After The Fall

Dax climbed out of bed. He looked at his watch. Shit, 10:00. Well he did get thrown through a window, stabbed with glass, and took a stool to the head. He pulled on some clothes and walked out of his room onto the bridge.

Vinyl and Ajax were talking. Both were laughing.

“Hey there sleepy head,” Vinyl smiled, “Ajax was just filling me in about last night.”

Dax rubbed the sleep out of his eyes.

“Well it was nothing really. I’m sure you would have done the same for me an-” he was cutoff as Vinyl bear hugged him.

“Sorry you have to save my sorry ass all the time,” she sighed.

“Oh please, I used to know someone who couldn’t go around the corner without getting into some sorts of trouble. Now can you please stop collapsing my lungs?” he gasped.

She grinned sheepishly, “So who was your friend?”

Dax grew solemn, “Doesn’t matter now. She’s gone and won’t be coming back anytime soon.”

Ajax took careful notes about this interaction. This had to be done right or the careful psychological pealing could become a smashing disaster.

“Ok,” Vinyl said, “But seriously, thanks for last night.”

“No problem Scratchy.”

Vinyl left and went home. Dax helped Ajax run the store for a while before heading over to Twilight’s tree. No one gawked at him now as he walked down the street. But that was probably because no one was out and about today which was strange. He was now almost a fixture of the town and the residents had welcomed him accordingly. He’d met everyone in the town at least once and could always see at least one person going about their business at any point in the day.

He walked towards the library, maybe he’d check out a book on early Equestrian history again. He opened the door. It was pitch black. Before his night vision kicked in the lights flew on and a hoard of people all yelled, “SURPRISE!!!”

Dax jumped so high he nearly smacked his head against the ceiling. As he came down he noticed a large ‘Welcome to Ponyville’ sign. Everyone in town was here. Twilight, Rainbow, Fluttershy, Rarity, AJ, even the Doctor was here.

Pinkie Pie and Vinyl ran up to him with huge grins on their faces.

“DO YOU LIKE IT?” Pinkie yipped, “We’ve been planning this for days now! Vinyl wanted to throw this sooner but I said to wait until you were least expecting it so the surprise would be all the more surprising!”

Vinyl blushed and rubbed her neck, “We planned this for a while. Do you like it?” Her confidence seemed lulled and her spunky personality that normally shielded her seemed missing.

Dax’s jaw dropped. No one had ever done anything like this for him before. Sure Ajax drugged him and Naomi dragged him to a party but nothing like this. Though there was one thing…

“I…I…I love it,” Dax sputtered, “Thanks Pinkie.”

Vinyl’s head seemed to drop. Dax smiled, “You too Vinyl. I love it. Thank you.”

Vinyl looked up and her eyes lit up. She grinned, “It’s the least I could do. I know I can’t repay you for what you did for me but-”

“You don’t have to repay me. Just knowing a friend is safe is enough reward for me. Now come on, this is a party isn’t it?”

The mischief in her eyes returned. She slapped a pair of headphones on Dax’s head and pulled a pair on herself, “You’re on.”

She took his hand and dragged him up to the DJ station. She held up a flash drive.

“Think you can handle this?” she smirks.

Dax cracked his knuckles, “Please.”

Vinyl hit a switch and the lights shut died followed by the systematic activation of laser lights.

Dax stepped up to the turntables, “Ponyville! Are you ready?!”

A loud cheer answered him as the music started and dancing began.

***

Six years ago. Colombia, Luau Providence. Island of Donahue.

Dax was nervous. This was the first party the brass had actually thrown the trainees. After a few days of arguing the Admiral had gotten the regulation changed.

Dax and his company were on one of the tropical islands of Colombia. For the first time in three years the trainees were allowed off the Battle school for a vacation. And at this party he was going to make sure that neither Naomi nor Ajax drugged him. He’d stayed pissed at her for over a week before finally admitting to her and himself that he had fun that night.

But just to make sure that Ajax’s manipulative personality didn’t decide to show itself again he learned how to mix music and how to DJ at parties so he could remain invulnerable to her schemes. But tonight he was nervous.

“Relax,” a smooth British voice said. It was Ajax, “You’ll do great.”

Dax was sitting on one of the rocky outcropping that led back to the edge of the resort and out of the cove. The other trainees were on the beach or in the water having fun as they waited for the show to start.

“Easy for you to say,” Dax mumbled, “You won’t have everyone’s attention for the next four hours. What if I screw up? What if they laugh at me? Wha-”

“Again you are too high strung about this,” Ajax said, “Do you want me to get Naomi again?”

Dax’s old friends terror and horror returned to his face, “No no no no no no no no no no. I swear I’ll start keeping a gun on me if any of you do that to me again.”

“Then get out there. Those guys and gals are getting a bit rowdy out there. Go out there company commander,” Ajax said making a shoving motion, “Don’t be such a wuss.”

A few months ago Dax and his team did exceptionally well on one of the Admiral’s own personally designed exercises. After a few weeks Dax was promoted to squad leader. And one week before the party he was promoted to company commander.

Overall he was happy. She’s right, Dax thought, Stop having stage fright.

“Fine mom,” Dax smiled. He got up off the rock and jumped down onto the beach. He like all the other trainees was wearing tropical causal wear. He had on a bathing suit and a Hawaiian button up with a pair of aviators on his head. As he approached the party area a chant could be heard.

“DAX! DAX! DAX!” the trainees cheered as he approached the large crowd.

They all parted as he came closer, clearing a path to the turntables. I should feel comfortable, he thought, they’re all my friends. Hell they’re my family, even if some of them are a bit harder to live with, Dax grinned as he saw Naomi in the crowd.

She was wearing a sarong. The skirt fell only to her ankles. On her feet was a pair of flip flops. She wore a red top with a flower pattern running across it. In her hair was some sort of blue tropical flower. Her brown hair was tied in a ponytail behind her head.

Something other than her outfit was different about her. Her cheeks were red as she blushed furiously. Her normally spunky, straight forward personality was missing; replaced by something different.

Dax got behind the turntables and waved to the crowd. They all cheered and whistled. Dax grabbed a speaker and brought it to his face.

“Gosh this is awkward,” he blushed, “Never done a show like this before. Especially in front of all you guys.

Never realized how bad stage fright is until now. Well, better get started. I’ll try not to disappoint; be gentle, my face bruises easily.”

The crowd laughed at his joke as he pulled his shades down over his eyes. He pulled up the holoscreen and tapped a button as he pulled on his headphones. He turned back to the turntables as the music began to play.

Cheers rose up as people began to dance. Lasers and holograms danced above the crowd. It was low tide. Night was falling as the moon rose up into the sky.

Soon the party would get wilder as the tide came in. The bar would soon become a swim up as the night rode on.

The beat of the music could almost be seen sending ripples across the water. The trainees who were supposed to become super soldiers were having the time of their lives. Many of them literally let their hair down and let themselves lose control. Dax smiled as he watched some of the most serious members of the company go crazy on the beach. Unfortunately this was one of those ‘what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas’ deals so he was forced to let them live the events of this night down.

Four hours later Dax finished but the party was far from over. Dax threw on a mix he made to keep the crowd entertained for the next few hours. But for now he was crowd surfing.

Cheers rose up from the crowd. From the sounds of it he did well for his first time as DJ. He felt like the center of the world. It was the best feeling in the world. He was tossed into the air and caught before being dunked in the ocean.

Dax jumped out of the water laughing along with his friends. They all came up to him, ruffling his hair and playfully punching his shoulders.

“That was so awesome!” Danny said as he ran up to him.

“Dude you are a natural at this. What were those songs you played and where can I get them?” Adrian asked.

Dax rubbed the back of his neck, “Actually those were all original compositions I made for the occasion. You’re all welcome to the files if you want.”

“Awesome!” Adrian said as the crowd cheered.

The night wore on. The shock trainees were doing all sorts of activities. Some were swimming in the ocean, playing volley ball, or just plain passed out on the beach. Others were off skinny dipping in the more secluded coves while others were just plain missing, most likely back in their hotel rooms enjoying life to the fullest.

Dax sat on his rock again overlooking the party. He’d decided to take a brief respite before rejoining the party. Ajax materialized behind him, “Some party huh?”

“I’ll say. I’m having the time of my life,” Dax grinned. But he sighed, “Some of the others seem to be having a bit more fun than some of us.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Oh I think you know,” Dax sighed, “I almost wish the Admiral didn’t give me command of the company…”

“Why? You’re the one best suited to command them. They’ll follow you to hell and back if you ordered them to. Who else but you?” Ajax asked.

Dax looked down at the party. A couple left the party and ran off back towards the hotel. It was Adrian and Daisy.

“You wouldn’t understand.”

“Try me I-” she was cut off as Naomi walked up onto the rock. Dax didn’t seem to notice her but Ajax did. Ajax noticed something about her. Her spunky, confident, bubbly personality seemed missing. Her heartbeat was higher, her hands were trembling. This wasn’t new. This had been happening the last few weeks along with other things. Normally she’d just keep her bed head hair do and throw on whatever uniform happened to be on the floor of her quarters that morning but now she started to care more about her personal appearance. She’d grown more forgetful and was growing more worry some.

“I’ll just be going now,” Ajax said and winked out of existence.

“Wait what?” Dax turned around. Naomi was standing before him. She was holding one of her arms and was looking at her feet.

“Hey Dax,” she said, her voice softer than normal, “Can I talk to you about something?”

Hmm, Dax thought, this isn’t like her. Dax said, “Sure.” He tapped a spot on the rock next to him.

She sat down. She was careful to avoid looking into his eyes.

“So what’s bothering you?” Dax asked concerned.

She turned to face him, her face flushed.

“I…I…Uh,” she stuttered, “I…I…I have to t-tell you something.” She looked back at her feet.

Dax smiled at his second in command, “Shoot.”

***

Dax stepped out of the DJ station, letting the music play on auto. He walked to the punch bowl and grabbed a cup. Vinyl ran up to him.

“That was so awesome!” she yipped, “I may have said this before but you have a knack for this.”

Dax grinned, “I guess I do if you say so, oh Grand Master of the Turntables.”

She playfully punched him in the shoulder, “Oh stop it you.”

They shared a laugh before Vinyl got distracted.

“Oh there’s Octavia, I’ll be right back,” she said before disappearing into the crowd.

Dax grabbed a plate of vegetables and wandered through the crowd, munching on a carrot.

“This place sure is something isn’t it?” a voice behind Dax said. Dax turned. It was the Doctor.

“Doctor! How are you?” Dax said.

“I’ve been doing well these five hundred years since I last saw you or five months since you last saw me. These temporal planes are a funny thing. They never line up.”

“I wouldn’t know much about that since I’m not constantly jumping from reality to reality.”

They talked a bit about the Doctor’s adventures and all the times he’d saved the world from certain destruction and what little Dax had done the five months since the Doctor had seen him.

“You seem troubled, more than normal I mean,” The Doctor said.

“What do you mean by that?”

“You’ll find out unless you’re more clueless than your class thought, Mr. Voted Least Likely to Take a Hint.”

“You weren’t there for that, nor were you at Luau that week. How was I supposed to know?” Dax groaned.

“Gee, were you paying attention during that psychology course? You honestly should have noticed.”

“Well no one told me I was being promoted to Company Commander that week either. That fucking changed everything for me. Any hopes for anything like that went out the window as soon as they gave me those bars.”

“They wouldn’t have done that if you had been paying attention. You’re right that something like that could have affected your ability to command but you still could have worked something out. All I’m trying to say Dax is don’t make the same mistake twice. Here you aren’t restricted by military regulation. As she would have said, let your hair down,” the Doctor smiled sadly.

Dax sighed sadly, “Don’t remind me Doctor. This place reminds me of them enough,” he gave a wry smile, “But I’ll try.”

Vinyl ran up to him with a mischievous smirk on her face, “Dax! Drinking contest! Come on!” She grabbed his arm and dragged him over to a table.

Three others sat at the table; Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie. Vinyl sat Dax down in a seat.

“You’re looking at the three champions for the past five years!” Vinyl said excitedly.

“And what am I doing?” Dax asked.

Vinyl put her hands on his shoulders and quietly whispered, “You’re going to win with that funny physiology of yours.”

She stood up and declared, “Alright everyone! Bets will be placed here and now!”

People gathered around and started shouting.

“I’ve got 20 bits on Rainbow Dash!” one said.

“Put 30 on AJ!” Another said.

“I’ll put 15 on Pinkie.”

Vinyl stood up, “Put it all on Dax!”

Dax gulped and looked at his competition. Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie all had mischievous looks on their faces as they looked between them.

“Alright everyone! Rules are as follows: Winner is whoever drinks the most before passing out. No stealing another competitor’s cup; that means you Pinkie! Bathroom breaks are allowed,” A bartender with a tray of cups appeared and placed four in the center of the table, “And…Begin!”

Instantly Rainbow, AJ, and Pinkie all had their mugs in their hands and had downed their first round before slamming them on the table and yelling for more. Dax guzzled his drink just as Rainbow was finishing her second.

Vinyl’s red eyes watched intently. Twilight walked up to her, “Are you sure about this? I mean betting on Dax. He’s not drinking too much.”

Vinyl grinned and turned to Twilight, “Please, since has one of my ideas ever failed?”

“Well there was th-” Vinyl shushed her.

“Don’t answer that.”

The day wore on. Pinkie passed out after about 20 mugs. Rainbow passed out rather comically. She’d flapped her wings rather violently before keeling over, taking her unfinished cup with her. She’d managed to finish 30. Now it was between AJ and Dax. Dax was on his 37th cup while AJ was finishing her 40th.

“Ah’ll tell ya aliensh boyish,” she slurred, her Stetson falling off her head, “You’vesh shput up a mightly fine fight but you’re gonna loshe…” her head hit the table with a thud. Dax shrugged and continued on drinking.

He went through about 10 more, finishing about 47 mugs before he called it quits. Vinyl being the only one who bet on Dax took home about 200 bits. Everyone marveled as Dax stood up without even a hint of drunkenness.

Dax left as the party wound down. Vinyl walked with him.

“That was awesome!” Vinyl said, “Come on, high five me on that one. That was a great idea and you know it.”

Dax smiled. Her spunky personality was almost intoxicating. Her confidence contagious.

“It was,” he smirked, “So I’ve noticed that in all the time we’ve spent together you’ve never went into too much detail about any electronic music. Why’s that?”

She smirked, “You’ll see hero boy.”

“So it’s a surprise?” Dax smiled, “You know you kinda remind me o-” Dax stopped himself.

“I remind you of whom?”

Dax sighed, “No one. I’m just remembering something I’d rather forget.”

Vinyl’s expression softened, “Do you want to talk about it? I’m here for you if you need anyone. It’s the least you deserve.”

It’s the least you deserve. Those words echoed through his mind. What did he deserve? What did he want most?

“Thanks but I’m fine for now.”

They walked in silence until they reached the ship. Dax said goodbye to Vinyl before walking up the gangplank. Ajax was waiting for him.

“So what’d you do today?” she asked.

“I had a party thrown for me. I met the Doctor again. Normal stuff.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, just reflecting on what the Doctor told me.”

“What’d he tell you?”

“Don’t make the same mistake twice and to let my hair down.”

Ajax went into thought, which for an A.I. could last from a nanosecond to a full second before the complex formulas and calculations finally came to a conclusion. She knew exactly what the Doctor meant. This needed to work.

“Well maybe he’s right. This place is a paradise by our standards. Enjoy it,” Ajax said. Under her breath she continued, “And maybe you’ll find something that’ll make you stay.”

Dax smiled thinking of Vinyl, “Alright, I’ll play it your way.”

“Good.”

***

Dax woke up to someone shaking him.

“Wake up Wake up Wake up,” the slangy feminine voice said.

Dax rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. A pair of red eyes peered at him.

“Oh sweet Jesus, Vinyl?” Dax grumbled.

“Yup!”

“What are you doing here?”

“Well I have a surprise for you and Ajax let me in and told me to wake you up so get up,” she yipped pulling the blankets off of him.

“Wait Vinyl-”

“Whoa,” Vinyl turned red, “I didn’t say to get That up!”

Dax blushed and moaned, “I can’t help it. It’s morning.”

Vinyl stared at him before breaking out in laughter followed by Dax.

“Oh ha ha ha ha ha ha,” she gasped, “I don’t even know why that’s so funny!”

Dax wiped his eyes, “Me neither!”

After getting control of themselves, Vinyl let Dax get changed before joining him in the Mess hall for breakfast.

“So what type of foods do your people eat?” Vinyl asked.

“Well we are an omnivorous people so we eat a lot but a lot of us are Vegetarians. I personally know a lot of vegetarian dishes,” Dax said, “Some people were extremely picky with their eating.”

“There anything you can whip up real quick?”

“Well there is a vegetable quiche I can make.”

“What’s a ‘quiche?’”

Dax stepped up to the kitchen counter. It rested behind a bar area and had an open layout. He pulled up a kitchen hat an apron, “You’ll see.”

Vinyl had a funny expression on her face,  “Kiss the cook?”

“Wait what?!” Dax flustered. He turned behind him. Ajax was standing there with a hand covering the huge grin on her face.

“Oh you’re evil,” Dax moaned.

“I know. Wish I could stay but places to be, things to do, people to meet.” she said as she left. She reappeared on the bridge before pulling up everything she knew about the Griffon Kingdom. She would inform Dax about these recent events later but for now she would wait. Let him have his fun for now.

***

“So...” Vinyl said pacing, “I bet you’re all wondering why I called you all here.”

She was standing in Twilight’s library. Before her were Dax, Twilight, AJ, Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash.

“Yeah just a little bit,” Rainbow Dash yawned.

“Well allow me to show you something so awesome even you Rainbow Dash will be impressed by it,” she pulled an almost cartoonish motion and disappeared only to return with a huge billboard with a map of Equestria drawn on it.

“Now what do you all see here?” Vinyl asked.

“A map?!” Pinkie yipped.

“Wrong!” Vinyl shouted. She grabbed a marker and drew stars all over certain locations all along the map, “This is a map of a tour that covers all over Equestria! And I’m inviting all of you to come with me to help me show Dax the best and brightest of all of Equestria!”

“This is amazing! But a trip like this will require weeks of planning and the dates you’ve written down here will require we draw up an itinerary rather quickly,” Twilight said.

“I know,” Vinyl said, “Which is why I planned this whole thing out a month ago! Dax! You in?”

This would certainly be the first time Dax was on a road trip without having to kill something. Hmm, he thought, what the hell? Ajax said to relax so might as well say, “You bet!”

Vinyl’s face lit up like a Christmas tree, “Aw yes! Well, anyone else coming or is it just Dax and I?” A naughty, mischievous look crossed her face, “Not that I wouldn’t mind.”

Dax flushed and his eyes darted left to right, “Anyone else in?”

Pinkie pie jumped to her feet, “Oh yes yes yes I am. There will parties galore in those cities you marked.”

Rainbow Dash grinned, “I’m coming too. At the very least to keep your hands off the poor guy.”

“What?!” Now it was Vinyl’s turn to blush, “Geez it was just a joke.”

“Oh relax Darling,” Rarity said, “I will be accompanying you too. This will be an excellent opportunity to get some inspiration and new fabric for my shop. Are you coming Fluttershy dear?”

“Oh um, I guess if it’s ok.”

“I don’t know if I can,” Twilight said, “I’d have to leave the library an-”

Spike came down the stairs, “You are going! Four weeks of peace and quiet and the house to myself is not something I’m gonna pass up on. You’re going.”

“Oh I don’t know ah… Oh what the heck. The library is yours Spike.”

“Finally,” the dragon boy said, “Now to catch up on some sleep.”

“So we’re all coming? Yes? Good!” Vinyl grinned. She ran up to Dax.

“Do you know what the best part of this trip is gonna be?” she had a mischievous grin on her face.

“Uh… No?” he responded.

“The Raves,” she smirked. Dax swore that he could have seen a glint of purple light run across her ruby red eyes…