Lost in the Rhythm

Redux

Written By: Jay The Stormtrooper

Edited By: Zoetic Zebra, Alcatraz, Eppie Genetic, and Lunatone

Chapter I - The Risk Taker

"Well? What do you think?" The cyan pegasus mare stood by my side as I stared apprehensively at the large nightclub standing before me. "I promise you its gonna be great. You'll have tons of fun!" Now before I continue allow me to get one thing straight: I don't like going to big parties. Especially ones like this. Back home, I was a man with strong intellectual integrity. In other words: a nerd. And being a nerd, I enjoyed nerdy activities. Most of aforementioned activities didn't involve things like this.

Needless to say I did not approve.

"Yeah, I'm not too sure on this one," I argued, fixing my crooked glasses. "We've been over this, Dash. You already know where I stand on this." I have known this mare for six months and yet she still doesn't take my dislike for partying into account.

The diminutive pegasus snorted and frowned up at me. "Look, if you're really serious about meeting a mare, then you're not going to do it sitting at home doing nothing. I'm telling you this is the best way to meet somepony!" As much I loathed to admit, she was right. I wasn't going to get anywhere just sitting on my ass at home, twiddling my thumbs. I've been here in Equestria for a while now. As time went on, I began to feel lonely. I've been talking with Rainbow about getting with a mare and she believed this was a practical solution. Though, I do disagree.

How did I come about meeting frustatingly exuberant, little pony? Well, during my first few days living here in Ponyville, I met the young pegasus while I was sitting around in a remote part of town. She saw me and, wouldn't you know it, we ended up becoming friends, though there weren't too many things we shared in common. Next thing I know we're hanging out daily. When I first arrived here, it was difficult for me to completely start over by making a new life for myself and finding new friends. Thanks to a certain princess, she began introducing me to the local populace. Most ponies were a little surprised to see a six-foot tall ape standing in front of them, but eventually, and with much needed encouragement, the ponies eventually felt more comfortable with me hanging around. Although, this is the last place I thought I would have to go.

"Yes I 'm very well aware of that, but couldn't we find a simpler solution? You know, one that does not involve going to this place?" I gestured over to the pulsating nightclub, where there was a long line of ponies waiting to get inside. This little social space was known as The Spinning Vinyl, it's white and blue neon sign hanging above the entrance. A fitting name, since apparently DJs both local and well known would perform here on a daily basis. The music, in my opinion, was less than tasteful. I preferred some softer music. You know, the type that doesn't make me want to pull a Kurt Cobain.

"Look," She groaned in frustration. "I know you don't like clubs and all that, but just trust me on this one, Ethan. You're never gonna get anywhere if you don't take a few risks." I never liked taking risks, not even as a teenager; I always liked to play it safe. As of now I was well into my early twenties, you know the golden years of young people. Once you get to the thirties it just goes downhill from there. "C'mon, I'll be there with you. Would you rather be doing this with somepony who won't have your back like me?"

"I would rather not do this at all," I clicked my tongue, crossing my arms; a look of apprehension adorning my face. "I mean, I can handle having a few drinks, but dancing is where I draw the line."

"Now there's an idea!" She exclaimed, floating up in front of me. "We'll just go in, have some drinks, mingle with a few ponies, and who knows? Maybe somepony will like you." That seemed to make sense to me. I didn't have to make a fool out of myself dancing, I could just have few drinks, leave when I felt like it... I know I was going against everything that I believed in, but I really wanted a drink. Been a good long while since I've had one. I hesitantly started to consider Rainbow's proposition.

"So I don't have to dance?" She nodded. "I can leave when I want?" She nodded again, unkempt hair shifting. "Alright then, Rainbow. You've talked me into it. But, on one condition."

"And what would that be?"

"You owe me twenty bits, if I go home alone," She seemed a bit astounded at the terms of my wager. "And if by some miracle I end up going home with a mare, then that proves you were right, and I'll pay up. Sound fair?"

"Seriously?" she frowned at me, "that's a bit too much don't ya think?"

"Rainbow, you're forcing a scholar to go into a nightclub," I said, "that's like making a fish climb a tree."

"Can you please stop using weird human references?" she rolled her rosy eyes. "What does that even mean?"

I couldn't stop myself from face palming. "Rainbow. Seriously. Even a foal could probably figure that one out." Okay, maybe that was a bit over the top. "Look, I'm sorry.. I really would rather not do this."

"Its fine," she assured, waving a hoof, "but seriously, why twenty bits?",

"Like I said, this is something that I'm not too excited about."

"Do I really to agree to this?" She asked, arching a brow at me.

I thought for a moment. "Honestly, if I come out of this empty handed, then yes you do," I said, crossing my arms. "I'm still getting used to things around so I'd say the odds of me going home alone are pretty high."

"Yeah, but the only way you'd have a bad time is if you actually try to have one," she argued, "seriously, this is the biggest club in Ponyville!" And that really isn't saying much for this backwater town.

"Look, do we have a bet or not?" I knew she couldn't stand up a challenge. Hopefully her competitive nature would help me out here.

She scratched her chin thoughtfully for a brief second. "Hmm, fine!" she held out one of her hooves and I met it with my fist. "So, ready to go in?"

I looked at the club standing before me. At that moment it felt like the club had gotten bigger, looming like some sort of monstrosity. My legs were quivering and I wasn't even inside yet; Rainbow stood by my side waiting impatiently for me to make my first move. "Well?" She asked, raising her eyebrow inquisitively. It seems like my body can't keep the promises my mouth makes.

"Just give me a second," I still just stood there, my palms moistening and my knees locked up tighter than a vault in Fort Knox.

"Now?"

"Nope," I muttered.

"How about now?" She tapped her rear hoof impatiently.

"Any second now, just give me a moment." I said as I ran my hand through my short brown hair. This however did not appease her as well as I wanted since she began using her head to nudge me into the club. "Waitwaitwait, I'm not ready yet!"

"Nope! We're going in now," she grunted as she pushed me to the entrance. Despite her small size, she did have brutish strength. Then again I was not exactly packing in the muscle department. I am a fairly tall, skinny man so it was no surprise that she was able to move me with ease. Dash barely reached up to my lower stomach. Oddly enough, the tallest pony I've seen only went up to about four feet. "Look, I'll be right there with you. Just relax!"

"But- but there's a long line!" I complained. "I don't think the other ponies would be okay with us just cutting in front of them!" My complaining was all for naught since she still kept pushing at me with her powerful little hooves. And I mean little, she was smaller and more petite than most ponies I've seen.

"Please! You think I need to wait in line?" I heard her laugh as we got closer and closer to the front door, where a burly black earth stallion was standing as the bouncer. "Just watch this."

We finally reached the door and he took notice of our approach. At first I had hoped that things would be simple and we would not be able to get in so easily. My worst fears were confirmed when he smiled genially at us.

"Sup, Rainbow!" he chuckled, his voice several octaves deeper than mine. "I see you have your human friend there with you."

"Sup, Gage! And yeah I brought Ethan along this time!" she bumped her hoof against his. "Anyways, we're just going to head on in, mind letting us through?" Goddamn you Rainbow and your popularity.

"Sure thing," he turned around and unhooked the rope with his teeth and nodded for us to go through. I could hear the sounds of other ponies complaining about the two of us getting to go in first when they've been waiting for a while.

"Hey! Why do they get to go in before any of us!" I heard a mare shout.

"Yeah! Why do they get to go in?!" a stallion added.

"Relax, you all, you'll get to go in. Eventually," I heard Gage guffaw as he roped off the entrance once again. Rainbow nudged me further into the depths of the club. From the entryway I could hear the music getting louder.

We entered the heart of the club and right away I could feel the sensation of the music vibrating my bones. The rhythm of the music pulsed in my chest as if it was my own heartbeat. My ears felt like they had gone numb to everything else and all I could hear was the loud techno music. All around there were ponies of all kinds loitering about, either carrying a drink with them or just talking and laughing with others. At first I expected to see everyone stare at me as soon as I walked in, but most were either too drunk, high, or busy to notice the tall human walking in. I was relieved, to say the least.

Usually everywhere I went in this town I drew a lot of attention. Whether I wanted it or not. Even though I've been here for a while, I still manage to draw some curious stares my way. Thankfully, the townsponies have been generally welcoming.

"So! What do you think!?" she shouted over the loud music. The club was very well designed and not too big; toward the back I could see the bar (Hell yes). Far to the right from the entrance was the stage, where two unicorn DJs were jamming away at the turntables, the amps breathing fire out to the crowd. In the very center of everything was the dance floor, where ponies were stomping their hooves and swinging their heads this way and that, cheering and laughing. Along the sides were booths, mares and stallions alike occupying them and having a drink. Despite the nice interior design, I only had one thing to say:

"I think you're insane for talking me into this!" I shouted back.

"What?!" she replied, perking her ears.

"I said you're insane for making me do this!" I yelled louder.

"What?!" she yelled back, scrunching up her nose in concentration. My temper flared at that point.

"I said you're insane!"

"Oh!" she smiled, but scowled as soon as she realized what I said. "Hey! I'm not crazy, I just take risks! Unlike you, egghead!"

"Well, excuse me for the being the careful one!" I shot back. "Urgh, this damn music! I can barely hear my own thoughts!" I'm pretty sure if I could hear them, they'd be telling me to get the hell out of here.

"That's how you know the music is good!"

"Look, can we just go the bar?" I begged as I begun the treacherous trek over to the shrine of alcohol in the back. "I need some way to make this less insufferable!"

"Sure! Right this way!" I followed her deeper into the crowd, bumping into a few others here and there; on the way I received some more fresh stares. Hooray for me. You'd think they'd be used to me by now. At last we arrived at the bar, which was tended by a dark pink mare with a purple mane. I believe her name was, Fruit Punch? "Yo! Berry Punch!" Eh, right neighborhood at least. "Mind getting a couple of ciders for me and my friend here?" We took our seats at the bar and thankfully the stools were tall enough for me.

"Sure thing, Dash," She replied cheerfully and flashed us both a toothy grin before she turned and trotted towards the ice chest where they kept the hard apple ciders. Now, when it came to Equestrian alcoholic drinks, I preferred cider over everything else. I tried a couple of other drinks in my time here and let's just say I found their flower-flavored wine less than satisfactory. Ironically, one of the more popular drinks here in Ponyville was apple cider. More specifically because of the apple orchard, called Sweet Apple Acres run by Applejack herself, would sell their famous home brewed apple cider. Luckily I was here for their highly anticipated cider season and I tell you, I have never tasted something so good in my entire life. Me and Rainbow camped out in front of the farm for two whole days, just to get a taste of that sweet nectar.

Speaking of apples, for some reason Applejack wasn't as open with me like Rarity or even Fluttershy. Sure we would talk like nothing was wrong, but in the end, I always felt an awkward vibe with her. I thought that maybe she was still adjusting to my presence, but I didn't want to dwell on that for too long.

The barmare slid us our drinks and went about her business. I popped off the cap and took my first sip of this heavenly nectar, feeling the warm alcohol fall down my throat as I swallowed. "Ah, that's the good shit right there."

"Yeah," she agreed, taking a big gulp of her beverage. "you really needed to take a load off!"

"You could say that, yeah!" For a little while, we had small talk as we knocked back our drinks. I remember back in our first few conversations, I was always bitching and moaning about how I didn't fit in and I wasn't meant for this world, and 'I don't belong here' this and 'I need to go home' that. Nowadays I just talk about normal things like work. When Twilight got me a job as an archivist in the mayor's office, things actually started to look up for me. Almost to the point where I felt normal. Well, as normal as it could possibly be. Even though I don't technically fit in, after I started doing my daily routines, I began to feel like I did fit in. Sometimes things even felt as if I was back home.

However, sometimes, there are some nights where I suddenly wake up, scared out of mind, and forget where I am. Then I realize that I'm here, and not back home. Yeah, I'm still adjusting. Speaking of which, one thing that I never fail to notice is how skewed the damn population is. Throw a rock at any house here and odds are a mare will come out and yell at you. My point being that this town is dominated by females. Whether or not this is how things are in other cities is beyond me.

Before I knew it, I burned through about three bottles and my buzz was coming up on the horizon. And good timing too.

"Whoo!" Rainbow cheered as slammed down her fifth cider bottle. Damn, this mare could drink me under the table if she wanted. "So! You having fun yet, Ethan?" she nudged me with her elbow a little too hard and made my glasses fall off my nose. "Oops, sorry dude!"

"Its fine," I picked them up and slid them back on. Despite everything, I was able to give her a half-buzzed smile. "Okay, I'll admit, yes I am having a bit of fun," I admitted, taking another sip of my next cider. "I gotta say, thank you, Rainbow for doing this for me. I'm glad to know that you have my back on this. Without you, I wouldn't have any good friends here." I reached over and ruffled her mane.

She giggled and pulled away. "Yeah yeah, don't get all sappy on me now!" her ears perked up when the song that was playing changed into a electric guitar tune mixed with synth and drums. "Aww, yeah! This is my jam! I have to dance to this! Wanna come with?"

"No I do not," I grumbled as I continued drinking. "You can go ahead and shake your tail if you want, I'll stay here and enjoy my cider! Besides, you said that I don't have to dance remember?"

"Oh yeah, I forgot!"

"Really, we just went over that less than a half hour ago."

"Yeah yeah, whatever! I'll be back in a little bit!" With that she took to the air and bolted into the dancing crowd; within seconds she was stomping her hooves with the others and dancing the night away.

"Hmph, crazy mare," I chuckled, going back to my drink. After I finished the one I had, I ordered two more bottles and slammed them back, all within about fifteen minutes. "Oh jeez," I muttered as I burped a little too loudly. My head was starting to swim. Just what I wanted.

I turned in my seat and looked out into the crowd to try and spot her. Then again, it wouldn't be that hard trying to spot a brightly colored mane bobbing about in the crowd. Ah, there she was. I failed to stifle a laugh as I saw her shaking her flank with a big, toothy grin on her face. Right now I'd say she's about tipsy on the drunk scale. Okay, now she was doing the pony equivalent of 'grinding' with some stallion. I guess that bumps her up past sloppy and all the way up to horny. "Well, at least one of us would be going home happy tonight," I lamented as I took yet another drink. "Heh, looks like I'm gonna be getting twenty bits." It was more a Pyrrhic victory. Sure I'd be about twenty bits richer, but what about the real reason I came here? I mean, maybe I wasn't putting too much effort into this, but the way I see it, no mare doesn't seem interested in me in the slightest. Now I know getting with a mare, a female horse, may seem disturbing to some, but as a guy whose gone six months without the presence of a woman, I'm willing to make a few exceptions. Even then, these mares aren't like the ones back on Earth. Every pony here is all colorful with huge, bright eyes, and cute little muzzles. I rest my case. I'll be honest, I've stared at a few flanks here and there. Even Rainbow's...

Kinda hard not to stare when clothing isn't really a commodity.

Anyway, from what I can see, the odds are definitely not in my favor. "What the hell am I doing here?" I grumbled. Seems like coming here really was a mistake. Although this place was crowded, I still felt pretty down. On Earth, I was never really any good at parties. Always tucked into my shell like a turtle. I looked to the floor again and saw Rainbow still dancing without a care in the world.

I felt like I should leave. "Alright, you win this one, Rainbow. Again." I dug into my pocket to take out the bits to pay for my drinks; I pulled them out and set them down on the bar. "Time to blow this joint."

Suddenly, a voice froze me in my tracks as I was about to get up. "Hey!" The voice came from my right side and I slowly turned. At first I thought it was going to be some drunk that wanted to pick a fight with me. But that thesis was quickly disproved.

A snow white unicorn mare, with a wild, electric blue mane and tail, and purple shades over her eyes sat next to me. And the worst part was that I was so busy drowning in my own self pity that I failed to notice her. She was difficult to read with the sunglasses on. I couldn't tell what she was thinking. All I could see was the small smile she wore.

Of all the things I could say, I said this: "Uh, can I help you?"

"Maybe," she giggled, her voice carrying a confident tone, "mind telling me why you look all down in the dumps?" At the time, I was still a little grumpy, so I didn't respond very earnestly.

"Hmm, I should ask why you care," I grumbled.

"Jeez, I just asked a question, 'scuse me for trying," she took a sip of what looked like whiskey from her glass. "I'm guessing you're gonna take off now aren't you?" She seemed a bit disheartened that I was leaving. Maybe I should stay for a little while more.

"Uh, no not really," I adjusted my glasses. "Forgive me, I'm in a bit of a bad mood."

"Yeah no kidding, Mr. Grumpy Pants," she teased, "you know, I know almost every name of every pony that's been in my club. But you're not a pony, I've seen you around town, but not in here. Mind telling me your name?"

"Whoa, wait a tick, your club?" I raised an eyebrow, "This is your club?"

"Well duh, I didn't name it The Spinning Vinyl for no reason!" she laughed, taking another sip of whiskey. "I named it after me! Its officially my legacy!"

"So your name is Spinning Vinyl?" she broke into a fit of giggles, tapping her hoof on the bar as she laughed. "Was I that off?"

"Not really," she said, coming down from her mirth. "You got the Vinyl part right. But add Scratch to that and you got, boom!" she mimed an explosion with her fore legs. "Vinyl Scratch! Owner of this fine establishment! Nice to meet you." She held out her hoof expectantly, I responded by bumping it with my fist.

"Nice to meet you as well, Ms. Scratch."

"Just Vinyl will do," she giggled.

"Alright then, Vinyl," I agreed, nodding, "by the way, nice place you got here."

"Thanks, but you still haven't told me your name, mister," she said with a coy smile, waggling her hoof.

"Oh! Where are my manners?" I joked. Just so you know, I am not always this talkative. Everything from here on is the cider's fault. "My name is Ethan. But add a Collier to that and bam! You got Ethan Collier, pleasure to meet you."

"Pleasure is all mine, Mr. Caw-lee-err, is it?"

"You got it, but just Ethan will do," I copied her statement from before and we both laughed for a few moments. We finally quieted down and both took some pulls off our drinks before continuing our conversation.

"So, what brings you to my club?" she asked as Berry refilled her glass without a word.

"Well, not to offend you or anything, I didn't exactly plan on coming here tonight," I said, wincing, "not because your club is bad or anything, but simply because I don't like clubs in general. Never did, not even back on my world."

"Then why did you come?" she queried, her smile fading, "I mean if you don't like clubs then you shouldn't have come then should you?"

"Well thanks to a certain pegasus," I looked out into the crowd to see Dash still dancing like crazy, "I was convinced to come in here and have a drink."

"I'm guessing you don't dance?"

"How'd you know?"

"Lucky guess." she said, shrugging her shoulders.

"Right," I sighed ruefully, "but the real reason I even considered coming in here was, and I know I'm going to sound shallow saying this, to meet a mare."

"Meet a mare? In a nightclub of all places?" she asked incredulously, pressing a hoof to her chest dramatically. "Why, that is the most shallow thing you ever could have done!"

"But I uh- I didn't mean it like that I mean- uh..." I stammered, a blush forming on my cheeks. It was when she started laughing loudly did I get confused. "Something wrong?"

"Oh no, nothing's wrong," she gasped as she came down from her second laughing fit. "Its just you look so cute when you're all blushing and nervous. I almost shed a tear!"

"Am I really? I mean I never saw myself as cute when I uh, you know, blush," my cheeks flushed red and I scratched the back of my neck. It's a little tic of mine that happens when I'm embarrassed.

"Hey," she chided, "relax will ya? I'm just joking with you."

“Right, joking," A few moments of painfully awkward silence passed between us. I hadn't the slightest clue how to keep this going. Apparently she did.

"So, why don't you tell me a bit about yourself?" Where should I begin on this one?

"Well, uh, back on my world, I studied civil engineering. I was about to graduate, but uh, I ended up here."

"Really? Sounds pretty interesting. I'm guessing you're a real smart guy aren't you?" she asked, taking another sip from her half empty glass.

"I don't like to brag, but yes I am," I chuckled, reaching for my bottle once again. "Top of my class at Harvard University!"

"Wow, sounds pretty cool," she said, her compliment causing my chest to swell with pride. "You always been so smart?"

"From what my parents told me yes I was, ever since I was a boy" I regretted mentioning my childhood. It only brought back those familiar emotions I've tried to keep buried for so long. But those thoughts can come back another time. Right now I had other matters to tend to. With that out of mind, I took a harmless glance at her cutie mark, just to get an edge on what she liked. An eighth note. Musician, eh? "So you like music."

"Yeah, how'd you know?"

"Lucky guess," I said, mimicking her gesture from before. "Have you always liked music?"

"Yep! Ever since I was a little filly I loved music! My parents were musicians and I followed in their hoofsteps!" she stated proudly, taking another sip. "Oh and by the way, if you really wanted to know if I liked music you didn't have to look at my flank." She smirked knowingly as my cheeks turned red once again.

"Uh, how did you-"

"You can't fool me you know," she giggled as she finished off her glass. "Although I don't really blame you."

"Why is that?" I asked, "and forgive me for being rude." The way she said that. Jeez. A bit conceited isn't she?

"Its fine, and most stallions like to look at my flanks and less up at these," she pointed to her hidden eye. "Then again, I guess the shades keep them from doing just that, but hey! They're my trademark!"

"Well, I can clearly see why they like to ogle you," I said, causing her smile to widen. Was I seriously flirting? "but maybe you should take those off more often, give them something else to look at? I for one would like to see your eyes."

"Eh, maybe later," she finished off her glass and slammed it down. "I'll see you around, I gotta go do something."

"And what would that be?" I hoped I didn't scared her off or something. "Was it something I said?"

"Oh no, don't worry about it," she said, giggling, "I just have to go do something." She quickly got off her stool and started to trot off. "Oh! You know, as owner of this club, I'd appreciate it if you come out and dance to the next DJ."

"Um, I don't know if I should," I scratched my neck. "I'm not the best at dancing."

"Ha! You think the rest of these ponies know how to dance? Believe me, I've seen worse. And the next DJ coming up will be able get you jumping. If not, then I dunno what that DJ is gonna do! See you around!" she flashed another smile and trotted off to the back of the club, her tail flicking at me. So there I sat, frozen, dumbstruck. What was with this mare? Why did I feel so confused? Were we flirting or something? I didn't want to assume anything. Oddly enough, these ponies tend to be more animated than humans, giving me an edge to see what they were thinking and feeling. But this mare, I could not tell what she was thinking!

I turned back around and leaned forward onto the bar, placing my hands on my face. "Oh man, I did say something wrong," I mumbled. Great work, Ethan. This was your only chance, and you screwed it up. Smooth. Maybe I should just go back to my cottage-

There was a loud scratch from the from the DJ booth and everyone started cheering and stomping their hooves. I turned around and saw that the two unicorn DJs finished their set and were now waving at the crowd and bowing. Suddenly an arctic blue unicorn with an ash mane, three white stars on his flank, appeared in front of the stage with a microphone in his magical grasp. "Hello Ponyville! How we doing today?" Tumultuous stomps and loud cheers answered him. "I'm sorry I couldn't quite hear you, how we doing?!" Somehow the crowd got louder and my ears let me know how upset they were. "That's great! Good to hear that! Anyways, how's about we give it up for this awesome dynamic duo, Solstice and Equinox!" The yellow and orange unicorns bowed one more time, the crowd of ponies cheering at them. After taking in the applause, they turned tail and trotted off to backstage.

The unicorn onstage waited for the two DJs to leave and several roadies began moving equipment.

"Alright everypony! The main event will be on in a little bit! So we're just gonna take a ten minute break and we'll get right back to you! Sit tight!" With a flash he disappeared and everyone on the floor hastily trotted off to their booths and tables to find a seat and softer, generic music started playing from the speakers.

I saw Rainbow trotting happily out from the crowd, sweat glistening on her forehead and neck; nevertheless she had a bright, cheery smile on her face. She came back to me and sat down on her stool. "Oh, sweet Goddesses! That was sooooo awesome! Ethan you should've been out there with me, dude!" She exclaimed, blowing at her bangs.

"Well I'm glad you fun there, Rainbow," I said, helping her straighten out her mane, which looked a bit disheveled from all the dancing. "Jeez you really should brush your mane, and do you remember what we talked about, or did you forget while you were out there?"

She drunkenly swatted my hands away. "Hey, you know I'm toooo cooool to brusshhh my hair anyways!" she slurred out. Well, guess who just got bumped up to hammered. "And ya know what?" she pointed her hoof at me. Oh God, I could not hold back a grin. Rainbow was hilarious when she was drunk.

"What?" I smiled widely, "please speak your mind!"

"You better come and dance wit me when DJ Pon3 comes on! She's like, the best deejay in Ponyville! You have to dance to her music!"

"DJ Pon three?" I asked. "Who in the world is that?"

"Oh c'mon! What are you that dense?" She said, ridiculously throwing her hooves into the air. "I mean, like, whaddaya you live under a rock?" I forgot to mention she can be a little more abrasive when she's had a few.

"No, last time I checked I lived in a cottage near the outskirts of Ponyville," I said, offering her a smirk.

"Hey!" she snapped, socking my shoulder, "don't go and get shnippy with me, Ethan! I swear like, I'll give you the biggest, wettest, sloppiest kiss you ever got!" Okay, now things are getting a little uncomfortable. Especially when she started leaning in to make good on her promise.

"Hokay, no," I gently shoved her away, earning me a scowl from her, "As much as I'd like to, I'm afraid things might get a little weird if we did that, so I'll have to turn down your umm... Generous offer." She pouted and crossed her forelegs. God, she makes that look cute.

"Pfft! Whatever, I didn't wanna kiss you anyways!" she then slumped her shoulders and leaned against the bar. "Ethan?" Rainbow looked up at me, ears flattened.

"Hmm?" I spared a curious glance at her.

"Why don't you love me?" she asked, fluttering her eyes at me. I lost it there. I broke into a fit of laughter that made my stomach hurt. "W-What?"

"C'mon, you know I love you," I pulled her into a one-armed hug. "Just not that way." I bopped her nose playfully. "Anyways, who's this DJ? I've never heard of her.

"She's like, one of the best DJs in all of Equestria! Seriously she's world famous! And the owner of this place!" Huh, so she's a world renowned DJ and- my heart skipped a beat. Was that mare... no it couldn't be!

"Whoa whoa, wait, timeout," I made the 'T' with my hands, "she wouldn't happen to have wild blue mane and tail? Sunglasses? About your size? Unicorn?"

"Yeah, how'd you know? I thought you never heard of her?" Oh if you only knew Rainbow.

"Oh uh, j-just a hunch," I scratched my neck again with a quivering hand. I don't know what it is, but whatever god is watching over me must be chuckling to himself. Fuck, when did I lose my breath? "Oh God I can't breath..." I clutched at my chest. Rainbow noticed immediately.

"You okay there, big guy? Need another drink?"

"No!" I said a bit too abruptly, my voice cracking,"no no, I'm fine, just a bit of allergies," I wheezed out the last few words to try and convince her, but the little pegasus was smarter than she led on.

"Seriously, what's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost!" Yes, a really good looking ghost.

"No its not that, but don't worry I'll tell you about it soon," I assured her. Then, without warning, the lights dimmed and the stage lit up with blue light, the spotlights blinking rapidly, the soft music stopped; blue light that matched the mane of the mare I just met. "W-what's going on?!" I asked as ponies started filing onto the dance floor cheering and yelling.

"Its DJ Pon-3! She's about to go on! You have to come out and dance! C'mon!" she pulled at my shirt with her teeth.

"Hey, c'mon! We had a deal!" I complained "you know I can't dance for shit!"

"I don't care if you dance like a little colt! You are coming out with me, right. Now!" she yanked on my shirt even harder and I stumbled off my stool. "Look! Just please do this! You won't regret it, I promise!" Truthfully, she didn't give me much choice on the matter. I was pulled closer into the sea of excited ponies, Rainbow continuously nudging me.

Before we went out further, I stopped her and she let me go, thankfully. "Wait!" I turned back to the bar and took another drink from my cider. "Okay, now I'm good!" Alright, now that I had a full tank, I allowed her to lead me out onto the dance floor. Next thing I knew, everyone was on the dance floor. And I mean everyone! I had to press my arms to my sides just to keep from being jostled around by these ponies! Okay, now I regret my decision. I had half a mind to leave Rainbow here, but God knows how devastated she'd be if I left her hanging. The roadies onstage seemed like they had finished setting up and promptly left, leaving everyone to wait anxiously.

Before I could wallow in my regret further, the unicorn stallion popped back in front of the stage with his microphone. "Sorry about the wait, everypony! We just had to set a few things up, but now who's ready for the real party to begin!?" Cheers and stomps answered him. "Alright! Now without further ado, give me your eyes and your ears, and put 'em right up there!" He pointed to the DJ booth, which now only had one turntable and the amplifiers were loaded up and ready to fire. "So give it up, fillies and gentlecolts, for the Mistress of Music, the Devilish Dubstress, the legend in the making herself, the one, the only, DJ Pon-3!" Fog started to flood the stage and strobe lights began flashing. The crowd erupted into a cacophony of cheers, stomps, catcalls, and hollers. Even stranger was that I was cheering! Me! I couldn't believe it!

Then, a bright flash came from the stage. Out of the smoke stepped a mare that I immediately recognized. I had hoped that it was just coincidence. I hoped that I was wrong, that Vinyl was just the owner of this club. But I was right. By the sweet lord, Jesus was I right. The mare that stood there on the stage... was the mare that I was flirting with, not ten minutes ago. I couldn't shake the feeling that this night was only beginning. And I would be owing Rainbow twenty bits.

Author's Note

Okay, here's chapter 1 edited. I took out several unnecessary lines and rewrote lines that I thought could be said differently. The changes may not be very noticeable, but for those of you who have been reading it, you'll see some things have changed. I've even changed the chapter name. Expect more changes like these.

Hope you all enjoy. See ya in the next one.