Pulse

by InkRose

The Canterlot Party

Chapter 1

“Love is in bloom, a beautiful bride, a handsome groom... two hearts, becoming one...”

Vinyl Scratch bobbed her head to the beat as she turned knobs, flipped switches, and manned the turntables, music blaring from the speakers on either sides of her.

Everypony was on the dance floor, their bodies swaying and bouncing with the beat of the song. The one called Twilight Sparkle sung her heart out, her beautiful voice mingling with the music perfectly. The bride and groom twirled around each other, their radiant smiles gleaming brightly.

This job was going perfectly, that was for sure, and Vinyl had been very honored when she had gotten it. Being the disk jockey for a huge royal wedding? Score! Not only would this job pay the bills for a while, but it would be the crown jewel on her resume. Ponies would be scrambling to hire her for their events.

But Vinyl knew that getting too distracted while she worked could result in a careless mistake, so she refocused her mind on the music. On the beat. On the very pulse of the music.

Goodness, what sweet, sweet sounds were floating into her ears. The money and fame was great, but the best part of being a DJ was creating absolutely awesome-tastic music and then sharing it with others, watching their faces light up with a smile, a smile caused by you.

There was always a deep-rooted feeling of joy when she played her tunes. Ponies asked her how she did it, how she remixed, composed, and wrote. But she just couldn’t explain it. It didn’t just “come naturally,” like everypony says, but she felt as if her inclination for music was a part of her soul, as if it was the very essence of who she was. She was like music incarnate, with a snarky personality tacked on. Perhaps that sounded a bit... self-centered, but that was how Vinyl felt. She was the empress of music, the goddess of-

Oh buck, what the hay was he doing here!?

Vinyl froze as she saw him among the crowd of dancers, bobbing his head and tapping his hoof with the beat. She hadn’t been informed of his presence at this party. Vinyl narrowed her eyes.

Neon Lights. According to what Vinyl had heard about him, his music and DJing skills were amazing. He got just as many jobs as she did, and was pretty much just as popular, if not more so. One critic had even said that his music was better than Vinyl’s! Better!

Vinyl did not like this character one bit. He was too perfect, too prissy, too... himself.

But what Vinyl remembered in the depths of her being was that she had never heard this pony’s music, and had hardly even spoke with him. What if the reason she disliked him was simply the fact that she was jealous? What if that ol’ green eyed monster had corrupted her heart? But Scratch denied this. She couldn’t accept the fact that he might just be a nice pony with music that rivaled hers. He was out to destroy her career and steal her fame, she knew it. Just look at the way he was looking at her at this very moment, planning her downfall...

Wait.

Vinyl’s eyes widened as she realized that Neon Lights was looking straight at her. His deep blue eyes seemed to bore into hers with a strange intensity. Vinyl couldn’t look away.

SCCREEEEEEEEETCH!

Vinyl’s heart jumped into her throat as she realized she had messed up. Big time. She looked down and saw that she had accidentally pressed down too hard on the turntable needle while trying to slide it off the record, resulting in one of her precious vinyl records gaining a huge new scratch on its black surface.

Vinyl closed her eyes, cursing to herself over and over in her head. She had to think fast, lest she ruin this whole job. She couldn’t mess up in front of Neon. She had to prove she was better than that son of a diamond dog. She snapped her eyes open and shot the wide-eyed audience a huge smile, using her unicorn magic to remove her shades.

“I can see I’ve got your attention, my lovely music-enthusiasts! Well, I just wanted to say that requests are now open, so if any of ya want me to put on a special song, just come on up and I’ll do my best to get this party rollin’ with your favorite hits!” Vinyl Scratch declared, gesturing with her hoof to the cart behind her filled with records of various kinds.

A number of ponies lined up near Vinyl’s turntable, including the hyper pink one who had attempted to DJ alongside Vinyl earlier that night. Thankfully the purple pony called Twilight had coaxed her to let Vinyl DJ alone. Thank Celestia.

To Vinyl’s surprise and utter contempt, she spotted Neon Lights trotting up to join the line of ponies. What the hay was he going to do, rub her failure in her face?

Once Vinyl had gone through most of the line, writing down everypony’s requests onto a piece of paper, she came upon Neon.

“What song would you like?” She asked him, trying to contain her frustration.

“No song,” Neon Lights stated simply, a small smile gracing his lips. “Listen, I’ve heard a lot about you, but haven’t ever really gotten the chance to chat with you. Perhaps after the party we could find somewhere to hang out and just talk. What do you think?”

Well, he certainly was acting nicer than she had expected. But she still wanted nothing to do with him. She wouldn’t talk to him until she was considered the better DJ.

“Sorry, got stuff to do after the party,” Vinyl said, dismissing the stallion with a turn of her head. She trotted over to her turntable and began the first on the list of requested songs. She didn’t look back at Neon, but out of the corner of her eye she could see that after she had so abruptly waved him off, he just stood there for a moment, surprised. Then he walked off to his band of friends, his posture a bit slumped compared to before.

Vinyl felt her conscience tug at her heart. He had never done anything to her, yet she had been so rude to him for no real reason. Suddenly the mare felt like trotting over to Neon and apologizing, but her pride was like an impenetrable barrier, and it prevented her from even considering it. Besides, she couldn’t say sorry. That would make her look weak, and she couldn’t let that happen in front of her competitor.

If Neon Lights ever approached her again, she would be nicer. That would make up for her rudeness, right?

***

The party ended after Vinyl finished up the request list. It was late, and Vinyl was tired. She packed up her things into her wagon, and hooked herself up to it. The newly married couple stepped into a carriage, and the bride threw her bouquet. All of the party guests were crowding around the couple, and cries of joy were heard as the bouquet was caught by the purple-haired pony Vinyl had DJed for a few months ago at a fashion show.

Vinyl sighed and walked out of the Canterlot garden, heading for the road. This was always her least favorite part of the job... walking home alone while the party-goers piled into carriages laughing with their friends.

The lone DJ turned onto the main street of Canterlot, quickly trotting toward her home.

Author's Note:

If you enjoyed the story, please tell me so in the comments, I would love to hear what you have to say, so that I can know if you would like more! :)

Comments

[LoneUnicornWriter]

This like epic for me since i'm like maybe the third to read a freshly publish story from one of my favorite authors

[Celestias Paladin]

Ooo.... another Vinyl hetero-shipfic? Count me in Ink

[Celestias Paladin]

Hmm... am ok start, guess I'll have to continue reading to see what happens.

[InkRose]

3395304
I've been wanting to see a fic where Vinyl is shipped with Neon, it doesn't happen too often, unfortunately. So I just went and wrote one myself.

[DeadHorse]

Potato!

[Angel Bacon]

I give this 1 super godzilla out of America

[Celestias Paladin]

3395328
Not just straight but also not with Octavia, preparing for fanrage my friend.

[Angel Bacon]

I appologize, After contemplating this for a while, I have decided to give this 1 mega super mechanical dubstep godzilla with Pink nipple tazzles and a laser rifle out of Scootabacon

[The Great Derpsby]

So why does she suddenly have strange feelings of love for him?

Hormones?

I'm so sorry, I just- I just had to.

[Madness Brony]

I don't see Vinyl in any life time falling for someone like Neon. They work as a musical partnership but romantically Vinyl has a class to her Neon couldn't hope to match.

[Fetch]

Found a typo: Being the dick jockey for a huge royal wedding? That should be disc.

[InkRose]

3397891
Yikes! Thanks for telling me, it's now fixed!

[Bigguy]

Liking it so far please continue!

[DoodleJay1208]

I like ur story so far. It really cute

[FairyRave]

Plz at least start the next chapter I really want to know what happen next

[Eclipse LunarSol]

Next!!!!!!!!! I-if that's okay with you...

[Night_Wisp]

Ooo this is one ship fic that I love!please do continue this because I am already lovin it mcdonalds style!
(Because I actually do like mcdonalds)

[Asteres123]

This is so exciting!!Finally i've found the fanfic i was searching for
Great job Ink!!I would love to see more of it

[Evershade]

Finally I have found a Vinyl x Neon fanfic! ...and it happens to be made by you, InkRose! :D

[SunshineNightfall]

Yay! Vinyl and neon! It's too bad they don't make more stories on them. but I finally found one! And made my ink InkRose!?

[InkCrescent]

INKROSE! You simply MUST write more, darling! If that's okay with you, , we demand it! We just LOVE LOVE LOVE your fanfic , me especially, so if you could add more for us to read, , we'd love it. Honest to goodness.

[Iris-Shine29]

Write more. . Please...

[Icestorm631]

Finally found a decent VinylxNeon fic...please write more!

[Perry Note]

AWESOMENESS!!!!!!!!!!

[Mr mustash]

You gonna update soon caus I'm really likeing this so far.

[Mr mustash]

3397891
3397960

Oh wow...well we certainly can't have that now can we.

P.S try looking at that word out of context.

[Autistic Writer]

I have to say, I kind of enjoyed the prologue a little bit. I mean I am one who passes when the prologue is short, but I think you managed to make it work in my opinion. I am one who usually does 2000 – 3000 words for a fanfic, but there are times where I get short when I don’t have many ideas to offer on the chapter.

I was curious about this story because it seemed to stand out like a missing item from a shelf. I am a sucker for a good romance story.

Awwwww, it’s sad that Pinkie never got to do a request. Sorry, big Pinkie Pie fan. Don’t worry, that’s not a big issue.

I actually don’t see a lot of Neon Light and Vinyl stories. I think it’s more of Octavia/ Vinyl stories. I don’t have any criticisms for this chapter or the Octavia/Vinyl ship. I think i would prefer one or the other depending on what type of story/chemistry the story will contain.

I can already tell we are in for a real treat with this story. So, keep up the good work. Don’t worry; I can wait until the next chapter. Depending on when it comes out of course. No rush or stress. :)

[PhoenixBlaz3]

Amazing! Can I have the next chapter, it's getting really good!!!!

[Sky_Jayne552]

yay

[Marina]

I bet octavia when reading this is like
'OH IT'S ON YOU FUCKING BITCH! I'LL SHOW YOU WHO REALLY BELONGS TO VINYL! '