Second Wind

Chapter Fourteen: Purgatory

Purgatory itself was purple on the inside, but a dark purple. It was one of those nightclubs where it was very dark. A few deep purple orbs illuminated the area off of the dance floor, and the dance floor itself looked like a big purple and white checkerboard. There were also mist machines everywhere, the mist itself illuminated hues of purple and cyan by the lasers that shot around the club.

Vinyl was up on stage, and by that, you meant the tiny DJ podium set up to the right of the center of the dance floor. She was wearing her red goggles, but wasn't really into the music playing. She just kind of hit a switch, and leaned against the wall. The crowd also didn't seem to be too interested in dancing either, they just kind of swayed and talked with one another.

You were never a nightclub kind of guy, but you knew that this wasn't how they were supposed to look. No one really seemed to be having fun. They weren't having a bad time, but they weren't having a night they would remember. Vinyl lazily looked around the audience, when she spotted you. She seemingly jumped up, and slid her goggles back over her eyes, looking directly at you.

You really didn't want to admit it, but her eyes gave Rarity's a run for her money. Their blood-red color were made seemingly neon under the black lights by her podium. She smiled, and motioned for you to come up to her.

"Rarity, I'll be right back. Vinyl's calling me." Rarity laughed.

"Of course darling. Liven this place up a little, huh? One would think a funeral was being held here." The crowd really was dead. You didn't have to push your way through, you literally could just walk through them. You walked to the center of the dance floor, and climbed up the ladder to the DJ podium, You got up to her, and were greeted with a friendly punch on the shoulder.

"Heard you kicked someones ass today, honor-boy." You laugh.

"Does everyone know about that? Damn." She turned the music up a little louder.

"So, Aaden, you got that phone of yours on you? I wanna resurrect this crowd." You patted yourself down, and found it in your side pocket. You have no idea while you still carried it on you, it was useless here save for music. But you suppose Vinyl was lucky you had it. You pull it out, unlock it, and hand it to her. She turns around for a brief second, moving her arms rapidly.

You aren't sure how she hooked your phone to the speakers, but she did. You were pretty sure the Apple Corporation didn't exist in Equestria, but you weren't going to question it any longer. Vinyl gave you that half-smile of hers, and slid her goggles back on.

"Alright honor-boy. Give me something that I can use to raise the dead." You scroll through the music on your phone. You didn't have much of what could be considered club music, but you had a few songs that would serve the purpose Vinyl wanted. You came across a name you recognized. "Calvin Harris". Wasn't he that Scottish DJ you liked back home?

OOOOOH! Yeah, I went to a concert he held not too long ago!

You click on the song titled, "Flashback by Calvin Harris.". The beat starts smoothly, the keys of a piano giving way to the voice of Calvin, which was light and smooth, as well. The crowd seemingly snapped to attention, obviously having heard nothing like this song before. You were enjoying it, as well. The bass dropped after Calvin had finished his first chorus.

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I'm coming 'round

And now my vision is so clear

If I could change my state of mind

Then I would disappear

The love I get from you

Is something I can't change

And I couldn't let you slip away

Without a second glance

Why can't I realize

I'm fighting for my life?

Why can't I realize

I'm fighting for my life?

This is like a flashback

This is like a dream

This is like all the things you can fit

Inside a memory

This is like a flashback

This is like a dream

This is like all the things you can fit

Inside a memory

This is like a flashback, flashback

Why can't I realize

I'm fighting for my life?

Why can't I realize

I'm fighting for my life?

This is like a flashback

This is like a dream

This is like all the things you can fit

Inside a memory

This is like a flashback

This is like a dream

This is like all the things you can fit

Inside a memory

The music gets turned up louder. You look back at the audience. They were stopping their bored swaying movements, and started to actually dance with one another. You looked for Rarity in the audience. You found her over at the bar, standing with her friends. She and Rainbow Dash both waved at you. You waved back, smiling. You looked back over at Vinyl.

"Louder." You said. Vinyl smiled her half-smile again.

"You got it." She slid the dial with her hoof, the music becoming starting to vibrate you. Vinyl had to yell over the music to talk to you.

"SO, AADEN, WHO MADE THIS SONG?" She was now jumping with the beat, and crowd quickly started to follow suit. You could feel the urge to jump building up inside of you.

"A DJ WHERE I COME FROM. CALVIN HARRIS."

"IF YOU EVER MAKE IT HOME AND HAPPEN TO HAVE A WAY BACK, CARE TO INTRODUCE ME TO HIM?" You laugh over the music.

"IF I CAN EVER GET CLOSE TO HIM, ABSOLUTELY!" You could see the current song coming to an end, so you decided to pick the next one out. The crowd seemingly responded well to the Scottish DJ, so you picked another song by him, "We'll Be Coming Back". The moment the song ended, the crowd clapped. Vinyl let out a loud whoop, and gave you another of the friendly punches on your shoulder. The new song started, the crowd letting out a cheer of approval. The song started with Calvin singing again, with the strum of a guitar and the undertone of a beat. The bass kicked in a little sooner than last time. Vinyl started the jumping again, fistpumping her hoof with each jump, a wild smile on her face. "Hoofpumping is what you decided to call it from here on out. She was a mess. Her goggles were still on her head, but only one lens covered her eye, the other one had slid back up to her forehead, her blood-red eyes complementing her wide, mischievous looking smile.

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We took it all apart but I'm wishing I'd stayed

In the back room something I heard you say

We didn't wanna call it too early

Now it seems a world away but I miss that day

Are we ever gonna feel the same?

Standing in the light till it's over, out of our minds

Someone had to draw a line

We'll be coming back for you one day

I don't even care if I know you, out of our minds

Sad to leave it all behind

We'll be coming back

We'll be coming back for you one day

You can see it from afar, we were riding that wave

Blinded by the lights, and it's something I crave

We didn't want to call it too early

Now it seems a world away, but I miss that day

Are we ever gonna feel the same?

Standing in the light till it's over, out of our minds

Someone had to draw a line

We'll be coming back for you one day

I don't even care if I know you, out of our minds

Sad to leave it all behind

We'll be coming back for you one day

Gonna rise, gonna fall, getting pulled apart

And we all do it all 'cause it stole our hearts

Gonna light up the skies, so ignore the stars

And we all do it all 'cause it stole our hearts

Standing in the light till it's over, out of our minds

Someone had to draw a line

We'll be coming back for you one day

I don't even care if I know you, out of our minds

Sad to leave it all behind

We'll be coming back for you one day

Vinyl seemingly only got more excited as the music continued. Her smile kept growing. The crowd was also getting more and more active, their jumping and "hoofpumping" following suit of Vinyl's. You looked back out to the bar, and noticed Rarity and her friends had disappeared. You scan the audience, until you see them. They were in the center of the dance floor, jumping and hoofpumping with the rest of the crowd. Pinkie Pie was seemingly in utter ecstasy, jumping twice as fast as everyone else. You blew a kiss to Rarity. Vinyl noticed the song sounded like it was ending. She yelled over the music.

"ALRIGHT HONOR-BOY, GIMME SOMETHING TO IGNITE THIS SPARK!" Once again, you flipped through the music on your phone. You saw a song called "Doomsday by Nero".

Wait a second.

You recognized that song. You found it from a trailer of a video game you liked. Which one was that again?

BORDERLANDS 2! I miss my Xbox.

Remembering how loud the song was, you decided to play it. The song started off with the repeating of what sounded like some kind of trumpet. Vinyl seemed like she was possessed at this point, her movements becoming robotic, matching the beat of the song perfectly.

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You could tell she was waiting for the bass to drop. A loud voice called over the speakers, the one from the song.

"DECEMBER THE TWENTY FIRST, 2808...DOOMSDAY." The bass then dropped, loud and fast. With each rip of the electric guitar on the beat, the lights in the room would change colors. The checkerboard of a dance floor began to strobe. The song went it's course, when, all of the sudden, around 2 minutes into the song, the beat stopped, and got quiet. The crowd seemed really disappointed, when they head the horns subtly blowing again. The mist machines then kicked on, enveloping the crowd in mist while the lights went dark. As the beat came back, so did the lights. One by one.Vinyl stood completely still. Then the bass dropped, and her robotic movements kicked back in.

The music was incredibly loud. So loud, in fact, that a few curios ponies from outside poked their heads inside of the club, to see what all the fuss was. You smiled as you watched them join the crowd. You looked out into the audience, lloking Rarity and her friends. They were still having the time of their life. You blew another kiss to Rarity, who blushed. You noticed Rainbow Dash blow one back.

Uh oh. Something tells me that's not good.

You shook it off. You were about to climb down the ladder, and go back to join them, when Vinyl grabbed the back of your shirt.

"NUH UH, HONOR-BOY! YOU'RE GONNA STAY HERE, HELP ME DJ!" You laugh.

"MISS ME ALREADY?"

"OH YEAH, NOW GET YOUR ASS BACK UP HERE!"

The show must go on, I suppose.

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You say this too often. Aaden never ceases to amaze you. First, the strength and sexy training session today, then the fluent french, and now he is DJ'ing? Rainbow Dash called to you from over her shoulder, dancing to the new song that just started.

"WHAT CAN'T HE DO?" You laughed.

"I DON'T KNOW, DARLING! I'LL HAVE TO GET BACK TO YOU ON THAT!" He loosened up his bow tie, letting it dangle off his shoulders. He took the headphones off of Vinyl, put them on his head, and started to nod his head with the beat, making adjustments to the volume. Vinyl didn't seem to mind, being completely absorbed in the music. You looked over at your friends.

Fluttershy and Applejack went to get more drinks, while Twilight, Rainbow Dash and yourself all danced together. You shouted over the music to talk to Twilight and Rainbow Dash.

"SO, HOW DID YOU GIRLS FIND US?" Rainbow sneered.

"WE HEARD EXTRA LOUD MUSIC COMING FROM THIS PLACE, DECIDED TO CHECK IT OUT. SURE ENOUGH, THERE'S AADEN UP ON THE DJ PODIUM!" Rainbow let out a whoop. You watched as Aaden unbuttoned a few on his dress shirt buttons, unbuttoning them down to just above his stomach, while still wearing the blazer.

By the Goddess. I can't wait to get him home.

The music on the current song stopped. You watched as Vinyl said something into Aadens ear, to which Aaden smiled, and nodded his head. Vinyl climbed down the ladder of the DJ podium, and joined the audience. Aaden picked up the microphone.

"Good evening, Canterlot!" The crowd cheered.

"Vinyl has given me complete charge of the set. I call the shots for now." The crowd cheered again.

"So, this next song. It's for a very special somepony out there. Smile!" The lights then completely went out again. You heard a familiar beat kick in. You hear it get louder, and louder, until you remember exactly what song he was talking about.

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As the lights slowly dimmed back on, they were a cyan blue. The mist turned cyan. The dance floor was completely cyan. The podium started to light cyan blue, revealing Aaden. He was now wearing Vinyl's goggles. He looked completely cyan, save for the purple goggles and his white smile. All around you, everything was this light shade of blue. Then the mist machines kicked in, the mist itself a very light purple. The scene was intoxicating.

Feeling the past moving in

Letting a new day begin

Hold to the time that you know

You don't have to move on to let go

You really weren't one for electronic music, but you recall this song very well. It's the one Aaden played for you when he got his phone first unlocked.

Add to the memory you keep

Remember when you fall asleep

Hold to the love that you know

You don't have to give up to let go

You still find it very appropriate regarding Aaden's situation. You let yourself sway back and forth with the crowd, it's movement seemingly liquid. The bass vibrated your hooves, tickling them. You couldn't help but smile.

Remember turning on the night

And moving through the morning light

Remember how it was with you

Remember how you pulled me through

You watched Vinyl climb back up the ladder with two drinks in her mouth. You watched Aaden take one cup, take a big gulp of it, set it down, and continue his adjustments to the lighting and volume. He really was a natural at this.

I remember, I remember

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Damn, Aaden is sexy.

You handed him his drink. Something about him really attracted you to him. Here he is, wearing your goggles, using your DJ'ing equipment, and he is actually doing extremely good. You watch him. His hair was becoming damp with sweat. Your goggles shined through the cyan blue lighting, and made him look even sexier. His smile was very white, very wide, and also stood out from the cyan blue lighting. As he took a swig of his drink, you noticed he had unbuttoned his shirt.

Oh sweet Goddess.

The only thing keeping you from making a move is the fact that Rarity is in the audience. She'd freak out, for sure. You look back over at Aaden, who was now swaying, still smiling. Your goggles began to slide off of his face a bit, revealing his sparkling eyes underneath.

Screw it. Maybe it'd be worth it.

You stared off into the distance, contemplating the ethics of making a move. Aaden then called out to you.

"VINYL, YOU ALRIGHT? YOU DON'T SEEM AS EXCITED AS THE CROWD!" He laughed over the music.

"THAT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE A GOOD THING!" You blush. You, of all ponies, blush. You, of all ponies, standing still in a nightclub that was on fire with music. Aaden takes initiative, grabs your hoof, and starts hoofpumping it for you. He breaks his smile just for a second while he takes a sip of his drink, only to immediately start smiling again. You shout while Aaden pseudo-dances with you.

"WHATCHA GOT GOIN' ON TOMORROW, HONOR-BOY?" Aaden looks down at you.

"TRAINING FROM 10 TO 2. AFTER THAT, I'VE GOT NO IDEA!" You get an idea.

"MIND IF I COME WATCH TOMORROW? THE TRAINING?" Aaden laughed.

"I'M GOING TO HAVE MY OWN CHEERLEADING SQUAD! OF COURSE YOU CAN COME!" You smiled. You couldn't wait to see Aaden in action. In fact, that was probably going to be your highlight of being in Canterlot. You watched as Aaden started to slow his movements down a little. Then he came to a complete stop. The music still blasted, and the lights still flashed cyan, but he had stopped. His smile was gone. Where the goggles once looked sexy, they now looked solemn.

"YOU ALRIGHT, HONOR-BOY?"

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How ironic is it, that a song that repeats, "I remember" is making me have a flashback?

You can start to see the scene unfold before you. Your vision seemingly switches from the nightclub, and to one completely different.

"GO! GOGOGOGO! GOOOOOOOO!" You shouted.

Evan was laughing maniacally, and shouting as well.

"SACK HIS ASS! BRING HIM DOWN! LIGHT HIM UP!" You watched as a player of the opposing team was sprinting to the endzone of your team, while a member of your team trailed directly behind him. The player jumped, grabbing the opposing player by his legs, tackling him just short of the endzone. You jumped up, throwing your hands into the air.

"WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" The rest of the crowd in the stadium roared with you. This was a home game for your team, so the support was unmatched. You looked over at your friends. Evan and Sarah were there, and then there were a bunch of guys from work that you were friends with. Dennis, Robert, Charles and Justin. They were good guys, really funny, too.

"Hey, you guys, I'm going to go get a beer and some chili-cheese fries. You want anything?" They all shook their head.

"Nah man, thanks though," Evan responded, speaking for the whole group. You got up from your seat, and walked down the aisle-way, through the hallway leading out to the food and restrooms. You stopped in one of the restrooms, and washed your hands quickly. You looked into the mirror. You were wearing blue jeans with a tan military-style dress shirt, and you had on a pair of sunglasses. You dried your hands, and went back out into the rotunda. You walked over to a food vendor.

"Hey, one beer, and one chili-cheese fry, please." The man smiled, took your money, and started preparing your food. You looked over at the pot of chili they had. You cringed. It was starting to form a type of skin over the top of it.

"Actually," you started.

"Could I get that without the chili?" The man smiled again, and handed you your beer and CHEESE fries, with a fork sticking out of them. You walked back to your seat next to Evan, and sat down.

"I miss anything?"

"Other than New York not knowing how to catch a damn ball, no." You smiled at Evan's annoyance.

You crossed your legs, sipped your beer, and ate a few cheese fries. It was moments like this that made you cherish your life.

You felt something on your arm. It was Vinyl, lightly nibbling on it. You come to almost immediately, and look down at her. The music was still blasting, but it was a different song now.

"I KNEW THAT WOULD GET YOUR ATTENTION, HONOR-BOY!" Vinyl laughed, and slid her goggles back down on your head.

"YOU GOT A CROWD TO PLEASE!" You took a deep breath, and completely unbuttoned your shirt. It was getting pretty hot in the nightclub. As you continued to DJ, you thought about the name of the nightclub. "Purgatory".

Purgatory. The space between Heaven and Hell. Where good people, but not absolute saints end up, where they attempt to find comfort from their sins, and attempt to resolve themselves, make themselves better, so that they may end up in Heaven. Purgatory, who's inhabitants would receive their redemption, or end up in Hell trying. Purgatory. You decided it was an appropriate name.

You looked down at the sleeve of your blazer. It had little teeth marks and small bit of saliva on it from where Vinyl decided to chew on your arm. You took your blazer off, and sat it across a box behind you. You untucked your dress shirt, and let it fly freely. You were starting to get back into the groove of DJ'ing. You noticed Vinyl eyeing you. You ignored it, and kept making sure the music and lights were entertaining. You were almost done with this little stint of yours as a DJ, and then you and Rarity could get yourselves home. You took another sip of your drink, and set it back down, licking your lips. You lifted up Vinyl's goggles, sliding them onto your forehead.

You feel cool air hit your eyes, refreshing you. You look over at Vinyl, who is still staring at you, smiling that infamous mischievous half-smile at you. You didn't know what to think of it, so you kept playing, focusing on keeping the lights synchronized with the music. You took another sip of your drink, and, finding it empty, you reached for Vinyl's. You grabbed it, took a swig of it, and sat it back down, next to your empty cup. You were starting to cool down now, the mist from the fog machines hitting your chest. You could tell the crowd was getting tired, and it must have been getting late. You decided to play one last song, with the help of Vinyl.

You turned the music up, and looked back at the crowd. Rarity still stood, dancing and watching you intently. She waved. You blew one last kiss to her, and played the next song. You looked back over to Vinyl one last time as well, so see what she was doing. Still staring at you. Blushing. You shout over the music to her.

"CAN I HELP YOU?" You ask with a laugh. She yells back.

"I SURE HOPE SO!"

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