A Sign of Things to Come Part 2:
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A quick teleport spell later, and Twilight was once again in the alley behind Luna’s Den.

I assume you have a plan for this, right? Midnight asked as Twilight changed into the Midnight Glimmer disguise.

I plan to talk to Spike during our break. Twilight replied.

A little simple don’t you think?

Sometimes simple works out well. Twilight replied as she walked into the nightclub. Twilight could hear the music from back stage. “Spike really should get that wall soundproofed.” Twilight muttered to herself, as she continued walking to the main hall of the club.

“Hey! Midnight!” Vinyl called out to her co-worker, this startled Twilight, causing her to look around.

She means you, Twilight. If one could look into Twilight’s mind at that moment, they would see Midnight facehoof. You forgot that you are wearing the Midnight Glimmer disguise.

Twilight chuckled to herself before walking up to Vinyl and asked: “Hey Vinyl, what’s up?”

“Been hell of a week, Mids. But it’s all good. So what’s new with you?” Vinyl asked as she got ready to leave, and prepped the turntable for her fellow DJ.

“Yeah, I too had a hell of a week. One of my college roommates and friends asked me out on a date.” Twilight responded.

“That’s cool….SAY WHAT?!?!?!?” Vinyl screamed as her brain shut down, a shocked expression plastered on her face. Twilight had taken a step back at this point, the sudden outburst had her shaking.

“Vinyl, you okay?” Twilight inquired as she poked the shocked pony with her right forehoof. Vinyl had be in the shocked state for nearly two minutes and the patrons were starting to notice. Levitating the headset off of Vinyl’s head and over to her, Twilight addressed the crowd: “Okay everypony, I apologize for the wait, but seeing as Vinyl has seemingly frozen in place, there is going to be a delay in starting my shift.”

Twilight looked out at the crowd and noticed a familiar bouncer and was struck with inspiration. “Hey! Shining! Get over here and move Vinyl for me, please?!” Twilight called out. It took a few minutes for Shining to get through the crowd to the stage, after which he proceeded to levitate the still frozen Vinyl out of the way, placing her on the couch that was back stage.

“You’re clear, Mids.” Shining stated as he walked back to his spot just outside the dance floor.

“Thanks Shining.” Twilight chuckled, as she walked over to the turntable to begin her shift. Now, what to play tonight? Twilight thought to herself.

Why not My Demons by that new band, Starset. Midnight suggested.

Good idea, that song would be perfect to start the night off.

You’re welcome. Even though the words were only in Twilight’s mind, she could practically see the smile on Midnight’s face. A rather smug smile that Twilight favored.

“Hey everypony! I thought I start the night off with something new, the first single from that new band Starset, this is My Demons.” Twilight spoke into the headset, then started to press play on the new track. The song started out with a bass sounding like a violin, then slowly adding in drums, before picking up in beat, at points in the song there are slight hints of electronic thrown in, the end result was a song that sounded to be rock but with a techno feel to it.

Everypony was getting into the groove of the new song. By the time the song ended, a good proportion of the patrons that night were dancing. Not bad, not bad at all. Twilight thought to herself, the night is off to a great start.

Just be prepared for talking to Spike later on. Midnight stated.

The night wore on without too much trouble for Twilight. Vinyl had finally gotten over her shock, and congratulated her co-worker for finally getting a date. It was two minutes till her break, when Midnight just had to remind Twilight of the unpleasantness to follow. So, the plan is to just up and ask him for a weekend off?

Pretty much, Spike is a reasonable being, I’m sure he’ll understand. Twilight thought, or rather hoped.

Would you like those to be your famous last words?

Haha! Very funny. Twilight dryly replied as she set the turntable to automatically play a playlist, then made her way to the bar for a quick drink before heading to Spike’s office. At the bar, Berry Punch was earning her keep, washing some glasses and filling the rest.

“Hey Mids, what can I get you?” Berry asked, as she put down the last glass she needed to clean.

“Just a hard cider, I got to talk to Spike about something.” Twilight responded.

“Ah. Let me guess, your two lives have finally collided? Tell me I’m wrong. Go ahead, tell me.” Berry stated.

“How, how did you know?” Twilight stammered, shocked that the bartender had figured out the situation.

“Easy. For starters, I noticed you jump at Vinyl’s greeting, plus you aren’t acting as you usually do. The only thing that I can think of to cause that is something happening in your life outside the club. So want to get anything off your chest?” Berry whispered to Twilight, as not to draw much attention to the two of them.

Twilight sighed, then took a deep breath before saying: “First off, I like to say I am now very grateful that every co-worker of mine knows about my other life, really helps to talk to other ponies about my troubles.”

“Yeah, and it wasn’t like you could keep it a secret from us, especially how Vinyl was ranting on about how you could change your appearance.” Berry stated with a chuckle remembering that day.

“Don’t remind me, that still gives me headaches.” Twilight dryly replied.

“So...What’s the trouble?” Berry asked.

“I got a date, and it is with one of my best friends, plus it needs to be on the weekend, seeing as we both have class during the week.” Twilight sighed

Berry let out a long whistle before saying: “Damn, that’s got to be rough.”

“Preaching to the choir there, Berry.” Twilight sighed. “So, can I get a hard cider or do you want play psychologist a bit more?”

Berry just chuckled and got Twilight a hard cider. “Here you go Mids, hope everything works out.” She said with a soft smile as she returned with the drink.

“Thanks Berry.” Twilight said before downing the drink.

Wow, you downed that fast. In a hurry, I see. Midnight commented.

Shut up! Twilight snapped, before she called out to Berry: “Hey Berry put this one on my tab.”

“Will do Mids, I hope your talk with Spike goes well.” Berry said from the other end of the bar counter.

“Me too.” Twilight muttered more to herself as she started to head towards Spike’s office.

Twilight walked to the back end of the club. In the back of the club was Spike’s office, the stairs leading to the second floor apartments, and of course the backstage door. The door to Spike’s office had a gold plate which had the dragon’s name on it. Twilight nudged the door open to see what her boss was up to at the moment.

“I know, I know Luna! The market has been down despite the good business as of late…. Yes, I know that the club is yours and I am just the manager, I’m just telling you that not even I can predict when business will drop… Fine, fine we’ll increase drink prices. Okay, bye, talk to you next month.” Spike was in his chair, facing away from the door, behind his oak desk that had papers strewn about, he talking into the crystal phone, a magical device that allowed for long distance communication between two beings, made from resonating crystals and shaped like a headset.

“I know you’re there, Midnight.” Spike spoke after a few moments of silence.

“Sorry Spike. Is this a bad time?” Twilight apologized.

“Nah! Just talking to Princess Luna, after all she owns 80% of this place, she likes to know what’s going on. Let’s say she is not pleased with the profits this quarter.” Spike sighed as he swiveled the chair to face the mare that had entered his office.

“Oh, sorry to hear, Spike. It must be a bit maddening to be down in profit.” Twilight stated.

“It is. However, I have learned to not let my emotions get in the way of business. Getting mad over a downturn in the market is not going to fix the problem. Anyway, enough about my troubles. What can I do for you?” Spike sighed.

“Well, how to put this….” Twilight started.

“Come on, Mids, you’ve known me for years. Hell, you hatched me in your entrance exam for the Princesses After School Program for Exceptional Ponies. Whatever you have on your mind, I am sure I can help.” Spike tried to comfort the struggling mare.

“I may have hatched you, but it was Lulu that raised you. And well, here goes nothing, I got a date next weekend so I need that week off.” Twilight said with a bit of nervousness in her voice.

Spike just blinked, his mind was still processing what he had heard, till he finally said: “Well I’ll be, you actually got a date. Congrats.”

“And the time off?” Twilight asked.

“Sure, why not. It’s not like I pay you or anything, you own 20% of this place and you actually pay to play here, as I see it you can take time off anytime. And actually I was meaning to ask if you would be willing to change up the time at which you play. See we got an up-and-comer and they are pretty good, I was hoping to get them in more often.” Spike explained.

“Thanks Spike! And sure, that can be arranged. So who is this new act?” Twilight smiled.

“A mare by the name Lyra Heartstrings.” Spike said.

“Never heard of her. But if you think she can handle it, then go for it.” Twilight said.

“Coming from you, that means a lot.” Spike smiled.

“Well, I better get going. My break is almost up. And thanks again, Spike.” Twilight said as she started to leave Spike’s office.

“No problem Mids… Hey Midnight! I know I never questioned this before, seeing as you own 20% of this place, but why do you pay to play here?” Spike asked.

Twilight sighed, then turned to Spike and said: “The reason is simple: I just love to play the music, and it’s more of a hobby to me than a job, that’s why I pay to play here instead of the other way around.”

We both know that’s a lie, it’s not the music you love, it’s the ponies and the parties. You love to see ponies enjoy themselves and get high off the admiration they give you as a DJ. If anything, this is you putting your vanity to good use. Midnight commented.

Maybe you’re right. Twilight conceded, not really wanting to get into another argument with herself. “Anyway Spike, I’ll see you later.” Twilight addressed the dragon.

“Later Midnight, and I hope your date goes well. I know everypony will want details.” Spike said as Twilight left his office.

The rest of the weekend happened without much incident for Twilight. Friday and Saturday came and went, and Twilight enjoyed her weekend activities. Twilight was walking up the sidewalk headed for her dorm, when the familiar voice of Midnight spoke up. So, Twilight, are you ready?

For what? Twilight inquired.

Did you actually ask ‘for what’, I was referring to telling Rarity about what Spike said.

I am sure she will be pleased, he said I can have the time off.

That is a given, I mean planning out what happens afterwards, have you even thought of where to take her or if she has a place in mind already?

That thought stopped Twilight dead in her tracks, she was so shocked by the statement and had been so distracted by the conversation she didn’t notice she stopped right outside her dorm room. No… I haven’t. Twilight sighed, and hung her head in defeat, not having noticed the door starting to open.

A few seconds later and Twilight learned the answer to the oldest question in existence: If a mare gets slammed in the face by a door, does she curse more than an angry sailor? The answer Twilight found was a definite yes.

Twilight was cursing for about two minutes, before the pain and anger subsided. Wiping tears from her eyes, she noticed the shocked expression on her rainbow maned roommate.

“Uh….Hey Rainbow. How’s it going? Are you heading out?” Twilight tried to ask with a straight face, though she clearly had a blush on her face, knowing full well that Rainbow had heard her cursing right then and there. That was embarrassing. Twilight thought to herself.

“W...W...What the heck was that? Rainbow finally managed.

“Haven’t you ever just wanted to scream profanities for all you were worth? It’s quite relaxing, you should try it sometime.” Twilight deadpanned.

“Oh, Twilight! Was that you darling? Why were you cursing so loudly?” Rarity called out from the living room. having not been privileged to Twilight’s explanation for Rainbow.

“Dang Twi, ah ain’t ever heard that much cus’n befer. And Ah’ve seen Granny Smith git angrier than rattlesnake woken from it’s sleep.” AJ stated with a hint of shock in her voice.

Pinkie and Fluttershy were standing there with their mouths open, pure shock on their faces.

“Sorry about that girls, I wasn’t expecting to be hit by the door today.” Twilight said with a slight chuckle.

“N-No problem Twilight.” Rainbow stuttered as she moved from the door frame to let Twilight in the dorm.

After Twilight entered the dorm, everything seemed to settle down. After a few minutes of trying, AJ had finally managed to get Fluttershy and Pinkie out of their shocked states. Twilight looked over to Rarity, and gave her a nod towards the kitchen, a clear signal for the two of them to talk alone.

Once in the privacy of the pots and pans, the two mares were silent for a few moments, before Rarity asked that leading question. “So, what did your boss say?”

“I got the weekend off.” Twilight said with a happy grin.

“That’s fantastic, darling!” Rarity practically shouted, giving Twilight a huge hug.

“Rarity! Can’t breath!” Twilight gasped out, the force of Rarity’s hug crushing her.

“Eheheheh… Sorry darling... So, how does dinner at a restaurant sound for Friday night?” Rarity said with a slight giggle.

“Sounds like a plan. But what kind of restaurant?” Twilight inquired.

“Oh, it’s a fabulous place. Some find it a bit upscale and fancy, but it does have an old world tavern sort of feel to it. I have been there a few times with family, it’s in the Old Town District.” Rarity smiled

“You mean Ponyville.” Twilight corrected.

“Well, yes, they are one and the same afterall. So how does that sound?” Rarity asked.

“Sounds great. But how are we going to get there?” Twilight counter-inquired.

“Leave that to me, darling.” Rarity winked.

Why does that scare me? Midnight cringed a bit.

No clue. Maybe you’re paranoid? Twilight responded.

That applies to you as well. Midnight countered.

Touche. Twilight thought before saying to Rarity: “Knowing you, it will be fabulous, though I am afraid we must cut this short. It seems our friends don’t know the meaning of privacy.” The last sentence out of Twilight’s mouth was answered by the sound of four mares bolting to either their rooms or the couch in a vain attempt to feign their innocence in the matter.

After a few moments of silence, Twilight and Rarity bursted out in a fit of laughter over their friends antics. Once the laughter died down, both mares took a moment to catch their breaths. Breaking the silence, Twilight stated: “But, seriously Rarity, I do look forward to this Friday night, come whatever may.” Though I hope, whatever it is, it doesn’t break your heart.

“Me too, Twilight, me too.” Rarity giddily stated. I pray to the heavens that you like what I have in store. And if that doesn’t, well then I just won’t stop till you are mine, my dearest Twilight. Rarity thought with a grin.
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Author's Note

edited by Sam Cole and Fusion Fool the Third

leave comments and questions below

song(s) used:
My Demons by Starset

Final Note:
I like to apologize for these two chapters coming out so late, also the next chapter will be delayed as college starts up again on January 13th for me