//------------------------------// // Chapter 13: Gray Matters // Story: One Shot, One Chance // by SpeederClaw //------------------------------// “You know, I could get used to this. You flying us around and all.” Vice snickered playfully as Clyde carried the duo across the Equeustrian skies. The desert feel certainly left as Clyde shifted back above the cloud layer where the temperature remained cool and calm. Vice and Enzo still felt goose bumps as they changed altitudes. “We should be able to make it to Canterlot before sundown,” said Clyde to the daydreaming duo. “Wah? Oh, cool,” said Vice. “Hey, uh, Clyde?” “Hmm?” Clyde was baffled as to what Vice could possibly say. “Thanks,” Vice said almost in a whisper. “For everything that you’ve done for us two.” Clyde was taken by surprise. “Always trying to help as all, Mister Vice.” Vice turned to Enzo and knocked shoulders with him lightly. “Man, you’re personality’s rubbing off on me. I’m turning into a softy,” Vice said with fake agony. “Glad you’re finally changing your attitude,” Enzo said with as a joke back. “My attitude was changed a long time ago, buddy.” ~~~~~~~~~~ “Alright, boys, we’ve made it!” Clyde landed elegantly with the duo promptly getting off. Luna’s moon was peeking over the mountains that lay afar. Clyde gestured Vice and Enzo to follow as they began to get lost in the grand city of Canterlot. As it was nighttime, no ponies were really out on the streets. However, Vice and Enzo stuck out severely even with the little amount of ponies still outside. “Uh, Clyde?” Vice spoke with uncertainty. “Me and Enzo look like scrubs. All these guys around make us look like trash. We need something to fancy ourselves up,” Vice finished eagerly. “Hmm.” Clyde stroked his mustache with deep thought. “I’ve got just the thing! But first, let me take you boys to the nearby inn. We could use a rest after a day such as this!” Clyde led the duo over to an incandescently lit building. A small rectangular sign hung with the letters, ‘inn’, printed in bold black. A similar lettered floor mat was the welcoming piece as the posse filed in. “Uhh, I don’t know how I feel about this,” Vice said upon entering the inn. “What’s going on?” Vice’s wings shrunk in alarm as almost a dozen eyes fell on the uncomfortable pony. “No need to fear,” Vice finally said to the staring socialites. “I’m just-” The pony sighed with aggravation. “Handicapped.” Clyde turned away from the clerk at the desk. “Mister Vice, you’re handicapped?” he asked hearing the info for the first time. “Oh yeah, I’m crazy handicapped. Need these to keep me going. I mean, what is a pegasus without his wings?” Vice said confidently. “I’m sure you know what I’m talking about.” Clyde peered at his own wings and nodded. “Right. Well then, I’ve seen to it that we’re reserved for a room. I suggest we spend the night here and get a fresh start tomorrow.” The trio found themselves escorted to their desired room. As the clerk revealed said room, a blast of fresh air brushed against the group’s faces. There lay several beds with simple maroon blankets resting on top. “Heh, reminds me of the time where we went into that Apple’s room. Ahh, good times,” Vice said to Enzo who let out a small sigh. “Have a nice night,” the clerk said before closing the door behind the three ponies. Vice felt a sudden rush of pain fluctuate within his wings. Not bothering to tell the others, he leaped onto the bed, cursed himself for bringing more pain and ignored Clyde and Enzo. “Must be his wings,” Enzo said to Clyde. “So, his wings are really handicapped? Those metal structures support them?” Clyde asked. “Um, yes. He needs them if he ever wants to fly. They help…they help-help with his flying.” Enzo closed his eyes and prayed that Clyde didn’t suspect anything. “I see. Well, no need to keep you awake any longer. Let us get some well earned rest.” Clyde climbed happily into his bed while Enzo slowly got into his. Within minutes, the whole room was silent. ~~~~~~~~~~ Another tree was put to rest as a crystal spike entered its trunk. Blitz stood, tired, as he lifted up another spike and launched it once more. “Alright, that seems good enough for me. At least you can aim,” Trixie said yawning. Both ponies noticed that Celestia’s sun had disappeared over the trees and Luna’s moon was creeping its way into the sky. Blitz dropped the spike, as well as himself, on the ground. “You can throw, but you can’t create. That’s something we’re going to have to work on so I don’t have to keep making those stupid spikes for you every time,” Trixie stated with noticeable irritation. Blitz couldn’t even utter out a word. He dreaded using his magic for long periods of time, especially when being judged. He knew he wasn’t good and he knew Trixie knew. He couldn’t tell if her words were coming out sincere or just to make him feel better about himself. “Ugh, thanks,” he managed to say almost silently. “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to create these spikes or anything in my life.” “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you do,” Trixie said nonchalantly. Blitz decided not to even interpret the message and trudged towards Trixie’s caravan. “Where do you think you’re going?” Blitz frowned and tilted his head towards Trixie. “Where can I rest?” He had no energy left to make the statement sound annoyed. “Outside, not in Trixie’s caravan. What are you nuts?” Trixie said slightly laughing. Blitz gave a face of defeat and sat down on the cold, wet grass. Trixie turned and sighed towards Blitz’s sad demeanor. “Trixie was just kidding, gosh. I’m not that mean.” ’Thank Celestia,’ Blitz thought. ’I just can’t figure out this mare…’ Trixie motioned Blitz to come into her caravan. With the welcoming smell of strong incense, Blitz sifted through the sickening scent and towards the intricate bed. “Sorry, that’s mine. You get the floor.” “But-“ “Just because I let you stay in my caravan doesn’t mean you get treated like royalty. Don’t worry, you’ll be waking up very soon,” Trixie said with an upbeat tone. “…wait me? Not us?” Blitz was starting to get frustrated with the mare. “Yes, you. I need you to pick up a few things for me tomorrow at the market,” Trixie said plainly. “Why me?” “Don’t you remember our agreement?” Blitz sighed and nodded solemnly. “Right…so what do you need?” ’What do you even need?’ Blitz thought with curiosity. “Just a few things, not much. I’ll have a list set up for when you wake up. After you get everything we are going to practice some more. So, don’t screw around and come back quick,” Trixie finished sternly. With that being said, Trixie tucked herself into her soft, open bed while Blitz scrambled to get into a comfortable position on the floor. ’What is with this mare? I have a feeling these items aren’t going to be pleasant ones.’ ~~~~~~~~~~ “BOYS!” Clyde literally burst through the door of the inn and shouted to Vice and Enzo. Vice found himself on the hard floor while Enzo simply sat up and waited for Clyde to continue. “Do you know how long you two slept in? My goodness, it’s almost the afternoon!” Clyde said raising his hooves. “Sorry, bossman, looks like we were tired as hell. Long day, right?” Vice said trying to make up. “Hmph. Anyway, I have some great news to tell you boys. We’ve been invited to a dinner party!” Clyde said excitedly. “It’s-" “Wow, hold on there, dude. A dinner party, really?” Vice asked rhetorically. “Is there a problem, Mister Vice?” “We’re gonna go in there looking like this?” Vice pointed to his attire which consisted of nothing. “Good point, that’s why I brought these!” Clyde pulled out two brand new suits from behind the door and held them up as Celestia’s sun shined brightly off of them. Vice’s mouth hung wide open. “You got those…for us?” Enzo said in place of Vice. “Indeed, my boys!” Clyde placed the suits carefully on his own bed and faced the boys. “We’ve got a lot or preparing to do before the party.” “No shit, man! How are we, who-do those things even fit us?” Vice said out of bewilderment. “Like I said, Mister Vice, much work to be done.” ~~~~~~~~~~ As nighttime approached and Luna’s moon rose above the clouds, the trio had appeared before a grand estate. The house glimmered brightly in the dark outside. Vice and Enzo stood adjacent to Clyde with suits intact on their torsos. Vice’s red tie swayed in the wind while Enzo’s blue tie stayed tucked in. They stood, mesmerized by even the gold encrusted door without speaking until Vice broke the silence. “Ah ha, Enzo, looks like somebo-pony’s ready to party, eh? Eh?” Vice nudged Enzo playfully. “It’s a dinner party, not an actual-“ “Holy crap, Clyde, your mustache!” Vice said with amazement. “Isn’t it just LOVELY!” Clyde brushed his mustache softly and caressed it carefully. “Magnificent, glorious!” “Uh huh, yeah. So we going in or what?” Vice had a hint of nervousness in the last words. Clyde nodded solemnly and knocked at the wooden door. Within a few seconds, a stallion opened the door and stared at Vice and Enzo. His top hat tilted with his head as he examined the duo. While he looked through his left monocle, Vice and Enzo did some examining themselves. The pony was almost covered in accessories. A full suit, unlike Vice and Enzo’s, covered most of the pony’s body, concealing the cutie mark area. Only three black, buttoned shoes were visible due to an impairment to the left foreleg. It was tightly bandaged and pressed against the pony’s chest. Along with a black eyepatch on the right eye and surprisingly stylish, wingtip mustache, the pony couldn’t look anymore ridiculous to Vice and Enzo. “Ahh, where are my manners,” the pony said breaking eye contact with the duo. He faced Clyde and bowed slightly. “Welcome, my good sirs, to my humble abode. I am Gray Patch, your host for tonight.” Clyde seemed to be stunned while the duo continued to observe the pony. He had a mane hidden under the hat. All they could spot were three tufts of hair sticking out from beneath. It was then the ponies finally noticed that the pony was literally no color but gray. They spotted the dark gray mane which contrasted with the light gray coat. The only thing seeping with color was the pony’s scarlet eye. It had a sort of twinkling gleam in it. “Um, hello there?” Gray Patch motioned his free fore hoof while balancing to get the group’s attention. “I’m terribly sorry, excuse my misbehavior…but, your mustache,” Clyde started to say in awe. “Oh, this little thing?” Gray Patch gingerly brushed his free hoof on his thick mustache. “It’s nothing, honestly. Yours, however, that is a sight to be withheld, my good sir.” “Well, I did have it groomed right before I came,” Clyde said brushing his hoof against the ground. Vice leaned over to Enzo and whispered with extreme caution. “What in the hell is going on here? Are mustaches the new cool or something?” Enzo shrugged and looked back to the gray pony. After a moment of cold silence, Gray Patch spoke. “Well then, I won’t leave you gentlecolts standing out in the cold anymore. Come on in, the dinner has just started.” The posse entered the estate following Gray Patch. The pony moved quickly, not giving the group enough time to take in the splendor of the house. Chandeliers, candlesticks, bowls, tables; they all flashed through their eyes as they came upon a long, lean table. “Please, have a seat.” Gray Patch took the honor or seating Vice and Enzo as well as seating Clyde next to him on the end. Murmurs and whispers traveled across the table as the other ponies glared at Vice. A faint laugh could be heard to which Gray Patch silenced with a wave of the hoof. “Please, honor our guests. Without further adieu, let the party commence.” The minute those words exited the gray pony’s mouth a dozen waitresses materialized before the table and started to place dishes all across. Still sensing a few eyes watching him, Vice folded his mechanical wings tighter than ever. Almost surprised by a plate appearing before him, he gasped. Several crescent-shaped breads surrounded a bowl of puffy cheese. The intense smell wafted through Vice as he went face first into the dish. Halfway through the action, he stopped and noticed the eyes fixed on him yet again. Laughing awkwardly, he reached for a nearby utensil and came up empty hoofed. Still smiling, he reached again and gripped air. Now looking straight at the utensil, he forced his hoof upon it and tried in vain to pick it up. He looked around and noticed everypony else eating with ease, even Enzo who was gobbling down food beside him. “How in the name of balls are you using that thing?” Vice said in amazement towards Enzo who had just brought a piece of crispy bread to his mouth. “Takes skill,” Enzo mumbled through a full mouth. “Heh, alright then.” Vice rubbed his hooves together and reached out with both towards the silver tool. Failing to even lift the object up, he tried every tactic he could muster. Pinching it in between his hooves, trying to flip it over, pushing it off the table and trying to catch it; everything. “Eh, are you having difficulties there, my good sir?” Gray Patch asked. “Nah, man. Just fooling around, haha, right?” The whispers began again and even Clyde was secreting words back and forth between Gray Patch. Giving a face of defeat, he raised his hoof weakly and called out. “Is anyb-pony here going to protest if I eat with my hooves? No? Alriiight!” ~~~~~~~~~~ “I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU DID THAT, MISTER VICE!” Clyde’s voice shattered the night as the group found themselves outside the estate. “Guy has to do what a guy has to do,” Vice said shrugging. “Why don’t you know how to use a fork, Mister Vice?” “Uhh, I’m crippled?” Vice said weakly. “…I-" “Sorry, am I interrupting. My guests were a little antsy, I’m sorry I had to remove you from the party,” Gray Patch said appearing before the trio. “If it helps, there’s going to be another party later tonight that I’d be more than happy to invite you gentlecolts to.” “Another party? God, how many parties do you peo-ponies…attend?” “This one is special, it is said that the famous Prince Blueblood will be there along with other Equestrian celebrities,” said Gray Patch. “And you're hosting it?” Clyde wondered graciously. “Not me. I’m not that popular.” “I still can’t believe I got kicked out for that.” Vice laughed nervously and expected the same from the gray pony. “You kind of deserved it,” Gray Patch said coldly. “Did I really? For not knowing how to use a damn fork?” “No, for actually eating with your hooves. In any case, I’ll be expecting you gentlecolts at the party. I have this notion to learn more about you all.” Gray Patch bowed again and exited back into the estate. “You got some weird friends, Clyde.” Vice said into the night. “He’s not my friend, I don’t know the stallion,” Clyde replied with a hint of anxiety. “Noted, bossman.”