//------------------------------// // The Only Chapter // Story: A Tipsy Nightmare Night // by BadassWaffle //------------------------------// With the not so much anymore recent reintegration of ponykind back into play, so did the holidays come along with them. One of them was the very popular Nightmare Night. This holiday was actually later found out by the three races that they all still celebrated it.   But with the merge, it brought much more variety to the type of Nightmare Night attire.  Earth ponies thought it revolved around fun stuff like cartoon characters and posing as your favorite public workers like being a police officer or firefighter. Pegasi thought it revolved around much older times, with roman inspired attire, with robes and gold accessories. The unicorns seemed to have Nightmare Night down to its name, by being as scary as they can get. They even used their crystals around Bridlewood to light up their scary attire, with fake blood, fake wounds, scary masks, ghost costumes, and much more terror inspired costumes.   For Maretime Bay, it made the ambience much more uncanny than ever before. But with that said, it also made it more fun for the townsponies. The streets now had everything from the two other pony races. There were flickering ambient crystals around the streets, courtesy of Bridlewood, as well as gold elements from Zephyr Heights.   For the Mane Five, they took the opportunity to explore their options from the other regions.   Sunny decided to go Zephyr Heights style, wearing an elegant white robe that covered her body, slightly touching the ground at her rear, a pure gold thin tiara on her head, much like Pipp’s. Her hooves were finished with gold tint, and around her neck lay a gold necklace lined with orange crystals that were illuminated from Bridlewood.   Izzy went for Maretime Bay attire, electing to wear a fitted doctor's outfit. The white lab coat, along with the slightly blue tinted button up shirt gave Izzy a slightly enhanced appeal to her body, as the outfit was fitted specifically for her. The black tie that hung around the collar of her buttoned up shirt, and the glasses really made her look… well, attractive.   Zipp went for the Scary Bridlewood vibe, being a type of zombie-broken pony. Her coat was no longer pure snow white, but now dirty and dusty, as well as her mane, though it wasn’t messy, but in the same neat fashion, though bloodstained. Cuts and bruises were all over her, with fake blood dripping and stained on her white coat wherever a cut might be. Her left eye was severely bruised, with blood trickled down the outer corner of it. Her wings had gashes at their base, and some broken up white plastic material to impose broken bone to enhance her ‘dead’ effect. Her eyes were styling purple eyeliner and pure black mascara, as well as her lips having a slight gloss effect. Her eyes themselves wore red contacts that actually glowed with the help of Bridlewood crystal technology being implemented into them, giving her an evil look.  Pipp and Hitch went for a classic duo, a witch and a scarecrow. Hitch’s scarecrow was the usual, a ragged hat, woven shirt, and some dark makeup on his face to give him a scarier effect. Pipp however stole the show. Her witch outfit was on the more suggestive side of costumes, being more fitted, giving off a sex appeal. Her hat was made of smooth black fabric, as she wore a matching cape to go with it. Lastly were the items that were giving her a rather captivating look. Black lipstick, along with stockings on her hind legs.  When the five met up with each other in the middle of town, they were all shocked with their costumes.   “I feel like I went too soft on my choice compared to yours Zipp!” Sunny said, still amazed by the work of her costume. “How did you even get it to look that real?”  Zipp bashfully looked to the ground. “Well, I may have had our makeup designers in Zephyr Heights help out with it, but I’m very into this holiday so I usually go for as realistic as I can. When it was just our style I went as real materials as it got to the point where mom sometimes thought I was being a little overboard.” Zipp then decided to scare the four ponies a little, making mechanical movements towards them, giving a very scary and killer focused look towards them, her wings fully extended in a glitchy fashion.  “That I can confirm.” Pipp said with a laugh.   “You look great though Sunny! The light up orange crystal in your necklace is really pretty. “Hitch pointed out, trying to keep Sunny from regretting her choice.   “Well, on the bright side, you could just burst into your Alicorn form!” Izzy said with a full smile blasted on her face.   “I must say Izzy, you look really good with that outfit. Like, hot good!” Pipp commented, getting a laugh from the group.  “What can I say? I like to keep myself looking good!”  She responded.  “Hitch I must put it out there, you and Pipp look insanely cute.” Zipp stated, pointing out the obvious. “You guys really match… and look like you’re going to cause chaos tonight!”  Pipp chuckled, “Maybe later.” She said, shrugging with a smirk. This slightly embarrassed Hitch.   “Well we should get to the party. It’s an adults only with drinks!” Izzy basically shouted in  excitement, getting yet another laugh from the group.   As they all proceeded, Hitch pulled Pipp slightly back from the group, “We’re gonna cause ‘chaos’ tonight now?” He was now smiling.  “Oh you’ll see a big guy.” A pure seductive attitude dripping out of her mouth. This really woke Hitch up.   As they got to the party, they were met with a very modern and open ballroom style party. The ceiling had crystal orbs that were illuminated in various colors, hooked onto wires that moved them up and down in a wave like fashion, though it was not hard to see in the room, it was dark for the scary vibe. The music was very electronic, and the strobe lights matched the music. Ponies were all over the place. The dance floor, tables, the bar, everywhere. The good part was the party was restricted to keep it from getting crowded, so getting lost in the crowd would be pretty hard to do.   Every pony that was there wore something different. The variety of costumes were off the charts. The attire style however was very much similar. Most of the ponies, specifically the mares, wore quite attractive costumes, and the stallions wore very sharp and almost formal styles of those costumes.   The group stayed together, finding their table in a corner where the music wasn’t too loud, and the lighting was calm. They sat, and instantly a gray stallion in a pure white suit, and a dark purple shortened mane greeted them, asking for what drinks they may want. Sunny went with something that surprised the entire group, just hard cider, the most aggressive to be that is. Izzy went for the ‘Bridlewood Lights’, known as an electric blue concoction of a drink that actually was illuminated by edible crystal minerals in the drink. Apparently, a few shots of that will knock almost any pony out. Izzy classically ordered five for the whole table. Zipp went with a Maretime Bay Breeze, with coconut rum, and strawberry banana flavoring. When the drink arrived, it looked like a smoothie from a secret island, a red and yellow striped blend to it. Hitch and Pipp elected both for a Lemon Drop in a glass, not in a shot form.   When the drinks arrived, they toasted the ‘Bridlewood Lights’, all noticing the harsh burn. Nopony coughed, but wow did it burn. Hitch actually had to use his Lemon Drop as a chaser. The drink felt like it had no alcohol in it compared to the one Izzy had them drinking. This caused Pipp to laugh as she noticed his scrunched face.   A few minutes later, the food arrived, and by the end of the first course, Hitch started to feel Izzy’s drink. He wasn’t really a lightweight, but he rarely drank to begin with, so a drink that hard shocked his body considerably. He decided to take a few healthy sips of his water, trying to dilute the increasing dizzying effect.   The second course came, and finally the dessert. During this, Izzy had the group drinking all kinds of Bridlewood inspired drinks. Hitch was amazed at the fact that Zipp had virtually zero effect from this, or at least from what he could see from across the table. She was certainly chattier, but in no way had any decline in her motor-skills.  Sunny seemed okay… probably? She definitely had a buzz, that was for sure, but she seemed to be in some sort of self-control. Izzy… was still Izzy. It almost annoyed Hitch  that Izzy was totally unfazed by this, as if she entered a cheat code or something to prevent her from feeling a thing. She drank the alcohol like it was water! Lastly was Pipp. She seemed okay. Like Sunny, she definitely was acting different. But she seemed like she was one hundred percent aware of what was going on around her, though the small sway of her body in her seat every now and then gave away her sobriety. Hitch just sat there the entire time they were at the table quietly, deciding to just listen in on the conversation, nodding his head very lightly, as when he did so, his head slightly spun more.   When the desert was finished, Hitch knew something was wrong with him. He never felt this drunk before. He wasn’t nauseous, or uncomfortable. He was actually quite contemptuous with himself, but very dizzy. He knew what was going on around him. That itself was no challenge. But again, he was extremely dizzy.   “Okay guys let's go to the dance floor! We need to groove out these drinks!” Izzy shouted, exiting her seat, along with Zipp and Sunny. Pipp didn’t exit immediately though. The girls stopped and waited for the other two. Pipp now looked extremely concerned, putting a hoof up to Hitch’s shoulder, getting him out of his rather tired looking ‘staring off into space’ state. “Are you okay sweetheart?” Hitch actually didn’t know how to answer. He didn’t want to scare her, so he decided to just stay calm and smile.  “I’m fine babe. I’m gonna hang back and just relax, okay?”  Pipp’s ears were now flat against her head. “Hitch…” He knew when she used his name in concern that it usually meant trouble. “are you sure you are okay? Do you want me to stay with you?”   Hitch shook his head. “No sweetheart please go have fun with our friends. I’m just a little bit tired is all. I’m just going to relax and watch. Maybe I’ll come out to the dance floor soon.”   Pipp eventually nodded, getting out of her chair, being led by the three friends, occasionally looking back worryingly at Hitch, to which he smiled back to reassure her.   As Hitch watched his marefriend dance with their friends, he reflected on his life. He didn’t know if it was his extreme borderline blackout drunken state or not, but he thought about everything that has happened over the past few months, and how lucky he really was. He not only had his childhood friend at his side again in full confidence, but he also had his new friends, and now Pegasus lover. He had what he wanted in life; a good paying dream job, a nice place to live, a pony that he could see in his life forever, and a tight friend group that he could trust with anything. He also had his other friends, such as Sprout, who was doing very well at Canterlogic, now the chief marketing officer, and happy with his life. And lastly, he had his life as a whole together. He couldn’t understand why it wasn’t before Izzy showed up that day, but after all the dust settled, he felt like he had less anxiety. He had the feeling that everything was going to be okay.  And with Pipp by his side, he felt unstoppable.   Hitch decided it was time to get to the dance floor, steadily getting out of his chair. Just  before setting off, the stallion that was serving them came up to him. “Sir, would you like something to cope with your dizziness?” Hitch smiled but politely declined by shaking his head. The stallion smiled, “Let me know if you or your mare need anything!” He responded with a wink. Hitch chuckled as he walked to the dance floor.  When Pipp saw him, her mouth dropped into an open smile, excited to see her stallion finally join her. She could however tell that he wasn’t himself, and that he was disguising his current state from his slow walk.  When he got to her, he bobbed his head, occasionally swaying his body to the beat. He was no dancer, he knew that, and also was slightly sober enough to know not to embarrass himself, even if Pipp would love it. Compared to Pipp, who was not only the most famous pony in Equestria, but also the number one singer, and a great dancer at that. He knew he was no match, so with that, he kept his more diluted movements over him going wild.   The party itself went to the top. The room itself was still captivating to Hitch. The way the crystal balls attached to the moving wires, still making the wave-like effect amazed him. The technology from Bridlewood and Zephyr Heights combined really made the world seem over one hundred years ahead of its time. He never thought he would have a phone with a full display, able to call any pony in the world at the touch of a few virtual buttons. He didn’t even know what a phone was until going to Zephyr Heights to find Sunny, but here he was now, with one in his pocket, a laptop at home, and a desktop at his office. Nuts.   He decided to look at his phone, as it displayed just past two a.m.   Pipp noticed Hitch’s attention on his phone, noticing the time as well. Her sister, Sunny, and Izzy were still going just fine. Hitch seemed really tired. Her ears slightly drooped.  She felt bad for her coltfriend, seeing his very tired state.   She smiled lightly and turned to the other mares. “Girls! I’m gonna head out with Hitch.  Puddin’ seems to be out of energy.” She said, to which they all nodded and waved goodbye.   Pipp went up to the stallion she had on target; hers, and lightly pushed him away from the dance floor. He tiredly looked at Pipp surprised, eyes half lidded, but did not protest.   When getting outside, Pipp finally spoke. “Okay sweetie, it’s time for us to head home.”  Hitch only nodded, causing Pipp to laugh for a brief moment.   As they walked, Pipp noticed Hitch slightly leaning into her. She decided to lean back to give him the impression that she had him under control. She further did this by turning her head up to give his cheek a kiss.   When they got to 10X Maretime Bay, Pipp held her phone up to the scanner to open the sliding doors to the apartment, getting to the elevator with no trouble. When entering, Hitch sat down; his head slightly now lower than Pipp’s height. When the doors closed, it was just the two of them. Hitch looked at Pipp. She simply blushed. She still sometimes got caught off guard by his looks. He simply smiled lightly, and leaned up to her for a kiss, to which Pipp gladly took, holding a hoof up to his cheek. The entire time the elevator made its accent to the top floor, they were locked in a kiss. It wasn’t aggressive, and there was no tongue. It was a simple make out sesh. When the doors opened, the two heard a throat clearing. Pipp’s eyes show open, and quickly pulled away from Hitch, an audible smooch coming from their separation. In front of them stood a slightly older stallion, smiling at them, waiting for them to exit, knowing what was going on.   Pipp’s ears flattened, smiling in pure embarrassment. She quickly grabbed Hitch, getting them to their apartment.  Pipp eventually decided it was time to take it to the next level of their relationship, now living permanently with Hitch. Every now and then she would go have a sleepover with the girls, but she now resided with Hitch. She offered to get his entire rent covered by the castle’s budget, stating that the amount that it had in reserves every year could build a new city. But Hitch declined, and he also declined Pipp from paying for just about anything. He wouldn’t dare let her pay for the apartment or market runs, or anything of the sort. Once in a while he would lose the fight at dinner or whenever they were on a date somewhere. While Hitch knew Pipp could basically buy the entire 10X apartment, he felt that he should be the one to pay for things and provide. It’s not that he didn’t think Pipp could live on her own, but it was just how he was raised.   Pipp again held her phone up to the door’s new electronic lock, and the door clicked open, giving access to the modern ambient lit room. Soft music started to play, and the curtains from the ceiling started to lower down to blackout the light pollution from the town.   Pipp closed and locked the door behind her, then turning around to see Hitch standing idle, staring into space. She started to lead the stallion to the bathroom, where more ambient lighting and music played, getting Hitch into the shower. She first undressed him in silence, taking his clothing to his closet, then undressing herself, and doing the same, hanging her costume up, as well as her hat next to her gold tiara.   When returning to the bathroom, Hitch was sitting on the floor, waiting for her patiently.  He smiled when she returned, gaining a giggle from her. She then took him into the shower, closing the glass door behind them, then getting to the screen on the shower wall, turning on the instant hot water of the shower head that covered the entire perimeter of the shower, covering them both in hot water. Pipp however turned her side off, as she didn’t need her makeup rinsed off, just wiped with makeup remover. Instantly, Hitch started to become himself again. Pipp smiled, seeing him in his relaxed state.   She started to massage his mane and rub her hooves on his body to get the rest of the makeup remaining. Hitch then shifted, causing Pipp to slightly slip back onto her haunches, now in a sitting position. Hitch came up to her, his body, dripping water, now towering above. He then grabbed Pipp, gently putting her up against the shower’s granite wall, enveloping her into another make out session. She didn’t deny it at all. She knew this aggressive behavior wasn’t the alcohol talking. Once in a while Hitch took the lead when it came to the more intimate moments of their relationship. Their sex life was rather normal, often playing under the covers every now and then.   Pipp decided to take action now, slightly moaning into the kiss, putting her hooves on Hitch’s chest. After a few more moments of the passionate kiss, her right hoof lowered down to his stomach, looking for a destination below. Pipp however was stopped by Hitch, his hoof now grabbing hers, and him breaking the kiss. He was smiling. This confused the princess. “Pipp, we’re way too drunk, or at least I am to do anything tonight. I’m not going to accidentally take advantage of you.”   Pipp’s heart almost melted at this. “Hitch, it’s you I’m worried about. I am more than willing to do anything you want tonight. And it’s not like this is our first time…” Pipp kissed Hitch’s cheek after that statement.   “…Anything?”  Pipp smiled, ears drooping to give her a sexier look. “Anything.” She said in confidence.   Hitch smiled, “Then I only have one request.” Pipp nodded. “Let’s just cuddle tonight, okay? I don’t feel comfortable doing anything with this foggy of a mind.” Pipp laughed a little at Hitch’s cute look. ‘He’s so adorable.’  “Of course, sweetheart.” She replied, her right hoof now on his cheek.   When they finished up, Hitch dried himself off carefully as Pipp wiped her face clean with makeup remover.   Getting to their bed, Hitch let Pipp enter first, as he went to the tablet on the wall, shutting the entire apartment down. All lights were now off, and no music played. The soft ambient light strips above on the ceiling were barely visible, only to give looks over functionality.   When turning around, he saw Pipp, who spread her hooves and wings out, looking for a hug, ears pinned against her head, a seductive smile to finish off her look. When Hitch entered the bed, he was met with hooves that wrapped around him, guiding his to Pipp’s wings.   Sitting together, Hitch once again started to think about it all.   Pipp instantly noticed, wanting to know what was on his mind. “What’s got you thinking Hitch?”  “Oh… I’m… just thinking about everything is all. I’m just so happy with the way everything has gone, you know? It’s almost been too perfect. I guess I’m just hoping  that nothing goes wrong soon.”  Pipp’s lips turned into an ‘aww’ expression when hearing this, smooching Hitch’s nose.  “Hitch, I’m sure that if and when that happens, no matter what, we’ll have each other.  We’ll have our friends. Even if something goes wrong with us, I know we’ll get through it. I can’t imagine us ever being broken apart from something that gets between us.” That last part really worried the stallion. He didn’t want any of that to happen. He even swore to himself that he would do his best in his ability to prevent such a thing. He wouldn’t let it happen.   Unfortunately, as Pipp went on, Hitch found it harder to stay awake. It wasn’t that what Pipp was talking about was making him bored, it was quite the opposite. He found her voice soothing.   Pipp took notice, and stopped talking, waiting to see if Hitch fell asleep or not. She got her answer eventually. “Why did you stop?” This caused her to laugh.  “Goodnight, Hitch, get some sleep. You’re tired.”  Hitch mumbled an ‘okay’ and gave her a kiss on her forehead. The two eventually drifted away into sleep, as the morning approached for the next day of their relationship.   They weren’t worried.   Not one bit.