“Hey girls, you can see Canterlot already!” Blue Jay exclaimed as she looked out the coach’s window causing Paige, Harmonious Flash, and Lyla Firecracker to break off their conversation and look out the window as well as Canterlot came into view. They had decided to visit Minako one last time to say good bye –and so Blue Jay could see the interior of the tattoo pallor– and Neighagra Falls before heading to the train station.

“We need to do something fun tonight since I’m sure tomorrow’s going to be tiring.” Paige suggested once the three had their share of seeing Canterlot except for Blue Jay.

“I’d love to hit up the Dark Mango if possible.” Harmonious Flash said calmly.

“The Dark Mango?” Paige and Lyla Firecracker said at the same time, though the former’s was as a question while the latter was in excitement.
“I’d love to go!” Lyla Firecracker exclaimed. “Think DJ-Pon3 will be there?”

“I’d be more surprised if she wasn’t.” Harmonious Flash admitted.

“You’re talking about Vinyl Scratch aren’t you?” Paige asked

“The one and only.” Lyla Firecracker smiled. “The Dark Mango is a rave bar.”

“And only the best one in town, plus they have reasonably priced drinks.” Harmonious Flash agreed.

“Wait, wait, wait, wait.” Blue Jay said and looked back at her friends. “Vinyl Scratch and DJ-Pon3 are the same unicorn?”

“Yeah, you didn’t know that?”

Blue Jay shook her head and looked out the window again. “If that’s the case, a rave bar sounds interesting.” She said cheerfully before Paige could turn it down but since she was looking out the window, nopony could see her expression. “Plus I’m starting to wonder how the Dark Mango got its name.”

“Might as well tag along.” Paige sighed since she knew she’d have more fun being with her friends than spending the evening alone.

“It used to be a fruit bar named Banana Mango.” Lyla Firecracker explained. “Then it started becoming a popular hangout for dancers and ponies that were into the goth style of dressing. Eventually the owner decided to drop the banana part and given that there were more gothic ponies, he changed the name to the Dark Mango.”

When the train pulled into the station, the four friends climbed off the train and immediately headed for the castle having decided that would be the best way to see Feral Lupus the quickest. As they got closer, they passed by Prince Blueblood muttering something rude about Celestia but they ignored him and were soon ushered into the throne room once they entered.

“What can I do for you my little ponies?” Celestia asked as the four bowed.

“Princess Celestia, where can we find Feral Lupus… or Kitsune as she should be right now?” Paige asked.

If the question caught Celestia off guard, she hid it well. “Before I answer that, I must ask; why do you wish to know?” She asked and watched them, noting Blue Jay wanted to be anywhere else but there at the moment.

“We’re going to help Blue Jay get over that event and for that, we need to see her.”

“I see. However, I cannot tell you where she is.” Celestia saw three faces fall and one look a little happier. “Come back tomorrow evening and the four of you will be granted an audience with her. I’m sure you’re aware it’s a full moon tomorrow.

“Yes, which is why we came here today. Thank you, Princess Celestia.” Paige said as they bowed once more before turning to find Rainbow Dash approaching them.

“Hi, Blue Jay.” Rainbow Dash greeted her and joined the others in heading out. “How have you been?”

“Hi, Rainbow Dash.” Blue Jay smiled before introducing Harmonious Flash and Lyla Firecracker. “I’m doing well so I can’t complain too much. How about you?”

“I’m doing awesome as always!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed as they entered the hallway and headed towards the main door to leave the castle. “My friends and I were on our way back from our latest mission but since the Wonderbolts have an event here this weekend, I convinced Twilight to stay here for a few days, not that it was very hard. That aside, I happen to see you making your way here and thought I’d say hi.”
“It’s nice to see you again as well.”

There was some silence between them for a moment before Rainbow Dash spoke again. “Um, Blue Jay… I know I haven’t been the greatest friend to you, between ditching you twice and not really keeping in touch. But well… can I make it up to you by joining you tomorrow night?”
At first, Blue Jay was tempted to say no for the exact reason Rainbow Dash just explained, but then reflected that she really hadn’t done much to stay in touch with Rainbow Dash either. “Yeah… just please don’t blow this one.” She said it in a tone that she really didn’t believe Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow Dash flinched at the tone in Blue Jay’s voice, her mind finishing the unspoken thought: or consider our friendship over. “I Pinkie Pie swear I won’t miss tomorrow. Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!” She said while going through the motions.
“Thank you.” Blue Jay glanced behind her only to see that her friends had fallen behind on purpose, though she missed Paige’s stare at Rainbow Dash. Looking back at Rainbow Dash, she asked “we’re going to the Dark Mango, want to come with us?”

Rainbow Dash shook her head. “Naw, thanks for the invite but I need to get back to my friend. Have fun though.”

“Alright, have a good night.”

“You as well.” With that, Rainbow Dash took to the sky leaving behind her signature rainbow trail while Blue Jay’s friends trotted up.

“Ready?” Harmonious Flash asked and Blue Jay nodded.

Approaching the Dark Mango, the four saw two large earth stallions that could rival Big Macintosh in size. One stood in front of the door while the other one stood in front of a rope that forced ponies to be in a line. He wore an orange shoulder pad but both of them had a green display visor over one eye that went back to their ears. In front of the one with the orange shoulder pad stood a line of ponies waiting to get in.

Harmonious Flash facehoofed. “I forgot they started enforcing that.”

“What do you mean?” Paige asked and watched a unicorn mare walked in without trouble.

“The green visor, they’re scanners that reveal how old a pony is.” Harmonious Flash stopped speaking when a stallion and mare were sent on their way and neither were happy.

“Couldn’t we just use magic to make ourselves older?” Blue Jay asked.

“No, I bet that’s what those two tried to do.”

“Go get in line, I’ll join you three in a minute.” Paige spoke up, not fully being thrilled about what she was going to do.

“Where are you going?” Lyla Firecracker asked as she tilted her head.

“I’m getting us a way in. The two of you might be able to get in without any problem, but Blue Jay and I wouldn’t be able to.” Paige then trotted away before anything could be said and with no other option, the other three got in line.

Oddly enough, Blue Jay and her friends were the last ones in line despite there being more ponies walking the streets now and Paige joined them just as they reached the bouncers.

“Stand still please, we need to check your ages.” Orange shoulder pad said while the second bouncer gave them his best glare.
“You don’t need to check our ages.” Paige said calmly and waved a hoof from left to right.

Orange shoulder pad looked at his co-worker. “We don’t need to scan their ages.”

“We’re old enough to enter, but not to drink.”

“They’re old enough to enter. Both fore-hooves please.” He stamped all their fore-hooves with some ink that identified them to be minors.
“Do you think he’ll give me that sweet orange shoulder pad if I ask him?” Blue Jay asked causing Paige’s eyes to widen.

With a small cough, she looked at the bouncer again. “Go on in.”

“Go on in.” the bouncer repeated while his co-worker stepped aside.

Blue Jay was going to ask what Paige did this time but the loud music made her flatten her ears against her head instead. As they entered, the floor was covered with in a light layer of smoke already but small strips of light helped to guide ponies around and warned of any elevation change. Many ponies were on the dance floor enjoying the heavy bass the reverberated through them and the club while DJ-Pon3 stood behind a couple large audio mixing boards and two turntables along with two large speakers on either side of the stage. Pushing a couple of switches, a neon sign lit up reading ‘ARE YOU READY TO PARTY!?’ which sent a loud cheer and stomping of hooves from everypony.

Blue Jay and her friends were pushing their way through the throng of ponies heading when the room suddenly plunged into darkness. Half a second later, disco lights started dancing around the room in thin beams and some widen themselves as black lights came on to give off some light but keep the place relatively dark.

“Now this will be fun!” Lyla Firecracker yelled as several ponies started lighting up with glow-in-the-dark and black light body paint and many wore glow sticks and glow hoops on their bodies.

“Hay yeah!” Harmonious Flash agreed. She was about to follow Lyla Firecracker onto the dance floor when she felt a tap on her shoulder and turned around in time to see Paige say something, but the music drowned her out. “WHAT!?” She shouted and leaned close enough so Paige’s mouth was next to her ear. “Okay, come join us when you want to.” They nodded in understanding before Harmonious Flash lightly nudged Lyla Firecracker in the side and headed for the dance floor.

Paige led the way to the bar and found a couple of seats for her and Blue Jay. After sitting down, she created a bubble or magic around them and had it play classical music instead and ordered some fruit punch. “That’s better. How could anypony find going deaf a fun idea?”

“I don’t get it either.” Blue Jay ordered some apple cider before pointing to their friends. “Those two seem like they’re enjoying it.” As she watched them, a random mare gave them a couple of glow hoops and found that she didn’t care for the grinding that they were doing but the other dancing seems fun.

“Why did you say it would be fun and decide to come here then?”

Blue Jay blushed as Harmonious Flash and Lyla Firecracker started dancing a little too closely with each other and other ponies and turned to face the bar so she didn’t have to see any more of the dancing. “To be honest… I felt obligated. Harmony invited me to hand out at a bar back when I first met her and I turned her down.”

“That’s sweet of you.” Paige said and took a sip of her fruit punch. “Will you do any dancing?”

“Maybe… but nothing like what they’re doing.”

“Point taken.”

“Can I get my usual please?” A grey mare asked the bartender after walking up to the bar and standing beside Paige.

“You’re Octavia Melody aren’t you?” Blue Jay shouted across Paige as she recalled her from the Melting Wax Houser and the mare nodded.
“May I ask you who are?” Octavia asked just loud enough to be heard over the music.

“I’m Blue Jay, and this is my friend, Paige.” Blue Jay introduced them while Paige gave Octavia a small wave.

“I wouldn’t have pegged you to be the type of pony that would enjoy this.” Paige said after extending the bubble to include Octavia so they wouldn’t have to shout.

“I’m getting used to it.” Octavia admitted. “After all, my marefirend supports my classical playing so it would be extremely selfish of me not to support her.”

“Who’s your marefriend?” Blue Jay asked without thinking. “Um… that is, if you don’t mind me asking.” She hastily added.

“I don’t mind. Half of Canterlot’s night population already knows.” Octavia pointed with a hoof that turned into a wave when she caught her marefriend’s eyes. “It’s Vinyl Scratch.”

“No way! Seriously?” Blue Jay’s jaw dropped and seemed frozen in place.

Paige closed Blue Jay’s mouth and giggled. “I think her mind froze. First time that happened.” The truth was that several thoughts were running through Blue Jay’s mind at several hundred miles an hour.

“Sorry, I apologize for doing that.” Octavia sipped at her pale blue drink. “I’m guessing you’re the one that made this bubble?” She asked Paige.
Paige nodded. “Yeah, we had a couple friends that wanted to come here to dance. We didn’t think it’d be this loud though.”

Octavia gave a short, polite laugh. “I understand completely. Makes me wish I thought of having Vinyl do this my first time.” She paused and listened for a moment. “Beethoven’s ninth symphony correct?”

“You’re right. It’s my go to song when I want to have back ground noise.” Paige explained and they listened to it in silence until Blue Jay took a sip of her apple cider. “Hey, welcome back to the land of the living.”

Blue Jay blushed. “Sorry, too many thoughts over loaded my mind.” She gave them a sheepish smile. “Say, Octavia, one of our friends writes music but her first major debut didn’t go so well.” She finished her drink and hesitated since she wasn’t sure if Harmonious Flash really wanted her to talk about the music. “If it wouldn’t be too much of a hassle, could you please listen to it and let her know what you think?”

“I don’t have anything planned for a couple of days so I don’t see why I can’t. Is it classical?”

“Yes, well, that one is anyway.” Paige admitted. “We haven’t heard anything else from her yet.”

Octavia nodded. “Tell you what, bring it to my place and I’ll listen to it a couple times before giving my opinion on it. Just look up mine or Vinyl’s name in a directory.”

“Thank you so much!” Harmony will be surprised.” Blue Jay said while Paige nodded and Octavia smiled.

“Please don’t think I’m being rude, but I should get over and see my marefriend.” Octavia finished her drink and ordered another one and one for Vinyl.

“Of course, it’s understandable.” Paige said politely.

“Thank you. It was nice meeting you two.” Octavia carefully held both drinks and made her way to the stage where she and Vinyl shared a passionate kiss. They had obviously done it several times before as Vinyl’s magic kept the music going while some ponies cheered at the public display of affection.

Blue Jay’s jaw dropped once more as she watched the kiss and poked Paige. “Pinch me so I know I’m not dreaming.” She said with her eyes never leaving Vinyl and Octavia.

“Okay.” Paige’s horn lit up for a moment and she pinched Blue Jay on a fore-hoof.

Blue Jay yelped and tore her eyes away from the two as she rubbed her fore-hoof. “What was that for?”

“You told me to pinch you. Are we awake?”

“We’re awake, but we’re very puzzled.”

“About what?”

“About them… is something like that possible?”

Paige glanced at Vinyl expertly handled the turntables while Octavia danced right beside her. “Yes, about half disapprove of it though. But honestly, we can’t choose who we fall in love with.” Wish I could admit my feelings to you, that I care about you more than a friend…. She thought and watched Blue Jay watching the dancers.

“I thought it was a bad thing?”

“It most certainly is not. It’s just… well… different.”

Harmonious Flash and Lyla Firecracker joined them half a second after Paige finished speaking for a break and some refreshments. Blue Jay told them how they met Octavia and that she would listen to Harmonious Flash’s song. “So how is it that you’re able to recognize Octavia, but didn’t know Vinyl Scratch and DJ-Pon3 were the same unicorn?” Harmonious Flash teased Blue Jay.

“I… I…” Blue Jay stuttered trying to come up with an answer.

“Don’t worry, Blue Jay, I’m messing with you.” Harmonious Flash said while Paige was gradually dropping the bubble around them so they could get used to the loud music. Once they were ready, the four headed onto the dance floor with Harmonious Flash and Lyla Firecracker teaching Blue Jay and Paige how to dance.

Author's Notes:

Disclaimer: I don't own My Little Pony, Hasbro does.
However, I'm pleased to say I do own Blue Jay, Paige, Harmonious Flash, Kitsune/Feral Lupus, Lyla Firecracker, Minako, and Shadow.

Also, the Shadowbolts named here are mine as well.
Fainthoof is used with permission from Damien, a good friend of mine.

As always, constructive criticism is welcome. It'll help me to improve my writing and seeing what people liked.