And So It Began
"Alright the rules are simple, we both take our hits at the same time, first one to tap out, pass out or throw up losses" Rainbow Dash preached loud enough so every pony in their group including others surrounding them could hear her. Spike was being stared down at like he was some snot nose little filly that had never even thought about touching anything alcoholic in his life. Little did Rainbow Dash know, Spike was not so much scared as he was thrilled, excited and motivated to see how well dragons could actually stomach hard cider.
"Alright just don't be disappointed when you lose." Spike chuckled while he shot back his own glare of the challenged being accepted. "But, lets make this a little more interesting" he mused after downing his first mug, thus starting the challenge. "Every few drinks one of us will wager a dare upon the other, who ever losses must take on all of the victors wages."
Rainbow Dash sat in her spot for a moment stunned at the dragons cockiness while absorbing all of the irresistible aroma of a good challenge. As she chugged her own mug full of the sweet alcoholic beverage that was the determining factor of this event Rainbow Dash huffed "You're on, and may the best drinker win". With that, the challenge was off with a literal bang that came from Pinkie Pie's party canon. All of the inhabitants of the surrounding area were all shocked from the unexpected bang of a cannon all while shooting a mean glare at Pinkie.
"What" Pinkie wined with a look of non-understanding on her face. "All of my emergency bells that I hide are all in Ponyville, this was the only thing I had on hoof" she explained.
3 drinks in
As Rainbow Dash and Spike continued their challenge they were starting to draw a crowd around the table, as such events are particularly rare at a social gathering. Ponies all around the two started making bets with one another on who would drop out first.
Clearly noticing the crowd forming around them Rainbow decided that it was time to place the first wage. "I'll start the wager off easy for you, lets say if I win you have to give me two of your favorite comic books" Rainbow proclaimed loudly so that all of the crowd could hear her. She then downed the mug in her hoof and began to fill it back up from the barrel.
Spike gasped with a surprised look on his face "You know i love my comic books" Spike said.
"Whats that I hear" Rainbow teased, "afraid your going to lose"?
That got Spike back into the swing of the competition. "Not a chance, but say I win then you have to give me your signed first edition of Daring Do". Spike said proudly as he chugged his fourth cup of cider, and giving Rainbow a quirky grin.
Rainbow Dash gasped, " You know that has way to much sentimental value to just give away".
With the tables turned Spike was just itching to give Rainbow a taste of her own medicine, "Whats the matter, scaaared" Spike said while doing an imitation of a chicken. This made the crowd gasp slightly as they turned to Rainbow to see what she would do.
"You have no idea what you getting yourself into" Rainbow replied with a smirk. "I could win this competition in 10 seconds flat".
“Oh care to put your bits where your mouth is”? Spike said confidently while filling up his mug from the barrel.
Locking eyes with her opponent “Bring it scaly breath” Rainbow Dash replied.
6 drinks in
As the competition progressed and the crowd around Rainbow Dash and Spike grew significantly, Pinkie Pie took the liberty to not only be the judge but being the commentator as well as she grabbed the microphone from who-knows-where, Pinkie Pie announced boldly.
“The competition is getting ‘Fierce’ everypony, each combatant is on their 6th drink, with a barrel containing 20 servings and after they had both bought a single serving on themselves there are still 10 servings of Apple-Cider left in the barrel. As we've reached our half-point who will become victorious! Will it be Rainbow Dash a pony who is not foreign to this competition, or will it be the newbie Spike although his first participation in this kind of event, he holds a significant advantage over the Pegasus being able to hold down the substance with more resistance. It's a neck and neck battle with wagers being thrown left and right who will end up on top and who will have to suffer defeat nopony knows.”
“As much as I want to say that I'm not with this entire competition I'm actually getting kind of excited.” Twilight says with a bit more enthusiasm than she wanted.
“Howh you feewing Spike, not ready to quith on me are you?” Rainbow says while unsteadily filling her mug. “Don't vorget you can alwayz drop out whenefer you want but juss know, if you do I win.”
“Are you kiddin I'm juss geffing started you won't be able to tosk me off to the sidee that easiwy.” Spike says with a little bit more difficulty than he had anticipated. “But what do you shay, think it'sh about time for anover wager?”
“Ha you read my mind, I'll shay when I win you havfe to be my pershonal ashsistant for a whole day.” Rainbow proclaimed right before Downing her 7th mug.
“Ohh raishing the stakes a little I shee how about when I win you have sto take over my shpot, reshelving the books in Twilight'sh Library.” Spike said confidently and then followed suit downign his 7th mug.
“Ahh I shee the little drake is done playing gamesh now, alrighty shwrimp wage accepted” Rainbow slurred.
“Likewishe.” Spike replied.
10 drinks in
At this time the sun had set and the late hours of the evening were drawing near, as the crowd that just started out as a couple ponies had now increase to about 60 and bets across the crowd were increasing the enthusiasm of this event it had sparked into what would appear to be a full on Throwdown.
Pinkie Pie continued commentating “You're seeing it here first folks Rainbow Dash and Spike have finished their tenth drink, with only two servings left in the barrel each combatant are looking extremely exhausted not to mention intoxicated, will they be able to finish the barrel or go down trying, the final drink Starts Now!
Twilight starts to look around at the crowd and back at Spike who like Pinkie Pie says wasn't looking too hot “Spike this was fun while it lasted but I think you've had enough, it's time to stop this.”
“No twoilet I cun hondle this, don't worry bout meh I can finishh thish off. Whatsh about you Rainsbow Dawsh you look licke you're about to drwop.” Spike practically spat trying to keep his lips under control to little avail.
“Arwe you kidding me dwragon I cood do thish all night glong.” Both Rainbow Dash and Spike proceeded to fill up their mug for the last time emptying the barrel completely, and ready to put this competition to rest. “all rightsh Shcaly swhen I show you lup with this vinal drink you haff toooooooooo” Rainbow says while her voice slowly fades away into the back of her throat as her arms become limp and she passes out headfirst on the table.
The crowd gasps extremely audibly as Rainbow Dash has completely falling out of the competition and some of the ponies bets were now a payday for their opponent.
“This is it folks, all Spike has to do is finish the cider in his mug and he can Proclaim victory!” Pinkie Pie announced.
A lot of cider gone and a Pegasus passed out on the picnic table not exactly the evening that Twilight had hoped for, but she was excited that her number one assistant had bested Rainbow Dash against her own game.
Spike then raised his mug into the air to solidify his accomplishment getting a roar from most of the crowd and all of his friends that were still conscious. He soaked up his glory for the moment as he then lowered his mug down from over his head below his chin passed his elbows and down below his waist as Spike fell back in his chair and passed out.
Everypony then let out a loud gasp as both of the combatants had falling unconscious and the outcome of the event was unclear. Everypony looked at Pinkie Pie who was the judge and commentator of the event for an answer to this endeavor.
Pinkie Pie started stammering to give the ponies a conclusion to this event “Uh uhhhhhh……. As the judge of this event I proclaim that this means uhh….. that it's a tie.” Everypony kept looking at her as to explain why it ended in a tie, ‘Well even though Rainbow Dash went down and out first Spike never finished his mug thus they both drank the same amount and there is no winner, so all bets are off!” Pinkie Pie announced which was then replied with another gasp from the crowd of ponies.
It was then that Twilight felt the urge to make the population scarce “Alright everypony the competition is over we gotta get these two home.” Twilight announced as everypony in the audience replied with a disappointing “awww.”
As the crowd began to disperse it was then that Applejack joined her friends after closing down the cider stand, Applejack walked up to Twilight “Howdy partner I can see that since we have two passed out friends that tonight was eventful.”
“You can say that again, I think I've had about all the excitement I can handle for one night.” Twilight replied showing the signs of a long day affecting her. “I'm sorry I can't stay and chat, but I have to get Spike home. Hopefully next time he will learn to enjoy these kinds of things in moderation.”
“Well at least they had fun right?” Fluttershy chimed in.
“Can't argue with that, it really seems like Spike was having fun, but maybe next time he can have a little more fun without getting intoxicated.” Twilight laughed.
“I reckon that this is going to happen again next year no matter what, but I can't blame them. Rainbow Dash is just a competitive spirit and Spike always has been a character to improve his skills whatever that skill may be. But I might as well follow suit I've had a long day at the cider sand and I'm about ready to hit the hay, Y'all have a good night.”
“Goodnight Applejack.” Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and Twilight all said in unison.
“I think it's about time I skedaddle back home too, I'm running the front counter at Sugarcube Corner tomorrow so I've got a big day ahead of me, are you two going to be okay getting our contestants home safely?” Pinkie Pie asked.
“Oh I'll be fine, this isn't the first time I had to escort Rainbow Dash home after a fun night, and it most certainly won't be the last.” Fluttershy replies.
“Spike is getting pretty big but I don't think it's anything I can't handle, I think we'll be fine Pinkie Pie you go and head on home and will follow suit.” said Twilight.
“Okie dokie loki” Pinkie Pie happily exclaimed. “Bye-bye Twilight, have a good night Fluttershy.” And with that Twilight and Fluttershy were left alone with two friends who were unaware of their presence.
Twilight and Fluttershy then made their way to their comatosed friends as they proceeded to pick them up and give each other their final goodbyes for the night.
Twilight was having a little more difficulty caring Spike home then she had thought, not only has he gotten a lot bigger but he was getting a lot heavier as well. But with a little difficulty she had finally made it to her front door it was then that Spike started mumbling in his sleep
“Hah yeah you'resh going down.” Spike uttered in his sleepy state.
Twilight smiled as she listened to the dragon fumble around in his subconscious. She then proceeded up the stairs into spikes room and once again being very thankful that he cleaned it, she easily made it over to his bed and gently laid the drake down.
It was at this time Spike open his eyes a little bit and stared directly at Twilight “You're hreally beaustiful Rarity” he slurred as he then fell back asleep.
Twilight chuckled and blushed a little, even though the compliment wasn't specifically directed towards her she still enjoyed being complimented on her looks. She then kissed her number one assistant on the forehead and exited his room Twilight then made her way up to her own bedroom and just as she laid herself down on her bed she swiftly follow Spike's lead and fell asleep to be whisked away in her biblical dreams.