Princess Luna sat poised on a cliffside overlooking the small town of Ponyville. She let out a deep sigh, keeping her eyes averted from the bright moon overhead. It no longer bore her face but everytime she looked at it she was reminded of all her wrongdoings, the jealousy and guilt that had lead her to almost destroy the very world she wished had loved her. But one thing had lead to another, and here the world was, still turning and bustling with life. Just rememering that much was enough to jerk her out of her occasional bouts of self-pity.
Her sister had her palace in Canterlot, and though Luna was always free to stay she rarely did. There was a lot she'd missed over the past thousand years, and she more often than not found herself wandering Equestria, not even minding the occasional danger because it meant getting a chance to live again.
Even so, she couldn't help but be a little disappointed. Though she had a better handle over her negative emotions this time her handiwork was still somewhat unappreciated. Even now the world seemed to shut down at nightfall, and it was no different here. The lights in the houses below were gradually extinguished to match the coming darkness, and before too long not a creature stirred. No one was out stargazing or tracing constellations or witnessing the beauty of her creation.
It seemed that Luna didn't look very closely the first time, as near the centre of town there was a faint movement of what was definitely a pony. She locked onto it and, excited to finally see that somepony was appreciating her night, she lept off the cliff and descended.
Luna's approach was silent and discreet, dropping her normal Canterlot demeanour of approaching by chariot and gliding down on her own wings. Her landing was graceful and, head low, she trotted through the sleeping town. Looking left and right, past closed blinds and the warm glow of faded streetlamps, she finally found her target. It was a young unicorn mare, her electric blue mane only barely muted by the darkness. The mare seemed to get the sense that she was being watched, and she looked up from her turntable.
She lifted her dark glasses, and her red eyes stared at the Princess with disbelief.
"Luna? ...Finish a gig, get visited by a princess. So what's the charge. Too loud?"
Luna carefully composed herself, keeping the Royal Canterlot Voice at bay.
"Erm... No. You have done nothing wrong, subject. We just... noticed that you were still awake at this hour."
The mare smiled. "Yeah, I'm kind of a night owl like that. But I thought you liked those kind of ponies."
"I do! I mean... Yes, we do have a special respect for those who appreciate our night. It is not often that we find subjects that do so."
"Well, you found one. Truth be told, there's a whole world out there that does. Guess you just haven't looked in the right places."
"Really?" Luna had a hard time concealing the spark of joy that bubbled up in her heart, but kept her composure. "And what part do you have in this world, Miss..."
"Vinyl." She answered, "It's a world I live and breath, your Highness. Not sure just how important little ol' me is to it, but I wouldn't trade it for anything."
"With all due respect," Luna drew back slightly, "That does not answer our question..."
Vinyl gave a grin. "There's nothing to tell. It can't be put into words..." She seemed puzzled for a moment, looking back and forth before suddenly perking back up, rushing behind her turntable again, using her magic to adjust and untangle various wires. "But if you'd like I can show you. I have enough still set up."
"Please!" Luna was, at this point, grinning just as widely. "I want to see...! I mean... We mean..." She looked away for a moment, embarrassed before turning back to Vinyl. "Yes. Please show us the secret to this 'night world' you speak of."
"Okay," replied Vinyl, tugging out a headset from the mess, "You gotta use some headphones though. It's really late, after all," she said with a knowing smirk, "That's okay, though. It's the best way to really feel the music." Seeming more excited, Vinyl fit the headset over Luna's ears snugly.
Luna seemed rather uneasy, shifting on her hooves and certainly not used to this pressure on her head. "Alright... We trust that you know what you are speaking of..."
"'Kay... if you're ready." Vinyl couldn't hide her giddyness as she shuffled through her records. With a delighted little gasp she finally picked one, lifting it out and putting it in the player. "Let's start you off with something slow. Nice, easy buildup. Don't wanna rush it." Using her magic again, she lifted the needle and set it down, turning on the player.
Luna's head shot up as the music began to pump through the headphones. It was, as Vinyl had said, slow. Soft and sweet too, a piano melody caressing her ears like a gentle breeze. It had been a thousand years since she'd actually taken time to listen to music, and she couldn't remember anything this beautiful. Though she knew better, there was something about the music, as if it was speaking directly to her, bringing to her head pleasant memories. For a moment she was lost in it.
Underneath the melody something else was welling up, an instrument she didn't recognize, creating a melody of its own. It grew louder and louder until it overtook the piano, fading it out as it continued to dominate, other sounds joining in the beautiful cacophony as the music kept building and building... she was unfamiliar with this kind of music but even she knew something had to burst...
The song went silent for just a second, and then...
"Ah!"
It was like nothing she'd ever experienced! The music itself was ecstatic, the now-powerful bass a pounding heartbeat that flowed through her. So much energy! So much life! She felt her body start to match the beat of the song, moving to it without even thinking about it. This is what Vinyl had been talking about. Somewhere out there this music gave her night, her masterful creation a beauty and life of its very own, fueling the fire in ponies to appreciate its beauty and the unique experience revelling in it could give. Luna didn't even care how silly she looked, moving nearly aimlessly to this music. She was consumed with the same spirit that possessed those like Vinyl, those that embraced the night and didn't hide from it, but celebrated it.
Vinyl looked on the scene. She knew the song like the back of her hoof. It was a crowd favourite, and it seemed that Luna had taken a liking to it too. She couldn't help but feel proud of herself. Who knew that it would be the humble little DJ that would teach a Princess that her domain was still valued?
The record ran out and the song ended, and Luna just stared over at Vinyl, panting slightly from the dancing she'd subconsciously done. She was wearing a very big smile.
"Didja like that" Vinyl asked, smiling just as wide back at the Princess. Luna nodded eagerly.
"O-oh my... Yes..." she said, trying to keep herself dignified, but that wasn't going to be an easy task. "That was... incredible..."
"Glad you thought so." Vinyl said, "But hey, I've probably already took up enough of your time. I'm just happy you know now." She ducked back under the turntable, but Luna quickly darted forward.
"Wait...!" she nearly shouted, "Um... I think I have time for one more..."
Vinyl popped back up, record already at the ready, "Of course, Your Highness."