//------------------------------// // The Big Night Out: part 2 // Story: The HAYngover // by TJW //------------------------------// The train came to a grinding halt at the Canterlot station, Mac noticed the platform's residents recoil at what must have been the horrifying shreik this action must have produced. It had been a quiet, yet uncomfortable journey for the red stallion, mostly spent gazing out into the country scenery and contemplating the possible eventualities of what lay ahead. Canterlot was a vibrant, bustling city, so for a simple farm pony who'd spent most of his life out in rural surroundings, the prospect of this highly urban experience made him slightly on edge. The carriage he was in was mostly occupied by guards, which he noticed every once in a while were staring him down suspiciously, though he knew the best response to this was to not respond at all, the last thing he wanted to do tonight was to get into trouble, as this would only extend his stay here. The carriage doors opened implying that it was time to get off; as he attempted to get up, there was some minimal resistance due to the fact his muscles were stiff from maintaining the same pose for the duration of his one and a half hour train ride up here. Just before leaving, he double and triple checked that he had the list of menu choices on him before disembarking the train. Upon setting foot onto the platform's floor, he was immediately struck by the intensity of the city's colours and lighting, made even more imposing by the contrast of the dark night sky. Mac became almost light headed by this sight, it was certainly a change to the rows of apple trees as far as the eye could see. He gathered his thoughts by focusing solely on his main objective, then after several deep breaths to steady his frayed nerves, he willfully pressed forward to find the stallion of the night, "Ok, let's just get this over with!" ---------------------------------------- "Err, guys? Are you sure about this?", Flash questioned while sat perched in a makeshift sled, tied by rope to the carriage which itself was positioned atop a fairly steep hill. "Gosh Flash, stop being such a filly! I literally cannot even f-fath-fathom what could possibly go wrong with this!", claimed the rather intoxicated Shining Armour, "the rest of us all did it before we picked you up!" This was followed by quiet sniggering from the rest of the troops. "Well, if you say so. But still, can't somepony else just go again before me so I have time to consider it?" Pleaded Flash. "Ok sure, that sounds perfectly reasonabl... NOW FONDLESWORTH!" The driver sighed to himself, then set the chariot forward slightly before letting gravity do the rest. Flash's coltish screams just further fueled the stallions' laughter, watching on while Flash flapped his wings with futility as an attempt to slow their increasing speed. Fast approaching the base of the hill, the driver prepared to hit the brakes...and did. While the chariot itself came to a reasonably safe halt, the same could not be said for Flash, who was launched over the chariot at a speed too fast to be able to stabalise himself with his wings, though he did try. CRASH! Howls of pain were what allowed the group to locate Flash who then gathered in a semi circle around the mangled pegasus. "Yo Flash, you alright?" The orange pegasus, now wishing he'd stayed at home, slowly sat up, the pain in his back almost unbearable, "ack! I think I've sprained my wing! Somepony help me! Shining Armour pushed his way through the group to see Flash, with a genuine look of concern on his face, "Oh my God Flash!... you best not have crushed the whiskey bottles when you landed there!" Flash couldn't believe what he'd just heard... then again, he sort of could. "Forget the bucking bottles! Help me!" Shining was already directing the troops back to the chariot, barely giving the injured Flash the time of day, "Sure, sure, I'll have Fondlesworth bandage that hoof of yours up or whatever. Now get your Flank back to the chariot, you've already held us up enough when you came up with the idea to sled down the hill!" "WHAT?" "Besides, when we get there, some alcohol should help dull the pain!" Flash was slightly flattered that Shining actually made an effort to help him here, "thanks, but it's not an open wound, I don't think pouring alcohol on it will stop the pain though" Shining was now practically dragging Flash back to the group, "who said anything about pouring it on yourself? That'd be a waste!" --------------------------------------------- Wandering through the busy streets had almost made Big Macintosh forget why he was there in the first place. As far as he could see there were rows upon rows of fancy restaurants and high end clothes shops, not to mention the condescending looks from the general populous towards this country, Ponyville stallion. Everytime he asked for directions to the bar, the answer was usually capped of with 'you must be new around here' or 'I can see how all this would be confusing to somepony like you', which only infuriated Big Mac further; true, he wasn't the brightest tool in the shed, but surely even the most intelligent ponies must get lost in a new city for them. Though he was aware that not bringing Applejack was the right thing to do, there was still some element of regret in it. Minutes turned into hours, but eventually Mac found himself infront of the place he was looking for. He looked up at the bold neon sign that announced the name of the place, 'forgotten nights'. This building was clearly aimed at the young stallions and mares generation, with architecture so modern, it made the surrounding buildings look like sweet apple acres by comparison. Judging by the noise that was coming from inside, it was evident that the place was packed, and Mac mentally built himself up for what would surely be a long and arduous search through dense crowds to find the stallion he was after... this was not the case. "Woooooooooooooooo! I wanna see some plots tonight!" As a stroke of fortune for Mac, he was immediately exposed to Shining Armour atop the club's DJ table, screaming at the top of his lungs and resisting the blue maned, sunglasses wearing unicorn as she desperately tried to remove him from her work station. Mac sighed to himself and made his way towards the front, using his advanced strength to push ponies aside with ease. ---------------- "Oh come on baby, just gimme one kiss at least!" A random party stallion was making his advances on Flash, who once again largely regretted the decision to dress like a mare tonight, "No! I'm flattered that you're interested in me, but I have to tell you, I'm a stallion, not a mare!" "Oh don't worry, I know" the romantic bluntly replied. Flash just stood there, mouth agape before slowly backing away, "I'm sorry, but there is no way I will ever get with another stallion, under ANY circumstances!". He then turned around and tried to disappear into the crowd. ----------------- "Are you Shining Armour?" Mac asked impatiently, a question which was barely even acknowledged by its recipient. Mac was at breaking point with snobbish ponies who thought they were too good for him, so with one hoof he grabbed Shining round the neck and dragged him to the bar, where the music wasn't quite so audibly destructive. "Look bro, I appreciate the offer and all, but I don't swing that way!" Shining insisted once he was released by Mac "You listen to me you bucking basket case! I have gone through hell to get to you tonight, now you better listen to me or else your wedding reception is gonna be in the intensive care unit!" Mac's words here were almost sobering to Shining... almost. "Ok look, I'm just trying to have a good time, I'm getting married within the week, so... this might be my last chance. Do you maybe want a drink?" There was some self pity in Shining's tone here, which certainly took effect on Mac, who felt slight sympathy towards him and began to compose himself, "No, it's alright, I don't really want to drink tonight, the only reason I came here tonight was to ask you what you wanted to be served at your wedding, I'm part of the catering department" Shining didn't pause to think for long before giving his answer, "I don't really mind, we'll just have whatever". All sympathy from Big Mac dissolved as quickly as his will not to destroy the pony he was talking to, every fibre of his being wanted to openly end the life of Shining, before returning to Ponyville and doing the same for Applejack. However this again would only extend his stay here, and that was a fate worse than death, so in the end, he chose the next best thing, "You know what? I think I'll have that drink now" Mac stated, holding back the fire in his chest. "Great! I knew you'd come around big guy!" Shining Noticed Flash emerge from the crowd out the corner of his eye, "Flash, go get a couple of drinks for me and my friend here, and get yourself one while you're at it!" Flash seemed surprisingly on board for this request, "oh yeah, great idea! But first, do you know where my bag is? I need to get something from it." Shining's look of disgust made it seem that Flash's act of selfishness was on par with a murder, "fine! I think it's in the chariot somewhere, but hurry up with the drinks, I haven't drank in over 5 minutes!" Flash made himself scarce to hunt for his bag, and for the second time this evening, Mac found himself engaged in awkward small talk with another pony. Shining and Mac's conversation topic mostly just revolved around the weather or family life, which made Shining want that drink more and more. When they approached the far end of the bar, they saw Flash hunched over three half filled glasses, with a quizzical look on his face. Shining barely even thanked him before grabbing two of the glasses for himself and Mac. "Wait! I can't remember who's drink is who's!" Flash protested "Well they're all the same right?" Mac questioned, he was usually very precarious when it came to alcohol "Yeah..." Shining interrupted the conversation to make his own, "looks like it's just the three of us then, with everypony else disappearing despite my whole 'stick together speech, so I guess this toast will just be between us then, now grab a drink!" Mac and Flash took a glass each and raised them in the air, waiting for Shining to make the call. "To friendship, and beautiful memories... cheers" "Cheers" "Cheers" The three slapped their drinks together, sending some of the contained liquid from one's glass into the others', then downed them in one. Their last memory of the night.