlie came over to the table, and sat down beside Noteworthy. "This song is mah favorite so far." He turned to the group of ponies at the table and said hello. They all recognized Macintosh and returned the gesture. They sat for a couple minutes, listening to the sax solo, until Pinkie Pie came up to them, followed by Twilight and Applejack. "Ooh! There you are Jake. C'mon, you need to say a few words considering its YOUR party! The finale is coming up anyways." Jake gave her a confused look. "Uh Pinkie...you've never heard this album before. So how would you know when the finale is?" She was about to go off on a tangent about her Pinkie sense when Applejack put a hoof to her mouth to silence her. "Like ah said b'fore Jake. Don't question Pinkie Pie." The solo ended and the vocals came back in. With...........without And who'll deny that's what the fightings all about The last chorus came back in. The saxophone screamed over the vocals this time. Get out of the way! it's a busy day And I've got things on my mind For want of the price of tea and a slice The oooooold man died! The song immediately went into the next track, which was a synthesizer solo. "This song is called Any Colour You Like. The guitar is amazing on this one." The song was all instrumental and consisted of two guitars trading solos. Noteworthy turned to Jake. "You should come by my music store sometime and jam. You said you were in a jazz band. What do you play?" "Trumpet, piano, and guitar." "Impressive. Im a sax and drum player myself. Come on by and we'll play. It'll be nice to do something different." "I just might have to take you up on that offer." They sat listening some more, and as the song was about to end, the pink party pony started bouncing up and down in front of Jake. "C'mon, lets go!" The captain got up from the table and nodded goodbye to everyone. Noteworthy caught him as he was about to head out of earshot. "And if you do come over, bring some more albums, I gotta hear more of this awesome music!" Jake laughed and waved back to him. "Will do, will do." Applejack, Pinkie, and Jake walked over to the rest of their friends, who were standing around by the bottom right corner of the cargo ramp. Fluttershy was nowhere to be found, and Jake asked Twilight about it. "She went home. This isn't her 'forte' if you know what I mean. Also, she has lots of animals that need watching. So it's just us now." Any Colour You Like ended and went into the second to last song, Brain Damage. Rarity looked over to Jake, who was watching the party play out. "Jake, is everything alright?" He blinked a few times and turned back to them just as the first verse started up. The lunatic is on the grass The lunatic is on the grass Rememberin' games And daisy chains and laughs Got to keep the loonies on the path. "Yeah everything's fine. It's just that where I came from, I've never had the pleasure to meet people this nice, or go to anything like this. I've only been here three days and I already feel welcome...this is definitely a nice little detour I've taken." The lunatic is in the hall The lunatics are in my hall The paper holds their folded faces to the floor And everyday the paperboy brings more The first chorus came in with the backup singers. And if the dam breaks open many years too soon And if there is no room upon the hill! And if your head explodes with dark forebodings too Ill see you on the dark side of the moon! The chorus led into the second verse. The lunatic is in my head The lunatic is in my head You raise the blade, you make the change You re-arrange me 'till I'm sane You lock the door And throw away the key There's someone in my head but it's not me. As the last chorus started, the three guards along with Caramel and Noteworthy ran past Jake, drinks in hoof, swaying from side to side in a line up on the top of the cargo ramp, while everyone else cheered and egged them on. And if the cloud bursts, thunder in your ear You shout and no one seems to hear! And if the band you're in starts playing different tunes I'll see you on the dark side of the moon! The last interlude before the finale started, and Jake walked up to the top of the ramp and stood beside the half drunk guards and his new friend. Pinkie somehow produced a mic. The captain cleared his throat. "Thank you everypony for this amazing party. I'm truly thankful for being accepted into your society, and I hope to make the best of it. That's all I really wanted to say, so lets finish this thing off with a bang." He turned around to the pony who was nearest to the console. "Crank it!" Just as the volume went full blast, the lead in to Eclipse started, and changed to three four time. Everyone was cheering and the alcohol influenced sway line commenced once more. An organ solo played over the band, then the vocals came in. All that you touch And all that you see All that you taste All you feel Jake was mouthing the words as he joined the end of the line next to Noteworthy. And all that you love And all that you hate All you distrust! All you save! Drinks were clacking together, and ponies all around were moving to the rhythm. And all that you give And all that you deal All that you buy Beg, borrow, or steal! The four backup vocals came in. And all you create! And all you destroy! All that you do And all that you say The music rang out over Ponyville, and rolled over the hills as it got even louder for the ending. And all that you eat! And everyone you meet! All that you slight! And everyone you fight! Applejack threw her Stetson into the air and cheered. And all that is now! And all that is gone! And all that's to come! And everything under the sun is in tune! But the sun is eclipsed by the mooooooooooooooooooooonnnnnn! The crowd went nuts as the final chord was strummed and the music faded out, leaving nothing but the same bass drum heartbeat that was at the beginning of the album. Twilight walked up the ramp to Jake and smiled. "Welcome to Ponyville Jake."