“This place is…”

“Loud?” offered Gauge. Tempest blinked a few times. The numerous background noises, the lights, and the chatter from all the people inside Mount Havok Entertainment Complex faded a bit as she focused on her husband.

“Are there places like this in Equestria that I’m just not aware of?”

Sunset Shimmer shrugged and made her way over to an empty table that had four chairs. She gestured for the other three to join her. “There are some fun parks, but that’s more roller coasters and carnival games. This place focuses more on the digital and gaming side of things. That's always been more my speed.”

Twilight Sparkle shook her head of all the distractions and quickly sat down next to Sunset, taking her marefriend’s hand for comfort and to show solidarity on the choice of venue for the evening. “Okay, well, you have obviously been here before and we have not. So, what should we do first?”

Sunset set Raven on the table. Last time she had been to Mount Havok, Sunset had to use the order menu tablet that had been at the table. But since Raven was able to interact with most other systems… “Let’s eat first. Then, we’ll play some games and take it easy before we try our feet at the floor upstairs. Raven, can you bring up the local menu?”

“Of course.” The holographic display lit for all four of them to see no matter where they were sitting. Sunset was once again amazed how it could do that and looked forward to reading about the details of such tech. “As you can see, there are plenty of artery clogging choices for all meat sacks who require such greasy delights.”

“Okay. How about an extra large veggie delight pizza with nachos and… anyone want a hard drink?”

“Maybe later,” Twilight said and received nods from the others.

Sunset could not argue with that consensus. “Four waters.” Raven placed the order.

After a minute of silence and scoping the surroundings, Tempest finally cracked first. “I have to admit. This is more… juvenile than I was expecting when you were talking about going out.”

Sunset smiled and shrugged. “I may have to get older, but that does not mean I have to grow up, at least not all the time. I’m actually pretty playful at heart for those that get the privilege to know me.” Sunset glanced to Twilight who smiled brightly. “I like music and art and games. I love to dance and move and feel the energy of a room. It’s a kind of magic all its own. I know that may seem strange or ‘juvenile’ like you said, but…”

“No, I can see that. I have seen your art and you play music. You can be pretty amazing, you know, when you’re not trying to set the world on fire.”

Sunset could only nod. “We all need outlets for our aggression. Some just more than others.”

The food was delivered promptly. Much to their rumbling stomachs’ delight. Sunset quickly picked up two slices of pizza and moaned at the taste. Raven was right. It was artery clogging goodness and she loved every gooey piece of it. Twilight also moaned her approval at the taste. Both captains took one slice each and shared the nachos. Little was said while they ate, mostly questions about what everything was and what was best to do. Twilight inquired about the cost since Sunset had not needed to pull out her wallet for anything thus far. She in response gestured to the bracelets.

“These are tied to the temporary account that was created for the night. Think of it like a bar tab. All expenses are tallied, including games, food, and drinks and are billed to my account. So, nothing is off limits. Have as much as you think you can handle.”

“So, it really is like a Discord Day,” said Twilight.

“Whatever you want to do, I’m down for. As long as you get to have fun.” Twilight beamed at the declaration and leaned in, kissing Sunset. Neither cared about the cheese breath and both captains smiled at the affection.

Twilight giggled and gave Sunset one last kiss on the end of her nose. “Okay! I’m ready to play something!”

Sunset grinned and stood. “That’s my girl.”

Gauge collected their trash and deposited it in the marked bin. Sunset made her way to the bar and pointed to a bottle on the wall. The bar tender nodded and scanned her bracelet before handing Sunset a bottle of beer. She returned to the group and gestured for them to follow.

The large alcove that was to the left of the entrance was packed with rows of arcade games. Out front were a few classic pool and air hockey tables. Behind those were some antique pinball machines and standing, vintage box-types stations with two joysticks and a number of well worn buttons. Newer units required no hand contact, operated by feet or motion sensors followed body movements. There were simulators for flying, driving, riding, (motorcycles and much to Tempest’s ire, horseback) and more variety of shooters than one could count. Those caught the two soldiers' attention briefly.

What caught Twilight’s curiosity were the devices that many of the players had on their heads. She tugged at Sunset’s jacket sleeve and asked, “What are those?”

Sunset swallowed a large gulp of her beer and followed where Twilight was pointing. “Oh, those are AR rigs. Augmented Reality. You look through those goggles and see whatever digital extras the system is playing at the time. For some games it adds a three dee effect, while others it changes the background around you. Like being chased by a giant rolling boulder or to that effect. See those tiny ports of light in the structural rafters, they are all linked to the system.”

“I think I might try that later.”

“I’m pretty sure we just rent them from somewhere. I’ll look for you.” Sunset was about to swig her beer again when she realized it was missing from her hand. To her left she found Tempest with the bottled completely upturned while polishing off the remaining liquid.

Tempest wiped the corner of her mouth and flashed and honest to goodness smirk. “Not bad. Has a clean finish with a hint of honey if I'm not mistaken.”

“You could have asked. I would have gotten you your own. Fast hands, by the way.”

Tempest examined the label, committing the name to memory before depositing it in the nearby bin. “Later. Tell me how to play this game so I can beat my husband at it.”

Sunset explained how air hockey worked. The two captains got the gist of it quickly and soon were engaged in competitive flat disc combat. Sunset led Twilight over to a nearby pinball machine and let Twilight have a go at it after she explained what the bumpers were for and how they worked. It took a few tries, but Sunset enjoyed every minute of seeing Twilight concentrate with her tongue stick out the side of her mouth as she timed her attacks. The redhead completely adored her marefriend's 'gamer face' as it were.

When Sunset looked back up a few minutes later Tempest and Gauge had rejoined them. Tempest had her own beer in hand while Gauge had a can of soda. She knew he was not a big drinker and it was childish peer pressure to poke him about it, but he was a big boy and could take it. They waited a few more minutes while Twilight worked her lack of horn magic on the pinball machine. But eventually, like almost everyone, the balls fell and the game was over.

“That’s a lot harder than I would have expected. Great for hand eye coordination though.”

Sunset grinned and took Twilight’s hand in her own. “I know, right? One of the reasons I got so into gaming when I first came here was for hand practice. So, what’s next? More arcade or should we grab more drinks and try bowling?”

“Is it like bowling in Equestria?” asked Gauge. Twilight nodded as if she had also wanted to inquire.

“The rules are basically the same. You pick up the ball and throw it down at the pins. Try not to go over the line or throw it in the neighboring lane… which I have seen some drunks and fools do.”

“We can try it in a bit. I want to try THAT!” Sunset followed her marefriend’s pointing finger to what could only be described as a large Plinko board.

After explaining the rules, what followed was some of the most intense mental calculations of weight of the puck, careful placement of said puck, and rambled additional calculations of how it will fall against each pin on the way down all while three ponies as humans stared on in belief/disbelief that anyone(pony) could take something that was supposed to be so simple so seriously. By the time Twilight was finally ready to drop the puck, Tempest had suggested they all hit the bar again for something a bit stronger. Even some of the other guests wanting to play were about to lose their patience.

Twilight released the puck.

It fell.

Much to Sunset’s surprise, considering she figured most of the points games for prizes and such were rigged, the puck fell exactly where Twilight had wanted it to. The cheerful crow of sweet, sweet victory could be heard from across the arcade section. Some other gamers even cheered along with Twilight, which only made the moment all the more adorable to Sunset Shimmer. She lifted Raven and had her take a few quick photos.

Tempest gently tapped Sunset on the shoulder, catching her attention and pointed to set of pedestals where two individuals were shadow boxing, but behind them on the large screen were digital opponents duking it out in a ring. “Is that a fighting game?”

Sunset nodded and smirked. “Yeah, it is. Interested?”

“There are not a lot of things here I think I would be good at, but fighting I can do. Besides, this will probably be the only opportunity I’ll have to kick your royal flank.”

“Ohhhh,” Sunset said with a laugh and an added shimmy where she bumped her hip into Tempest, “tough talk there, captain. Especially considering you are not used to that body.”

Tempest shrugged as the group walked towards the game platform to wait their turn. As they stood waiting Tempest gestured for Sunset to come closer and whispered, “Besides, I need to get back at you for fondling me and fooling around with my husband this morning.”

Sunset blushed and squirmed, rubbing the back of her neck nervously. “Yeeeah, sorry about that, I… well… I don’t really have an excuse. Body swap hormones and I just got a little lost in the moment.”

Tempest held up a hand and shook her head. “I don’t need to know why. You are his princess, he is yours to command and do with as you see fit. That is the life and role he has chosen and I accept that. Besides, I asked, nothing ‘really’ happened.” Tempest’s grin became playful and she smacked Sunset with her shoulder. “But he’s still MY husband so I must enact my sweet, fake revenge that will not get me exiled.”

Sunset chuckled, silently relieved that her ‘hormonal curiosity’ did not cost her a friend and more. “Sounds fair.”

Once the other players stepped down Tempest and Sunset stepped up. Sunset explained how the head pieces were VR goggles that would change what they saw to what appeared on the screen. Tempest did not entirely understand, but followed Sunset’s lead. Once both players had donned their goggles and confirmed they were ready the rest of the arcade disappeared and the two equestrians found themselves in a boxing ring. Tempest appeared as a massive hulk of a blue fighter with smooth, mannequin-like features while Sunset appeared in red and of similar build. The bell rang and they were off.

“Go easy on her, Sunset!”

Sunset knew it had been Twilight who had shouted the comment, but did not turn her head. The googles would have blocked out her marefriend at that moment anyhow and besides, Tempest was coming right after her like an old pro. Sunset dodged one hit and took the second on the back of her gloves. The captain backed away before Sunset could counterattack.

“I’m impressed by your balance considering you haven’t been on two legs for long. Not to mention most guards I've dealt with focus on back kicks and less foreleg attacks.”

Tempest cautiously came back in and tried a few test swings. “Sometimes I train the troops on how to deal with taller targets, like minotaurs or dragons. Sometimes that mean rearing back and coming down with hooves at the ready. Adaptability is a key to survival in an unarmed fight.”

Sunset block again and scored a jab to the side. “Yeah, I can see that, but these bodies move different, bend different. I’ve also got a hell of a lot more experience using one. Not to mess with your head or anything.”

Tempest backed away again. She lowered her guard and put her hands on her hips, leaving herself completely exposed for attack. It was a trap. Sunset knew it was a trap. Every part of her being screamed at her it was a trap. Still, it was too good of an opening to pass up. Sunset closed the distance and went straight for a powerful right cross to end the fight. Just as her red fist was about to connect with Tempest’s blue face the character dropped and the gloved fist passed completely overhead.

“Ahhhh craaaap.”

Tempest grinned, though the grin did not translate onto the fighter’s face. She sprang back up her first connecting with Sunset’s fighter, knocking the red player completely off their feet, into the air a bit before crashing down on the virtual mat. Sunset tried to get her character to rise, but even while rolling about, the health bar continued to fall until the ten count passed and the invisible ref screamed, “KO!”

Sunset ripped the VR set off and looked up at the big screen with wide eyes, flabbergasted. “But! You? How?! Whiskey Tango Foxtrot! GRRRRAHHHH!!!” Tempest chuckled and smirked, setting her headset down. “Seriously. HOW?!”

“You are too aggressive, always have been for as long as I have known you. Maybe you’ll learn patience in a few centuries, but not all of us have that luxury, so we read our opponents, find their weakness, and exploit it for all it’s worth. Wasn’t expecting that to work with one shot though. Maybe the game hates you?”

Sunset blew a raspberry at the screen. “It’s mutual, then. Sheesh. I need another drink after that embarrassment.”

“Awww,” Twilight cooed, wrapping her arms around Sunset’s neck and giving her a small peck on the lips. “Don’t be a sore loser. You can’t win them all.”

“You’ve seen me play. I don’t go down quietly.”

“In more ways than one,” chimed in Raven, leaving both Sunset and Twilight sputtering and giggling.”

“Okay, that was pretty good... The game I mean, not the well timed lewd comment,” said Tempest, leading the group back towards the bar.

"You understood it and did not groan therefor you liked it," said Raven in retort.

“So, what’s next?”

Sunset once again gestured to the entire complex. “Drinks, maybe a driving game? One game of bowling, then dancing? Maybe a round of karaoke if you think you can handle it?”

Twilight grinned, her casual confidence and relaxation settling in. “Anything you can do, I can do.” Twilight spotted an interesting drink that was a lime and yellow color in a glass that was coated with a salt rim. “And I want to try one of those!”

“Two top shelf margaritas, please,” Sunset requested.

“One of those blue lagers, please,” added Tempest while the bartender was nearby. He quickly scanned their wristbands and got to work on the drinks.

While the others waited for drinks, Sunset ordered their lane for a game of bowling. Once settled in, they each swapped their shoes for the required footwear and then went about selecting their game balls. Naturally… Sunset could not resist making immature jokes about ball selection.

“Don’t,” Tempest warned.

“Don’t what?”

Tempest narrowed her eyes at Sunset who grinned all the wider. “I’m not going to pretend I know what you are thinking, but I know it is going to be something horrible.”

“That is the general consensus based on the law of averages from what I have observed,” commented Raven.

Sunset looked at her PAAL and pretended to be hurt. “Am I so predictable?”

“YES.” The other three equestrians chimed in together.

Sunset sighed and shrugged. “Is it really my fault that I know what would work best in a game that requires the touching of balls? I mean, I’m not a pro, but I have the most experience here with my fingers in those tight holes and I DO know how to handle me some balls.”

Twilight took a large gulp of her margarita while blushing a bit.

Gauge just shook his head, trying not to grin.

Tempest groaned and walked away to find her own ball to use.

“I don’t mind helping you find the right balls.”

“Just… just suck down your damn drink so you will stop talking.”

Sunset laughed whole heartedly, taking a large gulp of her own margarita and sat next to Twilight while they waited to begin. The purple princess giggled when she felt her marefriend nuzzle her ear and kiss the sensitive lobe before whispering, “Having fun?”

“Yes.”

Sunset beamed and kissed Twilight’s cheek again. "Good."

Bowling had been as delightful and disastrous as Sunset had anticipated. She especially enjoyed watching Twilight attempt to bowl while rolling the ball with two hands much like a child would, bent over with her frilly skirt covered butt in the air. Bowling, after all, was one of those rare games in life that could be just as much fun whether you were winning or losing as long as the company was good. Tempest and Gauge started to get the hang of proper release about the eighth frame. By that time both Sunset and Twilight had finished their first drink and had been working on a large split drink that was half strawberry daquiri and half pina colada.

The game ended with pathetic, abysmal scores that were not worth bragging about and none would remember other than Raven, who had also been used to take many more pictures of their slightly inebriated antics. The drinks were once again finished with the first signs of buzzed alicorns beginning to set in. From her screen, Raven shook her head, but also smiled nearly as wide as Sunset was doing so.

Shoes were changed out and Sunset could not resist begging the other three to play a round of competitive racing. Even with assurances that she was not at her best they all knew the goldenrod alicorn would likely slaughter them unless she was blindfolded. So, naturally, they did not bother playing fair and instead used the minimal driving knowledge Sunset had bestowed upon them to just try to wreck her car with theirs. Tempest had turned her car completely around on the track and slammed head on into Sunset on lap three, sending Sunset's vehicle flying into the air. It tumbled end over end on screen and at one point faced downward to reveal the car had been in fact, launched into outer space.

"Hahahaha!" Sunset laughed, "After all these years I did not know it could do that!"

"It is important to learn something new every day," Twilight chimed in with a studious finger held up as if lecturing a classroom of students. The other three giggled and exited the game.

“To the dance floor!” shouted Sunset, pointing to the second level. Twilight whooped and pumped her fist as well.

Despite their buzzed inebriation, none tripped on the steps up to the second floor. Much like the level below there were a few game tables, pool, and digital slot machines for points along with another large, well stocked bar being tended by more than one employee. What took up most of the second floor, however, was the dance floor.

Calling it simply a ‘floor’ however was a gross understatement. Underneath a lacquered clear acrylic layer was a massive light board that reacted to the people stepping, dancing, busting a move on or cutting a rug. The music was louder here and seemed to penetrate more than down below. It could be felt, but thankfully, was not to a painful level even to more sensitive alicorn ears.

Two things caught Twilight’s eye as she was led towards the multicolored mayhem that reminded her a bit of the portal tunnel between dimensions. First, was the stage to the right, that was currently unoccupied. The second was that many of the dancers were wearing those AR goggles that Sunset had mentioned earlier.

“What do you think they are seeing?”

Sunset shrugged then pointed to a rental kiosk. “Wanna find out?”

Twilight grinned. “Absolutely!”

Sunset glanced back to their friends/escorts and gestured if they were interested. They both shook their heads and said simultaneously, “Pass.” Sunset shrugged. She swiped her bracelet and picked up two headsets. The Augmented Reality goggles secured much the same way a set of diving or ski goggles would with a classic adjustable band that went around the back of the head. Being that it only added to what you were seeing, as opposed to the VR goggles from other games, the lenses were clear and less disorienting.

Sunset helped adjust Twilight’s first before securing her own set. “Just so you know, this is going to be a first for me too.”

Twilight smiled wide and nodded. “Glad we get to try it together.” She held out her hand and the two carefully found a spot on the floor, the light pad below reacting to the pressure of their movements.

It took a minute to sync to the music and the internal program, but once it did, both Sunset and Twilight jumped back as a digital mountain rose from the floor behind them with the moon suddenly lighting up the sky above along with a sea of stars. Clouds passed over throwing various shades to all the corners as they moved swiftly. A digital wolf howled before its pack came running down the mountain and between all the dancers, never breaking the illusion by passing through a body.

Sunset did not know the name of the heavy techno club beat song that was currently playing, but once her mind adjusted to what she was seeing and hearing she began to move to the thumping bass and electric rhythm. She quickly took Twilight by the hand and pulled her close, placing both hands on her marefriend’s hips and began to move them both. Twilight, by pure instinct placed one hand on top of Sunset’s and the other up and around to the back Sunset’s neck, pulling the two of them close. Twilight could easily feel the other woman’s body pressed into her back, letting herself flow like water as they shook and slid in their own little world made for two.

The song ended and was quickly followed by another, slightly less techno, but equally as loud and of a faster tempo. As the song changed, so did the background animations that were shown in their goggles. They found themselves apparently underwater, a massive sea castle that reminded Twilight a bit of the Seaquestria royal palace growing right out of the floor. Sunset began to freestyle, moving every part of her tawny and toned body about. Fish swam between them. Twilight gasped and stepped back as a shark soon followed, chasing after said fish.

Sunset laughed briefly at Twilight’s startled face before reaching out a hand and pulling her close, nose to nose. Sunset planted her lips upon Twilight’s as best she could with the eyewear on, two hands sliding up the sides of her dress, around the curvature of her breasts and gently grasping her neck so as to press the kiss further. Twilight melted into the touch and returned it with her own passion, slipping her tongue into Sunset’s mouth. Briefly, they both stopped dancing, just enjoying each other touch.

“Hey!” Their eyes flew open and they turned their heads to find Tempest grinning at them in the dim light with her arms around Gauge’s neck. The two were swaying back and forth to their own rhythm, ignoring what anyone else thought. “Don’t forget to come up for air!”

Sunset rolled her eyes while Twilight giggled and playfully slapped her captain’s shoulder. The song ended a minute later. Before the next song began an announcer’s voice came over the sound system. “Thank you all for coming out to the Havok tonight! WOOOO!!! Just a reminder that it is karaoke night and the sign up list is now open for all open mic stars! Hurry up and add your name or names the list fills up fast! First songs to begin in ten minutes. Once again, thank you, thank you for joining us here at Mount Havok!”

“I’m going to sign us up!” shouted Sunset.

“I’m going to the bathroom!” replied Twilight. She blinked a few times then giggled uncontrollably. “I think I might be tipsy.”

Sunset nodded knowingly. “Tempest.” The vermillion woman who had been talking quietly to her husband turned. Sunset gestured to Twilight who had already began walking towards the glowing neon restroom sign.

Tempest nodded in understanding. She placed a hand on Sunset’s shoulder and said over the background music and crowd. “I’ve got her back. Go get me one of those daquiri things, will ya?”

Sunset winked in reply before she remembered the goggles and dark lighting probably made her eyes too hard to see. Feeling a bit flushed after the dancing, Sunset stripped out of goggles and jacket and strolled up to the bar. She held out the jacket to one of the bartenders, a young woman with cherry red skin and white hair that was shaved on one side of her head, seemed a bit taken aback by the jacket being thrust at her. “I’ll throw in a hundred dollar tip if you keep this safe for me.” The woman shrugged and took the jacket, hiding it behind the bar. Sunset next ordered the drink and waited, turning to find the stocky man she knew was standing directly behind her.

“So, tell me, stud,” Sunset began, gliding a finger down Gauge’s chest and poking him lightly in his rock hard abs, “why are you not drinking?”

“In case you have not noticed, it is nighttime. So, naturally, I feel as if I am on duty even if we are on vacation.”

Sunset blew Gauge a raspberry, but smiled afterwards so as to not offend. She was not convinced in the slightest. “Not buying that, Fog. This is not the first time I have seen you nursing a single glass, remember?”

Gauge shrugged. He took a step closer, pressing himself into Sunset as two other patrons squeezed on by behind him. Sunset felt her lower back against the bar and something she was quite familiar with pressing against her leg. Fog smiled at the redhead, gently brushing some of the hair from her face and up over one ear. Sunset smiled back at the touch before he took a step back.

“Truth, please.”

“The truth is quite simple, actually. You even said so in jest last Discord Day. I’m a light weight. Always have been. And no, not a side effect of the thestral transformation, just… me. I do not know why, but all it takes is one, maybe two drinks and I am quite drunk.”

“Huh, how about that.” Sunset turned back around and ordered a whiskey mixed drink to go along with Tempest’s daquiri. Twilight and Tempest returned soon after the drinks were ready. Sunset held the mix drink up before Gauge, who arched an eyebrow. “Take a sip.” He did so and nodded at the smooth flavor of Crown Royal with cola. Sunset downed the rest in a two large gulps, barring her teeth and hissing at the familiar and not entirely unwelcomed burn. Tempest whistled her response and took her own drink, licking the straw when she noticed her husband was watching her. Gauge flashed a fangless grin.

“So," Twilight began, “what’s next?”

“We are third for karaoke.”

“What are we singing?”

Sunset tapped her chin. In the past, these kind of events were limited to whatever the catalog had for the patrons to sing. However, Sunset had a hunch. She signaled the bartender again. “Can our PAALs access the karaoke log and play one of our own songs over the system?”

“Sure, just tell Gram when you go up so he can temporarily link your PAAL to the machine. Make sure it’s just music though because we had some lip singers before do that and honestly, I don’t care how drunk you are it’s just pathetic to see that.”

Sunset nodded and grinned. “Think you can still do Shake Your Tail?”

Twilight nodded, her face far more determined than it really needed to be. “You bet.”

Sunset turned next to Tempest and Gauge who were sharing the strawberry daquiri. “We’ll need you two for backup vocals.”

Tempest choked for a bit and had to cough some frozen, puree alcohol from her lungs. “Say what?”

“The song was written for more than two. Don’t worry, I have a karaoke variant saved on Raven that I put together years ago for outings just like this. All you have to do is read the words on the screen and try to stay in tune.”

“I think I’d rather be outnumbered in a bar brawl. At least then I’d have a half decent chance of not making a complete fool of myself,” snapped Tempest.

Sunset gestured with her arms out wide to their surroundings. “Oh, loosen up, silly goose. This isn’t Equestria, it’s Canterlot City. No one here knows you and most are too drunk to care. The worst thing that could happen is they boo us. Wah.”

“I really a-”

“Waaaah.”

“I’m serio-”

“WAAAAAAHHHH!”

Tempest grimaced and then pinched the bridge of her nose and had to take a deep breath that she slowly exhaled. She imagined that dealing with Sunset Shimmer was good conversation practice for dealing with her future teenager. She turned to her husband who, as always, just shrugged. Tempest rolled her eyes and groaned. “Fiiiiiiine. But I hate you.”

Sunset grinned. “I can live with that.”

While they waited near the bar Sunset sat on the edge of a bolted down barstool with her arms wrapped around Twilight’s waist, head on her shoulder, planting small kisses along her marefriend’s neck from time to time. Earning a few giggles from the delightful contact. Tempest had relaxed after coming to terms with her unavoidable fate of standing before a crowd and attempting to sing. Constantly reminding herself that no one would remember her or be able to hold it against her. Even if Raven showed others she would claim complete denial then plot the untimely demise of the small electronic device.

Tempest had been complimented on many of her talents over the years. Her physical strength, her eye for strategy and detail, her stamina in a fight as well as her combat magic. Her singing voice? Not so much. At least, not as far back as she could recall. Had she ever sung? Probably. Where others could hear her? Nope.

The second singer finished wailing some drunken love ballad and half stumbled off the stage back to a group of waiting friends who cheered and whistled. Twilight slapped both Sunset’s and Tempest’s thighs and pointed.

“We’re up! Let’s show these humans how equestrians do it!”

Sunset snorted and laughed. “Oh, sweet Celestia! Wording!”

Tempest sucked down the last of her frozen drink and shook a bit as the chill passed through her body. “Well, at least I think I’m drunk enough for something stupid like this.”

Sunset tapped Raven’s screen and temporarily synced her file share to the karaoke machine so that the song queued up. “Ready to embarrass yourselves, ponies?” asked Raven.

Sunset took Twilight’s hand, kissed the back of it before nodding. “Always.”

The music began. Sunset felt her heart swell and a familiar tingle spread through her body and soul once again hearing the music of their long gone friends. Gone. But never forgotten. She stepped up to the microphone with her left arm around Twilight’s waist pulling her close. Twilight in turn wrapped her right arm around and stuck her hand in Sunset’s back pocket, playfully groping her marefriend’s behind. Together, as one, Sunset and Twilight began to sing.

We just got the day to get ready and there is only so much time to lose.
Because tonight, yeah we’re here to party so let’s think of something fun to do.
We don’t know what’s gonna happen, we just know it’s gonna be all right.
All our friends are here and it's time to ignite the light!

Tempest and Gauge had been following along a step behind, both reading the lyrics on screen and waiting for their moment. Sunset had briefly showed them on Raven’s small screen how the color would change when they reached the chorus and that was when they would need to jump in, followed by four individual lines that each of them would have to sing. That was where Tempest expected herself to flub or worse, where Gauge would come off so flat that they would all get laughed right off the stage. Surprisingly, Gauge did not seem that worried.

Wait. Tempest pondered and then glanced up to her husband who was tapping his foot and intensely following the prompts. Can Fog even sing?!

Shake your tail because we’re here to have a party tonight.

Tempest and Gauge jumped in right when the lyric colors changed.

Shake your tail! Shake your tail!
Shake your tail because we’re here to have a party tonight.
Shake your tail! Shake your tail!

Tempest glanced at Gauge with wide eyes and jaw hanging open. The stoic thestral simply winked at his wife. Damn, he… he sounds fantastic! How did I not know this?! Why was he not singing our foal to sleep?!

Sunset could feel her dormant magic burning inside her and glanced to Twilight whose face was nearly pressed into hers, a huge grin on both their faces. They both suspected what was about to happen and neither had any plans to stop it. Be that from the drinks or that it just felt too good to stop.

Sunset sang, So what if you don’t get it right the first time.

Twilight picked up, Laugh it off, no one said it is a crime.

Tempest followed, Do your thing, you know you’re an original.

Gauge sang in his mellow, velvety tone, Your ideas are so funny that they’re criminal.

All together they bellowed, Ohhhhh ahh! And at that moment, all four of them ponied up in a flash of magical light.

Sunset and Twilight felt large, feathery wings emerge from their backs, pony ears atop their heads, hair extending halfway down their legs, and glowing golden and violet horns spring from their foreheads. They hardly flinched and just kept singing straight into the second verse.

Tempest and Gauge however were both completely dumbstruck and if it had not been for years of rigorous training to school their reactions to the unexpected they would have both dove from the stage to defensive stances to try and figure out what just happened. Tempest could see that both women before her had grown alicorn features. Unexpected was putting it mildly, but then they WERE alicorns, soooo, yeah.

However, Tempest could feel that her ears were back where they belonged on the top of her head and could freely move them. She could feel her own hair had grown significantly longer as well, swishing back and forth as she turned her head. But what really made her blink twice was that Fog Gauge also had grown a small set of membrane wings that he was flexing a bit, furry ears atop his head, and most surprisingly, his pupils were once again vertically slit and reflective in the low club light. The crowd who had been watching them went wild with whoops and cheers.

Tempest shook her head at the unexpected reaction to those around them and returned her eyes to the screen when Gauge nudge her with his wing. Just in time for their part of the chorus. A minute later the song ended and nearly the entire second floor broke into claps and cheers. Twilight and Sunset side hugged one another, pressing their cheers together. As they stepped off the stage for the next singers to take their place, the pony features snapped out and only simple human features remained.

Sunset glided her fingers down Twilight’s head from where the pony ear had been moments before, down over her human ear, and down the jawline. They both leaned forward, their lips met and remained locked.

Until the last of Tempest’s patience frayed and she snapped, “What in the flipping flop just happened?! I thought this place had no magic! You had horns! Why did I not have a horn? I miss my horn.”

Sunset and Twilight both giggled as they pressed their foreheads together and rubbed the tips of their noses side to side a bit since they lacked horns once more. Sunset held up a finger and retreated to the bar to recover her jacket and pass on the promised tip while she settled the bill. She returned and took Twilight’s hand, leading the group back downstairs.

“C’mon. I’m in the mood for something else and I can explain the rest on the way.”

“May I ask where we are going now?”

Sunset glanced back at Gauge then whispered something into Twilight’s ear that made the other woman gasp and blush profusely. “Back to the hotel, of course. I am horny as fuck right now.”

Author's Note

See, good, clean fun and liberal libations for all! So, as I was imagining this place and this entire chapter I drew from a few different sources including the ever useful, personal experience! I'm not sure if some of you have heard of a place called Main Event. Before Covid (Bleh, I'm doing better but still a bit sick.) It was a massive indoor fun park that was bowling, laser tag, arcade, etc. It was one of my favorite places to hang with friends during college. I kicked so much ass at laser tag, loved it.

That said I wanted something bigger too, so I also drew on the Dave and Buster's model that catered more to adults with alcohol being abundant and then threw in the futuristic dance floor that was partially inspired by the Distracted Globe scene from the movie Ready Player One. (One of the few examples where the movie was actually better than the book.)

And just to throw it out there I actually DID glitch the Play Station game CART World Racing where you could launch a car so high in the air you were practically in orbit. I'm sure the programmers did that on purpose for fools like me.

Next week things get steamy again so chapter will include a warning.

Questions? Comments?