Sugar is talking with Blue at the bar and a large colt taps her shoulder. “Hey are you that Badlands babe that likes to have fun with others?” the colt asked.
Sugar was immediately uncomfortable as the colt stood menacingly over her and she replied, “Uh, not really, i just…”
“Oh come on, I saw you and that little pink one with the skirt the other day.” the colt urged aggressively. “You can’t tell me you--”
Blue leaned over the counter cutting him off placing his hoof between them saying, “Hey that’s not what she’s about Hammer Lock, and haven’t I told you not to come here anymore?”
“Shut it Blue, you don’t own the club and I made certain that the owner knows I’m worth it.” Hammer Lock said.
“We’ll see about that.” Blue said motioning over the bouncer. “Sugar you should go back to Cherry Tune for a bit alright?” He said.
“Sure thing Blue.” Sugar replied.
“Oh ho, Cherry you say. Think I’ll pay her a visit too.” Hammer said starting to walk towards where Sugar was going. Before he could get a step a huge stallion forced his way between Hammer and his path. “Remember what happened last time Hammer Lock.” the bouncer said.
“Fine, I’ll go talk to Mack then.” Hammer said with a cocky smirk. He walks downstairs to find the manager.
“Jeesh, thanks Stone Wall, I still owe you for the last time.” Blue said.
“Nonsense, I rather enjoy playing the low key hero.” Stone said with a smile and a wink.
Sugar met up with Cherry, Promenade, and Sunny at the usual round booth. “You okay hun?” Sunny asked.
“Yeah, some jerk just made me uncomfortable that’s all, but Blue took care of him.” Sugar replied.
“Honestly, it’s a wonder where all these creepers are coming from recently.” Promenade said.
“I know.” Sunny replied. “I think I know that colt, used to be quite the guardspone but after we defeated Torment he changed a lot. Managed to get himself kicked out of the guard.” She added.
Illu whispers into Cherry Tunes ear, “That’s because he’s got a spirit in him…. Unfortunately it looks like he’s permanently corrupted by it.”
Cherry’s eyes widened in shock. “You ok Cherry?” Promenade asked.
“Oh! Heheh yeah just ... gotta go use the washroom real quick.” She said bolting off.
“Hey what about the shots you just ordered!” Sunny asked sa Cherry ran off.
She runs to the stall and sits down. “Where are you Illu! And what are you doing here?” Cherry barked in a whisper.
“Oh I’m sorry… I kinda stowed away in your headphones…” Illu said. “I just wanted to see what the “night life” was all about!” she added.
“Ugh, fine, but let me know before you go doing something like that… Creatures are going to think I’m weird….. Ok weirder... but you know what I mean. Keep quiet and don’t get caught okay?” Cherry said.
“Can do!” Illu replied.
Cherry returns to her friends and the “Cherry Zingers” Sugar ordered at the bar just arrived. Blue placed two in front of each mare and asks, “Ya sure you want to do two back to back?”
Promenade just raised an eyebrow and pulled her two shots close to her. Sunny gestured to Promenade and also pulled her own two shots close to her. “Hey, I warned ya.” Blue said before revealing two more shots for himself. “Hey you didn’t think I’d let ya do this without me aye?” he said, raising an eyebrow.
“Just in time.” Cherry said. “Alright ladies! ... Sirs. To life and all of its surprises!” Cherry toasted.
“AYE!” the group replied before shooting back the shots one after the other.
Stone Wall walked over whispered in Blue’s ear. He turned to the group said, “Excuse me ladies, duty calls. I’ll be back in a moment.”
Cherry turned to Blue, “Hey is everything ok?”
“Absolutely Cherry! Nothing I haven’t dealt with before.” Blue smiled before heading off with Stone Wall.
Maple Showers had taken over bartending while Blue was gone and she reassured the group that he was fine and was just having a conversation with management about a rowdy costumer. Blue and Maple would always have to do this sort of thing and he or she would usually be gone the rest of the night. The group thought nothing much of it but Cherry Tune was feeling a little uneasy about this one.
Fortunately the night went on without other incidents. Sunny and Promenade were calling it a night heading to the washroom one last time before the train ride back to Ponyville. Moonlet and Nightfall had left a little earlier and Sugar and Cherry were heading out as well. Cherry Tune turned to Sunny and Promenade and said “Okay you two! See ya later, be safe and activate Sugars emberlight when you get home safe!”
“Sure thing sweety!” Sunny replied carrying an almost completely unconscious Promenade to the restroom. “Promenade you seem to be going overboard with this as of late.” Sunny said quietly to herself.
Sugar and Cherry head down to the first floor where Blue usually would bid his farewell. Neither him or Maple were there to send them off and that made Cherry sober up quick, or the best she could. The two walk out and down the street while Sugar leaned on Cherry Tune for support. “Hey were going to my place ok, it’s much closer than the train station and I don’t think you’d make it on your own.” Cherry said chuckling.
“Yeah, I think you’re right.. Heheheh.” Sugar said before rushing over to a bush to evacuate the contents of her stomach. She mostly dry heaves but releases most of the remaining liquids. She wipes her mouth but hears a rustling in the bushes. She jumps back lands on her butt and starts to crawl backwards as Hammer Lock emerged creeping towards her. “Well well, looks like you and I get to have some fun after all.” he said.
Sugar couldn’t do much else but to continue to move back. Cherry rushed over placing herself between Hammer and Sugar. “Hey back off!” Cherry said her eyes focused and ready for a fight.
“Hey little Cherry, gunna enjoy bursting you later, for now though, she owes me.” Hammer said. “She gets on with every other creature in town but not me? Where’s the fairness in that.” he added.
“Look, she doesn’t owe you shit and if she doesn’t want to with you then she doesn’t have to! So bugger off!” Cherry growled.
“Heheheh, feisty. Okay boys, y’all can have the badlander, I’ll take the one with the cute little skirt.” Hammer said. Three other large creatures emerged, a Griffon, a large mare, and another large colt. “Hey boss, let me get a little of that cherry with ya.” the mare said.
“Sure thing Lilith.” Hammer said. The four made their way towards Cherry Tune and Sugar Cloud. Sugar Cloud felt the same helpless feeling she had back with Promenade in the caves, the crippling fear was multiplied by her intoxication. Cherry was also intoxicated but her mind was sharp, her senses alert, and her training kicked in. Cherry knew she had no chance at taking all four of them down but she had no choice but to protect Sugar Cloud so she stood fast and prepared for a fight.
From out of nowhere a purple blur struck the griffon and he fell hard to the ground while a bright yellow blur struck Lilith. Promenade stood over the griffon as if stone cold sober, then she shot a look towards Hammer. Sunny pushed herself off Lilith and lunged at the other colt. Sunny bucked the colt hard enough to knock him out and she began to subdue Lilith in a stranglehold.
Hammer either didn’t notice or didn’t care as he kept a steady trot towards Cherry. She preemptively charged but before she got a few steps in Promenade gently landed between the two face to face with Hammer. “What a pretty little pegasus, I’m afraid you’ll have to wait your turn.” he said.
Promenade was easily the smallest mare in the group but she stared down Hammer with her now shimmering eyes. The green in her mane, usually too faint to see, also shimmered like the aurora of the north. “Now that’s fierce.” Hammer growled. He took half a step towards Promenade before she, with lightning quick speed, kicked him in the jaw. The impact echoed down the street.
Hammer was immediately knocked out cold. Lillith broke free from Sunny and dragged Hammer away. The remaining colt and griffon were apprehended by a guard patrol who made there way towards the sound. “Cherry, Sugar, are you two okay?” Sunny said rushing over towards them.
Sugar sat in shock crying into her hooves. Cherry still riled up kept the guards from approaching her or Sugar and kept looking around for other aggressors. “I’m fine, Sunny…. Just a little shaken…” Cherry said staring down her fellow guardpones who were trying to help her and Sugar.
Promenade came up unexpectedly beside Cherry and gave her a hug, whispering to her. “Shhh, come now dear Cherry, they are here to help.”
Cherry relaxed, and thought she recognized a voice within Promenade’s. Illu discreetly made her way from Promenade’s body to Cherry’s headphones. “Sorry Cherry I needed to borrow her body to save you.” Illu said.
Promenades body went limp and Cherry quickly grabbed hold. Cherry was apparently in shock and could only hold Promenade. Sunny took charge as she had much less to drink than her party, just in case things like this happened. She instructed additional guards to take the suspects away and asked the remaining two guards to escort the girls to Cherry’s house as it was the closest and most secure.
Cherry lets Promenade and Sugar sleep in her bed while Cherry slept curled up in her bean bag chair clutching her plush bunny. Sunny was offered the sofa but elected to stay up for a bit until everyone was asleep. The two guards who escorted them remained on patrol close to Cherry’s house until morning.